Old Roommates

Watch your step! This week, we're revisiting that sci-fi family classic, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Back in 1989, this Disney flick delighted audiences with its cute concept, its practical effects, and its ... completely terrifying fight-to-the-death bug battles. But now, decades later, does it now feel a little less than the sum of its parts? Is Rick Moranis' Wayne a bad scientist and a bad dad? D...

Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie did the unheard of in the 70s. They both nabbed Oscar noms for a horror movie. Yes, Brian DePalma's "Carrie" was, much like Carrie White's house, a groundbreaker. Featuring telekinesis, the supernatural, religious fanaticism, and (oh yeah) an ever-flowing bucket of pig blood, "Carrie" seemed an unlikely slam dunk, but it scored big with both audiences and critics. Now...

"Don't forget. I'm also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her." And, boy, were we suckers for this girl. In 1999's Notting Hill, the powerhouse coupling of Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant had audiences lining up on both sides of the pond. The rom com would go on to make over $360 million. Now, decades later, does this London-set love story have us scratching our heads as muc...

"Kneel before Zod!" Not even a "please." Movie villains were rude back in the '80s. And Zod, Ursa, Non and Lex Luthor were no exception. Spanning cities, countries and even planets, Superman 2's bad guys really had our hero putting in the frequent flier miles. But now, decades later, does all the action leave us jetlagged. How many villains is too many? And shouldn't Superman have consulted Lois L...

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. Jan's lament was front, center and hilariously accentuated by a game cast in 1995's The Brady Bunch Movie. Thirty years ago, the film was loved by critics and audiences alike, as we witnessed The Bradys staying true to themselves during 1990's. But nowadays, where do the Bradys fit in? Are they awesomely anachronistic or just plain annoying? Are the impersonations of Carol,...

Val Kilmer played Jim Morrison in 1991's The Doors to great acclaim but was, alas, snubbed by the Academy. People are strange, eh? Yes, the movie's release was attacked by fans and former band members of The Doors for its alleged inaccuracies and exaggerations. But now, years later, were movie audiences just riders on the storm of bad press? Upon rewatch, does the Oliver Stone movie provide some t...

"My mother told me never to do this." When are we going to listen to our moms, people? The 1986 cult classic, The Hitcher, not only put the fear of hitchhikers in us, but also the fear of cops, German Shepherds, and even french fries. Rutger Hauer and C. Thomas Howell share the front seat of this dark thrillride with more than one gross-out moment. But now, decades of defeated horror villains late...

Johnny Depp played Sam, a tree-climbing, borderline-illiterate, aspiring mime. Shockingly, Sam's antics aren't even the quirkiest things taking place in 1993's Benny & Joon. Poker games with weird prizes, a snorkel-wearing sister, and a former horror movie actress are just a few of the ingredients making up this flaky crowd-pleaser. But now, decades later, is a quirky point of view appropriate...

Dopey, Happy, and a cold-blooded killer. Yes, Disney's 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was quite the mix of spectacle, song, and skull-filled dungeons. Yet we remember it as fun for the whole family. But now, nearly 90 years later, how does this hand-drawn delight hold up in our Pixar'ed world? Do the doodles feel dated? Is all the death talk too much by today's G-Rated standards? And why doe...

“So, what do you little maniacs want to do first?” As embodied by Kelly LeBrock, Lisa was full of questions, answers, and (for unknown reasons) a variety of witchy powers in the 1985 classic, Weird Science. Written and directed by John Hughes, the movie was a perverted teenage geek’s dream: building a woman to spec, controlling her, and using her to gain popularity among the cool kids. But now, ne...

Jim Carrey gave critics a new view into his talents in the Peter Weir hit, The Truman Show. Back in 1998, the psychological comedy-drama captivated audiences with its unique premise: a reality TV world that “is not fake but controlled.” Yes, we followed dear Truman as he was hoodwinked daily by everyone in his life, all for the sake of ratings. But now, decades of reality TV concepts later, is the...

After going “Psycho” for Alfred Hitchcock a while back (episode 140, but who’s counting?) we revisit another of his classics, 1948’s Rope. Upon release, Rope basically hanged itself with audiences and critics due to its deep, dark premise. Two men of questionable sexual orientation strangle the living daylights out of their friend with a … well, you know … just to do it. Heavy handed philosophies,...

“With or Without You” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” were both number one hits in the states for Irish icons, U2. The songs are still in heavy rotation by Gen X and more, but how about the music videos? Back in the late-80s, MTV audiences were treated to two very different Bonos. In “With … ,” we saw a tormented, handtied gent. In “I Still Haven’t … ,” we witnessed a lad living f...

Meryl Streep ate a Gummi Bear out of her hair. Roseanne Barr fell flat on her face while holding a cheese plate. Ed Begley, Jr. showed his butt. And audiences stayed away. Yes, 1989’s black comedy She-Devil struggled to find its audience upon release and didn’t even earn back its budget. But now, decades later, was this tale of romance and revenge just misunderstood? Were we really prepared to see...

Can you handle the truth? Sure, back in 1992, this military courtroom drama was a critical and box office smash. Tom Cruise! Demi Moore! Jack Nicholson! And all that yelling! How could it miss? But now, decades later, are we ready to issue a Code Red on this Oscar-nominated Best Picture? Is Cruise’s cocksure persona the best fit for this heavy-handed tale of loyalty? Is Jack’s manic line readings...

Audrey II was more than just a mean green mother from outer space. Back in 1984, and voiced by Levi Stubbs, he was the main attraction of the movie musical, Little Shop of Horrors. Based on an off-Broadway show, which itself was based on a 1960 horror comedy of the same name, the Frank Oz directed flick achieved cult classic status on VHS and Beta. But now, decades later, are we still singing its...

Oh, Archieeee. Edith Bunker (as portrayed by Jean Stapleton) was a force of nature. At turns both naïve and loud, Edith’s point of view was critical to the success of the 70’s sitcom, All in the Family, for nine seasons. Season 8, however, was a harrowing one for the beloved housewife. Yes, dear listener, we are venturing into some “very special episodes” of the acclaimed TV show. “Edith’s 50th Bi...

John Travolta and Bruce Willis reunited – in person – for Quentin Taratino’s Pulp Fiction. A critical and box office smash, the movie was just plain cool back in 1994. Loaded with iconic characters, quotable quotes, and over 260 f-bombs, the screenplay went on to win an Oscar. But now, decades later, does this foul-mouthed bloodbath need a good scrubbing? Do these wayward, drug-addicted characters...

"Satisfaction" RevisitedJulia Roberts and Liam Neeson are mere supporting players in the 1988 dramedy Satisfaction. Originally created as a vehicle for Justine Bateman (of "Family Ties" fame), the film quickly stalled at the box office. Film critics didn't necessarily sing the praises of this tale of a cover band of misfits, either. But now, decades later, were we too hard on this summer romp? Wil...

Angela Bassett plays Stella. And, well, Stella's got it all. Flawless beauty, a big job, a breathtaking house, and a smarty-pants son. All that's missing, alas, is a man. Back in 1998, fans of the Terry McMillan bestseller flooded theaters for the May-December romance. But now, decades later, was Stella's groove ever really gone in the first place? Why does Stella talk to herself so much? And do a...

Mini Stonehenge. Knobs that go to eleven. And love pumps. Yes, 1984's This Is Spinal Tap was a true original. The Rob Reiner mockumentary doubled its budget at the box office and became a massive hit on VHS. But now, over forty years later, does the film still reach the comedic heights we remember so well? Are the songs bangers or busts? And how many dead drummers is too many? The Old Roommates "s...

Film Fact: Geena Davis made history by being the first actress say, "Suck my d*ck" in a major motion picture. Yes, Geena's then-husband Renny Harlin pulled out all the stops in an effort to make a tough-as-nails action hero out of the Oscar winner. Though the film made back more than its budget, it didn't quite blow up the box office or ignite critics' hearts. So, why is this one of co-host Brian'...

“Shakespeare in Love” RevisitedGwyneth Paltrow did drag and struck Oscar gold with her turn in 1998’s Shakespeare in Love. The John Madden film was a sexy rom com about a fictionalized love affair involving some guy named William Shakespeare. Oscar nominations and box office bucks followed. But now, decades later, was it all much ado about not much? Does all the lovey-dovey love scenes and endless...

The cat. The bat. The bird. Yes, 1992’s Batman Returns was stuffed to the gills with iconic characters. Danny DeVito’s Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman took center stage while Michael Keaton’s caped crusader basically drove around and posed a lot. Hardly mattered. Audiences flocked to see this sex-charged sequel. But now, decades later, is this dimly lit superhero hit too dark? Is the Peng...

Martin Scorsese went full Hitchcock for the remake of the thriller, Cape Fear. Extreme closeups, ominous music, and unusual camera angles pulled the director into new waters back in 1991. And, much like DeNiro's Max Cady to a human cheek, audiences ate it up. But now, decades later, was this dark tale worth retelling? Did Nick Nolte's evidence-hiding lawyer deserve this torture? And does the film'...