Ruined Childhoods

Much like a vampire that can never age, Dan and Jon can’t seem to leave 1987 behind! In the first installment of their month-long tribute to director Joel Schumacher , they explore the world of fictional beach town Santa Carla, the setting of his horror-comedy, The Lost Boys . Dan shares his distaste for certain sparkly teen vampires while Jon sings the praises of shirtless saxophonist extraordina...

The Running Man Take another trip back to 1987 with Dan, Jon, and special guest Laura Richardson, and join them as they discuss the past, present, and future of The Running Man . In discussing this adaptation of the Richard Bachmann novel, they note the many similarities between the 2017 of the film and the 2020 in which we are currently living, as well as the various theories related to the film,...

1987 saw the release of one of the few films of the decade to be written, produced, directed by and starring Black artists. Hollywood Shuffle , co-written by Keenan Ivory Wayans , is Robert Townsend’s satirical take on being a Black actor in Hollywood (who is not Eddie Murphy ). How much has changed, if anything? Dan and Jon seek the answer to that question, as well as what role satire can play to...

Dan & Jon & Owen & Larry…& Momma On this episode, Dan and Jon imagine a new life for this remake of an adaptation. Next episode: Hollywood Shuffle

Keith Coogan joins Dan & Jon to talk about his 1987 cult classic, Hiding Out . Keith tells stories from the set and from other career highlights, such as Adventures in Babysitting and Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead . But first, Dan & Jon go over their thoughts and reflections on current world events and one of their plans for taking action. For more information, visit PODliceaCASTemy...

What happens when 3 career bachelors are left in charge of a baby? They have to bust a group of heroin smugglers - that’s what! On this episode of the podcast, Dan and Jon go over Three Men and a Baby & Three Men and a Little Lady . And don’t worry, they talk about the ghost. Next episode: Hiding Out (1987)

We certainly hope that the curse isn’t true because this episode is all about The Exorcist . That’s right, we’re talkin’ Merrin . We’re talkin’ Karras . We’re talkin’ Regan . We’re talkin’ Pazuzu . Jon & Dan talk about the whole gang, including everyone from the entire Exorcist universe. But what else do you do with this well-covered property? Dan & Jon have some ideas. Next episode: Three...

The same year their family television show was taken off the year, The Monkees released a film that tanked in the theaters, but has found a cult following for all the right reasons. On this episode of Ruined Childhoods, Dan and Jon draw parallels for the Monkees releasing Head to Young Sheldon releasing a statement about King Jong-Un. Next episode: The Exorcist (1973)

Ivan Reitman’s 1990 classic Kindergarten Cop may have gotten a straight-to-VOD sequel , but that doesn’t mean that Dan & Jon aren’t going to come up with some new fresh ways to revisit this Arnold Schwarzenegger gem. Big thanks to Millie De Chirico for suggesting this masterpiece. Next episode: Head (1968)

Dan and Jon are joined by Millie De Chirico. Don’t be fooled by Millie’s clout as Programming Manager for Turner Classic Movies and Programmer for TCM Underground - she’s here to talk about figure skating classic, The Cutting Edge . This movie defies all of the odds and stands the test of time as possibly the best pairs figure skating film, next to its 2007 spiritual parody, Blades of Glory . And...

Dan and Jon are joined by writer, critic, and Elaine May-enthusiast, Carrie Courogen to celebrate the classically misunderstood Ishtar . Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty get into some dangerous business as Chuck Clarke and Lyle Rogers - two wannabe musicians who find themselves in a mixup with the CIA and a group of radical communists who want to overthrow a tyrant. Dan, Jon, and Carrie talk about...

It's 1973 in Los Angeles, California. Private Investigator, Philip Marlow is trying to find out who killed his friend and find his cat. 47 years later, two ding-a-lings with microphones and an internet connection try to find a way to bring back Marlow in a way that's relevant to a modern-day audience. Next episode: Ishtar (1987)

On this episode, Dan and Jon take it back to 1989 and then 1994 to a lesser extent, and then 1998 to an even lesser extent to go over the Major League series. Beyond that, they go over their own personal experiences with baseball fandom, including Dan’s brief stint as a Steve Garvey 1987 Donruss baseball card impersonator. But most importantly, Dan and Jon celebrate the genius of Bob Uecker . Next...

When Hollywood’s rom-com leading man Rock Hudson wanted to take on an acting challenge that would make people take him seriously as an actor, he paired up with The Manchurian Candidate director John Frankenheimer and made Seconds , about a middle-aged man who chooses to be “rebooted” as a younger man with a different life. The film was booed right out of Cannes and caused audience members to becom...

Few movies have gone from being box office failures to beloved classics to the extent that The Monster Squad has over the last 30 years. Dan and Jon may not have seen it in the theater (though Dan remembers seeing the poster), but like others, they’ve become passionate fans after repeated viewings on HBO and VHS. Sequels and remakes have always been rumored, but have yet to come to fruition. Join...

Whether you love it or hate it, Tootsie is an iconic film depicting the struggles of both a temperamental male actor and women in the workplace. Is there a place for Dorothy Michaels in the future of cinema? Is her story really over? Dan & Jon lay out the history of the film and their ideas for a possible resurrection of the property. Next episode: The Monster Squad (1987)

What Women Want (2000) What are the potentials and pitfalls of a movie in which a misogynistic advertising executive gains the power to hear women’s thoughts? Dan and Jon brave the waters of Mel Gibson’s filmography to revisit the Nancy Meyers comedy, which featured Gibson in his pre-drunk racist/sexist breakdown days playing Nick Marshall, the aforementioned ad exec. In doing so, they debate the...

Dan & Jon break into a nearby pool and dive into 1985’s Cocoon . Ron Howard’s sci-fi comedy classic is a prime example of an 80s alien movie that totally holds up, but Dan and Jon imagine what it might be like with a life in the 21st century. Next episode: What Women Want (2000)

Special Guest: SCOTT WIENER On this episode, Dan and Jon are in Austin, Texas with their brother Scott to talk about the character that shaped their lives (as well as many others), Pee-wee Herman ( Paul Reubens ) . From Pee-wee’s Big Adventure to Pee-wee’s Playhouse to Big Top Pee-wee to Pee-wee’s Big Holiday , just about everything is covered - including his appearances in Cheech and Chong’s Next...

Mickey Mouse & Bugs Bunny? Daffy Duck & Donald Duck? Eddie Valiant & Roger Rabbit?! On this episode of Ruined Childhoods, Dan & Jon discuss the 1988 classic animation-meets-live-action romp, Who Framed Roger Rabbit . Have there been attempts to resurrect the property in the past? Are there future plans? Dan and Jon give an overview and share their ideas on expanding the Roger Rabbi...

No time for love, Starfighters! On this episode, Dan & Jon give an overview of the ongoing legacy of Indiana Jones and give their ideas on ways the franchise can move forward in a way that won’t ruin any childhoods. Next episode: Who Framed Roger Rabbit A Week of Kindness and the Last Crusade

Dan & Jon hit the road and explore this true classic in counter-culture cinema. But first, Dan goes over some news from upcoming sequels/remakes. Next episode: The world of Indiana Jones

Dan & Jon soar through their first year of Ruined Childhoods like Cliff Secord (AKA The Rocketeer ) soars over Hollywoodland, California. They also ruminate on their recent experiences seeing Bad Boys for Life and Ghostbusters with orchestral accompaniment. Next episode: Easy Rider (1969)

Dan and Jon dig in to one of the more unlikely franchises in cinema, which began with the release of the original Tremors 30 years ago this month, and has since spawned sequels, a prequel, and two (failed) TV series. After all the different directions in which this franchise has already gone, is there anything they could possibly suggest that hasn’t already been tried? Listen in and see what they...

School Ties might not be a classic movie for most, but it sure is for Dan & Jon. They share their thoughts and memories about this Brendan Fraser drama as they celebrate the early careers of Brendan, Matt Damon , Ben Affleck , and many other future stars. COWARDS!!!!! Next Episode: Tremors