Ruined Childhoods

It's EPISODE 300 and we can't think of a better way to celebrate than by honoring this symbol of 80s family cinema greatness, Harry and the Hendersons . In our 3rd season, a cinematic yo-yo going up and down film history's alphabet, we're doubling up on the H with this story of a Seattle family who befriends Bigfoot. Dan and Jon celebrate its weirdness and wonder, focusing on the s...

When Richard Stanley was a kid, he was enamoured by the bright red cover of a book on his parents' bookshelf, an original copy of H.G. Wells' 1896 science fiction novel, The Island of Dr. Moreau . What he didn't realize is that this very material would lead to the most harrowing years of his life as he adapted the novel for screen, sold the screenplay to New Line Cinema , and set on a...

When Steve Martin decided to quit stand up comedy at the height of his on-stage success to pursue an acting career, some might have thought that idea as wild and crazy as his comedic persona. But he proved us all wrong in his wildly successful film debut, The Jerk . Co-written by Martin, The Jerk pulls from his stand up routine and weaves together a rags-to-riches-to-rags story that remains a cult...

Stanley Kubrick's 2nd feature film may not be perfect, but it's a fascinating look at how one of the 20th century's most iconic directors went from scrappy run-and-gun filmmaking to larger-than-life productions like The Shining , 2001: A Space Odyssey , and A Clockwork Orange . Dan and Jon don't just celebrate the birth of a genius, they also theorize fun ways to revisit this 1955...

Episode 296 of Ruined Childhoods is a celebration of Jim Henson and his true cult classic, Labyrinth . Dan and Jon celebrate the genius of Henson, memories of his other projects, and imagine new possibilities for this absolutely unforgettable 1980s gem. Watch on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Next episode: ⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠ Killer's Kiss (1955) • The 3rd season of Ruined Childhoods is a year-long cin...

This Ridley Scott hidden gem from 2003 is the perfect blend of crime, comedy, and style. It also features fantastic performances from its three leads, Nicolas Cage , Sam Rockwell , and Alison Lohman . Dan and Jon also share their thoughts on how to revisit this film, Matchstick Men , with contemporary twists. Watch on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ Next episode: ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Labyrinth (1986) • The 3rd se...

John Badham's 1995 thriller is probably best remembered for taking place in real time, a device often used to amplify the tension and emphasize a ticking clock. And when you have the star power of Johnny Depp and Christopher Walken , the watchability of Nick of Time is off the charts. And as always, Dan and Jon think of new fun ways to revisit this 90s gem. Watch on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠...

It's hard to remember a time when George Clooney wasn't a massive film star, but before 1998's Out of Sight , he was still struggling to find his footing on the big screen. But thanks to another Hollywood juggernaut attempting to prove themselves, Steven Soderbergh , they all finally discovered the magic that would cement them both as fixtures for decades to come. And, of course, Jon and Dan take...

It's about time Ruined Childhoods entered the Van Peeblesverse. And no matter how you pronounce the his first name, it's hard to deny the impact Mario Van Peebles had on cinema in the 1990s. This 1993 western isn't just entertaining as hell, but it also can teach you about a few real aspects of 19th century experience for Black Americans. Dan and Jon celebrate Van Peebles' career, family dynasty,...

It's the mods vs. the rockers on this episode of Ruined Childhoods as Dan & Jon celebrate the cinematic achievements of Franc Roddam based on the music of The Who . The 1973 album Quadrophenia set the story and the 1979 film sets it in motion with an incredible performance from Phil Daniels and memorable appearances from Phil Davis , Ray Winstone , Leslie Ash , and Sting . Dan and Jon talk...

It's episode 290 of Ruined Childhoods and Dan & Jon are ready to ROCK! On this Rocktacular episode, Dan & Jon celebrate the wild 1996 Michael Bay adventure, The Rock , a celebration of explosions, deadly gas, and Zeus's butthole. They talk about all of the elements of this 90s classic that make it memorable nearly 30 years later and imagine new ways it could be revisited in the modern era....

Are you a Brian De Palma fan? If so, you've probably seen the 1972 thriller Sisters . No? What are you waiting for?! Margot Kidder plays conjoined twins Danielle and Dominique who have since been separated, and the struggles they face living in Staten Island, NY. Jennifer Salt also stars as a reporter who witnesses a murder linked to the twins and is determined to discover the secrets about Daniel...

It's the year after the release of Jurassic Park - the world has dino-fever and writer/director Stewart Raffill just happens to luck into an animatronic T-Rex and is hell bent on writing a movie around the prehistoric robot. What Raffill didn't know is that his stars, Denise Richards and Paul Walker would go on to star is pivotal films in American pop culture. The film is an incredible examination...

287 episodes and we're only NOW covering this iconic Hughes / Candy collab?? A film that truly stands the test of time, Uncle Buck is always a fun watch and you discover new ways to love it with every watch. Celebrate the genius of the all-star cast and imagine new ways to revisit this classic just like us, despite Uncle Buck having two failed television adaptations. Next episode: Tammy and the T-...

In the early 60s in London, there were a cottage industry for blackmailers targeting homosexual activity, which was illegal in England until 1967. The 1961 film Victim tells the story of a rising star in London's legal system who has to face a decision - fight back against a group of blackmailers or continue to stay closeted, risking his marriage, reputation, and career. Dan and Jon celebrate dire...

Most known for the Michael Jackson song written for its sequel, the 1971 film Willard was a surprise box office success, leading to a sequel the following year and a 2003 remake starring Crispin Glover . Dan and Jon celebrate the ways that Willard stands out from other films of its generation, character dynamics, thematic connections, and the portrayal of isolation and revenge. They also, as alway...

For the 2nd X film of Ruined Childhoods, we discuss the strengths and issues with the 1980 musical fantasy, Xanadu . With such a strong cast, what could go wrong? Not only is it Gene Kelly's final film, but it's the follow-up film for both Olivia Newton-John and Michael Beck after their smash successes, Grease (1978) and The Warriors (1979), respectively. Dan and Jon also share their ideas...

On our 2nd Y film of this season, we celebrate Akira Kurosawa's  iconic 1961 samurai smash, Yojimbo . What has become an inspiration for generations of filmmakers, Yojimbo is a prime example of the dawn of a new legacy, introducing audiences to a flawed protagonist set out to manipulate 2 rival gangs. And we've got plenty of ideas for how this film could be revisited in new and exciting ways. Nex...

We are officially on our way BACK DOWN the alphabet in the 3rd season of Ruined Childhoods. We went from Anaconda to Zardoz and we're beginning our descent with the 1969 French/Algerian classic Z ! This is the fictionalized version of the very true story of a political assassination conspiracy carried out in Greece just a few years prior to the film's release and the novel its adapted from. But th...

WE DID IT! This episode marks our half-way point through season 3 where we are going A-Z and then Z-A through movie titles. We're thrilled to cap off the first half with Sir John Boorman's 1974 heady fantasy, Zardoz . What is now considered a cult classic was at the time considered a flop and embarrassment, but we're here to tell a different side of the story, celebrating what makes it...

In our journey working from A-Z then Z-A in movie titles, it's hard to get to Y and not explore Barbra Streisand's 1983 directorial debut, Yentl . This adaptation from a short story is a tough nut to crach - it's the story of an Orthodox Jewish woman from a Polish shtetl who challenges the traditions of her own faith in order to better learn its very own teachings. The movie's lege...

Richard Donner . Charles Bronson . Mary Tyler Moore . Jimmy Stewart . Yup - these unlikely bedfellows teamed up for a government-funded film to market a new rocket-powered jet meant to propel the US Air Force and NASA into outer space. X-15 contains a lot of firsts - it boasts that it's the first movie filmed in space as it uses actual footage from test flights, this is the first feature film...

Willow has all the makings of a fantasy classic - top tier director, big stars, impressive special effects, and bell of the ball writer, George Lucas . But for many, this movie is nothing but a bad attempt at capitalizing on the success of Star Wars . Dan and Jon celebrate the elements of the film that make it work and come up with some fresh ways to it back, perhaps without Disney+ removing it al...

Remember Remember the 26th of February (this episode's release date, of course). V for Vendetta may not be a film classic, but it activated a generation of activism fashion. Though the design is from the V for Vendetta graphic novel, this 2005 film launched it into global collective consciousness. Paired with Natalie Portman's iconic head-shaving scene, the visuals of this film are still m...

The legend of The Usual Suspects continues to this day. Its twist ending, stories from the set, and all of the parodies that came in its wake are a big part of the film's lasting legacy. But after much deliberation, Dan and Jon have some ideas on how this 1995 crime/heist film could be revisited for a modern audience. Next episode: V for Vendetta (2005) Watch this episode on YouTube or Spotify...