Ruined Childhoods

I don't know but I've been told - Major Payne's 29 years old! On this episode of the podcast, Dan and Jon celebrate one of the few Virginia films not focused on Washington DC. This Damon Wayans classic follows a time-honored tradition of movies about kids not made for kids. Dan and Jon have some ideas of how they would revisit Major Payne 29 years after its release. Next episode: An Of...

Diane Keaton is a businesswoman and business is BOOMING! But when an unexpected baby enters the picture, something's gotta give. On this episode, Dan and Jon celebrate the 1987 women-in-the-workforce meets unprepared-parent classic, Baby Boom , and imagine a new life for a 37 year old classic. Next episode: Major Payne (1995) • Virginia See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now k...

Oi! Oi! Oi! Strap on your studded leather belts, dye your hair green, and fight the system! On this episode, Dan & Jon trek to Utah on their cinematic journey across these United States. This cult classic breaks down the intricacies of the 1980s punk scene in America in style and Dan & Jon share their thoughts on how to resurrect this beloved film. Next episode: Baby Boom (1987) • Vermont...

YEE-HAW, RANGERS! Jon and Dan are in Texas talking about the 1983 action classic, Lone Wolf McQuade , starring Chuck Norris and David Carradine in a bizarre study of beer, guns, and Texas-Style martial arts. Dan and Jon celebrates its weirdness, share some moments that stood out to them, and propose some ideas on how to bring back this tale of a sorta-renegade Texas ranger. Next episode: SLC PUNK...

RIP Shelley Duvall (1949 - 2024) Jon and Dan take their cinematic tour to Tennessee on this episode of the podcast and couldn't resist the opportunity to sing the praises of Robert Altman's classic country music-meets-political thriller classic, Nashville . This star-filled cast (including early roles for many soon-to-be stars) weaves together a story of politics, concerning both the feder...

Inspired by the story of a true crime, Badlands takes the audience on a journey through the vastness of South Dakota and into rural Montana. Dan and Jon celebrate the film, the astonishing direction by rookie Terrence Malick , and the breathtaking performances by big-screen freshmen Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek . Next episode: Nashville (1975) • Tennessee See what native tribes reside or resided...

Capture the vibe of coastal South Carolina with an all-star 80s cast. Dan and Jon share their experiences watching The Big Chill and imagine how its legacy could be extended today. Next episode: Badlands (1973) • South Dakota See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as South Carolina Watch this episode on YouTube or Spotify Subscribe to The WALT! Contact us, follow us on socia...

When it comes to Rhode Island cinema, accessing the work of the Farrelly Brothers is a good start. This film may not be directed by Peter or Bobby, but was co-written by the duo based on Peter's novel . The movie may have its flaws, but they were likely implemented due to studio notes and a particularly evil executive. Next episode: The Big Chill (1983) • South Carolina See what native tribes...

Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum! Who are we? JOHNNY DEPP ??? On this episode, Jon and Dan are in Puerto Rico featuring a movie filmed and set on the Island of Enchantment, The Rum Diary . Next episode: Outside Providence (1999) • Rhode Island Subscribe to The WALT! Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at  linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods

Before there was Dr. Richard Kimball, Henry Turner, or Dutch Van Den Broeck there was John Book. In this Peter Weir classic, Harrison Ford is a Philadelphia detective who is uncovering a murderous plot within his own precinct, but the only way to stay safe and expose the crooked cops is to hide out in Amish Country with the boy who witnessed a murder ( Lucas Haas ) and his hot mom ( Kelly McGillis...

HEY YOU GUYS! Jon has a thorough chat with Behman Zakeri, owner of the Walsh's house from the Goonies! Listen to their chat about what it takes to own a piece of film history. ALSO, this BONUS episode is released on GOONIES DAY, which occurs every year on June 7, which was the original release date of The Goonies in 1985. Follow @GooniesHome on Instagram Follow Behman on TikTok • watch "Data" zipl...

HEY YOU GUYS! It's finally time for Dan and Jon to talk about The Goonies , the Richard Donner classic and share how they would bring back this adventure classic in 2024. Next episode: Witness (1985) • Pennsylvania See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Oregon Subscribe to The WALT! Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at  linktr.ee/RuinedChildhood...

Oklahoma cowboys may be a dime a dozen, but ones that are eternal and nocturnal? Katheryn Bigelow's Near Dark covers that territory with what may be the only vampire western. The film features an amazing cast ( Bill Paxton , Lance Henriksen , Jenette Goldstein ) and score ( Tangerine Dream ), and Dan and Jon have some thoughts on how it could be properly brought back. Next episode: The Goonies...

The town of Clyde, OH may be real, but this story that takes place there is too strange to be true. On this episode, Dan and Jon celebrate Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael , the tale of a quirky teenage adoptee imagining a better life with the celebrity she believes is her biological mother. The cast features Winona Ryder and Jeff Daniels . Next episode: Near Dark (1987) • Oklahoma See what native tr...

Hold onto your GOLD because we're in North Dakota talking about the 1993 cult horror classic, L eprechaun ! This film defied the odds of being a throwaway release, but the impending star-power of Jennifer Aniston catapulted the film into the annals of film history. It also didn't hurt that it featured the Willow star, Warwick Davis . Next episode: Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (1990) • Ohi...

Hold onto your gis because we're in North Carolina talking about the 2006 cult classic, The Foot Fist Way ! This film stars Danny McBride , Ben Best , Jody Hill , and Mary Jane Bostic and showed the world the yin to The Karate Kid's yang. Also, Dan and Jon consider new ways to bring back the movie's characters and extend its legacy. Next episode: Leprechaun (1993) • North Dakota See wh...

Dan and Jon have the TIME OF THEIR LIVES talking about the 1987 independent classic, Dirty Dancing . Dan and Jon share information about the film's production, the happy accidents that made the movie work, and their own personal experiences vacationing in the Catskills. Next episode: The Foot Fist Way (2006) • North Carolina See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as New York...

Dan and Jon are exploring New Mexico cinema (set, not shot) with the Gary Cooper western classic, High Noon . This Hollywood blacklisting allegory also showcases the talents of Grace Kelly , Katy Jurado , and Lloyd Bridges all in strong supporting roles. Dan and Jon talk a bit about the film's legacy and imagine how it could be brought back today. Also, High Noon was JUST RELEASED on 4k Ultra...

Dan and Jon are back in their home state (spiritually, not physically) to talk about all of the things that make New Jersey, well, New Jersey. One of these things is the main setting of Kevin Smith 's 2nd feature film, Mallrats . Next episode: High Noon (1952) • New Mexico See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as New Jersey Subscribe to The WALT! Contact us, follow us o...

The Ruined Childhoods podcast is up in New Hampshire to discuss the Nicole Kidman / Joaquin Phoenix / Matt Dillon dark comedy classic, To Die For - the 5th feature by director Gus Van Sant . This film, set in the Granite State, has recently entered the Criterion Collection , and rightfully so. Next episode: Mallrats (1995) • New Jersey See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known...

Take away the story behind the 1961 Marilyn Monroe / Clark Gable / Montgomery Clift classic and what do you have? Dan and Jon dissect The Misfits and try to find news ways to improve upon the final films of two Hollywood icons. Next episode: To Die For (1995) • New Hampshire See what Native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Nevada Subscribe to The WALT! Contact us, follow us on soci...

Dan and Jon are trekking from Montana to Nebraska with the Grant family to see if Woody actually won a million bucks. Next episode: The Misfits (1961) • Nevada See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Nebraska Subscribe to The WALT! Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at  linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods

Dan and Jon couldn't decide on one early-to-mid-90s Columbla / TriStar emotionally withholding father 1920s-era Brad Pitt Montana movie, so they picked BOTH! Next episode: Nebraska (2013) • Nebraska See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Montana Subscribe to The WALT! Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at  linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods

This week, Dan and Jon are in the backwoods of Missouri as Jennifer Lawrence tries to find her bail-jumping meth-cooking father. They also give their quick thoughts on the upcoming Academy Awards. Next episode: A River Runs Through It (1992) & Legends of the Fall (1994) • Montana See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Missouri Subscribe to The WALT! Contact us, follow...

Dan and Jon are in 1960s Mississippi to take a close look at the Norman Jewison Oscar winner, In the Heat of the Night starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger . This film should be required cinema in understanding racial relations in civil rights era rural south, and Dan and Jon have some ideas on how to keep it fresh in the modern era. Next episode:  Winter's Bone (2010) • Missouri See what n...