Ruined Childhoods

No idea why it’s taken so long to cover this Weird Al classic on the podcast. Next episode: Dirty Harry (1971) Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods

Adapted from a 1930s comic strip, Flash Gordon pulls no punches and neither do Dan & Jon as they determine how this classic character can be brought back. Next episode: UHF (1989) * RIP John Paragon Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods

In the years following the Watergate scandal, pop culture echoed the citizens’ of the US feeling of betrayal by the government, and books like Six Days of the Condor came about, along with its film adaptation, Three Days of the Condor . On this episode, Dan & Jon consider new ways to follow up the 1975 Robert Redford / Faye Dunaway CIA thriller. Next episode: Flash Gordon (1980) Contact us, fo...

Though this movie was wildly overlooked and panned when it came out in 1994, Cabin Boy lives on to become a cult comedy classic. On a mission to figure out how to bring this movie back in the 21st century, Dan and Jon have a shockingly rare moment of parallel thought. Next episode: Serial Mom (1994) Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods

Chevy Chase is a lot of things, and in Fletch , he is also a lot of people. On this episode, Dan and Jon break down the iconic comedy noir and its 1989 sequel to figure out how this property could be brought back today. Next episode: Cabin Boy (1994) Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods

Perhaps the most accurate courtroom film to date, My Cousin Vinny lives in the minds and hearts of many. Dan and Jon discuss their personal histories with this classic comedy and imagine new worlds for these iconic characters. Next episode: Fletch (1985) Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods

This episode is also available on YouTube as a video podcast! When it comes to musical comedies, any list would be incomplete without Earth Girls Are Easy . On this episode, Jon and Dan celebrate Julien Temple’s 1988 masterpiece and imagine how this romp could take on a new life over 30 years later. Next episode: My Cousin Vinny (1992) Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at li...

Zorro may have been created over 100 years ago, but his legacy lives on through tv shows, comic books, stage plays, and movies. Dan and Jon discuss some highlights of the Zorro films that they were able to stream online and discuss possibilities for Zorro’s film future. ALSO, Dan chats with Miami stand up Cesar Gracia , a Cuban American who grew up watching Zorro tear it up. Next episode: Earth Gi...

What might be remembered best for its zanily mangled bodies and Streep on Hawn demented battles, Death Becomes Her contains much more than its more memorable scenes. For some, that may be Isabella Rossellini’s wardrobe. For others, it could be Sydney Pollack’s brief appearance. Dan & Jon discuss what makes this movie memorable, where it could be improved, and how it could be brought back…becau...

Tango, Cash. Cash, Tango. No matter which order you put them in, they’re a kick-ass frenemy-cop duo and Dan & Jon are excited to talk about the 1989 action classic with Kill Streak podcast’ s Eric Gosselin. Jon enthusiasts may remember Eric from their partnerships including Hey, Teens! with Jon & Eric . Next Episode: Death Becomes Her (1992) Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy so...

Sometimes the story behind a movie is just as incredible as the movie itself. That would have made a good theme for a month of episodes, but I’m only realizing that now. Damn. This week, Dan & Jon celebrate the Werner Herzog/Klaus Kinski classic, Fitzcarraldo (1982) and share ideas for a new life for this classic film. Next episode: Tango & Cash (1989) Contact us, follow us on social media...

2 Brothers, 2 guys named Jon, 2 Van Dammes! Dan and Jon are joined by Jon Gabrus to celebrate the 1991 Corsican Brothers adaptation, Double Impact . Next episode: Fitzcarraldo (1982) Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch here!

It’s one of the most well-known westerns and has one of the most iconic scores in film history, but this movie also coined a phrase that lives well outside the confines of cinema. Dan & Jon explore The Good, The Bad and the Ugly , despite the fact that it was created before the oxford comma. Next episode: Double Impact (1991) Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch here!

Is it cheating if you have a week off from marriage? That’s the idea behind the movie-turned-term, Hall Pass , the Farrelly Brothers ’ sad attempt to show that they are capable of portraying complex female characters. But when your two male leads do not much more than joke about objectifying women, perhaps this is best forgotten as a movie and only remembered as a concept. But maybe Dan & Jon...

The term gaslight means to psychologically manipulate someone by convincing them that they are wrong when they are actually right. This term has had a resurgence in popularity with the rise of feminism and the #MeToo movement, but it wouldn’t exist without a remake of a movie produced 4 years earlier with the same name. 1944’s Gaslight is also known for the Oscar-winning performance of Ingrid Berg...

The term “The Full Monty” existed before 1997, but this film re-defined it to mean in the buff . That kind of magic is why we’re talking about The Full Monty , which defied the odds from a movie that almost never got a theatrical release to getting Oscar and BAFTA wins. But here’s the real question: does this property have a future? Next episode: Gaslight (1944) E-Mail: RuinedChildhoodsPod@gmail.c...

The first episode in our series featuring movies that coined modern phrases is 2007’s The Bucket List , featuring the silky voices of Morgan Freeman & Jack Nicholson . The term “bucket list” was invented by this movie and has entered modern vernacular, so much that it is referenced in numerous movies & TV shows. Seems like a great opportunity to revive this movie somehow, and Dan & Jon...

Back in 1933, a movie came out that foresaw the fall of Germany and possibly laid the groundwork for FDR’s New Deal. It was also the very first film depiction of a fictional president. On this episode, Jon & Dan celebrate the final movie in their month of fictional presidents, Gabriel Over the White House . Next episode: The Bucket List (2007) E-Mail: RuinedChildhoodsPod@gmail.com Instagram: @...

What happens when the President and Speaker of the House are both killed and the VP is too ill to fill in for the President? The President Pro Tempore of the US Senate steps in to govern the country. But what happens if it’s also the 70s and the President Pro Tempore of the US Senate is a Black man? Well, you have a political drama featuring James Earl Jones and Burgess Meredith called The Man . N...

This 1997 classic will love forever as the movie that gave us Harrison Ford telling Gary Oldman to get off his plane. Shouldn’t that be enough? In case it isn’t, Dan & Jon have some ideas that take us into the past and the future. Next Episode: The Man (1972) E-Mail: RuinedChildhoodsPod@gmail.com Instagram: @RuinedChildhoodsPod Twitter: @Ruined_Pod Support us by buying MERCH!

Kevin Kline plays duel roles in the 1993 cameo-filled presidential body-swap movie, Dave . Dan & Jon talk about what this movie means to them and discuss if this film could have been made at all after the time of its release. And, of course, they talk about fake Melania . Next episode: Air Force One (1997) E-Mail: RuinedChildhoodsPod@gmail.com Instagram: @RuinedChildhoodsPod Twitter: @Ruined_P...

It’s the 100th episode and the listeners have voted for today’s episode to feature the 1986 Savage Steve Holland cult classic, Better Off Dead . Dan & Jon talk about their own theories behind what is really happening in this surreal high school comedy and the scenes/quotes that make it a favorite film for so many people. Next episode: Dave (1993) E-Mail: RuinedChildhoodsPod@gmail.com Instagram...

For episode 99, we’re covering 1999’s Bowfinger . This movie is a brilliantly written and performed story of fulfilling one’s dreams at all costs. Written by Steve Martin and directed by Frank Oz , Bowfinger stands the test of time and Dan & Jon are so excited to express their appreciation and imagine a world in which this movie can be brought back…especially if it involves Christine Baranski...

Fill my eyes with that double vision! The summer of 1998 was met with TWO movies about giant space rocks hurtling toward Earth: Deep Impact and Armageddon . Though they have slight differences, these two films are seldom mentioned without referencing the other, and this episode is no different. Next episode: Bowfinger (1999) E-Mail: RuinedChildhoodsPod@gmail.com Instagram: @RuinedChildhoodsPod Twi...

For episode 97, we explore the 1997 thriller The Game , in which Michael Douglas is forced to question what is real and what is part of an elaborate game, gifted to him by his brother, Conrad. Dan & Jon discuss their ideas to bring this timeless classic into the 2020s and compare it to other cultural success stories. Buy our shirt inspired by The Game on TeePublic.com ! Next Episode: Deep Impa...