Nostalgia Be Damned

Zach & Brandon tackle their third Roland Emmerich film on the show (following previous episodes on Independence Day & Godzilla). 2000's The Patriot earned three Oscar nominations despite receiving mixed reviews upon release. The boys break down the historical epic's plot and the impact of seeing it at such a young age. Highlights include cannonball decapitations, a roster of Nostalgia Be Damned child actors, Mel Gibson's 'I'm not going to cry' face, and the film's massive production. Twenty years later, is this American Revolutionary War drama closer in quality to Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan or Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor?

Join Zach & Brandon to revisit a film neither of them particularly enjoyed as kids, but have received several requests to cover on the show. 2001's Spy Kids was director Robert Rodriguez's first foray into children's entertainment, marking a bizarre turn for the 90's indie auteur. A favorite among their generation, the boys check back in on the action/adventure family comedy as adults to see what critics and kids alike loved. Does it hold up nearly two decades later? They get into their hated of the kid-spy genre, Danny Trejo's introduction as Machete, the terrifying Pee Wee Herman meets Telletubbies nightmare villain show, and the insanity of thumb henchmen. 

Join Zach & Brandon as they revisit a (mostly) animated tale steeped in controversy. 1995's Balto was a box office failure upon release, but grew in popularity on home video. It's VERY loosely based on the true story about the dog who helped save children infected by the diphtheria epidemic in the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska. But 25 years later, the record's been set straight regarding the historical inaccuracies of Balto's heroism. But how does the movie hold up? The boys discuss its distracting side characters, quality of animation and the subtle sexual innuendos hidden in this G-rated kid's flick. Balto... he's part dog. Part wolf. All lies.  

It's Zach & Brandon's third Robin Williams family comedy, as well as their third episode covering a feature directed by Chris Columbus! They revisit their memories of 1993's Mrs. Doubtfire, as well as alternate casting ideas, scrapped sequel premises and the film's cultural significance. Join the boys as they run through the entire crazy plot, beat by beat. They discuss the Oscar winning makeup, their favorite Lawrence brother, and the overall insanity of the protagonist's plan. 

1995's Heavyweights IMDb synopsis reads: Plump kids are lured into joining a posh fat camp with the promise of quick weight loss and good times, only to find that the facility is a woodland hellhole run by a psycho ex-fitness instructor. Zach & Brandon take their first trip to Camp Hope and are surprised to see a stacked cast of three Mighty Ducks, the director of Bridesmaids, Grandma's Boy himself, Buster Scruggs, and Ben Stiller in an underrated villain turn. Both a sardonic spoof of 90's fitness gurus and a traditional Disney rag tag sports team flick, the boys discuss the pros and cons of this cult hit that's become a favorite of their generation. 

Hot off his Oscar win as the corrupt cop in 'Training Day,' Denzel Washington turned in an overlooked performance as a father forced to take an ER hostage when the hospital refuses to perform his son's lifesaving heart surgery. Although a modest box office success, critics panned the film. Zach & Brandon revisit 2002's John Q. to determine whether or not it deserves it's shockingly low Rotten Tomatoes score. Although a deeply serious film, they manage to find plenty to jab at, including news reporter Tuck Lampley's questionable methods, the motley crew of hostages, and a heart rate monitor countdown to death. And remember, it's not goodbye. It's see you later.

Twice the fun, double the trouble. Zach & Brandon revisit the film their sisters had in heavy rotation back in the day. They grew up loving the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, which introduced the boys, and the world, to Lindsay Lohan. Tackling a rare genre for the show, they break down the plot of this romantic comedy and all their favorite bits- including summer camp prank wars, elaborate secret handshakes, and the near blinding charisma of American legend Dennis Quaid. So grab your stuffed Cuppy and some Oreos & peanut butter to once again experience the joys of this Disney classic from a different perspective.

Half time is game time in this 2002 teen dramedy starring Nickelodeon's favorite rapper, Nick Cannon! Zach & Brandon revisit the pseudo-sports flick they loved as preteens to see if it holds up nearly twenty years later. They cover 'the original Whiplash' to discuss Brandon's appreciation of Orlando Jones, Zach's obsession with drumlines in general, as well as their confusion over the amount of rapper/actor GQ's screen time. From Full Metal Jacket training regimens to Petey Pablo's musical performance- there's a lot to talk about. So grab your sticks, polish your kit, and remove the nostalgia goggles before hitting the field for this week's episode covering Drumline!

'Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever.' Zach revisits one of his favorite football flicks from childhood, while Brandon gets to see his beloved Keanu Reeves in a whole new light. They're discussing 2000's sports comedy The Replacements and all its quirks. From its recruitment montages, to its obsession with 'I Will Survive,' to its barnacle scrubbing quarterback- this is a film built on quirkiness. When professional football players start striking for more pay, the league hires replacement players to finish out the season, and boy howdy do they know how to pick 'em! So hit the locker room with the boys, flip a couple trucks, learn the Electric Slide, and grab your favorite trophy from the bottom of the ocean. Suit up for The Replacements! 

Little high little low, little hey little ho! 1999's Stuart Little was a box office success and a family favorite amongst 90s kids. Zach & Brandon revisit this beloved adaptation of E.B. White's classic children's book about a talking mouse and his human family. Of course in M. Night Shyamalan's script, Stuart is adopted by the Littles- which raises many questions for the boys. Why did this upper-class family choose to waste their resources on adopting a rodent instead of the many children at the orphanage in desperate need of care? Why does this family look as though they live in a Wes Anderson movie in late-90's New York? Why does no one react to this talking mouse like a rational human? So the cats can talk to the mouse, the mouse can talk to humans and cats, but the cats don't speak to humans? That, and so much more, on this week's episode!