Ruined Childhoods

Before he was 2-time Academy Award winning America’s Dad 2.0, Tom Hanks had a tendency to play a spastic put-upon grump. We reached peak grumpy-Hanks in 1989’s spooky comedy, The ‘Burbs. This 80s take feels like it could exist in any era, but perhaps Jon and Dan have some other ideas for it.

Next episode: Rear Window (1954)

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It’s the first episode of 2023 and you know what that means - Ruined Childhoods celebrates the thrillers of Michael Douglas! It’s impossible to cover this SPECIFIC territory without mentioning the 1987 classic Fatal Attraction. Dan and Jon celebrate the accidental genius of this film, even though its Director doesn’t see the beauty of what makes this movie work so well, despite its flaws.

Next episode: The ‘Burbs (1989)

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Are you not Entertainered?! Dan and Jon not only wrap up their exploration of Robert Redford’s career, but they also wrap up 2022 with the heralded 1973 classic, The Sting.

Next episode: Fatal Attraction (1987)

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We may be past the 2022 election cycle, but it’s never the wrong time to watch this Robert Redford gem. But before getting into the film and deciding its fate, Dan and Jon talk a bit about some of their favorite movies from 2022 as the year draws to an end.

Next episode: The Sting (1973)

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Even without such a stacked cast, Sneakers could have been a huge hit. But this team led by Robert Redford is simply unstoppable. And 30 years later, Dan and Jon sure have a lot of thoughts on how to honor this classic code-cracking heist movie.

Next episode: The Candidate (1972)

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Dan and Jon continue their Robert Redford kick with one of his earlier films, Barefoot in the Park. This Jane Fonda collab is already an adaptation, but does it have a life beyond the 1967 classic film? Dan and Jon will decide.

Next episode: Sneakers (1992)

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Dan and Jon travel back in time for Robert Redford’s look at the 1957 Quiz Show scandal that rocked NBC. And while they’re at it, Jon recounts his experience on an unaired game show pilot back in 2007.

Next episode: Barefoot in the Park (1967)

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When it comes to baseball movies, it’s hard to find an enthusiast who won’t mention The Natural, despite its lack of very much baseball and an overabundance of home runs. Dan and Jon discuss this 1984 classic, giving their two cents on whether they think the praise is foul for fair, and then elaborate on a new path forward.

Next episode: Quiz Show

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Name a more iconic duo. I’ll wait.

On this episode, Dan and Jon theorize what could possibly be done with this famous duo of outlaws. What is loosely based on the true story of two bandits has lived on and their portrayals have propelled their legacies into cinematic history.

Next episode: The Natural (1984)

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Love it, hate it, or hate-love it, this 1992 Disney live-action musical defied the odds by finding success after its theatrical release. Newsies not only found its way to Broadway, but it taught us all a lesson about the newsboy strike of the late 1800s in New York City. Hooray for education! Jon and Dan take things a few steps further by attempting to decide a new direction for Newsies.

Next episode: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

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