Ruined Childhoods

In 1986, Kurt Russell released his 26th movie - his 3rd with director John Carpenter - a modern supernatural western taking place in San Francisco’s Chinatown called Big Trouble in Little China. Dan and Jon celebrate the good, the bad, and the weird about this cult classic and theorize how it could appropriately be brought back today.

Next episode: Multiplicity (1996)

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Few films have had a much of a cultural impact as Grease. And Grease 2 carved its own path to become a true cult classic. On this episode, Dan and Jon break them down and talk about where Grease came from and where it’s going, making sure to take a pit stop to discuss their ideas of where it could go.

Next: Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

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After a career of slapstick antics and a few zany character moves, Peter Sellers caps off his career with Being There, the story of an emotionally stunted gardener who finds himself advising the president, living in a mansion, and appearing as a guest on late-night TV. It’s one of the most iconic and analyzed satirical political dramedys of the 70s and Dan & Jon are ready to share their thoughts about bringing this back in 2021.

Next episode: Grease (1978)

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Nicolas Cage is the actor who best straddles the worlds of schlocky movies and high-brow art cinema. His work in films like Raising Arizona, Adaptation, and Moonstruck is acting on a higher level. His work on films like A Score to Settle, Kill Chain, and Pay the Ghost feels like quick money-grabs. And his work on Face/Off, Mandy, and The Wicker Man lie somewhere in the middle. This remake of a Thai film by the same name and directors finds Nic Cage trying to bridge his many worlds. And although it falls short, Bangkok Dangerous lives on more as a punchline than the film it was intended to be.

Also, Dan plays Hitman, Shitman, or Splitman.

Next episode: Being There (1979)

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1960s teen sweethearts Frankie & Annette ruled the silver screen’s representation of the chill California surfer vibe. 20 years later, they brought us Back to the Beach, an odd meta cameo-filled romp. It may not be a classic, but it certainly goes down in history for Dan, Jon, and their guest, Ray DeJohn.

Next episode: Bangkok Dangerous (2008)

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Dan & Jon go back to 1955 to explore this classic. Though it’s inspired MANY films, actors, and filmmakers, but perhaps one of these ideas to bring it back would be one that makes as much of an impact as the original.

Next episode: Back to the Beach (1987)

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Comedian & Actor Cesar Gracia joins Jon and Dan for a thorough conversation about both Scarface (1983) and Scarface (1932) and how they could be brought back today.

Next episode: Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

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Body swap movies have been around since the days of early cinema, but there was a major resurgence in the 1980s and Dan & Jon break each one down. They cover All of Me (1984), Like Father Like Son (1987), Vice Versa (1988), 18 Again! (1988), and Dream a Little Dream (1989).

Next episode: Scarface (1983)

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After 1978’s Animal House, National Lampoon co-founder Douglas Kenney and friends created one of the most famous and bizarre sports comedies of all time. On this episode, Jon & Dan look back at the Caddyshack movies and figure out ways that it could be brought back today. Dan also has an opportunity to chat with Chris Nashawaty, who penned Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story, to talk about his history with these movies, his book, and how he could imagine a new life for this old classic.

Next episode: The Body-Swap films of the late 80s

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A tribute band singer gets plucked from obscurity to replace his idol - Dayenu!

On this episode, Dan & Jon talk about the September 2001 metal spectacle, Rock Star

Next episode: Caddyshack (1980)

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