Dan, Manny, & Billy put the 1993 action/drama Free Willy to the ultimate test--THE NOSTALGIA TEST!

“[They abused a whale] to make a movie about whale awareness [...] You fucking basically murdered [a whale] in the making of [Free Willy].” -Billy

Okay everyone, this was a weird journey back for us because no one knew what to expect from Free Willy. We didn’t remember it was two hours long. We didn’t remember about Jesse’s friend Perry. We sure didn’t remember Mykelti Williamson being saddled with another clueless white person? And that’s just the tip of this nostalgic iceberg because we go on a Metalocalypse tangent, how Orcas were attacking sailboats, adopting a manatee in elementary school, and we expose the unfortunate story behind Kiko, the Orca in Free Willy.  

Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and questions about this episode or anything else nostalgic on your mind and we'll read it for next time on the pod!

APPROXIMATE RUN OF SHOW:

00:00 Introduction to the Nostalgia Test Podcast

00:18 Iconic Quotes and Characters from Free Willy

01:03 Reflecting on 90s Movie Culture

01:38 Free Willy: The Plot and Performances

02:54 The Cast and Their Other Works

05:28 Memories of Watching Free Willy as Kids

07:01 The Harsh Realities of Captivity

10:49 The Bond Between Jesse and Willy

16:20 The Climax: Freeing Willy

34:00 The Ethics of Animal Training and Captivity

38:13 Critique of the Characters' Jobs and Skills

38:28 The Absurdity of Recording Dolphins and Whales

39:13 Plot Holes and Lack of Security

40:25 The Plan to Free Willie

43:03 The Ridiculous Escape Plan

54:46 The Fate of Kiko, the Real-Life Willie

01:05:21 Final Thoughts and Nostalgia Test

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The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Dan, Manny, & Billy are joined by their longtime friends Jeremy & Mike to talk about a whole bunch of craziness to put to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!

“Hellraiser, I think is the most overrated horror franchise of all time.”

Dan, Manny, & Billy pulled this Nostalgia Test News/Audience Suggestions/Friend Hangout out of left field! They’re surprised by their longtime friends Jeremy (from Mrs. Doubtfire, the Metallica episodes, and the 2024 Hangout) & Mike (from the Iron Eagle episode). This dives into SNL funny or not, Reboots (again), Hockey and can Dan find a skate for a size 14 shoe, 100 men vs 1 gorilla, and insane drinking stories. The conversation goes even further back into memories of playing manhunt and if that game can be played today, a cool idea for a horror movie, stories from summertime at the public pool, diners, drinking Black Haus and After Shock, and so much more. This is an episode for the ages, a true inside look at these guys’ friendships and what makes The Nostalgia Test Podcast so much fun.

Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and questions about this episode and leave us topics for next time!

WATCH ON YOUTUBE!

APPROXIMATE RUN OF SHOW:

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast

The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Dan & Manny welcome Jen & P.T. from The Long Take Review to put Jim Henson’s classic Labyrinth to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!

“We might spend the most time on fart jokes.”

Much like the topic of this episode, the conversation is a collection of twists, turns, deceptions, off-color fart jokes, confusion about David Bowie’s tights, and hallucinations. The gang goes into their love of Henson’s use practical effects, they talk about all the memorable characters, the film's lasting impact on cinematic history, and did we say fart jokes. They also touch on the announcement of a sequel directed by Robert Eggers, is Gremlins 2 better than the OG, the influence of David Bowie's performance, and the broader legacy of Jim Henson's creations like The Dark Crystal. It wouldn’t be an episode of The Nostalgia Test without all the tangents, memories of Matt Antoniou, and Manny ignoring Dan trying to end the podcast, though he had help from P.T.

Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and questions about this episode and Labyrinth we'll talk answer them on the next episode.

Watch the full episode on YouTube!

Follow The Long Take Review!

At The Long Take Review, four college professors talk film — providing insight, not assigning homework. Tune in to hear our reviews of new releases, reactions to movie news and awards season checkpoints (i.e. the Golden Globes), Oscar Fairy Flashback episodes in which we spend points to correct a year’s nominees and winners, and our own annual awards show, the LTRs or “Letters.” 

You can listen to The Long Take Review on Substack, Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts: https://rb.gy/kbcvoo

APPROXIMATE RUN OF SHOW:

00:00 Welcome to the Nostalgia Test Podcast

00:34 Introducing the Hosts and Guests

01:16 Diving into the Labyrinth

02:27 First Impressions and Reactions

04:31 Memorable Scenes and Characters

08:15 The Darker Side of Labyrinth

10:51 Behind the Scenes and Fun Facts

12:38 Creepy Moments and Theories

37:12 Favorite Characters and Final Thoughts

38:45 Frozen's Inspiration and Ludo Fun Facts

39:13 Princess Diana Meets Ludo

39:33 The Magic of Muppets and Puppetry

44:31 Hoggle's Complex Puppetry

48:59 Jim Henson's Dedication and Craft

54:42 The Bog of Eternal Stench

58:53 Labyrinth's Video Game-Like Structure

01:09:58 David Bowie's Role and Casting Choices

01:15:06 Potential Sequel and Final Thoughts

01:15:20 Discussing the Labyrinth Sequel

01:16:25 Casting Concerns and Potential Actors

01:16:53 Robert Eggers' Vision for the Sequel

01:23:33 Nostalgia and Legacy Sequels

01:26:14 Does Labyrinth Pass the Nostalgia Test?

01:34:37 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast

The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Dan, Manny, & Billy welcome writer and director Jonathan Salemi to talk all about filming the indie action drama film The Last Deal.

“A couple places ran with the headline, [The Last Deal] is the biggest guerrilla film in the last two decades. I have no proof of that or against it, but I'd say we're definitely in the running.” -Jonathan Salemi

This episode of Nostalgia 101 is a detailed lesson from writer and director Jonathan Salemi on what it takes to make an indie film in the recent state of the movie industry. Jonathan starts with his experience interning at Sony Pictures to field producing for major networks like Lifetime and History Channel. He talks about the many stories behind filming The Last Deal guerrilla style in LA during the COVID-19 lockdowns, the true story that inspired the movie, and his experience shooting in various LA locations without permits. Jonathan answers the guys’ questions about specific scenes in the movie, he shares some behind-the-scenes anecdotes and what went into casting. They end the episode with Jonathan’s upcoming project and his ranking of the Rocky movies. There’s so much more!

Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts and opinions about this episode and we'll talk about them on a future episode.

WATCH EP. 146 ON YOUTUBE!

APPROXIMATE RUN OF SHOW:

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming the Guest

01:28 Discussing the Movie 'The Last Deal'

03:12 Jonathan's Background and Filmmaking Journey

09:15 Making a Movie During COVID-19

14:40 Gorilla Filmmaking Techniques

17:31 Behind the Scenes and Challenges

23:15 Character and Scene Insights

35:04 Discussing the Hitman Scene

36:16 Writing and Filmmaking Insights

36:52 Alternate Movie Universes

37:20 Unexpected Plot Twists

38:12 Casting and Character Roles

39:07 Challenges During Filming

40:28 Budget and Distribution Success

41:41 Industry Recognition and Opportunities

45:59 Future Projects and Exciting Plans

53:15 Rocky Movie Rankings

58:59 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast

The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Dan & Manny are releasing a lost Nostalgia Test News from Sept. 2024. This was an audible so it’s more chaotic than usual, and then Billy joins them to put 55 classic toys to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!

“ I recently was, had a chance to play with a hacky sack and I was like, fuck that.”

With the Yankees Dodgers playoff game in the background, Dan & Manny discuss the bombardment of potential sequels like Beetlejuice, Constantine, and Goonies. Manny reflects on playing catch for the first time in ages, they try to figure out surprising developments like an Oregon Trail movie and a streaming service from Chick-fil-A. Billy joins in later while Dan & Manny dive into a list of 90s nostalgic toys, evaluating their significance and impact. This is one of many lost episodes waiting to be released. If this one does well, we’ll release more lost eps!

APPROXIMATE RUN OF SHOW:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:12 Baseball Banter and World Series Talk

00:53 Nostalgia Test Sports News

05:36 Nostalgia Movie News: Constantine and Goonies

09:40 Sequel Mania: I Know What You Did Last Summer and More

12:56 Marvel and Predator Updates

25:57 Ridiculous News: Nobel Prizes and Streaming Services

32:26 Nostalgic Toys: A Trip Down Memory Lane

41:22 Pocket Rocker and Tiger Electronics

41:46 Mousetrap Game Memories

42:27 Doodle Bear and Eco-Friendly Toys

42:47 Super Simon and Gak Nostalgia

44:12 Rainbow Bright and Robotic Dogs

45:44 Polly Pocket and Gendered Toys

46:40 Slinky and Childhood Stories

48:47 Trolls and Anxiety-Inducing Games

50:52 Skip It and Play-Doh

52:21 Super Soaker and Koosh Ball

56:33 Sky Dancers and Magic Mitt

59:12 Nintendo 64 and Classic Video Games

01:09:45 Beanie Babies and Final Thoughts

Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast

The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Get ready to take a deep-dive down the nostalgia wormhole with Dan, Billy, & Manny as they put nostalgic jingles and commercials to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!

“Before the barbecue sauce [goes on the McRib] it looks like corpse flesh. Like I worked at McDonald's, and it's like the color of like corpse flesh.”

The guys put the commercial & jingles from their childhood to the test like 'Zestfully Clean', 'Big Red', 'Pizza Bagel Bites', and the infamous 'Chili's Baby Back Ribs'. They also try to figure out what was so fancy about Mount Airy Lodge, how did anyone survive Action Park, the infamous ‘Crocodile Mile,’ and let’s not forget the most Long Island commercial of all time for the 'Commack Motor Inn'. This classic Nostalgia Test, so come hangout, chop it up, and drop your favorite commercial in the comments!

WATCH EP.144 ON YOUTUBE!

APPROXIMATE RUN OF SHOW:

00:00 Introduction and Nostalgic Jingles

00:30 Reflecting on Childhood Memories

01:46 Reconnecting with Old Friends

04:11 Nostalgic Commercials and Their Impact

06:01 Zestfully Clean: A Deep Dive

09:57 Mount Airy Lodge: A Blast from the Past

13:19 Big Red Gum: A Cinnamon Classic

19:11 Bagel Bites: Pizza Anytime

24:19 Chili's Baby Back Ribs: Iconic Jingle

26:56 Chili's and the Decline of Ribs

27:42 The McRib Controversy

28:50 Nostalgic Jingles and Fast-Food Memories

31:58 Ring Pops and Childhood Candies

39:16 Slip and Slides: Summer Fun and Injuries

44:52 Action Park: The Most Dangerous Amusement Park

48:31 Long Island Nostalgia: Comac Motor Inn

52:17 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast

The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Dan, Manny, & Billy put the 2023 American crime thriller film The Last Deal to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST (NOW)!

“[The Last Deal]  is a cautionary tale when your friend is a fucking asshole.”

The boys have so much fun talking about all the insanity in the indie action drama The Last Deal. They get into the main character’s journey to sell 200 pounds of weed in only a week and to find a .22 bolt action rifle at his mom’s ranch. They try to figure out why anyone would trust a friend that you just saw stab a guy with a screwdriver, why do loan sharks need to have a contract signed, the long driving sequences, in the movie, and who is this stable girl and what’s her deal. There’s also the separate movie the girlfriend is in and why is there a naked woman on the toilet.

At the end, Dan, Manny, & Billy give their Nostalgia Test Now verdicts and rate the film. There’s so much more in this episode, so sit back, grab a drink, and hangout for a while.  

Watch The Last Deal on Tubi!

Email us your thoughts on this episode and The Last Deal ([email protected]) so we can share them on the next episode! 

APPROXIMATE RUN OF SHOW:

00:00 Introduction and Spoiler Alert

01:10 Discussing the True Events

01:59 Legalization and Its Impact

04:30 Indie Film Critique

06:36 Character Analysis and Plot Holes

15:42 The Ridiculous Contract Scene

22:35 The Ranch Visit

32:06 Character Analysis and Plot Discussion

32:41 Licensing Challenges in the Cannabis Industry

33:17 Empathy and Poor Decisions

33:47 Humorous and Awkward Scenes

34:54 Hitman and Action Movie Tropes

36:12 Unexpected Twists and Character Development

38:17 Final Fight and Realism in Action Movies

42:56 Independent Film Critique and Ratings

54:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast

The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Dan & Billy welcome back longtime friend & Nostalgia Test Podcast Allstar Jeremy Madson to put Metallica's 90s MTV Era to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!

“We’re on the reverse trajectory of Kiss. Right? Because KISS took the makeup off in the nineties and Metallic put it on.”

The boys continue the Metallica Eras journey Nostalgia Test Podcast Metalheads with the controversial 90s studio albums The Black Album, Load, & Reload, also known as the MTV era & the Jason Newstead. Dan, Billy, & Jeremy headbang down memory lane and talk about hearing these albums for the first time, the weird transition from the thrash era to whatever this mid-life metal crisis was, the shift in Metallica's musical style, the peculiar cover art for Load & Reload, and production choices. They go track-by-track and create a 10-track merged version of Load & Reload called Unload, which you can listen to here. In the end, the guys rank the 90s era albums.  

If you’re a Metallica nerd, this episode is for you. If you’re not, listen anyway and give it 5-stars.

Listen to Unload on Spotify!

Email us ([email protected]) ranking so we can share them on the next Metallica episode! 

APPROXIMATE RUN OF SHOW:

00:00 Introduction to the Metallica Nostalgia Test

00:37 Recap of Previous Episodes and Albums

01:17 The Nineties Era: MTV and Jason Newstead

01:55 Metallica's Costume Era and Music Videos

03:23 High School Memories and Metallica's Influence

09:26 The Black Album: A Turning Point

19:24 Load and Reload: The Controversial Albums

40:51 Guitar Solos and Bob Rock's Influence

41:58 Debating the Merits of 'Bleeding Me'

42:34 Critiquing 'Cure' and Other Tracks

44:24 Discussing 'Wasting My Hate'

46:38 Country Influences in Metallica's Music

47:11 The Controversial 'Mama Said'

47:46 Evaluating 'Thorn Within' and 'Ronnie'

50:42 The Outlaw Torn and Album Reflection

51:10 Nostalgia Test: Does 'Load' Hold Up?

55:50 Comparing 'Load' to Other Albums of the Era

58:13 Introduction to 'Reload' and Its Reception

58:48 Lead Singles and Album Strategy

01:00:35 Track-by-Track Breakdown of 'Reload'

01:09:32 The Unforgiven II: A Sequel Song

01:13:29 Mixed Reviews on 'Better Than You' and 'Slither'

01:14:56 Debating the Middle Part of the Song

01:15:25 Critiquing the Lyrics and Vocals

01:15:49 Generic Hard Rock and Stoner Rock Comparisons

01:16:39 Discussing 'Where the Wild Things Are'

01:17:05 Lars' Dad's Brutal Honesty

01:17:44 Evaluating 'Prince Charming'

01:18:07 The Unmemorable Riffs

01:20:33 The Irish Bar Drinking Song Vibe

01:21:20 WWE and 'Attitude'

01:21:27 The Lengthy 'Fixer'

01:23:01 Reload Exhaustion and Nostalgia

01:29:50 Ranking and Sequencing the Best Tracks

01:43:45 Final Thoughts and Ranking the Era

If you had a great time listening to The Nostalgia Test Podcast and want to book us on your next podcast or have perform at your themed party, or have us host a special event, fill out the form below and LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!

We can do so many fun Nostalgic Events!

The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Dan, Manny, & Billy talk all about Hollywood's obsession with reboots, reimagines & remakes, and they put some of the upcoming re's to the ultimate test--THE NOSTALGIA TEST! 

"What is each person's definition of what a reboot is, what a reimagine is, and what a piece of shit is.”

Dear God! The boys get into the depths of the reboot craze and try to figure out the differences between reboots and remakes. They try to create some parameters and definitions and put to the ultimate test upcoming & already existing reboots, remakes, and reimagines like the Batman franchise, the new Superman, the Anaconda reboot, Naked Gun, and Starship Troopers,(Oh My!). There's also your classic tangents, hot takes, and nonsense that The Nostalgia Test Podcast is known for and you love. 

Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts and opinions about reboots and remakes and we'll talk about them on a future episode.

APPROXIMATE RUN OF SHOW:

00:00 Introduction to Nostalgia and Reboots

00:17 Defining Reboots, Reimagines, and Remakes

00:46 Podcast Announcements and Updates

01:58 Diving into Reboots: Examples and Opinions

05:35 Comic Book Reboots and Their Impact

08:23 Hollywood's Obsession with Reboots

14:53 Reboot vs. Remake: The Debate Continues

19:45 Upcoming Reboots: Excitement and Skepticism

35:30 Casting and Plot of the New Anaconda Movie

36:38 Comedy in Movies: Tropic Thunder and Beyond

40:31 Rebooting Classic Movies: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

46:35 Reimagining Starship Troopers

51:29 Horror Movie Reboots and Their Impact

56:12 The Debate on Rebooting Iconic Films

01:04:47 Final Thoughts on Movie Reboots

If you had a great time listening to The Nostalgia Test Podcast and want to book us on your next podcast or have perform at your themed party, or have us host a special event, fill out the form below and LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!

We can do so many fun Nostalgic Events!

The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Dan & Manny welcome Ryan McKenzie, DJ & owner of Music Makes You Move to talk all about what it takes to be a killer DJ.

“My number one priority is that people are having a good time.”

Ryan McKenzie tells Dan & Manny about the journey from waiting tables at P.F. Chang's to DJing on cruise ships and eventually running a successful DJ business. He talks about what the difference is between having good musical taste and being a good DJ, learning from some of the greatest DJs at Scratch DJ Academy, the transition to being a business owner and the power of great customer service, and how some songs are just timeless. Then the guys put some of the most popular group dance songs to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!

Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts and opinions about this episode and we'll talk about them on a future episode.

APPROXIMATE RUN OF SHOW:

00:00 Introduction to Nostalgia 101

00:30 Dancing Through the Decades

02:33 Ryan McKenzie's DJ Journey Begins

03:23 From Waiter to DJ

05:07 Cruise Ship DJ Adventures

11:33 Starting a DJ Business

14:26 Managing Talent and Business Growth

23:01 Evolving DJ Equipment and Techniques

26:56 Nostalgic Music Trends

31:58 Versatile Songs for Any Event

32:34 The Role of Iconic Songs in Weddings

34:01 DJ's Perspective on Popular Songs

34:27 The Awkwardness of Group Dances

35:17 Retail PTSD and Music Associations

36:06 Balancing Work and Personal Life

38:13 Hiring the Right DJ

42:38 Staying Current with Music Trends

45:26 Country Music's Growing Popularity

47:35 Evaluating Group Dance Songs

01:00:33 Nostalgic Music Memories

01:01:08 Group Dance Songs

01:03:07 Regional Music Preferences

01:05:31 The Return of YMCA

01:09:34 Emo and Alternative Rock Sets

01:13:09 EDM and Nostalgia

01:16:14 The Impact of Movie Soundtracks

01:18:05 The Problem with Remakes and Sequels

01:20:01 DJing and Party Music

01:22:13 Conclusion and Farewell

Spinning vibes, igniting dance floors & elevating events, I’m Ryan from Music Makes You Move. 

As the proud owner of MMYM, I've turned my passion for mixing beats into a thriving small business in Los Angeles. 

As DJs & KJs, our team is crazy about bringing people together through the magic of music. 

Let the rhythm guide your events and take your celebrations to the next level! 

Let the Music Make You Move! 

@musicmakesyoumove

If you had a great time listening to The Nostalgia Test Podcast and want to book us on your next podcast or have perform at your themed party, or have us host a special event, fill out the form below and LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!

We can do so many fun Nostalgic Events!

The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected