I love "Matinee" and was mad at myself for never covering it in an episode. However, after a rewatch and with a newfound determination, I decided it was time to finally cover this gem. Though I missed a perfect release opportunity around its 30th anniversary, I'm excited to share it with you now. "Matinee" is a film that brilliantly encapsulates the nostalgia of the early 1960s, set against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Directed by Joe Dante, this 1993 masterpiece is more than just a...
Feb 16, 2024•31 min•Ep. 314
"Wizardry," released in 1981, is a seminal game in the computer RPG genre, setting a benchmark for what video games could achieve in storytelling and complexity. This game not only captured the essence of dungeon crawlers but also paved the way for future classics in the RPG genre. What makes it so enduring? Perhaps it's the intricate gameplay and the depth of its character creation system, or maybe it's the sense of adventure and danger lurking in every dungeon corridor. "Wizardry" surpasses it...
Feb 02, 2024•30 min•Ep. 313
I can’t believe I have never released an episode based on “Night of the Comet" in all of my years podcast. I found evidence that I attempted an episode way back in 2012, but I must have not been happy with it. Well, some people have been talking about it and I thought I would release it for Halloween 2023. That came and went, but I didn’t give up, and here we are. In the realm of cult classics, 'Night of the Comet' stands out as a unique blend of horror, sci-fi, and dark comedy. Released in 1984...
Jan 19, 2024•25 min•Ep. 312
Back in 2009, I released a podcast about one of the greatest video games of all time, Pac-Man . Since releasing that I think I have learned a lot about podcasting, and Pac-Man, and I have wanted to redo it. So on this brand-new episode, I am heading back to the arcade to take a look at Pac-Man all over again. If you listened to the original episode , some of what you hear will be familiar, but I have added a lot of new information and the audio is a lot cleaner. One thing that did not make the t...
Jan 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 311
In this latest episode of The Retroist Podcast, we're journeying into the whimsical and wintry world of Frosty the Snowman. I start off with a personal tale – my own yet futile, attempts at constructing gargantuan snowmen. A predictable kid story, it sets the stage for our deep dive into Frosty's universe. We then explore the origins of the iconic song "Frosty the Snowman." I discuss how this catchy tune was released and how it laid the foundation for the animated stories that followed. Next, we...
Dec 22, 2023•34 min•Ep. 310
Welcome to the newest episode of the Retroist Podcast. In today's episode, I talk all about the 1985 martial arts comedy, The Last Dragon. This movie is a fun mid-80s romp that performed well in theaters and became a staple of cable television for years afterward. I hope I can encourage you to re-watch it or check it out for the first time. I start off the show by discussing my limited time studying martial arts. In 'The Last Dragon,' if you're a real martial arts master, you get 'The Glow.' I h...
Dec 08, 2023•25 min•Ep. 309
Welcome to the newest episode of the Retroist Podcast. On today's show, I discuss the long-running detective drama series, Columbo. This episode was a long time coming and is one of my longer episodes. Columbo is a big deal. I begin the show talking about my own brush with Columbo himself, Peter Falk. It was an unexpected experience, but very positive. I am very happy to finally get to share it. Then I move on to the show itself. I discuss the evolution of the characters, the show’s release, rec...
Nov 10, 2023•49 min•Ep. 308
Travel back to the late '80s when television was full of mysterious and eerie stories. Monsters, a horror anthology series, was a hidden treasure during that time. Imagine flipping through channels on a quiet October evening and stumbling upon this captivating show. While it might not have been popular among everyone, for those who discovered it, Monsters was a thrilling experience. The series stood out due to its unique charm and captivating stories. Despite its low budget, talented writers, di...
Oct 27, 2023•24 min•Ep. 307
Welcome to the latest episode of the Retroist Podcast! Today, we're stepping back in time to revisit a hidden gem from the ABC vault: the made-for-TV movie, "The Midnight Hour". I begin this episode by sharing my personal memories of stumbling upon this film and the delightful nostalgia that washed over me, especially when I rediscovered it during my days working at the video store. But let's dive into the heart of the matter: "The Midnight Hour." I will talk about the people behind the camera, ...
Oct 13, 2023•28 min•Ep. 306
Welcome to the Retroist Kool-Aid Podcast, where we're about to dive into the world of a tasty and refreshing beverage that has quenched our thirst for nostalgia for generations. This week, we're stirring up some sweet memories as we explore the colorful world of Kool-Aid. But before we take a sip of this flavorful journey, let me share a personal story about a miscalculation I made with some cherry Kool-Aid that haunted me for years. It's a tale of hubris that many of us can relate to, a reminde...
Sep 29, 2023•28 min•Ep. 305
Welcome to a journey back to the charmingly quirky world of 1985, where Rustler's Rhapsody graced the big screen and left audiences with a reaction that was, sadly, less than rhapsodic. However, sometimes a film's true charm takes a bit longer to shine through, and for many, like myself, who discovered this hidden gem on cable, it was love at first viewing. Rustler's Rhapsody isn't just another Western parody; it's a loving tribute to the B Westerns of the 1930s and 1940s, capturing the essence ...
Sep 15, 2023•27 min•Ep. 304
On today’s Retroist Podcast as we delve into a more contemporary subject that hits close to home – the turn of the millennium musical festival, Woodstock '99. This marks the fourth episode of the newest season, a departure from my usual fare, but one that holds a special place in my heart. Why? Because I was there, not as a spectator, but as a worker, and today, I would like to share my experiences. Let's rewind the clock and imagine growing up in an era when the echoes of the original Woodstock...
Sep 01, 2023•22 min•Ep. 303
Step right into the newest chapter of the Retroist Podcast, where we're about to embark on a flavorful journey that might just reignite a spark of nostalgia in your taste buds. Hold onto your hats, folks, because today's episode is all about the Pizza Hut classic that time almost forgot – the delectable Italian Pie, or as it was affectionately known, the Priazzo. First up, let's take a trip down memory lane – specifically, my own memories as a youngster grappling with the concept of change. I go...
Aug 18, 2023•22 min•Ep. 302
Welcome to the newest episode of the Retroist Podcast! This time, we're diving into the 1980s comedy classic, Twins. Get ready to take a trip down memory lane and relive the hilarity of this star-studded gem. Before we jump into the film, I want to share a personal connection I have to its production. It might be a minor connection, but for me and my family, it meant weeks of endless bragging and storytelling. It's those little moments that can make a movie even more special, don't you think? No...
Aug 04, 2023•23 min•Ep. 301
Hey there, and welcome to a special milestone—the 300th episode of the Retroist Podcast! Today, I'm diving into the world of one of the most iconic console games of its time—The Legend of Zelda. If you were a gamer in the '80s, you'd know exactly what I'm talking about! Before we embark on this journey through Hyrule, let me take you back to my own memories of receiving and playing The Legend of Zelda. I remember the excitement and wonder as I unwrapped the game, knowing it was something special...
Jul 21, 2023•30 min•Ep. 300
Welcome to the first episode of the 16th season of the Retroist Podcast. Today, we're diving into the captivating world of the 1980 cult film classic, "My Bodyguard." This movie holds a special place in my heart, and I'm thrilled to finally share my deep appreciation for it in this episode. To kick things off, I open up about my own personal experiences with bullying when I entered high school. It was a challenging time, but fortunately, I crossed paths with someone who stepped in and made my li...
Jul 07, 2023•31 min•Ep. 299
On this episode of the Retroist Podcast I talk all about the fast food phenomenon that took the world by storm in the early eighties, McDonald's Chicken McNuggets.
Apr 21, 2023•28 min•Ep. 298
On this all new episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk all about the sometimes overlooked transforming robot toys, The Gobots.
Apr 07, 2023•40 min•Ep. 297
On this all new episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk all about the 1986 childhood-damaging animated classic, Transformers the Movie.
Mar 24, 2023•37 min•Ep. 296
On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk all about the amazing Marvel Comics run of, The Transformers. I discuss the people who made it happen, the differences between the US and UK version, and much more
Mar 10, 2023•36 min•Ep. 295
On Part 2 of the Retroist Podcast's ongoing series on The Transformers, I continue our walk down memory lane by covering the iconic 80s cartoon, from its rushed beginnings to its longer term cultural impact.
Feb 24, 2023•38 min•Ep. 294
In this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I delve into the world of the original Transformers toys. I share my personal experiences playing with these toys with my friends, as we attempted to turn them into a kind of role-playing game. I also explore the history of these iconic toys, from their inception to the reception they received when they first hit the market. I discuss the people who made it all happen and the reasons for their lasting popularity, as the Transformers toys are still availab...
Feb 10, 2023•34 min•Ep. 293
On this new episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk all about the 1989 sci-fi buddy cop TV show, Alien Nation. This is an amazing show that exceeded the film and was canceled way too soon. Join me as a take a look back at this wonderful series.
Jan 27, 2023•34 min•Ep. 292
On this new episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk all about the 1988 sci-fi buddy cop classic, Alien Nation. This is a great film with relatable themes that led to a great TV series. I hope I can persuade you to check it out or rewatch it.
Jan 13, 2023•30 min•Ep. 291
On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I discuss the 1989 romantic comedy classic, When Harry Met Sally. This film is expertly constructed and worthy of your time. Hopefully by talking about it today, I can persuade you to check it out or revisit it.
Dec 30, 2022•37 min•Ep. 290
On this episode of the Retroist Podcast I talk all about the Bill Murray Christmas classic, Scrooged. I enjoy this rough gem of a film and I hope I can convince you to rewatch or discover it for the first time.
Dec 16, 2022•30 min•Ep. 289
On the newest episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk all about “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” It is a rare instance of a film and sequel both becoming holiday classics.
Dec 02, 2022•33 min•Ep. 288
On this all new episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk about the 1990 film classic, Home Alone. This movie was a massive runaway hit and I hope you enjoy taking a look at it with me.
Nov 18, 2022•36 min•Ep. 287
Something Wicked This Way Comes is a film drenched in nostalgia. On today’s episode of the Retroist Podcast, I discuss this underrated and wildly entertaining Disney film.
Oct 31, 2022•39 min•Ep. 286
Friday the 13th: The Series was a great TV show that was ahead of its time. On today's episode of the Retroist Podcast, I dive into this classic bit of TV horror, and hopefully I can convince you to revisit it or check it out for the first time.
Oct 28, 2022•38 min•Ep. 285
