Dan and Jon devote an episode to their favorite sisters - Sister Mary Clarence, Sister Mary Patrick, Sister Mary Robert, Sister Mary Lazarus, and the entire St. Katherine’s Convent! Sister Act was a huge hit in 1992, due in no small part to the performances of its phenomenal cast as well as some rousing musical numbers. While its 1993 sequel is remembered fondly, particularly for its introduction of Ms. Lauryn Hill , it was not nearly as successful as its predecessor. On this episode, Dan and Jo...
Sep 23, 2020•2 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 82
What happens when Bill Murray , Geena Davis , and Randy Quaid attempt to escape New York after a daring bank robbery? Quite a bit, as it turns out. Dan and Jon revisit the offbeat comedy as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. In addition to celebrating its outstanding cast, which also includes Jason Robards , Tony Shalhoub , Phil Hartman , and Stanley Tucci , they delve into what might have prevented the movie from being a bigger hit back in 1990, as well as how it nonetheless managed to gain a ...
Sep 15, 2020•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 81
Ain’t no party like a Peter Sellers party cause a Peter Sellers party is CONTROVERSIAL! In 1968’s The Party , Peter Sellers plays Hrundi V. Bakshi, an actor from India trying to make his way in Hollywood. Dan and Jon review his performance and puts it in context with other work by Sellers and director, Blake Edwards , to encourage others to watch first and judge later. Does The Party have a place in the world of a modern revisit? Next Episode: Quick Change (1990)...
Sep 08, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Lewis, Gilbert, and the gang address nerd persecution in the first of this series of films that lives on as a cult classic, but is certainly not without its problems. Followed by one theatrical sequel and two made-for-TV movies (the fourth features an all-star cast), Revenge of the Nerds has been on the back burner for a reboot for years - Dan & Jon weigh in. Next episode: The Party (1968)...
Sep 01, 2020•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 79
The Bad News Bears (1976) Everyone’s favorite fictional Little League team (and the inspiration for many others) has been featured in three films, a short-lived TV series, and a remake made for the PC era. Where do they go from here? Dan and Jon attempt to answer this question while discussing what made the 1976 original so special, how its sequels failed to recapture the magic, and why the 2005 remake didn’t quite work. Next episode: Revenge of the Nerds (1984)...
Aug 25, 2020•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 78
The Wizard (1989) Our third episode “Child Star Month” features Dan and Jon’s hometown homie Jeff Rubin ( The Jeff Rubin Jeff Rubin Show , College Humor , Buzzfeed ), who joins them to reminisce about their childhoods and discuss The Wizard , also known as “the Nintendo movie” (which ironically does not focus much on Nintendo ). They discuss how stars Fred Savage and Jenny Lewis have both transitioned from being child stars to successful adults with vibrant careers in directing, and music, but J...
Aug 18, 2020•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Dan and Jon are joined by hometown homie Brian “Box” Brown, author of the new graphic novel, Child Star , to talk about the 1995 classic, Heavyweights . This film is the 2nd in our month-long series of films celebrating child stars, in honor of the release of Brown’s book. Heavyweights features child stars Kenan Thompson , Aaron Schwartz , and Shaun Weiss , all of whom we whole-heartedly salute! Brian and the guys go over their histories with summer camps and the moments in the film that really ...
Aug 11, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 76
It was director Joe Dante ’s follow up to his blockbuster hit, GREMLINS , and the screen debuts of Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix , two young actors who would each leave his mark on cinema despite the quite different (and, in Phoenix’s case, tragic) trajectories their careers would take. So why exactly wasn’t this movie a huge hit 35 years ago? Dan and Jon dig in and explore its troubled path to the big screen, and what might’ve been if Dante’s complete vision had made it to the final cut. Also, ...
Aug 04, 2020•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 75
In the final, sweat-drenched episode of “JOEL-ly”, we take an extended look at two of Joel Schumacher ’s biggest hits, both adaptations of novels by bestselling author John Grisham . Joining us is attorney Laura Richardson, who shares some stories from her days working in Memphis and tells us what the novels and films capture best about practicing law in the southeast USA. Also, Dan shares his tangled web of possible connections between Grisham’s legal novels (“The Grishamverse”), while Jon sees...
Jul 28, 2020•2 hr 47 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Flatliners (1990) What happens when you bring yourself to death’s door and turn back right before crossing the threshold? Joel Schumacher and a cast of impressive young Hollywood talent explore the consequences of experimentation in this psychological thriller, which Dan and Jon discuss in this episode, the third in our month of episodes celebrating the legacy of the late director. Also, Jon shares his take on the 2017 remake , and Dan speculates about the Schumacher Batman movie that could’ve b...
Jul 21, 2020•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 73
Anyone who has seen and remembers this film probably doesn’t need to be told how relevant it is to today’s world. In their analysis of Falling Down , Dan and Jon discuss how the themes of the film and the character of “D-Fens” ( Michael Douglas ) resonate today, 27 years after the film’s release. As this is also the second film of “JOEL-ly”, they also continue answering the question, “What are the signature elements in a Joel Schumacher film?”, bringing forth some unlikely connections between Fa...
Jul 14, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Much like a vampire that can never age, Dan and Jon can’t seem to leave 1987 behind! In the first installment of their month-long tribute to director Joel Schumacher , they explore the world of fictional beach town Santa Carla, the setting of his horror-comedy, The Lost Boys . Dan shares his distaste for certain sparkly teen vampires while Jon sings the praises of shirtless saxophonist extraordinaire, Tim Cappello . We’ve got the Coreys Haim and Feldman in their first film together, Kiefer Suthe...
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 71
The Running Man Take another trip back to 1987 with Dan, Jon, and special guest Laura Richardson, and join them as they discuss the past, present, and future of The Running Man . In discussing this adaptation of the Richard Bachmann novel, they note the many similarities between the 2017 of the film and the 2020 in which we are currently living, as well as the various theories related to the film, including all those involving Fleetwood Mac . Also: More on the cultural ripple effects of Hollywoo...
Jun 30, 2020•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 70
1987 saw the release of one of the few films of the decade to be written, produced, directed by and starring Black artists. Hollywood Shuffle , co-written by Keenan Ivory Wayans , is Robert Townsend’s satirical take on being a Black actor in Hollywood (who is not Eddie Murphy ). How much has changed, if anything? Dan and Jon seek the answer to that question, as well as what role satire can play today in the ongoing struggle for equity in America, as they discuss this landmark film and the lastin...
Jun 23, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Dan & Jon & Owen & Larry…& Momma On this episode, Dan and Jon imagine a new life for this remake of an adaptation. Next episode: Hollywood Shuffle
Jun 16, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Keith Coogan joins Dan & Jon to talk about his 1987 cult classic, Hiding Out . Keith tells stories from the set and from other career highlights, such as Adventures in Babysitting and Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead . But first, Dan & Jon go over their thoughts and reflections on current world events and one of their plans for taking action. For more information, visit PODliceaCASTemy.com Next Episode: Throw Momma from the Train...
Jun 09, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 67
What happens when 3 career bachelors are left in charge of a baby? They have to bust a group of heroin smugglers - that’s what! On this episode of the podcast, Dan and Jon go over Three Men and a Baby & Three Men and a Little Lady . And don’t worry, they talk about the ghost. Next episode: Hiding Out (1987)...
Jun 03, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 66
We certainly hope that the curse isn’t true because this episode is all about The Exorcist . That’s right, we’re talkin’ Merrin . We’re talkin’ Karras . We’re talkin’ Regan . We’re talkin’ Pazuzu . Jon & Dan talk about the whole gang, including everyone from the entire Exorcist universe. But what else do you do with this well-covered property? Dan & Jon have some ideas. Next episode: Three Men and a Baby...
May 26, 2020•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 65
The same year their family television show was taken off the year, The Monkees released a film that tanked in the theaters, but has found a cult following for all the right reasons. On this episode of Ruined Childhoods, Dan and Jon draw parallels for the Monkees releasing Head to Young Sheldon releasing a statement about King Jong-Un. Next episode: The Exorcist (1973)...
May 19, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Ivan Reitman’s 1990 classic Kindergarten Cop may have gotten a straight-to-VOD sequel , but that doesn’t mean that Dan & Jon aren’t going to come up with some new fresh ways to revisit this Arnold Schwarzenegger gem. Big thanks to Millie De Chirico for suggesting this masterpiece. Next episode: Head (1968)...
May 12, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Dan and Jon are joined by Millie De Chirico. Don’t be fooled by Millie’s clout as Programming Manager for Turner Classic Movies and Programmer for TCM Underground - she’s here to talk about figure skating classic, The Cutting Edge . This movie defies all of the odds and stands the test of time as possibly the best pairs figure skating film, next to its 2007 spiritual parody, Blades of Glory . And the month of May features films curated by Millie! Next episode: Kindergarten Cop (1990) Follow Mill...
May 05, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Dan and Jon are joined by writer, critic, and Elaine May-enthusiast, Carrie Courogen to celebrate the classically misunderstood Ishtar . Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty get into some dangerous business as Chuck Clarke and Lyle Rogers - two wannabe musicians who find themselves in a mixup with the CIA and a group of radical communists who want to overthrow a tyrant. Dan, Jon, and Carrie talk about how this movie is a hidden gem and how it became a dark mark on the career of writer/director, Elai...
Apr 28, 2020•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 61
It's 1973 in Los Angeles, California. Private Investigator, Philip Marlow is trying to find out who killed his friend and find his cat. 47 years later, two ding-a-lings with microphones and an internet connection try to find a way to bring back Marlow in a way that's relevant to a modern-day audience. Next episode: Ishtar (1987)...
Apr 21, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 60
On this episode, Dan and Jon take it back to 1989 and then 1994 to a lesser extent, and then 1998 to an even lesser extent to go over the Major League series. Beyond that, they go over their own personal experiences with baseball fandom, including Dan’s brief stint as a Steve Garvey 1987 Donruss baseball card impersonator. But most importantly, Dan and Jon celebrate the genius of Bob Uecker . Next episode: The Long Goodbye (1973)...
Apr 14, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 59
When Hollywood’s rom-com leading man Rock Hudson wanted to take on an acting challenge that would make people take him seriously as an actor, he paired up with The Manchurian Candidate director John Frankenheimer and made Seconds , about a middle-aged man who chooses to be “rebooted” as a younger man with a different life. The film was booed right out of Cannes and caused audience members to become physically ill, but has since become a cult classic that is now considered brilliantly prescient i...
Apr 07, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Few movies have gone from being box office failures to beloved classics to the extent that The Monster Squad has over the last 30 years. Dan and Jon may not have seen it in the theater (though Dan remembers seeing the poster), but like others, they’ve become passionate fans after repeated viewings on HBO and VHS. Sequels and remakes have always been rumored, but have yet to come to fruition. Join Dan and Jon as they discuss the possibilities and potential in multiple approaches to reviving this ...
Mar 24, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Whether you love it or hate it, Tootsie is an iconic film depicting the struggles of both a temperamental male actor and women in the workplace. Is there a place for Dorothy Michaels in the future of cinema? Is her story really over? Dan & Jon lay out the history of the film and their ideas for a possible resurrection of the property. Next episode: The Monster Squad (1987)...
Mar 17, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 56
What Women Want (2000) What are the potentials and pitfalls of a movie in which a misogynistic advertising executive gains the power to hear women’s thoughts? Dan and Jon brave the waters of Mel Gibson’s filmography to revisit the Nancy Meyers comedy, which featured Gibson in his pre-drunk racist/sexist breakdown days playing Nick Marshall, the aforementioned ad exec. In doing so, they debate the viability of the concept and potential variations that could be successful today, including the 2019...
Mar 10, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Dan & Jon break into a nearby pool and dive into 1985’s Cocoon . Ron Howard’s sci-fi comedy classic is a prime example of an 80s alien movie that totally holds up, but Dan and Jon imagine what it might be like with a life in the 21st century. Next episode: What Women Want (2000)
Mar 03, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Special Guest: SCOTT WIENER On this episode, Dan and Jon are in Austin, Texas with their brother Scott to talk about the character that shaped their lives (as well as many others), Pee-wee Herman ( Paul Reubens ) . From Pee-wee’s Big Adventure to Pee-wee’s Playhouse to Big Top Pee-wee to Pee-wee’s Big Holiday , just about everything is covered - including his appearances in Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie and Back to the Beach . Special thanks to French Fry Phil for the clip that you hear at the t...
Feb 25, 2020•1 hr 38 min•Season 1Ep. 53
