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PODCAST

Old Roommates

Do our favorite movies and tv shows hold up as we get older? We change, but do they? And, does nostalgia beat quality? Join best friends, pop-culture junkies, and yes, old roommates, Brian Masefield and Christina Walsh as they experience old loves from the 70s, 80s and 90s all over again. Old Roommates is the only weekly podcast that revisits pop culture…through a middle-aged lens. Follow Old Roommates on Facebook, and @oldroommates on Twitter and Instagram.

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

49:03

Ep 139: "The Commitments" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2022/03/15

Deco was 16 years old. We repeat, "Deco was 16!" Andrew Strong was a wee lad when he busted out covers of "Mustang Sally" and "Try a Little Tenderness" in the 1991 film, The Commitments. The Alan Parker drama-comedy about an assembled band of soul-singing Dubliners featured a rough and ready cast, great music, and one bummer of an ending. Three decades later, do the melodies linger? Do the accents still charm? And would a happier ending have made this movie a hit? The Old Roommates step up to the

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45:34

Ep 138: "The Fisher King" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2022/03/08

Has Robin Williams ever been more “Robin Williams” than in The Fisher King? Yes, back in 1991, Robin gave audiences everything: the comedy, the drama, the furry, full-frontal nudity. The movie also gave Brian and Christina full-on “pop culture PTSD” via a graphic nightclub-shooting scene. Yes, this kinda-complicated tale of a former shock-jock seeking redemption from a homeless man shook audiences with a variety of themes and an Oscar-winning performance by Mercedes Ruehl. Now, over 30 years later,

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59:49

Ep 137: "The Golden Palace" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2022/03/01

Thank you for being a...flop? How could a beloved sitcom like “The Golden Girls” dish out a much-disliked spinoff like “The Golden Palace” in 1992. Did the continuing adventures of Rose, Blanche, and Sophia mean nothing to us back then? Or were we simply not interested in learning about hotel management? Whatever the reason, the one-season misfire was met with disappointed fans and ever-dwindling ratings. But, decades later, were we too hard on these sassy seniors? Did our blind love of Bea Arthur

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59:39

Ep 136: "The NeverEnding Story" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2022/02/22

Atreyu! Falkor! Moon Child! Character names were perhaps the least weird thing in 1984’s The NeverEnding Story. Loaded with multi-headed townspeople, rock-eating rock people, sad horses and more, the fantasy film dazzled kids and enchanted adults. Now, decades later, does the world of Fantasia still fascinate? Brian is using his “Birthday Episode” to force Christina to endure the 94-minute movie. Did Christina love it? Does Brian still love it? And did the filmmakers kill a horse? The Old Roommates

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46:15

Ep 135: "Mystic Pizza" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2022/02/15

Kat, Daisy, and Jojo. Friends who work together. Friends who share everything together. Friends who giggle...about everything together. Yes, in 1988, audiences were smitten with the friendships and relationships on display in Mystic Pizza, a film that helped launch its leads (Julia Roberts, Lili Taylor, and Annabeth Gish) into movie stardom. Decades later, is the film still as fresh as Leona's pizza? Is Kat really smart enough for Yale? And, how can Daisy get drunk on a beer? The Old Roommates pop

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48:46

Ep 134: "Stand by Me" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2022/02/08

"You guys wanna see a dead body?" In 1986, it seems we all did. Audiences lined up for Stand By Me, an adaptation of Stephen King's novella, The Body. Set in 1959, the film followed four boys on an adventure that involved train dodging, leech attacks, and an unhinged Keifer Sutherland. Decades later, is there still fun to be had in the search for a corpse? Is the "Lardass" story engaging or just kinda gross? And, what is Goofy? The Old Roommates chow down on Pez and rewatch the 80s classic. Listen

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37:33

Ep 133: "Ace Ventura Pet Detective" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2022/02/01

Alllllllrighty then. In 1994, audiences were dropped into the crazy pool of Ace Ventura, Jim Carrey's gyrating, face-contorting, bizarro pet detective. And they loved it. Ace would go on to have two blockbuster films and an animated series. Decades later, is Ace playing with a full deck? What exactly is wrong with him? And, oh man, how exactly does the "Finkle is Einhorn" storyline land with our LGBTQIA community? The Old Roommates drain the dolphin tank and rewatch the comedy classic. Listen to

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57:05

Ep 132: "Saturday Night Fever" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2022/01/25

John Travolta got an Oscar nomination for his star-making role as Tony in "Saturday Night Fever," the low-budget blockbuster of 1977. Decades later, as we look through the disco lights and dance-floor fog, we find unchecked racism, drug use, and sexual assaults. Is this a dance movie or a downer? Is Tony good enough for any of his dance partners? And what SNF scene scarred co-host Christina for life back when she was just 10 years old? The Old Roommates double up on their pizza slices and re-watch

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42:06

Ep 131: "The Cutting Edge" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2022/01/18

"Toepick!" Yes, the 1992 sporty rom-com "The Cutting Edge" stopped audiences cold with its downright adorable cast, quotable quotes, and oh-so happy ending. Decades later, does the figure-skating flick still thrill ... or does its lightweight plot find itself on thin ice? Were Moira Kelly and DB Sweeney stuck in a movie better left in the 80s? Or are its 80's tropes the reason audiences gave it a second life on cable and VHS? The Old Roommates lace up and rewatch this fan favorite. Listen to this.

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37:24

Ep 130: "Backstreet Boys Videos" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2022/01/11

"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" and "As Long As You Love Me" were two mega-hits for the Backstreet Boys. One was a spooky, sexy costume party. The other, an audition for love. Both featured the Boys singing, dancing, and smirking ... and showing the occasional nipple. Now decades later, how do these 90's music videos hold up? Are they as memorable as their song lyrics? And how does the presence of Nick Carter manage to annoy both of our co-hosts? The Old Roommates throw their hands in the air and

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49:32

Ep 129: "Lethal Weapon" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2022/01/04

“I’m too old for this sh*t.” An iconic line. A suicidal hero. A villain who literally rubs salt in the good guy’s wounds. Yes, 1987’s Lethal Weapon was nuts. Back in the eighties,Richard Donner’s action hit gave audiences Mel Gibson’s bare bum, a friendship to love, and Gary Busey with devious dimples. The film went on to spawn 3 sequels and a TV show. But now, decades later, are we still crazy for it? Do Gibson’s real-life screw-ups impede our re-watch enjoyment? And, did Danny Glover look better

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7:53

Ep 128: A Holiday Message

Old Roommates ·

2021/12/28

A special Thank You. Brian and Christina take a moment to give thanks and recommend their own personal favorite revisits of the past couple years.A brief episode that is sure to warm the cockles of your heart, A Holiday Message says goodbye to the year that was. Listen to this. Become a Patron of Old Roommates at patreon.com/oldroommates! Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates. Email us at oldroommatespod@gmail.com and please give us a rating or review! Thanks for

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59:58

Ep 127: "The Year Without a Santa Claus & Rudolph's...

Old Roommates ·

2021/12/21

A Special Holiday Spectacular! Two revisits in one! And, Christina sings! And she sings the praises of The Miser Brothers. Yes, Mother Nature’s rascally sons were a highlight in A Year Without a Santa Claus, a 70’s TV special in which a grumpy Santa wants to take a year off. Now, over 40 years later, is Santa’s wish for a break simply self-care ...or selfish? Is Mrs. Santa Claus a loving wife, or a lying merry mastermind? But wait – there’s more! The Old Roommates also take another look at

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62:24

Ep 126: "Gremlins" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2021/12/14

What’s worse: The microwave massacre or the “dad died in the chimney” story? Join Brian and Christina as they discuss all the pop-culture PTSD from Gremlins.Back in 1984, the movie was a funny, frightening smash that charmed audiences – but angered many parents with it’s pivot from Mogwai mystery to full-on holiday horror flick.But now, decades later, what is it all really that big of a deal? Aren’t we tougher now? Were we all just overreacting like Billy’s mom did in that kitchen scene? The Old

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47:52

Ep 125: "Rain Man" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2021/12/07

Part road trip. Part family drama. Part autistic character study. Yes, 80's Best Picture Oscar winner, Rain Man, was all of these things and more. That rare combination of crowd pleaser and critical darling, the Dustin Hoffman - Tom Cruise flick charmed all. Decades later though, with a deeper collective understanding of autism, is this a road trip worth taking twice? Is Cruise's "Charlie" now too cruel to be cool? Is Hoffman's "Raymond" the film's only good guy or is he a screenwriter's gimmick

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97:53

Ep 124: "Ally McBeal" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2021/11/30

Bygones, Billy, and a dancing baby were among the mainstays in the world of Ally McBeal. In 1997, the David E. Kelley show was an instant hit. It was also instantly divisive. Was Ally an offbeat stuttering smarty looking for true love...or an offensive anti-feminist whiner in a minskirt? Or was she a little of both? Clearly, Calista Flockhart and company need a rewatch. The Old Roommates are searchin' their souls for answers and revisiting the pop-culture zeitgeist smash. Listen to this.Become a

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39:30

Ep 123: "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2021/11/23

Chuck. Blockhead. Charles. Will the real Charlie Brown please stand up...for himself? Charlie's lack of backbone created the central drama in the 1973 Emmy winner, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Brian and Christina both viewed it as a tradition growing up, but what about now that they're grown up? Where's Lucy? What's Peppermint Patty's deal? And why is cartoon toast so mesmerizing? The Old Roommates pull up some lawn chairs and rewatch the Peanuts classic. Listen to this.Become a Patron of Old

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76:10

Ep 122: "Ordinary People" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2021/11/16

Mary Tyler Moore gave us all a jolt back in 1980 with her performance as a cold, distant mom in Robert Redford's Oscar-winning film Ordinary People. She went from turning the world on with her smile, to cramming French toast down the drain. Over forty years of mental health awareness later, should we all be Beth Jared apologists? Does the movie still pack a wallop or is it just rich white-people problems? And how was Donald Sutherland not nominated for this? The Old Roommates imagine Christmas in

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35:11

Ep 121: "Three Amigos" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2021/11/09

"My little buttercup has the sweetest smiiiiiiiiiile." Neither critics nor audiences were smiling at the 1986 comedy-western, Three Amigos. Featuring a top-notch trio of comedic talent - Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short - the movie should've been a laugh-a-minute masterpiece, and wasn't. But, 35 years later, is Mark Twain right, that "humor is tragedy plus time" or is a dud still a dud? Chase called this movie "the most fun he's ever had," so was it a case of "you had to be there"? The Old

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53:32

Ep 120: "Twister" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2021/11/02

Trucks, barns, and a cow were all victims of one of the many tornadoes in the blockbuster, Twister. The 1996 Jan de Bont film was a rip-roaring crowd pleaser 25 years ago, but what about now? Do the special effects still hold up? Does Helen Hunt weigh more than an 18-wheeler? Does Bill Paxton weigh more than barn? And why is Dr. Melissa Reeves slumming it with Billy? The answers may be blowin' in the wind...but the Old Roommates are here to pick up the pieces and give it a rewatch. Listen to

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