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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

42:55

Ep 287: "She-Devil" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/04/15

Meryl Streep ate a Gummi Bear out of her hair. Roseanne Barr fell flat on her face while holding a cheese plate. Ed Begley, Jr. showed his butt. And audiences stayed away. Yes, 1989’s black comedy She-Devil struggled to find its audience upon release and didn’t even earn back its budget. But now, decades later, was this tale of romance and revenge just misunderstood? Were we really prepared to see a funny pre-Prada Streep? Were we all hoodwinked into thinking this was a Meryl vs Roseanne showdown

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42:48

Ep 286: "A Few Good Men" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/04/08

Can you handle the truth? Sure, back in 1992, this military courtroom drama was a critical and box office smash. Tom Cruise! Demi Moore! Jack Nicholson! And all that yelling! How could it miss? But now, decades later, are we ready to issue a Code Red on this Oscar-nominated Best Picture? Is Cruise’s cocksure persona the best fit for this heavy-handed tale of loyalty? Is Jack’s manic line readings too big for this jurisdiction? And, for the love of God, will anyone listen to Demi’s Joann, like, ever

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29:51

Ep 285: "Little Shop of Horrors" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/04/01

Audrey II was more than just a mean green mother from outer space. Back in 1984, and voiced by Levi Stubbs, he was the main attraction of the movie musical, Little Shop of Horrors. Based on an off-Broadway show, which itself was based on a 1960 horror comedy of the same name, the Frank Oz directed flick achieved cult classic status on VHS and Beta. But now, decades later, are we still singing its praises? Are abusive boyfriends, exploitive bosses, and blood-thirsty plants the stuff of sing-a-longs

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65:49

Ep 284: "All in the Family" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/03/25

Oh, Archieeee. Edith Bunker (as portrayed by Jean Stapleton) was a force of nature. At turns both naïve and loud, Edith’s point of view was critical to the success of the 70’s sitcom, All in the Family, for nine seasons. Season 8, however, was a harrowing one for the beloved housewife. Yes, dear listener, we are venturing into some “very special episodes” of the acclaimed TV show. “Edith’s 50th Birthday” was a groundbreaking portrayal of s*xual assault, survival, and trauma. “Edith’s Crisis of

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54:57

Ep 283: "Pulp Fiction" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/03/18

John Travolta and Bruce Willis reunited – in person – for Quentin Taratino’s Pulp Fiction. A critical and box office smash, the movie was just plain cool back in 1994. Loaded with iconic characters, quotable quotes, and over 260 f-bombs, the screenplay went on to win an Oscar. But now, decades later, does this foul-mouthed bloodbath need a good scrubbing? Do these wayward, drug-addicted characters just need a good therapist and a little time in rehab? Or does the film’s coolness remain intact 30

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51:10

Ep 282: "Satisfaction" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/03/11

"Satisfaction" RevisitedJulia Roberts and Liam Neeson are mere supporting players in the 1988 dramedy Satisfaction. Originally created as a vehicle for Justine Bateman (of "Family Ties" fame), the film quickly stalled at the box office. Film critics didn't necessarily sing the praises of this tale of a cover band of misfits, either. But now, decades later, were we too hard on this summer romp? Will the musical numbers now have us yelling, "More cowbell"? And can Liam Neeson be any cuter? The Old

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45:07

Ep 281: "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/03/04

Angela Bassett plays Stella. And, well, Stella's got it all. Flawless beauty, a big job, a breathtaking house, and a smarty-pants son. All that's missing, alas, is a man. Back in 1998, fans of the Terry McMillan bestseller flooded theaters for the May-December romance. But now, decades later, was Stella's groove ever really gone in the first place? Why does Stella talk to herself so much? And do age differences really matter when both parties are fine as hellllllllll? The Old Roommates look for a

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34:13

Ep 280: "This Is Spinal Tap" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/02/25

Mini Stonehenge. Knobs that go to eleven. And love pumps. Yes, 1984's This Is Spinal Tap was a true original. The Rob Reiner mockumentary doubled its budget at the box office and became a massive hit on VHS. But now, over forty years later, does the film still reach the comedic heights we remember so well? Are the songs bangers or busts? And how many dead drummers is too many? The Old Roommates "smell the glove" and give the cult classic a revisit through their middle-aged lens. Listen to this. Old

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42:38

Ep 279: "The Long Kiss Goodnight" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/02/18

Film Fact: Geena Davis made history by being the first actress say, "Suck my d*ck" in a major motion picture. Yes, Geena's then-husband Renny Harlin pulled out all the stops in an effort to make a tough-as-nails action hero out of the Oscar winner. Though the film made back more than its budget, it didn't quite blow up the box office or ignite critics' hearts. So, why is this one of co-host Brian's favorite movies? As is tradition, for Brian's birthday, Christina watched a flick she's never seen

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48:57

Ep 278: "Shakespeare in Love" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/02/11

“Shakespeare in Love” RevisitedGwyneth Paltrow did drag and struck Oscar gold with her turn in 1998’s Shakespeare in Love. The John Madden film was a sexy rom com about a fictionalized love affair involving some guy named William Shakespeare. Oscar nominations and box office bucks followed. But now, decades later, was it all much ado about not much? Does all the lovey-dovey love scenes and endless poetry still affect our jaded hearts? And did this movie deserve to beat Saving Private Ryan for Best

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37:19

Ep 277: "Batman Returns" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/02/04

The cat. The bat. The bird. Yes, 1992’s Batman Returns was stuffed to the gills with iconic characters. Danny DeVito’s Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman took center stage while Michael Keaton’s caped crusader basically drove around and posed a lot. Hardly mattered. Audiences flocked to see this sex-charged sequel. But now, decades later, is this dimly lit superhero hit too dark? Is the Penguin too gross? And is Catwoman too horny for this PG-13 flick? The Old Roommates throw on some black

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48:25

Ep 276: "Cape Fear" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/01/28

Martin Scorsese went full Hitchcock for the remake of the thriller, Cape Fear. Extreme closeups, ominous music, and unusual camera angles pulled the director into new waters back in 1991. And, much like DeNiro's Max Cady to a human cheek, audiences ate it up. But now, decades later, was this dark tale worth retelling? Did Nick Nolte's evidence-hiding lawyer deserve this torture? And does the film's bonkers "houseboat of horrors" final act sink this sick flick or elevate it to iconic status? The Old

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45:04

Ep 275: "There’s Something About Mary" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/01/21

"Is that hair gel?" Yes, the Farrelly brothers really laid the gags on thick (eww) in the 1998 smash, There's Something About Mary. Ben Stiller's Ted took on a murderous hitchhiker, a drug-fueled dog, and a devious Matt Dillon, all for the chance to win the heart of Cameron Diaz. But now, decades later, does this 2-hour rom-com succeed in explaining why? Would this comedy work without its grosser moments? And did the flick's treatment of characters with mental and physical challenges make our

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68:56

Ep 274: "Running on Empty" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/01/14

River Phoenix got an Oscar nomination for his role as Danny Pope, the son of two fugitives on the run from the FBI. Though it sounds like an action-packed thriller, Running on Empty was anything but. The film dealt with the hopes, heartaches, and fears of the Pope family, but audiences in 1988 turned a cold shoulder. Now, decades later, is it time for the Sidney Lumet sleeper to come out of the shadows? Was this Phoenix's finest hour? And couldn't the ending have been a li'l happier? The Old

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59:32

Ep 273: "The War of the Roses" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2025/01/07

“You killed my cat!” Nope, 1989’s War of the Roses was not a movie for cat people. Or dog people. Or even newlyweds. No. The Danny DeVito-directed comedy divided audiences with its brutal takedown of marriage and divorce. Critics were more in sync, bestowing raves for the film’s leads: Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. But now, decades later, how does this “War” hold up when every deadly divorce now gets its own Netflix documentary? Are the lovey-dovey Romancing the Stoners still convincing in

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1:29

Ep 272: 2024 New Year’s Message

Old Roommates ·

2024/12/31

Spoiler Alert: No new episode – but tune in anyway for a sneak peek at what’s to come in 2025. Happy New Year to one and all!Old Roommates can be reached via email at oldroommatespod@gmail.com. Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates for bonus content and please give us a rating or review!

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35:32

Ep 271: "Edward Scissorhands" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/12/24

Johnny Depp played the titular role in Tim Burton’s timeless tale of isolation and acceptance. Edward Scissorhands, the character, was a naïve stranger, a robotic creation, and eventually … a cold-blooded killer? Yes, the tone of this quirky cult classic was all over the place and had a real downer of an ending. But now, decades later, are the film’s darkest moments the ones that shine brightest? Is Depp’s chemistry with then-IRL love, Winona Ryder, delightful or distracting? And does Edward have

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54:31

Ep 270: "Driving Miss Daisy" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/12/17

Jessica Tandy won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as an elderly Jewish widow in 1989’s Driving Miss Daisy. Tandy and Morgan Freeman gave us a complicated decades-long friendship; a friendship challenged by bigotry, illiteracy, and Patti LuPone. The film would go on to win Best Picture of the year. But now, decades later, did this sorta-simple story deserve all its accolades? Is the character of Hoke, by its sheer existence, offensive? And what does it say about a late-80’s America when this

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29:44

Ep 269: "Toy Story" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/12/10

The iconic animated adventure that started it all, 1995’s Toy Story made nearly $400 million dollars at the box office and introduced Buzz and Woody to the world. Starring the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and more, the movie covered a lot of ground for its Smurf-sized 81-minute running time. But now, in the cynical 2020’s, is the first Story the worst story? Can the film’s close calls and oh-so convenient twists survive the wrath of now-grownup fans nearly 30 years later? And, yikes, is Woody a

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44:40

Ep 268: "Adventures in Babysitting" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/12/03

Don’t [expletive] with the babysitter! The 1987 flick, Adventures in Babysitting, was an action-packed comedy filled with quotable quotes, car chases, and even a couple of f-bombs. A then 22-year-old Elizabeth Shue danced, ran, and sang the blues, launching the movie into cult-classic status. But now, decades later, does it all feel like a chore? Should Shue’s “Chris” have called it quits two hours earlier? And just how popular was that issue of Playboy magazine? The Old Roommates take their pop

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307 results

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