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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

64:20

Ep 228: "Sleeping with the Enemy" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/01/30

Julia Roberts goes from a "Pretty Woman" to a "Brown Eyed Girl" in the thriller "Sleeping with the Enemy." The Joseph Ruben film tells the tale of a woman who fakes her own death to escape an abusive husband. Back in 1991, audiences lined up to see America's Sweetheart in the fight of her life, breaking box office records. But now, decades later, can this woman-in-peril plot still stay afloat? Is her new love interest scarier than her husband? And was the "hat montage" absolutely necessary? The Old

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39:35

Ep 227: "Police Academy" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/01/23

Hightower. Mahoney. Tackleberry. Those were just some of the new recruits of the 1984 megahit, Policy Academy. The first installment of the seven-film franchise delivered raunchy humor, social satire, and slapstick comedy. Steve Guttenberg, Kim Catrall, and team had audiences rolling in the aisles but had most critics rolling their eyes. But now, does its humor suffer from arrested development? Does its sexism, racism, and homophobia get an 80s "get out of jail free" card, or does it warrant a

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48:36

Ep 226: "Fargo" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/01/16

You're darn tootin' we're giving this 1996 Oscar winner a rewatch. The snow-covered sleeper hit and critical darling, the Coen brothers' Fargo captured audiences with its dark humor, nifty accents, and one oft-talked about woodchipper scene. Now, decades later, has the kidnapping comedy's charm worn off? Can the film's cold tone be forgiven with a few well-placed "You betcha" line readings? And, now that Frances McDormand has three Best Actress Oscars, how does Fargo really stack up? The Old

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31:25

Ep 225: "Eurythmics Videos" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/01/09

Sweet dreams were made of ... this? Cows, cellos, and buzz cuts? Yes, back in the 80s, pop duo, Eurythmics, jolted out our senses with new wave, synth pop tunes and, thanks to Annie Lennox, music videos that challenged what a female pop star should look like. But now, decades later, are their videos more like 80s nightmares? The Old Roommates want to abuse you, but instead revisit "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Here Comes the Rain Again" through their middle-aged lens. Listen to this.Old

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53:29

Ep 224: "The Rose" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/01/02

Bette Midler sang, screeched, and sobbed her way to an Oscar nomination in 1979's "The Rose," directed by Mark Rydell. Loosely based on Janis Joplin, the film infused rock-star drama with electrifying concert footage and made Midler a household name. But now, decades later, to borrow a song title, whose side are we on? From a self-destructive singer to the ill-tempered cowboy who loves her, to the fans who demand more, it's hard to find a hero in The Rose's thorns? The Old Roommates grab some

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8:28

Ep 223: 2023 Holiday Message

Old Roommates ·

2023/12/26

We're taking a wintry week off, but we don't want to leave you hanging like last season's stockings. We've both picked some of our favorite episodes to keep you company on your holiday travels, or while you're working away. Thank you so much for another year of listening. We wish you the happiest of holidays and the best of everything in the year ahead. Old Roommates can be reached via email at oldroommatespod@gmail.com. Follow Old Roommates on Instagram and YouTube @OldRoommates for bonus content

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43:33

Ep 222: "A Christmas Story" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/12/19

The director of "Porky's" may seem an unlikely choice for a holiday slice of 1940's life, but in 1983, it worked. Bob Clark's "A Christmas Story" would be destined for success, sequels, and cable TV marathons thanks to its charming cast and oh-so-quotable script based on the writing of Jean Shepherd. But now, decades later, does the umpteenth viewing make us want to shoot our eyes out? Is Raphie adorable or a gun-toting terror? And is there more to The Old Man than just yelling? The Old Roommates

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57:56

Ep 221: "Ice Castles" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/12/11

The roses. We forgot about the roses. Or did we? Back in 1978, the somber ice skating drama "Ice Castles" slid by the box office with barely a blip. The film would go on to become a cult classic, thanks in part to its iconic Melissa Manchester love song, "Through the Eyes of Love." But now, decades later, how does the movie hold up through the eyes of the Old Roommates' middle-aged lens? Does it take Lexie too long to lose her vision? Why did Beaulah's Regional win lead to nowhere? And what on earth

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52:23

Ep 220: "Jerry Maguire" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/12/05

Tom Cruise was a loser. A hilarious, Oscar-nominated loser in 1996’s Jerry Maguire. The actor took on the titular underdog role to great acclaim, and brought Cuba Gooding Jr., Regina King and newbie Renee Zellweger along for the ride. The film was a hit and boasted some of the most memorable lines in cinema history. But now, decades later, did we maybe show this movie our money too willingly? And, upon rewatch, does Jerry still have us at “Hello”? The Old Roommates grab the ole’ pigskin, pretend to

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50:17

Ep 219: "On Golden Pond" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/11/28

You old poop! You gotta give it to the late-great Katherine Hepburn. The then-74-year-old icon lifted lumber, rowed boats, and even dove into rocky waters for 1981’s On Golden Pond. Hepburn and Henry Fonda would go on to win Oscars for their roles. But now, in a time when age is just a number and our world leaders are older than the fictional Thayers, does this drama need a nitroglycerin pill? And why is Jane Fonda’s character such a brat? The Old Roommates do a gosh darn back flip and rewatch it

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48:46

Ep 218: "Home for the Holidays" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/11/21

Can Jodie Foster do no wrong? Well, back in 1995, the verdict was still out. Despite the film’s all-star lineup of Holly Hunter, Anne Bancroft, and Robert Downey Jr, Home for the Holidays was a turkey at the box office. Now, decades later, can we find the fun in this family’s disfunction? Who’s the real antagonist in this holiday tale? And just how many cooked turkeys were needed to make the big dinner scene? The Old Roommates grab their gravy ladles and dig into this misunderstood family dramedy –

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45:25

Ep 217: "Pee Wee’s Big Adventure" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/11/14

He meant to do that. The late-great Paul Reubens character, Pee Wee Herman, made his cinematic splash in 1985's Pee Wee's Big Adventure. The film was coincidentally the feature film debut of director Tim Burton. The happy marriage created a beloved box office hit. But now, decades later, is the titular "man child" just too much or not enough? Is "Dotty" now endearing or desperate? Is "Large Marge" still as menacing? The Old Roommates pour two big bowls of Mr. T cereal and give it all a rewatch

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53:16

Ep 216: "City of Angels" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/11/07

You may think Nicolas Cage is an unlikely choice to portray a lovelorn angel ... and you'd be right. Yes, 1998's City of Angels asked audiences to suspend a variety of beliefs: Meg Ryan as a seen-it-all surgeon. Dennis Franz as a fallen deity. And, oh yeah, beach-loving angels with cloudy job descriptions. Audiences bought it all. But now, over two cynical decades later, does this fantasy flick raise or sink our spirits? The Old Roommates adjust their middle-aged lenses, polish their halos, and

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47:29

Ep 215: "Fright Night" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/10/31

Happy Halloween! This year, in honor of All Hallows Eve, we rewatched 1985's Fright Night, written and directed by Tom Holland. Back in the 80's, vampire movies were all the rage (The Hunger, Once Bitten, The Lost Boys). Fright Night more than succeeded by delivering gore, good performances and even guffaws. But now, decades later, has our bloodlust for such stories run dry? Why is "Evil" evil? And, could Chris Sarandon's Jerry Dandridge successfully seduce our fearless co-host, Christina? The Old

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34:22

Ep 214: "Young Frankenstein" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/10/24

What hump? Yes, the 1974 comedy classic Young Frankenstein had its work cut out for it for a younger audience. Adult jokes, old horror film references, and its black-and-white palette may've been lost on hip kids of the 1970s. But now, nearly 50 years later, we're all grown up and ready for our rewatch. Do visual gags and slapstick have an expiration date? Is this Mel Brooks' finest hour (and a half)? And, umm, did the monster commit sexual assault? The Old Roommates strap in for an electrifying

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57:09

Ep 213: "Grease 2" - Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/10/16

A very special episode: It's Christina's birthday! As is tradition, co-host Christina gets to make co-host, Brian, watch one of her favorite movies for The First Time. Christina's choice? Grease 2, that much-maligned 1982 sequel to the 1978 masterpiece. Michelle Pfieffer cooly rode her way to super stardom while critics panned the rest of this (now) cult classic. Upon rewatch, does Christina still love it? Did Brian enjoy it at all? The Old Roommates head back to Rydell High for a lesson in

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54:07

Ep 212: "Chasing Amy" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/10/10

Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams star in Kevin Smith's 1997 romcom with a twist, Chasing Amy. Back then, the film's slim budget, sex-centric themes, and salacious script were the talk of the movie world, indie and otherwise. But now, decades later, is the movie's boy-loves-a-lesbian plot doomed to feel dated? Does the flick's filthy dialogue still have an edge? And is Affleck's "Holden McNeil" the worst male character of 90's cinema? The Old Roommates throw darts, down beers, and discuss it all

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34:09

Ep 211: "Michael Jackson Videos" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/10/03

"Billie Jean" and "Thriller" were two of the biggest videos of 1983 and both from the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. Both videos featured Jackson, darkly lit streets and, well, the similarities kind of end there. Billie Jean's dance moves and Thriller's big budget both got MTV audiences talking 40 years ago. But nowadays, do the videos hold up as well as the songs do? Would zombies really dance the way they do in Thriller? And, in Billie Jean, why does MJ look like he wants to talk to the

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85:48

Ep 210: "Laverne & Shirley" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/09/26

Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer incorporated. The #1 TV show in America in the late-70s, Laverne & Shirley, certainly did it their way. The groundbreaking sitcom featured lead characters who were unmarried, hardworking, independent, sex positive ... women! The fact that the series took place in the late-50s was all the more fascinating. But now, 40 years since it last aired, are our fond memories as blurry as a Shotz beer hangover? Are Lenny and Squiggy adorable or annoying? And what's with

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39:50

Ep 209: "Cocoon" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2023/09/19

Wilford Brimley was a sprightly 49 years old when he took the role of Ben in 1985's sci-fi adventure, Cocoon. Directed by Ron Howard and featuring a cast of septuagenarian movie stars, the movie went on to win Oscars and bring in over $80M at the box office. But now, decades later, does the whole saga feel past its prime? Why is Steve Guttenberg's character so awful? And, should a person ever have sex with an alien? The Old Roommates pop on their swimsuits and take a shallow dive into this 80's hit

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