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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

38:11

Ep 239: "Better Off Dead" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/04/16

"I'm sorry I blew up your mom, Ricky." This line was uttered by Lane Meyer. Lane neglects his chores. Flunks his classes. Drives recklessly. And falls asleep on the job. And he's the good guy. Yes, back in 1985, audiences loved a John Cusack anti-hero. But now, decades later, do we want our 95 minutes and our two dollars back? Is our nostalgia for this little comedy strong enough to withstand its light grasp on parenthood, heartbreak, and ski safety? And, is suicide ever funny? The Old Roommates

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65:58

Ep 238: "The Shawshank Redemption" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/04/09

"The Shawshank Redemption" RevisitedThe voice of Morgan Freeman helped a prison movie break into the hearts of moviegoers everywhere. Back in 1994, everyone was swooning over convicted killers, thieves, and other criminals in Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption. Based on a novella by Stephen King and graced with an odd name, the movie got shanked at the box office but soon became a classic on video. Now, thirty years later, should this violent yet heartwarming tale be approved as a classic or

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30:47

Ep 237: "1982's One-Hit Wonders" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/04/02

"Come On Eileen" and "Mickey" were two iconic tunes from the early 1980s. Both were #1 hits. Both were about objects of affection. And both were earworms we couldn't get enough of. But how well do we remember their music videos? Did it turn the earworms into eyesores? Were Dexy's Midnight Runners in need of new clothes and a bath? Did Toni Basil's crush on Mickey border on crazy? And why is it okay for 80s men to grope women but not for women to even talk about groping men? The Old Roommates get

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54:24

Ep 236: "The Lost Boys" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/03/26

“The bloodsucking Brady Brunch.” As we learned from 1987’s The Lost Boys: vampires are people too. From shop owners to runaways to hippie teens who love concerts, vampires were everywhere. And movie audiences couldn’t get enough of them. A 17-year-old Kiefer Sutherland led a fanged gang while “the Coreys” (Haim and Feldman) fended them off. But now, decades later, does this adolescent adventure kinda suck? Or does it hold up better than bat feet in a cave? The Old Roommates put on some garlic

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56:24

Ep 235: "Bound" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/03/19

Live nude girls! Now that we have your attention, let’s discuss 1996’s lesbian-lovers crime thriller, Bound. Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon stole scenes while their characters stole mafia money. Upon release, people couldn’t stop talking about the Wachowskis stylish directorial debut … they just couldn’t see it. Available only in limited release then, the film achieved iconic LGBTQ status on DVD. But now, decades later, were we all hot and bothered for nothing? The Old Roommates pour some black

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54:58

Ep 234: "Look Who’s Talking" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/03/12

Bruce Willis and Kirstie Alley brought their TV comedy chops to a romcom with a baby-voiced twist, Look Who’s Talking. The 1989 flick delivered big numbers at the box office, spawned two sequels, and gave John Travolta a career rebirth. But now, decades later, has the new-baby smell worn off? Are toddlers and romantic comedies ever a winning formula? And what on earth is Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis doing in this? The Old Roommates tie on some bibs and feast their eyes on this Amy Heckerling smash

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54:57

Ep 233: "Speed" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/03/05

Keanu Reeves got buff and buzzed for his action-hero turn in 1994's runaway hit, "Speed." The movie hit the ground running, delivering two hours of suspense, big numbers at the box office, and a star-making performance from Sandra Bullock. But now, decades later, does our common sense pump the brakes on all the sideswiping shenanigans? Is Dennis Hopper's "Payne" a madman with a heart of gold? And can a city bus really clear a 50ft jump? The Old Roommates buckle up and revisit the bomb-on-a-bus

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74:40

Ep 232: "Newhart" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/02/27

Bob Newhart struck sitcom gold for a second time with the 1982 launch of Newhart. The TV comedy featuring Manhattanites who open a Vermont B&B welcomed oodles of quirky characters, fans, and dozens of Emmy nominations. It also introduced the world to “Larry, Darryl, and Darryl” in its second episode, and swapped out a chunk of the cast by its third season. The show was a mainstay for CBS for eight years. But now, decades later, is the sitcom’s stagey setup nostalgic or annoying? Do its offbeat

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74:24

Ep 231: "Pete’s Dragon (1977)" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/02/20

He had the head of a camel and the neck of a crocodile, but back in 1977, the one thing Pete’s Dragon didn’t have was much love from the critics. For all its star power, courtesy of Helen Reddy, Shelley Winters, Jim Dale, Red Buttons, and Mickey Rooney, the Disney live-action-meets-animated adventure did only flittering box office. But now, decades later, was the movie as misunderstood as Pete? How does the Oscar-nominated ballad “Candle on the Water” hold up against other Disney songs? And why was

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60:01

Ep 230: "Sixteen Candles" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/02/13

She's back! Our beloved bestie, fan favorite, and John Hughes aficionado, Naomi returns to the pod. This time around, she's joining an oh-so shallow dive into the 1984 classic, "Sixteen Candles." Back in its heyday, the film was an instant hit, thanks to its lovable characters, outrageous antics, and the man of every Gen Xer’s dream, Jake Ryan. But now, decades later, has the movie aged appropriately? Is Long Duk Dong's gong iconic or horrific? And is Anthony Michael Hall's Geek too good for Molly

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60:07

Ep 229: "Sex, Lies and Videotape" Revisited

Old Roommates ·

2024/02/06

"I'm impotent" may not be the most amazing of conversation starters today, but back in 1989 it was ... also not amazing. But for the characters of Steven Soderbergh's big debut, "sex, lies, and videotape," it's just par for the course. Yes, everyone in this indie classic has a fascinating relationship with sex (and, so it seems, with lying). Decades later, will this groundbreaker still thrill when we turn it on? Is James Spader's Graham a good guy or just plain gross? And why is the dive bar Laura

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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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