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97: “There Is No Dana, Only Zuul” – Ghostbusters & Ghostbusters II
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:19:14 — 125.8MB)
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In our latest episode, we answer the existential question that has plagued mankind for centuries:
Who you gonna call?
Join us as we take a look back at Ivan Reitman’s groundbreaking action-comedy GHOSTBUSTERS (1984) and its spooky, silly sequel GHOSTBUSTERS II (1988). The film that launched a thousand merchandise opportunities, “Ghostbusters” began as something VERY different in the mind of co-writer and co-star Dan Aykroyd and ended up being one of the most successful movie franchises of all time.
Nearly 40 years after the original film’s debut, does “Ghostbusters” stand proudly like the Statue of Liberty strolling through the streets of Manhattan? Or is it more like a river of slime? We’ve got some unfinished business with Peter, Ray, and Egon – and, unlike the movie, we don’t forget Winston.
We ain’t afraid of no ghosts… but we are a little anxious about incurring the wrath of Ghostbusters loyalists with our critique of these beloved films.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WWWYshow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/WWWYShow and email episode suggestions to wwwyshow@gmail.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and review us on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts so more folks check out the show!
Donate to help us defray the costs of creating this show, which include recording remotely, purchasing movies/shows/music to review, delivery food to eat our feelings, and producing & editing in-house at the MFP Studio in Los Angeles, California via our Patreon account at patreon.com/WhenWeWereYoung
90: “It Rubs The Lotion On Its Skin, Or Else It Gets The Hose Again” – The Silence Of The Lambs
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:53:06 — 102.3MB)
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Have the podcast hosts stopped screaming? Not yet! We follow last episode’s discussion of the Best Actress nominees of 1991 – including the groundbreaking, genre-defying tale of female outlaws Thelma & Louise – with a look at the night’s big winner, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. The serial killer thriller not only won the Best Actress Oscar, but also Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture – a feat accomplished by only two other films in the Academy’s 93 year history.

Like Thelma & Louise, The Silence Of The Lambs is now known for inserting intelligent, fully realized female characters into a genre typically dominated by men. And like Thelma & Louise, The Silence Of The Lambs generated plenty of controversy upon release, especially around its gender-bending antagonist, Buffalo Bill. Of course, it also birthed one of the most memorable and quotable screen villains of all time, with Anthony Hopkins’ brief but tasty turn as cannibal psychologist Hannibal Lecter.

In this episode, we dissect the film both as a crowd-pleasing, nail-biting thriller and through the lens of its sexual politics. Jodie Foster’s much-lauded performance made FBI trainee Clarice Starling one of the greatest screen heroines of the 90s, but does she still hold her own against the infamous Dr. Lecter 30 years later?
Is The Silence Of The Lambs still a snack? Or should we send this thing back to Baltimore? Grab your best bag and your cheapest shoes, lodge an exotic moth in your throat, and get a nice bottle of Chianti ready, because this podcast is going all the way to the FBI. Bon appétit!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WWWYshow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/WWWYShow and email episode suggestions to wwwyshow@gmail.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and review us on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts so more folks check out the show!

Help us defray the costs of creating this show, which include recording remotely, purchasing movies/shows/music to review, delivery food to eat our feelings, and producing & editing in-house at the MFP Studio in Los Angeles, California, by donating to our Patreon account at patreon.com/WhenWeWereYoung

74: “There’s Something Very Familiar About All This” – Back To The Future Parts II & III
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:27 — 59.9MB)
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We’ve already passed the future depicted in BACK TO THE FUTURE, PART II (1989) and we know just how many things the action-adventure flick got wrong about the year 2015. (Though the film’s hellish alternate reality where a boorish, corrupt egomaniac is in charge rings familiar.) But does the film otherwise hold up more than 30 years later, or does it sink like a hoverboard over water? Is BACK TO THE FUTURE, PART III (1990) the superior sequel? And will we ever figure out why Marty is best friends with someone more than three times his age?

When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formative years (roughly 1980-2000). Join us for a look back to the past with a critical eye on how these movies, songs, TV shows and more hold up now. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WWWYshow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/WWWYShow and email your episode suggestions to wwwyshow@gmail.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and review us on the iTunes and Google Play Stores so more folks check out the show!

Help us defray the costs of creating this show, which includes purchasing movies/shows/music to review, delivery food to eat our feelings, and producing & editing in-house at the MFP Studio in Los Angeles, California, by donating to our Patreon account at patreon.com/WhenWeWereYoung

57: “A Run-By Fruiting” – Mrs. Doubtfire
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:52:11 — 85.7MB)
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the When We Were Young podcast

The late, great Robin Williams played many iconic characters in the 90s, including Aladdin’s Genie and a grownup Peter Pan. But nothing showed off his talent for manic physical comedy and rapid-fire zingers quite like the 1993 family comedy MRS. DOUBTFIRE. It may just be his signature role — at least, for kids who grew up in the 90s.

In the latest podcast, we look back at the tradition of funnymen dressing as funny-looking women, from Tom Hanks in the awkward sitcom BOSOM BUDDIES (1980) to Dustin Hoffman in the Oscar darling TOOTSIE (1982) to Martin Lawrence in the raunchy BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE (2000). Then, it’s time to say “Hellooooooo!” again to Euphegenia Doubtfire, cinema’s most successful cross-dresser (with over $400 million at the box office). Williams plays Daniel Hillard, an out-of-work actor who assumes the alias of a no-nonsense nanny to spend more time with his estranged family. (That’s what any loving father would do! Right??)

We also discuss the thin line between acceptable Movie Dad behavior and criminal offense, depictions of divorce in 90s movies, and the broader question of whether gender-bending comedy still works in the more enlightened, less binary 21st century. So pad that bra and tuck accordingly – before Child Protective Services revokes your custody of this podcast.

When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formative years (roughly 1980-2000). Join us for a look back to the past with a critical eye on how these movies, songs, TV shows and more hold up now. You can follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WWWYshow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/WWWYShow and you can email us your episodes suggestions at wwwyshow@gmail.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and review us on iTunes!

Help us defray the costs of creating this show, which includes purchasing movies/shows/music to review, delivery food to eat our feelings, and producing & editing in-house at the MFP Studio in Los Angeles, California, by donating to our Patreon account at patreon.com/WhenWeWereYoung.

55: “Another Reason To Hate Christmas” – Gremlins
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:20:40 — 66.4MB)
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Never get them wet. Avoid bright lights. Don’t feed them after midnight. And whatever you do, don’t miss When We Were Young’s holiday episode! The yuletide takes a dark turn this year as we take a look back at the Chrismas-set horror-comedy GREMLINS (1984) and its less successful but much more bonkers sequel GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH (1990).
“Gremlins” is notable for paving the way for the PG-13 rating and making the horror-comedy genre mainstream. But are these trouble-making creatures’ hijinks charming, or just super annoying after all these years? Is “Gremlins 2” still as insane as we remember it being? And is Gizmo still the cutest thing ever? (Spoiler: Yes, he is!) Grab a midnight snack and run a bath as we shine a light on Joe Dante’s cult classic!
When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formative years (roughly 1980-2000). Join us for a look back to the past with a critical eye on how these movies, songs, TV shows and more hold up now. You can follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WWWYshow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/WWWYShow and you can email us your episodes suggestions at wwwyshow@gmail.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and review us on iTunes!
Help us defray the costs of creating this show, which includes purchasing movies/shows/music to review, delivery food to eat our feelings, and producing & editing in-house at the MFP Studio in Los Angeles, California, by donating to our Patreon account at patreon.com/WhenWeWereYoung.