Once, When I Was Cool

Dave and Wee

Born in the 70’s, raised in the 80’s, powered through the 90’s to become irrelevant in the new millennium.

  1. 26 July

    Gremlins (1984)

    This week on Once, When I Was Cool, we're heading back to the wonderfully weird world of 1984 to revisit a film that forever changed the meaning of holiday cheer. Cute, cuddly, mischievous, and downright terrifying, Gremlins remains one of the most unique movies of the decade—a genre-bending blend of comedy, horror, creature feature, and Christmas chaos. Directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg, Gremlins introduced audiences to Gizmo, the adorable Mogwai whose simple care instructions somehow prove impossible for humans to follow. What begins as a heartwarming gift quickly spirals into a night of mayhem as an army of destructive gremlins turns the quiet town of Kingston Falls into a playground of anarchy. Join us as we revisit the film's unforgettable practical effects, its dark sense of humour, and the surprising moments that pushed the boundaries of what audiences expected from a family movie. We'll explore how Gremlins helped inspire the creation of the PG-13 rating, examine the incredible creature work that still holds up today, and discuss why the film remains a holiday favourite more than forty years later. We'll also dive into the movie's darker themes, its satirical take on small-town America, and the strange balancing act that somehow makes it both a Christmas classic and a horror movie. So lock up the kitchen, keep an eye on the microwave, and whatever you do, don't feed them after midnight. It's time to find out whether Gremlins is still a holiday classic or just a nostalgic creature feature from a bygone era.

  2. 12 July

    Twins (1988)

    This week on Once, When I Was Cool, we're taking a trip back to 1988 to revisit the unlikely buddy comedy that asked one very important question: What if the world's most genetically perfect human was somehow the twin brother of a wisecracking hustler from Los Angeles? Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito, Twins was one of the decade's biggest surprises. At a time when Schwarzenegger was known almost exclusively for action blockbusters, the film showcased a completely different side of the future action icon, pairing his innocent and sheltered Julius with DeVito's street-smart Vincent in a comedy built on charm, chemistry, and plenty of fish-out-of-water moments. Join us as we explore how the film came together, why Hollywood thought the casting was crazy, and how it ended up becoming a box-office smash. We'll discuss director Ivan Reitman's gamble on an unconventional comedy, the performances that made audiences fall in love with the mismatched brothers, and the surprising influence Twins had on the buddy-comedy genre that followed. We'll also look at what holds up nearly four decades later, what feels firmly rooted in the late '80s, and whether the movie's blend of heart, slapstick, and family drama still works for modern audiences. So grab your leather jacket, hop into a stolen Cadillac, and come along as we revisit one of the most unexpected comedy pairings in movie history. Is Twins still a genetic masterpiece, or should it have stayed in the laboratory? Tune in and find out.

4.9
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Born in the 70’s, raised in the 80’s, powered through the 90’s to become irrelevant in the new millennium.

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