Too Old For This Shit: an 80s/90s Action Movie Rewatch Podcast

Josh Samuels and Antonio Cafasso
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WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS Buckle up & dive headfirst into the best and worst 80s/90s Action Movies. This is the podcast that puts critical thought into a mindless genre. In every episode we rewatch these cinematic gems (or not-so-gems) to answer the burning questions: Do they still make you grip your seat? Can they pass the Bechdel Test? And most important, how many explosions are too many explosions? Join our dynamic duo – longtime filmmakers and collaborators Josh Samuels (VHS era fan) and Antonio Cafasso (the DVD generation) as they embark on a rollercoaster ride through cinema history.

  1. La Femme Nikita (1990)

    01/12/2024

    La Femme Nikita (1990)

    Nobody does action like the French, at least that's how the saying goes in France. Nonetheless, in 1990 Luc Besson crafted a movie that's 1/2 arthouse and 1/2 junkie-turned-assassin story in the stylish and deadly La Femme Nikita. Our hosts dissect the film's dual nature, delving into its blend of elegant visuals and raw, intense action. They examine how Besson crafts a narrative that's as visually stunning as it is thrilling, making La Femme Nikita a unique entry in the action genre. It’s definitely a film that redefines the boundaries between art and adrenaline.

    54 min
  2. Passenger 57 (1992)

    01/04/2024

    Passenger 57 (1992)

    If you haven't seen Passenger 1 through 56 don't worry you won't be lost. This is an action-thriller where you can check your brain cells at the door in the best possible way. Our hosts explore what made the film such a great afternoon cable movie, and how this adrenaline-pumping airplane hijack thriller had Wesley Snipes career reaching cruising altitude. Get ready for a turbulent, fun-filled journey through one of the '90s most memorable sky-high adventures.

    42 min
  3. Midnight Run (1988)

    12/22/2023

    Midnight Run (1988)

    "You talking to me?" is a line made famous by Robert De Niro… that you won't hear it in this movie. But you will hear De Niro and Charles Grodin deliver a lot of odd-couple banter about health food, marriage, and a forgery in this action-comedy road movie. Our hosts dissect the witty dialogue, the relentless action, and the unexpected heart of the film. Join them as they explore what makes 'Midnight Run' an overlooked entry in the action buddy subgenre that proliferated in the 80s and early 90s.

    52 min
  4. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

    12/18/2023

    Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

    This week our intrepid co-hosts venture into the offbeat and outrageous world of John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China. In this episode, they unpack the film starring Kurt Russell and Kim Cattrall, a movie that could have been dubbed 'Sexist in the City' but, bizarrely, passes the Bechdel Test. It's a unique blend of kung-fu, comedy, and action, a concoction only conceivable in the 80s. Our hosts explore the film's peculiar charm, that mashes up an HP Lovecraft-esque world with San Francisco's Chinatown.

    56 min
  5. Conan the Barbarian (1982)

    12/14/2023

    Conan the Barbarian (1982)

    Dive into the savage world of 1982’s Conan the Barbarian, with the greatest Conan of all time (apologies to Mr. Momoa and Mr. O’Brien). Join the hosts as they dissect the movie’s barbaric allure as director John Milius brings together James Earl Jones, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sandahl Bergman for some sex, snakes, swords, and beheadings. I know, sounds boring right?! Our hosts revisit this iconic fantasy to determine whether it stands as a true sword-and-sandal epic or merely a cinematic 'wheel of pain.'

    53 min
  6. On Deadly Ground (1994)

    12/11/2023

    On Deadly Ground (1994)

    In this episode we ask the big question: can a movie with a pro-environment message actually make environmentalists wish for the wilderness's destruction just to avoid a sequel? Our hosts delve into the paradoxes of this film, examining its action scenes, environmental themes, and Seagal's “performance” as both actor and director. Join us for a deep dive into a movie that’s as controversial as it is action-packed, and find out if 'On Deadly Ground' stands the test of time or crumbles under its own weight.

    46 min
  7. The Rocketeer (1991)

    12/08/2023

    The Rocketeer (1991)

    Strap in for a nostalgic flight for a film that seemed too “Disney” for adults, yet based on saucy source material that's “too adult” for Disney. Our hosts blast off into this intriguing mix, exploring why the planned Art Deco inspired trilogy never soared as expected. With Jennifer Connelly in an early adult role, Billy Campbell donning the Rocketeer's helmet, and Timothy Dalton delivering what our hosts argue is an underrated performance by the 'best Bond' (controversial, they know!). Join the duo as they analyze the highs and lows of this unique superhero flick and ponder what could have been for this ambitious, yet grounded, adventure property.

    1h 1m
  8. Enemy of the State (1998)

    12/08/2023

    Enemy of the State (1998)

    In this digitally penetrating episode we revisit Tony Scott’s pre-9/11, surveillance state thriller starring Gene Hackman and that dude who used to rap alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff (Gen Xers will get this joke). Delving into a tale where the NSA's surveillance might seem quaint compared to what we voluntarily share on social media today, they ponder a pressing question: Despite its sizzling pace and Big Willie-style, why isn't this film ranked among the Fresh Prince’s best?

    50 min
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WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS Buckle up & dive headfirst into the best and worst 80s/90s Action Movies. This is the podcast that puts critical thought into a mindless genre. In every episode we rewatch these cinematic gems (or not-so-gems) to answer the burning questions: Do they still make you grip your seat? Can they pass the Bechdel Test? And most important, how many explosions are too many explosions? Join our dynamic duo – longtime filmmakers and collaborators Josh Samuels (VHS era fan) and Antonio Cafasso (the DVD generation) as they embark on a rollercoaster ride through cinema history.

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