The Retro Nostalgia Podcast

No Frills Podcast Network
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to THE RETRO NOSTALGIA PODCAST*, where hosts Chad and Cristina rediscover the pop culture of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s! Each week, one of us introduces the other to movies, TV shows, music, video games, comics, toys, commercials, and fads & trends from the 20th Century. It might be something the other never experienced or just hasn't thought about in years. We’ll find out if our childhood favorites stand the test of time (or were better left in the past). We occasionally collaborate with fellow podcasters occasionally to discuss lifestyle topics, debate best & worst lists, or just to get another perspective on the topic of the week. Come reminisce with us! *formerly known as "His and Hers Gen X Podcast"

  1. 2d ago

    National Lampoon's Vacation vs. European Vacation

    There were a LOT of comedies in the 1980s about summer vacations gone awry. This niche sub-genre probably got its start in 1983 with NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION. The movie stars Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo with a young Anthony Michael Hall and a then-unknown Randy Quaid. Written by comedy virtuoso John Hughes and directed by Harold Ramis, it launched a franchise of SIX* films! Vacation was a box office success, so naturally a sequel was created: NATIONAL LAMPOON'S EUROPEAN VACATION (which went up against Back To The Future in the summer of 1985). This time John Hughes only provided the story and it was directed by Amy Heckerling (who did pretty well with Fast Times At Ridgemont High). Cristina grew up watching the original Vacation with only vague memories of the sequel. Chad had NEVER seen either movie in its entirety until just now! Are these comedy masterpieces that hold up decades later or are they just arbitrary pop culture fixtures? Listen and find out! *Technically there were six films in the series: Vacation, European Vacation; Christmas Vacation; Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure; Vegas Vacation, and the 2015 Vacation reboot starring Ed Helms and Christina Applegate. WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION👉 https://youtu.be/BQRAvgVfyGg FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE👉 https://linktr.ee/RetroNostalgiaPodcast

    National Lampoon's Vacation vs. European Vacation

  2. Jul 20

    Lethal Weapon

    There may have been buddy-cop movies before LETHAL WEAPON, but this franchise has outlived (and out-earned) them all! Mel Gibson and Danny Glover actually play it fairly straight in this first installment. Sure there are jokes and the usual action sequences, but compared to competitors like BEVERLY HILLS COP and DIE HARD; Lethal Weapon is quite dark and serious... so much so that it borders on being campy. We discuss Mel Gibson and Danny Glover’s chemistry, Gary Busey’s role as the psychotic villain, the recognizable ’80s soundtrack, that ridiculously long final fight scene; and why the sequels probably improved this franchise. And of course, why does the internet consider DIE HARD a Christmas movie, but not LETHAL WEAPON!? Watch the video version👉 https://youtu.be/Sf1Z8VWHry4 FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE👉 https://linktr.ee/RetroNostalgiaPodcast

    Lethal Weapon

  3. Jul 13

    Jaws

    Chad and Cristina head to Amity Island (wherever that is) to revisit Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic, JAWS! Cristina has watched it every summer since childhood, while Chad came to the movie much later. We debate whether Jaws is a horror, thriller or drama; its rather titillating and gruesome PG-rated moments; the mayor’s questionable priorities; and whether that enormous shark could really swim in such shallow water. Does the original summer blockbuster remain an all-time masterpiece? Listen and find out! Watch the video version👉 https://youtu.be/jGTjqmrSnFs FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE👉 https://linktr.ee/RetroNostalgiaPodcast

    Jaws

  4. Jul 6

    DIE HARD

    Any list of greatest summer blockbuster movies would have to include 1988's DIE HARD starring Bruce Willis. It's one of the few films of the genre that could perfectly balance explosions, gunfire and plenty of insane stunts with a rather lighthearted and comical approach. Believe it or not, Cristina had never seen DIE HARD until just now! In fact, she wasn't all that familiar with the premise of the story, so Chad refused to give her any spoilers going into it. Thus, she's in a perfect position to judge this movie with fresh eyes 38 years after its release. But is it a Christmas movie? What and find out the results of that debate! Watch the video version👉 https://youtu.be/1pphRPR8Lzk FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE👉 https://linktr.ee/RetroNostalgiaPodcast Follow Pop Culture Retrospective👉 https://www.popcultureretrospective.com/

    DIE HARD

  5. Jun 26

    INDEPENDENCE DAY

    Chad and Cristina revisit INDEPENDENCE DAY for its 30th anniversary and find out if this alien invasion classic is as fun to watch now as it was in 1996. It definitely was one of the biggest science fiction blockbusters of the 1990s (rivaling The Matrix and The Phantom Menace!). Starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Randy Quaid, Vivica A. Fox, Judd Hirsch, and Brent Spiner, INDEPENDENCE DAY became one of the defining summer blockbuster movies of the decade with groundbreaking visual effects, unforgettable action sequences, memorable one-liners, and one of the most iconic movie speeches ever filmed. Of course we share our favorite moments, discuss the film's strengths and weaknesses, compare it to other '90s blockbusters, and decide whether this is movie essential viewing or simply a fun nostalgic popcorn movie. Watch the video version👉 https://youtu.be/yQ4tjVnE0yw FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE👉 https://linktr.ee/RetroNostalgiaPodcast check out The 80's and 90's Uncensored podcast👉 https://the80sand90s.com

    INDEPENDENCE DAY

  6. Jun 19

    SUPER MARIO BROS. 3

    Two weeks ago, Chad and Cristina reviewed the 1989 movie THE WIZARD featuring Fred Savage. Something that movie is best known for is its sneak preview of SUPER MARIO BROS 3. It seemed only natural that we would discuss that game for its own episode. But we had to bring in an expert in Nintendo NES games: James from  @BigOleWords . Chad had been following James since he initially launched his channel 5 years ago and has been a member of his Patreon for quite some time now. Since this is a podcast, there's no gameplay footage in this episode; but rather a fun nostalgic discussion of our memories of this game back in 1990 and how it holds up today. We reminisce on Nintendo Power, the Super Mario Bros franchise, Easter Eggs scattered throughout the game, tips and tricks, and so much more. Plus, James delights us with some behind-the-scenes information on his channel. Watch the video version👉 https://youtu.be/amzxCxHQBwM FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE👉 https://linktr.ee/RetroNostalgiaPodcast FOLLOW Big Ole Words👉 https://www.youtube.com/@BigOleWords

    SUPER MARIO BROS. 3

  7. Jun 12

    ONE HIT WONDERS DRAFT

    In this special crossover episode of The Retro Nostalgia Podcast, Chad and Cristina are joined by Don and Dude from  @AlbumNerdsPodcast  for a nostalgic music draft featuring some of the greatest one-hit wonders ever recorded! Using VH1's famous list of the 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders as our draft pool, each host builds a dream team of unforgettable songs from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. From A-ha's "Take On Me," Sinéad O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U," and Dexys Midnight Runners' "Come On Eileen" to Blind Melon's "No Rain," Faith No More's "Epic," and Tommy Tutone's "867-5309/Jenny," we debate which songs truly stood the test of time and which artists deserved more than a single hit. Along the way, we share memories of MTV, cassette tapes, music videos, record stores, and growing up during the golden age of radio. Watch the video version👉 https://youtu.be/mKW25jZmHXw FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE👉 https://linktr.ee/RetroNostalgiaPodcast Check out The Album Nerds Podcast👉 https://albumnerds.com

    ONE HIT WONDERS DRAFT

  8. Jun 5

    THE WIZARD

    1989's THE WIZARD may not be a masterpiece, but it remains one of the most nostalgic movies ever made for Gen X gamers and Nintendo fans. In this episode of the Retro Nostalgia Podcast, Chad and Cristina revisit the cult classic starring Fred Savage, Christian Slater, Jenny Lewis, Luke Edwards, and Beau Bridges. Along the way, we relive the excitement of Super Mario Bros. 3, the Power Glove, Nintendo's Game Counselors, Video Armageddon, and the video game craze that defined the late 1980s. Was The Wizard really just a 90-minute commercial for Nintendo, or is there more to this beloved road-trip adventure than critics gave it credit for? Join us as we discuss the film's legacy, its portrayal of autism, memorable scenes at Universal Studios, and whether The Wizard still holds up for modern audiences nearly four decades later. FOLLOW US EVERYWHERE👉 https://linktr.ee/RetroNostalgiaPodcast Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/xCl2DpU3muU

    THE WIZARD
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5
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About

Welcome to THE RETRO NOSTALGIA PODCAST*, where hosts Chad and Cristina rediscover the pop culture of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s! Each week, one of us introduces the other to movies, TV shows, music, video games, comics, toys, commercials, and fads & trends from the 20th Century. It might be something the other never experienced or just hasn't thought about in years. We’ll find out if our childhood favorites stand the test of time (or were better left in the past). We occasionally collaborate with fellow podcasters occasionally to discuss lifestyle topics, debate best & worst lists, or just to get another perspective on the topic of the week. Come reminisce with us! *formerly known as "His and Hers Gen X Podcast"

Information

  • Creator
    No Frills Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Retro Nostalgia Podcast