Nostalgium Arcanum

Doug Lief
  • 5.0 (13)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Each episode we add a new entry to the Nostalgium Arcanum, a repository for the movies, tv, music, games, and other pop culture that still enchants us today. Find us on the socials by googling "Nostalgium".

  1. The Mummy (1999)

    5D AGO

    The Mummy (1999)

    He will never eat. He will never sleep. He will never stop. We unearth the unrelentingly fun 1999 iteration of "The Mummy". Whatever faults may lay in the script or its charmingly outdated CGI are sanded down like a magic Saharan whirlwind by spectacularly charming performances by future Oscar winners Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Jacob Price of the Pre-Order Bonus podcast joins our expedition to this franchise whose appeal is Universal. Be sure to also check out our musical podcast, Playing By Ear! - https://playingbyear.fireside.fm. Also check out our limited-run Jim Henson series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod). If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/ You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions. Musical Credits: Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie) All score from The Mummy by Jerry Goldsmith Walk Like An Egyptian - The Bangles King Tut - Steve Martin

    2h 20m
  2. Groundhog Day

    FEB 2

    Groundhog Day

    Well its Groundhog Day... again... Part comedy, part horror, part romcom, part existential crisis, and part philosophical religious experience, Harold Ramis and Bill Murray deliver a monumental filmmaking achievement in the form of weatherman Phil Connors' unexplained incarceration on February 2. This inventive and influential film casts a shadow worthy of its prognosticating namesake rodent. We're joined by our friend Matt Powers to gather at Gobbler's Knob and celebrate why Groundhog Day still has us, babe. Watch out for that first step. It's a doozy! Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod). Also, be sure to check out our recent guest appearance on the Pixel Project Radio podcast discussing "Hollow Knight". (https://linktr.ee/pixelprojectradio) If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/ You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions. Musical Credits: Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie) I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher I'm Your Weatherman - Delbert McClinton Pennsylvania Polka - Frankie Yankovic and his Yanks You Don't Know Me - Ray Charles Almost Like Being In Love - Nat King Cole All Score From Groundhog Day by George Fenton

    2h 15m
  3. Alien

    JAN 26

    Alien

    Ridley Scott's seminal sci-fi horror masterpiece remains a "perfect organism". Alien is equal parts atmospheric, paranoid, and just plain disgusting. With a career-making performance from Sigourney Weaver and unparalleled visuals from the deep recesses of H. R. Giger's psyche, the film latches on and implants itself, not unlike its extraterrestrial antagonist. Guest podcaster and lucky star Case Aiken (Another Pass, Men of Steel) stows away on board to discuss why Alien is a beloved classic over 45 years later. You have our sympathies. You can support Case and his network, CertainPOV, at patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod). If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/ You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions. Musical Credits: Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie) All score from Alien by Jerry Goldsmith You Are My Lucky Star - Gene Kelly Hello! Ma Baby - Michigan J. Frog

    2h 11m
  4. Legend

    JAN 19

    Legend

    No light without darkness. Legend is a film about duality and yet, the story of the dual cuts of the film is just as captivating as Ridley Scott's spectacular visuals, performances from a young Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, and a make-up consumed Tim Curry. Indeed, this is truly a unicorn as the theatrical and director's cut versions of the film are radically different movies, with different tones, themes and stories. While Ridley Scott made diddley squat at the box office, the legend of the film has only grown. We're joined by guests Jala Prendes (host of Jala-Chan' Place, Monster, Dear Monster, and Duckfeed.tv's The Level) and her husband, Dave (co-host of Monster, Dear Monster), to celebrate this cult classic of 80s fantasy. Find Jala online at @Fireheart_Media on X and fireheartmedia.bsky.social. Her show "The Level" is also part of the Duckfeed.tv podcast network. Dave's podcasts can be found at https://www.monsterdear.monster/. Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod). If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/ Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions. Musical Credits: Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie) All score from Legend by Tangerine Dream Loved By The Sun - Jon Anderson and Tangerine Dream

    2h 21m
  5. Super Mario Kart

    JAN 12

    Super Mario Kart

    3... 2... 1... Go!!! By 1992 Mario had conquered koopas, rescued the princess (again and again), played tennis, practiced medicine, and more, but that year launched a new venture, Super Mario Kart. Buoyed by the Mode 7 chip, a new racing genre was born as beloved Nintendo characters zipped around tracks, blasting each other with shells, lightning bolts and more. Guest comedian Rich Baker (@richbakeractor) grabs a controller and joins us to revisit the first entry in this venerable franchise. If you want to take an online improv class from Rich, go to www.daretofailimprov.com (first class is free!). Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod). If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/ You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions. Musical Credits: Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie) All music from Super Mario Kart by Soyo Oka

    1h 20m
  6. Stand By Me

    JAN 5

    Stand By Me

    Deeply personal, darkly profound, the late Rob Reiner's masterpiece "Stand By Me" is the film he said he most wanted to be remembered for. The film lays bare the pain in growing pains in the seemingly simple tale of four children trudging to see a dead body, but which explores the complex emotions on the precipice of adulthood, the traumas that shape us, in perhaps the finest coming-of-age film ever made. We're joined by filmmaker (and fellow wilderness-exploring childhood friend) Alex Sosin ("The Canyon") to celebrate this crown jewel of Reiner's career. "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?" Check out the teaser for The Canyon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFFWbNbdtKA Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod). If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/ You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions. Musical Credits: Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie) Let the Good Times Roll - Shirley and Lee Get A Job - The Silhouettes Stand By Me - Ben E. King The Ballad of Paladin - Duane Eddy All score from Stand By Me by Jack Nitzsche

    2h 22m
  7. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

    12/29/2025

    Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

    It wouldn't be Christmas without Yuletide stealing, so we've got one more episode that's very revealing. The kids drop by the pod, to discuss who's Who, and give How The Grinch Stole Christmas a proper review. Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod). If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/ You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions. Musical Credits: Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie) All score from How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Theodore Geisl (lyrics) and Albert Hague (songs) and Eugene Poddany (additional music)

    37 min
  8. The Muppet Christmas Carol

    12/22/2025

    The Muppet Christmas Carol

    God bless us, every one! It's a special cross-over podcast as we bring an episode of Still Muppetting to Nostalgium Arcanum. Co-host Josh Covel (Still Loading) and comedian Eileen Mayse (@i_lean) revisit Muppets past and Michael Caine's turn breaking good as Ebeneezer Scrooge in "The Muppet Christmas Carol". And it was always said of them, that they knew how to keep Muppets well, if anyone alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm). If you enjoyed this, it's also part of our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod). If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/ You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions. Musical Credits: Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie) All songs from The Muppet Christmas Carol by Paul Williams All score from The Muppet Christmas Carol by Miles Goodman

    2h 15m
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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Each episode we add a new entry to the Nostalgium Arcanum, a repository for the movies, tv, music, games, and other pop culture that still enchants us today. Find us on the socials by googling "Nostalgium".

Information

  • Creator
    Doug Lief
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    183
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Douglas Lief
  • Show Website
    Nostalgium Arcanum