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The Test of Time Posts

Episode 173: The Shining (1980)

A man agrees to take care of an empty hotel over the winter. Unfortunately, the isolation and some vengeful spirits drive him totally insane.

In our annual Halloween episode, we discuss proper murder attire, how many bodies it takes to fill an elevator with blood, and the very specific instance when it still makes sense to use a CB radio. Then we find out if The Shining stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 172: Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

Two socially inept stoners go on a cross-country road trip to stop a movie from being made, just so they won’t be made fun of online.

Special guests Marisa Pincas and Dominic Monfre join us as we discuss our favorite George Carlin routines, describe the many faces of James Van Der Beek, and offer a heartfelt apology to this movie’s key grip. We also share some big news about Nick’s Marathon before finding out if Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 171: Fight Club (1999)

A bored insomniac and a mysterious stranger start a violent underground club, where men beat the living crap out of each other to feel alive.

Returning special guest Adam Pincas joins us to talk about the ultimate Joker origin story, this movie’s Regina George, and who else could have played Tyler Durden. Then we find out if 1999’s Fight Club stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 170: “10” (1979)

Dudley Moore plays a man having an epic midlife crisis, who leaves his longtime girlfriend and pursues a beautiful woman half his age.

As James and Alan both turn 40 (!), we discuss how a movie can score perfect placement at Blockbuster Video, why some people hate Anne Hathaway, and Attila the Hun’s views on the Second Amendment. We also share our thoughts on how getting older affects attitudes, sleep, and eating Popeyes, all before finding out if the 1979 movie “10” stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 169: Rambo III (1988)

Rambo returns, this time to save his friend from evil Russian forces in Afghanistan.

As we wrap up our Rambo trilogy, we talk about the history of glow sticks, Afghanis who know what’s in American newspapers but have never heard of football, and James gives some pretty irresponsible medical advice. We also discuss the oeuvre of Sylvester Stallone before finding out if Rambo III stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 168: Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

John Rambo faces his past as he heads back into Vietnam to rescue American prisoners of war.

This week, we talk about pirate literacy, how the Olympics can make you feel old, and this movie’s coolest—and lamest—kills. We also discuss playing Super Nintendo games on the Switch before finding out if Rambo: First Blood Part II stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 167: First Blood (1982)

A Vietnam veteran just wants to be left alone, but when he’s terrorized by a group of brutal police officers, he brings the war to a sleepy American town.
This week, we talk about Dennis Franz’s butt, how you order body bags, and what would happen if Rambo worked in a mall. Then we find out if 1982’s First Blood stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 166: The Waterboy (1998)

A waterboy—who’s actually a grown man—channels his rage towards everyone who’s ever been mean to him as he becomes a highly successful college linebacker.

This week, we discuss what you call people from Louisiana, the thing this movie has in common with Rocky II, and if Adam Sandler’s Southern accent is funny. In the end, we find out if The Waterboy stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 165: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

A group of teenagers learn important lessons about love, sex and life as they go through a year of high school.

This week, we talk about the restaurants you don’t go to on a first date, how being on the honor roll doesn’t make you cool, and James shows his ignorance about 80’s music. Then we find out if Fast Times at Ridgemont High stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 164: Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

Pee-wee’s got the coolest bicycle in the world, and when someone steals it, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get his bike back.

This week, we talk about Bar Mitzvah music, bathtubs that Bernie Sanders hates, and the thing that’s been on Alan’s bucket list for 34 years… but not for much longer. Then we find out if Pee-wee’s Big Adventure stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 163: Rain Man (1988)

Charlie Babbitt thinks only about himself… until he meets the autistic brother he never knew he had.

This week, we talk about the appropriate level of detail on waitress name tags, how much we really care about Judge Wapner, and why only one airline showed this movie unedited. Then we find out if 1988’s Rain Man stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 162: Mr. Mom (1983)

A man… who stays at home with the kids? While his wife goes to work?? Only Hollywood could come up with something so utterly preposterous!!! (Don’t @ us, we’re being sarcastic.)

This week, we discuss dangerous math tools, the wonders of couponing, and why you shouldn’t treat babies like hamsters. We also share our thoughts on Marvel’s Phase Four plans before finding out if 1983’s Mr. Mom stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 161: The Sixth Sense (1999)

A young boy lives in fear because of his unique ability to communicate with ghosts, until he meets a child psychologist who just might be able to help.

This week, we talk about the compliment you never want to hear, the medical school lesson straight out of this movie, and whether Haley Joel Osment’s character was more worried about scary dead people or Y2K. We also discuss the demise of MoviePass before finding out if The Test of Time stands The Sixth Sense. (WHAT A TWIST!)

And a big SPOILER WARNING for anyone who hasn’t seen this 20-year-old movie: watch it first, *then* listen to the podcast.


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Episode 160: The Mask (1994)

A painfully nice guy finds confidence—and cartoonish superpowers—with the help of an ancient green mask.

This week, we talk about how a magical mask can *sometimes* make you bald, we debate what constitutes a true fourth wall break, and in honor of Stranger Things 3, we have ourselves a New Coke taste test. In the end, we find out if 1994’s The Mask stands the Test of Time. 



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Episode 159: The Lion King (1994)

A king is murdered and the young prince is exiled, until he ultimately returns home to battle his evil uncle. It’s kind of like Hamlet, only this is a cartoon with singing animals.

This week, we talk about wildebeest defense mechanisms, the perfect cave painting, and a voice actor who really chews the scenery. Plus we share our thoughts on Spider-Man: Far from Home. As a new CGI remake hits theaters, we find out if 1994’s The Lion King stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 158: Mallrats (1995)

After getting dumped by their girlfriends, two New Jersey natives head to the one place that can take away their heartbreak… the mall.

Special guest Marisa Pincas joins us to discuss why clothes were so big in the 90s, we analyze the problem with this movie’s Volkswagen joke, and we talk about a bag full of nipples. We also give our thoughts on Robert Pattinson being cast as Batman before finding out if Mallrats stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 157: Forrest Gump (1994)

Tom Hanks won an Oscar for playing Forrest Gump, a simple man who inadvertently—and repeatedly—affects the course of American history.

This week, we talk about James’ Forrest fan fiction, we pick our favorite tracks from this movie’s epic soundtrack, and we reminisce about looking at porn in Tower Records. Stupid is as stupid does, but does Forrest Gump stand the Test of Time?


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Episode 156: Meatballs (1979)

In his very first movie, Bill Murray plays a lovable camp counselor who befriends a loner, keeps watch over horny teenagers, and motivates his campers to beat the evil kids from across the lake.

This week, we talk about chants that don’t rhyme, the first nerd with tape on his glasses, and the perfect number of White Castle hamburgers to eat. We also discuss Stadia, Google’s foray into video games, before finding out if 1979’s Meatballs stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 155: Apollo 13 (1995)

Three astronauts fight to survive when their mission to the moon suffers a series of dangerous setbacks.

This week, we talk about James’ dream vacation spot, fitting an actual square peg into a round hole, and the very real, not at all made up dangers of… space flu. In the end, we find out if Apollo 13 stands the Test of Time.  



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Episode 154: Weird Science (1985)

A pair of horny nerds can’t get real girls to talk to them, so they do the next best thing: use a computer to create a magic woman who will do whatever they want.

Special guest Chris DeLuca joins us to talk about VHS rewinders, the phrase “tossing off,” and whether 80s hairdos are still sexy. Then we find out if 1985’s Weird Science stands the Test of Time. 

Follow Chris on Twitter: @whatsucksblog



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Episode 153: Speed (1994)

A bus is forced to speed around a city, keeping its speed over 50 miles per hour, and if its speed drops, the bus will explode. It’s a little movie that Homer Simpson calls: The Bus That Couldn’t Slow Down.

This week, special guest Andy Manoff joins us to talk about literal money laundering, the difference between commandeering a vehicle and carjacking, and this movie’s statement on mass transit in Los Angeles. We also offer our belated thoughts on the Game of Thrones finale before finding out if 1994’s Speed stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 152: Bob Roberts (1992)

A conservative populist with no political experience runs for office, campaigning that since he’s rich, he knows how to make America great. Yes, we know what you’re thinking, but this is a fictional story… from 1992.

This week, we talk about the Streisand effect, our favorite members of Rockapella, and portable computers that will sterilize you. We also debate whether it’s better to buy digital or physical video games before deciding if Bob Roberts stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 151: Aladdin (1992)

Over the course of long Arabian nights and Arabian days, a street rat named Aladdin tries to win over the fiercely independent Princess Jasmine… with a little help from a magical genie.

This week, James shows off his worldly knowledge, Alan wonders where Aladdin’s nipples are, and we both discuss whether kids today will get Robin Williams’ pop culture references. Plus we offer our belated thoughts on Avengers: Endgame! It’s a whole new world (sorry) as we find out if 1992’s Aladdin stands the Test of Time.



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Episode 150: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

A young boy and an abandoned alien form a unique bond in one of Steven Spielberg’s most iconic films.
In our 150th episode spectacular, we talk about coupons for Gamecube games, adults with hidden faces, and rectal thermometers. It all makes sense in context, we promise. Before we phone home, we find out if E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial stands the Test of Time.


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