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The Test of Time Posts

Episode 53: Spider-Man (2002)

Tobey Maguire stars as your friendly neighborhood web-slinger in Sam Raimi’s 2002 blockbuster, Spider-Man.

Fifteen years after the movie’s release, we discuss the physics of kissing upside-down, what Green Goblin has in common with Wile E. Coyote, and how Peter Parker gets in one little fight and his uncle gives him the whole “great power/great responsibility” speech. When all is said and done, we ask if 2002’s Spider-Man stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 52: Adventures in Babysitting (1987)

A group of kids from the suburbs try to survive a night in the city in the 1987 movie, Adventures in Babysitting.

Spend some time with us as we talk about teenage characters played by adult actors, why everyone in Chicago knows what Playboy’s Miss March looks like, and the difficult logistics of a club’s “nobody leaves this place without singing the blues” policy. The kids may not get to bed in time, but does Adventures in Babysitting stand the Test of Time?


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Episode 51: Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)

MTV’s dimwitted duo travel across the United States searching for their lost television in 1996’s Beavis and Butt-Head Do America.

Listen in to a conversation that touches on the genius of Mike Judge, the universal hatred of hippies, and the missed opportunity of not having the Red Hot Chili Peppers animated into this movie. We also go through the highlights of the 2017 E3 conference before deciding if Beavis and Butt-Head Do America stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 50: The NeverEnding Story (1984)

We’re 50 episodes in and we show no sign of slowing down. It’s kind of like we’re a never ending podcast, which is why this week, we’re talking about the 1984 fantasy flick, The NeverEnding Story.

Join us as we reflect back on our truly awful original logo, the mistakes we’ve made over the course of the show’s 50 first episodes, and what we’d like to do in our next 50. (Hint: it involves more Macchio.) Then special guest Adam Pincas joins us to ask the tough questions about The NeverEnding Story. Why does the Nothing want to destroy everything? How can you be super sad and not get swallowed by the Swamp of Sadness? And doesn’t this story in fact have a clearly defined ending? 

In our biggest and boldest episode yet, we dare to find out if The NeverEnding Story stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 49: The Mummy (1999)

Ancient Egyptians practiced the art of mummification so the deceased could stand the test of time over thousands of years. But how does the Brendan Fraser movie The Mummy hold up after just 18 years?

To find out, we analyze the way the mummy “recomposes,” the correct number and order of the plagues, and how this movie features more kissing talk than an episode of Saved by the Bell. Plus we discuss Irish slang and pay tribute to the late Roger Moore as we find out if 1999’s The Mummy stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 48: Con Air (1997)

Convicts take over an airplane in the 1997 action flick, Con Air. (Get it? Cons? In the air? Con Air?? Pretty clever!)

Join us as we talk about Nicolas Cage’s constantly-changing Southern accent, Steve Buscemi’s inherent creepiness, and a word that’s completely vanished from the vernacular. Plus we ponder what impact Joss Whedon will have on Justice League as we find out if Con Air stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 47: Aliens (1986)

Ripley returns to battle an entire army of aliens in the big-budget sequel, titled—appropriately enough—Aliens.

We start off by talking about sequels that changed their franchise, then segue into sequels that ruined their franchise. We celebrate the music of the late James Horner, ponder if James Cameron was an inspiration to Ke$ha, and show how James Brief is the ultimate bachelor stereotype. In the end, we find out if Aliens stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 46: Alien (1979)

In space, no one can hear you scream. So be grateful you’re not in space, on the run from a homicidal xenomorph that explodes out of your chest and bleeds acid.

This week, we ask the hard hitting questions about 1979’s Alien. What are the drawbacks of having a mouth inside your mouth? What’s the best way to choke someone with a magazine? And would “Space Truckers” have been a better title?

We also talk about our feelings on the Star Wars Episode IX release date and our hopes for Indiana Jones 5 before determining if Alien stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 45: Innerspace (1987)

Dennis Quaid travels deep inside Martin Short in the 1987 movie, Innerspace.

Listen as we discuss comedies that put the “slap” in “slapstick,” the pros and cons of running the projector in science class, and how a little hand-to-hand combat can go a long way. Plus our resident doctor analyzes how medically accurate this Oscar-winning (!) movie is as we find out if Innerspace stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 44: Cocoon (1985)

A group of senior citizens find an extraterrestrial fountain of youth in the 1985 film, Cocoon.

In this episode, we chat about James’ family connection to Brian Dennehy, Steve Guttenberg’s sex appeal, and the way Wilford Brimley pronounces a certain disease. We also discuss how a sequel can tarnish the movie that preceded it as we decide if Cocoon stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 43: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

Super spy Austin Powers is figuratively and literally frozen in the 1960’s, only to find that the world has drastically changed without him.

Grab your favorite Swedish-made penis enlarger pump as we chat about our favorite Saturday Night Live cast members, the inspiration for Dr. Evil’s accent, the disturbing real life story of Random Task, and the movie’s decidedly creepy romance. At the end of this “podcast,” we ask if Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 42: Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)

Two ditzy best friends head back to their hometown ten years after graduation in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.

This week, we’re talking about how social media has ruined reunions, the awesomeness of Justin Theroux, and the awfulness of Mira Sorvino’s accent. We also come up with a name for a potential podcast after-show as we determine if Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 41: Total Recall (1990)

Arnold Schwarzenegger gets his ass to Mars in the big budget sci-fi action flick, Total Recall.

We analyze the likelihood of mutants on Mars, ponder the use of “credits” as the official currency of sci-fi movies, and ruminate on the most hapless victim to ever get caught in the middle of a fictional firefight. And yes, we talk about the three-breasted woman before deciding if Total Recall stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 40: Clerks (1990)

Telling the story of a convenience store employee working on his day off, 1994’s Clerks was Kevin Smith’s indie, black and white debut.


Listen as James somehow connects Aladdin to DuckTales to Jersey Shore to Clerks, Alan complains about New Jersey, and we both wonder what exactly it means to be an Asian design major.
At the end of our only episode with a lengthy conversation about necrophilia (so far), we find out if Clerks stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 39: The Sandlot (1993)

In the summer of 1962, a group of friends play baseball, learn how to steal a kiss from a lifeguard, and do battle with a dog that is definitely not neutered.

Join us as we talk about Martin Scorsese’s move to Netflix, the definitive version of America the Beautiful, and the missed opportunity with James Earl Jones’ second-most famous character in a baseball movie. In the end, we ask if The Sandlot stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 38: Hook (1991)

Steven Spielberg takes on a classic children’s tale, with Robin Williams as an adult Peter Pan returning to Neverland in 1991’s Hook.


This week, we discuss how we did predicting the changes in the Beauty and the Beast live-action remake, who collects royalties off of Peter Pan stories, and what the trailer for Hook 2 might have looked like.

Plus we interview one of Hook’s Lost Boys, actor and director Thomas Tulak, who tells us about working with Robin Williams, filming the infamous food fight scene, and his potential role in the upcoming Hook prequel, Bangarang.

The Lost Boys themselves never age, but does Hook stand the Test of Time?


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Episode 37: Beauty and the Beast (1991)

It’s a tale as old as time… a prince is transformed into a hideous beast, and the only thing that can break the curse is true love.

This week, we’re asking—and answering—the big questions:

  •  What are the best Disney songs ever?
  •  Why is a young prince cursed for refusing to allow a witch into his home?
  •  Are the dishes and candlesticks in the castle having sex?
  •  Is every last inch of Gaston actually covered with hair?
  •  Why didn’t Belle ever bother to find out the Beast’s real name?

Be our guest as we see if 1991’s Beauty and the Beast stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 36: Sister Act (1992)

A lounge singer witnesses a murder, joins witness protection, and breathes new life into a church choir in the 1992 comedy, Sister Act.  

This week, we’re talking about EGOTs, how you pronounce “reprise,” and the young actress with the unfortunate name who was typecast playing a young Whoopi Goldberg. Plus James makes some shocking personal revelations about his favorite animated show, his dreams of being an expert at jump rope, and his history with Playboy magazine (or lack thereof). All that, plus we find out if Sister Act stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 35: The Wizard (1989)

Put on your Power Glove and find that warp whistle: we’re talking about 1989’s love letter to Nintendo, The Wizard.

This flick features Fred Savage putting the moves on a pre-Rilo Kiley Jenny Lewis, the meanest video game villain this side of The King of Kong’s Billy Mitchell, and the debut of the greatest video game ever, Super Mario Bros. 3. (Sorry, Ocarina of Time!) This movie may be the gold standard of product placement, but does it stand the Test of Time?


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Episode 34: Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997)

What do you get when Joel Schumacher takes on one of the most iconic superheroes of all time? Ice puns and bat nipples, of course!

In this double feature episode, we dive into the music of the Batman films, Tommy Lee Jones’ feud with Jim Carrey, and the sheer ridiculousness of Gotham City’s architecture. Yes, these movies are campy, but do Batman Forever and Batman & Robin stand the Test of Time?


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Episode 33: Batman Returns (1992)

The Bat is back as Michael Keaton and director Tim Burton reunite for another round of Gotham City crime-fighting in 1992’s Batman Returns.

This movie had a meta moment before meta moments were a thing, it features a love quadrangle that’s really just a line, and it introduced the whole “one hero vs. two villains” concept, as Batman faces off against the epitome of a crazy cat lady and a dude who lives in the sewers under the zoo’s penguin exhibit… but still has an army of henchmen.

Does the Bat stand up to the Cat and the Penguin? And does Batman Returns stand the Test of Time?


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Episode 32: Batman (1989)

Before Batfleck and before Bale, there was Burton’s Batman: the Michael Keaton movie that made the Dark Knight cool.

In this Bat-tastic episode, we discuss Jack Nicholson’s epic payday, the amount of alleys in New York versus Gotham, and the absurd weight limit of Batman’s grappling hook. We don’t ask if you’ve ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight, but we do ask if Batman stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 31: Groundhog Day (1993)

Weatherman Phil Connors has to relive a single day over and over again in the movie that redefined déjà vu.  

This week, we discuss aging superheroes, why you should never set your alarm to your favorite song, and the concept of Daddy-jacking. Plus we debate just how many times Phil actually repeated the same day… and whether Groundhog Day stands the Test of Time.


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Episode 30: Demolition Man (1993)

Welcome to the world of 2032: a peaceful place where no one gets hurt, physical contact is outlawed, and all restaurants are Taco Bell for some reason.

Get ready for a conversation about the idiocy of bungee-jumping from a helicopter, the rarity of a bad guy in overalls, and how this movie got more predictions right than Back to the Future Part II. Plus, as we discuss why we’re excited for the Nintendo Switch, James makes a shocking confession about his video game past. Then we decide if Demolition Man stands the Test of Time.


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