The Test of Time

Six strangers find themselves in a geometric, booby-trapped maze in the 1997 thriller, Cube. This week, we're talking about prime numbers (like a couple of nerds), why the whole "five o'clock shadow" thing isn't true for everyone, and how this franchise missed a huge opportunity with its third movie. Plus we give our thoughts on Star Wars: The Last Jedi—and make a few Episode IX predictions—before asking if Cube stands the Test of Time.

The Last Dragon wasn't a hit when it was released in 1985, but it has since become a beloved cult classic. Special guest Jason Torres joins us to discuss why The Last Dragon's villain may be its true hero, the movie's shocking similarities with Kung Fu Panda, and why you should never try to catch a bullet with your teeth once, let alone twice. We also make our 2018 box office predictions before deciding if The Last Dragon stands the Test of Time.

Matt Damon plays a reformed gambler drawn back into the world of underground poker in the 1998 movie, Rounders. Recorded live at Nick's Marathon, listen as we ponder the shelf life of a toothpick, why a good fake accent can still be distracting, and how this movie didn't really try too hard when it came to giving characters nicknames. (Worm? Joey Knish?? Teddy KGB???) We hope you don't call our bluff as we go all in and... third poker thing... to find out if Rounders stands the Test of Time.

As a no-nonsense "cooler" (basically just a glorified bouncer), Patrick Swayze is bustin' heads and breakin' hearts in 1989's Road House. Listen as we talk about Swayze's fatality move, when you should carry around your medical records, and what this movie's villain has in common with Mr. Burns. Not racy enough for you? Well hang on, because we also discuss the sounds that breasts make, the invention of foreplay, and how vertical sex is more difficult in real life than it looks in the movies. Recorded live at Nick's Marathon, special guest Adam Pincas helps us decide if Road House stands the Test of Time.

Robin Williams brings the jungle to life—literally—in 1995's Jumanji. This week, we discuss the worst way to tell someone that their parents are dead, the difference between alligators and crocodiles, and how parts of Jumanji are reminiscent of Back to the Future Part II, Big, and Pinocchio. We also come up with clever nicknames for both David Alan Grier and computer generated images, and we make a few predictions about Star Wars: The Last Jedi before finding out if Jumanji stands the Test of Time.

What happens when you make a movie with Tom Selleck, Ted Danson, Steve Guttenberg, and an adorable infant? You get the #1 movie of 1987: Three Men and a Baby. Join us as we ask why three successful men in their 30's would want to be roommates, how drug dealers could confuse a baby with a brick of heroin, and why anyone would ever attempt to use a puppet to impress a woman. Come for the conversation about our favorite movie remakes, then stay for the story of our most humiliating experience as fraternity pledges. In the end, we decide if Three Men and a Baby stands the Test of Time.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck hit the A-list and took home Oscars for their 1997 movie, Good Will Hunting. This week, we talk about what the MIT campus really looks like, the deep love Bostonians have for Dunkin' Donuts, and how you can quickly spot the difference between Funny Robin Williams and Serious Robin Williams. We also give our thoughts on the Super Mario movie that's reportedly in development before we ask if Good Will Hunting stands the Test of Time.

Steve Martin plays a man on a desperate quest to get home to his family, and John Candy plays the travel companion from hell in the quintessential Thanksgiving movie, Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Join us as we discuss the movie's missing scene that probably would have been hilarious, how the "two pillows" joke could have easily been improved, and whether this flick or The Sixth Sense does the better twist ending. Plus we give our hot take on Justice League before finding out if Planes, Trains and Automobiles stands the Test of Time.

Aliens make first contact in Steven Spielberg's second blockbuster, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Give a listen as we discuss what this movie may have in common with Guardians of the Galaxy, the iconic scene that has been referenced by both Weird Al and The Simpsons, and what the different "kinds" of close encounters actually are. (Put it this way: Close Encounters of the Seventh Kind would have been a verrrrrrrrrry different kind of movie.) As the film celebrates it's 40th anniversary, we determine if Close Encounters of the Third Kind stands the Test of Time.

It's Spaceballs: the podcast episode! In 1987, Mel Brooks set his satirical sights on Star Wars (and a lot of other movies) with a farce that features sight gags, puns, and frequent use of the word "schwartz." Live from Nick's Marathon, special guest Dominic Monfre joins us to talk about jokes that are funnier in Spanish, we offer terrible tax advice that you definitely shouldn't take, and we ponder why NASA will never send a probe to Uranus (it's exactly what you think). Ultimately, we find out if Spaceballs stands the Test of Time.

Cowabunga! It's the big screen debut of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael in the 1990 movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Jon Willis of The Wayward Willis podcast joins us to talk about Shredder's poorly thought out plan for world domination, kids who love both the Ninja Turtles and Humphrey Bogart, and this movie's character who's sexist, homophobic, a murderer... and one of the good guys. We also definitively declare the greatest movie and video game to ever feature the heroes in a half shell as we decide if 1990's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stands the Test of Time.

Director Wes Craven brought fresh blood to the teen slasher genre in his 1996 movie, Scream. In our annual Halloween episode, we discuss modern meta moments, the old-fashioned name for cell phones, and how this film has twists in the opening *and* closing scenes. (Take that, M. Night Shyamalan!) You may know how to survive a horror movie, but do you know if Scream stands the Test of Time?

Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks play mismatched detectives tracking down a cult/crime syndicate in the 1987 flick, Dragnet. This movie has a nefarious plot that hinges on a personal check, a bad guy with a great name, and a scene of Ramsay Bolton-esque torture that's played for laughs. But does this 1980's movie based on a 1950's TV show stand the Test of Time?

Teens 'n parties. Music 'n dancing. Kid 'n Play. They all come together in the 1990 movie, House Party. We are once again joined by Brat Pack America author Kevin Smokler as we talk about old school Kool Aid, the only man who can crack up Ice Cube, and what House Party has in common with Bridesmaids, Dirty Work, and Frankie and Annette beach movies. Plus we share our thoughts on Ready Player One and the 80's nostalgia craze (something we happen to know a little bit about) before we see if House Party stands the Test of Time.

Thirty five years after Blade Runner first hit theaters, its long-awaited sequel has finally arrived. In our conversation about the original film, we question why robot slaves need fake memories of fake families, how the movie correctly predicted drones but mistakenly thought Pan Am would still be a thing, and why there's no simple way to identify a replicant through, like, a blood test or something. When all is said and done, we find out if 1982's Blade Runner stands the Test of Time.

Centuries-old immortals battle and behead each other to win the ultimate prize in 1986's Highlander. Join us as we discuss the MacLeod clan's poor military strategy, the women who would have made kickass immortals (#feminism), and the worst Queen karaoke song ever. And, of course, we wonder why the Scottish actor with a Scottish accent in a movie set in Scotland plays a character who's... Spanish/Egyptian? There can be only one, but does Highlander stand the Test of Time?

A young woman dreams of escaping her wicked stepmother and finding her prince in the animated Disney classic, Cinderella. Listen to find out what the movie's singing mice have in common with Ozzy Osbourne, what glass slippers have in common with a dress made of asbestos, and what James has in common with Prince Charming. We also talk about Star Wars Episode IX's director drama before finding out if 1950's Cinderella stands the Test of Time.

An innocent daddy's girl grows into a young woman who can really shake 'em down in 1987's Dirty Dancing. This week, Brat Pack America author Kevin Smokler joins us to chat about platonic friends who like to grind on each other, the award that Patrick Swayze definitely should *not* have won, and what "Nobody puts Baby in a corner" really means. You'll have the time of your life (sorry... we couldn't resist) as we find out if Dirty Dancing stands the Test of Time.

Three friends travel for two weeks to find the one thing that life is all about in 1991's City Slickers. This week, we talk about the midlife crisis movie genre (its a thing!), Bruno Kirby's awesome/awful mustache, and what you should never do when delivering a calf by hand. Plus hear how Alan factors into the best *and* worst days of James' life as we find out if City Slickers stands the Test of Time.

They're the galaxy defenders who won't let you remember. They are... the Men in Black. As we chat about the 1997 blockbuster, we question how an organization whose agents are named with a single letter can have more than 26 members. We wonder about the poor woman who Agent K left behind. And we question the logic of a bug-loving alien who wants to destroy a planet filled with bugs. By the end of this episode, you will know if Men in Black stands the Test of Time (though we can't promise no one will come along and erase your memories.)

A couple of guys named Maverick and Goose feel the need... the need... for flying really, really fast in 1986's Top Gun. Listen in and learn how to remove an appendix, the rules of nickname creation, and what we really think about the Top Gun Nintendo game. This movie may separate the best of the best from the best of the best of the best, but does Top Gun stand the Test of Time?

Maybe you won't like our episode about Wayne's World. Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of our butts. This is the movie that taught a generation how to rock out to Bohemian Rhapsody. It *may* have inspired Michael Scott's favorite joke. And it's gotta be the only film ever to make fun of Laverne & Shirley, Nuprin, and visiting Delaware. It's the standard by which all other Saturday Night Live movies are measured, but does Wayne's World stand the Test of Time?

Better Off Dead takes your typical teen angst love story and adds in skiing, slapstick, and suicide. Special guest Joanna Brief joins us as we discuss the unspoken 80's rule about cutting out cereal box UPC codes, the Charles De Mar method of thwarting a bully, and those special occasions when you just gotta have a montage. The only thing we want more than our TWO DOLLARS is to find out if Better Off Dead stands the Test of Time.

Before they were household names, Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, and Paul Rudd starred in a micro-budgeted film about the last day of summer camp: 2001's Wet Hot American Summer. Special guest Joanna Brief joins us to talk about our all-time favorite skit from The State, the trouble with too much honesty, and the most realistic thing in a movie that features a talking can of vegetables. In the end, we ask if Wet Hot American Summer stands the Test of Time.

Wooden stakes, holy water, and garlic. These three weapons, two Coreys, and one old fart of a grandfather go head to head against the vampires of Santa Carla in 1987's The Lost Boys. In this episode, we debate which is cooler, zombies or vampires. We learn about the former child actor who is a proud fast food franchisee. And we ponder what the hell was the deal with that heavy metal sax player. Alison Brie, mullets, and Super Soakers also factor into the conversation as we find out if The Lost Boys stands the Test of Time.

A disgruntled cabbie, a zany radio host, and the perfect woman team up to stop the ultimate evil in 1997's The Fifth Element. In a wide-ranging conversation, we touch on the movie's connections to Minority Report, Attack of the Clones, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Plus we talk about Master of None, the African country Mauritania, and we reveal everything we know about fashion (it doesn't take long). Only then do we determine if The Fifth Element stands the Test of Time.

Part man. Part machine. All cop. Those six words give you a pretty good idea of what to expect from 1987's futuristic action flick, RoboCop. Push play to hear what RoboCop has in common with Jesus, R2-D2, and Batman. Plus we share our thoughts on Wonder Woman and Cars 3, and explain how Rotten Tomatoes works before deciding if RoboCop stands the Test of Time.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.