Nostalgia Be Damned

Hitch

The boys revisit the 15 year old romantic comedy Hitch, starring NBD all-star Will Smith. He plays the smooth-talking date doctor who's responsible for hundreds of relationships across New York City. Kevin James enlists his help to woo Amber Valetta while Smith falls hard for gossip columnist Eva Mendes. Join Zach & Brandon as they take a look back at the dating game in 2005, as well as the film's slightly problematic premise, the tropes of the romcom genre, and they're disdain for the name Vance, among much more. Is the third highest grossing romantic comedy of all time just as charming as it was upon release or does the date doctor feel less cute in 2020?

School of Rock

Zach & Brandon revisit indie auteur Richard Linklater's mainstream comedy hit School of Rock. Featuring one of Jack Black's most iconic performances, it's a movie that's stuck with the boys for a variety of reasons. Zach watched it in school. Brandon saw it in theaters. But does the rock 'n roll musical comedy hold up? They discuss the tween cast, the legendary soundtrack, their love of Joan Cusack, and the legal consequences of the lead character's actions if this were real life. They don't need no education.

Honey, I Blew Up the Kid

The Szalinski family is back and bigger than ever! Following the massive success of 1989's Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Disney jumped at the opportunity to franchise the sci-fi family comedy. Two sequels followed, one hit theaters while the other went straight-to-video. Returning guest Jamie Gagnon joins Zach & Brandon to discuss 1992's Honey, I Blew Up the Kid. They get into its production history, insane plot and special effects. They've also got questions like why does every woman in this movie faint? Or why didn't the filmmakers explore this giant baby's diaper situation? 

From Dusk Till Dawn

Cheap drinks. Loud music. Vampires. This'll be one hell of a night. Zach & Brandon revisit one of the most notable bait and switch genre films of the 1990's, From Dusk Till Dawn. They discuss watching this action horror crime thriller at such a young age, and the shock that came from the film's twist, and over the top gore, vulgarity, and nudity. Topics of discussion include Quentin Tarantino's script & performance, Cheech Marin's multiple characters, the triple digit body count and that Salma Hayek snake scene. You know the one. 

Batman & Robin

Zach & Brandon celebrate their 100th episode by revisiting one of the most notoriously reviled films of the 90s. Following the massive success of Batman Forever, the late Joel Schumacher upped the manic energy, neon lighting and campy tone for his followup, 1997's Batman & Robin. The boys discuss George Clooney's utter contempt for his character, Mr. Freeze's nonstop ice puns, Poison Ivy's sexual innuendos, and much more! It ranks among IMDb's bottom 100 films of all time... but does it deserve the hate?

Jungle 2 Jungle

Zach & Brandon are headed back to 1997 for the live-action Disney family comedy, Jungle 2 Jungle! Tim Allen stars as your typical 90's hard working Wall Street dad who finds out he has a long lost son living in the jungles of Venezuela. Mimi-Siku is his name and wacky jungle antics is his game. This week the boys discuss the problematic plot, puppet spiders, coffee stocks, and the importance of the financial service industry in children's entertainment.

Clockstoppers

Tackling one of the more obscure and forgotten flicks from the early 2000's, Zach & Brandon revisit a sci-fi action comedy they each saw once and then never again... until this episode. Zak Gibbs is your typical 2002 high schooler- he likes to shred on his BMX bike, he loves wearing baggy cargo pants, and his wristwatch enables him to speed up his body so that other people seem to be standing still. Throw in French Stewart, some Matrix-inspired gimmick effects, and one helluva soundtrack and you get Clockstoppers. The boys discuss this Nickelodeon joint in great detail, including DJ battles, the least intimidating bullies imaginable, and its Star Trek director. 

The Spongebob Squarepants Movie

Based on one of the most popular television series of their generation, Zach & Brandon revisit 2004's The Spongebob Squarepants Movie. As huge fans of the first few seasons of the show well into their adult years, they discuss the character's appeal, their favorite episodes, and how best to enjoy the series all grown up (typically with a beer in hand or some herbal enhancements at the ready). But how does America's favorite sponge hold up after all these years in his first feature length outing? Tune in to hear all their thoughts on the Goofy Goober song, David Hasselhoff's 12-foot replica, and the epic voice work of it's talented cast. It's bigger, better, and more absorbent. 

Can‘t Hardly Wait

Zach & Brandon revisit a seminal late 90's teen favorite, Can't Hardly Wait. Following in the footsteps of similar one-night high school party classics like American Graffiti and Dazed and Confused, this coming of age comedy is a real time capsule of its generation. The boys discuss its impact on them as pre-teens, as well as some of the outdated character stereotypes, clever subversion of genre tropes, and the quintessential 90's mixtape soundtrack. So blast some Guns 'N Roses, get ready to lose your virginity, and scream to the heavens 'Mike Dexter is a GOD!' Yesterday's history. Tomorrow's the future. Tonight's the party. 

Ice Age

Nominated for the Best Animated Feature Oscar as well as spawning four theatrical sequels, 2002's Ice Age became a pop culture phenomenon at the start of the 21st century. The animated comedy's one minute long teaser featuring a strange looking squirrel trying to bury his nut took the world by storm. Little did we know, we'd spend the better part of two decades with Scrat and his mostly extinct mammal pals. Brandon & Zach revisit the first Ice Age to discuss the history of the project, the ray tracing animation, Rusted Root, 'Joe' Leguizamo, and Dodo bird mass suicide. 

The Patriot

Zach & Brandon tackle their third Roland Emmerich film on the show (following previous episodes on Independence Day & Godzilla). 2000's The Patriot earned three Oscar nominations despite receiving mixed reviews upon release. The boys break down the historical epic's plot and the impact of seeing it at such a young age. Highlights include cannonball decapitations, a roster of Nostalgia Be Damned child actors, Mel Gibson's 'I'm not going to cry' face, and the film's massive production. Twenty years later, is this American Revolutionary War drama closer in quality to Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan or Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor?

Spy Kids

Join Zach & Brandon to revisit a film neither of them particularly enjoyed as kids, but have received several requests to cover on the show. 2001's Spy Kids was director Robert Rodriguez's first foray into children's entertainment, marking a bizarre turn for the 90's indie auteur. A favorite among their generation, the boys check back in on the action/adventure family comedy as adults to see what critics and kids alike loved. Does it hold up nearly two decades later? They get into their hated of the kid-spy genre, Danny Trejo's introduction as Machete, the terrifying Pee Wee Herman meets Telletubbies nightmare villain show, and the insanity of thumb henchmen. 

Balto

Join Zach & Brandon as they revisit a (mostly) animated tale steeped in controversy. 1995's Balto was a box office failure upon release, but grew in popularity on home video. It's VERY loosely based on the true story about the dog who helped save children infected by the diphtheria epidemic in the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska. But 25 years later, the record's been set straight regarding the historical inaccuracies of Balto's heroism. But how does the movie hold up? The boys discuss its distracting side characters, quality of animation and the subtle sexual innuendos hidden in this G-rated kid's flick. Balto... he's part dog. Part wolf. All lies.  

Mrs. Doubtfire

It's Zach & Brandon's third Robin Williams family comedy, as well as their third episode covering a feature directed by Chris Columbus! They revisit their memories of 1993's Mrs. Doubtfire, as well as alternate casting ideas, scrapped sequel premises and the film's cultural significance. Join the boys as they run through the entire crazy plot, beat by beat. They discuss the Oscar winning makeup, their favorite Lawrence brother, and the overall insanity of the protagonist's plan. 

Heavyweights

1995's Heavyweights IMDb synopsis reads: Plump kids are lured into joining a posh fat camp with the promise of quick weight loss and good times, only to find that the facility is a woodland hellhole run by a psycho ex-fitness instructor. Zach & Brandon take their first trip to Camp Hope and are surprised to see a stacked cast of three Mighty Ducks, the director of Bridesmaids, Grandma's Boy himself, Buster Scruggs, and Ben Stiller in an underrated villain turn. Both a sardonic spoof of 90's fitness gurus and a traditional Disney rag tag sports team flick, the boys discuss the pros and cons of this cult hit that's become a favorite of their generation. 

John Q.

Hot off his Oscar win as the corrupt cop in 'Training Day,' Denzel Washington turned in an overlooked performance as a father forced to take an ER hostage when the hospital refuses to perform his son's lifesaving heart surgery. Although a modest box office success, critics panned the film. Zach & Brandon revisit 2002's John Q. to determine whether or not it deserves it's shockingly low Rotten Tomatoes score. Although a deeply serious film, they manage to find plenty to jab at, including news reporter Tuck Lampley's questionable methods, the motley crew of hostages, and a heart rate monitor countdown to death. And remember, it's not goodbye. It's see you later.

The Parent Trap (1998)

Twice the fun, double the trouble. Zach & Brandon revisit the film their sisters had in heavy rotation back in the day. They grew up loving the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, which introduced the boys, and the world, to Lindsay Lohan. Tackling a rare genre for the show, they break down the plot of this romantic comedy and all their favorite bits- including summer camp prank wars, elaborate secret handshakes, and the near blinding charisma of American legend Dennis Quaid. So grab your stuffed Cuppy and some Oreos & peanut butter to once again experience the joys of this Disney classic from a different perspective.

Drumline

Half time is game time in this 2002 teen dramedy starring Nickelodeon's favorite rapper, Nick Cannon! Zach & Brandon revisit the pseudo-sports flick they loved as preteens to see if it holds up nearly twenty years later. They cover 'the original Whiplash' to discuss Brandon's appreciation of Orlando Jones, Zach's obsession with drumlines in general, as well as their confusion over the amount of rapper/actor GQ's screen time. From Full Metal Jacket training regimens to Petey Pablo's musical performance- there's a lot to talk about. So grab your sticks, polish your kit, and remove the nostalgia goggles before hitting the field for this week's episode covering Drumline!

 

 

 

The Replacements

'Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever.' Zach revisits one of his favorite football flicks from childhood, while Brandon gets to see his beloved Keanu Reeves in a whole new light. They're discussing 2000's sports comedy The Replacements and all its quirks. From its recruitment montages, to its obsession with 'I Will Survive,' to its barnacle scrubbing quarterback- this is a film built on quirkiness. When professional football players start striking for more pay, the league hires replacement players to finish out the season, and boy howdy do they know how to pick 'em! So hit the locker room with the boys, flip a couple trucks, learn the Electric Slide, and grab your favorite trophy from the bottom of the ocean. Suit up for The Replacements! 

Stuart Little

Little high little low, little hey little ho! 1999's Stuart Little was a box office success and a family favorite amongst 90s kids. Zach & Brandon revisit this beloved adaptation of E.B. White's classic children's book about a talking mouse and his human family. Of course in M. Night Shyamalan's script, Stuart is adopted by the Littles- which raises many questions for the boys. Why did this upper-class family choose to waste their resources on adopting a rodent instead of the many children at the orphanage in desperate need of care? Why does this family look as though they live in a Wes Anderson movie in late-90's New York? Why does no one react to this talking mouse like a rational human? So the cats can talk to the mouse, the mouse can talk to humans and cats, but the cats don't speak to humans? That, and so much more, on this week's episode!