Too Old or Pure Gold Movie Podcast
Where Gen X nostalgia meets fresh perspectives from Millennials and Gen Z. Each week, we dive back into the iconic films of the 80s to see if they still hold up today. Join us as we debate whether these classics are cinematic gold or just a relic of the past.
TOPG Ep 99: ReAnimator
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we crack open the glowing serum and revisit Re-Animator (1985). Jeffrey Combs goes full mad scientist as Herbert West, bringing the dead back to life with increasingly messy results. Does this cult horror classic still shock and entertain, or is it just a stitched-together relic of 80s excess?
Hosts: Olen van der Leeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Anthony & Josh Fleming
TOPG Ep 98: Up in Smoke
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we roll into the hazy chaos of Up in Smoke (1978), the comedy that launched Cheech & Chong into cult legend status. It’s road trips, absurd encounters, and a whole lot of 70s counterculture packed into one very strange journey. But does this laid-back comedy still bring the laughs, or has it drifted too far into the past? Let’s find out.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Clef Seeley & Emily
TOPG Ep 97: Long Kiss Goodnight
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we revisit The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), where Geena Davis goes from small-town teacher to full-on action hero with a very particular set of skills. With Samuel L. Jackson along for the ride and Shane Black’s signature mix of explosions and one-liners, we break down whether this under-the-radar action flick still delivers—or if it’s been forgotten for a reason.
Host: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Clef Seeley & Josh Fleming
TOPG Ep 96: Life of Brian
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we follow the misadventures of Life of Brian (1979)—the Monty Python classic that dares to ask: what if you were mistaken for the Messiah? With irreverent humor, unforgettable songs, and satire that still stings, we break down whether this comedy legend remains brilliant… or just very naughty. Always look on the bright side—we’re about to find out.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Co-Hosts: Sean & Evan Mallick
TOPG Ep 95" Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we head to the French Riviera for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) with special guest Zawer Sulaiman. Steve Martin and Michael Caine face off as rival con artists in a battle of wits, charm, and increasingly ridiculous schemes. From over-the-top performances to one of the great comedy twists, we break down whether this classic still cons up the laughs or if the joke’s finally on us.
Special Guest: Zawer Sulaiman
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Will Corry
TOPG Ep 94: Blade Runner with Dan Sissons
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we step into the neon-soaked future of Blade Runner (1982) with special guest Dan Sissons. Harrison Ford hunts replicants through rain, shadows, and one of the most atmospheric worlds ever put on film. We break down the visuals, the philosophy, and conduct a prop hunt so we can debat what is the best prop. But does this sci-fi classic still feel like the future, or has time caught up with it?
Special Guest: Dan Sissons
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Sean & Nicole
TOPG Ep 93: Boondock Saints
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we take a look at the cult classic The Boondock Saints (1999). Two Irish brothers decide they’ve been called by God to clean up Boston’s criminal underworld, one slow-motion shootout at a time. With Willem Dafoe delivering one of the most memorable performances of the late 90s and enough vigilante justice to fill a cathedral, we ask: does this fan-favorite still feel epic, or is it just late-90s attitude with a lot of bullets?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Anthony & Clef Seeley
TOPG Ep 92: Kingpin
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we roll into the bowling alley with Kingpin (1996). Woody Harrelson plays a washed-up bowler, Randy Quaid brings the chaos, and Bill Murray steals the show as the legendary (and extremely greasy) Ernie McCracken. It’s gross-out comedy, underdog sports movie, and peak Farrelly Brothers all rolled into one. But does this cult favorite still strike, or is it headed straight for the gutter?
Hosts: Olen vanderleeden and Mathew Stockton
Cast: Josh Fleming & Will Corry
TOPG Ep 91: Ladyhawk
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we take flight with Ladyhawke (1985), the fantasy romance where Rutger Hauer is a wolf by night, Michelle Pfeiffer is a hawk by day, and Matthew Broderick is just trying to keep up. It’s swords, curses, epic love, and one very 80s synth soundtrack. But does this medieval fairy tale still soar, or has it crash-landed in nostalgia?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Nicole & Clef Seeley
TOPG Ep 90: Stargate
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we dial the coordinates and step through Stargate (1994). Roland Emmerich’s sci-fi adventure sends Kurt Russell and James Spader across the universe to a desert planet ruled by a very suspicious “god.” It’s ancient aliens, big explosions, and peak 90s blockbuster energy. But does this portal-hopping epic still transport us somewhere amazing, or should it stay sealed behind the iris?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & MathewStockton
Casts: Sean & Nicole
TOPG Ep 89: Cool Runnings
Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, it’s Cool Runnings time! This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we revisit the 1993 feel-good sports comedy about the Jamaican bobsled team that inspired a generation to slow-clap in parkas. With John Candy bringing the heart and the underdogs bringing the charm, we ask: does this Disney classic still glide, or has it wiped out in the snowdrift of nostalgia?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Jess & Debbie
TOPG Ep 88: Muriel
Love, lies, ABBA, and a wedding invite nobody saw coming, it’s our Valentine’s special! This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we head to Porpoise Spit for Muriel’s Wedding (1994). Toni Collette delivers heartbreak, hope, and dance-floor dreams in a film that’s equal parts romantic fantasy and emotional gut punch. But does this cult favorite still make our hearts sing, or is it RSVP’d to the past?
Host: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Nicole & Emily
TOPG Ep 87: Backdraft
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we bring the Nanoose Bay Fire department to help us manage the heat with Ron Howard’s Backdraft (1991). With firefighters, family drama, and explosions that would never pass modern safety standards—this 90s blockbuster brings the flames and the feelings. With Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, and a very angry fire, we break down whether this fiery thriller still burns bright or has cooled into a smoky memory.
Hosts: Olen van der Leeden & David Purcell
Cast: Michael Peters, Caitlin Holme & Trevor Holme
TOPG Ep 86: Action Jackson
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we unleash peak late-80s excess with Action Jackson (1988). Carl Weathers stars as a Detroit cop with impossible strength, unlimited confidence, and exactly one volume setting. With exploding cars, cheesy one-liners, and Craig T. Nelson chewing the scenery, we ask the obvious question: is this action movie an underrated blast, or pure 80s nonsense in a trench coat?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Co-Hosts: Anthony & Josh Fleming
TOPG Ep85: The Quick and the Dead
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we saddle up for Sam Raimi’s stylish Western The Quick and the Dead (1995). With Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, and a very young Leonardo DiCaprio, this gunfight tournament movie turns the Wild West into a deadly quick-draw reality show. It’s flashy, violent, and peak 90s Raimi flair, but does it still shoot straight, or is it all slow-motion smoke? Time to find out.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Anthony & Sean
TOPG Ep 84: Tron
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we jack into the grid and revisit Tron (1982). With neon light cycles, early CGI, and Jeff Bridges battling it out inside a computer, this sci-fi trailblazer tried to show us the future… in glowing spandex. Was it ahead of its time or just too weird for its own good?
Host: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Sean & Anthony
TOPG Ep83: Smokey and the Bandit
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we fire up the Trans Am and hit the open road with Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and we’re joined by special guest Vinnie Tortorich for the ride. Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, and Jackie Gleason turn a simple beer run into a high speed, mustache fueled game of cat and mouse. Packed with car chases, CB radio trash talk, and outlaw charm, we break down whether this road trip classic still cruises smoothly or has finally run out of gas.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Special Guest: Vinnie To...
TOPG Ep 82: When Harry Met Sally
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we revisit When Harry Met Sally (1989), the rom com that tried to answer the ultimate question: can men and women ever just be friends? With sharp dialogue, iconic scenes (yes, that diner), and Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan at peak charm, we break down whether this relationship classic still feels honest and funny or if it’s showing its age like a bad New Year’s resolution.
Hosts: Olen & Mathew
Cast: Nicole & Jess
TOPG Ep 81: Jingle All The Way
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we sprint through shopping malls, dodge reindeer, and fight Sinbad with Jingle All the Way (1996). Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a well-meaning dad on a desperate quest to find the hottest toy of the season before Christmas morning. Packed with peak 90s chaos, consumer panic, and Turbo Man mayhem, we ask: is this holiday comedy a festive favorite or just seasonal insanity best left on the shelf?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Anthony & Will Corry
TOPG Ep 80: Jack Frost & Jack Frost
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we celebrate the most confusing holiday double feature imaginable: Jack Frost (1998) and Jack Frost (1997). One is a heartfelt family film where Michael Keaton becomes a snowman dad. The other is a low-budget horror movie where a killer snowman goes on a murderous rampage. Same name. Very different vibes. We break down how this happened, why one is traumatizing kids and the other is traumatizing adults, and ask the ultimate question: which Jack Frost is pure gold… and which should stay buried in a snowbank?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
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TOPG Ep 79: A Christmas Story
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we bundle up and head to 1940s Indiana to revisit the beloved holiday classic A Christmas Story (1983). From Red Ryder BB guns to leg lamps, triple-dog dares, and one very unfortunate bunny suit, we break down why this movie became a seasonal staple and whether it still earns its spot in the holiday rotation today. Is it timeless Christmas magic, or just nostalgia wrapped in tinsel?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Debbie
TOPG Ep 78: Stripes
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we enlist in the hilarious chaos of Stripes (1981) with a special guest Mark Wolters! Join Bill Murray and Harold Ramis as they turn basic army life into a glorious mess of mud, mayhem, and mischief. We’re talking boot-camp shenanigans, questionable tact during wartime, and all the 80s comedy charm you can handle. Does this classic comedy still crank out the laughs, or has it fallen out of formation? Tune in to find out.
Host: Olen Vanderleeden
Special Guest: Mark Wolters is an award-winning travel vlogger and the ho...
TOPG Ep 77: Limey
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we’re thrilled to welcome special guest Gareth C. Scales, acclaimed film editor and veteran cult-critic, who joins us for a deep dive into The Limey (1999). We unpack how Steven Soderbergh’s sleek direction pairs with the kinetic editing of Scales’ sensibility to create a stylish revenge thriller. With Terence Stamp delivering peak intimidating “grandpa” energy as Wilson, a British ex‐con tearing through L.A., and Peter Fonda looming as a sleazy music-producer antagonist, the film channels a 60s-meets-90s aesthetic like none other. Gareth helps us break down the editing rhyt...
TOPG Ep 76: Dark City
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we descend into the shadowy, mind-bending world of Dark City (1998). With mystery, memory loss, and trench coats galore, we dig into the visuals, the twists, and the film’s massive influence on everything. But does this moody masterpiece still shine in the dark, or is it lost in its own shadows? Time to find out.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Casts: Nicole & Clef Seeley
TOPG Ep 75: Buckaroo Banazi Feat. Bob Mersereau
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we strap in for one of the strangest cult adventures of the 80s: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)! Rock star, neurosurgeon, physicist, and interdimensional hero Buckaroo Banzai (Peter Weller) battles alien invaders from Planet 10 with his crew of oddballs and one-liners. Joined by special guest Bob Mersereau, we try to make sense of the chaos, the cool, and the cult legacy of this sci-fi fever dream. Is it pure gold, or just pure weird?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Special Guest: Bob Merserau
Cast: Nic...
TOPG Ep 74: Enter the Dragon
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we bow to the master himself, Bruce Lee, and revisit Enter the Dragon (1973). It’s the ultimate blend of philosophy, fists, and 70s funk as Lee infiltrates a deadly island tournament filled with crime, spies, and shirtless showdowns. We break down the fights, the influence, and the sheer cool that defined martial arts cinema for generations. But does this classic still strike with power, or has time dulled its edge? Let’s find out.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Casts: Will Corry & Hosh Fleming
TOPG Ep 73: Evil Dead 1 & 2
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we crack open the Necronomicon and dive into The Evil Dead (1981) and Evil Dead II (1987). From Sam Raimi’s blood-soaked cabin in the woods to Bruce Campbell’s iconic chin, chainsaw, and one-liners, these cult horror staples redefined the genre with equal parts terror and slapstick. We talk gore, grit, and groovy filmmaking — but do these demonic classics still summon fear and fun, or have they rotted in the cellar of 80s horror?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Casts: Nicole & Evan
TOPG Ep 72: Pumkinhead
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we summon the vengeance demon himself with Pumpkinhead (1988)! Directed by special effects legend Stan Winston, this creature feature gives us pitchfork townsfolk, foggy forests, and practical monster mayhem. But does Pumpkinhead still deliver the chills, or is it just a dusty relic from the VHS horror bin? Time to find out.
Host: Olen Vanderleeden
Co-Hosts: Nicole & Evan Mallick
TOPG Ep 71: Monster Squad
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we gather the squad to revisit 1987’s The Monster Squad! Dracula, the Wolfman, Frankenstein’s Monster, and a bunch of foul-mouthed kids trying to save the world. We talk 80s kid adventure tropes, and whether this cult classic still has bite or is better left buried.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Anthony, Nicole
TOPG Ep 70: Creepshow
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we dig up a true horror anthology 1982’s Creepshow! Written by Stephen King and directed by George A. Romero, it’s a comic book come to life full of revenge, monsters, and buckets of slime. We talk practical effects, pulpy scares, and whether this spooky classic still delivers the chills or just campy laughs.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Nicole & Anthony
TOPG Ep 69: Falling Down
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we follow Michael Douglas on the worst commute of all time in Joel Schumacher’s 1993 cult classic Falling Down. Equal parts social commentary and cinematic meltdown, we dig into whether this movie is a sharp critique of society or just a guy in a bad tie losing his cool. Does it still hit today, or is it simply too unhinged to hold up?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Sean & Clef Seeley
TOPG Ep 68: Pretty Women
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we roll back to 1990 and step onto Rodeo Drive with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. It’s the fairy tale of a wealthy businessman and a Hollywood Boulevard sex worker that defined rom-coms for a generation. But is this movie still a charming romance, or does it feel more like a relic best left in the video store bargain bin?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Emily & Debbie
TOPG Ep 67: Turner and Hooch
On this episode of Too Old or Pure Gold, we leash up with Tom Hanks and his slobbering co-star in Turner & Hooch (1989). It’s a buddy cop movie… except one buddy is a 110-pound French Mastiff with a serious drool problem. But does this odd-couple comedy-crime flick still charm audiences today, or is it best left in the doghouse?
Host: Olen Vanderleeden
Special Guest: Daragh Turner
Cast: Will Corry, Nicole
TOPG Ep 66: See No Evil Hear No Evil
This week we revisit Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor in See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989). One’s deaf, the other’s blind, and together they’re caught in a murder mystery that’s part slapstick, part buddy comedy, and all 80s energy. But does this high-concept comedy still deliver the laughs, or is it a gag that’s lost its punchline?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & David Purcell
Cast: Will Corry & Josh Fleming
TOPG Ep 65: Blues Brothers
Bob Mersereau joins us as we put on our sunglasses at night and hit the gas with The Blues Brothers (1980). It’s part musical, part demolition derby, and all chaos as Jake and Elwood try to save the orphanage "on a mission from God." But does this cult comedy classic still groove, or is it running on fumes?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Special Guest: Bob Mersereau
Cast: Clef Seeley & Anthony & Nicole
TOPG Ep 64: Beastmaster
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we wrestle with the loincloth-laden cult classic The Beastmaster (1982). Ferrets, tigers, and more oily pecs than a barbarian expo; this sword-and-sorcery romp is peak cable-TV nostalgia. But is it truly an epic fantasy worth revisiting, or just a beastly mess from the VHS bargain bin?
Host: Olen Vanderleeden & Aron Levitz
Cast: Sean & Clef Seeley
TOPG Ep 63: Heavy Metal
On this episode of Too Old or Pure Gold, we crank up the volume and dive into Heavy Metal (1981), the animated fever dream of sci-fi, fantasy, and rock ‘n’ roll. From glowing green orbs of doom to intergalactic cab rides, this cult classic is a wild ride through the strange and the surreal. But does this animated anthology still rock hard, or is it just a trippy relic best left in the past?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Clef Seeley
TOPG Ep 62: Jumanji
Joined by special guest Dan Sissons, we explore Jumanji's (1995) mix of 90s nostalgia, thrilling chaos, and heartfelt moments. Robin Williams stars in this adventurous fantasy about a magical board game that turns a quiet town upside down. Does Jumanji still roll the dice well, or is it trapped in the jungle of past glories? Let’s find out!
Special Guest: Dan Sissons
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden
Cast: Nicole, Sean & Anthony
TOPG Ep 61: Three Amigos
We’re riding south of the border with Three Amigos (1986); the comedy western where Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short play silent film stars mistaken for real heroes. There’s singing, sombreros, sweater dances, and an absurd number of El Guapo jokes. But does this comedy classic still shoot straight, or should it be left in the desert dust?
TOPG Ep 60: Over the Top
This week Vinnie Tortorich joins us as we're turning the cap around and going full throttle into Over the Top (1987). It's Stallone, it's arm wrestling, it's fatherhood via trucking and it's everything 1987 had to offer. Join us as we break down whether this underdog story of biceps and bonding still hits, or if it's just flexing for nothing.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Vinnie Tortorich
Co-Hosts: Anthony & Nicole