The Retro Nostalgia Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Two weeks ago, Chad and Cristina reviewed the 1989 movie THE WIZARD featuring Fred Savage. Something that movie is best known for is its sneak preview of SUPER MARIO BROS 3. It seemed only natural that we would discuss that game for its own episode. But we had to bring in an expert in Nintendo NES games: James from  @BigOleWords . Chad had been following James since he initially launched his channel 5 years ago and has been a member of his Patreon for quite some time now.

Since this is a podcast, there's no gameplay footage in this episode; but rather a fun nostalgic discussion of our memories of this game back in 1990 and how it holds up today. We reminisce on Nintendo Power, the Super Mario Bros franchise, Easter Eggs scattered throughout the game, tips and tricks, and so much more. Plus, James delights us with some behind-the-scenes information on his channel.

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In this special crossover episode of The Retro Nostalgia Podcast, Chad and Cristina are joined by Don and Dude from  @AlbumNerdsPodcast  for a nostalgic music draft featuring some of the greatest one-hit wonders ever recorded! Using VH1's famous list of the 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders as our draft pool, each host builds a dream team of unforgettable songs from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

From A-ha's "Take On Me," Sinéad O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U," and Dexys Midnight Runners' "Come On Eileen" to Blind Melon's "No Rain," Faith No More's "Epic," and Tommy Tutone's "867-5309/Jenny," we debate which songs truly stood the test of time and which artists deserved more than a single hit. Along the way, we share memories of MTV, cassette tapes, music videos, record stores, and growing up during the golden age of radio.

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Fleetwood Mac didn't invent soft rock (or "Yacht Rock" as we call it today); but they probably perfected it. If you turned on pop/rock radio in the late 1970s/early 1980s you were pretty likely to hear hits from this album such as DREAMS, YOU MAKING LOVING FUN, THE CHAIN, GO YOUR OWN WAY, etc.

And let's not forget SILVER SPRINGS, which was left off the album and was only available as a B-side single until it was included on their Greatest Hits album in 1988. Cristina says this was probably her favorite song on the record. Chad had never heard it until now.

So yes, this album contains a lot of hits, but what about the deep cuts? Do you know the infamous backstory behind the making of this album? Does it still hold up in 2026? And what was with that album cover? We discuss all these topics and more in this podcast!

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Chad has been a Rush fan since high school, but Cristina only knew of their popular songs. Could there be a better introductory album to this band than 1981's MOVING PICTURES?

This record was a turning point for the Canadian progressive rock trio of Alex Lifeson (guitar), Neil Peart (drums/lyricist), and Geddy Lee (bass; keyboards and vocals). Each of their previous albums had only one or two radio-friendly songs, but almost every track here could have been (and SHOULD have been) a rock radio staple. In fact, if you turn on a classic rock station you're likely to hear any of the songs from Side A: TOM SAWYER; LIMELIGHT; YYZ; or RED BARCHETTA.

But let's not forget the deep cuts from Side B: THE CAMERA EYE (a progressive rock song if ever there was one); WITCH HUNT (rather didactic in retrospect but it was edgy at the time) and VITAL SIGNS (Chad's pick for the best Rush deep cut track of all time!).

MOVING PICTURES just celebrated its 45th anniversary and Chad says it rocks just as hard now as it did back then. Will Cristina agree? Listen and find out!

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Watch the video version👉 https://youtu.be/eYkElqAe324

We're a little behind schedule, so to make up for it; here's a review of BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM Chad conducted with Rob Walker* way back in 2013! This was the first time Batman was given a full length animated film and it was even shown in cinemas (briefly). It's loosely based on Frank Miller's BATMAN: YEAR ONE and Todd McFarlane's BATMAN: YEAR TWO.

Though animation; neither this film nor Batman The Animated Series were strictly intended for children. They're just as entertaining for adults as well... especially adults of today who watched it as children.

*Rob Walker is the brother of Doug Walker aka The Nostalgia Critic aka  @ChannelAwesome . Chad and Rob met way back in the MySpace days and were online buddies for years.

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We always intended this podcast to cover more than movies, so we're finally going to talk MUSIC for March! Cristina picked one of her childhood favorites: DISINTEGRATION by The Cure. Released in 1989, this was a major shift in tone from a band that started out as post-punk, but wound up as a pop rock singles band (much to the chagrin of bandleader Robert Smith).

Cristina had this album when it was originally released and still enjoys it today. Chad wasn't familiar with the album aside from its famous single "Lovesong." As a lover of progressive rock and metal, it was a really interesting experience. What's funny is the songs Chad liked the best, Cristina liked the least (and vice versa).

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The last entry for romantic movie month (though technically a day late) is Chad's pick of Chasing Amy. This was Kevin Smith's third-ever movie and is quite the change of pace from the outrageous comedies of Clerks and Mallrats.

Ben Affleck stars in one of his first ever leading roles as comic book artist Holden O'Neil who meets-cute with fellow comic book creator Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) who turns out to be a lesbian... or is she?

This movie was pretty progressive and groundbreaking at the time as there weren't any mainstream comedies interested in LGBT issues. But does it seemed dated and politically incorrect in 2026? (Cristina thinks so, but Chad disagrees). Is it still a legit funny comedy or just a tearjerker? Both? Neither? Listen and find out!

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There were a LOT of crime/thriller/mindbender movies in the 1990s. Quentin Tarantino, Danny Boyle and Tony Scott probably made some of the most memorable films of the genre. But one most Americans missed was the 1998 indie German film RUN LOLA, RUN!

Critics and movie nerds raved about this film at the time as it was a unique approach to the genre featuring multiple storylines and outcomes. It's set mostly in real-time and features a bumping European techno soundtrack that enhances the suspense (or drives you crazy if you hate that kind of music ha ha).

Cristina says this is one of her favorite indie movies; and much like Harold & Maude it's technically a romance story but about as far from a Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan Hollywood cookie cutter flick as you can get. Chad had never seen it until now and noticed how much it's actually a comic book-type movie as Lola seems to have superpowers.

Have you ever seen this cult classic? Does it hold up in 2026? Let us know!

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Continuing with "Romantic Movie Month", Chad picked one of his all-time favorite films: HIGH FIDELITY starring John Cusack and directed by Stephen Frears. It's one of the most original romantic comedies ever made as there are no "meet cute" moments; no melodramatic tear jerking scenes; and no race-to-the-airport ending.

This movie is like if the kids from John Hughes' 1980s movies grew up and dealt with adult problems. There's also lots of hilarious and unique Kevin Smith-style discussions of niche/geeky topics not normally included in movies like this.

Chad thinks this is a pretty much perfect movie for couples as it's got the romantic elements for women, but still has a masculine sense of humor without ever becoming vulgar or chauvinistic. Will Cristina agree? Watch and find out!

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When it comes to "cult classic" movies, HAROLD AND MAUDE is usually considered one of the greats. It's the story of a twisted young man who's obsessed with death and likes to crash funerals who crushes on an elderly woman who has similar proclivities. This film has become a cult classic likely due to the fact it mixes and defies genres. It's mostly absurdist dry comedy with some wacky slapstick, but delivered with the look and feel of an arthouse mind-bender.

Cristina says this is her favorite movie of all time and enjoys it for the comedy, romance, originality, and its overall bizarre nature. Chad had never seen so much as a clip of it and went in with a blank slate. Will he enjoy it as much as she did? Listen and find out!

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Watch the video version👉 https://youtu.be/7jwiu9iEJo4