Explore every episode of the podcast Too Old or Pure Gold Movie Podcast

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, there can be only one! We’re joined once again by special guest Mark Wolters to revisit Highlander (1986), the movie that gave us immortal sword fights, Sean Connery playing an Egyptian Spaniard with a Scottish accent, and a Queen soundtrack that had absolutely no reason to go this hard. Does this gloriously strange 80s fantasy still deserve immortality, or is it finally time to take its head? 

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we revisit The Toy (1982), the Richard Pryor comedy that asks one of the strangest questions in movie history: what if a billionaire bought a person as a plaything for his spoiled son? With Pryor's legendary charisma, Jackie Gleason chewing the scenery, and a premise that raises more than a few eyebrows today, we break down the laughs, the heart, and the uncomfortable moments. Does this forgotten comedy still have something to say, or should it stay in the toy box?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Will Corry & Josh Fleming

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we head back to school with The Substitute (1996), where Tom Berenger proves that the best way to deal with a difficult classroom is apparently to send in a mercenary. With gangs, corruption, covert operations, and a teaching style definitely not approved by the school board, this is peak 90s action-movie logic. But is The Substitute an underrated action gem, or should this class have been dismissed decades ago? Time to find out.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden &  Mathew Stockton
Cast: Emily & Clef Seeley

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we turn down the lights and revisit 9½ Weeks (1986). Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger star in the erotic drama that became a pop-culture phenomenon thanks to blindfolds, refrigerators, and a whole lot of questionable relationship decisions. We revisit the chemistry, the controversy, and that unforgettable soundtrack to ask: is this still a seductive 80s classic, or has 9½ Weeks aged into 117 minutes of red flags?

Hosts: Mathew Stockton & Olen Vanderleeden
Cast: Nicky Morda & Will Corry

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we plug into David Cronenberg's Scanners (1981), the sci-fi horror classic that gave us one of the most unforgettable scenes in movie history. Beyond the exploding heads, we explore psychic warfare, corporate conspiracies, and Cronenberg's uniquely unsettling vision of the human mind. Is Scanners a true body horror masterpiece, or is it remembered for one spectacular moment? Join us as we find out if it's too old... or pure gold.
Host: Olen Vanderleeden & Chris
Cast: Josh Fleming & Anthony

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we crawl through a tiny office door and straight into John Malkovich’s head with Being John Malkovich (1999). Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze give us puppets, identity crises, questionable relationships, and one of the strangest premises ever committed to film. More than 25 years later, is this surreal comedy still as clever and original as we remember, or is it weird simply for the sake of being weird?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & MathewStockton
Cast: Sean & Josh

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we journey to the mystical world of The Dark Crystal (1982) with special guest Brad Elliott. Jim Henson and Frank Oz created one of the most ambitious fantasy films ever made, bringing an entire world to life without a single human actor. From the unforgettable Skeksis to the breathtaking puppetry and world-building, we explore whether this fantasy classic still captivates audiences—or if it's simply too strange for modern viewers. Join us as we discover if The Dark Crystal is too old... or pure gold.

Hosts: Olen van der Leeden & Mathew Stockton
Special Guest: Brad Elliott
Cast: Will Corry & Anthony

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we crack open one of horror’s strangest cult classics: Phantasm (1979). With the mysterious Tall Man, deadly silver spheres, killer dwarfs, and a plot that feels like it was dreamed up at 3 a.m., this low-budget horror icon has been unsettling audiences for decades. But does Phantasm still deliver the chills, or is it just a bizarre relic from horror's golden age?

Host: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Anthony & Evan Mallick

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we dive into James Cameron’s underwater sci-fi epic The Abyss (1989) with special guest Kirk Krack, one of the world's leading freediving and underwater experts. Together, we explore the film’s groundbreaking visual effects, the realities of deep-sea diving, and the incredible performances from Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Does The Abyss still stand as one of Cameron’s greatest achievements, or has it sunk beneath the waves of time?

Special Guest: Kirk Krack
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Sean & Nicole

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we set sail with Jason and the Argonauts (1963), the mythological adventure that inspired generations of filmmakers. From clashing skeletons and towering bronze giants to gods meddling in mortal affairs, Ray Harryhausen’s groundbreaking stop-motion effects remain legendary. But over 60 years later, does this fantasy epic still feel magical, or has it become more of a museum piece?
Host: Olen Vanderleeden
Cast: Anthony & Sean

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we revisit The Princess Bride (1987), the fairy tale that somehow has everything: sword fights, true love, revenge, pirates, giants, rodents of unusual size, and one of the most quotable scripts ever written. It's a movie beloved by multiple generations, but does it still enchant first-time viewers, or is its reputation bigger than its legend? 
Cast: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Host: Nicole & Evan Mallick

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we dive into Paul Thomas Anderson’s sprawling epic Magnolia (1999). With an all-star cast including Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, and Jason Robards, this ambitious drama weaves together stories of love, regret, forgiveness, and... frogs. Does this critically acclaimed masterpiece still captivate audiences, or is it simply too long and too strange for modern viewers? Join us as we unpack one of the most talked-about films of the 90s. 
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Co-Hosts: Clef Seeley & Will Corry

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we revisit Straight Talk (1992), the comedy where Dolly Parton accidentally becomes a radio advice host despite having absolutely no qualifications other than being Dolly Parton. Does this overlooked rom-com still deserve a listen, or should it stay off the air?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Kim
Cast: Jess, Nicole, & Will Corry

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we revisit Three Men and a Baby (1987),where three bachelors and one unexpected baby attempt to be comedy gold. Starring Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson, this fish-out-of-water comedy mixes parenting chaos, friendship, and just enough 80s charm to fill a nursery. But does this family favorite still deliver the laughs, or should it stay in the playpen of nostalgia?
Host: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Nicole & Debbie

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we tackle Gymkata (1985), the movie that asked a question nobody else dared: what if gymnastics was the ultimate martial art? Olympic gymnast Kurt Thomas flips, kicks, and pommel-horses his way through an absurd action adventure filled with ninjas, secret missions, and the most conveniently placed gymnastics equipment in movie history. Is Gymkata an overlooked action gem, or a glorious train wreck that must be seen to be believed? 
Cohost: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Josh Fleming & Nicole

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we call in sick and spend the day with Ferris Bueller. John Hughes' 1986 classic follows the world's most confident teenager as he skips school, steals a Ferrari, crashes a parade, and somehow convinces everyone he's the good guy. But does Ferris still charm modern audiences, or would he be TikTok-famous for all the wrong reasons? Join us as we revisit one of the most beloved comedies of the 80s. 
Host: Olen van der Leeden & Mathew Stockton
Co-Host: Nicole & Sean

 This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we head back to Ridgemont High to revisit Cameron Crowe’s 1982 coming-of-age classic. From Jeff Spicoli’s legendary classroom antics to mall jobs, dating disasters, and life lessons that definitely wouldn’t make it into a school curriculum today, Fast Times at Ridgemont High helped define the teen movie genre. But does it still capture the reality of growing up, or is it stuck in detention with the rest of the 80s?
Hosts: Olen van der Leeden & Mathew Stockton
Co-Hosts: Will Corry & Niki Mohrdar

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we head into the flames with The Towering Inferno (1974), the disaster epic that turned a skyscraper into the world’s worst workplace safety seminar. Joined by members of the Nanoose Bay Fire Department, we break down the movie’s towering cast, spectacular practical effects, and just how much of this fire chaos would make modern firefighters immediately quit. Does this classic disaster film still burn bright, or has it gone up in smoke?

Host: Olen Vanderleeden, David Purcell
Cast: Michael Peters, Trevor Holme, & Caitlin Holmes

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we revisit True Lies (1994) with a very special guest Peter Kent, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s longtime stunt double! From harrier jets and horseback chases to Jamie Lee Curtis’ unforgettable dance scene, we break down James Cameron’s explosive action-comedy classic with someone who was actually there behind the scenes. Does True Lies still deliver blockbuster perfection, or is it just peak 90s excess with a rocket launcher? 

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we dial up the suburban madness with Serial Mom (1994). Kathleen Turner is pitch-perfect as a picture-perfect housewife who also happens to be a full-time murderer. Directed by John Waters, it’s satire, shock, and camp dialed to 11. But does this cult classic still kill, or is it just a relic of 90s weird?
Hosts: Mathew Stockton & Kathy
Cast: Josh Flemming & Nicole

This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we head back to a galaxy far, far away with The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Darker, colder, and packed with iconic moments, this sequel raises the stakes with Hoth battles, Dagobah training, and one of the most famous reveals in movie history. But does this fan-favorite still reign supreme, or has time frozen it in carbonite?
Hosts: Olen van der Leeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast:  Josh Fleming & Will Corry

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

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

 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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 Tortorich
Cast: Nicole & Anthony

 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

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

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
Cast: Nicole & Clef Seeley

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

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 host of the Wolters World YouTube travel channel that has over 270,000,000 views and 1,100,000 subscribers.
Cast: Will Corry & Josh Fleming

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 rhythms, attitude, visual swagger, and ask: does this cult classic still hit hard, or has time softened its punch? 

Host: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Special Guest: Gareth C Scales
Cast: Josh Fleming

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

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: Nicole

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

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

 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

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