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Welcome to Almost Classic Movies, the podcast where two movie fans talk about movies. From epic adventures like Lord of the Rings to iconic comedies like Wayne's World and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, we explore a blend of almost classics, cult favorites, seasonal gems, and even actual classics. ("Almost Classic Movies" is frankly just a catchy title that riffs off a particular TV program).
It's just two friends talking movies—one loves production trivia, while the other enjoys simply watching and soaking in the story. We strive for evergreen content, so you can pick an episode anywhere and dive right in. If you like what you hear, share it with a friend, family member, or maybe even Chris Hemsworth or Ryan Reynolds... That'd be pretty cool.
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68 Episodes
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Send us a text The Muppet Christmas Carol is often remembered as cozy, musical, and kid-friendly — but beneath the felt and jokes is one of the darker, more faithful adaptations of Dickens’ original story. In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald revisit the film with fresh eyes, breaking down why Michael Caine’s performance grounds the movie, where the adaptation succeeds, and where it quietly undermines its own emotional stakes. From ghost lore and missing character beats to...
Send us a text The Star Wars Holiday Special is infamous for a reason. In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon, Dan, and Donald subject themselves to one of the most baffling television experiments ever broadcast. What was meant to be a festive Star Wars event turned into a surreal variety show filled with awkward musical numbers, untranslated Wookiee dialogue, and creative decisions that still confuse fans decades later. We break down what went wrong, what (barely) worked, and why this...
Send us a text This week, Jon and Donald unwrap The Santa Clause and everything that makes it a quintessential (and unexpectedly weird) 90s Christmas movie. From Tim Allen’s smooth-brain dad energy to the surprisingly dark early script drafts, the guys break down what still works, what doesn’t, and why this movie feels completely different when you watch it as a parent. They analyze the film’s timeline problem, the custody battle dynamics, the underrated brilliance of Bernard the Elf, and how...
Send us a text In this festive episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive into Home Alone — a film both iconic and slightly bewildering when viewed through grown-up eyes. They unpack childhood fears (like sprinting up the basement stairs), booby-trap physics that defy medical reality, the unmatched presence of Joe Pesci, and whether Home Alone truly deserves its status as a quintessential Christmas film. From John Hughes’ teen-energy writing style to Chris Columbus’ warm, almost my...
Send us a text This week on Almost Classic Movies, we revisit one of the most iconic films ever made: The Wizard of Oz. Your hosts take a fresh look at the movie’s history, craft, and legacy—without giving away the moments that make it special. In This Episode: Watching The Wizard of Oz today: what holds up and what surprisesHow casting shaped the film’s toneThe impact of Technicolor and early effectsWorld-building choices that set the film apartMemorable musical moments and their influenceSt...
Send us a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive broom-first into Wicked (Part 1) — the movie adaptation based on the Broadway powerhouse musical. They unpack why the film is both visually stunning and emotionally frustrating, discuss questionable choreography ("Camp Rock flashbacks"), and debate whether Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship was ever real… or just one long manipulation with good lighting. You’ll also hear: How the movie’s box office success was driven by...
Send us a text In this episode, Jon, Don, and Editor Dan sit down to revisit The Running Man (1987), Arnold Schwarzenegger’s dystopian game-show-meets-gladiator spectacle that somehow predicted 2017 better than anyone expected. The trio breaks down Arnold’s peak-era one-liners, Richard Dawson’s shockingly good villain performance, and why late-80s action movies were legally required to be unhinged. The conversation widens into the film’s political undertones, media manipulation, the blu...
Send us a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dissect The Apprentice — a provocative biopic tracing Donald Trump’s transformation from ambitious New York builder to cultural icon. With a blend of dark satire and political restraint, the hosts explore how mentorship, ego, and media manipulation intersect in the film’s portrait of Trump and his infamous advisor, Roy Cohn. They unpack Sebastian Stan’s unnerving performance, Jeremy Strong’s haunting portrayal of Cohn, an...
Send us a text In this Halloween-meets-Christmas episode, Jon and Donald tackle one of the most iconic stop-motion films ever made: The Nightmare Before Christmas. From Jack Skellington’s existential boredom to Oogie Boogie’s degenerate gambling habits, they unpack the film’s twisted charm, timeless animation, and odd moral compass. The hosts debate lore inconsistencies (How do the holiday doors even work?), the unsettling obsession with capital punishment, and why the movie’s musical diction...
Send us a text Jon and Donald dive headfirst into Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)—Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel to the 1988 cult classic. Thirty-six years later, the ghost with the most is back, and the hosts debate whether the chaos, nostalgia, and practical effects deliver a worthy return… or just a messy séance of the past. From generational ghost stories to plotline overload, this episode unpacks it all: The tangled web of Lydia, Astrid, and BeetlejuiceWhy Michael Keaton still owns the ...
Send us a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald kick off spooky season with Tim Burton’s 1988 masterpiece, Beetlejuice. The hosts dive deep into the movie’s strange charm—where the macabre meets the hilarious—and unpack what makes it such a beloved cult classic. They debate whether being an exterminator counts as “a trade,” discuss how Beetlejuice may have unfairly tarnished the profession, and marvel at the wild practical effects that define Burton’s world. Along the ...
Send us a text Neon grids, Daft Punk beats, and some questionable CGI Jeff Bridges — this week we dive into Disney’s Tron: Legacy (2010). Jon and Donald are joined again by fan-favorite Editor Dan for a wild ride through the Grid, complete with light cycles, disc battles, and theology that somehow feels like “bad Christian mythology” wrapped in a Mickey Mouse glow. The trio debates whether the movie is underrated or just a product of its 2010 vibes, explores Joseph Kosinski’s rise from commer...
Send us a text Grab your light disc and step inside the grid as Jon and Donald revisit Tron (1982)—Disney’s groundbreaking cult classic that fused early CGI with a video-game aesthetic decades ahead of its time. From arcade nostalgia to AI paranoia, this episode explores why Tron still sparks debate about technology, storytelling, and the future of digital worlds. We dive deep into: First Impressions & Ratings: How the film’s visuals wowed audiences in 1982 and where the script still fall...
Send us a text The Almost Classic Movies crew is back with an oversized episode on Magic Mike XXL. Daniel crashes the show with a surprise beer tasting, a Big Mac challenge, and a lightning round of “Hot Takes” that call out everything from Hamilton to fast food habits. Jon and Donald debate classic vs. flaccid ratings, share personal movie hot takes, and break down why this sequel delivers more heart and better dance sequences than the original. From unexpected drag club dance ba...
Send us a text Jon and Donald dive into Almost Famous—Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical love letter to 1970s rock journalism. They break down William Miller’s coming-of-age journey, the chaos of touring with a rising band, and the bittersweet lessons behind fame, love, and loyalty. Along the way they debate the difference between groupies and “Band-Aids,” share wild payphone stories, compare Cleveland’s food scene to New York, and confess the movies they still haven’t seen (Scott Pilgrim,...
Send us a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald crank the dial all the way up to 11 as they dive into Rob Reiner’s cult classic This Is Spinal Tap. With the long-awaited sequel on the horizon, the duo revisits the original mockumentary to unpack its satire, absurd stage mishaps, and enduring influence on rock culture. From the infamous Stonehenge debacle to the amps that “go to 11,” Jon and Donald explore why the film still resonates with musicians and movie fans alike...
Send us a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive into Doctor Sleep (2019) — the ambitious sequel to The Shining. They kick things off with a listener comment on their Encanto hot takes, sparking a side discussion about pop music, lyrical depth, and Sabrina Carpenter’s evolution. From there, they transition into Stephen King territory, comparing Doctor Sleep to classics like The Green Mile and The Stand, and asking whether Mike Flanagan’s adaptation leans more towar...
Send us a text In this bonus episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald step away from their usual film deep dives for a candid Q&A mailbag session. From favorite comfort movies to hot takes on overrated films, this episode is packed with laughter, nostalgia, and some surprisingly heartfelt movie memories. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🎥 All-time favorite films — why Casablanca and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off top the list.🍿 Comfort movies that never fail — Back to the Future, Empir...
Send us a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive deep into Stanley Kubrick’s chilling masterpiece, The Shining. From Danny’s eerie “redrum” visions to Jack Nicholson’s descent into madness, the hosts unpack why this film blurs the line between psychological thriller and horror. They debate whether the Overlook Hotel is haunted or if Jack was doomed from the start, and they don’t shy away from the wild conspiracy theories—moon landing cover-ups, indigenous burial gr...
Send us a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald wrap up their run of under-the-radar Disney films with a deep dive into Encanto. From catchy songs (and some not-so-catchy ones) to messy world-building, they unpack what works, what confuses them, and why Bruno might just be the GOAT. They explore the film’s unique “no real villain” approach, its layered take on generational trauma, and the standout characters that make the Madrigal family so memorable. Along the way, th...
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