Ep 330: "Cast Away" Revisited

A big, green, farting machine, Shrek belched his way into theaters back in 2001. The movie would go on to sprout sequels, specials, and even a hit broadway musical. But now, twenty-five years later, is this misunderstood ogre just plain mean? Is Princess Fiona a role only Cameron Diaz could play? And, why was this Mike Myers-led cartoon in development since 1991? The Old Roommates grab a Gingerbread Man leg and give this Oscar-winning Animated Feature a revisit through their middle-aged lens. Grab some milk and join them.Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates for bonus content and please give us a rating or review!#Shrek #MikeMyers #CameronDiaz #EddieMurphy #JohnLithgow

Nicole Kidman and two scary kids starred in the 2001 gothic horror film, The Others. Written, directed, and composed by Alejandro Amenabar, the ghostly hit featured a spooky mansion, creepy housekeepers, and more locked doors than Lean on Me. But twenty-five years later, does it now leave viewers yelling, "boooooo!"? How many jump scares is too many? And, does every ghost story need a twist ending? The Old Roommates close the curtains and give this new classic a revisit through their middle-aged lens. Grab some sun and join them! Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates for bonus content and please give us a rating or review!#TheOthers #AlejandroAmenabar #NicoleKidman #FionnulaFlanagan

Wilson, we hardly knew ya. Yes, Tom Hanks' character really had a ball in 2000's Cast Away. As did audiences. The Robert Zemeckis film would go on to make over $400 million worldwide and earn Hanks an Oscar nomination. But now, decades later, are we just a little seasick of these deserted island adventures? Was Chuck's return to the mainland worth the wait? Was Hanks' performance worth the weight? The Old Roommates hop on a raft and give this blockbuster a revisit through their middle-aged lens. Grab a coconut and join them.Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates for bonus content and please give us a rating or review!#CastAway #TomHanks #HelenHunt #RobertZemeckis 

Get in losers, we’re going revisiting. Is there a more quotable, meme-able movie than Mean Girls? Back in 2004, the movie had audiences and critics laughing while making stars of Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, and more. The Tina Fey script received accolades while Lindsay Lohan cemented her status as a teenaged breakout actress. But now, decades later, is this movie the ugliest effing movie we’ve ever seen? How “mean” is too mean? And are bus accidents ever funny? The Old Roommates grab their Burn Books and give this comedy a visit. Put on some pink and join them.Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates for bonus content and please give us a rating or review!#MeanGirls #MarkWaters #TinaFey #LindsayLohan #RachelMcAdams

“Swing away!” Back in 2002, the M. Night Shyamalan movie “Signs” knocked it out of the park.  Featuring Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, and roughly 90 seconds of alien sightings, the sci-fi hit was a crowd and critic pleaser, raking in over $400 million at the box office. But now, decades later, do we all just need to calm down and eat some fruit? Does “Signs” still thrill when you know how it all ends? And, why, exactly, does Mel’s character have an entire diner’s worth of food in his pantry? The Old Roommates pour several glasses of water and give the flick a revisit. Grab a bat and join them.Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates for bonus content and please give us a rating or review!#Signs #MNightShyamalan #MelGibson #JoaquinPhoenix

Season 8 Premiere! Simple math would suggest that an out-of-control Jack Black, combined with spoiled know-it-all kids, and an added element of rock music, would equal a loud, patience-testing moviegoing experience. But back in 2003, the result of the film School of Rock was big numbers at the box office. But now, decades later, is this comedy still music to our ears? How many instrument-playing kids is too many? And, has Joan Cusack ever given a bad performance? The Old Roommates head back to school to discuss this Mike White written smash. Hop on the bus and join them.Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates for bonus content and please give us a rating or review!#SchoolofRock #SarahSilverman #JackBlack #MikeWhite #JoanCusack

It's Old Roommate's 7th Anniversary Special! Plus, our 6th Annual Roomie Awards! Yes, it’s the revisit of our revisits. We talk about the good, the bad, and the boring of everything we watched this season. Who will win the Roomie for Best Performance? Or Worst Line of Movie Dialogue? The episode culminates in the night’s biggest honor, Most Nostalgic Revisit. The winners may surprise you. Get all dolled up and join the Old Roommates for this very special anniversary episode.  Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates for bonus content and please give us a rating or review!#oldroommates

“He permed me!” Shelley Long donned red hair, a permanent smile, and a wide array of designer dresses for 1989’s Troop Beverly Hills. Upon release, the comedy didn’t sell nearly enough Wilderness Girls’ cookies to break even at the box office, and it got no merit badges from critics either. But now, decades later, has our appreciation of Beverly Hills housewives evolved? Is it possible to garner sympathy for ultra-privileged kids? And what’s Tori Spelling doing in this thing? The Old Roommates crack open some Evian and give the flick a revisit through their middle-aged lens. Make some s’mores and join them. Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates for bonus content and please give us a rating or review!#TroopBeverlyHills #JeffKanew #ShelleyLong #JennyLewis #bettythomas #craigtnelson 

“I’ll meet you at the place near the thing where we went that time.” Yes, 1987’s Broadcast News had quite a script, and quite a cast led by Holly Hunter, William Hurt and Albert Brooks. A lopsided love triangle, the three leads mismanaged emotions, insecurities, careers, and work timelines throughout the James L. Brooks hit. Nominated for seven Oscars, the movie skewered both modern love and ethics in media. But now, decades later, does it all feel like yesterday’s news? Is a male “dumb blonde” as offensive as a female one? And are either of these two guys good enough for Hunter’s Jane? The Old Roommates give the rom-com a revisit through their middle-aged lens. Pop on some Nicaraguan boots and join them.Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates for bonus content and please give us a rating or review!#BroadcastNews #JamesLBrooks #HollyHunter #WilliamHurt #AlbertBrooks

Kevin Kline and an Oscar-nominated Joan Cusack have a gay old time in 1997’s In & Out. Back then, the comedy was a modest hit with critics and audiences as it juggled social commentary and slapstick humor while tackling a (then) hot-topic theme: homosexuality (gasp!). But now, decades later, should we leave this Frank Oz flick in the closet? When are “gay jokes” funny? And should Kline’s character consider pressing charges against Tom Selleck’s entertainment reporter? The Old Roommates revisit all the Macho Man madness through their middle-aged lens. Pop on some Streisand and join them.Follow Old Roommates on social media @OldRoommates for bonus content and please give us a rating or review!#In&Out #FrankOz #KevinKline #JoanCusack #DebbieReynolds #MattDillon #TomSelleck