"Blind Date" (1987) with Laramy Wells
What's the worst that could happen on a blind date?
This week on the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast, hosts Tim Williams and Laramy Wells are popping the cheap champagne and revisiting the 1987 screwball comedy classic, Blind Date!
Before he was John McClane saving Nakatomi Plaza, Bruce Willis made his big-screen debut as Walter Davis—a stressed-out businessman who gets set up with the beautiful Nadia (Kim Basinger). The only catch? "Don't let her drink." Naturally, the…
"Can't Buy Me Love" (1987) with Bethany Wells
This week on the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast, host Tim Williams and guest Bethany Wells take a trip back to 1987 to revisit the quintessential teen rom-com, Can’t Buy Me Love. Before Patrick Dempsey was "McDreamy," he was Ronald Miller—a nerd with a lawnmower and a thousand-dollar plan to win over the head cheerleader, Cindy Mancini.
We’re breaking down the high school hierarchy of the 80s, the evolution of teen social dynamics, and why this film’s message about staying true to …
#149 - "Mannequin" (1987) with Bethany Wells
Hop on your motorcycle, meet us at Prince & Company Department Store, and keep an eye out for vicious guard-dog, Rambo, as Tim Williams and guest co-host, Bethany Wells, discuss “Mannequin” from 1987 on this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback podcast!
#128 - "Say Anything..." (1989) with Bethany Wells
In 1989, Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything became an iconic 80s romance that captured the awkwardness and sweetness of young love. The story follows Lloyd Dobler, a charming high school grad unsure of his future but knows he wants Diane Court, the smart yet emotionally distant valedictorian. This isn’t your typical romance—Lloyd isn’t the usual leading man, and Diane isn’t the stereotypical love interest. Instead, the film subverts expectations to deliver a heartfelt, unconventional love story th…
#122 - "Splash" (1984) with Ben Carpenter and Bethany Wells
Dive into the enchanting world of "Splash" (1984), the iconic 80s romantic comedy that redefined the boy-meets-girl story. This beloved film, where a man falls for a woman who happens to be a mermaid, charmed audiences with its unique blend of fantasy, humor, and heartwarming romance. Join us as we explore how she adapts to life on land and if her love can conquer the challenges of two vastly different worlds.
On this episode of the '80s Flick Flashback Podcast, Tim Wi…
#108 - "InnerSpace" (1987) with Nicholas Pepin (from "Pop Culture Roulette" Podcast) and Ben Carpenter
Join Tim Williams with guests Ben Carpenter and Nicholas Pepin as they discuss the 1987 sci-fi comedy "Innerspace" on the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast. Directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg, this film stars a miniaturized Navy pilot injected into a hypochondriac grocery clerk, leading to a hilarious adventure. Tune in for laughs and nostalgia as they explore this imaginative twist on "Fantastic Voyage."
BONUS - "Ladyhawke" (1985) with Nicholas Pepin (from "Pop Culture Roulette" Podcast) and Chad Sheppard
Join Tim Williams and guests Nicholas Pepin and Chad Sheppard as they discuss the 1985 medieval fantasy "Ladyhawke" on the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast. This film tells the tale of two lovers cursed to transform into a hawk and a wolf, striving to lift the curse with the help of a young thief. Tune in for a magical adventure and nostalgic fun.
#106 - "The Natural" (1984) with Nicholas Pepin (from "Pop Culture Roulette" Podcast) & Ben Carpenter
In the early 1980s, baseball films were scarce until Barry Levinson’s 1984 Oscar-nominated gem revitalized the genre, inspiring over 18 baseball-themed movies in the following decade. While initially seeming like a typical sports biopic, this film, "The Natural," unfolds into a profound American fable and crowd-pleasing tale. Following Roy Hobbs, a gifted player whose career is cut short, the story sees him resurface years later as an aging outfielder for the New York Knights. Arme…
#99 - "No Way Out" (1987) with JB Huffman from "Manly Movies" Podcast
Join us for a gripping journey through espionage and deception in the 1987 thriller "No Way Out" on the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast. With twists and turns aplenty, this mind-bending tale keeps you guessing until the thrilling finale.
#90 - "The Last Starfighter" (1984) with Chris Adams from "Retro Life 4 You" Podcast
For a whole generation of video-game-playing kids, this 80s flick represents a special kind of wish-fulfillment: a down-on-his-luck kid becomes a video-game champ, only to find himself recruited to fight in an interplanetary war in another galaxy. Directed by Nick Castle and produced by Gary Adelson, this fan-favorite film has since become a cherished classic, captivating generations of audiences with its thrilling blend of space adventure, cutting-edge special effects for its time, and a he…
#77 - Special: "Swamp Thing" (1982) Moving Panels with Laramy Wells Replay
For the month of March, I am taking a break from recording new episodes so that I can highlight some of the other fantastic podcasts that I have had the privilege of being a guest co-host on. This week, I will be replaying part of an episode of Moving Panels with host Laramy Wells. Laramy is a good friend of mine and has been a frequent guest on the 80’s Flick Flashback podcast going all the way back to season one. Laramy created Moving Panels to discuss movies and TV shows based, inspired, …
#75 - "An Officer and A Gentleman" (1982) with Ron West
Famed movie critic Roger Ebert said that this 80’s flick was the best movie about love that he’d seen in a long time. His original reviews states “Maybe that's because it's not about ‘love’ as a Hollywood concept, but about love as growth, as learning to accept other people for who and what they are. There's romance in this movie…but what makes the film so special is that the (romance) and everything else is presented within the context of its characters finding out who they a…
#71 - "Scrooged" (1988) with Gerry D. ("Totally Rad Christmas" Podcast) & Nicholas Pepin ("Pop Culture Roulette" Podcast)
Since the publication of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol nearly 200 years ago, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge has become familiar fodder for adaptations of all sorts—from ballets to operas to a mime performance by Marcel Marceau. But this 80’s flick adaptation has one thing that sets it apart from the rest: Comedy. So prepare to be transported by a time-traveling taxi-cab, a violent but joyful angel ballerina, and a mute harborer of souls as Tim Williams and guest co-hosts, Gerry D. from …
BONUS - "The Best of Times" (1986) with J.B. Huffman from "Manly Movies" Podcast
Do you ever find yourself reminiscing about the past and remembering something you would love to go back and change, a mistake that haunts you on a regular basis. Well that is what this 80’s flick is all about, a man who for 13 years has regretted dropping the ball in a High School Football game and holds himself responsible for the town he lives in being in the doldrums ever since. So fire up the green rocket, put on your white cleats, and get ready to bring the town of Taft out of the bowe…
#62 - "Big" (1988) with Chris McMichen
Undeniably, the best of the mini-cycle of body-swap comedies from the late eighties, this is the flick that revealed that Tom Hanks was capable of much more than just one-dimensional idiotic comedic roles. His transformation into the floppy walk and wide-eyed enthusiasm of a 13-year-old boy is a masterclass in physical acting. It also proved that Penny Marshall was a bona fide blockbuster movie director and not just the tough-talking and boy-crazy Laverne De Fazio on TV's “Laverne &…
#61 - "The Lost Boys" (1987) with Tyra Williams
What's more traumatizing for a teenage boy than having to pack up his life and move to a new town with his brother and newly divorced mom? Nothing, other than the local gang initiation. Which, in Santa Carla, may just involve dropping from a train overpass, racing motorcycles near the cliff, and drinking blood instead of wine. Though we’ve been engulfed in some, dare I say, toothless vampire entertainment in the last few decades, this '80s flick was one of the earliest movies to up…
#60 - "One Crazy Summer" (1986) with Nicholas Pepin from the "Pop Culture Roulette" Podcast
This 80’s flick is sometimes described as “Better Off Dead Goes To The Beach” because it reunites young leading man John Cusack with writer-director Savage Steve Holland for a tale of teenage angst and the quest to find love. This time the quest takes us to Nantucket where our lead gets involved with cute and fuzzy bunnies, snobby preppies, insane mechanics, a killer dolphin with rabies, and a hippie-ish singer about to lose her house to a very rich lobster restaurant magnate. So don’t miss …
#57 - "Bull Durham" (1988) with Ron West
Like “Major League”, “The Natural” or even “Field of Dreams”, this 80’s flick is one of those sports movies that always seems to be on one of the many basic cable TV channels every Spring and Summer. It doesn’t matter whether it’s two in the afternoon or two in the morning, somewhere in the outer reaches of cable TV, the main characters can be found bickering about baseball and who’s taking who to bed. So if you believe in the church of baseball and long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that la…
#49 - "When Harry Met Sally..." (1989) with Bethany Wells
“Baby Fishmouth.” “I’ll have what she’s having”. The Wagon Wheel Coffee Table. And the elaborate apple pie order that has inspired thousands of elaborate apple pie orders in diners and restaurants everywhere. In the 30 plus years since this 80’s flick was released, nearly every scene has become iconic and the stuff of rom-com legend. So in honor of Valentine’s Day, cuddle up with the one you love and join Tim Williams and guest co-host, Bethany Wells, as they discuss “When Harry Met Sally” f…
#48 - "Better Off Dead" (1985) with Nicholas Pepin of "Pop Culture Roulette Podcast"
While some critics failed it from the outset, this 80’s flick is actually a notch more upscale than most of its fellow D-grade locker-room comedies of the era. It's gained a "cult" reputation for its overall cynical tone, its clever gags, and its zany blend of animation and live-action. A teen comedy that refused to take itself too seriously, even if the subject matter should have been. So unwrap those frozen dinners you got for Christmas, load up your snow skis in the station…
#39 - "All The Right Moves" (1983) with Ron West
Before “Friday Night Lights” there was this often forgotten 80’s flick. It’s not so much a film about the sport of high school football, but the effect of football on its characters. It features solid performances from its young actors, and became an important film in the career of its lead by showcasing the tremendous star power and acting skills of a man who would become a mega-movie-star. So grab your football pads, your cleats, and expect heavy rain to hit football field as Tim Williams …
#35 - "Top Gun" (1986) with Ron West
When hit movie producer, Jerry Bruckheimer was casually flipping through California magazine in 1983, he was suddenly struck by an image. It was a picture of fighter pilot’s helmet with a plane reflected in the visor. Staring at the page, Bruckheimer couldn’t escape one thought: “It looked like Star Wars on Earth.” That magazine picture - and its accompanying article - set into motion the creation of this iconic 80’s Flick. A script would be crafted around the story of fighter pilots - their…
#34 - "Superman II" (1981) Crossover Episode with Laramy Wells ("Moving Panels" Podcast)
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…a highly anticipated superhero sequel flick has a profound falling out due to creative differences between the movie studio producers and the original film’s director, resulting in that director being fired and a new director being brought in to reshoot scenes, re-edit the new and old footage, and generally lighten the tone with more humor. No, I’m not talking about the “The Justice League” fiasco from a few years ago. We are going all the way back to …
#24 - "The Princess Bride" (1987) with Ron West
It has been called the “Wizard of Oz” of our generation. Meaning that although it was not a blockbuster film at the time of its release, over the years it has become a rare family film that has been enjoyed by children, their parents, and even their grandparents as it has been “handed down”, in a sense, from generation to generation. It has also been known as one of the most quoted films of all time. You may think that’s “inconceivable”, but… get used to disappointment.
So prepare for a b…