The Test of Time

A spy tries to clear his name after being framed for killing his team.  Listen as we chat about the other guys from U2, what secret agents should earn in a year, and sweating through a ski mask. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find out if Mission: Impossible stands the Test of Time.

An alien made for destruction crash-lands in Hawaii... and into a young orphan's heart. Listen as we chat about a breakfast quest for revenge, the big buggy eyes of adorableness, and the culture wars around Disney movies. ʻOhana means family, and family means finding out if Lilo & Stitch stands the Test of Time.

A recent high school graduate faces important decisions about the future and how to deal with her overbearing mother. Author Kevin Smokler joins us to discuss getting laughed at by publicists, an especially tough Christmas, and a cheesy hypothetical bake sale. Then we find out if Real Women Have Curves stands the Test of Time. Break The Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers by Kevin Smokler hits stores on May 22, 2025. Learn more: https://kevinsmokler.com/break-the-frame/

A 6th grader repeatedly tries—and fails—to become the most popular kid in school.  Special guests Eli Noah and Ryan Schneider join us to chat about literally ditching people, when nostalgic T-shirts become cool, and saying "Zoo-Wee-Mama" in real life. Then we see if Diary of a Wimpy Kid stands the Test of Time.

On a divine quest, King Arthur encounters rude French guards, a killer rabbit, and the dreaded Knights Who Say "Ni!" Join us as we discuss holy hand grenades, a smart investment by Led Zeppelin, and the Nintendo Switch 2. It's just a flesh wound as we find out if Monty Python and the Holy Grail stands the Test of Time.

Investment banker Patrick Bateman leads a double life as a serial killer. Special guest Samantha Noah joins us to chat about sweating on command, pretentious music analysis, and how this movie could have spawned a successful franchise. Then we find out if American Psycho stands the Test of Time.

A son of Hebrew slaves becomes an Egyptian prince, then leads his people to freedom. Special guests Carole Abramson and Rochelle Brief join us to talk about Jewish prophecies, chewing gum in class, and the fine line between kitsch, melodrama, and overacting. Then we see if The Ten Commandments stands the Test of Time.

A former CIA agent single-handedly takes on a foreign army wreaking havoc in the United States. Join us as we discuss Chuck Norris “jokes,” an all-American hero in a Canadian tuxedo, and why James never tried cocaine. Then we find out if Invasion U.S.A. stands the Test of Time.

Two NYPD detectives do all they can to stop an international heroin deal. Listen as we chat about missing subtitles, what you call it when a cop shoots a suspect in the back, and how much cars weigh today. Then we see if The French Connection stands the Test of Time.

On the run from her jealous stepmother, a princess befriends seven short miners. Join us as we discuss a modern woman's reaction to being told she's "the fairest," a huntsman who gets away with not murdering, and the real reason eggs are so expensive. Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to work we go, as we find out if Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs stands the Test of Time.

A math prodigy attempts to unlock the secrets of the universe… and the stock market. Listen as we chat about Jewdar in airports, literal bugs in the software, and cavemen with holes in their heads. Then we find out if π stands the Test of Time.

A truck driver and a restaurant owner face off against an ancient sorcerer in San Francisco's Chinatown. Join us as we chat about the future of James Bond, exposition that's so bad it's good, and the perfect comeback to someone who refers to himself in the third person. Then we find out if Big Trouble in Little China stands the Test of Time.

A wealthy British boy learns harsh life lessons in a World War II internment camp. Special guest Jonathan Weissler joins us to chat about filming in China, boiling frogs, and an alternate Batman origin story. Then we see if Empire of the Sun stands the Test of Time.

A theater director gathers a troupe of actors to celebrate their small town's 150th anniversary. Listen as we chat about the movies that Warner Bros. dumped on YouTube, how Missourians say the name of their state, and the best actor in Red, White, and Blaine. Then we find out if Waiting for Guffman stands the Test of Time.

A mean green mother from outer space starts eating the residents of Skid Row. Special guest Courtney Noah joins us to discuss a so-called ironing machine, an extremely disturbing Wikipedia page, and the best hero/villain showdown song ever. We're having some fun now as we find out if Little Shop of Horrors stands the Test of Time.

The Miami Sharks depend on their third-string quarterback as they make a run for the playoffs. Listen as we chat about Oliver Stone's too-frequent cutaways, a too-fast endorsement deal, and a too-personal halftime speech. It's a game of inches as we find out if Any Given Sunday stands the Test of Time.

“Fast Eddie” Felson teaches the art of hustling to a young pool player. Listen as we discuss the best legacy sequel ever, Tom Cruise's huge hair, and Paul Newman's serious mustache. Then we find out if The Color of Money stands the Test of Time.

A pool player learns that in order to win, sometimes, you first have to lose. Listen as we chat about the best billiards game for teens, bus station bathroom attendants, and cameramen jumping the line. Then we find out if The Hustler stands the Test of Time.

A private eye, a pathological liar, and an antiques collector pursue a priceless statue. Join us as we discuss our 2025 box office predictions, Conan O'Brien's gumshoe speak, and what dingus really means. It's the stuff that dreams are made of as we find out if The Maltese Falcon stands the Test of Time.

An alien/human hybrid desperately searches for a mate in Los Angeles. Listen as we chat about our favorite movies of 2024, asking a date to join you in the shower, and wildly inconsistent psychic powers. Then we find out if Species stands the Test of Time.

A lying hotel clerk sleeps with a supermodel, and quickly finds himself involved in a murder investigation. Listen as we discuss pretentious perfume commercials, tape recorder confessions, and watching sex scenes with your dad. Then we find out if Hexed stands the Test of Time.

It's New Year's Eve in the Hotel Mon Signor, and Ted the bellhop has to deal with a series of bizarre patrons. Special guest Jason Torres joins us to chat about a missed opportunity with Madonna, hotels with medicine cabinets, and needles with hepatitis C. Then we find out if Four Rooms stands the Test of Time.

A guardian angel saves a suicidal businessman by showing him what life would be like if he didn't exist. Join us as we chat about Hanukkah scarves, a Bernie Sanders-esque rant, and a very young old maid. An angel gets his wings as we find out if It's a Wonderful Life stands the Test of Time.

San Francisco's tallest building erupts in flames, and it's up to the skyscraper's architect and a fire chief to save everyone inside.  Listen as we discuss the world's most dangerous job, Alan's inaccurate Super Mario t-shirt, and when a handshake simply won't do. Then we find out if The Towering Inferno stands the Test of Time.

During one rainy day in the San Fernando Valley, people deal with grief, addiction, and daddy issues. Special guest Adam Pincas joins us to chat about a Fiona Apple interpretative dance, why Tom Cruise hasn't won an Oscar, and the way that married people don't have sex. Then we find out if Magnolia stands the Test of Time.

A kindergarten teacher who's never left Harlem is transported to a twisted version of New York City. Listen as we discuss Michael Jackson's interest in Peter Parker, a very horny Tin Man, and the labor laws of Oz. Ease on down the road as we find out if The Wiz stands the Test of Time.

A tornado brings a girl from Kansas to a magical land, where she is hunted by a wicked witch. Special guest Mike Kahn joins us to chat about Jewish little people, Barbie's unrealistic proportions, and the abusive boyfriend from Beverly Hills 90210. There's no place like home as we find out if The Wizard of Oz stands the Test of Time.

A general is betrayed, enslaved, and forced to fight others for the amusement of Rome.  Listen as we discuss the “what men think about” meme, touching wheat, and the emperor that inspired King Joffrey. Are you not entertained as we find out if Gladiator stands the Test of Time?

An unhappy puppeteer discovers a portal into the mind of a famous actor, which causes his marriage and sanity to unravel. Special guest Joanna Brief joins us to discuss DVD special features that lie, what Charlie Sheen is probably like in real life, and whether it's the seventh and a half floor or the seven and a halfth floor (the answer won't surprise you.) Then we find out if Being John Malkovich stands the Test of Time.

An average Joe is cryogenically frozen, and when he wakes up 500 years in the future, he's the smartest person in the world. Special guest Mike Kahn joins us to chat about different kinds of electrolytes, vibrators at Target, and a president that actually admits to having sex with pornstars. If a great podcast is what you crave, join us as we find out if Idiocracy stands the Test of Time.

An evil genie unleashes terror by… granting wishes? For our Halloween episode, we talk about buying life insurance at the airport, fast-acting cancer, and a jarring turn towards camp. Then we see if Wishmaster stands the Test of Time.

A therapist uses virtual reality to enter the mind of a serial killer, in the hopes of finding his latest victim before it's too late. Join us as we discuss the greatest movie soundtrack of all time, viruses that cause mental illness, and screensaver special effects. Then we find out if The Cell stands the Test of Time.

In rural Texas, five young people encounter a murderous family of cannibals. Join us as we chat about Alan's internal monologue during an Ironman, plaster of paris animal bones, and our mothers' warnings about hitchhikers. Then we find out if The Texas Chain Saw Massacre stands the Test of Time.

A slacker and his friends try to survive a zombie apocalypse. Listen as we share our thoughts on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the proper pronunciation of doppelgänger, and the opposite of Guardians of the Galaxy. Meet us at the Winchester as we find out if Shaun of the Dead stands the Test of Time.

A heroin addict attempts to kick his drug habit, but his so-called friends don't help. Special guest Jonathan Weissler joins us to discuss starting over in Argentina, slow motion in a graveyard commercial, and reading "Porno" on the beach. Choose life as we find out if Trainspotting stands the Test of Time.

Good transforming robots wage war against evil transforming robots, as well as a more evil, giant transforming robot. Special guest Clinton Festa returns to discuss conspiracy theories about Optimus Prime's death, gender in robot-based fiction, and the forgotten Dinobot. There's more than meets the eye as we find out if The Transformers: The Movie stands the Test of Time.

A conman has a crisis of conscience in a small Kansas town. Listen as we talk about the determination of wrestling champions, touching toes under a tree, and the perks of dating a Broadway producer. Then we find out if Leap of Faith stands the Test of Time. 

After getting caught with drugs, a teenager is sent to prep school by his strict father. Listen as we discuss movie trailer phone etiquette, evil blonde boys, and how James feels about 1970s rock. Then we see if Outside Providence stands the Test of Time.

Three aspiring rockers use toy guns to take over a radio station in the hope of getting their music played. Special guest Jason Allen joins us to discuss Band-Aids on nipple rings, our favorite overture, and the heavy metal band that boosted Vin Diesel's career. Then we find out if Airheads stands the Test of Time.

To inherit $300 million, a minor league ballplayer needs to spend $30 million in one month.  Join us as we chat about the lesson Hollywood learned from Twisters, a private lunch with Mariah Carey, and a waste of Rick Moranis. Then we find out if Brewster's Millions stands the Test of Time.

After an injury, a homebound man becomes convinced that one of his neighbors is a murderer.  Listen as we discuss a Deadpool & Wolverine warning, Alan's OnlyFans page, and a suspicious photographer who doesn't take any pictures. Then we find out if Rear Window stands the Test of Time.  

An irreverent radio DJ brings his unique sense of humor to soldiers in Vietnam. Listen as we chat about learning English from a fast talker, not knowing the Marx Brothers, and guys who think they're funny but really aren't. Then we find out if Good Morning, Vietnam stands the Test of Time.

After his mother dies, a young man comes home and faces his past. Listen as we discuss the Nintendo World Champion, an aversion to medical-related fiction, and how to take advantage of generous exchange policies. Then we find out if Garden State stands the Test of Time.

A teenager in the San Fernando Valley is torn between her boyfriend and a Hollywood punk.  Filmmaker and author Kevin Smokler joins us to chat about cheap music education, meaty roles for parents in teen movies, and different types of star-crossed lovers. Like, we're for sure gonna find out if Valley Girl stands the Test of Time.

An estranged husband and wife work together as they chase powerful tornadoes. Listen as we chat about Cracker Jack QR codes, strong coaxial cables, and scientists on a box of Wheaties. Then we find out if Twister stands the Test of Time.

To stop a counterfeiting ring, Axel Foley infiltrates an amusement park. Listen as we talk about James' beautiful beard, the details of dollars, and the fun part of sending interoffice memos. Then we find out if Beverly Hills Cop III stands the Test of Time.

Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills to solve a series of violent crimes. Join us as we chat about the trouble with making sequels, shooting virtual reality guns, and keeping vitamins in a paper bag. Then we find out if Beverly Hills Cop II stands the Test of Time.

A Detroit police officer investigates the murder of his best friend in Beverly Hills.  Listen as we chat about Eddie Murphy's laugh, sequels on streamers, and saying "I love you" to your bro. Then we find out if Beverly Hills Cop stands the Test of Time.

A private eye investigates a complex web of deceit, corruption, and murder.  Listen as we chat about shockingly expensive concert tickets, a comically small gun, and the difference between a scar and an open wound. Forget it, James... it's a podcast to see if Chinatown stands the Test of Time.

The brothers of a rowdy fraternity drink, party, and try not to get expelled. Special guests Rich Noah and Paul Brief—our dads!—join us to chat about John Belushi's eyebrows, a freeze-frame heart attack, and getting an A in lobotomy. Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to find out if National Lampoon's Animal House stands the Test of Time.

Mad Max fights for his life, and the lives of young plane crash survivors.  Listen as we discuss Jeff Garlin's thoughts on Michael Bay, laws that are just six words long, and what this movie has in common with Showgirls. Two men enter, one man leaves as we find out if Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome stands the Test of Time.