When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
418 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratingsWhen It Was Cool reviews, remembers, and celebrates the toys, music, action figures, television, movies, and popular culture of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Star Wars, G.I. Joe, Super Friends, Comic Books, Comics, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, My Little Pony, Alice in Wonderland, books, Six Million Dollar Man, Godzilla, video games, and all things retro.
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Episodes
The Burbs (1989) Retro Movie Review
April 15, 2024 15:47 - 33 minutes - 24.1 MBKarl and Tonya from When It Was Cool review the 1989 Tom Hanks movie The Burbs! Somehow, despite seeing this movie at the movie rental store for years and years he had never seen it. This film is actually pretty great and very fun! Carrie Fischer, Corey Feldman, and a host of other familiar faces from the 1980s appear in this movie. This was a fun one and worth checking out!
Dream Scenario (2023) Movie Review Podcast
April 11, 2024 15:41 - 28 minutes - 20.9 MBKarl and Tonya from When It Was Cool sit down to discuss the strange and conflicting 2023 drama Dream Scenario starring Nicolas Cage. This bizarre movie presents a pretty novel storyline of an unremarkable teacher who begins appearing in the dreams of people all over the world in passive situations. He becomes a viral celebrity and soon the dreams take a darker turn. This all sounds amazing, but the movie seems to lose its sense of where it is going. Join us as we discuss this very odd film.
From Dust Til Dawn (1996) Retro Movie Review Podcast
March 28, 2024 15:21 - 28 minutes - 20.7 MBKarl and Tonya return with a retro movie review from 1996. George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, and others star in this bizarre movie which switches from being solid crime escape action movie into a B-Movie vampire film about halfway through. This is one weird movie. Parts of this movie are fantastic in both scope, story, and scenery, while parts of it were straight out of a direct to video monster movie. I dunno... let's talk about it.
From Dusk Til Dawn (1996) Retro Movie Review Podcast
March 28, 2024 15:21 - 28 minutes - 20.7 MBKarl and Tonya return with a retro movie review from 1996. George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, and others star in this bizarre movie which switches from being solid crime escape action movie into a B-Movie vampire film about halfway through. This is one weird movie. Parts of this movie are fantastic in both scope, story, and scenery, while parts of it were straight out of a direct to video monster movie. I dunno... let's talk about it.
Batman in Order Podcast - Detective Comics Issue 31 - Episode 5
March 21, 2024 15:09 - 22 minutes - 15.1 MBThe fifth appearance of The Batman took place in the September 1939 issue of Detective Comics. Once again, Batman was featured on the cover and this adventure pitted him against a new foe: The Monk, a mysterious man dressed in a red cloak and hood who had as his heavy a giant gorilla. We discover something new about Bruce Wayne in this issue, he is engaged to a woman named Julie Madison who is hypnotized (along with others) by the Monk. Read the article - here
Wonka, Willy Wonka, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Reviews
March 18, 2024 15:26 - 37 minutes - 27.3 MBKarl and Tonya review a trio of movies today on the When It Was Cool podcast. We discuss the classic 1971 Gene Wilder film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the tremendous Tim Burton 2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp, and the new prequel now streaming on Max- Wonka starring Timothee Chalmete. All three films are tremendous in their own way and the 1971 film was a staple of many childhoods. Come on a trip (both literal and figurative) with Karl and Tonya as we d...
The Price is Right Retro TV Review Podcast
February 26, 2024 17:06 - 37 minutes - 26.2 MBWhen It Was Cool listeners come on down! Karl and Tonya sit down to discuss one of the most iconic of game shows: The Price is Right! It seems like everyone's grandmother loved this show and was probably secretly crushing on Bob Barker. Hey, let's be honest, The Price is Right was a fun TV game show full of goofy gimmick games and way over valued stuff, but it was tons of fun. Don't forget to have your pet spayed or neutered too you geek.
Detective Comics issue 30 - Batman in Order Podcast 04
February 22, 2024 18:52 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBToday at WhenItWasCool.com we take a look at the fourth appearance chronologically of the Batman character from the pages of Detective Comics issue 30 Detective Comics issue 30 cover dated August 1939. These Batman in Order reviews are less about the creators, behind the scenes, and the process of it all, and more about the story of The Batman, the character, and how he has changed and evolved and often represented or stood against common conventions of the time. The fourth Batman story is p...
Scrabble - Retro Board Game Review
February 15, 2024 18:29 - 29 minutes - 20 MBI, Karl, am writing this description. Scrabble is the bane of my existence. Tonya schools me in it ever... single... game. I don't know why. I am literate. I have a decent vocabulary, but she beats me in almost every single game. Scrabble is part crossword puzzle, part chance, and a lot of strategy. Join Karl and Tonya from WhenItWasCool.com to talk about one of our board game favorites- Scrabble!
Batman in Order Podcast 03 (Detective Comics 29)
February 07, 2024 16:44 - 18 minutes - 12.4 MBThe third appearance of The Batman took place in Detective Comics issue 29 which came out in July 1939. It begins a two-part story arch against a mad scientist type named Doctor Death and, for the first time since Batman debuted, he managed not to kill someone... yet. In this issue the purpose of Batman's utility belt is introduced, and we find out he has created a contraption to allow him to scale buildings. To read the article - click here.
Maverick (1994 and Original Series) Review Podcast
February 01, 2024 17:34 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBKarl and Tonya revisit and Old West favorite- Maverick! Played in the 1950's - 1962 by James Garner and in a 1994 feature movie by Mel Gibson (with a co-starring role with James Garner as well!) Maverick was a slick talking master poker player and gunslinger (and con man). Both Garner and Gibson brought a slick charisma to the role and both series are among some of the best westerns out there. Join Karl and Tonya from When It Was Cool as we discuss the great western property, Maverick!
Detective Comics 28 Review - Batman in Order Podcast 02
January 25, 2024 18:28 - 25 minutes - 16.9 MBWe continue our chronological look at the appearances of The Batman in chronological order. The second appearance of Batman took place in the pages of Detective Comics issue 28 cover dated June 1939. Batman swings from building to building on a rope for the first time. Completely throws a dude off a building to his death all to solve a jewelry theft. You can read the article at When It Was Cool - here
Batman in Order Podcast 01 - Detective Comics Issue 27
January 11, 2024 02:13 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBJoin When It Was Cool on this new series following the chronological history of The Batman from his debut in 1939 through history. This is not a documentary series about the creators and artists (though they are mentioned) but instead is a study of the character of the Batman himself and the changes he has gone through over the years. Episode one takes a look back to 1939 and the debut of Batman in the pages of Detective Comics.
Untold History of Marvel Book Review
January 04, 2024 23:06 - 29 minutes - 19.4 MBAnother book review from Karl from When It Was Cool and this one is a great book about comic books called the Untold History of Marvel Comics. This is a tremendous book tracing the history of Marvel Comics from the Golden Age until the era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It seems that the reality behind the famous Marvel Bullpen was way different than depicted by Stan Lee in the pages of Marvel Comics. Instead of a bunch of artists brainstorming ideas, it was a cutthroat world of politics,...
The Iron Claw Review - Winter Palace Podcast
December 27, 2023 16:25 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBMagazine/Podcast contributor Justin Jones returns to the pod to discuss The Iron Claw movie, which we saw the same day we recorded the pod (on Boxing/St Stephen's Day). What we liked and didn't like as much, what portrayals were the best and which are not nearly as bad as social media would have you believe. Short review is that we both liked it as a movie and as wrestling fans, but not the best film going (that's Godzilla Minus One by a mile). Plenty of spoiler talk and also some general w...
The Iron Claw (2023) Movie Review Podcast
December 27, 2023 00:59 - 1 hour - 42.6 MBKarl and Tonya review the 2023 pro wrestling biopic The Iron Claw. This is a dramatized retelling of the tragic story of the Von Erich family which endured tragedy after tragedy including the young deaths of multiple brothers, a domineering father, and more. Karl and Tonya look at how the film did in communicating the horrific events of the Von Erich family and Karl takes a look at some of the real facts which the movie fictionalized. We both loved this movie so come and join us for an exten...
Godzilla Minus One, Godzilla Comics and more - Winter Palace
December 18, 2023 16:30 - 2 hours - 53.9 MBMark presents the Winter Palace Podcast and is joined by cartoonist Zander Cannon to discuss Godzilla Minus One movie, the 1979 Godzilla comic book from Marvel Comics, the third and final hardcover collection of his comic book Kaijumax coming out, comics industry shop talk including digital art vs old school pencil and ink, color guides and more.
The Herculoids (1967) Retro TV Review Podcast
December 13, 2023 14:35 - 25 minutes - 16.9 MBIt's finally here, When It Was Cool looks back at the classic Hanna-Barbara space monster cartoon series The Herculoids! This cartoon series was a favorite of mine back when I was a kid and thanks to our wonderful Patreon member Andy I now have the complete series, so let's dive in! Wait a minute... basically every episode is exactly the same just swapping out robots for aliens here and there. Who cares?! There is a triceratops that shoots exploding rocks out of its horn, a laser beam shooti...
Comic Book Review Podcast - G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Returns!
December 07, 2023 10:35 - 37 minutes - 24.8 MBLarry Hama returns to the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic book series now being published at Skybound/Image for issue 301 or issue 1 of the new run. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero issue 301 picks up directly where issue 300 ended and has a great new artist breathing new life into this old product. Duke, Roadblock, Will Bill, Cobra Commander, Serpentor, and others are prime players in this story arch and we finally start to sort out the convoluted Snake Eyes storyline with one less to wo...
Geddy Lee My Effin Life (2023) Book Review Podcast
November 30, 2023 16:00 - 41 minutes - 27.8 MBKarl, who is a huge fan of the rock band Rush, reviews Geddy Lee's new memoire My Effin' Life which dropped a couple of weeks ago. Geddy Lee's book takes a detailed look at the history of the band, his parent's incredible story as holocaust survivors, their musical variety over the course of their 40 plus year career, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Alex Lifeson's infamous speech, and the final days of Neil Peart. A fantastic and fun biography!
Johnny Cash - Redemption of an American Icon Review
November 16, 2023 17:32 - 43 minutes - 30.6 MBRecently, Karl and Tonya from When It Was Cool visited the gravesite of American music legend Johnny Cash. We recently had watched an amazing documentary about the life, faith, and career of Johnny Cash and this episode of the When It Was Cool Podcast takes a look at that documentary. From the highest of highs and incredible success to literally crawling into the depths of a cave and laying down to die, the Redemption of an American Icon is a fascinating documentary film.
The Exorcist Believer (2023) Movie Review
October 19, 2023 15:49 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MBKarl and Tonya take a trip to the movie theater this week to see the new movie The Exorcist: Believer which is a sequel to The Exorcist 50 years later. And it is a sequel, following the mother of Regan from the original as she hopes to help solve a modern-day demonic possession of two schoolgirls who disappeared for three days only to reemerge in an altered state. Does this movie stand up to the original which was one of the greatest horror films ever? Let's talk about it.
04 Friday the 13th Part 4 (1984) - The Final Chapter Retro Movie Review
October 13, 2023 16:48 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBJoin Karl and Tonya for a new Friday the 13th movie review podcast. Every time the real calendar hits Friday the 13th, When It Was Cool reviews another chapter in the supernatural / slasher / killer franchise featuring the hockey masked monster Jason Voorhees. This one, sad to say, is another dud with very little Jason and very little plot. Still, we have fun with it so come and join us!
Harley Davidson - Stuck in the Desert Podcast
August 14, 2023 15:10 - 54 minutes - 40.3 MBJoin the Arkansas Hellbender this week as we try to pop a wheelie over the front handlebars. Tons of fun for everyone in the world that is Harley Davidson!
Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976) Retro Movie Review
August 10, 2023 15:48 - 42 minutes - 28.2 MBBullshido at it's finest! The 1976 post-Bruce Lee era Master of the Flying Guillotine is one of my favorite Kung-Fu movies. It is utterly ridiculous. Featuring a one armed Kung Fu master who is the target of an evil Kung Fu master. The evil Kung Fu matches shows up at an incredibly ridiculous Kung Fu tournament and starts killing every one armed person there! This movie features everything you love about wacky Kung Fu movies: bizarre tournament to the death, evil Kung Fu heels, traps, and mo...
Barbie (2023) Movie Review
August 04, 2023 01:59 - 32 minutes - 23 MBTonya and Karl went to see the 2023 blockbuster movie Barbie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Bringing the iconic Mattel toy property to a live action movie seemed like a challenge and this movie isn't really sure what it is. Part bizarre pink fantasy and part feminist manifesto the Barbie movie has still managed to strike a chord with a large audience catapulting it to becoming 2023's biggest hit so far. Tonya and Karl give you their thoughts on this strange, yet memorable film.
They Live (1988) Retro Movie Review
June 07, 2023 09:27 - 33 minutes - 22.4 MBI'm all out of bubblegum. This 1988 John Carpenter cult classic starring Rowdy Roddy Piper is actually a pretty solid little movie. Join Karl from When It Was Cool as I look back on Roddy Piper's biggest film, the cult movie VHS era, and wonder if, in fact, any of you are aliens. Cause, I'd say there is cause to wonder. Also, I swear, the longest fight scene in history.
Anything Possumble - Stuck in the Ozarks
May 24, 2023 10:50 - 50 minutes - 25.2 MBoin the Arkansas Hellbender today as we seek out the elusive Possum Pie! Somewhere under a Red Oak, someone is rolling out a pie crust and its almost Dinner time! Support the platform that houses this podcast: whenitwascool.com Support my tag team partner: dirtydawgmes on Patreon. Stop killing each other!
Arkansas Hellbender - Stuck in the Ozarks
May 10, 2023 10:22 - 46 minutes - 23.3 MBJoin the Hellbender this week as we discuss the creepy crawlers wandering around unnoticed in his landscape. Newly rebranded to reflect current events, it's the same show with a southern twist. Enjoy the Show! Support the platform that hosts this podcast and stop killing each other.
Creed II (2018) Movie Review
April 27, 2023 12:54 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBKarl and Tonya sit down to watch the second installment of Creed from the Rocky Universe of movies and we liked this one much better than Creed I. This one brought back Ivan Drago along with his son to face Adonis Creed but Rocky isn't having any of it. A LOT happens in this movie with Adonis Creed winning the World title, getting hammered by Viktor Drago, and then having to make the Rocky style comeback. Also, we get a very nebulous possible ending for Rocky Balboa! Stay tuned!
Remembering MAD Cartoonist Al Jaffee - Stuck in the Desert Podcast
April 20, 2023 14:34 - 45 minutes - 23.2 MBJoin The Desert Rat today as we doff our hats and pay tribute to one of the finest comic artists of our time- MAD Magazine's legendary Al Jaffee. Besides his many other contributions to MAD he invented the famous MAD fold-in feature and worked there for over 65 years. A long life well lived. Support the platform that houses this podcast. Stop Killing Each other!
Creed (2015) Movie Review
April 13, 2023 10:14 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBKarl and Tonya review the next installment in the Rocky Universe with a look at Creed I (2015) where we pick up Rocky's story by way of Apollo Creed's previously unknown son Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan). We find out how Creed had this secret son, his rough childhood, how he travels to Philadelphia to meet Rocky, and a tons of twists and turns. We also a revelation of a nearly 30 year old secret- who won the basement rubber match between Rocky and Apollo at the end of Rocky 3.
Toy Story 4 (2019) Movie Review
March 30, 2023 09:51 - 33 minutes - 23.1 MBKarl and Tonya sit down to discuss the latest Toy Story movie which find our cast of toy characters on a road trip in an RV where they discover former toy companion Bo Peep, who now leaves as a free unowned toy. A new toy enters the story- Forky, who, of course, gets lost and needs rescued. This installment also introduces several new toy characters which we may see in future movies.
Toy Story 3 (2010) Review
March 23, 2023 15:02 - 27 minutes - 19.8 MBKarl and Tonya return with a review of 2010's Toy Story 3. In this adventure the toy's owner, Andy, goes off to college and a misunderstanding finds his toys not ending up in the attic as they were supposed to but instead- IN THE TRASH! It all works out of course and ultimately the toys end up with a new owner after much adventure. Join us to follow the exploits of Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Hamm, the Potato Heads, Rex, and the whole gang as we review Toy Story 3!
A New Kind of Weird - Stuck in the Desert Podcast
March 22, 2023 15:34 - 43 minutes - 22.1 MBJoin the Desert Rat this week as he cusses and discusses the differences in cultures of the desert dwellers verses the hillbillies and how he is coping. Culture shock is covered and then a verbal tour of his new stomping ground. Support the platform that houses this podcast and Stop Killing Each other!
Toy Story 2 (1999) Movie Review
March 16, 2023 09:44 - 19 minutes - 14 MBKarl and Tonya return for a review of the second Toy Story movie from Pixar / Disney where Woody (Tom Hanks) learns his origin story and meets his fellow toy property friends Jessie and Bullseye. A rescue mission is launched that takes us inside a toy store and a new Buzz Lightyear enters the scene. Another fun Toy Story movie!
Toy Story (1995) Movie Review
March 10, 2023 01:13 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBKarl and Tonya sit down to review one of the all-time classic modern age Pixar / Disney Movies: Toy Story from 1995. We meet Woody and the gang for the first time and get the origin story of Buzz Lightyear. The Toy Story movies are a lot of fun and the first one is really excellent. It's hard to believe that this movie is now 28 years old! We will be reviewing all of the Toy Story movies in the coming weeks so hang on to infinity and beyond!
Rocky Balboa (2006) Movie Review
March 02, 2023 11:13 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBThe final movie of the mainline Rocky movies (after this the Rocky universe transitions to the Creed movies) and this one is probably my favorite. Tonya also loves it. Rocky finally gives his son a speech that essentially sums up the spirit of the all the Rocky movies. Yes, at 60 years of age, Rocky fights again but the result isn't important. This movie wraps up some long time threads and ends the series on an inspirational high note.
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979) Review
February 23, 2023 15:11 - 28 minutes - 18.5 MBOne of my favorite shows as a kid. Gil Gerrard stars as a United States astronaut on a deep space mission, however, a malfunction puts him into suspended animation and he returns to Earth... in the 25th century. But first, he meets some aliens (which people on Earth already know about in the 25th century.) Buck Rogers is a man out of time in a society that is now most ran by... wait for it... computers. Actually, a very fun show. Let's talk about it.
Sunshine Superman: Mark Waid Interview - The Plot
February 20, 2023 13:36 - 44 minutes - 16.6 MBAfter many years, I’m happy to say we have got Mark Waid as a guest. And what better subject to discuss, fresh off his new book Dark Crisis - Big Bang, than the concept of continuity and the multiverse. Why has the idea of multiple worlds become so popular in the last decade or so, when it was something often thought as troublesome years earlier? We discuss how omnipresent it is now, in comics, movies and more. We also talk about the original Crisis in 1985, including Mark editing an issue o...
Rocky 5 (1990) Movie Review
February 15, 2023 16:46 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBTonya says it best, "Wouldn't it great if we could just ignore away parts of our life like they did with the whole Rocky 5 movie?" Yeah, this movie isn't as terrible as I remembered but it isn't great either. Rocky and Adrianne are back in the poor house thanks to some stupid shenanigans Paulie pulled while they were in Russia during Rocky IV. Also, Rocky it seems, got his brains beat out in that movie and they don't work no more, yo. Rocky ignores his son, who has somehow aged five years si...
Rocky 4 (1985) Movie Review
February 08, 2023 15:37 - 22 minutes - 15 MBKarl introduces Tonya to Rocky 4. Is it East verses West or man against man? The Burning Heart of Rocky Balboa goes after the stoic Russian Ivan Drago to avenge Apollo Creed in this mid-1980s pop culture classic which also gave us "Living in America" by James Brown. It also gave us iconic training in the snow scenes, "If he dies, he dies", and not one but TWO hit Survivor songs. Go get 'em Rocky! Ugh, I feel good!
Rocky 3 (1982) Review
February 01, 2023 12:49 - 39 minutes - 26.6 MBOur retro movie review today takes a look back at Rocky III from 1982, one of the most important pop culture movies of the decade. This movie introduces the world to Mr. T as Clubber Lang against Rocky Balbo (Sylvester Stallone) with an appearance by a pre-WWE champion Hulk Hogan. This movie gave us Eye of the Tiger by Survivor, Mr. T, the elements of the Rock and Wrestling movement that would launch the pro wrestling boom of the 1980s, and much more. A great movie with a lot of impact. I pr...
Strange Phenomena - Uphill Both Ways Podcast
January 26, 2023 15:57 - 1 hour - 51.9 MBThe guys are back and trying to ease into a regular schedule again. Mike is (still) on the mend and Joseph is mending the still, and after going in search of a fun topic for this episode they've come up with a banger; Unexplained phenomena! That's right - Bigfoot, aliens, the Bermuda Triangle, and more. Step aside Leonard Nimoy, the UBW Research Team is on the case! But before all of that, there's a little house keeping and catching up to do with some brief talk about recent movies and TV sh...
Rocky 2 (1979) Movie Review
January 25, 2023 17:30 - 30 minutes - 16.8 MBIt's the rematch of the century! World heavyweight champion Apollo Creed seeks to avenge his near defeat to Rocky Balbo. However, Adrian, Rocky's wife, does not want him to fight again fearing the loss of his eyesight and further injury. She's also pregnant with their child. Will Rocky fight Creed? Who will win the rematch? Join Karl as he reviews the fantastic sequel Rocky II (1979)! Getting Strong Now! Fighting Hard Now!
Friday the 13th Part 3 (1982) Movie Review
January 13, 2023 10:57 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBIt's another Friday the 13th so it's time for our When It Was Cool review of the next installment in the series and this time it's in 3D! This installment is terrible. Friday the 13th Part 3 is the worst of the lot so far, saved only because Jason gets his iconic hockey mask in this movie which will follow him through the rest of the series.
Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
January 13, 2023 10:47 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBHappy Friday the 13th! As is now tradition at When It Was Cool we present to you a review of a Friday the 13th movie. This is the second one from 1981 and as far as story line progression goes, the sole survivor from Part 1 dies quickly in part 2 in a storyline that makes no sense. Jason upgrades from barefaced disfigurement to a pillowcase over his head. We fast forward 5 years where he shows up and murders campers, although the movie just forgets two of them and we have no idea what their ...
Friday the 13th (1980) Movie Review
January 13, 2023 10:41 - 26 minutes - 17.6 MBHappy Friday the 13th... I guess. Anyway, this is a great day to review the first of the Friday the 13th slasher movies. Part 1 was released in 1980 and was a straight up slasher movie. Karl and Tonya discuss Jason's mother being the antagonist in this film and the little we get to see of Jason Vorhee's. How these movies changed from being straight up murder/slasher movies to super-natural slasher movies over time and much more. Plus, Kevin Bacon.
Rocky 1 (1976) Movie Review
January 05, 2023 11:29 - 27 minutes - 19.3 MBWe begin our reviews of the classic sports and human spirit triumph Rocky movies by looking back at Rocky (1) (1976) starring Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers. This is one of my favorite movie series. As my wife asked as I was watching this, "Is this a love story or a boxing movie?" It's both and so much more. It is the story of the indomitable human spirit and it won the Best Picture Academy Award for 1976. Let's look back at Rocky (1).
Singing Cowboy Christmas Movies - The Plot Podcast - Episode 10
December 26, 2022 22:31 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBWhat better way to celebrate the holidays than with some singing cowboy Xmas pictures? Roy Rogers takes on crooked Christmas tree harvesters in “Trail of Robin Hood” and Gene Autry fights for better treatment of Natives in “the Cowboy and the Indians.”