Once, When I Was Cool

In this episode of Once, When I Was Cool, we revisit the 1988 romantic drama Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown, Elisabeth Shue and Kelly Lynch.

We explore how this stylish '80s hit mixed ambition, romance and flair behind the bar to become one of the decade's most memorable films. From its chart-topping soundtrack and dazzling bartending sequences to its themes of success, friendship and finding what really matters, we discuss what made Cocktail such a cultural phenomenon—and whether it still holds up today.

Join us as we revisit the memorable moments, share behind-the-scenes trivia, discuss the performances, and decide whether Cocktail remains a timeless '80s favourite or is simply a product of its era.

Thanks for listening to Once, When I Was Cool. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave us a rating or review, and share the podcast with your fellow lovers of classic '80s movies. We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for future episodes—get in touch at oncewheniwascool@gmail.com

In this episode of Once, When I Was Cool, we revisit the 1985 Brat Pack drama St. Elmo's Fire, starring Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Mare Winningham.

We explore why this coming-of-age classic became one of the defining films of the 1980s, following a group of recent college graduates as they navigate careers, relationships and the often messy transition into adulthood. We discuss its memorable characters, iconic soundtrack, unforgettable moments, and whether the film's portrayal of friendship and growing up still resonates with audiences today.

Join us as we revisit the highs, the lows, share behind-the-scenes trivia, and decide whether St. Elmo's Fire deserves its place as an enduring '80s favourite.

Thanks for listening to Once, When I Was Cool. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave us a rating or review, and share the podcast with your fellow lovers of classic '80s movies. We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for future episodes—get in touch at oncewheniwascool@gmail.com

In this episode of Once, When I Was Cool, we revisit the 1983 comedy classic Trading Places, starring Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ralph Bellamy & Don Ameche.

We take a look at what makes this John Landis-directed film one of the defining comedies of the 1980s, from its razor-sharp social satire and unforgettable performances to its endlessly quotable moments. Along the way we discuss whether its themes of wealth, privilege and opportunity are just as relevant today as they were more than forty years ago.

Join us as we unpack the laughs, revisit some iconic scenes, share behind-the-scenes trivia, and decide whether Trading Places has truly stood the test of time.

Thanks for listening to Once, When I Was Cool. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave us a rating or review, and share the podcast with your fellow lovers of classic '80s movies. We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for future episodes—get in touch at oncewheniwascool@gmail.com

This week on Once, When I Was Cool, Dave and Stacey take a trip back to Shermer High School to revisit one of the defining films of the 1980s: The Breakfast Club. With Wee away for this episode, the duo dives into a movie that has become synonymous with teenage angst, unlikely friendships, and the universal struggle to find where you fit in.

Written and directed by John Hughes, The Breakfast Club brings together five students from completely different social circles for a Saturday detention that none of them wants to attend. Over the course of a single day, "the brain," "the athlete," "the basket case," "the princess," and "the criminal" discover that they have far more in common than any of them could have imagined.

Featuring unforgettable performances from Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, and Ally Sheedy, the film became a cultural touchstone for a generation and remains one of the most quoted and beloved teen movies ever made.

Join Dave and Stacey as they discuss why such a simple premise continues to resonate more than forty years later. They'll explore the themes of identity, peer pressure, family expectations, and social labels, while revisiting some of the film's funniest, most heartfelt, and most memorable moments.

They'll also examine whether the movie's message still connects with modern audiences, how high school culture has changed since the 1980s, and whether The Breakfast Club deserves its reputation as the ultimate coming-of-age film.

So grab your detention slip, head to the library, and settle in for a discussion about one of the most influential teen movies ever made.

This week on Once, When I Was Cool, we're lacing up our dancing shoes and heading back to 1984 for a look at one of the most iconic films of the decade: Footloose.

Part coming-of-age story, part musical celebration, and part rebellion against the establishment, Footloose captured the spirit of a generation with its infectious soundtrack, energetic dance sequences, and a message about freedom, self-expression, and the power of youth. More than forty years later, it's still impossible to hear its title track without wanting to get up and move.

Starring Kevin Bacon as Ren McCormack, a Chicago teenager who finds himself transplanted to a small town where dancing and rock music have been outlawed, the film pits youthful passion against tradition and fear. Along the way, Ren challenges the town's beliefs, clashes with authority, and inspires a community to rediscover joy.

Join us as we revisit the movie that transformed Kevin Bacon into a household name and became a defining piece of 1980s pop culture. We'll explore the film's memorable characters, its surprisingly emotional themes, and the soundtrack that produced a string of hit songs that still fill dance floors today.

We'll also discuss whether Footloose is remembered more for its music than its story, how it reflects the cultural tensions of the era, and why audiences continue to connect with its message decades later.

So dust off the cassette tapes, crank up the volume, and prepare for a night of dancing that would make the town council nervous. It's time to find out whether Footloose still has the rhythm to get modern audiences on their feet.

This week on Once, When I Was Cool, we're heading back to the wonderfully weird world of 1984 to revisit a film that forever changed the meaning of holiday cheer. Cute, cuddly, mischievous, and downright terrifying, Gremlins remains one of the most unique movies of the decade—a genre-bending blend of comedy, horror, creature feature, and Christmas chaos.

Directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg, Gremlins introduced audiences to Gizmo, the adorable Mogwai whose simple care instructions somehow prove impossible for humans to follow. What begins as a heartwarming gift quickly spirals into a night of mayhem as an army of destructive gremlins turns the quiet town of Kingston Falls into a playground of anarchy.

Join us as we revisit the film's unforgettable practical effects, its dark sense of humour, and the surprising moments that pushed the boundaries of what audiences expected from a family movie. We'll explore how Gremlins helped inspire the creation of the PG-13 rating, examine the incredible creature work that still holds up today, and discuss why the film remains a holiday favourite more than forty years later.

We'll also dive into the movie's darker themes, its satirical take on small-town America, and the strange balancing act that somehow makes it both a Christmas classic and a horror movie.

So lock up the kitchen, keep an eye on the microwave, and whatever you do, don't feed them after midnight. It's time to find out whether Gremlins is still a holiday classic or just a nostalgic creature feature from a bygone era.

This week on Once, When I Was Cool, we're taking a trip back to 1988 to revisit the unlikely buddy comedy that asked one very important question: What if the world's most genetically perfect human was somehow the twin brother of a wisecracking hustler from Los Angeles?

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito, Twins was one of the decade's biggest surprises. At a time when Schwarzenegger was known almost exclusively for action blockbusters, the film showcased a completely different side of the future action icon, pairing his innocent and sheltered Julius with DeVito's street-smart Vincent in a comedy built on charm, chemistry, and plenty of fish-out-of-water moments.

Join us as we explore how the film came together, why Hollywood thought the casting was crazy, and how it ended up becoming a box-office smash. We'll discuss director Ivan Reitman's gamble on an unconventional comedy, the performances that made audiences fall in love with the mismatched brothers, and the surprising influence Twins had on the buddy-comedy genre that followed.

We'll also look at what holds up nearly four decades later, what feels firmly rooted in the late '80s, and whether the movie's blend of heart, slapstick, and family drama still works for modern audiences.

So grab your leather jacket, hop into a stolen Cadillac, and come along as we revisit one of the most unexpected comedy pairings in movie history. Is Twins still a genetic masterpiece, or should it have stayed in the laboratory? Tune in and find out.

For this episode, Dave and Wee descend into the rain-soaked neon world of Blade Runner - Ridley Scott's sci-fi masterpiece which blurred the line between human and machine forever.

From Harrison Ford's weary Deckard to Rutger Hauer's unforgettable Roy Batty, the boys unpack the film's stunning visuals, philosophical themes, synth-heavy atmosphere, and the endless debate over what it means to be human.

Expect deep dives, retro-future nostalgia, questionable detective work, and more than a few tears in rain.

Thanks for listening...

oncewascoolpodcast@gmail.com 

In this episode, Dave and Wee dive head-first chaos of The Princess Bride - the cult classic that somehow blends fantasy, romance, sword fights, revenge, rodents of unusual size and endlessly quotable dialogue into one perfect adventure.

From Westley and Buttercup to Inigo Montoya's legendary quest for vengeance, the boys revisit why this beloved film still manages to charm audience decades later.

Expect laughs, nostalgia, terrible accents, and at least one disagreement about whether this is secretly the greatest comedy of the 80's.

Thanks for listening...

oncewascoolpodcast@gmail.com 

On this episode of Once, When I was Cool, we stumble head first into the Cold War chaos with Spies Like Us.

Join us as we revisit Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd's bumbling journey from clueless recruits to accidental heroes - packed with absurd comedy, quotable moments, and that perfectly offbeat 80s charm.

Thanks for listening.

oncewascoolpodcast@gmail.com