Retro Ramble

How do you follow up a blockbuster like Top Gun? Simple, you get the same people involved and remake it, swapping out jets for race cars. What could go wrong? Turns out quite a bit.   Yes, that's right it's a Retro Ramble on 1990's summer blockbuster Days Of Thunder, reuniting star Tom Cruise, director Tony Scott and uber-producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer.    For such an event, Charlie and George are joined by a returning guest, broadcaster, good friend and fellow Tom Cruise fan, Andy Hughes.    

In this episode, Charlie and George are tackling another Christmas classic, this time slightly more modern than previous festive outings, they're talking about Elf! From the films challenging production with an untested star and director in Will Ferrell and Jon Faverau, a limited budget, legal issues and some nostalgic stop motion. As per usual, there's alternative casting in Coulda Woulda Shoulda, some bad impressions as well as abandoned sequel ideas in Suspicious Spin Offs! Enjoy, and please share!   Retro Ramble (2025) Note: All content copyright or otherwise is protected by the Creative Commons Act.

In this episode, Charlie & George are hitting the streets of LA to revisit cult comedy TV show adaptation, Dragnet! They delve into the production of one of 1987's biggest hits, very much a passion project for writer and star Dan Ackroyd, co-starring a then-up-and-coming actor called Tom Hanks and directed by Bond alumni, Tom Mankiewicz. There's also chat around the legacy of Dragnet, some alternative casting, and the bizarre craze of a tie-in rap song - so a whole lot more than just the facts, maam!   COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL USED IN LINE WITH CREATIVE COMMONS ACT

It's time for another Halloween special! Charlie and George are heading to the dark side of Neptune in search of the Event Horizon!   They will delve into Paul W.S. Anderson's cult classic sci-fi horror film, exploring its production, the tight schedule involved, and some haunting deleted scenes.   They won't be alone on this adventure in terror, as they are excited to welcome special guest Chris Lackey from the "Strange Studies of Strange Stories" podcast!   Horror fans can learn more at https://www.strangestudies.com/about.   Enjoy, rate and please share. Happy Halloween!

In this episode, Charlie and George are rambling about retro 90s hit, Leon aka Leon: The Professional. Considering this was a film the boys have watched over the years again and again, gaining access to the fully uncut international version of the film has left them as traumatised as character Mathilda's neighbours! From scenes that should have probably remained on the cutting room floor, to the mesmerising Gary Oldman to answering the age-old question of is someone ever too old to get married. The usual bad impressions and coulda-woulda-shouldas ensue, we don't know why it took us so long to cover this on Retro Ramble but we sure are glad we did. Enjoy, review and please share!

It's down, down to wire, as Charlie and George are back in Bond territory, tackling 1987's The Living Daylights!  They discuss the debut of (the very underrated) Timothy Dalton and taking Bond back to his gritty roots. There are the typical Bond tropes to cover, including memorable action sequences, dastardly henchmen, and a synth-heavy John Barry score, amongst a very convoluted plot!  So set your hopes up way too high - the living's in the way we diiiiiiiie!

In this episode, Charlie and George travel to Mexico for some stylish and sexy nineties gun play, it must mean Desperado! They delve into the films origins, as well as the career of writer/director/editor/sometimes musician Robert Rodriguez. To get there, they need to discuss his ground breaking debut, El Mariachi and the third installment of the trilogy, Once Upon A Time in Mexico. Expect bad impressions, sweaty chemistry (Banderas- Hayek, less so McGhee Brothers) and film trivia! 

Get ready for a deep dive into the classic film that redefined the summer blockbuster -  Jaws! Charlie and George celebrate the movie's 50th anniversary, reminiscing about its enduring impact whilst exploring its challenging production, iconic moments, characters and lasting legacy, from the problematic mechanical shark "Bruce" to John Williams' unforgettable score. Join them for a light-hearted yet insightful look back at a film that became a shared experience for a generation, making us all afraid to go into the water!

In this episode, Charlie and George revisit Danny Boyle's intense 2002 horror classic, 28 Days Later!  They discuss everything from the iconic desolate London setting, production tricks,  the breakout performances from Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris, the atmospheric score, and its role in shaping modern zombie horror.    Join us for a spoiler-filled discussion as we explore this groundbreaking post-apocalyptic thriller and its lasting legacy.     #28DaysLater #DannyBoyle #CillianMurphy #ZombieMovie #HorrorPodcast #Alexgarland #RetroFilmReview  

In this episode, once again its time to pay tribute to another legend. Following the recent passing of Val Kilmer, George and Charlie take a moment to look back on their favourite films of an actor taken too soon. We will be covering Kilmer's uncanny performance as Jim Morrison in The Doors in our next patreon episode. Retro Ramble 2025

In this episode, to honour the late, great Gene Hackman, Charlie and George are taking a deep dive on Crimson Tide! There's a lot to discuss, it's a Tony Scott film (so expect slick, sweaty visuals), two of the greatest actors squaring off in a confined space and a booming Hans Zimmer soundtrack, paving the formula for future Simpson/Bruckheimer productions. As usual, there's some juicy behind-the-scenes insight and some interesting alternative casting in Coulda Woulda Shoulda.

A short special episode remembering the acting legend Gene Hackman, who we sadly lost a few weeks ago. Charlie and George discuss a variety of their favourite performances, from French Connection, Superman, Get Shorty, Royal Tenenbaums and The Conversation. Their next podcast episode will be a deep dive (pun intended) on Crimson Tide! Please like, review and share with like minded retro fans!   Disclaimer: ALL COPYRIGHT USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CREATIVE COMMONS ACT.  

In this month's episode, Charlie and George are off to Oregon, to see if Number 5 really is alive.... That's right, they're revisiting 80's cult classic Short Circuit! All the usual topics are covered, from preproduction challenges, suspicious spin offs to controversial casting (and that's not just Steve Guttenberg)!   Does Short Circuit still hold up? Where does it rank with other family favourites?  Listen to find out! Please like, review and share with like minded retro fans!   Disclaimer: ALL COPYRIGHT USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CREATIVE COMMONS ACT.    

In this episode, it's Annual Arnie time, with Charlie and George delving into one of Schwarzenegger's biggest misfires - Last Action Hero! How can a film with the world's biggest star, a huge budget, a great concept, a successful director and the most expensive writers in Hollywood possibly fail?!   Was it ahead of its time? Is it underrated? Tune in to find out!    

To kick off 2025, Charlie & George are looking back on what they watched in 2024!   The brothers discuss what they loved, were mildly entertained by and what they felt were the turkeys of the year!     Films include Dune 2, Gladiator 2, Alien Romulus, The Fall Guy, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and plenty of other nostalgia-bait!   TV highlights include; Terminator Zero, Blue Eyed Samurai, The Gentleman and Shrinking   For more in-depth reviews of Alien Romulus   Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Roadhouse and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (plus much more!) - please check out our Patreon channel:   www.patreon.com/retroramble  

It's that wonderful time of year again—Christmas! And what better way to celebrate than with a festive favourite film? This time, we're diving into a sequel to one of the biggest movies of the '80s: 1992's Batman Returns!  Charlie and George take a deep dive into the superhero sequel where everything is ramped up - the villains, production design, classic Tim Burton weirdness and well, horniness. They discuss everything from production background, casting decisions, sequel spin-offs and probably too much time sharing their love for Christopher Walken's intense villain, Max Shreck! Santa Claus? 'fraid not, we're just some podcast who got lucky, and sue us, if we wanna give something back!

Charlie and George uncover a gateway to the other side of the universe, whisking themselves back to 1994 to revisit Stargate!   The film that launched a host of TV spin-offs, comics and games, the boys delve into its origins, casting and post-production struggles. Plus there's lots of chat about Kurt Russell's hair.   Enjoy and please share!        

It's another Halloween special and Charlie and George are talking all about Jason Voorhees in the tenth installment of the Friday The 13th series, Jason X! Also know as Jason in Space, or even Spason to some fans, it's a bonkers take on the horror icon that was a big success on good old DVD! One question, why is everyone dressed like they're off to a nightclub?! Enjoy, and please share! Retro Ramble 2024   For more episodes like this visit - www.retroramble.blog  

In this month's episode, Charlie and George are back in 'Nam, to tackle the gloriously OTT sequel, Rambo: First Blood Part 2! They discuss early script ideas, alternative casting and the giant genre leap from the first movie! Don't forget, to survive war, you gotta become war!

In this episode, Charlie and George are back in Bond territory, as they celebrate 60 years of Goldfinger!  Tackling the third film in the series, this classic Connery caper established a lot of the Bond formula we know and love.    The brothers discuss behind the scenes trivia, casting, a brassy John Barry score and some of the most iconic moments in the Bond franchise!   Do you expect us to talk? No, expect us to Ramble!