A Reel Pain

Happy 4th of July from A Reel Pain, where John brings Matthew into the wonderfully over-the-top world of Independence Day. This week, the crew breaks down the 1996 alien invasion classic starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, and Randy Quaid — a movie packed with exploding landmarks, inspirational president speeches, chaotic character introductions, and one very questionable dolphin engagement ring.Matthew goes in expecting something closer to White House Down and instead gets crop dusters, Area 51, alien exo-suits, and Jeff Goldblum walking with elite-level cigar swagger. The crew talks about what still works, what feels aggressively 90s, whether the wedding scene should have happened while Earth was actively being saved, and why Bill Pullman’s speech still makes everyone feel just a little more patriotic.Is Independence Day a true disaster movie classic, or did nostalgia do some heavy lifting? Either way, this episode is full of alien chaos, generational disagreement, and the kind of patriotic nonsense only A Reel Pain can properly appreciate.

This week on A Reel Pain, John brings one of his millennial-era comfort movies to the table: Tango & Cash. Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell team up as two “best cops in L.A.” who get framed, sent to prison, tortured, break out, clear their names, and somehow end the movie holding hands after a high five.Matthew experiences the full 80s fever dream for the first time, from the cartoony villain with pet rats to the random courtroom drama, the prison escape, the Cleopatra Club detour, and the movie’s very aggressive need to include explosions, one-liners, and questionable choices. The guys debate whether the chemistry between Tango and Cash saves the movie, why the actual plot feels stitched together, and whether there’s a better cut of this film hiding somewhere in the chaos.Was Tango & Cash a misunderstood buddy cop classic, or just half of a good movie trapped inside a very loud one? John and Matthew rate it, argue through it, and try to decide if Stallone in glasses was enough to make the whole thing work.

John brings his millennial pick to the table with Masters of the Universe from 1987, the live-action He-Man movie starring Dolph Lundgren, Courteney Cox, Skeletor, Castle Grayskull, and a whole lot of unexpected Earth-based chaos. Matthew goes in with almost no He-Man knowledge outside of the memes, while John revisits a childhood-adjacent universe that he quickly realizes may not hold up quite the way he remembered. In this episode of A Reel Pain, the crew debates whether Masters of the Universe works as a fun 80s fantasy adventure or if He-Man fans deserved a much better movie. They get into the Star Wars comparisons, the strange choice to spend so much time with Kevin and Julie on Earth, Skeletor’s makeup, Gwildor discourse, the surprisingly hard-hitting “destiny” quote, and why Detective Lubic might secretly be one of the most entertaining parts of the entire film.Is Masters of the Universe an underrated cult classic, a messy toy-commercial epic, or just a movie that needed way more He-Man? Watch as John defends his pick, Matthew tries to make sense of Eternia, and the ratings reveal whether this 1987 fantasy adventure still has the power.Subscribe for more movie debates, generational clashes, and questionable classic picks.#MastersOfTheUniverse #HeMan #AReelPain #MoviePodcast #MillennialVsGenZ #80sMovies #DolphLundgren #Skeletor #CultClassicMovies

Kenyon Murray joins A Reel Pain for a three-generation movie debate as he brings in his pick: Weird Science — the 1985 John Hughes comedy that was a full-blown nostalgic classic for 13-year-old Kenyon, but hits a little differently on a rewatch at 52. With John representing the Millennial perspective, Matthew coming in as Gen Z, and Kenyon bringing the Gen X nostalgia, this episode gets into whether Weird Science is still a chaotic 80s comedy gem or a movie that survives mostly because of the era it came from.The crew breaks down the wild premise, the unforgettable bar scene, Anthony Michael Hall’s comedy, Bill Paxton’s unhinged Chet performance, young Robert Downey Jr., the surprisingly ambitious practical effects, and the many moments that definitely would not fly the same way today. From “don’t ruin the fantasy” to the biker gang, blue kitchens, computer-generated dream women, and some very questionable age-gap scenes, this one becomes a hilarious debate about nostalgia, teenage fantasy, 80s movie logic, and what happens when you watch a childhood favorite with adult eyes.Is Weird Science a true 80s classic, or just a movie that made way more sense when you were 13? Watch the episode and decide where you land.Subscribe for more Millennial vs Gen Z movie debates, first-time reactions, nostalgic rewatch reviews, and special guest picks on A Reel Pain.#WeirdScience #AReelPain #JohnHughes #80sMovies #MoviePodcast #MillennialVsGenZ #GenXMovies #KenyonMurray #MovieReview #ClassicMovies

Is Mortal Kombat actually a legit cult classic… or just a nostalgia-fueled fever dream? In this episode of A Reel Pain, John (Millennial) revisits a childhood favorite, while Matthew (Gen Z) steps into the tournament with fresh eyes—and zero attachment. What follows is a chaotic, hilarious breakdown of one of the most iconic video game adaptations ever made.From the instantly recognizable theme song to the over-the-top fight scenes, the guys dive into what still works, what absolutely doesn’t, and whether this movie earns its legacy or just survives on vibes. They unpack the strange storytelling choices, questionable CGI (looking at you, Reptile), surprisingly solid practical effects, and the undeniable camp factor that somehow makes it all… work. Along the way, they debate if this is a “so bad it’s good” situation or if there’s actually something more here beneath the surface.By the end, the ratings might surprise you—and raise the bigger question: are we judging this movie fairly, or are we all just victims of the Mortal Kombat theme song hypnosis?🎧 Watch, then decide for yourself… is this a flawless victory or a total fatality?

In this episode of A Reel Pain, John brings one of his all-time favorites to the table: Liar Liar—the 1997 comedy starring Jim Carrey at the height of his powers. What follows is a generational clash over one big question: does this iconic comedy still hit today, or is it carried by nostalgia?Matthew goes in completely blind, never having even heard of the movie before—while John remembers theaters full of people laughing uncontrollably. As they break down the film, they dive into Jim Carrey’s over-the-top performance, the surprisingly emotional father-son story, and whether this brand of comedy still works for a Gen Z audience.From unforgettable scenes like the courtroom chaos and bathroom meltdown to the deeper themes of honesty, fatherhood, and personal growth, the conversation goes beyond just laughs. They also debate whether this was peak Jim Carrey, how the movie compares to his other classics, and if comedy like this could even be made today.By the end, both hosts find themselves asking the same question: is Liar Liar just a funny ‘90s movie… or is it actually a timeless classic?🎬 Watch the full episode and decide for yourself.If you enjoy the episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications—we’re dropping new episodes every week.#LiarLiar #JimCarrey #MovieReview #MillennialVsGenZ #90sMovies #ComedyMovies #FilmPodcast #MovieDebate #ClassicOrNot #AReelPain

A Millennial favorite steps into the ring as John defends True Lies, a high-octane action-comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis—but does it actually hold up, or is it coasting on nostalgia?In this episode of A Reel Pain, John brings one of his all-time favorites to the table, while Gen Z co-host Matthew experiences the chaos for the first time. What starts as an explosive, confident spy thriller quickly turns into something… very different. From unforgettable action sequences and iconic one-liners to a wildly controversial middle act that completely divides the room, this episode captures the full spectrum of what makes True Lies both beloved and baffling.As the debate unfolds, the guys dig into whether this movie knows what it wants to be, how its tone shifts impact the experience, and if nostalgia is doing some heavy lifting for Millennial audiences. Does the action outweigh the awkward? Does the comedy still land? And most importantly—does True Lies earn its “classic” status, or is it a relic of its time?Watch now, pick a side, and let us know: is True Lies a certified classic… or a movie that just doesn’t age as well as we remember? 🎬

What happens when a legendary Western isn’t what you remember it to be? In this episode of A Reel Pain, the generational debate takes a new turn as the crew is joined by special guest Phil O’Brien—bringing a Gen X perspective into the mix—to revisit Unforgiven, the Clint Eastwood classic that helped redefine the Western genre.From the jump, this conversation digs into more than just nostalgia. Phil shares what it was like seeing Unforgiven in theaters back in the early ’90s, while the Millennial and Gen Z perspectives challenge whether the film still holds up in today’s cinematic landscape. As the discussion unfolds, the group wrestles with the film’s moral ambiguity, its rejection of traditional “hero vs villain” storytelling, and the haunting reality behind violence that the movie refuses to glamorize.But this isn’t just a film breakdown—it’s a full-on evolution of opinion. Scores shift, perspectives change, and what starts as a straightforward review turns into a deeper conversation about legacy, storytelling, and what makes a movie truly timeless. By the end, the question isn’t just whether Unforgiven is good—it’s whether we ever understood it correctly in the first place.🎧 Watch, listen, and decide for yourself—then join the debate.#AReelPain #Unforgiven #ClintEastwood #MovieReview #FilmPodcast #WesternMovies #MovieDebate #FilmAnalysis #PodcastClips #MovieFans

In this episode of A Reel Pain, the Millennial makes his case for one of the most quoted, dorm-room-DVD, late-’90s cult classics of all time: The Boondock Saints. A movie built on vigilante justice, Irish Catholic swagger, and pure “there was a firefight!” energy — but does it actually hold up in 2026?John revisits a film he once considered untouchable. The black coats. The slow-motion gunfights. The brotherly bond. The courtroom monologue. For a certain generation, this movie wasn’t just entertainment — it was identity. But when Gen Z watches it through a modern lens, the flaws start to surface fast.The conversation quickly shifts from nostalgia to morality. Is this a bold anti-hero story… or a revenge fantasy dressed up as divine purpose? Does the message collapse under scrutiny? And does the ending justify everything that came before it?One thing everyone agrees on: Willem Dafoe absolutely steals the movie. But is one legendary performance enough to carry the rest?Final scores reveal a generational gap that might be wider than expected — and the debate gets real.Is The Boondock Saints a misunderstood cult classic… or proof that some movies are better left in your high school memory?🎧 Subscribe and join the generational movie debate every week on A Reel Pain.

A millennial picks a ’90s action juggernaut—and a Gen Z host puts it on trial.In this episode of A Reel Pain, John selects The Rock, the 1996 Michael Bay action thriller starring Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, and Ed Harris. What follows is a generational debate over whether The Rock still holds up—or if nostalgia is doing most of the heavy lifting.John revisits the film as a longtime fan, praising its practical effects, iconic performances, and peak-era action filmmaking. Matthew watches with a modern lens, questioning the runtime, character choices, and late-film pacing that feel very “of their time.”The conversation dives into:Sean Connery’s scene-stealing performance and Bond-theory rumorsNicolas Cage’s unconventional action-hero arcMichael Bay’s early directing style and hyper-kinetic editingWhether the film’s final act earns its extended runtimeBy the end, final scores are revealed—and the generational gap is on full display.🎥 New episodes every week.👍 Like, subscribe, and tell us in the comments: Is The Rock a timeless action classic—or a nostalgia trap?

A millennial picks Ten Things I Hate About You (1999) — and a Gen Z co-host watches it with fresh eyes.In this Valentine’s Day episode of A Reel Pain, John and Matthew revisit one of the most iconic teen rom-coms of the late ’90s to answer the ultimate question: does this movie still hold up, or is it riding purely on nostalgia? From Heath Ledger’s legendary musical moment to the poetry scene that defined a generation, the hosts break down what still works, what feels dated, and why this film continues to spark debate across generations.They dive into the soundtrack, the performances, the humor, and the emotional beats — plus whether this might actually be one of the most timeless rom-coms ever made. Scores are revealed, minds are challenged, and nostalgia is put on trial.If you love classic movies, modern takes, or watching generations clash over pop culture, this episode is for you.🎧 New episodes weekly — like, subscribe, and join the debate.

A millennial and a Gen Zer clash over whether Lethal Weapon still deserves its “classic” status.In this episode of A Reel Pain, John brings one of his most nostalgic picks to the table, while Matthew watches Lethal Weapon for the very first time — completely blind. What starts as a confident defense of an 80s action staple quickly turns into a much messier conversation about aging movies, character arcs that don’t quite land, and moments that feel increasingly uncomfortable through a modern lens.As the discussion unfolds, nostalgia gets challenged, plot holes pile up, and the infamous final act sparks genuine frustration. By the end of the episode, ratings shift in real time, and no one walks away with quite the score they expected.Final Ratings:🎬 John (Millennial): 7.5 / 10🎬 Matthew (Gen Z): 5.25 / 10Is Lethal Weapon still lethal… or has time finally caught up with it?💬 Drop your rating in the comments🎥 Subscribe for more millennial vs Gen Z movie debates

A millennial and a Gen-Z movie fan clash over James Cameron’s The Terminator (1984) — and not everyone makes it out alive.In the debut episode of A Reel Pain, John (millennial) introduces Matthew (Gen-Z) to one of the most iconic sci-fi action films ever made. Together they break down whether the movie still holds up in 2026 — from Arnold’s robotic acting and time-travel plot twists to claymation endoskeletons, questionable prosthetics, and the legendary “I’ll be back” scene.Does Gen-Z think The Terminator is a masterpiece… or just mid?🎬 What We Talk About in This Episode:• Movie nostalgia vs first-time reactions• 80s sci-fi vs modern filmmaking expectations• Practical effects, stop-motion, and VFX aging• Time-travel plot logic & Easter eggs• Iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger moments• Kyle Reese thirst, police shootouts & questionable love scenes• Original ratings vs post-debate ratings⭐ Final ScoresJohn (Millennial): 7.5/10Matthew (Gen-Z): 6/10🔔 Watch NextEpisode 2 → The Hobbit (2012) + showdown continues🎧 Follow A Reel PainPodcast feeds coming soon — subscribe for weekly episodes!#TheTerminator #MovieReview #MoviePodcast #GenZvsMillennial #ArnoldSchwarzenegger #JamesCameron #SciFiMovies #FilmDiscussion #FirstTimeWatching #PodcastClips #MovieDebate #NostalgiaFilms #AReelPain