The Gen X Movie Club

Join us as we (re)visit this classic 80s World War III saga “Red Dawn.” It’s an action packed film featuring a (very young) all star 80s cast. Most notably, “Red Dawn” dares to explore the possibility of war on the domestic front. What might a foreign invasion on US soil look like? And how might we react? It’s a war film with a conscience but does the message land the same today? Before listening to Episode 6, we encourage you to (re)watch “Red Dawn.” Then tune in to hear our take on this epic war saga. How does this film read in 2025? Is the message the same? Have the antagonists changed over time? Are we still retelling the same narrative today? We’re curious to see if you agree with our take on this classic, star studded 80s war film.

Join us we take a detour to a lesser known 80s film, “Night of the Comet.” In the spirit of October, we revisit this old HBO horror comedy favorite. What happens when a comet decimates the Earth leaving just a handful of survivors to navigate this new reality? This film focuses on two teenage sisters as they encounter zombies, shady scientists, shopping mall bandits, and a trucker. This film is a fun ride that will exceed your low expectations. We encourage you to (re)watch “Night of the Comet” and then listen to this episode as we revisit this low-budget horror comedy. Does this film hold up? Is it worth a rewatch? Do the “bad 80s movie” tropes increase or decrease its charm? We have our opinions. Does it line up with yours?

Join us as we revisit John Hughes’ iconic 80s teen film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Both Mike and Amy saw this film in theaters and fond memories abound when reminiscing about Ferris’s adventures. But does it hold up? Will we find Matthew Broderick’s portrayal of a creative, inventive, and rebellious young mind still charming? How will the relationships between the characters land today? Perhaps we will identify more with the adults in the film? We encourage you to (re)watch “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and then take a listen to hear our take on this iconic 80s John Hughes classic.

Take a listen as we re-examine this classic 80s love triangle between Keith, Amanda, and Watts. The characters stand out in this film for both good and bad reasons. And a major theme once again is class differences, which all play out in one epic date night. The big question we ask is, "Does the film hold up?" This is a tough one. Take a listen and let us know if you agree. Email The Gen X Movie Club at [email protected] or visit our website at cranialgroove.com.

In Episode 2 of The Gen X Movie Club, we re-examine Cameron Crowe’s directorial debut in “Say Anything.” Take a listen as we dive deep into the film’s larger themes of 80s social mobility, conspicuous consumption, and keeping up white middle class appearances in the US. Our analysis emphasizes the uniqueness of James Court as the villain and how the film juxtaposes Lloyd Dobler as the hero, firm in his authenticity and unexpected (yet genuine) interpersonal skills. If you haven't already, we encourage you to (re)watch “Say Anything" to reacquaint yourself with this iconic Gen X classic. Then listen to this podcast to hear our take on the film. Let us know what you think!