PODCAST · tv
THE BIG 4-0
by Ron David
This is a podcast called THE BIG 4-0 with Ron and Peter. Every week we take a look at a seminal - or maybe not so seminal - movie that came out this week, 40 years ago. Some we love, some we hate, some we've never seen before, some we haven't seen in over 30 years, and some we wish we'd never seen. We discuss the film, its critical and commercial reception, and how that (and our) perception has perhaps shifted over the years. We also touch on any noteworthy current films and movie news in each episode. So, breakout the birthday cake (and a few beers) and join us for THE BIG 4-0!
Episodes
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THE COLOR OF MONEY / PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED / JUMPIN' JACK FLASH
This week we celebrate THE BIG 4-0's of three 1986 films from big-name directors with big-name stars: Martin Scorsese's THE COLOR OF MONEY, staring Tom Cruise and Paul Newman in an Oscar-winning role. Kathleen Turner and Nicolas Cage in Francis Ford Coppola's time-travel dramady, PEGGY SUE GOT...
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DEADLY FRIEND / TOUGH GUYS / CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD
This week on THE BIG 4-0, we have an Oscar-winner (CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD), the return of a legendary Hollywood duo (TOUGH GUYS), and a film disowned by it's director (DEADLY FRIEND). Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe'; and we'll be back next week to wish JUMPON' JACK FLASH, PEGGY…
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CROCODILE DUNDEE / BLUE VELVET / TOUCH & GO
This week, Ron and Peter wish a very Happy BIG 4-0 to David Lynch's BLUE VELVET, a very belated BIG 4-0 to Michael Keaton in TOUCH & GO, and an early Happy BIG 4-0 to a true cultural phenomenon: Pau Hogan in CROCODILE DUNDEE. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and we'll be back next…
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NIGHT OF THE CREEPS / AVENGING FORCE / BORN AMERICAN
This week, our BIG 4-0 Birthday Boy is Michael Dudikoff standing in for Chuck Norris in the would-be sequel to INVASION USA, AVENGING FORCE. We also wish a happy belated BIG 4-0 to NIGHT OF THE CREEPS and action director Renny Harlin's debut film, the controversial BORN AMERICAN. Please Remember…
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BONUS: DEATH WISH 2 / CAT PEOPLE (OUR NEVER-BEFORE-HEARD, FIRST EPISODE WE EVER RECORDED!)
Happy Labor Day, BIG 4-0 Heads! To celebrate four years (!) of recording this podcast, Peter and Ron thought it would be fun to post our never-before-heard very first attempt at doing this show. We recorded a handful of episodes before posting our premiere in December of 2022. Some of them were...
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STAND BY ME / THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 / REFORM SCHOOL GIRLS
Happy BIG 4-0 to a true seminal classic (Rob Reiner/Stephen King's STAND BY ME), a true cult classic (Tobe Hooper's THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2), and a truly forgotten bit of "women-in-cages" exploitation cinema (REFORM SCHOOL GIRLS). Ron also touches on MULTIPLICITY (1996) and 2 GUNS (2012)....
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FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR / THE FLY / MANHUNTER / ARMED & DANGEROUS
THE BIG 4-0 is back after a two-week break to celebrate the belated 40th birthdays of Disney's FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR, David Cronenberg's THE FLY, Michael Mann's MANHUNTER, and John Candy's ARMED & DANGEROUS. We also look at handful of other, more recent films: THE END OF OAK STREET (2026), THE...
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ONE CRAZY SUMMER / SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT / NOTHING IN COMMON / BONUS: MEN AT WORK (1990)
We have a two-week break coming up, so this week we have a jam-packed episode celebrating three BIG 4-0's and a BONUS: 1990's MEN AT WORK. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and we'll be back in two weeks with another big episode, as we wish a very Happy BIG 4-0 to three more summer…
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HOWARD THE DUCK / JASON LIVES: FRIDAY THE 13th PART VI / BONUS: THE ODYSSEY (2026)
Who is the bigger birthday badass: The wise-crackin, Lea Thompson-laying duck, or a more comical yet firmly zombified Jason Voorhees? Find out as we celebrate 40 trips around the sun for HOWARD THE DUCK and FRIDAY THE 13TH VI. We also both saw Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY, so we discuss if…
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MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE / HEARTBURN
This week wish a Happy BIG 4-0 to Stephen King's lone directorial effort, MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE, and Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep in the dysfunctional marriage drama HEARTBURN. We calso touch on several other films including: THEY WILL KILL YOU (2026), NORMAL (2026), DANGEROUS ANIMALS (2025),...
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ALIENS / VAMP
ALIENS or VAMPires? Who will win the BIG 4-0 birthday showdown???
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ABOUT LAST NIGHT / UNDER THE CHERRY MOON
This week, Peter's mom joins us via recording to give her perspective on ABOUT LAST NIGHT, as it celebrates its BIG 4-0. We also debate whether UNDER THE CHERRY MOON deserves to be remembered as the disaster its reputation suggests. And it's the return of Steve's Thoughts. Please remember to…
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PSYCHO III / BONUS: PSYCHO (1960) / PSYCHO II (1983)
This week we celebrate PSYCHO III's BIG 4-0 and we also take a look back at the first two films in the series, including the landmark original, which turns 66 this year! Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe - and have a happy 4th! We'll be back next week to blow out 40 BIG ones for ABOUT...
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BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA / RUNNING SCARED
Apologies for Ron's audio on this episode. He didn't realize until after recording he accidentally had two microphone covers on his mic, so he sounds a little distant. Not that we'd let that stop us from celebrating this week's 1986 birthday boys BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA and RUNNING SCARED....
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RUTHLESS PEOPLE / LABYRINTH
This week we celebrate the BIG 4-0's of Danny DeVito, Bette Midler and an all-star supporting cast in the ZAZ team's last film as a directing unit, RUTHLESS PEOPLE, and David Bowie and a young Jennifer Connelly in Jim Henson's LABYRINTH. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and we'll be...
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THE KARATE KID PART II / LEGAL EAGLES
THE KARATE KID PART II an LEGAL EAGLES celebrate their BIG 4-0's this week. Rate, Like, and Subscribe. Next Week: RUTHLESS PEOPLE and LABYRINTH.
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BONUS: THE PUNISHER FILMS
This week on THE BIG 4-0, Ron and Peter take a special look at all three theatrical PUNISHER films, as well as the Netflix series and the 2012 short DIRTY LAUNDRY. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and we'll be back in 1986 next week to wish a Happy BIG 4-0 to THE KARATAE KID PART II...
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FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF / BACK TO SCHOOL
Hello, BIG 4-0 Heads! We hope you are all rested and recovered from the long, holiday weekend. This week, it is the 40th anniversary of FERRIS BUELLER and his infamous DAY OFF, and Rodney Dangerfield doing the opposite and heading BACK TO SCHOOL. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and...
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RAW DEAL / INVADERS FROM MARS
Y'all know the drill... Happy BIG 4-0 to Schwarzenegger in one of his (deserved?) lesser-known vehicles RAW DEAL, and Tobe Hooper's equally (deserved?) memory-holed INVADERS FROM MARS.
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COBRA / POLTERGEIST II / LEGEND
Happy Mother's Day to all our mom listeners out there. Also celebrating the day with you are the BIG 4-0's of COBRA and POLTERGEIST II, and we wish a happy belated 40th to LEGEND. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and we'll be back next week with RAW DEAL and INVADERS FROM MARS.
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TOP GUN / SHORT CURCUIT
This week on THE BIG 4-0 we are officially kicking off the summer movie season of 1986 and wishing a happy 40th birthday's to two seminal 1980s hits: TOP GUN and SHORT CIRCUIT. We also briefly discuss the SUPER MARIO BROTHERS sequel and MICHAEL. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and...
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WISE GUYS / 8 MILLION WAYS TO DIE / BLUE CITY / CRIMEWAVE
THE BIG 4-0 is back after an unexpected week off with FOUR movies - that all strangely have quite a bit in common - celebrating their 4oth birthdays. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and we'll be back next week (promise!) to celebrate as TOP GUN and SHORT CIRCUIT both turn THE BIG 4-0!
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BONUS: COP LAND (1997) / SPACE COWBOYS (2000)
We're back from a holiday break with a bonus episode; one film of Peter's choosing (COP LAND) and one of Ron's (SPACE COWBOYS). Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and we'll be back in 1986 next week, wishing a happy BIG 4-0 to WISE GUYS and 8 MILLION WAYS TO DIE.
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THE MONEY PIT / MURPHY'S LAW / AT CLOSE RANGE (RIP CHUCK NORRIS)
Happy BIG 4-0 to three memorable '80s titles, all from different genres - and all of vastly varying degrees of quality, and we bid adieu to an '80s icon and BIG 4-0 all-star Chuck Norris. We have a week off coming up, but we'll be back in a fortnight to wish WISE GUYS and 8 MILLION WAYS TO DIE a...
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THE TOXIC AVENGER / APRIL FOOL'S DAY / CRITTERS
Three 1986 cult hits in one episode?! It must be THE BIG 4-0. We wish a happy 40th birthday to THE TOXIC AVENGER, APRIL FOOL'S DAY, and CRITTERS. We also talk THE OSCARS. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and we'll be back next week with another 40th Bday trifecta: THE MONEY PIT, AT...
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POLICE ACADEMY 3 / GUNG HO
Happy BIG 4-0 to yet another POLICE ACADEMY sequel and Michael Keaton in Ron Howard's culture clash comedy GUNG HO. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and we'll be back next week to celebrate the BIG 4-0 of THREE 1986 cult hits: APRIL FOOL'S DAY, CRITTERS, and THE TOXIC AVENGER.
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HIGHLANDER / A ROOM WITH A VIEW
This week Ron and Peter wish a Happy BIG 4-0 to Merchant-Ivory's A ROOM WITH A VIEW, featuring a young Julian Sands, Daniel Day Lewis, and in her film debut, Helena Bonham Carter; and Christopher Lambert and Egyptian pirate with a Scottish accent Sean Connery in HIGHLANDER. Please remember to…
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PRETTY IN PINK / HOUSE
We're back after a week off and Ron's - sorry ladies - engaged! This week, it's PINK HOUSEs on THE BIG 4-0. John Hughes' s Rat Pack continues to wreak havoc on '80s pop culture with PRETTY IN PINK, while the producer and the director of FRIDAY THE 13th team up again and create a new - if…
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THE HITCHER / 9 1/2 WEEKS
We're off next week so please enjoy this Happy BIG 4-0 to THE HITCHER and 9 1/2 WEEKS, and we'll be back in two weeks to do the same for PRETTY IN PINK and HOUSE.
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WILDCATS / THE DELTA FORCE
This week we wish a Happy BIG 4-0 to Goldie Hawn in WILDCATS and CHUCK NORRIS - back again! - in a seminal Cannon Group flick, THE DELTA FORCE. We also touch on Sam Raimi's return to funhouse horror in SEND HELP, BUGONIA, and the second and third PURGE films. And we bid farewell to Catharine O'...
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FX / HANNAH AND HER SISTERS
Ron and Peter also talk THE RIP, THE RUNNING MAN (2025), THE PURGE, Oscar nominations, and the MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE trailer and reactions. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and we'll be back next week to wish a Happy BIG 4-0 to Goldie Hawn in WILDCATS and Chuck Norris (back yet...
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DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS / THE BEST OF TIMES
Another week, another mic check, and two more midling early 1986 films. These two celebrate their BIG 4-0's next week, but we're celebrating early because Ron has a vacation coming up and we don't want to deprive our beloved listeners of any episodes. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe;...
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TROLL / BONUS: DEAD-BANG (1989)
Because we live in The Worst Timeline, we can not wish a Happy BIG 4-0 to IRON EAGLE this week as planned/deserved (we will wish it a belated BIG 4-0 when streamers deem it worthy to be available for rental...). So, to help ring in TROLL's BIG 4-0, we are finally getting around to the...
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THE CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR / HARDBODIES 2
Happy New Year, BIG 4-0 Heads! Happy 2026, happy 1986, and happy Season 4 of THE BIG 4-0! This week, kicking off 1986, Ron and Peter review CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR and HARDBODIES 2. We also discuss ROOFMAN, THE LONG WALK, DIE MY LOVE (all 2025 films), THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, SUPERBAD, THE LAST BOY...
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BEST & WORST OF 1985 / THE HOWLING II / BONUS: THE HOWLING
This week, it's THE BIG 4-0's Season 3 finale! Join Ron and Peter as they count down their favorite and least favorite films of the year (1985), and we sneak in one last 1985 film with THE HOWLING II, and a bonus review of THE HOWLING (1981) just to be completists. Please remember to Rate, Like,...
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THE COLOR PURPLE / ENEMY MINE / BONUS: LETHAL WEAPON
This week week on 12/18 and 12/20, respectively, we celebrate The BIG 4-0's of Steven Spielberg's THE COLOR PURPLE and Wolfgang Petersen's ENEMY MINE; and Ron celebrates his Big 4-7, so we take a look at one of his all-time favorite films - and it just so happens he and Peter were able to see it…
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OUT OF AFRICA / POLICE STORY
This week Ron and Peter wish a Happy BIG 4-0 to Robert Redford and Meryl Streep in the 1985 Best Picture winner OUT OF AFRICA, and Jackie Chan's POLICE STORY. Peter also touches on ZOOTOPIA 2 and Ron talks FLIGHT RISK. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe. Next week we'll be back to wish…
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CLUE / JEWEL OF THE NILE
Due to ANOTHER computer glitch, we are reposting our Happy BIG 4-0 to CLUE and JEWEL OF THE NILE, Originally posted 11/30/2025. Also discussed on this episode: THE EXPENDABLES 4 and BULLET TO THE HEAD. Next Week: OUT OF AFRICA and POLICE STORY
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RUNAWAY TRAIN / SPIES LIKE US
Due to a computer glitch, we are reposting our Happy BIG 4-0 to RUNAWAY TRAIN and SPIES LIKE US, Originally posted 11/23/2025. Also discussed on this episode: PREDATOR: BADLANDS, EDDINGTON, and LIFE OF CHUCK.
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ONCE BITTEN / ROCKY IV / BONUS: ROCKY BALBOA
Happy BIG 4-0 to Jim Carrey's teen sex comedy meets vampire spoof ONCE BITTEN (we also discuss his big screen breakthrough ACE VENTURA PET DETECTIVE) and Sylvester Stallone in one of the biggest hits of his career ROCKY IV (we also look back at ROCKY BALBOA and CLIFFHANGER). Please remember to...
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DEATH WISH 3 / TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. / BONUS: SPRINGSTEEN DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE
This week on THE BIG 4-0, Ron and Peter wish two quintessential '80s cult films a happy 40th birthday: DEATH WISH 3 and TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. We spend the first 20 minutes - impromptuly - discussing the new Bruce Springsteen biopic DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE, and biopics and The Boss in general.…
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BONUS: JASON X (2002) / FREDDY VS JASON (2003)
In honor of Halloween in just a few days - and spurred by our recent NIGHTMARE ON ELMSTREET 2 watch - this week on a halloween-themed bonus episode of THE BIG 4-0 we take a look at the technical final FRIDAY THE 13th film in the original series/timeline, 2002's JASON X, where they actually do the...
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A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST. 2 / RE-ANIMATOR (with STEVE!)
This week, just in time for Halloween, we're blowing out 40 BIG ones for A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST. 2: FREDDY'S REVENGE and RE-ANIMATOR. Our buddy Steve, who helped us ring in the original NIGHTMARE's BIG 4-0 last year, joins us again to eat Robert Englund's cake... Please remember to Rate, Like, and...
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BONUS: STONE COLD (1991) / I COME IN PEACE (1990)
This week Ron and Peter fire in a bonus episode with a Craig R. Baxley double feature: 1990's Dolph Lundgren-staring I COME IN PEACE and 1991's badass action opus STONE COLD, which tried to turn former football wunderkind Brian Bosworth into a 1990's action hero; but quintessential '80s/'90s bad...
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SILVER BULLET / REMO WILLIAMS: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS...
It's the return of THE BIG 4-0! We're actually celebrating these birthdays a week early, but it's been three weeks and we missed you guys! So, get ready to blow out 40 big ones for Fred Ward in the would-be Blue Collar Bond or Urban Indiana Jones wannabe franchise-starter, REMO WILLIAMS: THE...
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INVASION USA / COMMANDO / JAGGED EDGE
It's an action extravaganza this week on THE BIG 4-0 as Ron and Peter wish an explosive happy 40th birthday to two movies with enough tossed grenades, wasted ammo, and cars exploding on contact for the entire decade - with two of the decades biggest action stars, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chuck...
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AMERICAN NINJA / AFTER HOURS / SUMMER RENTAL (and BONUS reviews of many other movies!)
After last week's break, THE BIG 4-0 returns to wish a happy belated birthday to John Candy's (first) bid to carve out a career as the slapsticky dad in the bumbling vacation comedy SUMMER RENTAL. We also wish an early happy BIG 4-0 to Martin Scorsese's one-night-tapped-in-SoHo surrealist…
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TEEN WOLF / BETTER OFF DEAD / YEAR OF THE DRAGON (RIP Hulk Hogan and cameo from SUMMER)
This week on THE BIG 4-0, Ron and Peter bid farewell to a childhood hero of Peter's, Hulk Hogan, as summer of 2025 continues to take a 1980's icon from us on a weekly bases. We also try to figure out if YEAR OF THE DRAGON is funnier than TEEN WOLF and BETTER OFF DEAD, and Ron's daughter Summer…
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RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD / REAL GENIUS / VOLUNTEERS (RIP Ozzy Osbourne)
This week on THE BIG 4-0, Ron and Peter tackle three movies Peter has never seen before and bid Ozzy Osbourne adieu. Please remember to Rate, Like, and Subscribe; and we'll be back next week with another Michael J. Fox cultural touchstone (at least if you were a kid in 1985), TEEN WOLF, as well…
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PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE / FRIGHT NIGHT / WEIRD SCIENCE
This week on THE BIG 4-0, Ron and Peter celebrate 40 years since Pee-Wee Herman went on his BIG ADVENTURE to retrieve his beloved stolen bicycle, vampire Chris Sarandon has to deal with his nosey teenage neighbor in FRIGHT NIGHT, and Anthony Michael Hall and some other guy create smokin' Kelly...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This is a podcast called THE BIG 4-0 with Ron and Peter. Every week we take a look at a seminal - or maybe not so seminal - movie that came out this week, 40 years ago. Some we love, some we hate, some we've never seen before, some we haven't seen in over 30 years, and some we wish we'd never seen. We discuss the film, its critical and commercial reception, and how that (and our) perception has perhaps shifted over the years. We also touch on any noteworthy current films and movie news in each episode. So, breakout the birthday cake (and a few beers) and join us for THE BIG 4-0!
HOSTED BY
Ron David
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does THE BIG 4-0 have?
THE BIG 4-0 currently has 150 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is THE BIG 4-0 about?
This is a podcast called THE BIG 4-0 with Ron and Peter. Every week we take a look at a seminal - or maybe not so seminal - movie that came out this week, 40 years ago. Some we love, some we hate, some we've never seen before, some we haven't seen in over 30 years, and some we wish we'd never seen....
How often does THE BIG 4-0 release new episodes?
THE BIG 4-0 publishes regularly with 150 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to THE BIG 4-0?
You can listen to THE BIG 4-0 on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts THE BIG 4-0?
THE BIG 4-0 is created and hosted by Ron David.
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