TOPG Ep 116: Being John Malcovich
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we crawl through a tiny office door and straight into John Malkovich’s head with Being John Malkovich (1999). Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze give us puppets, identity crises, questionable relationships, and one of the strangest premises ever committed to film. More than 25 years later, is this surreal comedy still as clever and original as we remember, or is it weird simply for the sake of being weird?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & MathewStockton
Cast: Sean & Josh
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & MathewStockton
Cast: Sean & Josh
Creators and Guests
Host
Mathew Stockton
Mathew Stockton is co-host of Too Old or Pure Gold and the voice behind the acclaimed true crime podcast Dark Poutine. Known for his dry wit, sharp cultural takes, and unapologetic disdain for both Tom Cruise and David Hasselhoff, Mathew brings a grounded, no-nonsense edge to the show. Check Mathew out on Dark Poutine and follow his dog Steve at Steve_couldnt_leave
Host
Olen Vanderleeden
A Gen X creative whose career spans cannabis, clean tech, and media, but his real passion is stuck in a time warp somewhere between a VHS rental and a training montage. As the creator, producer, and co-host of Too Old or Pure Gold, Olen channels his lifelong love of 80s cinema, especially the high-kicking, synth-scored, gloriously weird corners of it, into a podcast that celebrates, critiques, and reexamines the movies that shaped a generation.
Guest
Aron Levitz
Aron Levitz brought sharp insight, dry humor, and an impressive ability to make sense of a truly baffling film. A proud Gen Xer and longtime friend of the pod, Aron might be successful, we’re not entirely sure, but the fact that he’s the President of Wattpad, one of the world’s most innovative storytelling platforms, certainly points in that direction.
Guest
Josh Fleming
Josh Fleming is a hilarious comedian and true movie lover who finds something great in every film, yes, every one. His infectious laugh lights up the show and keeps the mood effortlessly fun. Creator and host of the Absolutely Obscure podcast, Josh’s passion for obscure gems and silly comedies runs deep.
Guest
Sean
Engineer… or is he? Sean is the enigmatic force behind Too Old or Pure Gold, part behind-the-scenes producer, part on-mic wild card. He can stare you down like Clint Eastwood in Pale Rider and unravel ridiculous plots with the precision of dissecting the russian espionage mess in Firefox. A martial arts practitioner with a deep knowledge of submarine warfare, Sean brings a tactical mind and a low tolerance for dumb comedy. Not easily impressed, he demands movies that make sense and deliver, but when they do, he’s the sleeper favorite voice of reason.
