TOPG Ep 128: Starship Troopers
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we're doing our part and heading into battle with Starship Troopers (1997). Starring Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, and Neil Patrick Harris, this sci-fi action spectacle mixes spectacular bug battles with a surprisingly sharp satire of propaganda, militarism, and fascism. Nearly 30 years later, does Starship Troopers still deserve citizenship as a sci-fi classic, or should it be squashed like a bug?
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
Clef Seeley
Clef Seeley is is the composer of our theme music and soundtrack critic. He’s just as comfortable appreciating the lighthearted charm of Remo Williams as he is unpacking the psychological layers of Videodrome. Clef brings a rare balance of joy and depth to the pod, always ready to laugh, but never afraid to go deep when a film demands it.
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.
