TOPG Ep 48: Star Wars: A New Hope
This week we revisit Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)—the movie that launched a franchise, redefined sci-fi, and made breathing loudly somehow menacing. Does this cultural juggernaut still shine like a freshly polished droid, or is it showing its age under all that sand? Join us as we put the Force to the test: Too Old or Pure Gold?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Matthew Stockton
Co-Hosts: Sean, Josh & Nicole
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
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
Pieter Vanderleeden
At 93, Pieter is the tireless heart of Pieter’s Plot Corner, watching and studying every film we cover, then delivering a brilliant and succinct plot summary for listeners who may not have seen (or survived) the movie in question. He missed a lot of these films in the '80s, but he’s catching up now, and loving (almost) every minute. Equally dedicated to the good and the awful, Pieter is an essential part of the podcast family and a fan favorite in his own right.
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.
