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.
Appears in 74 Episodes
TOPG Ep 36: First Blood – Special Guest Vinnie Tortorich
Before Rambo became a one-man army with unlimited ammo, there was First Blood (1982), a surprisingly grounded thriller about a drifter, a sheriff with an attitude prob...
TOPG 35: Groundhog Day
We relive Groundhog Day (1993), the time-loop classic starring Bill Murray. From philosophical debates to groundhog-related crimes, we break down what makes this film ...
TOPG Ep 34: Romancing the Stone
We dive into the tale of a romance novelist turned treasure hunter, played by Kathleen Turner, who teams up with a rogue adventurer (Michael Douglas) in a jungle escap...
TOPG 33: Soul Man
Is blackface problematic? Spoiler: yes. Join us and the hosts of the absolutely obscure podcast as we break down the controversial 1986 comedy Soul Man. From its misgu...
TOPG 32: Cliffhanger
Hold on tight as we revisit the 1993 action-thriller Cliffhanger! Sylvester Stallone scales new heights as a former rescue climber pulled back into a dangerous mission...
TOPG Ep 31: Pale Rider
In this episode, we saddle up for Clint Eastwood’s 1985 Western Pale Rider and dive into the film’s themes of justice, revenge, and supernatural mystery. Does this gri...
TOPG Ep29: Gremlins
Is Gremlins a Christmas movie, horror movie, comedy movie or a covid conspiracy film? Join us in this special Christmas episode as we get to the bottom of these quest...
TOPG Ep 28: Trading Places
Join us as Gen X and Millennials clash over the classic role reversal film Trading Places. Is this a beloved comedy gem, or problematic and antiquated? Is this a Chr...
TOPG Ep 27: Running Scared
In this episode, we chase down the 1986 buddy cop classic Running Scared. From their impeccable comedic chemistry to the wild car chases and sun-soaked Miami detour, w...
TOPG Ep 26: Big Trouble in Little China!
Get ready for some Big Trouble in Little China! as we revisit John Carpenter’s 1986 action-comedy cult classic. Does this wild mashup of genres still pack a punch, or ...
TOPG Ep 25: Dreamscape
In this episode, we dive into Dreamscape (1984), where psychic dream warriors battle nightmares, government conspiracies, and truly creepy snake monster. Join us as we...
TOPG Ep 24: Tootsie
In this episode, we dive into Tootsie, the 1982 comedy where Dustin Hoffman discovers the secret to career success: high heels and a wig. Join us as we unpack this gen...
TOPG Ep 23: Blind Fury
Get ready as we slice into Blind Fury, the 1989 gem where Rutger Hauer plays a blind, sword-swinging Vietnam vet who can take down bad guys without even seeing them! W...
TOPG Ep 21: American Werewolf in London
Warewolf? Wearwolf? Werewolf? We can’t spell it but we have a lot to say about this classic Wayrewolf film from John Landis in our second TOPG Halloween Special.Hosts:...
TOPG Ep 20: Christine
The first of two TOPG Halloween episodes; we discuss the 1983 Stephan King adopted horror movie Christine and find out whether this movie aged better or worse than a 1...
TOPG Ep 19: Airplane!
Who doesn’t love the 1980 comedy classic Airplane!? We scoured the globe to find the one guy. Surely he can’t be serious. Tune in to find out.Hosts: Olen van der Leede...
TOPG Ep 18: Cocoon
On the planet Antarea, you won’t ever grow old, but this movie might. Join the TOPG cast and special guest comedian Josh Fleming as we discuss the 1985 movie Cocoon a...
TOPG Ep 17: Videodrome
Is it real or is it simulated? In this very real episode the TOPG cast dig deep to try to understand the deeper meaning and message of this complex sci fi thriller fro...
TOPG Ep 16: Witness
Find out what the TOPG cast would miss most if they lived the Amish lifestyle and find out if comedian Will Corry and Pieter [of Pieter’s Plot Summary] have the same f...
TOPG Ep 15: Escape from New York
Does this 1981 sci-fi action movie deserve its cult classic status? Is Snake Plissken the coolest antihero of all time? Join us as we dive deep into this movie and d...
