Send us a text

Welcome to another episode of Almost Classic Movies, where Jon and Donald are diving into the next chapter of their How to Train Your Dragon series—with a side of chaotic intros and cat-like dragons.

This week, it's How to Train Your Dragon 2 (aka Episode 35 of the pod), and things get emotional.

🔥 In this episode:

• Why this sequel might actually be better than the original
• The surprisingly deep themes of grief, leadership, and legacy
• A breakdown of the movie’s world-building, pacing, and glow-ups (Toothless, we're looking at you)
• That Oedipus Rex comparison you didn’t see coming (but now won’t be able to unsee)
• Thoughts on DreamWorks animation tech upgrades—and a side rant on breastplate continuity
• The tragedy that hit harder than most films

👀 Plus: Emotional Viking funerals, unintentional strawberry milk debates, and Donald calling for justice for Prince of Egypt’s awards snub.

🎧 Whether you're a longtime fan of the trilogy or watching it for the first time, this episode dives deep into what makes How to Train Your Dragon 2 a standout sequel—with plenty of heart, humor, and hot takes.

📮 Got feedback
Hit us up: almostclassicmovies@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @almostclassicmovies
Leave a rating or drop us a line—we read everything (even if it’s just to say “Hi Burke”).

🎙️ Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—and check back next week for the final film in the trilogy.

Support the show

If you like what you’re listening to, don’t forget to share the podcast with fellow movie fans and give us a 5-star review!

Subscribing to the podcast ensures you get our newest episodes right when they publish.

Contact:
Email: almostclassicmovies@gmail.com
Instagram: @almostclassicmovies

Co-Hosts:
Jon K.
Donald S.

Podcast Production:
Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Almost Classic Movies LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Send us a text

Welcome back to Almost Classic Movies with Jon and Donald! In this episode, the guys take to the skies with the 2010 animated hit How to Train Your Dragon—and things get personal fast. From Viking dad issues to dragon-sized feels, they unpack why this film hits harder than your average “kids movie.”

🔥 Highlights from the episode:

• Jon and Donald reflect on the movie’s rich emotional depth and character arcs—especially that gut-punch of a father-son moment with Stoick.
• A breakdown of how Toothless is basically a cat... with jet fuel.
• Thoughts on how HTTYD balances action, comedy, and heart—and what still leaves them wanting more.
• A deep dive into DreamWorks’ surprisingly strong run of animated hits (Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Prince of Egypt... are they the real GOATs?)
• Speculation on the upcoming live-action adaptation: Will the CGI hold up? Should they even try to recreate THAT dragon’s nest?

🎬 Rating Rundown:
Both hosts hover between an 8 and a 9—calling it “a high 8, low 9” depending on the day. Their biggest critique? Wishing it was 30 minutes longer to really let the world and character arcs breathe.

📚 Bonus Trivia:

• Toothless was originally a small green-and-red dragon in the book—and the name came from losing a literal tooth!
• That iconic hesitation before Toothless lets Hiccup touch him? Total animation accident that they decided to keep.
• There’s allegedly a Flux Capacitor hidden in Hiccup’s notes—Back to the Future fans, assemble.

👶 Plus: Jon drops news about his soon-to-arrive baby (congrats!), Donald nearly adopts a pit bull named Chuck, and somehow Trump as the Pope gets a mention. So yeah... classic ACM chaos.

👉 Got thoughts, questions, or favorite dragon facts? DM us on Instagram or email the show. We love hearing from you!

Support the show

If you like what you’re listening to, don’t forget to share the podcast with fellow movie fans and give us a 5-star review!

Subscribing to the podcast ensures you get our newest episodes right when they publish.

Contact:
Email: almostclassicmovies@gmail.com
Instagram: @almostclassicmovies

Co-Hosts:
Jon K.
Donald S.

Podcast Production:
Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Almost Classic Movies LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Send us a text

Welcome back to Almost Classic Movies — where Jon and Donald dissect not-quite-classics with just enough seriousness to pretend we know what we’re doing.

This week, we time-travel straight into the chaotic, shiny roller-disco that is Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). From centered teeth to golden genitalia, from daddy issues to Destiny’s Child, this episode is packed tighter than Mini Me in a duffel bag.

In this episode:

• 💥 How Goldmember stacks up to the first two Austin Powers films
• 🎭 Michael Caine’s perfect casting and how Alfie might just make our "Almost Canceled Movies" list
• 🎤 A surprise cameo by Nathan Lane that steals the show
• 🍏 The unforgettable (and very uncomfortable) Apple Scene™
• 🤯 Fan theories and crossovers you didn’t know you needed (Threat Level Midnight vs. Austin Pussy? Yes, please.)
• 🚫 Deleted scenes that could’ve made this movie a 6.5 instead of a 5

Plus:

• Did Goldmember foreshadow the Subway diet scandal?
• A VERY cursed idea for an OnlyFans-exclusive podcast feed 😬
• And why Jon refuses to accept the existence of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

🎧 Listen in for the laughs, stay for the conspiracy theories, and let us know in the comments: What would make the better spy movie—Austin Pussy or Threat Level Midnight?

📩 Got thoughts? Email us.
🎧 Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen.
📊 Vote in the weekly poll (yes, we’re actually doing it this time).
🕵️‍♂️ Find out next week what happens when family-friendly films meet hosts who are anything but.

Support the show

If you like what you’re listening to, don’t forget to share the podcast with fellow movie fans and give us a 5-star review!

Subscribing to the podcast ensures you get our newest episodes right when they publish.

Contact:
Email: almostclassicmovies@gmail.com
Instagram: @almostclassicmovies

Co-Hosts:
Jon K.
Donald S.

Podcast Production:
Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Almost Classic Movies LLC. All Rights Reserved.