Neon Brainiacs (A Retro Horror Movie Podcast)

We're ready to pump you up, maniacs! This week we're talking about the exercise-sploitation slasher(?)/ghost(?)/corporate espionage(?) flick Death Spa from 1988! Tune in as we try to determine how many types of movies this film actually is and discuss other topics such as asking Ken Foree to sit on a grown man, a character who looks like a version of Jim Henson you don't want to meet in a bar, and all the wonderful things a computer ghost is capable of. Want to hear about more wacky ghost movies? Check out our previous episodes on Bad Dreams (episode 35), Ghosthouse (episode 138), Witchtrap (episode 144), Blood Beat (episode 169), and Poltergeist II: The Other Side (episode 185).

Happy Thanksgiving, maniacs! We're doing some double-dipping ourselves this week and bringing you a special bonus episode where we re-discuss the topic of our very first episode, 1987's holiday slasher classic Blood Rage! We discuss the film (again) and talk topics such as bad places to keep extra dishes at work, having Thanksgiving dinner with strangers, and the lack of spatial awareness many characters possess in this movie. If you REALLY want to, you can check out our original episode on Blood Rage; but fair warning, it hardly resembles the profile of our show today.

We've reached the finale of our Thanksgiving Buffet II theme and we're closing it out with the debut of a big-deal director: Peter Jackson's Bad Taste from 1987! While we make our way down to New Zealand, we also discuss topics such as tertiary characters from Full House, dangerous toys we had as children, and camera tricks on a budget. Wanna hear us get silly on the show? Check out these comedies we've covered in the past: Terrorvision (episode 21), Killer Klowns From Outer Space (episode 26), Night Of The Creeps (epsiode 52), Return Of The Living Dead (episode 81), Better Off Dead (episode 100), Fright Night (episode 102), Blood Diner (episode 128), The Evil Dead (episode 160), and The Burbs (episode 200).

Watch out for flying fish, maniacs! We continue our Thanksgiving Buffet II theme this week with 1981's Piranha II: The Spawning, which may or may not have been directed by James Cameron. Tune in as we discuss this unnecessary sequel and other topics such as trading R.L. Stine's Goosebumps books, using the term "deader", and Lance Henriksen's aversion to touching a certain part of the male anatomy. Want to hear us discuss more films produced by Roger Corman? Check out our episodes on Chopping Mall (episode 14), Mountaintop Motel Massacre (episode 92), Hunter's Blood (episode 93), Sorority House Massacre (episode 126), Slumber Party Massacre (episode 127), Stripped To Kill (episode 129), Slumber Party Massacre II (episode 178), Humanoids From The Deep (episode 181), and Lords Of The Deep (episode 249).

Hope you're still hungry, maniacs! We continue our Thanksgiving Buffet II theme for the month of November with the oddball deep cut Flesh Eating Mothers from 1988. While we try to remember watching this movie, we also discuss topics such as frozen Neptune bars, using the same room to film nearly every scene, and egregious New York accents. Want more flesh-eating goodness? Check out our previous episodes on Return Of The Living Dead (episode 81), Flesh Eater (episode 95), Day Of The Dead (episode 114), and Brain Damage (episode 159).

Ring that dinner bell, maniacs! We're doing another helping of the Thanksgiving Buffet this month and kicking it off is the Italian cannibal flick Anthropophagus! Tune in as we discuss this flick and other topics such as Buckethead making an appearance, our favorite movie trope of characters just walking around, and stick around for an extended edition of Manic Feedback where you tell us the horror movie scenes that have stuck with you.

It's almost time, maniacs! We're closing out 70s Month with the classic namesake of our favorite holiday: John Carpenter's Halloween! We discuss the film and various factoids, as well as other topics such as Dr. Loomis ordering at Arby's, our opinions on William Shakespeare, and a weird similarity this movie has with Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. Wanna hear more discussions on the works of John Carpenter? Check out our episodes on Christine (episode 37), The Thing (episode 229), and Prince Of Darkness (episode 261).

Put on your dancing shoes, maniacs! 70's Month continues as we head back to the Italian horror well with Dario Argento's 1977 classic Suspiria! Tune in as we discuss this flick and other topics such as a character who's only trait is "ugly", a duo who reminds us of Toejam and Earl, and stick around for an extended Maniac Feedback segment where you tell us your favorite Italian horror films (and fight over who has the supreme Lance Parkin Fanclub). Do you dig when we talk Italian horror? Check out these episodes on just that: The Church (episode 33), Stagefright (episode 36), Phenomena (episode 61), Demons (episode 135), Ghosthouse (episode 138), The Beyond (episode 168), City Of The Living Dead (episode 192), Tenebrae (episode 198), and Inferno (episode 232).

Time to do some shopping, maniacs, because 70s Month continues with the hyper-local (to us) zombie classic Dawn Of The Dead. While we talk about this peak of yinzer horror cinema, we also discuss topics such as the time Gregg was kicked out of Monroeville Mall, zombies with suspiciously large square heads, and America's Funniest Home Videos. Want more George Romero talk? Check out our episodes on Monkey Shines (episode 98), Creepshow (episode 104), and Day Of The Dead (episode 114).

Rev up those chainsaws, maniacs! We are breaking the rules and diving into 70s Month during October, and we're kicking things off with a stone cold Tobe Hooper classic: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre! Tune in as we discuss Lance's favorite horror film of all time and other topics such as this movie's similarity to Mac and Me, Gunnar Hansen's stinky wardrobe, and a bucketload of factoids! Want to hear us discuss more Tobe Hooper works? Check out our episodes on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (episdoe 99) and Lifeforce (episode 228). You can also go check out Ben and Gregg discussing Eaten Alive on Drive-In Asylum.

2-4-6-8, who do we decapitate!? We've got an obscure slasher this week, maniacs: 1988's Cheerleader Camp! Bringing this movie to the table is the vocalist of Griphook, Zach Butcher. While we try to figure out exactly how old these characters are supposed to be, we also discuss topics such as beer helmets, the musical stylings of Snow, and Big Milk invades the podcast yet again. Do you want to hear us discuss more obscure slasher flicks? Check out our episodes on He Knows You're Alone (episode 6), Iced (episode 25), Rocktober Blood (episode 49), Hunter's Blood (episode 93), The Mutilator (episode 157), and Edge Of The Axe (episode 176).

Check your mailbox, maniacs! This week we're talking the 1984 Wes Craven television flick Invitation To Hell, and joining us to unpack this one are Sarah and Amanda from the Ghoul On Ghoul Podcast. We discuss the second best Craven film from 1984 and other topics such as bringing KFC to a friend's house without any sides, which actor from Home Alone appears in this movie, and we resurrect an old favorite impression. Stick around until the end of the episode to hear another edition of Maniac Feedback where we discuss your favorite films about Hell! Are you craving more discussion on the oeuvre of Wes Craven? Check out our episodes on A Nightmare On Elm Street (episode 74), The Hills Have Eyes Part 2 (episode 83), Shocker (episode 85), The Serpent And The Rainbow (episode 220), Swamp Thing (episode 227), Scream (episode 242), and Deadly Friend (episode 255).

Get ready for a beast of a night, maniacs, as we discuss the 1982 creature feature Nightbeast! As we talk more Troma trash, we also discuss topics such as excessive raygun fights, useless bikers, and mild alcohol. Want some more space-based creature features? Check out our episodes on Killer Klowns From Outer Space (episdoe 26), The Blob (episodes 29), Critters (episode 86), and The Being (episode 179).

We're kicking off the sixth year of this show with a doozy: John Carpenter's underrated Prince Of Darkness from 1987! We discuss the flick and other topics such as Tom and Jerry cartoons, Jello water as a weapon, and our thoughts on various types of Oreos. Stick around for an extended Maniac Feedback segment where you tell us your favorite John Carpenter flicks! Want more of us praising John Carpenter? Check out our episodes on Christine (episode 37) and The Thing (episode 229)!

We're wrapping up Vicious Vacations III with a gigantic episode: our 5 year anniversary! We close out our fifth year and this theme with a doozy: Friday The 13th Part III, taped live at Bryant Street Barber Shop in Pittsburgh. We do some special segments before and after the film discussion and also chat about topics such as this film's penchant for men who don't wipe their asses, Lance's burning hatred for Shelly, and how many pitchforks a farm should have. If you wanna hear us talk more Jason, check out our episodes on Part 5: A New Beginning (episode 18), Part 4: The Final Chapter (episode 45), Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan (episode 82), Part 2 (episode 147), and Part 6: Jason Lives (episode 182). We also ranked our top 5 films of the franchise in this bonus epsiode.

We're headed back to the Bates Motel, maniacs, as we continue our Vicious Vacations III theme for the month of August with the Anthony Perkins-directed Psycho III from 1986! While we dig back into the saga of Norman Bates, we also discuss topics such as peanut butter and crackers, cult film director cameos, and Big Milk makes another incendiary appearance on our show.

Jump aboard the boat, maniacs, because we're heading to the islands! We're continuing Vicious Vacations III with the Larry Cohen sequel It's Alive III: Island of the Alive. Tune in as we break down this strange sequel and discuss other topics such as night clubs that look like Long John Silver's, Fidel Castro's involvement in the plot, and strap in for a TON of Michael Moriarty impressions.

Oh, we're all happy campers this week, maniacs! We're kicking off our Vicious Vacations III theme for the month of August and reuniting with Angela Baker for Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland from 1989. While we uncover how quickly this movie was thrown together, we also discuss topics such as the merits (or lack thereof) of wearing a new sweatshirt with no bra, Desert Storm trading cards, and the universal themes of Bruce Springsteen's lyrics.

Something is going on with the kids this week, maniacs! We're jammin' out to the sweet sounds of Damian and talking the 1988 rock & roll horror flick Black Roses! Join us as we break down this slice of satanic panic and discuss topics such as the depressing series finale of ABC's Dinosaurs, a certain scene's resemblance to Death Wish 3, and Big Milk rears its ugly pasteurized head once again.

Bring your basketball, maniacs, because this week we're covering a Wes Craven deep cut in 1986's Deadly Friend! Joining us to dissect this cult flick are Ande and Eanna from the Queeens Of NC-17 podcast! As we talk all things robots, we also discuss topics such as moving to a new house sight unseen, the unfortunate demise of Hitchbot, and the poor fate of the vested dirtbike tough's unmentionables. Stay tuned at the end of the episode for another edition of Maniac Feedback!

Load up the station wagon, maniacs! We're joining the zombie squad this week and talking the low budget zombie caper The Dead Next Door! Tune in as we discuss the flick and other topics such as this film's involvement with Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell, its similarities to Ghostbusters, and our new catchphrase: "I'm a zombie now". And stay tuned until the end for a jam-packed Maniac Feedback segment on your favorite zombie films!

Get out your big pants, maniacs, because we're discussing a by-the-book slasher flick this week, 1985's The Deadly Intruder! This movie features Jim's mom from American Pie and everyone's favorite Partridge Family member, Danny Bonaduce! While we talk about the film we chat about other topics such as flatuent dogs, shipments of jeans, and what's under the hood of the second car ever made.

It's a trap, maniacs! Grab a hamburger and jump in the news van with us as we travel to Japan to discuss 1988's Evil Dead Trap. Joining us this week is special guest Adam Bailey from the Pittsburgh grindcore band Narakah. As the four of us discuss the flick, we chat about other topics such as wearing sandals in a dirty wet warehouse, vintage coffee dispensers, and the brutality of this film's villain who we dub Ponchoman. Stick around for a big helping of Maniac Feedback at the end of the episode!

This time it's personal, maniacs! Underwater Uneasiness is coming to an end with an infamous sequel: 1987's Jaws: The Revenge! While we decide where to place this entry in the Jaws franchise rankings, we also discuss topics such as running away during an important conversation, the phrase "stop busting my bunghie", and the best part of the movie: Michael Caine's character's name.

Time to dive in again, maniacs! We're still swimming down the Underwater Uneasiness theme for this month with James Cameron's sci-fi flick The Abyss! Tune in as we discuss other topics such as Cabin Boy himself Chris Elliot popping up in a cameo role, our loving nickname for Michael Biehn's wacko character, and an important question: did this movie introduce the world to the Nintendo Power Glove?

We're jumping further into the deep end, maniacs! This week we continue our Underwater Uneasiness theme for the month of June with 1989's Lords of the Deep, brought to us by prolific producer Roger Corman. While this episode goes off the rails, we discuss other topics such as obtaining props from Children's Palace, the game Apple Peaches Pumpkin Pie, and an important question: are the creatures in this movie Pokemons?

Get ready to go topside again, maniacs, because week two of Underwater Uneasiness is upon us! We're discussing the George Cosmatos flick Leviathan from 1989. While we geek out over the impressive cast of this film, we also discuss topics such as the return of the One Minute Manager, Robocop's social security number, and bird people.

All set to get wet, maniacs! We're kicking off a brand new theme for the month of June: Underwater Uneasiness! This week we're jumping into the deep end with 1989's Deepstar Six, from Friday The 13th director Sean Cunningham. We try to stay afloat while discussing topics such as everyone in the film wanting to go "topside", Seinfeld's Lloyd Braun showing up for extra shower time, and we learn a bit more about Lance's mom's taste in men.

Put this into your little computer, maniacs! We're talking the Clint Howard vehicle Evilspeak from 1981. While we try to figure out why technology was so scary in the early 80s, we also discuss topics such as things to do at the beach in the 1500s, animal husbandry at military academies, bed cubicles and potato parents.

It's opening night, maniacs! This week we're talking the obscure 1984 slasher Blood Theatre. Join us as we discuss this Mary Woronov deep cut and other topics such as the iconic(?) character The Original Owner, the overuse of a strange Jetsons-style "whoosh" sound effect, and stick around until the end of the episode for a very lengthy Manic Feedback on your favorite underrated horror films!

Back off, maniacs! This week we're digging back into the Stephen King vault with 1984's Drew Barrymore vehicle Firestarter! While we get fired up about the remake hitting theaters and Peacock this weekend, we discuss topics such as confusing David Keith with Keith David, staying at the only motel to take quarters, and we try out our best telekinetic sound effects.

April Ghouls, maniacs! We're bringing you a special bonus episode recorded live at the Riverside Drive-In during day two of the April Ghouls Monster-Rama. We were lucky enough to be joined by a lot of really great guests to talk about the event and lots of other topics. Guests include April Ghouls curators George Reis and Gene Caruso, Jamie from Neo Trash Video (and our Jaws 3-D episode), New York-based fan of the show Tracy, Drive-In Asylum founder Bill Van Ryn, friend of the show Josh (from our Texas Chainsaw 2 & Dead Heat episodes), Adam Bailey from local grind band Narakah, local cinematographer Jeff Smee, Lucas from Fake Ritual, and Drive-In Asylum contributor AC Nicholas.

Let's perform some rituals, maniacs! We're back to the 80s this week, where we discuss the 1985 creature romp Ghoulies! We try to navigate this weird flick and discuss topics such as Ocean Spray Cran-Apple masquerading as wine, painful green contact lenses, and a very important question: is Randy Quaid's cousin in this movie?

What's your favorite scary movie, maniacs? 90s Month ends with a hell of an episode as we discuss Wes Craven's 1996 horror blockbuster Scream! While we discuss how this film affected our childhoods, we also chat about topics such as SlasherPhone, Fun Lovin' Criminals, and a what-if scenario of who we would be without this script's horror movie references.

We're headed to North Dakota this week, maniacs, as 90s Month continues with 1993's Leprechaun! As we dissect this early role for Jennifer Aniston, we also discuss topics such as creepy singing child voices, the works of Mark Holton, and Leppy's penchant for small vehicles.

Hail to the king, maniacs! We're in the midst of 90s Month and we're talking Sam Raimi's legendary Army Of Darkness this week! As we geek out over this bonafide cult classic, we also discuss other topics such as Duke Nukem ripping off Ash's lines, the one time Bruce Campbell looked like Jay Leno, and we have a ton of "Maniac Feedback" from you, the listeners!

Sorry Jack, Chucky is back this week! That's right, maniacs, you did not read the episode wrong... We're breaking our own rules all month long and delving into the 90s, starting with 1990's Child's Play 2! As we reunite with Uncle Charles, we also discuss topics such as car phones, Chicago style sushi, and foster parents discouraging their foster kids from working.

The "Band" is back together, maniacs! This week we're talking the Full Moon classic Puppet Master, and we welcome full-time co-host Lance Parkin into the fray! While we discuss one of the more impressive films of Charles Band, we also chat about topics such as our nickname for Pinhead, Paul Le Mat's awkward acting style, and why this film wasn't called Ballroom Master.

We're getting punny this week, maniacs, as we try to catch Arnold in 1987's The Running Man! And guess who else is back? Ben! While we try to process all of the modern inventions this movie predicted, we also chat about topics such as someone you idolize knocking you out, Fleetwood Mac being too good for the future, and the Climbing For Dollars spinoff we never got.

Knock knock, maniacs! We're finally circling back to talk about the movie that started a very weird franchise, Steve Miner's 1985 horror-comedy House! While we unpack all of the popular names in horror and sitcoms that pepper the credits of this film, we also talk about topics such as uncomfortable chairs, intrusive late-night Chinese food deliveries, and Big Mouth Billy Bass.

Put on some jazz records, maniacs, because this week we're tackling the 1981 creepy town flick Dead And Buried! While we parse through the impressive cast and crew of this cult film, we also discuss topics such as duct tape accessories, the simple yet genius effects of Stan Winston, and Nine Inch Nails stage banter.

We just can't get enough this week, maniacs, as we discuss the 1985 Larry Cohen cult flick The Stuff! As we try to figure out what The Stuff is made of, we also discuss topics such as a split-second appearance by Eric Bogosian, the price of gas in 1985, and the actors acting like aliens acting like actors.

We're getting culty this week, maniacs, as we discuss the 1988 splatter flick Slime City! As we parse through the goopy effects of this one, we also talk topics such as garbage can dinner invitations, reverse video stores, and slimy interpretive dance.

We're on fire this week, maniacs, as we head back to Italy to discuss Dario Argento's second installment in the Three Mothers trilogy, 1980's Inferno! While Lance parses through his weird notes on this weird movie, we also discuss topics such as ska and its connection to the moon, the proper way to vacate a library, and the true meaning of running water in an Italian film basement.

We are finally reaching the end of the 80s entries of the Nightmare On Elm Street series and tackling Freddy's Revenge from 1985! While we discuss the world-building of this film and its various back stories, we also talk about subjects such as Freddy's lack of skull, getting Occam's Razor backwards, and quite possibly the best musical montage in cinematic history.

Oh brother, maniacs, do we have a movie for you this week! The musical chairs continue as we discuss the 1987 monster movie The Kindred. As we discuss the film, we also discuss topics such as using dirty receptacles for medical specimens, Rod Steiger as a crappy Robert Vaughn, and using "well-poisoner" as an insult.

Fire up your flamethrowers, maniacs! This week we are taking on an absolute banger of a movie with John Carpenter's The Thing from 1982! Joining us to break down the flick is Blake O'Donnell and Ryan Lintner of BPO films. Tune in as we try to figure out who is an alien in this flick and other topics such as Kurt Russell's enormous cowboy hat, how many Slim Jims were eaten by the dogs on set, and Ben's Wilford Brimley impression.

London's burning, maniacs! This week we're talking 1985's space vampire epic Lifeforce from director Tobe Hooper. Tune in as we break down this wacky Cannon flick and discuss other topics such as our great ideas for various Monkey themed movies, Tobe Hooper's demanding pubic hair preferences, and the Trent Reznor / Zack de la Rocha side project that never came to be.

Put on your galoshes, maniacs! This week we're heading to the swamp to talk about Wes Craven's Swamp Thing from 1982. Join us as we break down this flick and other topics such as indestructible nets, the great corn shortage of 2001 that never actually happened, and our hot takes on Speed 2: Cruise Control.

We've got the purr-fect episode to kick off 2022, maniacs! We're talking Stephen King's Cat's Eye from 1985 this week. Tune in as we claw our way through this anthology and discuss other topics like smoking sections in restaurants, Drew Barrymore being unrecognizable to us in a brown wig, and the 12 different cats they used to portray The General in this movie.