Neon Brainiacs (A Retro Horror Movie Podcast)

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.

It's almost 2022, maniacs! What better way to count down to the new year than with John Russo's Midnight from 1982! Join us as we discuss this obscure Western PA slasher flick and other topics such as the lost art of the early 2000's Graduation Song, Lance's minimal flavor profile, and how to successfully pull off a Grocery Store Heist.

Have yourself a merry little apocalypse, maniacs! This week we're talking the 1984 Christmas themed Sci Fi/Thriller Night of the Comet with special guests Amanda and Sarah from the Ghoul on Ghoul Podcast! Join us as we discuss this end of the world flick and other topics such as bringing ginger snaps to a cookout, Micheal Phelps' McGriddles Diet, and The Ghouls profess their love for Garth Brooks' alter ego Chris Gaines.

Lock your doors, maniacs! This week we are talking about some unexpected Christmas guests in the 1987 thriller Night Visitors! Join us as we discuss the flick and other topics such as this film's similarities to Last House On The Left, using the term Pork Roast to describe sex, and is Ham Radio just for kids?

Are you ready to laugh, maniacs? This week we are talking about Comedy/Horror/Christmas film Lucky Stiff from 1988. Tune in to hear us break down the movie and other topics such as Anthony Perkins' directing career, which of these actors worked on Looney Tunes, and this film's relationship to Police Academy.

Put on your Santa Hats, maniacs! We're sleigh riding into another Christmas Block this week with 1984's (sort of) Christmas Horror film Sole Survivor! Join us as we discuss the flick and other topics such as Fun Zones in hospitals, the politics of acting in various warm drink commercials, and the wonderful world of Sex-cersizing!

Gas up your Tiny Helicopters, maniacs! This week we are heading to Haiti to talk Wes Craven's 1988 film The Serpent and the Rainbow! Lance Parkin is back once again and we're also joined by photographer and first time guest Bob Price! Listen in as we discuss the flick and other topics such as Chickens with Freddy Kreuger Claws, Sandra Bullock's love life, and our favorite Late Night hosts!

Sharpen your Number 2 Pencils, maniacs! This week we are heading back to High School with the 1989 slasher film Hell High! Lance Parkin is back this week to discuss the flick and other topics such as human bodies made out of foam, frighteningly aggressive boob grabbing, and do frogs have testes?

Rev up your Dirtbikes, maniacs! This week we are talking Stan Winston's Pumpkinhead from 1988! Lance Parkin brings along his co-star from "The Boonies" and "Bergeron Brothers: Wedding Videographers", Matt Schultz, to help us break it down! Tune in as we discuss the flick and other topics such as video store memories of yesteryear, Seinfeld's Todd Gack, and the price you pay to be Radical.

Grab your electric chainsaws, maniacs! This week we're heading back to Canada to talk about 1989's Super-8 cult classic "Things". Lance Parkin is back as co-host and we're also joined by first time guest, photographer and filmmaker, Cody Rhoades. Tune in to hear us try to describe this film and discuss other topics such as "Pittsburgh showers" in Canadian basements, electric toilets in Canada, and the film's similarities to Tim and Eric.

This is it maniacs! Our final installment of Howl-O-Ween is here and we're talking 1989's "Howling V: The Rebirth" this week. Lance Parkin is back to discuss the film and other topics such as Weird Gregorian Chants every time someone dies, 500 year old Castles that contain Sidewalk Chalk, plus the traditional Halloween Movies and Candy we enjoy!

It's still Howl-O-Ween, maniacs! We're continuing our journey through the Howling sequels this week with Howling IV: The Original Nightmare! Guest Co-Host Lance Parkin returns to discuss the film and other topics such as the very deep voices of two male actors in this film, Men getting angry at Female Ghostbusters, and Art Supply stores in abandoned towns.

Get ready to head down under, maniacs! This week we're continuing our Howl-O-Ween theme with the Australian set sequel "Howling III: The Marsupials" with guest co-host Lance Parkin. Also joining us this week is Filmmaker Steve Rudzinski promoting his new film CarousHELL 2! Listen in as we discuss the flick and other topics such as bartering Sony Walkmans for sex, The President working out at the Tromaville Gym, and Steve's love for Home Alone 5.

Happy Howl-O-Ween maniacs! Join us as we kick off our brand new theme this month with Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf from 1985. Guest co-host Lance Parkin is back this week to discuss this sequel and other topics such as Christopher Lee looking bored, another cast member from Herman's Pee-Wee, and how many boob shots is too many?

Do you feel lucky, maniacs? This week we're talking Clint Eastwood in the 1984 slasher flick Tightrope. Guest co-host Lance Parkin is back to dissect this Giallo flavored thriller with our best Clint impressions. We also discuss topics like killer Puma sneakers, the sadness of a grown man with a Grover doll, and Dan Hedaya only showing up when someone dies.

Load up your paintball guns, maniacs, because this week we're talking the 1986 action slasher hybrid The Zero Boys! Guest co-host Lance Parkin is back to discuss the flick and topics such as Joe Estevez's choice of footwear as a backwoods killer, the consistency of Dimetapp versus Blood, and another tasty review of the Millvale, PA Hardee's location.

Grab your tools, maniacs, and join us as we talk Dead Dudes In The House aka House on Tombstone Hill from 1989! Guest co-host Lance Parkin is back and we're also joined by filmmakers Zane Hershberger and Sable Griedel who are here to promote their new film Treaters which is currently crowdfunding now! Listen in as we discuss the film and other topics such as House Party-inspired VHS cover art, Spike Jonze in old lady makeup, and guys who really hate whistling!

Put on your space suits, maniacs, because this week we're talking 1985's Alien knock off Creature with guest co-host Lance Parkin! Join us as we discuss this totally original film and topics such as Hardee's Thickburgers turning you into a zombie, gently used chewing gum in space, plus heartwarming tales of Klaus Kinski and Werner Herzog trying to kill each other.

It's our 4 year anniversary, maniacs! In honor of this occasion, we decided to talk about the deep cut Pittsburgh flick "Effects" from 1980. Once again, we bust out our yinzer accents as we discuss topics such as Englishmen playing Pittsburghers, Tom Savini's underwear graffiti, and broken sinks at Hechinger's Hardware Store. Stick around for an important announcement at the end of this week's show.

Dead or alive, you're coming with us, maniacs! We wrap up Action August with an absolute doozy of an episode: 1987's Robocop! We geek out on this one pretty hard, if you can imagine. As we discuss all things Omni Consumer Products, we also discuss topics such as Paul Verhoeven's propensity for co-ed locker rooms, Robocop action figures (for the kids!), and tiny ponytails.