Neon Brainiacs (A Retro Horror Movie Podcast)

We're headed back to space, maniacs! For week 3 of our Action August theme, we're joined by Bergeron Brothers co-star Lance Parkin to talk James Cameron's 1986 epic Aliens! As we discuss the further adventure of Ellen Ripley, we also talk topics such as the franchise through Jonesy the cat's eyes, trying to buy fake things from the movie, and Big Milk strikes yet again.

Pizza scissors, maniacs! We continue Action August and our promotion of Ben's new film BERGERON BROTHERS: WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHERS with the Stallone/Cannon collab Cobra from 1986! Joining us is the co-writer and co-star of Bergeron Brothers, Blake O'Donnell. As we discuss this strange piece of grimy cinema, we also discuss topics such as Stallone's choice of accessories, the film's intersections with Seinfeld, and spark factories.

Get to the chopper, maniacs! We're kicking off Action August with a bona fide classic, the 1987 creature feature Predator! We're also celebrating the release of Ben's new movie, BERGERON BROTHERS: WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHERS, releasing to VOD August 10th, by bringing along some fellow cast members from the movie. Joining us this week is one-third of BPO Films and four-time guest, Ryan Lintner. While we try our best to refrain from doing too many Arnold impressions (which we fail at horribly) we also discuss topics such as which high school Kevin Peter Hall went to, tree juice and where it comes from, and we try to figure out what a "sexual tyrannosaurus" is.

We're headed to Miskatonic University this week, maniacs, as we dive into the Lovecraft-penned flick The Unnamable from 1988! As we make our way through the old creepy house that holds the titular monster, we also discuss topics such as cliché horror tropes, the contents of bowls in haunted houses, and how mirrors work.

Grab a can of spray paint, maniacs, because this week we're digging into a weird cult movie: 1988's Doom Asylum! While we discuss the acting debut of Sex And The City's Kristin Davis, we also talk about subjects such as easily avoidable car accidents, bad one-liners, and we work on our James Hetfield impressions.

We're getting meta this week, maniacs! On deck is the 1980 cinephile slasher Fade To Black. This movie follows movie fan Eric Binford on the path to becoming a killer. While we discuss all of the nods to the golden age of Hollywood, we also talk about subjects such as awkward breakfast exposition, making money off of movie trivia, and weird shortcuts.

We made it, maniacs! We've hit our 200th episode and we just had to pick a behemoth of a movie to celebrate, so this week we're talking about the 1989 Joe Dante cult classic The Burbs! We both love this movie and cannot wait to dig into it. While we discuss the film we also talk subjects such as the definition of "nebby", French serial killers, and the best horror movie garbagemen duos.

The penultimate episode of our Road To 200 is here, maniacs, and we're back to talking another wacky Ken Russell joint! Joining us to talk about 1988's The Lair Of The White Worm are the reigning champions of guesting on our show, Sarah and Amanda from the Ghoul On Ghoul podcast! While we try to record in person for the first time in over 16 months, we talk about subjects such as cool holes, Rusted Root, and the film's lack of subtlety.

The road to 200 is getting shorter, maniacs, and we've got a doozy of an episode for you today! We're going back to Italy to discuss Dario Argento's 1982 giallo Tenebrae, and joining us to talk about it is Tim from the Horror Flicks And Guitar Picks podcast as well as surprise guest Lance Parkin, director of The Boonies! While we discuss some listener mail and some podcast related run-in's we've had recently, we also discuss topics such as airplane etiquette, John Saxon's intense hat-wearing, and the intricacies put into the film by Argento.

Stay off the moors, maniacs! We continue our path towards our 200th episode with an absolute classic, 1981's An American Werewolf In London! And who better to join us to talk about this lycan tale than the host of Toxic Schlock, Michael Kent. While we talk about how this movie scarred us at various stages of our lives, we also discuss topics such as record scratch moments, knowing scenes from movies based on Mortician samples, the No Kid, and our aversion to glass contacts.

We still believe, maniacs! The road to our 200th episode gets ever shorter as we discuss the legendary 1987 vampire flick The Lost Boys with our friend Jesse from the Heartgod Media Sight And Sound Podcast! As we try not to fanboy out too much, we discuss topics such as garlic t-shirts, Alex Winter's directorial portfolio, and Big Milk rears its ugly head once more on our program.

The road to our 200th episode starts here, maniacs, and we're bringing some friends with us! We're joined once again by Adam and Rob from Stoopid Movies to talk the 1988 shlock horror flick Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers! While we opine about the reigning queen of Neon Brainiacs, Linnea Quigley, we also discuss topics such as the 90s insult restaurant fad, the local Nebraska cuisine of Runza, watching Meet The Feebles way too young, and the difficulties of starting a chainsaw.

Grab a planchette, maniacs, because this week we're channeling the 1986 Kevin Tenney flick Witchboard! As we discuss the life and times of this movie's star Tawny Kitaen, we also discuss topics such as lumberjack clocks, catchphrases that never quite catch on, and we bust some myths about Ouija boards.

We're headed to New Zealand for the first time, maniacs, as we discuss the first horror movie filmed there, 1981's Strange Behavior AKA Dead Kids! While we try to understand why New Zealand plays surrogate to Galesburg, Illinois, we also discuss topics such as using paper plates for breakfast pastries, police station beer fridges, and the history of Lou Christie.

We're back on the Fulci train this week, maniacs, as we visit the first installment in the Gates Of Hell trilogy, 1980's City Of The Living Dead! While we try to make sense of one of Lucio's masterpieces (again), we also discuss topics such as David Yow's looms, Italian depictions of American conversations, and Rob Zombie's lost song "Maggot Fan".

We're getting in our sensory deprivation chamber this week, maniacs, as we dive into the 1980 Ken Russell flick Altered States! Returning to chat about this one is co-star of The Boonies and one of Ben's film partners, Blake O'Donnell! While we all try to tap into our inner cavemen, we also discuss topics such as wilding out at Applebee's, crazy parties, and what kind of Tony Shalhoub we are in the sack.

The final installment of our Halfway To Halloween theme is upon us, maniacs, and we're wrapping it up by talking the 1989 slasher Offerings! While we try to maneuver through this movie's obvious nods to the John Carpenter classic, we also discuss topics such as professors who moonlight as standup comedians, having a non-regional accent, and Gregg's close call with owning a copy of today's film.

We're slipping into week 3 of our Halfway To Halloween theme with a returning director and some great guests, maniacs! We're joined by Lance Parkin and Matt Schultz, promoting their new film The Boonies which is available on VOD now, and discussing the 1988 Juan Piquer Simon film Slugs. While we chat about the flick, we also talk about topics such as imaginary sitcoms, greenhouse accidents, and weird side dishes.

We're shocking the monkey over our Halfway To Halloween theme this week, maniacs, as we dive into the 1988 deep cut Primal Rage! A virus overwhelms a college campus, turning students and faculty into bloodthirsty monsters. What could go wrong!? Topics include tug of war games at college, the Hunter Thompson obsession of post-adolescent males, the weird music used in the film, urinating on your friends, and how we cannot avoid the Noid.

We're going double CHUD this week, maniacs, and following up last week's episode with its 1989 sequel, C.H.U.D II: Bud The Chud! Joining us to talk about the movie is the director of the new Anti-Flag documentary Beyond Barricades, Jon Nix! As we make our way through this late 80s horror comedy, we also discuss topics such as the film's stellar cast, carpeted bathrooms, and can you be a boomer if you're under 40?

We're headed underground this week, maniacs, as we dive into the NYC-based monster movie C.H.U.D from 1984! Joining us to chat about the film is video game reviewer William Lowery. As we talk about this movie's killer cast, we also discuss topics such as being a Juggalo, fictitious government agencies, and this film's unintentional Jonathan Silverman cameo.

We love getting around, maniacs, and today we're finally getting to an entry in the Poltergeist series with Poltergeist II: The Other Side from 1986! Joining us to discuss the film is local Pittsburgh comedian and one of our co-workers, Terry Jones! While we do our best Reverend Kane impressions, we also discuss topics such as eel sandwiches, prank Playskool phone calls, and our favorite Reverend Kane quotes.

Grab your electric carving knives, maniacs, because this week we're diving into the 1981 Andrzej Zulawski film Possession! Returning to the show to join is is Dawson Kiser, vocalist of the band Porcupine, who just released a great record on New Morality Zine called The Sybil. While we compare the different cuts of the film we watched, we also discuss topics such as trashing a TGI Friday's, banana thieves, and Charles Bronson as Spagett.

This episode is exactly what you think it is, maniacs! This week we're putting together Pieces from 1982, and to help us discuss this very normal movie is Ben and Steve from the Dead And Lovely podcast! While we dissect the plot of the film, we also discuss topics such as what you should and shouldn't do on waterbeds, riveting tennis matches, and the burning question: is Pieces a giallo parody?

We're headed back to Camp Forest Green this week, maniacs, as we dig into one of the more revered entries in the saga of Jason Voorhees with Friday The 13th Part VI! As we rank our portrayals of Tommy Jarvis and talk a lot of behind the scenes factoids on this one, we also discuss topics such as beanbag chairs filled with popcorn, weird names for everyday items, and an extensive analysis of our job's lunch menus.

Women In Horror Month comes to an end with quite a controversial entry, the 1980 creature feature Humanoids From The Deep, directed by Barbara Peeters. Joining us to discuss this one is actor/director Rebecca Rinehart! As we unpack some of the more unsavory plot points and factoids of this one, we also discuss topics such as booger trails, jump scares from dirty dishes, and ventriloquism foreplay.

Week 3 of Women In Horror Month continues with Roberta Findlay's 1988 satanic panic deep-cut Prime Evil, and joining us to talk about it is actor Alyss Winkler! As we all watch this movie for the first time, we also discuss topics such as cool necklaces, interesting workout routines, and how phones work in 1988.

It's time to get radioactive, maniacs! We continue Women In Horror Month by talking about Jackie Kong's 1983 monster movie The Being, and joining us to chat about the film is Katey from the I Hope You Suffer Podcast! While we discuss our first Idaho-set feature, we also talk about topics such as car ID numbers, the amount of horrible children in the film, and arson for Jesus.

Rock and roll will never die, maniacs! We kick off Women In Horror Month with Slumber Party Massacre II, and returning to the show to talk about it with us is writer Breanna Whipple! While we discuss the origin story of this sequel, we also talk about topics such as Kettle Chips and their evergreen packaging, this movie's influence on a specific episode of Full House, and more about the history of Denny's.

It's a boy, maniacs! We're tackling our annual entry on everyone's favorite burned baddie, Freddy Krueger, and talking A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child! While we reflect on the Springwood Slasher, we also discuss topics such as the definition of Green Apple Quick Step, kid jargon, and the regional nature of the term "pop stand".

We'll give you the entire axe, maniacs, but you'll only need the edge! We're talking about the 1988 Spanish/English slasher flick Edge Of The Axe. While the axe comes down, we also discuss topics such as the hate for technology held by some of the film's characters, hot Coca-Cola, and stealing Wendy's coupons from dead people.

We're coming at you in 3-D this week, maniacs, as we discuss the recent Vinegar Syndrome release Silent Madness from 1984! As we discuss all three dimensions in this film, we also discuss topics such as Dragon's Lair, the Howard Johnson hotel chain, and mixing Coca Cola and cereal.

We're starting this brand new year in flight, maniacs, as we discuss 1988's oft-forgotten sequel Fright Night Part II! As we revisit Charley Brewster and Peter Vincent, we also talk about topics such as symphony ticket scalpers, speed reading and Jon Gries' proclivity for playing a werewolf.

It's a miracle, maniacs! After an extensive hiatus, Action Movie Sunday makes its (semi-regular) return, and this time we're talking another buddy cop movie, the very funny Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines vehicle Running Scared from 1986. As we maneuver our way through Chicago's landscape, we discuss topics like NFL allegiances, rude kids, and recognizable horror locations.

It's the end of 2020 and we say "snow" long to this weird year by talking the obscure Canadian New Year's film Ghostkeeper from 1982! While we opine about some of the things we enjoyed about the year, we also discuss some topics such as Ski-Doo products, Mr. Rogers, and this movie's similarities to a certain Stephen King story.

Let's grab a snack after midnight, maniacs, and wrap up our holiday season with 1984's Joe Dante classic Gremlins! Joining us is returning international guest Darren Hall to shed some light on the film's release in the UK. As we chat about this flick, we also discuss topics such as the origins of Gizmo's appearance, how much juice is in an American orange, and classic gremlin catch phrases.

"Je suis la jeune fille", maniacs! This week we're going international with 1989's home invasion thriller Dial Code Santa Claus and we're joined to talk about this one with five-time guests Sarah and Amanda from the Ghoul On Ghoul podcast! While we unpack the similarities this has to 1990's Home Alone, we also discuss topics such as cooking with Mountain Dew, mockups of famous 80s montage songs, and an extensive history of Minitel.

Week two of our Christmas horror theme this month brings good tidings, maniacs, as we continue with a real obscure one, 1989's Family Reunion! As we try to find nice things to say about this deep cut, we also discuss topics such as the cross-section of professional baseball players and actors in this film, South Park shop teachers, and Highlights magazine.

Do you hear those "slay" bells, maniacs? Must be another block of Christmas-themed horror this month on the show! We're starting off with a pretty bizarre selection, 1983's samurai ghost film Blood Beat. While we dissect this slice of Wisconsin horror history, we also discuss topics such as deer jerky, tiny televisions and all the mystical boinging going on in the movie.

Do not entry, maniacs, because this week concludes our Rock & Shock theme for November and we are closing it out with a doozy. End guitarist & owner of Silver Bullet Studios Greg Thomas joins us to talk about Lucio Fulci's 1981 classic The Beyond! While we talk about the legendary effects in this film, we also discuss topics such as deadly Gogurt, Pita Pit, and the infamous spiders in the very gross library scene.

We're busting out of our cages this week, maniacs, as we continue our Rock & Shock theme for November with the infamous Nic Cage film Vampire's Kiss! We're joined by friend of the show and Some Faith vocalist Indigo Baloch to unpack all the wild stories of how this movie was made. While we wait for our imported Mexican bats to arrive, we also discuss topics such as air piano players, Bagel Buffet and impressive box jumps.

Get ready to bark at the moon this week, maniacs, because week two of Rock & Shock month brings us 1981's The Howling with returning guest Michael Kent from the Toxic Schlock podcast! While we finally delve into the work of Joe Dante, we also discuss topics such as the Geico caveman, Clint Eastwood's reimagining of Dawson's Creek, and the oeuvre of our lord and savior Dennis Dugan.

Get ready for a ballroom blitz this week, maniacs, because we're starting our Rock & Shock theme for this month with another Jon Mikl Thor joint: 1987's Zombie Nightmare! We're joined to talk this weird cult flick by Tim from the Horror Flicks & Guitar Picks podcast. While we gawk at this movie's wild soundtrack, we also discuss topics such as uneven baseball scoreboards, the newspaper, and the magic of Velcro.

This year Halloween fell on a weekend, maniacs, so the Neon Brainiacs and Michael Myers are going trick or treating! We're rounding out our month-long celebration of the best holiday of the year with 1989's Halloween 5: The Revenge Of Michael Myers. While we discuss the film's position in franchise rankings, we also unpack topics such as Michael's stick-and-poke tattoos, the origin of Stone Sour lyrics, and buying flowers in traffic. And stick around to the end of the show to hear how you can pre-order our brand new t-shirt!

Grab a costume, maniacs, because week 3 of our Halloween spectacular this month finds us discussing the 1981 Linda Blair vehicle Hell Night! While we ask a lot of questions about the plot of this movie, we also talk about topics such as spooky cassette tapes, A Christmas Carol starring Charles Bronson, and pull-chain toilets.

Week two of our Halloween spectacular is here, maniacs, and this week it's an actual Halloween movie! We're discussing the 1988 New York ghost film Lady In White. While we dig into the flick, we also discuss topics such as our feelings about candy corn, Scatman John and Mona from Who's The Boss.

We're kicking off our Halloween sweeps week with a doozy, maniacs! We get spooky with 1980's haunted house flick The Changeling starring George C. Scott. While we discuss how undesirable it is to live in a giant haunted mansion by yourself, we also talk about topics such as college rock cover bands, infamous Pittsburgh punks, and weird ways of saying what year it is.

This week's episode comes to you from deep within the woods, maniacs, because we're discussing Sam Raimi's infamous 1981 film The Evil Dead! We're joined by friends of the show Cody Brown of Studiohouse Designs and designer Jeff Sotace to unpack all the legendary stories from the making of this flick. While we break down the origins of Ash Williams, we also discuss topics such as pencil terror, the infamous tree scene and Bruce Campbell: dinghy pusher.

Grab your protective headgear this week, maniacs, because we're busting into the 1988 Frank Henenlotter film Brain Damage! While we discuss all the great special effects this movie has to offer, we also talk about topics such as Pepsi Blue, the source of some of the sounds found within the film, and various New York businesses of the 80s.

We're playing "ketchup" this week, maniacs, as we're joined by our buddy The Lo Fi Horror Guy to discuss the 1988 comedy Return Of The Killer Tomatoes! While we discuss this early role for megastar George Clooney, we also discuss topics such as toy stores of our youths, how the Muppet Babies helped get this film made, and the connection between this film's score and Soundgarden.