Neon Brainiacs (A Retro Horror Movie Podcast)

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.

We're going on a fall break this week, maniacs, as we kick off year four by diving into the North Carolina slasher The Mutilator, aka Fall Break! While we try (and fail) to get this film's theme song out of our heads, we also discuss topics such as old school Natural Light can art, our personal stances on Monopoly, and replicating Benny Hill gags.

We're celebrating pretty hard this week, maniacs! We've hit our three year milestone and finally tackling our namesake, 1986's Neon Maniacs! While we lament the last three years and dissect this bizarre cult flick, we also discuss topics such as the badass Neon Maniacs trading cards we never got in real life, using answering machines for exposition, Floam, and Big Milk strikes again.

This week we're clearing the creek for some white water rafting as we discuss 1983's obscure woods slasher The Final Terror! This one features some early roles for famous actors like Adrian Zmed, Daryl Hannah and Joey Pantoliano. While we discuss these cool cameos, we also discuss topics such as our affinity for peaches, the many ways Gerald Ford could have perished, and emergency exits on buses.

Let's race, maniacs! We've heard your pleas and cries for us to cover this movie, so we're finally doing The Wraith from 1986! While we talk about this so-bad-it's-good-to-some-people cult flick, we also discuss topics such as twenty-somethings as high schoolers, Hoss's Steak and Seahouse, and Gregg's new hit song, "I Gotta Do The Thing!"

We're making collect calls straight to hell this week, maniacs, because we're discussing Robert Englund's directorial debut with 1988's 976-EVIL with Jesse from the Heartgod Media podcast! While we phone it in (in the best way possible), we also discuss topics such as crucial Thompson Twins merchandise, tabletop jukeboxes, and what the heck is in a deviled egg sandwich?

This week we're talking some squad goals, maniacs, because we're talking about the legendary kindertrauma film The Monster Squad from 1987! And make sure to tune in after the episode because we've also got a bonus interview with the movie's star, Andre Gower! While we discuss the film, we also talk subjects such as cool treehouse hangouts, Burger King (again), and the underrated acting prowess of Tom Noonan.

Blow out those candles, maniacs, because we're celebrating Ben's birthday by talking about the 1981 killer kid flick Bloody Birthday! While we talk about how uncomfortable birthday wishes make us, we also discuss topics such as pickle sandwiches, what "get a Coke and talk about it" really means, and Mighty Mouse flatware.

Vicious Vacations is coming to a close this week, maniacs, and we're headed to Camp Rolling Hills! We're rounding out our theme with Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers. While we continue the saga of Angela, we also discuss topics such as the return of Big Milk, slasher satire, and our thoughts on The Boss.

Week 3 of Vicious Vacations is upon us, so let's take a trip to the Bates Motel as we discuss Psycho II! As we track Norman Bates' return to the infamous lodge, we also discuss topics such as meatloaf sandwiches, Kid Motel, and Robert Loggia's world-class orange juice schilling.

Week two of Vicious Vacations Part 2 is upon us, and we're headed to a cabin in the woods with some special guests! Joining us to talk Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn are Adam and Rob from Stoopid Movies. While we collectively fawn over this Sam Raimi masterpiece, we also discuss topics such as the first time we saw the film, outlined power tools, and the late great Danny Hicks.

Due to current public health concerns, we can't physically go on vacation, but we can take some Vicious Vacations! One of our favorite themes is back with a vengeance this summer, maniacs, and we're kicking it off with a doozy: Friday The 13th Part 2! While we nestle into camp five years after its closure, we also discuss topics such as working in fast food, Tiger Electronics, and the return of the "turkey" insult.

We're headed to New York City this week, maniacs, and we're not going alone. This week we're joined by co-host of the Kill By Kill podcast, Patrick Hamilton, to talk about 1981's Wolfen! While we debate this movie's reputation as a werewolf film, we also discuss topics such as Albert Finney's butt, shadowed dong, and the Gregory Hines/Tom Noonan buddy comedy we never got.

It's time to "wax" nostalgic, maniacs, because this week we're talking the 1988 flick Waxwork! We're joined by horror journalist Breanna Whipple to dissect all the exhibits of this film. While we break it down, we also discuss topics such as citrus and dairy (and why they don't mix), Grease 2, and falling asleep at a Denny's.

When the light turns green, maniacs, the trap is clean! This week we're joined by returning guest Chelsea from the Dead Meat podcast to talk another Linnea Quigley joint, 1989's Witchtrap! While we dissect the plot of this wacky film, we also discuss topics such as haunted bed and breakfasts, the deliciousness of okra, and this film's continuous similarities to Ghostbusters.

Another edition of our spin-off show ACTION MOVIE SUNDAY is here, and this month we're talking about the 1988 Arnold Schwarzenegger & Jim Belushi buddy cop film Red Heat! We talk about the perfect coffee-to-cream ratio, Pittsburgh-born Russian baddies, and rattle off our favorite one-liners from the movie.

This episode will make your heads explode, maniacs! We're wrapping up the Body Horror trilogy with another round of David Cronenberg and 1981's Scanners. We're joined by our musician friends Zach from Griphook and Dawson from Porcupine to help parse this one out. While we talk about the film, we also discuss topics such as food court etiquette, Dr. Ruth, and Canadian record stores' overflow of Frank Zappa albums.

See you in Pittsburgh, maniacs! Week two of our Body Horror trilogy continues with a little fruit from the David Cronenberg tree, 1983's Videodrome! We're joined by Ashleigh and Maggie from the very awesome Rock Candy podcast to discuss this feat of bizarre cinema. While we all try to wrap our heads around all the weirdness in the film, we also discuss topics such as AIM screen names, Arby's on the first date, and we learn some information about New York cuisine.

Welcome to bonus time, maniacs! This week we're counting down our top 5 lists for the man of your dreams, Freddy Krueger and the Nightmare On Elm Street franchise. After we chat about our lists, we play another rousing game of Stump The Brainiac!

Death to false metal, maniacs! This week we're kicking off another trilogy of body horror films and we're starting with 1989's bizarre trip Tetsuo: The Iron Man! While we try to make heads and tails of this movie, we also discuss topics such as David Byrne's dance moves, our first eBay purchases, and this film's bizarre connection to Ten To Midnight.

Get out those boomboxes, maniacs, because this week's bonus episode finds us doing a second round of our Horror Mixtape Draft! This one's a follow-up to our live set during the second iteration of Podcast Night At The Tolma a little over a year ago. While we draft our next set of ten songs, we also discuss Gregg's Saturday morning routine as a kid, Ben's band covering Dramarama, and our least favorite movie which happens to be one of our least downloaded episodes. And we round it out by playing another round of Stump The Brainiac!

Grab a spacesuit, maniacs, because this week we're going to Marz! We're joined by friend of the show Darren Hall all the way from London to talk about the 1981 camp slasher Madman. While we dig into the legend of the madman, we also discuss topics such as traveling abroad, Gustav Holst, and personalized belt buckles.

We've got another bonus episode taking "shape" this week, maniacs, and we're counting down our top 5 entries in the Halloween franchise! We also play another Myers-centric round of Stump The Brainiac.

Get ready for the weirdest anatomy lesson of your lives, maniacs, because we're rounding out our Deadly Dolls theme with the 1988 Canadian thriller Pin: A Plastic Nightmare! While we try to navigate through the bizarre nature of this movie, we also discuss topics such as Inside Out Boy, jorts, and yinzers at the symphony.

We're very excited to introduce our new bonus show, Action Movie Sunday! On the first Sunday of every month, we'll procure a bonus episode where we talk about a single action movie and break it down via some very fun segments. This week we kick off the series with Stakeout from 1987! We talk about stunts, bad guys, food, and more.

Week two of our Deadly Dolls trilogy is upon us, maniacs, and this week we're going back to Italy with 1988's Umberto Lenzi project Ghosthouse! While we unpack the film and talk about the infamous La Casa series in Italy, we also discuss topics such as post-coital chili, ham radio enthusiasts, and confusing an ax with a meat cleaver.

Who wants a double dose of bonus content!? First up, you'll hear an interview Gregg conducted with Sleepaway Camp star Felissa Rose and director James Cullen Bressack, who are both promoting their new film For Jennifer. After that is the audio from our Instagram livestream Q&A we held this past Saturday. We answer listener questions and a lot more.

We're kicking off a new theme this week - DEADLY DOLLS - and what better place to start than with the 1987 Stuart Gordon flick Dolls? While we talk about the goofy fun of this movie, we also discuss topics such as proficient child actors, Scholastic book fairs, and unlikable on-screen parents.

Grab your hockey masks and machetes, maniacs, because we're bringing you another safe-at-home bonus episode where we count down our top 5 favorite entries in the Friday The 13th series! We'll also talk about our old video stores and play another round of Stump The Brainiac.

Grab your hockey masks and machetes, maniacs, because we're bringing you another safe-at-home bonus episode where we count down our top 5 favorite entries in the Friday The 13th series! We'll also talk about our old video stores and play another round of Stump The Brainiac.

We're going down under this week, maniacs, because we're talking about the 1986 Australian dystopian thriller Dead End Drive-In! While we embarrass ourselves with our terrible Aussie accents, we also discuss topics such as fake Rambo sequels, Big Boss Pants, and Foster's: do they really drink it in Australia?

Who's ready for a bonus episode??? We figured to help everyone pass the time, we'd do a countdown of our top 5 movies filmed in our home city of Pittsburgh! We'll count them down and also share some interesting firsthand stories of our on-set adventures.