Neon Brainiacs (A Retro Horror Movie Podcast)

Let's hit the movies (metaphorically speaking) because this week we're talking about the 1985 Italian horror classic Demons with the host of the Toxic Schlock podcast, Michael Kent! What better guest to join us to talk horror and music? While we discuss the insane nature of this film, we also discuss topics such as Pittsburgh musical landmarks, Mortal Kombat and Christian hair metal bands.

Grab your jester hat and get ready to prank your friends because today is April Fool's Day, so naturally we're talking the 1986 slasher of the same name! While we try to make the most out of all the offscreen carnage in this one, we also discuss topics such as Sesame Street, the weird fashion choices of H&M and Pittsburgh catch phrases.

Get ready to pig out this week, maniacs, because we're talking about 1987's Slaughterhouse with our buddy Travis Ayers! He was the party responsible for putting together our live Q&A with George Hardy last year so we're very excited to have him on the show. While we dissect the Bacon clan's dirty deeds, we also discuss topics like the dangerous playgrounds of yesteryear, Warped Tour, David Letterman and Slaughterhouse reworked as a sitcom.

The final week of our cop trilogy is here, maniacs, and we're closing it out with 1989's Psycho Cop! As we try to make sense of this movie, we also discuss topics such as outdoor phones, boxed soup and the proper footwear for chopping wood.

You can't keep a good maniac dead! Week two of our cop trilogy is upon us and we're talking 1988's horror/action/comedy Dead Heat with returning guest Josh! While we get a little too excited over how much we enjoy this one, we discuss topics such as the realistic toy guns of our youths, the Criterion version of Bio-Dome, and our varying degrees of Vincent Price impressions.

You have the right to remain silent forever, maniacs, because we're kicking off three weeks of cop terror with the 1988 William Lustig flick Maniac Cop! We've got it all this week... Bruce Campbell! Tom Atkins! Robert Z'dar! Lots of great genre actors in this one.

Surprise, maniacs! We wanted to round out Women In Horror Month with something very special, so we were joined by our favorite ghouls, Sarah and Amanda from the Ghoul On Ghoul podcast, to do a bonus commentary track for Linnea Quigley's Horror Workout! You can find the movie on YouTube and follow along as we talk about what we all thought of this infamous piece of horror nostalgia. We'd also highly suggest donating to Linnea's Moulin Rouge dog rescue as well.

This week we're wrapping up Women In Horror Month on the police beat! We're joined by writer Chauncey K. Robinson to discuss Katt Shea's 1987 slasher mystery Stripped To Kill. While we discuss the subversion of this film's plot, we also talk about topics such as the VHS dubbing woes of our youth, receiving weapons as gifts, and Ben's favorite car: the Suzuki Samurai.

Week 3 of Women In Horror Month is upon us, maniacs, so let's grab a bite to eat at Blood Diner with our friends from the Queens Of NC-17 podcast! Ande, China and Eanna were gracious enough to join us in our friend (and two-time former guest) Brian's studio to discuss this 1987 cult flick. While we check out the menu, we also discuss topics such as real-life eye terror, sketchy parties and Sheetar: the guitar for girls!

Women In Horror Month continues on the show with a great movie and great guest. We're discussing 1982's Slumber Party Massacre with Jenn Wexler, director of The Ranger! We talk about her experience making films, what we've been watching recently, then discuss the topic at hand. While dissecting this feat of feminist horror, we also discuss topics such as Denny's, Kool-Aid, and Peter Steele's spread in Playgirl Magazine.

This week we're kicking off Women In Horror Month by talking about 1986's Sorority House Massacre with local Pittsburgh makeup effects artist and director Shay Francis! While we call out some of this movie's obvious influences, we also discuss topics such as 1-900 numbers, taking your pants off without removing your shoes, and local Pittsburgh athlete-themed food products.

Are you ready for Freddy, maniacs? This week we're tackling our annual Krueger entry with A Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master with returning guest Steve Rudzinski. We discuss a lot of subjects in addition to the film: Dramarama! Tuesday Knight! Waterbeds! MTV bumpers of the 80s! Eating Spaghettios like Freddy!

We're raw and uncut this week, maniacs, because we're finally delving into the 1986 Clive Barker-penned flick Rawhead Rex! We're a little underwhelmed by the effects on ol' Rex but as we circumvent that, we also discuss church terms, Bebop from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and even make up our own Irish hoagie.

We're burning up your feeds this week, maniacs, because we're talking about 1980's Don't Go In The House! While we sit around the campfire and discuss the movie we also chat about the Mallrats soundtrack, Bimbo Bread, Eve 6 and Crocodile Mile.

We're headed to Camp Arawak this week, maniacs, because we're talking Sleepaway Camp from 1983! While we dissect the details of this cult classic, we also discuss topics such as crop tops, short shorts, and our own camp memories.

New year, new episode, maniacs! We're kicking off 2020 with the locomotive slasher Terror Train. While we discuss the movie we also talk about the return of Jamie Lee Curtis to our program, hot peanuts and magic. Lots and lots of magic.

Ho ho ho, maniacs! We're wrapping up our Christmas block with the 1982 college slasher flick The Dorm That Dripped Blood! While we try to find nice things to say about this one, we also talk about generic Clint Howard/Art Garfunkel/Carrot Top, haunted Giant Eagles and crappy James Bond villain explanations.

Hide your brains under your beanies, maniacs, because we're doing yet another installment in the killer Santa franchise, Silent Night Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! While we talk about how horror legend Bill Moseley has NOTHING to do in this movie, we also discuss topics such as board games of our youth, old Memorex commercials and The Californians.

It's garbage day, maniacs! We're continuing our holiday block with Silent Night Deadly Night Part 2 from 1987. While we discuss the over-the-top insanity of this one, we also talk about topics such as pop-punk hairdos, movie theater disruptions, and who's the hotter Caldwell in this series: Billy or Ricky?

Prepare for some Christmas punishment, maniacs, because our first holiday episode finds us talking about one of the most infamous killer Santa flicks, Silent Night Deadly Night! Before we get into the episode, we dig into some listener mail. While we unpack the movie, we discuss topics such as kid mullets, egregious product placement, and we invent a new toy just in time for the holidays.

It's the Blackest Friday, the Devil's Friday, and we've got our 2019 Holiday Horror Fan Gift Guide ready for your ears! Think of this as a Sears Wish Book for horror weirdos such as ourselves. We talk about some great companies and great deals this weekend: Studiohouse Designs, Media Crypt, The Joe Bob Briggs Fanzine, Slashdance Zine, House Of Mysterious Secrets, Vinegar Syndrome, Lunaris Records, BPO Films and Retro Release Video. Go support small businesses and get some cool stuff for yourself or the horror fan in your life!

Save some room for dessert, maniacs, because we're wrapping up our Thanksgiving Buffet theme with Return Of The Living Dead II from 1988! This was Ben's first zombie movie viewing ever as a kid, so while he spins that yarn, we also discuss topics such as driving with headphones on, hanging out in unfinished housing developments, and the weird list of featured zombies in this movie.

Let's set the table for a wholesome family meal, maniacs, because our Thanksgiving Buffet marathon continues with the 1989 weirdo cannibal film Parents! While we uncover the Lynchian layers of this onion, we also talk about subjects such as meatloaf, stranger danger, The Big Bopper and our golf woes.

We're going underground, maniacs, because our Thanksgiving Buffet marathon continues with the partially-local zombie flick Day Of The Dead from 1985! To help us discuss this Romero classic, we're joined by our pal EK Wimmer from the Laser Graves podcast. While we talk about how bleak this film is, we also discuss alligators on the loose, musician zombie cameos, and being paid $1 to be a zombie.

Hope you're hungry, maniacs, because we're starting our Thanksgiving Buffet series this month with the 1986 thriller Manhunter! This one features a brief glimpse at infamous on-screen cannibal Hannibal Lecter. While we discuss the film we also talk about flashlight terror, our favorite cereals and we also conduct a brief TED talk on 90s emo.

Get ready to do it by the book, maniacs, because the final installment in our holiday spectacular is Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers from 1988! As we discuss the first franchise appearance of Jamie Lloyd, we also discuss keeping kitchen utensils in the attic, stranger danger, and cars with gas tanks behind the license plate.

Gather round, caterpuppies, because we're continuing our Halloween countdown with the Nickelodeon movie in disguise, House II: The Second Story! As we try to figure out how this kid-friendly movie slipped into our programming, we discuss topics such as hockey hair, Nickelback memes, Muppet Babies, and this film's many connections to the Friday The 13th franchise.

Grab your magic kits, maniacs, because our Halloween spectacular continues with the 1982 snoozefest Trick Or Treats! This cheap slasher clone has us bringing up many tangents, including paper Halloween decorations, hidden punk artifacts, and "junior" cartoons of popular properties.

Grab your costume, nutcakes, because week two of our Halloween extravaganza finds us tackling the 1988 shot-on-video flick Hollow Gate! How bad can it be? As we find out, we also discuss topics such as character's obsessions with sandwiches, debates about candy, and GOOD GOD BOBBING FOR APPLES IS BACK AGAIN. GROSS.

It's the most wonderful time of the year, maniacs! We kick off five weeks of Halloween-themed horror flicks with the 1981 TV movie Dark Night Of The Scarecrow! While we voice our disdain for the game of bobbing for apples, we also discuss topics such as garden gnome gardens, weird southern lingo, and flapjacks. Lots of flapjacks.

Grab your jester masks and fix your tractors, maniacs, because we're wrapping up our Back To School trilogy with the 1986 English slasher Slaughter High! This one's got gnarly effects but not much else. While we dissect the nasty kills, we also discuss topics such as terrifying tour stories, horror Fatheads, how to conceal a British accent, and once again the "free drugs" myth rears its ugly head!

Class Clowning 101 is in session this week, maniacs, because we're continuing our Back To School trilogy with the 1981 slasher parody Student Bodies! Topics include horse head bookends, sad Big Bird, and plenty of Seinfeld tangents for all.

Grab a glass of Nilbog milk, maniacs, because we've got a bonus live episode with actor/dentist George Hardy of Troll 2! We conducted a Q&A with George last night before a rowdy sold out screening of the film at Pittsburgh's own Row House Cinema and were able to capture it in all its wild glory. We talk about his life after Troll 2, his cult actor status, upcoming project he has in the wings, and there's even a surprise in the crowd towards the end. Eternal thanks to George for joining us, Travis for asking us to be a part of the event, Jamie and the rest of the crew at Row House for their hospitality (which they definitely did not piss on), and everyone that made the night a raucous success!

Take your seats, maniacs, because this week we're kicking off our Back To School trilogy! And what better way to start than talking about 1981's Night School? While we dissect this American giallo flick, we also discuss topics such as using the newspaper to find things to do around town, generic Kelsey Grammer, and Slimer's butt.

It's our two year anniversary, maniacs, and you know we've gotta get local! So to celebrate this new milestone we're tackling the locally filmed George Romero/Stephen King collaboration Creepshow from 1982! Topics include music references, Bob Newhart and Ben finally makes a Simpsons reference.

The sun's almost rising on our Vampire Weekend trilogy, maniacs, so that means we're closing it out with 1987's Near Dark! Our pal Brian from Start The Beat With Sikes joins us to discuss this cult horror flick. While we dissect all of Bill Paxton's amazing one-liners, we also talk about sick roller coasters, train math, a lengthy history lesson on King's Island, and ways to tell if your Sweetwater Sound representative is a vampire.

Lock your doors and windows tight, maniacs, because week two of Vampire Weekend brings us 1985's Fright Night! This is one of Ben's favorites so strap in. We'll talk about booking William Ragsdale when Crispin Glover isn't available, driving stories, and Chris Sarandon's A+ sweater game.

This theme sucks, maniacs! We're kicking off our Vampire Weekend trilogy with some returning guests, Sarah and Amanda from Ghoul On Ghoul, to discuss the Larry Cohen-directed sequel A Return To Salem's Lot from 1987. Topics include Canadian lingo and rituals, blood cake, and the darkness of child weddings.

We want our two dollars, maniacs, because we're celebrating our 100th episode! And to kick off the party, we're breaking format and talking about Gregg's favorite movie of all time, Better Off Dead! Returning to the show is Ben's film partner Blake, who watched this movie for the first time the night before we recorded. Topics include loose cereal, Ben's career as a paperboy, and weirdly sexual food signs in inappropriate places.

Stop by the Cut-Rite and grab yourself a few chainsaws, maniacs, because we're closing out Savini Splatter Fest by going down south to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2! We're joined by our good pal and VHS collector Josh (@joshgoestohell) to dissect this one. While we tend to our achin' bananas, we also discuss fake southern restaurants, Dennis Hopper's secret to acting drunk, and get a good dose of Texas history.

Let's go ape, maniacs, because this week we continue Savini Splatter Fest with the locally filmed George Romero flick Monkey Shines from 1988! While we tell you where some of these filming locations are, we also discuss side butt, economy cars of the past and present, and the origin of the Big Mac.

You're in luck, maniacs, because this week we're talking about you! Sort of. We kick off week 2 of Savini Splatter Fest with the 1980 film Maniac! As we follow Joe Spinell around the Big Apple, we share a story about Gregg's parents, our opinions on continental breakfasts, and was Frank Zito a prototype of Matt Foley? Tune in to find out!

Hope you're ready for the graduation dance, maniacs, because this week kicks off a new theme celebrating a local legend... Savini Splatter Fest! We begin with the 1981 Joseph Zito piece The Prowler! Tom Savini considers this his best work so strap in. Topics include cursive writing, fire hazards and poor bathroom etiquette.

Time to cure that undead appetite, maniacs, because this week we're talking about the locally filmed Flesh Eater from 1988! Joining us as our first three-time guest is Ryan from BPO Films! The three of us get super regional with our discussed topics: Beaver county, yinzer accents, Iron City beer, and Foodland.

Grab some fritters and your favorite critters, maniacs, because we're wrapping up Vicious Vacation with Farmer Vincent and the gang in the 1980 cult classic Motel Hell! While we wait to get to the exciting conclusion of this movie, we talk about subjects such as 8-track players, eating Pee-Wee Herman's suit, and whether or not we would put ketchup on chicken.

Grab your rifle and plenty of ammo, maniacs, because we're going on a hunting trip for week 3 of Vicious Vacations as we discuss the 1986 backwoods redneck slasher Hunter's Blood! Lots of really great actors in this one like Clu Gulager, Bruce Glover and even Billy Bob Thornton. As we try to dodge murderous hill people, we also discuss gender role reversals, Ren & Stimpy euphemisms, and all of the random wildlife you see in the background of this film.

It's time to check in, maniacs, because week two of our Vicious Vacations theme brings us 1983's Mountaintop Motel Massacre! This one's not great so we go on some wild tangents about Mike Lange catchphrases, Chingy, Alan Jackson, free sacks, and what the phrase "lemme get my shoes" really means.

Pack up the car and bring plenty of sunscreen because we're kicking off our Vicious Vacations theme with a trip to Blood Beach from 1980! Topics include weird food, Pure Moods, and the many ways we can make this movie better. Check out our bumper up front for details on our next live event!

Get ready to wheeze some juice this week, maniacs, because we're wrapping up Before They Were Famous with the early Pauly Shore vehicle Phantom Of The Mall: Eric's Revenge! The Sherman Oaks Mall makes an illustrious comeback in this modern Phantom Of The Opera adaptation. We discuss our own mall memories, toy stores of our youths, and Ninja Turtle living situations. This episode is sponsored by House Of Mysterious Secrets!

It's senior skip day, maniacs, so let's keep Before They Were Stars rolling and talk some Brad Pitt in the 1989 high school slasher Cutting Class! This one's also got the fantastic Jill Schoelen returning to our show as well as Martin Mull. Topics include flappy T-shirts, getting outwienered, and Scream as written and directed by Tommy Wiseau. This episode is sponsored by House Of Mysterious Secrets!