『the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast』のカバーアート

the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast

the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast

著者： TruStory FM
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概要

 It’s the podcast where a filmmaker (Nathan Blackwell of Squishy Studios) and a comedian (Krissy Lenz of Neighborhood Comedy Theatre) take a hilarious look at the 80s movies we think we love or might have missed with modern eyes and probably a significant haze of nostalgia.© TruStory FM アート
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  • The Ice Pirates (1984) • REBROADCAST

    The Ice Pirates (1984) • REBROADCAST
    2026/03/18
    Ice Pirates: Space Swashbuckling, Time Warps, and Robot BrothelsREBROADCASTWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell, along with special guests Sean Oliver and Drew Leatham of Third Productions, as they navigate the wonderfully bonkers 1984 sci-fi comedy Ice Pirates. In a galaxy where water is the most precious commodity, space pirates raid Templar ships, stumble upon a princess in a smoke chamber, and embark on a quest involving castration conveyor belts, unicorn-riding Amazons, and a climactic time warp that ages everyone decades in minutes. This movie has everything—and we mean everything.The crew dives deep into what makes Ice Pirates such a hidden gem of '80s cinema. Despite its slashed budget (down from $20 million to $8 million, forcing a rewrite as a comedy), the film delivers genuine laughs, impressive practical effects, and surprisingly likeable characters. Robert Urich charms as the roguish lead, while Anjelica Huston and Ron Perlman steal scenes as memorable supporting pirates. The group marvels at the film's commitment to its bits—from adorable space prairie dogs to baby donkeys that pay off brilliantly in the finale. They also grapple with the movie's confusing villain structure (or lack thereof), casual '80s-era problematic moments, and a sex scene set to a slideshow called "Passion Storm" that somehow involves wasting precious water during coitus.What emerges is a consensus: Ice Pirates rates around five or six robots-shitting-themselves when watched alone, but jumps to a solid eight when experienced with friends. It's the perfect midnight screening movie—campy, ambitious, and genuinely funny rather than just laughably bad. The practical effects hold up remarkably well, the comedy lands more often than not, and the time warp sequence remains an absolute highlight of creative chaos. Sean and Drew even share the wild story of their high school's stage adaptation of the film, complete with castration scenes and Mad Max sequences somehow translated to theater.Additional Highlights:The movie features pre-LED lighting with hundreds of tiny heated bulbs on the robot designs—a fire hazard waiting to happenBruce Vilanch makes a bizarre cameo on an Amazon planet, and nobody knows whyThe "redesign" process (castration and lobotomization) includes an oddly satisfying conveyor belt sequence with enthusiastic workersRobert Urich bears an uncanny resemblance to Bill Hader, leading to mental deep-faking throughout the viewingThe film ends abruptly upon finding Earth, leaving questions about legitimate trade routes versus creating the biggest water black market everThe hosts conclude that more people need to know about Ice Pirates—it's a genuinely ambitious effort that deserves cult classic status beyond obscure VHS shelves. Deep cut recommendations include Time Bandits, Flash Gordon (1980), and Nathan's web series Voyage Trekkers.Want more Most Excellent 80s Movies? Head to TruStory.fm to explore the full network. Become a member at trustory.fm/join for early, ad-free episodes and access to the True Story FM Discord for bonus content and community discussion.Connect with us:Facebook | Instagram | BlueskyLearn more about the hosts and guests:Neighborhood Comedy TheatreSquishy StudiosThird ProductionsDrew LeathamWhat's your favorite overlooked '80s sci-fi comedy that deserves more love? ---Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.
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    1 時間 1 分
  • They Live (1988) • REBROADCAST

    They Live (1988) • REBROADCAST
    2026/02/18
    Sunglasses, Skull Faces, and the Longest Fight Scene EverREBROADCASTWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by returning guest Adam Marshall Rini to dissect John Carpenter's 1988 cult classic They Live. What starts as a simple tale of a drifter looking for work quickly transforms into a mind-bending sci-fi commentary on consumerism, Reaganomics, and subliminal control—once Roddy Piper finds those magical sunglasses, of course. But is this film a masterpiece of political satire or just "Noam Chomsky for 14-year-olds"? The hosts debate whether They Live is best enjoyed with tacos and beer or if it's essential viewing for understanding capitalism's grip on society.The conversation flows from the film's jarring tonal shifts—peaceful drifter to trigger-happy action hero in minutes—to that infamous alley fight scene that seems to go on longer than the movie itself. Krissy experiences the film with fresh eyes and finds herself both fascinated and bewildered by its pacing, while Nathan and Adam appreciate it as a "beer and taco movie" that hits different emotional notes depending on your age when you first watch it. They explore Carpenter's knack for making outsiders the heroes, the shocking violence of the police raid scenes, and why casting a professional wrestler was the perfect choice to reach a teenage audience. The panel also wrestles with the film's abrupt ending and that peculiar final shot that seems designed purely to earn its R rating.Additional Highlights:
    • The group debates whether the sunglasses actually get you high or just tax your brain with information overload
    • Discussion of how They Live influenced everything from Shepard Fairey's "Obey" artwork to South Park episodes
    • Analysis of why Keith David elevates every scene he's in, even when he's being forced to wear sunglasses against his will
    • Examination of the film's stark division between the haves and have-nots, with no middle class in sight
    • The revelation that this screenplay follows textbook structure, hitting its major plot point at exactly the 30-minute mark
    The hosts land on vastly different ratings: Nathan gives it 8 pairs of sunglasses as a fun genre piece, Adam awards it an honorary 14 for its cultural importance to young minds, and Krissy settles on 5—acknowledging its significance while admitting it's just not for her. Their deep cut recommendations range from the video game Fallout: New Vegas to Noam Chomsky's Understanding Power to Green Day's “American Idiot,” proving this film's influence extends far beyond cinema.Learn More:Discover more about the podcast and TruStory FM at trustory.fm. Members get early, ad-free access to episodes plus exclusive bonus content—join at trustory.fm/join. Connect with the show on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. Check out the hosts' creative work at Neighborhood Comedy Theatre and Squishy Studios.Have you ever wondered what you'd do if you found sunglasses that revealed hidden messages everywhere? Would you immediately start a revolution or just try to convince your skeptical best friend?
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    Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Spaceballs (1987)

    Spaceballs (1987)
    2026/01/28
    May the Schwartz Be With You: A Spaceballs Deep DiveWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Adam Marshall Rini to close out Season 8 with Mel Brooks' 1987 sci-fi parody Spaceballs. The trio explores whether this childhood favorite still holds up with "grown-up eyes," debating everything from Rick Moranis' concussed helmet performance to Pizza the Hut's grotesque puppet design. Spoiler alert: opinions are divided, with ratings ranging from a nostalgic seven cans of Perri-Air down to a disappointed four.What Really Works (and What Doesn't)The hosts agree that Spaceballs operates on a hit-or-miss ratio—about 50-50, which they concede is pretty solid for parody films. Nathan finds himself pleasantly surprised by how much heart the film retains compared to other spoofs, noting that Mel Brooks maintains character development even while throwing jokes at the wall. The merchandising gags, the "now/then" video scene, and Rick Moranis playing with dolls all earn praise as moments that still land decades later. However, Adam feels the weight of having seen Brooks' masterpieces like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, making Spaceballs feel disappointingly broad by comparison.Nostalgia vs. RealityThe conversation reveals how much expectation shapes our viewing experience. Nathan went in prepared to groan but found genuine enjoyment, while Adam's fond childhood memories collided with adult disappointment. Krissy appreciates the film's innocent, joyful approach to parody—it celebrates Star Wars rather than targeting it with edgy mockery. The group also notes how many dated references (Ford Galaxy cars, Michael Winslow's radar sounds) create an unintentional time capsule effect that's now charming rather than topical.Additional Highlights:
    • The film's constant exposition and repeated revelations feel either intentionally melodramatic or surprisingly sloppy
    • George Lucas loved the movie and allowed Brooks to park the Millennium Falcon at the diner
    • Bill Pullman's face-plant sound effect and Mel Brooks buckling a bear into a space pod remain comedy gold
    • The Yuma, Arizona sand dunes provided the perfect backdrop for the desert planet scenes
    • Watching double features of Mel Brooks films reveals his decline from Blazing Saddles through Robin Hood: Men in Tights
    Final VerdictDespite mixed ratings, the hosts agree Spaceballs remains a revisitable piece of 80s comedy—even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of Brooks' earlier work. Whether it's a prince or just Prince Valium depends entirely on what you bring to it.Ready to dive deeper? Head to TruStory FM to explore more episodes and learn about the network. Members get early, ad-free access plus exclusive bonus content—join at trustory.fm/join.Connect with the podcast on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.Learn more about the hosts at Neighborhood Comedy Theatre and Squishy Studios.What's your take on Mel Brooks' parody style—does it hold up better than other 80s spoofs?
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    Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.
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    55 分
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