the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast

Film, TV & Pop Culture

About

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.

Episodes

  • Invasion U.S.A. (1985)

    One Man Army, Zero Armadillos: The Invasion U.S.A. SituationWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guests Francis Zagarigo and Jenna Jacobsen of the Very…

  • Purple Rain (1984)

    Dearly Beloved, We Are Gathered Here to Talk About Purple Rain Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast. Hosts Krissy Lenz (comedian and director at Neighborhood Comedy Theatre) and Nathan Blackwell (independent fil…

  • The Dark Crystal (1982)

    When Puppets Get Grotesque: The Dark Crystal and the Gateway to Nightmare FuelKrissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell sit down with special guest Eric Weir—a tattoo artist and lifelong Jim Henson devotee—to tackle The Dark Crystal (1982), the fil…

  • Season 9

    It's time for season 9 of The Most Excellent 80s Movies!

  • The Ice Pirates (1984) • REBROADCAST

    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 Leatha…

  • They Live (1988) • REBROADCAST

    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 C…

  • Spaceballs (1987)

    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 Broo…

  • Uncle Buck (1989)

    He's Crude, He's Crass, He's Family: An Uncle Buck Deep DiveWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell, along with special guest Heath Wilcock, as they make themselves at h…

  • Akira (1988)

    A Sensory Overload of Cyberpunk: Akira Takes Over Neo TokyoWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, where hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest David Westlake to dive headfirst into Kat…

  • My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988)

    A Cosmic Comedy of Questionable ChoicesWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Robert Fata to dive into the 1988 sci-fi rom-com My Stepmother is a…

  • Gymkata (1985)

    Gymnastics Meets Carnage: Gymkata (1985)Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell pommel horse their way through one of the most wonderfully absurd action films of the 1980s—Gy…

  • The Running Man (1987) • REBROADCAST

    We're bringing this episode back as Hollywood unveils its reimagining of The Running Man in theatres! While audiences experience this fresh take on Stephen King's dystopian thriller, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit our deep d…

  • The Monster Squad (1987)

    Can a Gang of Kids Really Save the World from Classic Monsters?Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, where hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell venture into completely new territory with The Monster Squad (198…

  • Revenge of the Ninja (1983) & Ninja III: The Domination (1984) with the Long Rewind

    When Ninjas Ruled the 80s: A Deep Dive into Daytime WarriorsWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast. Prepare yourself for a crossover extravaganza as hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell team up with special gues…

  • Spies Like Us (1985)

    When Childhood Nostalgia Meets RealityKrissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Jordan Collier to revisit the 1985 spy comedy Spies Like Us, starring Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd. What happens when a beloved childhood fav…

  • Stand and Deliver (1988)

    When Calculus Meets Heart: Stand and Deliver Gets the Math TreatmentWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell tackle the 1988 inspirational drama Stand and Deliver, starring Ed…

  • Masters of the Universe (1987)

    By the Power of Grayskull... This Movie ExistsWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guests Jordan Collier and Derrick Tesson to tackle the 1987 sci-fi…

  • Bull Durham (1988)

    Swing for the Fences: A Deep Dive into Bull DurhamWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell as they welcome special guest Nate McWhortor—a self-proclaimed superfan—to disc…

  • Little Monsters (1989)

    Join us for a wild ride under the bed! The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast dives into the bizarre world of Little Monsters (1989), starring Fred Savage and Howie Mandel. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by comedy all-sta…

  • Batman (1989)

    Holy Multimedia Event, Batman!Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell with special guests Andy Nelson and Kyle Olson as they dive deep into Tim Burton's groundbreaking Batman (1989)—recorded live at the 2025 Phoenix Fan Fusion! This wa…

  • Thrashin’ (1986)

    Grab your knee pads and get ready to shred! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell tackle the 1986 skateboarding flick Thrashin', starring baby-faced Josh Brolin fresh off The Goonies. This loose Romeo and Juliet adaptation follows Corey W…

  • Flashdance (1983)

    Flashdance (1983)—Dream Big or Go Home?In this energetic episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell dive into the iconic 1983 film Flashdance. Neither had seen the movie before, leading to some…

  • Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

    The Darkest Indiana Jones Adventure In this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell dive into the controversial second installment of the Indiana Jones franchise, Indiana Jones and the Templ…

  • Blue Velvet (1986)

    David Lynch's Dark Suburban MasterpieceJoin hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell with special guests Andy Nelson and Pete Wright as they dive into David Lynch's controversial classic Blue Velvet (1986), a film that exposed the dark under…

  • The Little Mermaid (1989)

    A Disney Renaissance ClassicJoin hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell with special guest Mandy Kaplan as they dive under the sea to explore Disney's animation breakthrough The Little Mermaid. This 1989 film marked the beginning of the Di…

  • Return of the Jedi (1983)

    The Epic Conclusion to the Original Star Wars TrilogyJoin hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell, along with special guest Francis Zagarigo, as they dive into the thrilling conclusion of the original Star Wars trilogy—Return of the Jedi (1…

  • Tron (1982)

    Groundbreaking Digital Frontier or 80s Tech Fantasy? Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell with special guest Joe Malone as they venture into the neon-lit digital world of Tron (1982). This revolutionary sci-fi adventure follows comp…

  • The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

    A Frozen Adventure in a Galaxy Far, Far AwayIn this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Francis Zagarigo to discuss the iconic sequel Star Wars Episode V: The…

  • Steel Magnolias (1989) • REBROADCAST

    Hello Friends of the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! We are taking a short break between seasons during February and March. In the meantime please enjoy these REBROADCAST episodes, some favorites of ours, to tide you over until we retur…

  • Lethal Weapon (1987) • REBROADCAST

    Hello Friends of the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! We are taking a short break between seasons during February and March. In the meantime please enjoy these REBROADCAST episodes, some favorites of ours, to tide you over until we retur…

  • Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) • REBROADCAST

    Hello Friends of the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! We are taking a short break between seasons during February and March. In the meantime please enjoy these REBROADCAST episodes, some favorites of ours, to tide you over until we retur…

  • UHF (1989) • REBROADCAST

    Hello Friends of the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! We are taking a short break between seasons during February and March. In the meantime please enjoy these REBROADCAST episodes, some favorites of ours, to tide you over until we retur…

  • Rain Man (1988)

    Welcome back to The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast with your hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell! This episode dives deep into the heartfelt and iconic Rain Man (1988). From its award-winning performances by Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cr…

  • Dream a Little Dream (1989)

    Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell as they dive deep into one of the most bewildering teen films of the 1980s - Dream a Little Dream (1989). This surreal body-swap comedy starring the two Coreys (Feldman and Haim) alongside vetera…

  • The Last Dragon (1985)

    Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell with special guest Alice Baker as they roundhouse kick their way through Barry Gordy's 1985 martial arts musical mashup The Last Dragon. This cult classic blends kung fu action, Motown music, and…

  • Going Viral (2024) with Corey Feldman

    80s icon Corey Feldman joins The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast to discuss his new film Going Viral (2024), a nostalgic throwback that imagines what social media might have looked like in the 1980s. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwel…

  • National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

    National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: A Hilarious Holiday Classic Dissected Join the hosts of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast as they unwrap the comedic genius of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the 1989 holiday comedy that h…

  • Back to the Future Part II (1989)

    Step into the DeLorean with hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell as they revisit the mind-bending 1989 sequel Back to the Future Part II. This zany time-traveling adventure pushes Marty McFly and Doc Brown to their limits as they navigat…

  • Evil Dead II (1987)

    Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell, along with special guest Nate McWhortor, as they dive into the cult classic Evil Dead II (1987). This episode is packed with spine-tingling insights and hilarious commentary on one of the most b…

  • 9 to 5 (1980)

    Join hosts Nathan Blackwell and Krissy Lenz as they dive into the groundbreaking 1980 workplace comedy 9 to 5, starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton in her film debut. This feminist revenge fantasy became the first female-led…

  • They Live (1988)

    Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell, along with returning guest Adam Marshall Rini, as they dive deep into John Carpenter's politically charged sci-fi action film They Live (1988). This cult classic starring WWE legend "Rowdy" Rodd…

  • Mr. Mom (1983)

    Dive into the hilarious world of role reversal with Mr. Mom (1983) in this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell unpack this classic comedy starring Michael Keaton and Teri Garr, exploring…

  • Real Genius (1985)

    When 80s Comedy Meets Sci-Fi Brilliance Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell as they dive into the quirky world of Real Genius, the 1985 sci-fi comedy that proves even geniuses know how to party. This episode of "The Most Excellent…

  • Splash (1984)

    Dive into the enchanting world of mermaids and romance with "The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast" as hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell make a splash discussing the 1984 hit film Splash. This delightful romantic comedy starring Tom H…

  • Beaches (1988)

    This week, Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell take listeners on a nostalgic journey back to 1988 with their in-depth discussion of the iconic film "Beaches." This beloved classic, starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, explores the endur…

  • Ghostbusters (1984)

    In the latest episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell, along with special guest Matthew Fox from The Ethical Panda, delve into the iconic 1984 supernatural comedy, "Ghostbusters." This episo…

  • UHF (1989)

    In this uproarious episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell team up with special guest Jared Washburn to revisit the 1989 cult classic "UHF," starring the incomparable Weird Al Yankovic. Prep…

  • Field of Dreams (1989)

    Welcome back baseball fans and 80s movie buffs! In this week's episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, hosts Krissy and Nathan discuss the 1989 fantasy film Field of Dreams with fellow podcaster and filmmaker, Tommy Metz III. Thi…

  • Footloose (1984)

    Welcome to another tubular episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell cut footloose with the 1984 musical drama that made everyone want to dance. In this episode, Krissy and Nathan discuss the…

  • Ice Pirates (1984)

    It's the podcast where a filmmaker and a comedian slowly trudge through the frozen hedge maze of the 80s movies we think we love or might have missed. Join improv comedian Krissy Lenz ( The Neighborhood Comedy Theatre , The Cool Time Dice…