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Not just the movies Hollywood remembers, but also the ones it forgot, and why every movie still matters.
The 80s Movie Podcast is your ultimate throwback ride through the most iconic decade in film. From explosive blockbusters and cult classics to hidden gems you forgot you loved, each episode dives deep into the stories, stars, soundtracks, and behind-the-scenes magic that defined the era.
Expect bold opinions, nostalgic deep dives, and plenty of laughs as we revisit the movies that shaped a generation, whether it’s high school hijinks, sci-fi adventures, action-packed showdowns, or unforgettable coming-of-age moments. If it had big hair, bigger explosions, and a killer synth score, it’s fair game.
Whether you lived the 80s or just wish you had, this podcast brings the decade back to life, one reel at a time. Press play and let’s rewind.
Episodes
Nov 22, 2020
Nov 22, 2020
32 min
In 1981, KISS made a decision few fans saw coming. Instead of returning to the straightforward hard rock that made them famous, the band released Music From “The Elder”, an ambitious fantasy concept album filled with orchestration, mythology, and a story designed to accompany a film that never materialized. In this episode of The 80s Movie Podcast, we unpack one of the most unusual creative pivots in rock history and examine why The Elder remains one of the most debated releases in the KISS catalog.
We explore the album’s troubled creation, including producer Bob Ezrin’s influence after his work on Destroyer and Pink Floyd's The Wall, the growing tensions inside the band, and the creative divide that pushed KISS into unfamiliar territory. Along the way, we revisit standout tracks like “The Oath,” “A World Without Heroes,” “Under the Rose,” and “Dark Light,” while looking at how the album’s original story and track sequencing became part of its complicated legacy.
Time has changed how listeners view The Elder. Dismissed by much of the KISS fanbase upon release, the album has gradually developed a loyal following among fans who see it as an underrated experiment rather than a failure. Join us as we revisit the risks, ambition, and strange history of the KISS album that refused to play by anyone’s expectations.
Read the rest of this entry »Nov 15, 2020
Nov 15, 2020
38 min
Today's episode talks about the Management Company Entertainment Group, or MCEG, who would only release four films over the course of nineteen months, while also producing one of the biggest hits of 1989.
Read the rest of this entry »Nov 12, 2020
Nov 12, 2020
59 min
On this third and final part of a three part series, host Edward Havens continues to discuss favorite 80s movies, the state of streaming services today, religion, books, movie theatres, wrestling and so much more with his brother-in-law, Ph. D. student Michael Hourigan.
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Nov 10, 2020
Nov 10, 2020
1 hr 17 min
On this second part of a three part series, host Edward Havens continues to discuss favorite 80s movies, the state of streaming services today, religion, books, movie theatres, wrestling and so much more with his brother-in-law, Ph. D. student Michael Hourigan.
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Nov 9, 2020
Nov 9, 2020
1 hr 11 min
On this first part of a three part series, host Edward Havens discusses favorite 80s movies, the state of streaming services today, religion, books, movie theatres and so much more with his brother-in-law, Ph. D. student Michael Hourigan.
Read the rest of this entry »Oct 26, 2020
Oct 26, 2020
23 min
Most 1980s teen movies focused on romance, parties, and rebellion. Three O’Clock High took a very different approach. In this episode of The 80s Movie Podcast, we revisit the 1987 cult favorite directed by Phil Joanou, a tense, darkly funny high school comedy built around one simple premise: survive the school day. After an awkward encounter with the terrifying new transfer student Buddy Revell, mild-mannered Jerry Mitchell spends an increasingly chaotic day trying to avoid a fight scheduled for exactly three o’clock.
We explore what makes Three O’Clock High feel so distinct from other teen films of the era, from its relentless ticking-clock structure and exaggerated sense of anxiety to Barry Sonnenfeld’s inventive cinematography and Tangerine Dream’s propulsive electronic score. We also discuss why the film struggled at the box office despite offering something far stranger and more visually inventive than many of its better-known contemporaries and why Steven Spielberg produced the film and took his name off it just before its theatrical release. Over time, audiences have increasingly embraced it as an overlooked gem of 1980s cinema.
For many fans, Three O’Clock High feels like the high school nightmare version of High Noon, filtered through late-1980s suburban panic and dark comedy. Join us as we revisit a movie that somehow slipped through the cracks during its original release yet continues to earn admiration from viewers who consider it one of the sharpest, funniest, and most original teen films of the decade.
Read the rest of this entry »Oct 19, 2020
Oct 19, 2020
29 min
By 1985, director William Friedkin had already changed movie history with The French Connection and The Exorcist, but To Live and Die in L.A. may be his most overlooked achievement. In this episode of The 80s Movie Podcast, we examine the hard-edged crime thriller that turned Los Angeles into a sunbaked maze of corruption, obsession, and moral compromise. Starring William Petersen and Willem Dafoe, the film follows a reckless Secret Service agent whose pursuit of a brilliant counterfeiter slowly erodes every boundary between lawman and criminal.
We discuss what makes To Live and Die in L.A. feel so different from other 1980s action films: Robby Müller’s striking cinematography, Wang Chung’s unforgettable electronic score, Friedkin’s willingness to embrace moral ambiguity, and one of the most jaw-dropping freeway chase sequences ever put on film. The movie has steadily grown in reputation over the years, with critics and fans frequently pointing to its gritty atmosphere, unpredictable storytelling, and uniquely authentic vision of Los Angeles crime.
For many movie fans, To Live and Die in L.A. feels like a hidden gem hiding in plain sight, a film that somehow slipped past mainstream recognition despite its style and influence. Join us as we revisit one of the sharpest crime thrillers of the 1980s, unpack its lasting reputation, and explore why so many viewers now consider it one of Friedkin’s strongest films.
Read the rest of this entry »Oct 12, 2020
Oct 12, 2020
54 min
This episode takes a look at the 1980s theatrical releases for New York City-based independent production company and distributor Troma Films, including the 1980s horror-comedy classic The Toxic Avenger.
Read the rest of this entry »Sep 28, 2020
Sep 28, 2020
20 min
This episode takes a look at the Chiodo Brothers' 1988 cult horror-comedy classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space, featuring a remembrance from my best friend and former FilmJerk contributor Dick Hollywood on his one day as a Killer Klown during shooting.
Read the rest of this entry »Sep 13, 2020
Sep 13, 2020
46 min
In today's episode, we take a look at the debut films of five filmmakers who got their start as musicians.
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