Everything 80s

Today we are reviewing the 1985 classic, The Goonies. Produced by Steven Spielberg, and directed by Richard Donner, The Goonies is the story of the kids from the Goon Docks on a pirate treasure hunt of the famous One-Eyed Willie. We'll break down the movie, look at some behind-the-scenes stuff, and explore various themes throughout the movie such as courage, greed, and youth.  The Everything 80s M...

The Nintendo R.O.B. or Robotic Operating Buddy was a robotic assistant for the NES that would play the games with you. The hype behind it was huge, but it turned out to be pretty lackluster. But this may not have been the point. Was the R.O.B used as a way to promote the NES as more of a "toy" compared to a "video game" which now had a bad name after the great Video Game Crash of 1983? Show Notes:...

Today I'm doing a full review of the great Back to the Future. We'll do a breakdown of the plot, how it was made, some behind-the-scenes things, and some hidden things you didn't know. I'll also go over some of the themes and narratives that make this such an amazing movie. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

Nerds candy is the famous small, irregularly shaped, crunchy treat. Nerds first came out in 1983 but is not associated with anything to do with nerds or geeks. This is a look back on one of the most successful candies in history.  Show notes: Nerds  

If you were around during 1983, you remember the famous "Where's The Beef?" commercial from Wendy's. This simple three-word phrase became a cultural juggernaut and made a star of actor Clara Peller. This is a look back on one of the most famous catchphrases of all time.  Show notes: Where's The Beef?  

Turbo Teen was a very short-lived Saturday morning cartoon from 1984 about a kid that could turn into a car. The success of Knight Rider influenced the show with the hope they could make a more kid-friendly version. This is a look back on a show that featured some of the best voice talent of the time and was given every chance to succeed - but didn't.  Show notes: Turbo Teen   

You may or may not remember Boglins, but these were a series of small puppets that came out in the 80s. These high-quality toys were created by people who worked for Jim Henson on things like Fraggle Rock, The Muppet Show, and The Dark Crystal. The Boglins were movie-quality and a unique toy for creative kids that were one step away from Jim Henson.  Show notes: Boglins  

Small Wonder was a science-fiction sitcom that started in 1985. It was based on a robot girl named VICKY who lived with the Lawson family under the guise she was their adopted "daughter." This is a look back on this very bizarre show, the technical nightmare it was to shoot, and how it was able to find an audience despite its shortcomings.  Show Notes: Small Wonder  

This is a look back on the greatest game show of the 80s - and possibly all-time - Fun House. Hosted by J.D. Roth, Fun House put two teams of kids together to compete in challenges and then run through the mythical Fun House. This is a look back on everything that went into making this memorable 80s game show.  Show Notes: Fun House  

This episode is my countdown of the 21 best movies of the 80s from the perspective of an 80s kid. It was really hard to narrow them down considering all the classic movies that came out in the decade. For each entry I do a quick synopsis, box office success, behind-the-scenes info, and a few fun facts. This is my own personal bias, but I also factored in cultural impact, box office revenue, and re...

The 1980s were a golden age for toys. In this episode, we'll look at why so many amazing toys came out in the decade and then count down the best 13. Listen up to see if any of your favorites made it! Show notes: Top 80s Toys  

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has changed the way movies and franchises now work. But there is one movie that is technically part of the MCU that puts a black eye on everything: Howard The Duck. This is a look back at one of the worst movies ever made and how something like this could ever happen.  show notes: Howard The Duck    

Super Mario Brothers is the best-selling game of all time and was responsible for the success of the original NES. But it never would have happened if it wasn't for Popeye the Sailor Man. In this episode, we look back on how the spinach-loving sailor paved the way for what would become Super Mario Bros.  show notes: Popeye & Super Mario  

This episode is a look back on some of the most interesting 80s topics I covered in 2019. We'll look at the origins of the PG-13 rating, the story of the worst video game ever made, how the Top Gun VHS release in 1986 changed home video forever, and the great Michael Keaton/Batman backlash of 1988.  The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

Gremlins is a dark comedy and an 80s classic. But is it actually a Christmas movie at its core? In this episode, I look at four specific reasons that makes Gremlins a holiday classic along with a lot of interesting insights into the movie's development.  show notes: Gremlins  

Grab your hot cocoa, put on your ugly Christmas sweater, and gather around the virtual fireplace for a very 80s Christmas! In this episode, we will look back on some of the best Christmas commercials of the 80s and then check out what was the best-selling toy each year through the decade! The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation has established itself as a new Christmas classic. The movie tells the story of the Griswold family and the quest for the perfect old-fashioned family Christmas. This episode will look at the making of the movie and why it's become a staple of holiday viewing. Sh*tter was full! The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

If you grew up in the 80s, you knew that the video store on a Friday night was the place to be. But home video as we know it almost didn't happen if it wasn't for the Top Gun VHS release in 1986. This episode looks at how movie studios wanted nothing to do with home video or rentals, and how Top Gun changed all of this forever. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

Duck Hunt is a video game that goes WAY back. It existed long before you remember it in arcades and early home box sets. It made use of a new technology and Nintendo thought that it, and not Super Mario Bros, would be the focal point of launching Nintendo in North America. Listen up to the story of Duck Hunt, the original first-person shooter.  The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/...

The Shining is one of the most iconic and influential movies ever made. So why did its author - Stephen King - hate it so much? In this episode, we look at the 5 main things Stephen King hated about The Shining along with some more insights into one of the greatest films ever made.  Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

This is the Everything 80s Halloween special and on this show, we are looking back at 80s Halloween TV specials. We will look at 5 forgotten specials and also, an iconic one.  The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

In every convenience store in the 80s, Big League Chew would be right there, front and center among all the other great options. The pouch with the shredded gum was the softest and chewiest you ever had and has an interesting story to go with it. Big League Chew has origins as a Tabaco substitute in the minor leagues and quickly became a massive seller and continues to this day. Listen up to the s...

My Buddy was a doll for boys released by Hasbro in 1985. This was actually a controversial move as putting out a doll for boys had never been done before. This may all have roots in the video game crash of 1983, but became a massive best-seller. My Buddy may also have been the influence of Chucky in the Child's Play movies, and this episode looks at everything behind this toy.  The Everything 80s...

Ready Player One is a book written by Ernest Cline, which is like a love-letter to the 80s and pop culture. Steven Spielberg put out the movie version and you may wonder what the key differences are. In this podcast, I break dow how Ready Player One the movie compares to the book.  The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance is a ten-part Netflix series that takes us back into Jim Henson's Dark Crystal. In this review, I look at the original movie, breakdown each new episode, and look at everything that went into this, and the original movie. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s