Blood Simple (1984)

Blood Simple (1984)

Author: TruStory FM September 9, 2026 Duration: 1:02:46
A Very Texas Kind of Trouble: The Gang Sits Down with Blood SimpleWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell welcome special guest Shannon Mauck of the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre to dig into Blood Simple (1984), the lean, sweaty debut that first put the Coen brothers on the map.The trio wrestles with a familiar question: does a stripped-down, low-budget noir like this still land the same way decades later, or is its reputation doing some of the work now? Krissy and Nathan compare expectations to the actual experience of sitting with the film’s slow-burn dread, while Shannon brings a comedian’s eye to just how deadpan and bleak it all plays.From there the talk turns to texture over plot: performances, the way silence carries so much weight, quotable lines, and the unmistakably “very 80s” grain of a shoestring production that still feels like a blueprint.It’s a warm hangout even while the movie stays cold-blooded, with Shannon supplying plenty of surprise laughs along the way. Consider this one spoiler-light and premise-level only.TruStory FM | Membership (early, ad-free access + bonus content): Join | Socials: Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | Learn more about the hosts: Neighborhood Comedy Theatre | Squishy StudiosIf you’d seen this movie cold, with no context at all, what genre would you have guessed you were watching?
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Join filmmaker Nathan Blackwell from Squishy Studios and comedian Krissy Lenz from the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre as they dust off the VHS tapes and rewind the decade that defined blockbuster entertainment. the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast isn't just a nostalgic trip; it's a fresh, often hilarious dissection of the films that shaped a generation. Each episode, this duo from TruStory FM applies their distinct professional lenses-one from the world of filmmaking, the other from live comedy-to explore the movies we remember fondly, the ones we might have skipped, and the hidden gems that deserve another look. They tackle the cultural context, the now-questionable special effects, and the enduring tropes, all through a modern perspective that acknowledges the significant haze of nostalgia coloring our memories. You'll hear deep dives into character motivations, production stories, and the sheer joy of rediscovering a classic, all wrapped in a conversation that feels like hanging out with two friends who are deeply passionate about cinema. This podcast celebrates the enduring legacy of 80s film while never shying away from a good-natured roast, making for a consistently engaging and funny listen for anyone who loves the magic-and occasional madness-of that era's movies.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Above the Law (1988) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:27
Baby Pictures, Bad Qi, and Above the Law: Steven Seagal’s Debut Under the MicroscopeWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell welcome special guest Dorian Lenz…
Never Say Never Again (1983) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:26
He’s Not Canon, But He’s Bond: Revisiting Never Say Never AgainWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell welcome special guest Pete Wright of Trustory.fm to dig…
The Living Daylights (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:05
The Living Daylights: Cello Cases, Cargo Nets, and Timothy Dalton’s Big DebutWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell welcome special guest Nate McWhortor to d…
A View to a Kill (1985) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:28
Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell welcome special guest Jeff Frank of the Knights of the Rolled Table Podcast to dig into A View to a Kill (1985), Roger…
Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:51
Nerds, Fringe, and the $1,000 Question: Can't Buy Me Love Gets Its Day in CourtWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Grace Campb…
When Harry Met Sally… (1989) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:06
Can Two People Just Be Friends? When Harry Met Sally… Says: Complicated.Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Mandy Kaplan of Ma…
The Untouchables (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:46
Nobody Gets Off This Staircase: Krissy, Nathan, and Pete Take On The UntouchablesWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Pete Wright—po…
The Right Stuff (1983) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:25
Breaking Barriers: Krissy and Nathan Strap In for The Right StuffWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell strap in for Philip Kaufman's sweeping 1983 epic The…
Invasion U.S.A. (1985) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:24
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 Ja…
Purple Rain (1984) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:10
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 Blackwe…