The Dark Crystal (1982)

The Dark Crystal (1982)

Author: TruStory FM April 8, 2026 Duration: 57:52
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 film that proved Muppets could die on screen and parents could regret their viewing choices. One host comes in fresh with zero childhood nostalgia, while the other two grapple with how a movie this dark and grungy holds up against the comfort of Labyrinth.What Fuels the ConversationThe tension here isn’t about plot—it’s about whether The Dark Crystal still works when you strip away the rose-colored glasses or, conversely, whether it even lands if you never wore them. Eric makes a case for the film as a top-ten masterpiece, Nathan admits a soft spot despite rotating it out of the lineup, and Krissy finds herself surprised by how much she enjoyed a movie that seemed designed to keep her away as a kid. The trio wrestles with Jim Henson’s ambition to make something intentionally less cuddly, the grotesque beauty of the Skeksis (each hideous in its own special way), and whether the absence of songs was a missed opportunity or a bold choice. They also dig into the puppet mechanics, the nightmare-fuel death scenes, and how this film became a visual gateway drug for darker fantasy.Why You’ll Want to ListenThis one’s warm, weird, and genuinely curious—spoiler-light enough to stay at the premise level, but rich with debate over nostalgia, artistry, and what happens when you ask Muppets to walk like humans. Whether you’re Team Labyrinth or Team Dark Crystal, there’s plenty here to chew on.LinksTruStory FM
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Learn more about the hosts: Neighborhood Comedy Theatre | Squishy StudiosIf you could only show one Jim Henson project to someone who’d never seen his work, would you pick the cute and cuddly or the dark and crumbling—and why?
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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
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…
Season 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08
It's time for season 9 of The Most Excellent 80s Movies!
The Ice Pirates (1984) • REBROADCAST [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:12
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 Oli…
They Live (1988) • REBROADCAST [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:26
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 Rin…