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
Rain Man (1988) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:13
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…
Dream a Little Dream (1989) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:47
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 Hai…
The Last Dragon (1985) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:18
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…
Going Viral (2024) with Corey Feldman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:18
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…
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:11
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: A Hilarious Holiday Classic DissectedJoin the hosts of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast as they unwrap the comedic genius of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the 1989 hol…
Back to the Future Part II (1989) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:34
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 lim…
Evil Dead II (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:20
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 o…
9 to 5 (1980) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:14
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 th…
They Live (1988) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:26
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…