423 - Howling VI: The Freaks (1991)

The Ultimate Clash of the Forces of Evil The Mad Monster Party rages on with the one-week return of a Ben and Lance classic: HOWL-O-WEEN. For the werewolf installment of TMMP, we are returning to the Howling franchise which Ben and Lance covered way back during the initial Hardee's Boys run. A mysterious drifter arrives in a small desert town and becomes entangled with a sinister carnival. As the full moon approaches, he must confront both his inner demons and the eerie forces lurking behind the carnival's twisted attractions. Oh yeah!! Next up: 1991's Howling VI: The Freaks.  Also this week: Using hot perogies to cool down, when to never pull two cats apart, and what the heck is a "Paraben"? All this--and a whole lot more--on this week's episode of NEON BRAINIACS!! "You're the worst kind of freak, one who tries to control it." ----- Check out our Patreon for tons of bonus content, exclusive goodies, and access to our Discord server! ----- Howling VI: The Freaks (1991) Directed by Hope Perello Written by Kevin Rock Starring Brendan Hughes, Michele Matheson, Sean Sullivan, Antonio Fargas, Bruce Payne, and Deep Roy ----- 00:00 - Intro & Opening Banter 29:33 - "The Shpiel" 46:19 - Film Breakdown 01:43:20 - Stump The Brainiacs & Outro

Some assembly required THE MAD MONSTER PARTY continues: Movies about classic Halloween monsters! Next up: Frankenstein's Monster! And boy do we go classy as our good friend and filmmaker John Guinane joins us this week. After his fiancée is killed in a bizarre lawnmower accident, a deranged inventor scours the streets for body parts to resurrect her, unleashing a grotesque and chaotic creation. Oh boy. We're covering the 1990's outrageous camp classic FRANKENHOOKER Also this week: Lance settles his ground beef with John G, the Coke vs Pepsi debate, and what it feels like to get punched in a news van. All this--and a whole lot more--on this week's episode of NEON BRAINIACS!! "Want a date?" ----- Check out our Patreon for tons of bonus content, exclusive goodies, and access to our Discord server! ----- Frankenhooker (1996) Directed by Frank Henenlotter Written by Robert Martin and Frank Henenlotter Starring James Lorinz, Patty Mullen, and Louise Lasser ----- 00:00 - Intro & Opening Banter 32:09 - "The Shpiel" 44:18 - Film Breakdown 01:39:19 - Brain Bucket & Outro

Welcome to the Witching Hour A new theme for Halloween! THE MAD MONSTER PARTY: Movies about classic Halloween monsters. First up: Witches! A troubled teen transfers to a new high school and befriends three outcast girls who practice witchcraft, forming a coven that unleashes supernatural powers. As their magic grows, the girls face devastating consequences when their bond begins to unravel. That's right! This week we jump into 1996's THE CRAFT. Also this week: Ben sees a whole bunch of music, Lance's love/hate relationship with Empire Records, and Ben realizes what Adam Sandler's movie girlfriends have in common. All this--and a whole lot more--on this week's episode of NEON BRAINIACS!! "We are the weirdos, mister." ----- Check out our Patreon for tons of bonus content, exclusive goodies, and access to our Discord server! ----- The Craft (1996) Directed by Andrew Fleming Written by Peter Filardi and Andrew Fleming Starring Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True, Skeet Ulrich, Christine Taylor, and Breckin Meyer ----- 00:00 - Intro & Opening Banter 32:15 - "The Shpiel" 53:33 - Film Breakdown 01:54:19 - Stump The Brainiacs & Outro      

Together forever. Or else. A patron pick episode from patron "Dr. Philth"! A teenage girl’s budding romance with a charming older boy spirals into obsession and violence as his true nature is revealed. When her father tries to intervene, he becomes a target. This week we jump into 1996's FEAR. Vintage Mark Wahlberg. Feel it, feel it! Also this week: The big line that almost didnt make the movie, Mark Wahlberg's Reese's Cup, and Lance has too much wine. All this--and a whole lot more--on this week's episode of NEON BRAINIACS! "SO LET ME IN THE F---IN' HOUSE!" ----- Check out our Patreon for tons of bonus content, exclusive goodies, and access to our Discord server! ----- Fear (1996) Directed by James Foley Written by Christopher Crowe Starring Mark Wahlberg, Reese Witherspoon, William Petersen, Amy Brenneman, and Alyssa Milano ----- 00:00 - Intro & Opening Banter 34:05 - "The Shpiel" 48:35 - Film Breakdown 01:54:20 - The Brain Bucket & Outro      

You are who you eat. A patron pick episode from patron "writhe"! A stranded military unit in 1840s California faces a terrifying truth when a mysterious visitor reveals a tale of cannibalism. When hunger takes hold, humanity is the first thing to go. This week we cover the 1999 cult classic RAVENOUS. Also this week: Lance isn't impressed by restaurants, David Arquette's WCW drama,  and our Ravenous Evanescence Remix. All this--and a whole lot more--on this week's episode of NEON BRAINIACS! "Bon appétit." ----- Check out our Patreon for tons of bonus content, exclusive goodies, and access to our Discord server! ----- Ravenous (1999) Directed by Antonia Bird Written by Ted Griffin Starring Robert Carlyle, Guy Pearce, Jeffrey Jones, Jeremy Davies, Neal McDonough, and David Arquette ----- 00:00 - Intro & Opening Banter 37:20 - "The Shpiel" 01:00:18 - Film Breakdown 01:46:48 - The Brain Bucket & Outro

They're Coming! A patron pick episode from patron "Fush Yu Schlong"! A remote Alaskan town is plunged into darkness for a month, making it the perfect hunting ground for a savage group of vampires. The survivors must find a way to outlast the blood-soaked darkness. This week we're doing 2007's 30 DAYS OF NIGHT. Also this week: BIG Pittsburgh Hardees news, "E-Bens", and how Lance likes to eat his Muffins. All this--and a whole lot more--on this week's episode of NEON BRAINIACS! "God? ... No God." ----- Check out our Patreon for tons of bonus content, exclusive goodies, and access to our Discord server! ----- 30 Days of Night (2007) Directed by David Slade Written by Steve Niles, Stuart Beattie, and Brian Nelson Starring Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Mark Boone Junior, and Ben Foster ----- 00:00 - Intro & Opening Banter 26:40 - "The Shpiel" 48:35 - Film Breakdown 01:45:25 - The Brain Bucket & Outro

One was not enough! A young boy named Joshua tries to save his family from vegetarian goblins in the town of Nilbog, who transform humans into plants to devour them. Guided by the ghost of his grandfather, Joshua battles the goblin queen and her minions in this cult classic known for its bizarre plot and famously bad acting. That's right! To celebrate 8 years of the show (and one year since The Hardee's Boys took over), we are doing everyone's favorite best worst movie: 1990's TROLL 2. Also this week: Listener favorite episodes from the past year, Lance's Mac and Cheese dinos, and you'll never hear Ralph Nader's name the same way again All this--and a whole lot more--on this week's episode of NEON BRAINIACS! "They're eating her! And then they're going to eat me... OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!" ----- Check out our Patreon for tons of bonus content, exclusive goodies, and access to our Discord server! ----- Troll 2 (1990) Directed by Claudio Fragasso Written by Claudio Fragasso & Rossella Drudi Starring Michael Paul Stephenson, George Hardy, Connie Young, Robert Ormsby, and Deborah Reed ----- 00:00 - Intro & Opening Banter 27:50 - "The Shpiel" 47:07 - Film Breakdown 01:48:22 - Stump The Brainiacs & Outro

  This time he's coming to a different kind of jungle. In a sweltering, crime-ridden Los Angeles, a relentless alien hunter stalks the city’s most dangerous criminals and law enforcement. A determined detective finds himself in a deadly game of cat and mouse as he uncovers the creature’s terrifying purpose. BPO's Blake O'Donnell returns to to help us wrap up Action August with 1990's PREDATOR 2. Also this week: Cracked vs Mad Magazine, Danny Glover's billowy pants, and Predator munchin' beef. All this--and a whole lot more--on this week's episode of NEON BRAINIACS! "S*** happens." ----- Check out our Patreon for tons of bonus content, exclusive goodies, and access to our Discord server! ----- Predator 2 (1990) Directed by Stephen Hopkins Written by Jim Thomas & John Thomas Starring Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Bill Paxton, and Kevin Peter Hall ----- 00:00 - Intro & Opening Banter 15:46 - "The Shpiel" 44:05 - Film Breakdown 1:54:48 - Brain Bucket & Outro        

An immortal battle for supremacy. A centuries-old war between vampires and werewolves escalates when a mysterious outsider becomes the key to a powerful transformation, and one soldier uncovers a truth that could end their eternal conflict. Next up for Action August is the oh-so-2003 UNDERWORLD. Also this week: Guessing the plots of the XXX movies, "late summer vibes", and Lance recommends a great lozenge. All this--and a whole lot more--on this week's episode of NEON BRAINIACS! "What's... this... ruckus?" ----- Check out our Patreon for tons of bonus content, exclusive goodies, and access to our Discord server! ----- Underworld (2003) Directed by Len Wiseman Written by Kevin Grevioux, Len Wiseman, & Danny McBride Starring Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, and Bill Nighy ----- 00:00 - Intro & Opening Banter 31:30 - "The Shpiel" 56:07 - Film Breakdown 01:49:25 - Stump The Brainiacs & Outro

One night is all that stands between them and freedom. But it's going to be a hell of a night. Action August continues with 1996's FROM DUSK TILL DAWN. Two fugitives take a family hostage and force them to drive to a remote bar in Mexico. Once there, they must all fight for survival when the bar’s patrons reveal themselves to be bloodthirsty vampires. Also this week: Childhood pranks, we remember the band Godsmack exists, and is Ben a "Beach guy"? Warning: Lots of Tarantino impressions. All this--and a whole lot more--on this week's episode of NEON BRAINIACS! "Why, out of all the God-forsaken s---holes in Mexico, do we have to meet here?" ----- Check out our Patreon for tons of bonus content, exclusive goodies, and access to our Discord server! ----- From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) Directed by Robert Rodriguez Written by Quentin Tarantino Starring George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, and Salma Hayek ----- 00:00 - Intro & Opening Banter 32:32 - "The Shpiel" 51:00 - Film Breakdown 01:41:15 - Brain Bucket & Outro