Thrashin’ (1986)

Grab your knee pads and get ready to shred! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell tackle the 1986 skateboarding flick Thrashin', starring baby-faced Josh Brolin fresh off The Goonies. This loose Romeo and Juliet adaptation follows Corey Webster as he navigates Venice Beach skate gangs, romance, and the ultimate downhill race—the LA Massacre.Key Discussion PointsThe 80s Sports Movie Formula: Krissy and Nathan dive deep into how Thrashin' fits the classic 80s pattern of "secret counterculture sport" movies like Bloodsport, Rad, and Over the Top. These films were made by outsiders trying to dramatize subcultures they didn’t understand, resulting in gloriously inauthentic takes on skateboarding, break dancing, and martial arts.Skateboarding in the 80s: The hosts share personal memories of 80s skate culture—from coveting skateboard magazines and stickers to the reality of how incredibly difficult skating actually is. They discuss how the film treats skaters like gangs (the good "ramp locals" vs. the evil "daggers") rather than capturing authentic skate culture.Baby Josh Brolin: Before becoming Thanos, Josh Brolin was a smooth-faced teenager learning his craft. The hosts appreciate his early charisma while noting he hadn't yet developed his signature gravitas.Other Topics CoveredRed Hot Chili Peppers' appearance as the party bandThe legendary skating pool location that real skaters cherishedNunchuck jousting as conflict resolutionHair earrings and other questionable 80s fashion choicesThe film's low-stakes Romeo and Juliet adaptationSkateboarding montages and safety gear appreciationThe absurd LA Massacre downhill race finaleFinal VerdictBoth hosts rate Thrashin' a solid 5-5.5/10—"aggressively okay" with enough charm to entertain but lacking the cheesy fun factor to make it memorable.Deep Cut RecommendationsNathan suggests Over the Top (Stallone arm wrestling) for superior 80s sports schlock, while Krissy recommends Wet Hot American Summer as the perfect parody of these types of films.Subscribe to The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast for more radical retro reviews! ---Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.