DECEMBER 19, 1986

Full News Archive

• Headline: Exploring Vietnam War Through Platoon. Impact: The release of 'Platoon' sparked a generation of anti-war activists who believed that if they painted their protests in artistic strokes, they could change the world. Spoiler alert: they didn't, but they did make a lot of tie-dye shirts.. Fact: Did you know that Oliver Stone was actually a Vietnam veteran? His experiences inspired him to create films that were slightly less fun than your average rom-com..
• Headline: Big Business Transformation in 1986. Impact: The frantic overhauls in big business led to an era where corporate buzzwords like 'synergy' and 'leverage' became commonplace. This eventually resulted in a generation of workers who thought 'team-building' was a legitimate form of exercise.. Fact: Did you know that in the 80s, people thought that big business meant huge profits and even huger hair? Turns out, they were only half right..
• Headline: THE SCREEN: 'LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS'. Impact: 'Little Shop of Horrors' turned man-eating plants into a box office phenomenon, leading to an unexpected spike in the popularity of houseplants. Now, everyone thinks they can take care of a Venus flytrap when really, they can't even keep a cactus alive.. Fact: Did you know that the original ending of 'Little Shop of Horrors' was so dark that it was changed because audiences would rather watch a musical about a murderous plant than face their own existential dread?.
• Headline: SCREEN: RICHARD GERE IN PEARCE'S 'NO MERCY'. Impact: 'No Mercy' paved the way for an entire genre of films starring Richard Gere where he plays a brooding hero with a penchant for vengeance. This eventually led to the creation of the 'Gere-verse' where all his characters are just variations of a handsome, tortured soul.. Fact: Fun fact: Richard Gere's portrayal of a vengeful cop was so convincing that some viewers still believe he could solve their parking disputes. Spoiler: he can't..