APRIL 1, 1988

Full News Archive

• Headline: Revitalizing the Lower East Side. Impact: The rehabilitation of the Lower East Side buildings led to a gentrification wave that inadvertently caused hipsters to discover artisanal pickles and avocado toast, forever altering brunch menus worldwide.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'Lower East Side' actually refers to the area being south of the upper east side? Shocking, I know!.
• Headline: Exploring 'Bright Lights, Big City'. Impact: The atmospheric but limited portrayal of drug culture in 'Bright Lights, Big City' inspired a generation of writers to think that having a substance abuse problem was a necessary step toward becoming a 'real artist.'. Fact: Did you know that this film is often considered a cult classic? Which is code for 'it bombed at the box office but we still pretend to like it.'.
• Headline: Examining Britain's Notorious Bank Heist. Impact: This British bank heist film sparked a wave of wannabe criminals who thought robbing banks was a viable career option, leading to a surge in security systems that could rival a sci-fi movie.. Fact: Did you know that in real life, robbing a bank is illegal? Shocking, right? One might think it's just a hobby!.
• Headline: Review/Film; The World in Very Big Trouble. Impact: The end-of-the-world theme in this film caused a spike in doomsday prepper sales, leading to a bizarre trend of people stockpiling canned beans and bottled water until 2020 made them look like amateurs.. Fact: Did you know that 'The Omen' is often seen as the gold standard of horror films? Which is a bit like saying that a root canal is better than a full extraction..
• Headline: Review/Film; 'Sorceress,' A Medieval Parable. Impact: The condemnation of a faith healer as a witch in 13th-century France set the stage for centuries of witch hunts, which then led to the development of laws that would eventually make Halloween a far more festive occasion than it had any right to be.. Fact: Did you know that witch trials were often more about social control than actual witchcraft? Too bad they didn't have social media to ruin lives back then!.