DECEMBER 25, 1992

Full News Archive

• Headline: Firefighters vs Gang: A Dramatic Clash. Impact: If only those firefighters had used their hoses for a water balloon fight instead, we might have avoided a rise in gang-themed action movies. But alas, here we are, drowning in plot holes and melodrama.. Fact: Fun fact: Firefighters make great actors, especially when they’re pretending to rescue a script from the dumpster!.
• Headline: Big Labor's Master Of Manipulation Explored. Impact: Mamet's portrayal of labor manipulation led to a surge in union-themed films, which eventually gave rise to a bizarre trend of Hollywood actors trying to negotiate their own contracts. Spoiler alert: It didn't end well.. Fact: Did you know that the Teamsters once tried to unionize cats? They called it the 'Feline Teamsters.' It didn't go anywhere, but it was purr-fectly organized..
• Headline: Review/Film; Robert Downey Jr. in Charlie Chaplin Life Story. Impact: Downey's portrayal of Chaplin not only launched his career revival but also inspired a generation of actors to dig through their family histories for roles. Somewhere, there's a great-great-grandson of a shoemaker waiting for his big break.. Fact: Fun fact: Chaplin once tried to enter a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest and lost to a guy in a fake mustache. The irony was so thick you could cut it with a bowler hat..
• Headline: LAW; Image-Making Strategy in the Rodney King Case. Impact: The Rodney King case and its media frenzy led to an increased public awareness of systemic issues, which, in a roundabout way, contributed to the modern rise of social media activism. Thanks, internet!. Fact: Did you know that before the infamous video, Rodney King was just an average guy? It turns out, becoming a symbol of police brutality isn’t exactly a career choice on a resume..
• Headline: Review/Film; Conflicts And Laughs At English Reunion. Impact: This film’s derivative nature may have inspired a thousand other reunion comedies, culminating in an endless loop of nostalgia and awkward silence at every high school reunion since. Thanks for that, Hollywood!. Fact: Did you know that 'Big Chill' was originally titled 'Big Chore'? The name change came just in time to avoid a massive lawsuit from procrastinators everywhere..