Awesome 80s Archives : Page 20 of 21 : The Retro Network

License Plates in John Hughes ’80s Movies

The films of John Hughes from the ’80s are a big part of my love of the decade. I feel like Hughes came along at the perfect time and made some seemingly perfect movies for

Fascinating Facts About Rocky IV

Pitfall Gary

Thirty-Five years ago today, Rocky IV hit the silver screen. 27 November 1985 was a Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. In my hometown we didn’t normally get new movies on a Wednesday, new movies hit

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: 47 Differences Between The Film and Script

Jason Gross

Last November, we debuted the TRN Drive-In podcast series to review movies. Our inaugural show hosted by Mickey and Jason screened Planes, Trains, and Automobiles at TRN Drive-In. The format of the show made it

15 Vintage Garbage Pail Kids Favorites

Adam Pope

I recently received an amazing package in the mail from a friend who had inherited his older brother’s childhood collectibles. Mixed among the comic books and Marvel Universe trading cards were a cardboard time capsule of the ’80s that I was not expecting, Garbage Pail Kids!

Bang Your Head: The Hard Rock and Heavy Metal of 1983

Eric Vardeman

As we’re walking through the music of the 1983 Billboard charts every Wednesday, we would be remiss if we didn’t take a minute and recognize the contributions made by hard rock and heavy metal bands

The Real-Life Inspiration for Rocky Balboa

Mickey Yarber

Chuck Wepner was a tough man. He learned to handle himself while working as a bouncer in the late ’50s. Then, while in the Marine Corps, he took up boxing. When his time in the

A Look Back at Nick at Nite

Jeff Sheldon

This coming week will celebrate 35 years of Nick at Nite, the family-friendly programming block during the evening hours on Nickelodeon. On July 1, 1985, Nick at Nite launched with only a handful of shows

80s Cars and Truck Movies and Television

Top 50 Cars and Trucks from ’80s Movies or TV Shows

OldSchool80s

When you bring up Cars in the ’80s, some might first think of the band of that name or possibly the song by Gary Numan. We’re not talking about Ric Ocasek and those Cars or any

Top Ten Things in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Eric Vardeman

The Empire Strikes Back premiered May 21, 1980. I was ten years old and could not wait to see it and though I remember having to wait a couple of weeks to see it in

‘We Are the World’ by USA for Africa

OldSchool80s

For this issue, we revisit the original “We Are the World” charity single which was penned by Lionel Richie with the late, great Michael Jackson and co-produced by Quincy Jones. The final recording by 46

Movie Review: Body Slam (1986)

Adam Pope

Body Slam stars TV pretty boy Dirk Benedict who kids of the ’80s will remember most from his roles as Starbuck on Battlestar Galactica or Face Man on the A-Team, who in this story plays

Remembering the 1980 TV Movie ‘Animalympics’

Kevin Decent

“Farther. Faster. Furrier.” With that, the animal-based Olympics begin. Meant to tie in with the 1980 Winter and Summer Olympics, there is a lot happening within and around this forgotten animated movie. Whether you remember

Five Things We Miss From the ’80s

BJ Newman

The ‘80s, what an amazing time. So amazing, that pop culture is currently flooded with inspiration and nostalgia from this incredible era. It’s safe to say the ‘80s are back, baby – and they’ll hopefully

Valentines Mix Tape: 80’s Edition

Eric Vardeman

In junior high and high school, I was the mix tape king. I can’t tell you how many bricks of cassette tapes I went through making mix tapes. As you can probably guess, most of

Christmas Vacation: 47 Differences Between The Film and Script

Jason Gross

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is my favorite Christmas movie. This year, I’ve had some memorable experiences that have really energized me as a fan like never before. First, I went to see it in the

‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ by Band Aid

OldSchool80s

For this issue, we revisit the ’80s holiday song “Do They Know It’s Christmas” by Band Aid. The song was written by Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) and Midge Ure (Ultravox) in 1984 specifically to raise