Terror Train (1980)
By James Porter “The boys and girls of Sigma Phi, some will live, some will die.” I’ll let you in on a little something—I like trains. I grew up watching Thomas the Tank Engine, I’ve owned three model train sets in my lifetime (one of which I still have the locomotive displayed on my desk), and I’m looking to volunteer at the local railroad museum. So, movies with trains call to me, regardless of the quality. Terror...
Latch Hook Rugs in the 80s
By Julie Anderson Latch hooking rugs was an awesome activity for eighties kids. The yarn craft was simple and inexpensive, yet super satisfying. With a single easy-to-master move, we made plush, colorful rug squares. Of course, we didn’t use them as actual rugs… but they were perfect for wall hangings and pillows. The nice thing about latch hooking was that you were pretty much guaranteed a great looking and feeling product....
Was Jake Ryan a Jerk?
After rewatching “Sixteen Candles” over the weekend, I am left wondering if, despite his insane hunkiness and desirability, Jake Ryan was actually a jerk-in-dreamboat-clothing (never has a sweater vest looked so good). Wait—before you revolt on me, hear me out. I get it that Caroline was not enough for him. She was vacuous, uninteresting, and reckless. If you’re a serious guy looking for something more real in a...
Chat with Spy Hunter Game Designer
By Dave Ellis One of the most awesome things about video games in the early 80s was that, just about every time you went to the arcade, there was a new game vying for your attention (and your quarters). As far I was concerned, some games instantly faded into the woodwork, while others made an indelible impression. I don’t remember exactly when or where I first played it, but Spy Hunter was a game that hooked me instantly back in 1983....
Coleco Mini-Arcade Tabletop Games
By Thomas Zizzo Birthday parties as a kid usually meant a day at the arcade. I can remember not being able to sleep the night before a friend’s party; the anticipation was too much. The old Atari 2600, sorry to say, just wasn’t the same as that dark, black-lit room, buzzing with lights and beeps and the bright marquees of our favorite video games. Unless you were as cool as Ricky Schroder (I’ve been dying to make a Silver Spoons...
