Category Archives: Movies 1980s

‘Platoon’ released in U.S. theaters 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1986)


Video: 'Platoon' trailer

(Friday, December 19, 1986, 12:00 p.m. EST)Platoon, an American war film about a young recruit in Vietnam who faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man, opened today in U.S. theaters, including the Loews New York Twin and Astor Plaza in New York City.

Directed by Oliver Stone, the film starred Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen.

‘Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home’ released in U.S. theaters 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 26 1986)


Video: 'Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home' trailer

(Wednesday, November 26, 1986, 10:00 a.m. EST) — To save Earth from an alien probe, Admiral James T. Kirk and his fugitive crew go back in time to retrieve the only beings who can communicate with it: humpback whales as Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, the fourth feature film based on Star Trek, was released today in U.S. theaters, including Loew’s State 1 theater in New York City.

Directed by Leonard Nimoy, the film starred William Shatner, Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nichols.

‘Hoosiers’ premieres in Indianapolis 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 10 1986)


Video: 'Hoosiers' trailer

(Monday, November 10, 1986, 8:00 p.m. EST)Hoosiers, a sports film about a troubled coach who enlists the town drunk to turn a high school basketball team into winners, premiered tonight at the Circle Theatre in Indianapolis, Indiana. Continue reading ‘Hoosiers’ premieres in Indianapolis 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 10 1986)

‘Twist and Shout’ by The Beatles peaks at #23 in USA 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1986)

(Saturday, September 27, 1986)“Twist and Shout” by The Beatles peaked at #23 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week, fueled by an appearance in the film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (the same version peaked at #2 in 1964).

‘Out of Africa’ wins Best Picture at 58th Academy Awards 30 years ago this hour (Mar 24 1986)


Video: '1986 Oscars' (28 videos)

(Monday, March 24, 1986, 6:00-9:02 p.m. PST)Out of Africa, an epic romantic drama film about a woman trapped in a loveless marriage who finds happiness with an adventurer, won seven Oscars tonight at the 58th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Sydney Pollack for Best Director. Continue reading ‘Out of Africa’ wins Best Picture at 58th Academy Awards 30 years ago this hour (Mar 24 1986)

‘Braveheart’ opens at Seattle International Film Festival 20 years ago today (May 18 1995)


Video: 'Braveheart' trailer

(Thursday, May 18, 1995)Braveheart, an epic historical medieval war drama film about William Wallace, who rallies the Scottish against the English monarch and Edward I after he suffers a personal tragedy by English soldiers, opened today at the Seattle International Film Festival.

Directed by Mel Gibson, the film starred Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan and Catherine McCormack.

‘Amadeus’ wins Best Picture at 57th Academy Awards 30 years ago this hour (Mar 25 1985)


Video: '1985 Oscars' (25 videos)

(Monday, March 25, 1985, 6:00 p.m. PST)Amadeus, a period drama film about the 18th century composer Salieri who confesses to a deadly rivalry with Mozart, won eight Oscars tonight at the 57th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Miloš Forman for Best Director and F. Murray Abraham for Best Actor. Continue reading ‘Amadeus’ wins Best Picture at 57th Academy Awards 30 years ago this hour (Mar 25 1985)

‘Lost in America’ released in U.S. theaters 30 years ago today (Feb 15 1985)


Video: 'Lost in America' (trailer)

(Friday, February 15, 1985)Lost in America, a comedy film about a discontented yuppie couple who quit their jobs to rediscover America on the road, opened today in U.S. theaters (limited), including Cinema 2 in New York City.

Directed by Albert Brooks, the film starred Brooks and Julie Hagerty.