Horror Report

Category: Nostalgia

  • June 1990: The Summer of Dick

    June 1990: The Summer of Dick

    The wonderful NIGHTMARE NOSTALGIA page reminded us that this year, TODAY as a matter of fact, is the 35th anniversary of DICK TRACY being released in theaters…

    It was a magical summer for the box office.. June 1990; school was out ‘forever’ and the 1990s just began. While we did not have the luxury or burden based on your point of view of delving deep into the 90s yet, the future was bright we were still wearing shades.

    And after several successful summers of box office glory for super heroes, Dick Tracy entered the fray.

    Armed with his watch, yellow coat, and crime fighter ability, Warren Beatty donned the famed detective hat and have us, in our opinion, one of the greatest movies of all time. The magic of the film was its creativity, its style, its music, Madonna, but its colorful array of villians.

    Back then we didn’t have ROTTEN TOMATOES, but instead we all trusted Siskel and Ebert. Here is what they thought about the movie in June 1990:

    The movie was released on June 15, 1990 to great fanfare and buildup in fishwrappers across America. “Dick Tracy” (1990) grossed $103,738,726 domestically, ranking it 9th in worldwide box office for the year. It reached the #1 spot at the domestic box office during the week of June 15-21, 1990

    By Christmas kids, including me, were asking for and getting DICK TRACY the NINTENDO game..

    Playing with action figures. Except the BLANK. That was purposely sparely placed on store racks giving kids a false hope that one day they would find it.

    We were lucky that year to see this movie in a theater for the first time. It created a sense of nostalgia for the oldtimers… and something new for younger people. It even made me read newspapers again! That summer papers across America re-published old Dick Tracy comics and I for one was using my summer time off to cut them out and create a collage. I wish I still had it today.

    And we had the summer of Dick at McDonalds.. We were all led to believe we were crimestoppers and could win millions on their scratch offs!

    Newspapers at the time even report about the nostalgia that the then released film was bringing back:

    But what made that summer EVEN better? It was one of MANY films that came out that we still watch and talk about today.

    Just think.. the hot summer 35 years ago were were watching TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, PRETTY WOMAN, and GREMLINS II. I will avoid being joyful about BACK TO THE FUTURE III, that one just didn’t hit great and today still has not caught on.

    Yes indeed.. that summer was magical, vibrant.. and gave us Dick Tracy. An underrated classic that we still think holds up even in today’s times..

    Dick Tracy (1990) Directed by Warren Beatty Shown (from left): William Forsythe (as Flattop), Ed O’Ross (as Itchy), Madonna (as Breathless Mahoney), Al Pacino (as Big Boy Caprice), top – Henry Silva (as Influence), R.G. Armstrong (as Pruneface)
  • Thundercats and Masters of the Universe get a crossover

    Thundercats and Masters of the Universe get a crossover

    This is how the public relations announcement spins it:

    The collaboration of two iconic 80s brands, Masters of the Universe and ThunderCats, yields an action figure of the Ever-Living Evil of Eternia, Skell-Ra! This toy crosses over Skeletor of MOTU with Mumm-Ra of ThunderCats. He comes with 2 swappable heads, a reversible purple / red cape, and swappable harness and skirt armor pieces, so he can evolve from Skell-Ra into Mumm-Ra. The Sword of Plun-darr completes the double-edged picture. $29.99

    You can also go to this website to get a full accounting of the initial figures and their appearances.

    There have been Ninja Turtles crossovers with He-Man.. and now this .. each time the price goes up a bit, but Thundercats fans have felt cheated.

    Will this bring out the midlife crisis and them next 2?

    Judging by how the Masters line has been releasd, this will be coming to a store near you — or maybe won’t.

    They are playing on the nostalgia.. Folks, kids won’t buy this. People ages 40 through 50 will. I should know I’ve been buying He-Man feeling like a kid again when I do.

  • All the presidents’ heads

    All the presidents’ heads

    On a Mission for Presidents’ Heads

    So here’s the deal, and it’s been my deal for a few years now: I am on a mission to find and buy presidents’ heads. Let me explain.

    I’m talking about those iconic, oversized heads of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln that used to adorn classroom walls in the early 1900s. You know the ones—giant oval cutouts that loomed over children as they tackled their studies, offering a silent, patriotic presence, and in the case of honest Abe, a slightly melancholy and distinct stare..

    You might ask, Why on earth are you hunting for these heads? Well, let me tell you: it’s the thrill of the hunt.

    It’s also for some decoration to properly celebrate Presidents’ Day. For three years now in January, I’ve embarked on this annual exercise to find these elusive relics of American decor.. Because there are personal rules to this game, and I’ve set a strict rule for myself: no eBay, no online shopping. This is a boots-on-the-ground kind of mission, a real scavenger hunt for the presidents heads..

    My latest adventure took me to Rosie’s, a craft store in Minersville, Pennsylvania. It’s the kind of place that smells like nostalgia and glitter glue. I found an image when searching for craft and decoration stores that gave me hope.. a little glimmer of ABE in the picture made it appear I may have finally struck presidential head gold:

    Obviously the photo was dated–2021. Lots happened since.. and when we got to Rosie’s, the mission came to a screeching halt..

    While I struck up a great conversation with the cashier *(and presumably the owner) about old-fashioned decorations, I was told that the cutouts were long gone. And as a matter of fact, they may not even be in production anymore–something I sensed with their lack of availability. . The trip was not wasted, I walked away with some decent materials—Cupid cutouts, Valentine’s Day décor, a few cardboard constitutions (because why not?). I’d recommend Rosie’s for the old fashioned decor–can’t wait to go back around Halloween and get some cardboard cutouts of Frankenstein.

    But back to the heads.. it was yet another tragic blow to the mission, but not one that will deter me.

    I’m committed to this quest. I’ll keep exploring craft stores, antique shops, and every strange, off-the-beaten-path establishment I can find. Because let’s be honest: the thrill of finding these vintage gems in the wild beats clicking “Add to Cart” online shopping any day.

    And really, aren’t old-school decorations the best anyway? They’ve got history, character, and a certain charm that modern stuff just doesn’t have.

    I mean.. the online way is tempting. But even if I can get them such as this online store from Cappel’s in Ohio, they are “out of stock.”

    So the hunt continues. Presidents’ heads, I’m not done yet.

  • Nintedo cereal nostalgia is not really what it tasted like

    Nintedo cereal nostalgia is not really what it tasted like

    It’s a Saturday morning, and maybe we’re just feeling nostalgic. This morning, we came across a picture on Facebook of Nintendo cereal, and it made us feel all verklempt inside.

    Remember this stuff? We can’t really say it tasted great, but we certainly can say it was fun. For some reason, I remember not really enjoying the cereal as a kid, but I absolutely loved the box. To be honest, I would have much preferred Mr. T, E.T., or Batman cereal, but Nintendo cereal had its charm. While eating breakfast, you could stare at the box and pretend you were playing Nintendo—it was a whole vibe.

    Seeing this box now almost makes me want to turn on the TV, watch Saturday morning cartoons, and revisit classics like Pee-wee’s Playhouse.

    The Nintendo cereal was a marketing hit in the late 1980s, capitalizing on the booming popularity of the Nintendo Entertainment System. It came in a unique two-flavor box: one side featuring “Super Mario Bros.” cereal and the other “The Legend of Zelda.”

    It was a novelty —it wasn’t just cereal; it was an extension of their favorite video games and with that commercial lots of kids with imaginations were looking from an escape from their breakfast table reality. The bright packaging and tie-ins with beloved Nintendo characters made it a must-have for fans, even if the taste didn’t live up to the hype.

    But these are just fleeting memories, my friends, fleeting memories. And you know what? The more I think about it, the less tasty the cereal becomes in my mind. It wasn’t about the flavor; it was about the moment. Kids these days just won’t ever feel that.

  • For the honor of Greyskull! He-Man and the nostalgia of the Thanksgiving day parade

    For the honor of Greyskull! He-Man and the nostalgia of the Thanksgiving day parade

    It is that time again.. Turkeys, the trimmings.. the parades. And Al Roker.

    While time takes advantage of our good nature and nostalgia can be harmful, let’s just be nostalgic and go back in time. Some may consider 1986 the best of times…others the worst. But for He-Man Masters of the Universe fans, it the ultimate of times..

    Thanks to the fine folks at the Dinosaur Dracula page, we can go back in time.

    Showcased by this 1986 Macy’s parade moment: He-Man fighting SQUEEEZE…..

    Here is a great video of Pat Sajak attempting to explain modern day pop culture during the Reagan era..

    Yes.. we decided. Things were simpler…..

  • To the class of 2024

    To the class of 2024

    Its here. So many students graduating.. so many memories being herallded and speeches from valedictorians on turning the page and moving into adulthood are taking place now.

    It’s both a beautiful time of year but equally a monent on a calendar filled with meloncholy.

    The last day of school is a liminal moment, marking the threshold between the familiarity of student life and the uncertainty of the future.

    As graduates walk through the halls they’ve known for four years, there’s a strange feeling of alienation.

    A dark loneliness mixed with a haze of nostalgia.

    The once-welcoming environment now seems foreign, and they feel like strangers in a place that was once a second home.

    Suddenly they get an eerie feeling that they are not welcome.. lessons continue for those who continue to inhabit the rooms.. but the seniors must leave.

    They are done.

    It’s sudden and strange when it occurs.

    This transition underscores the bittersweet nature of leaving behind a significant chapter while stepping into the unknown.

    Good luck to the class of 2024. Please change the world for the best–you opened your high school heats in the midst of mask wearing and pandemic scares. You’ve come a long way.. there ate scars from that. We all have some. You were kids and maybe don’t know how much the scars stuck around. But we all have baggage and trauma–generational trauma–and we just persevere.. you will, too.

    But you also have work to do. So let’s get moving and good luck.. make this planet–and maybe space–a better place for all previous and soon to be graduating classes.

  • So much retro.. so little time. The Weather Channel nostalgia comes alive on Youtube

    So much retro.. so little time. The Weather Channel nostalgia comes alive on Youtube

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    While this existed for some time, I just discovered it today.. And thank God I did.

    There is a special place in everyone’s heart for the OLD Weather Channel. Those 90s graphics.. the elevator musaaac…

    Just the stats ma’am. It gave you what you needed to know every several minutes, followed by some talking head forecasters giving you the nationwide outlook and, during the winter time, mentally prepping you for the next big Nor’Easter that–maybe never happened–was about to come..

    The retro is a memory. But thanks to this Youtube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@cc17926, it is also still existent.

    For real… you can watch REAL weather now.. you can see the forecast, the latest observations. Just like it exited way back in the 20th century..

    This may be one of the most special YouTube channels ever found and bookmarked.. It will now be background sound in several rooms of my home.

    IF YOU WANTED TO DONATE, like we did, follow the link here.. It needs to continue.. this is so nostalgic it gives you the deep feelies..

  • Nothing says Saturday morning like Pee Wee’s breakfast..

    Nothing says Saturday morning like Pee Wee’s breakfast..

    Who emulated this when they were kids. Heck, who does it now?

    If only we still had MR T cereal– although Reese’s Puff cereal is the closest taste you can get..
    NOSTALGIA..

  • From the eyes of the past: New York City on new years 2000

    From the eyes of the past: New York City on new years 2000

    Admittedly, I must tell you this, this video was from TikTok. It Hit me so emotionally that I saved it and now broadcasting it for you to see.

    What you’re about to see are clips and images from New Year’s 2000. The dawning of a new century.

    Think about this, this was before pandemics, this was before 9/11. This is before endless wars for the past 20 years, destroying our societal fabrics and buildings across the planet. This was a different time. Hopefulness reigned supreme. We were on the cusp of destiny.

    Such hopeful eyes. What do those eyes look like now? Are those smiles still there, or have they been ravaged by the wreckage that time leaves behind?

    Just for a moment as we contemplate 2023, and move on to 2024, think back and find yourself there.

    The year 2000. If you are old enough to remember where you were, just consider how you feel now versus then. Was it really better or does nostalgia blind us, and if it was better, can we bring those days back again?

  • An image to remind you that the GATE was one of the greatest movies of the 80s

    An image to remind you that the GATE was one of the greatest movies of the 80s

    It was iconic. Weird.. graphics were shoddy and the acting was worse. But this movie is just elemental for kids and the time it came from.

    Here is a series of screen shots showcasing the GATE in all its glory.

    If you get the chance to find the film streaming in the platform in is housed on when you read this, enjoy ..