Link Tank: The Best ’80s Summer Blockbusters to Revisit
Best '80s summer blockbusters, how an Alaskan volcano affected the Roman Republic, Wonder Woman 1984's marketing, and more in today's Link Tank!
With summer movies practically nonexistent thanks to COVID-19, let’s revisit some of the best summer blockbusters of the ’80s.
“Since we can’t enjoy summer blockbusters in theaters this year, we’re taking it as an opportunity to remember the great summer films of the past. We’ll do it decade by decade, starting with the ‘80s, the first full decade of what would become known to the industry as summer blockbusters.”
How is Alaska connected to Rome? Turns out, a volcano eruption in Alaska might have doomed the Roman Republic.
“The fall of the Roman Republic gave rise to the Roman Empire, making it one of the most significant events in Western history. According to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, it may have been hastened by a volcanic eruption on the other side of the world.”
Wonder Woman 1984 is going ’80s for their marketing tactics, and it’s produced some great stuff.
“The ’80s-inspired marketing for Wonder Woman 1984 continues with a new cover for the new Total Film magazine (coming out later this week)….[With] Wonder Woman 1984, they’re clearly leaning heavily into that nostalgia that so many have, even with the merchandise that I’ve seen floating around—like these notebooks I want so I can write all my wonderful thoughts in for the rest of time.”
Apple’s new ‘App Clips’ feature is the company’s secret approach to 5G.
“Apple never mentioned 5G during the company’s WWDC announcements today, but I think a major 5G feature is hiding in plain sight. Apple’s new App Clips feature sets up the iPhone to take unique advantage of 2021’s 5G networks. That’s perfect for a company likely to release its first 5G phone in late 2020.”
Netflix’s newest spy thriller, Wasp Network, is a sprawling film that bit off more than it could chew.
“Traveling back to the ‘90s through cinema is almost always a welcomed adventure, and Netflix’s newly released Wasp Network is no exception. Written and directed by Olivier Assayas (who won the Best Director award at Cannes for 2016’s Personal Shopper), the political thriller is a nuanced period piece that gives viewers a front row seat to the tense relations between Cuba and the United States during the immediate aftermath of the Cold War.”
Scientists found that solar panels, which weaken with air pollution, strengthened amid COVID-19’s shutdown of urban traffic.
“By this point, it’s almost cliche to point out how coronavirus and Covid-19 have completely rearranged the world since the beginning of 2020. But the pandemic that shuttered sports, religious events, music festivals, and public events of all varieties has had aftershocks that nobody could have predicted. Like getting increased energy from solar panels, according to a new study published in Joule last month.”
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