1987

The Running Man (1987)

In the year 2019, America is a totalitarian state where the favorite television program is “The Running Man” a game show in which prisoners must run to freedom to avoid a brutal death. Having been made a scapegoat by the government, an imprisoned Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger) has the opportunity to make it back to the outside again by being a contestant on the deadly show, although the twisted host, Damon Killian (Richard Dawson), has no intention of letting him escape.

Summer School (1987)

Apathetic gym teacher Freddy Shoop (Mark Harmon) is ready to take the summer off in Hawaii, but he’s forced to either teach summer-school English or risk losing his tenure. Now he’s stuck teaching a group of unmotivated students as disappointed to be stuck in school over the summer as he is. But with the help of a friendly history teacher (Kirstie Alley), Shoop is at least learning how to act the part of supportive mentor and perhaps even learning something about himself as well.

Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

  This week on “Shat the Movies,” we’re revisiting Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), a teen romance that’s all about love, friendship, and the search for identity. Join us as we dive into the love triangle between Keith, Watts, and Amanda, and explore how this John Hughes classic flips the...

Empire of The Sun (1987)

On this week’s episode of Shat the Movies, Gene and Big D dive into Steven Spielberg’s epic 1987 coming-of-age war drama, Empire of the Sun. Commissioned by loyal listener Jeff S., this film takes us on a journey through World War II-era Shanghai. Join us as we explore Spielberg’s masterful...

Withnail and I (1987)

Withnail and I (1987) is a British dark comedy following two struggling, eccentric actors—Withnail (Richard E. Grant), a flamboyant alcoholic, and Marwood, or “I” (Paul McGann), his neurotic friend—who escape their grim London lives for a chaotic, booze-soaked retreat in the English countryside. Their plans for relaxation quickly devolve into disaster as they face hostile locals, relentless rain, and Withnail’s lecherous Uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths). Filled with biting wit and bleak humor, the film explores themes of friendship, failure, and the search for meaning amid disillusionment.

Less Than Zero (1987)

Clay (Andrew McCarthy) comes home to Los Angeles after his first semester of college and encounters some disturbing developments. His former lover, burgeoning model Blair (Jami Gertz), has begun to abuse cocaine. But her addiction pales in comparison to the drug dependency of her new boyfriend, Julian (Robert Downey Jr.), who’s also Clay’s childhood buddy. Clay tries to help them get sober, but the process is complicated by Rip (James Spader), a callous dealer Julian is indebted to.

La Bamba (1987)

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips) becomes an overnight rock ‘n’ roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called “Donna” that he wrote for his girlfriend (Danielle von Zerneck) whose parents didn’t want her to date a Latino boy. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob (Esai Morales), and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly (Marshall Crenshaw).

Hellraiser (1987)

Sexual deviant Frank (Sean Chapman) inadvertently opens a portal to hell when he tinkers with a box he bought while abroad. The act unleashes gruesome beings called Cenobites, who tear Frank’s body apart. When Frank’s brother (Andrew Robinson) and his wife, Julia (Clare Higgins), move into Frank’s old house, they accidentally bring what is left of Frank back to life. Frank then convinces Julia, his one-time lover, to lure men back to the house so he can use their blood to reconstruct himself.