The Cars of Jem and the Holograms (1985-1988):

Jem and The Holograms (or simply Jem) is celebrating its 35^th anniversary this year, a detail that I almost forgot, thinking that the show debuted in 1986, not 1985, like Back to the Future and the Yamaha V-Max. Originally written about 5 years ago on CarLustBlog.com, when a very loose movie adaptation’s horrendous box-office performance pretty much cosigned the franchise to oblivion (I kissed the chances of a Blu-Ray box set goodbye. You can keep the IDW comic books). New pics, expanded upon a bit, editing and removal of dead hyperlinks are the only changes from the original. Even if this post doesn’t garner many views, the show is just too good, in my opinion, to not be celebrated.

If you’re into ‘80s pop culture, you will like this show. If you’re into ’80s kitsch, you will like this show. If you’re into ’80s music, you will like this show. If you’re into the music industry, you will like this show. If you’re into strong female characters, you will like this show. If you’re looking for a cartoon – retro or otherwise- that’s not full-blown action, fantasy, and/or overly-kid-oriented, you will like this show. If you’re into cartoons that are rife with detail, not only in animation but also in writing, you will definitely like this show. Heck, if you like character design that look like human beings, you will like this show!

I really like this show. I’ve been curious about it for years, so when I found it on what was formerly known as The Hub Network (now called Discovery Family), I watched all of it alongside G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero! cartoon (talk about contrast!). What I saw did not disappoint. What started out in its essence as a toy-line turned into something more. While Jem and the Holograms lasted three seasons (1985-1988), I just wish it could’ve lasted just a little longer to fill in all the loose ends (there were talks about the ideas to wrap up the main storyline involving Jem/Jerrica’s biggest secret, among other character development). And that the series would come out remastered on Blu-Ray to really make the sound and color pop. With multiple language/subtitle options (I can dream, can’t I?).

I’ve pondered on making this list long before my successful Cars of That ‘70s Show post, because I doubted there were enough non-generic vehicles to make a list of them. I was surprised that IMCDb.com actually had a list for the series! So I thought, why not?

Showtime, Synergy…

1985-2007 Yamaha V-Max

The first motorcycle post I’ve written about is celebrating its 35^th anniversary. Originally published on November 12, 2016 on CarLustBlog.com (we didn’t judge the number of wheels on a vehicle then, either), just a few grammar mistakes were fixed, extra pic added and links refreshed.

For 1985, the motorcycle world would never be the same. Few bikes deserved the title of “game-changer”, but this one did. And that bike was… the 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750.

But wait! What’s going on at the Yamaha pits? A roaring engine, a cloud of smoke and burning rubber, accented with the almost totally-drowned-out sound of uncontrollable laughter?

I can just picture the (totally made-up) scenario…

Over the Top, a review:

I was surprised to find not only a variety of quality posters, but also concept art and promo material. Definitely worth checking out.

You gotta give credit to Lincoln Hawk (Sylvester Stallone). He’s been reluctantly separated from his wife Christina Hawk (Susan Blakely) for years, his son Michael Hawk (David Mendenhall) doesn’t know who he really is, and it appears that Michael’s grandfather Jason Cutler (Robert Loggia) is to blame for not only successfully driven Hawk and Christina apart, but also making Michael think he’s an all-out loser that didn’t care for him and his mom (I’m also convinced that Hawk’s name has been dragged through the mud in Michael’s military school). And yet, Hawk follows Christina‘s plan for father-son bonding, picks up a very reluctant Michael in his truck, and keeps his cool. Not easy.