The only movies that I liked were "Red Dawn" and the Rambo films, but "Star Wars II" (1980) was a disappointment. "Star Wars III" was better, but neither could hold a candle to "Star Wars I."
In sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers won a couple of national championships, but soon after winning the 1980 Rose Bowl game, the USC Trojans came under the leadership of a series of mediocre coaches and went into a funk that lasted the rest of the century. However, the Occidental College Tigers did better, with seven winning seasons and 10 straight victories over arch-rival Pomona College.
The 1980's also produced the ugliest cars of just about any decade. Automobile stylists seemed to have been influenced by cubism, for the streets were filled with cars that looked like boxes. They also weren't very well-made; there are probably more 1950's cars on the road today than there are 1980's cars.
Depends on if you're talking import or domestic. I'd agree that American cars were in the doldrums in the 1980s, with a few exceptions (like the Corvette, which is beautiful). There are some great Japanese and European cars from that era though. I happen to like the angular styling that you call cubist. It was certainly more interesting than the nondescript jellybean curves of the 1990s.
I will say that the current generation of cars is absolutely fantastic in terms of styling -- the perfect mix of curvy and angular. That've learned their lessons and have really nailed it. The wonderfulness of modern cars is one reason I think we're not doomed. I think cars are a leading indicator of societal health and I think the general trend is positive.
……………..there are probably more 1950's cars on the road today than there are 1980's cars
There are more 80's cars on the road...in the form of rust.