The 100 Greatest movies of the 80s #39. Crimes and Misdemeanors (10 Viewers)

[timschochet]

52. Wall Street (1987)

Directed by: Oliver Stone

Starring: Charlie Sheen, Michael Douglas, Daryl Hannah, Martin Sheen

Synopsis: A young investment broker reveals secrets about his family’s business to get in close with a power player.

Blue horseshoe loves Anacott Steel- Charlie Sheen as Bud Fox

For me, this is hands down Oliver Stone’s best movie. It’s basically the old Doctor Faustus story transported to 80s New York. Douglas’ Gordon Gekko (loosely based on several people including our former and future President) is one of cinema’s all time great villains. A really excellent and entertaining film, best to completely avoid the sequel that came out 20 years later.

 

[Anarchy99]

"If I’m here, and you’re here, doesn’t that make it our time? Certainly, there’s nothing wrong with a little feast on our time.". -Jeff Spicoli

I would have Fast Times in my top 5 in the 80's, and it probly makes my top 10 of all time. Perfect early 80's "coming of age" movie. With a perfect 80's ensemble cast. Endless quotes. I can watch it any time and get right into it. I bet I've watched it 30 times over the years

I'm with you on this in that I have seen it a ton . . . and I don't even intend to watch it. I have pretty much every movie channel there is and rotate streaming services, and when I bump into it, I watch it. That's usually 2-3 times a year. Doing the math across 40+ years, I have probably watched it 100 times (at least most of it). IMO, it's the perfect movie to have on in the background when trying to do something else. You aren't going to miss anything, you don't really have to pay attention, you can quote scenes by heart, and you can watch your favorite parts when they come up. IMO, the perfect late night, brain-dead, chill-axing type of a movie.

 

[TripItUp]

52. Wall Street (1987)

Directed by: Oliver Stone

god I love this movie...definitely in my top 30

Peak Douglas and Sheen.

 

[SFBayDuck]

52. Wall Street (1987)

Directed by: Oliver Stone

Starring: Charlie Sheen, Michael Douglas, Daryl Hannah, Martin Sheen

Synopsis: A young investment broker reveals secrets about his family’s business to get in close with a power player.

Blue horseshoe loves Anacott Steel- Charlie Sheen as Bud Fox

For me, this is hands down Oliver Stone’s best movie. It’s basically the old Doctor Faustus story transported to 80s New York. Douglas’ Gordon Gekko (loosely based on several people including our former and future President) is one of cinema’s all time great villains. A really excellent and entertaining film, best to completely avoid the sequel that came out 20 years later.

I was 14 when this came out and I was deep into my desire to become an uber rich finance bro, even if it meant doing illegal **** to get there. I was reading finance books and going with my dad to visit his broker, and idolizing guys like Michael Milken and Ivan Boesky (he is where the "greed is good" line came from), both of whom of course ended up in prison. So this movie was for me. "The most valuable commodity I know of is information," the motto of everyone doing insider trading.

I grew out of that, but at that age I sure wanted to grow up to be Bud Fox.

 

[TripItUp]

Can we all agree that Darien was not as hot as the movie made her out to be? Always bugged.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Can we all agree that Darien was not as hot as the movie made her out to be? Always bugged.

I can agree. She is just not attractive.

 

[zamboni]

Can we all agree that Darien was not as hot as the movie made her out to be? Always bugged.

I can agree. She is just not attractive.

And her acting was putrid - probably the only weak spot in an otherwise very good film

 

[TripItUp]

Spader is always a nice surprise when I rewatch it. Underrated actor IMHO....his cameo was great.

 

[zamboni]

Spader is always a nice surprise when I rewatch it. Underrated actor IMHO....his cameo was great.

Yes - a much different (and brief) role for him when he wasn’t the a-hole, but an unassuming lawyer that just got caught up in Bud’s scheme.

 

[timschochet]

51. The Blues Brothers (1980)

Directed by: John Landis

Starring: Dan Akroyd, John Belushi

Synopsis: Jake and Elwood must raise money to save an orphanage.

We're on a mission from God. - Dan Ackroyd as Elwood Blues

Im here for the music. Few films from this era, or ever, have a more enjoyable soundtrack. Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, James Brown, but the best is Aretha performing “Think”. So good.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

51. The Blues Brothers (1980)

Directed by: John Landis

Starring: Dan Akroyd, John Belushi

Synopsis: Jake and Elwood must raise money to save an orphanage.

We're on a mission from God. - Dan Ackroyd as Elwood Blues

Im here for the music. Few films from this era, or ever, have a more enjoyable soundtrack. Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, James Brown, but the best is Aretha performing “Think”. So good.

I love Cab singing "Minnie the Moocher". Whoever decided on the whole set change there should get a medal. Really show what he was about.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

And I can't be the only one who says "hut hut hut" when an appropriate scene appears in a film.

Or hums "Girl From Ipanema" during elevator scenes.

 

[timschochet]

51. The Blues Brothers (1980)

Directed by: John Landis

Starring: Dan Akroyd, John Belushi

Synopsis: Jake and Elwood must raise money to save an orphanage.

We're on a mission from God. - Dan Ackroyd as Elwood Blues

Im here for the music. Few films from this era, or ever, have a more enjoyable soundtrack. Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, James Brown, but the best is Aretha performing “Think”. So good.

I love Cab singing "Minnie the Moocher". Whoever decided on the whole set change there should get a medal. Really show what he was about.

Saw Cab perform that live at the Hollywood Bowl years ago.

 

[El Floppo]

How much for the little girl? The women. How much for the women?

LMAO .. writing that just made me feel super creepy . But still one of my favorite lines from any comedy.

 

[timschochet]

50. The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)

Directed by: Woody Allen

Starring: Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello

Synopsis: A movie character is bored with his celluloid existence and jumps into real life seeking new experiences.

I just met a wonderful new man. He’s fictional but you can’t have everything- Mia Farrow as Celia

I expect to get some shade for having Woody Allen on this list but sorry, there are 3 movies he directed that are among the best films of the 1980s IMO. This one is a brilliant comedy which is also a fascinating commentary about our obsession with films and the escapism they provide, especially in hard times (the story takes place during the Great Depression). Both leads are outstanding.

 

[El Floppo]

And so it begins...

 

[El Floppo]

I kid... It's a really fun movie.

 

[Joe Schmo]

eeesh...

 

[BobbyLayne]

I kid... It's a really fun movie.

It’s terrific. I’m not a huge WA fan except for a couple films. Daniels is great in this one.

Aside - a few years after this came out, Daniels purchased a bus garage in his small hometown (Chelsea) an hour west of Detroit. He named the Purple Rose Theater, and they’ve been running original productions for 35 years. It is a spectacular example of a flourishing regional theater that draws its audiences from other small to mid sized towns around it. Known for excellent production standards & being affordable, it’s a hidden gem.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Still considering a lawsuit over the Ghostbusters ranking

Yeah, I'm still the most outraged over that one.

There is no justification for it to be outside of the top 50 and one could reasonably argue it should be top 25. Putting it at 87 is ungood.

Just wait until you see what will be ahead of it.
On Golden Pond, Reds, Tender Mercies, The Color Purple, Out of Africa, Driving Miss Daisy, Hannah and Her Sisters, Stardust Memories, Zelig, 50- Purple Rose of Cairo, Broadway Danny Rose, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Radio Days, September etc

Just updating

 

[timschochet]

49. Big (1988)

Directed by: Penny Marshall

Starring: Tom Hanks. Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia

Synopsis: A ten year old boy is magically transformed into an adult,

(After Susan says she’s willing to sleep over) OK, but I get to be on top. - Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin

The plot for this film (fish out of water, boys brain in the body of an adult) seems like it’s as old as Hollywood. But what makes this film especially delightful is Tom Hanks’ acting- after all these years and all the great films he’s been in this is still one of his very best performances.

 

[Gr00vus]

49. Big (1988)

Directed by: Penny Marshall

Starring: Tom Hanks. Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia

Synopsis: A ten year old boy is magically transformed into an adult,

(After Susan says she’s willing to sleep over) OK, but I get to be on top. - Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin

The plot for this film (fish out of water, boys brain in the body of an adult) seems like it’s as old as Hollywood. But what makes this film especially delightful is Tom Hanks’ acting- after all these years and all the great films he’s been in this is still one of his very best performances.

This film is creepy. I know lots of people like it, but I just couldn't get past that.

 

[Hastur]

49. Big (1988)

Directed by: Penny Marshall

Starring: Tom Hanks. Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia

Synopsis: A ten year old boy is magically transformed into an adult,

(After Susan says she’s willing to sleep over) OK, but I get to be on top. - Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin

The plot for this film (fish out of water, boys brain in the body of an adult) seems like it’s as old as Hollywood. But what makes this film especially delightful is Tom Hanks’ acting- after all these years and all the great films he’s been in this is still one of his very best performances.

This film is creepy. I know lots of people like it, but I just couldn't get past that.

I don't think I've ever met a person who doesn't love this film. Your avatar says you have excellent taste, so I'm just confused

 

[Gr00vus]

49. Big (1988)

Directed by: Penny Marshall

Starring: Tom Hanks. Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia

Synopsis: A ten year old boy is magically transformed into an adult,

(After Susan says she’s willing to sleep over) OK, but I get to be on top. - Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin

The plot for this film (fish out of water, boys brain in the body of an adult) seems like it’s as old as Hollywood. But what makes this film especially delightful is Tom Hanks’ acting- after all these years and all the great films he’s been in this is still one of his very best performances.

This film is creepy. I know lots of people like it, but I just couldn't get past that.

I don't think I've ever met a person who doesn't love this film. Your avatar says you have excellent taste, so I'm just confused

I know, there are some good scenes, but I can't shake the sense of discomfort from some of the others.

 

[KarmaPolice]

49. Big (1988)

Directed by: Penny Marshall

Starring: Tom Hanks. Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia

Synopsis: A ten year old boy is magically transformed into an adult,

(After Susan says she’s willing to sleep over) OK, but I get to be on top. - Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin

The plot for this film (fish out of water, boys brain in the body of an adult) seems like it’s as old as Hollywood. But what makes this film especially delightful is Tom Hanks’ acting- after all these years and all the great films he’s been in this is still one of his very best performances.

This film is creepy. I know lots of people like it, but I just couldn't get past that.

It was the 80s, just roll with it. Nothing wrong with a 13yo banging Elizabeth Perkins.

 

[zamboni]

49. Big (1988)

Directed by: Penny Marshall

Starring: Tom Hanks. Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia

Synopsis: A ten year old boy is magically transformed into an adult,

(After Susan says she’s willing to sleep over) OK, but I get to be on top. - Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin

The plot for this film (fish out of water, boys brain in the body of an adult) seems like it’s as old as Hollywood. But what makes this film especially delightful is Tom Hanks’ acting- after all these years and all the great films he’s been in this is still one of his very best performances.

This film is creepy. I know lots of people like it, but I just couldn't get past that.

I don’t get it.

 

[Ghost Rider]

The way Hanks bounces out of the elevator the morning after the first time Josh has sex with Susan is still one of the funniest things ever.

And Penny Marshall in that time period really had a knack for nailing sentimental moments that didn't feel overly sappy, but had just the right amount of sentiment to hit you in the feels. The montage when Josh walks around seeing kids doing different things and realizes that he misses being a kid is that moment in this film.

 

[KarmaPolice]

The way Hanks bounces out of the elevator the morning after the first time Josh has sex with Susan is still one of the funniest things ever.

And Penny Marshall in that time period really had a knack for nailing sentimental moments that didn't feel overly sappy, but had just the right amount of sentiment to hit you in the feels. The montage when Josh walks around seeing kids doing different things and realizes that he misses being a kid is that moment in this film.

I agree with you and Groovus. For me the heart and sweetness at the core of the film along with scenes you bring up far outweigh the warts. But as Groovus is saying, if you stop and think about it, the movie is a bit messed up. Same with Back to the Future, but that is still my favorite movie.

 

[zamboni]

The way Hanks bounces out of the elevator the morning after the first time Josh has sex with Susan is still one of the funniest things ever.

And Penny Marshall in that time period really had a knack for nailing sentimental moments that didn't feel overly sappy, but had just the right amount of sentiment to hit you in the feels. The montage when Josh walks around seeing kids doing different things and realizes that he misses being a kid is that moment in this film.

I agree with you and Groovus. For me the heart and sweetness at the core of the film along with scenes you bring up far outweigh the warts. But as Groovus is saying, if you stop and think about it, the movie is a bit messed up. Same with Back to the Future, but that is still my favorite movie.

The only part of the movie that was unrealistic was how readily best friend Billy got back and forth from New Jersey to Manhattan. It's not an easy thing to do from where he lived, even for experienced adults, and is very time consuming.

 

[BrutalPenguin]

Big is so much worse than the Blues Brothers that all further rankings are null and void

 

[BrutalPenguin]

Or have I confused movie threads?

 

[BlackCrowes]

“I don’t get it”

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

It's better than at least one Woody Allen movie, so I'm okay with it.

 

[timschochet]

48. Chariots of Fire (1981)

Directed by: Hugh Hudson

Starring: Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Ian Holm, John Gielgud

Synopsis: Two British runners take part in the 1924 Olympic Games

I’m forever in pursuit, and I don’t even know what it is I am chasing - Ben Cross as Harold Abrahams

Old fashioned classic British movie, and one of the great sports films ever (though there are several on this list- the 80s was a great decade for movies about sports.) Obviously a memorable soundtrack as well.

 

[Gally]

49. Big (1988)

Directed by: Penny Marshall

Starring: Tom Hanks. Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia

Synopsis: A ten year old boy is magically transformed into an adult,

(After Susan says she’s willing to sleep over) OK, but I get to be on top. - Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin

The plot for this film (fish out of water, boys brain in the body of an adult) seems like it’s as old as Hollywood. But what makes this film especially delightful is Tom Hanks’ acting- after all these years and all the great films he’s been in this is still one of his very best performances.

This film is creepy. I know lots of people like it, but I just couldn't get past that.

Never once had ever thought of this movie as creepy or weird or anything. Then within the last 5 years it seems to be a narrative that people are pushing about the movie. I still don't see it as creepy at all.

(I understand the concept of why people think it's creepy but I just don't.)

 

[timschochet]

47. Bull Durham (1988)

Directed by: Ron Shelton

Starring: Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins

Synopsis: In minor league baseball, a veteran catcher attempts to teach a young pitcher the ropes.

I believe in the Church of Baseball- Susan Sarandon as Annie.

A classic rom-com of the 80s (there will be more) AND a classic baseball film of the 80s (there will be more of these as well.) All three leads play their parts perfectly and there is plenty of sexual tension. Shelton made several sports rom-coms over a decade or so; this is probably his best.

 

[Gr00vus]

My favorite baseball movie. Even if the main actors don't look like they can actually play - which is the case for most baseball movies.

So many great quotes and scenes from that one.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

My favorite baseball movie. Even if the main actors don't look like they can actually play - which is the case for most baseball movies.

So many great quotes and scenes from that one.

I know a lot of people like it, but I just couldn't get through it.

One of the things I like about Major League is that Sheen and Bernsen cam actually play. It shows.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Also, its just a better movie.

 

[BlackCrowes]

My favorite baseball movie. Even if the main actors don't look like they can actually play - which is the case for most baseball movies.

So many great quotes and scenes from that one.

I know a lot of people like it, but I just couldn't get through it.

One of the things I like about Major League is that Sheen and Bernsen cam actually play. It shows.

Costner has athletic skills. Robbins looks like a spazz.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

I thought Costner and Robbins were perfect but am in the minority that didn't like Sarandon as much there. She wasn't bad, just miscast.

 

[zamboni]

My favorite baseball movie. Even if the main actors don't look like they can actually play - which is the case for most baseball movies.

So many great quotes and scenes from that one.

I know a lot of people like it, but I just couldn't get through it.

One of the things I like about Major League is that Sheen and Bernsen cam actually play. It shows.

Costner has athletic skills. Robbins looks like a spazz.

We may still be getting to Costner’s noodle-armed dad playing catch in that other baseball movie.

 

[Don Quixote]

We may still be getting to Costner’s noodle-armed dad playing catch in that other baseball movie.

And he was a catcher. No wonder there were so many steals in that era of baseball.

 

[BrutalPenguin]

I thought Costner and Robbins were perfect but am in the minority that didn't like Sarandon as much there. She wasn't bad, just miscast.

The hippy cougar vibe didn't seem to suit her. At least the cougar part.

 

[timschochet]

46. Amadeus (1984)

Directed by: Milos Foreman

Starring: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce

Synopsis: The life of Wolfgang Mozart as seen through the eyes of his competitor Salieri.

It seemed to me that I was hearing the voice of God- F. Murray Abraham as Salieri.

This film is a gorgeous period piece and its main conceit is fascinating: that a genius like Mozart could be, to those close to him, an annoying jerk. Yet Hulce offers such a great performance (both leads do) that you can’t help but like him anyhow. I was actually thinking of Hulce’s performance in this film recently as I watched A Complete Unknown with Timothee Chalomet as Bob Dylan (great movie btw.) There are similarities. Both actors masterfully portray their characters as self-centered annoying jerks who are somehow likable yet ultimately unknowable.

 

[Don Quixote]

This may be where I complain about a movie being ranked too low. Amadeus probably in the running for 50 greatest movies of all time for me.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I’ve never seen Amadeus and I’m ok with that.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Wait Lady Marmalade was the greatest song of 1974?

 

[zamboni]

Not an easy decision determining whether Tom Hulce's best performance was in Amadeus, Parenthood or Animal House.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Not an easy decision determining whether Tom Hulce's best performance was in Amadeus, Parenthood or Animal House.

The other two movies, he was part of an excellent ensemble cast. In Amadeus, he and Abraham carried it. So I’d vote that.