Top 101 Movies of the 80s (1 Viewer)

[KarmaPolice]

Next up, it's been awhile, but we get back into 80s' top 5 movies, and get the results of KP's final homework assignment.

 

[otb_lifer]

#10: BLOW OUT [hbo max]

My #9, and 80s' #25. As I look at my list, I would say this is easily the fastest climber for me. I saw it for the first time within the last decade and have been a bit obsessed since. Like I hinted at, it manages to hit me in that movie nerd soft spot, and just love plot element of Travolta being a sound man for cheesy B-movies and how that ties in to the evidence and plot. Great supporting cast too, as I've always been a fan of Nancy Allen and Lithgow.

Of all the ones that the peanut gallery might not have seen and have the best shot at liking of our top movies, I would say it's Blow Out and Thief.

inspired, if not ambitious, ranking ... dunno - love the jumping out the box angle, as the list construct are personal, in the final analysis ... so it's not totally shocking, in that respect.

i'd have it in here, just not top 50 - but it's a mover, no question.

 

[Ilov80s]

#10: BLOW OUT [hbo max]

My #9, and 80s' #25. As I look at my list, I would say this is easily the fastest climber for me. I saw it for the first time within the last decade and have been a bit obsessed since. Like I hinted at, it manages to hit me in that movie nerd soft spot, and just love plot element of Travolta being a sound man for cheesy B-movies and how that ties in to the evidence and plot. Great supporting cast too, as I've always been a fan of Nancy Allen and Lithgow.

Of all the ones that the peanut gallery might not have seen and have the best shot at liking of our top movies, I would say it's Blow Out and Thief.

inspired, if not ambitious, ranking ... dunno - love the jumping out the box angle, as the list construct are personal, in the final analysis ... so it's not totally shocking, in that respect.

i'd have it in here, just not top 50 - but it's a mover, no question.

And it’s 100x better than the wildly overrated 60s Antonioni Blow Up. It kind of stole the idea but this an infinitely better movie.

 

[KarmaPolice]

#10: BLOW OUT [hbo max]

My #9, and 80s' #25. As I look at my list, I would say this is easily the fastest climber for me. I saw it for the first time within the last decade and have been a bit obsessed since. Like I hinted at, it manages to hit me in that movie nerd soft spot, and just love plot element of Travolta being a sound man for cheesy B-movies and how that ties in to the evidence and plot. Great supporting cast too, as I've always been a fan of Nancy Allen and Lithgow.

Of all the ones that the peanut gallery might not have seen and have the best shot at liking of our top movies, I would say it's Blow Out and Thief.

inspired, if not ambitious, ranking ... dunno - love the jumping out the box angle, as the list construct are personal, in the final analysis ... so it's not totally shocking, in that respect.

i'd have it in here, just not top 50 - but it's a mover, no question.

And it’s 100x better than the wildly overrated 60s Antonioni Blow Up. It kind of stole the idea but this an infinitely better movie.

How dare you suggest that DePalma borrowed ideas and style from others!!

 

[Dan Lambskin]

If @Scoresman agrees, I would like to recruit @Dan Lambskin as a third contributor to our next 100 thread. I want to be sure we cover a variety of what was missed.

Sounds good. I already have a list going so shouldn’t be too hard to rank

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Obviously Fast Times is funny and has all the sex and music that one wants from a teen comedy but what makes it special is how well every single cast member is treated. You can walk away saying something positive and negative about each character, even the lesser ones. The movie is never cruel or demeaning to them, it doesn’t make jokes at their expense.

Except Arnold. Nothing positive there.

Obviously Fast Times is funny and has all the sex and music that one wants from a teen comedy but what makes it special is how well every single cast member is treated. You can walk away saying something positive and negative about each character, even the lesser ones. The movie is never cruel or demeaning to them, it doesn’t make jokes at their expense.

well said.

ya know, as much as it were an ensemble piece, and the three main cultural touchstones are Phoebe/Spicoli/Damone, it's still JJL's flick, imo ... she's the heart of the story, and ya can't walk away from it not falling in love with her.

... especially back in '82

And she got better with age.

So hot in Hateful Eight.

Oscar worthy.

Our ole buddy wikkid used to measure actors by their sense of 'menace'. No matter how much or how little screen time she gets, she conveys that she's holding back something more just below the surface. I love her resilience to stay in the business after her father's freak death filming The Twilight Zone movie and became a consummate pro in the business.

 

[Todem]

Obviously Fast Times is funny and has all the sex and music that one wants from a teen comedy but what makes it special is how well every single cast member is treated. You can walk away saying something positive and negative about each character, even the lesser ones. The movie is never cruel or demeaning to them, it doesn’t make jokes at their expense.

well said.

ya know, as much as it were an ensemble piece, and the three main cultural touchstones are Phoebe/Spicoli/Damone, it's still JJL's flick, imo ... she's the heart of the story, and ya can't walk away from it not falling in love with her.

... especially back in '82

She’s gonna be somebody’s baby tonight......gonna shine the light....yeaaaaaah.

Timeless classic that perfectly encapsulates being a teenager growing up in the early 80’s.

Easily my favorite teen movie of the 1980’s hands down. Damone was my favorite character......so many classic lines.

“You have those Van Halen tickets?”

“Yeah...where were you when I had those Blue Oyster Cult Tickets"

“I thought they only flew him in for games"

‘Hey Charles"

“Hey you got those Earth Wind and Fire Tickets?"

“Let me see......Earth Wind and Fire....no no not yet”

"You know I want to take my little brother to that show"

"Ok you got it I will keep my eye out for them....Charles and little brother for Earth Wind and Fire"

 

[Todem]

#10: BLOW OUT [hbo max]

My #9, and 80s' #25. As I look at my list, I would say this is easily the fastest climber for me. I saw it for the first time within the last decade and have been a bit obsessed since. Like I hinted at, it manages to hit me in that movie nerd soft spot, and just love plot element of Travolta being a sound man for cheesy B-movies and how that ties in to the evidence and plot. Great supporting cast too, as I've always been a fan of Nancy Allen and Lithgow.

Of all the ones that the peanut gallery might not have seen and have the best shot at liking of our top movies, I would say it's Blow Out and Thief.

inspired, if not ambitious, ranking ... dunno - love the jumping out the box angle, as the list construct are personal, in the final analysis ... so it's not totally shocking, in that respect.

i'd have it in here, just not top 50 - but it's a mover, no question.

I enjoy Blow Out. A solid DePalma yarn.

I liked Body Double even more.......such a guilty pleasure.

Dressed To Kill is my favorite from him along with Scarface. But Blowout has some great performances from the three leads (Travolta, Allen and Lithgow).

 

[JAA]

#23: THE PRINCESS BRIDE [disney+ ]

80s' #29, and my #57. Yes, I still think think the movie is overrated, over watched, and over quoted, but I still love it and would want it in my collection. My video store experiences is a reason that it is even in the 50s though instead of higher.

I have it currently #27 on my list

 

[JAA]

#22: RAIN MAN [tubi]

80s' #46, my #38. Great movie that of course the Academy got wrong by giving the acclaim to the wrong actor.

Good flick, but #22? I I mean, its #22 simply because it was on both your lists. I have it outside my top 80

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Fast Times would be top 5 for me from the 80s. Just an all-around classic in every way. It manages to be a great combination of comedy and drama, has a ton of quotable lines, and captures the feel of high school in the 80s pretty damn well. Love it.

One of my all time favorites as well. The collection of acting talent that was just bubbling under the surface at the time is incredible.

The cast has three future Best Actor Oscar winners: Sean Penn, Forest Whitaker, and (in a very small role) Nicholas Cage.

 

[JAA]

#21: THIEF [tubi]

80s' #22 and my #61. Great neo-noir for Micheal Mann's debut starring the late Jimmy Caan. This was another for me that I saw for the first time recently and loved it enough to add it to the list. This for sure was the last "surprise" pick of the day as I expect several to say they haven't seen or heard of it. If that's the case, this is probably the one of all of our "surprises" that I would suggest to watch.

Is this a video game series draft?

Never seen it, more satire it seems.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#teamStacey4evah

gimme JJL all day long.

Fast Times had to be the top rated teen flick here - so all is right in that respect.

It is by far the best "teen sex comedy" of the '80s, but it's much more than just that.

 

[JAA]

#23: HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH

My #13 and 80s, #48. No, I'm not being serious.

This movie is actually good if you don't go in with expectations that it has anything to do with the first two.

Now imagine ranking it higher than movie like Raiders of the Lost Ark and Scarface.

 

[JAA]

#23: HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH

My #13 and 80s, #48. No, I'm not being serious.

This movie is actually good if you don't go in with expectations that it has anything to do with the first two.

Now imagine ranking it higher than movie like Raiders of the Lost Ark and Scarface.

We didn't, it was a joke

f'n Mondays

 

[JAA]

The 11 are a pretty interesting mix. We have:

More High School b.s? 2 more coming up.
The best sequel ever?
2 directors each with 2 movies
Another director snagging his 3rd movie on the countdown
A director's parent saying one of the most iconic quotes of the 80s
A movie I know will be ok with @Scoresman
of course - one long, foreign, artsy crap to annoy the masses
My #4 and #5 movies of the decade, and a top 10 from 80s.
A movie where most of my life I preferred the sequel but grew up and realized I was wrong.
My #4 is a very uncomfortable watch.

Hell yeah Beastmaster gonna crack the Top 10!

SPOILER ALERT!!

 

[JAA]

#20: FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF [paramount+, showtime]

My #30 pick and 80s' #52. My last name rhymes with Bueller, so yeah... all the time with the "Bueller, Bueller..... " and other quotes at me. I recently rewatched it and still had a blast with it. Yes - Ferris is a turd, and it becomes more apparent as I you get older. I don't have to like him or cheer for him to love the movie - the peripheral stuff is also a blast. One of the dumb things that still cracks me up is the Star Wars theme with the lot attendants flying over a bump. A recent pod I listened to pimped the idea of a movie from their POV and showed their adventures with the car. Loved that idea.

Currently #13 on my list. Well done!

 

[JAA]

??: GHOSTBUSTERS [amc+]

My #27 pick, and 80s' #50. Yes, as a couple guessed this was the clerical error that 80s told me about - somehow he erased Ghostbusters on his list, so I told him to give me his rank and I redid the math. At the end of this, I will readjust all the rankings, so I guess when I redo it Ghostbusters will be #20, Ferris #21, and all the others will drop one until the 50s.

What? There are no re-do's in drafts? WTF? He took a Fred Taylor in the 2nd round and has to live with the injury. Cmon

 

[JAA]

#20: FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF [paramount+, showtime]

My #30 pick and 80s' #52. My last name rhymes with Bueller, so yeah... all the time with the "Bueller, Bueller..... " and other quotes at me. I recently rewatched it and still had a blast with it. Yes - Ferris is a turd, and it becomes more apparent as I you get older. I don't have to like him or cheer for him to love the movie - the peripheral stuff is also a blast. One of the dumb things that still cracks me up is the Star Wars theme with the lot attendants flying over a bump. A recent pod I listened to pimped the idea of a movie from their POV and showed their adventures with the car. Loved that idea.

Gummy Bear? They’ve been in my pocket. They’re real warm and soft

I just rewatched this maybe a month ago with my teenage boys. They liked it a bunch.

 

[JAA]

"Well, he's very popular... The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wasteoids, dweebies, dickheads — they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude."

NOOOOOOO!!!!!1!!!1!

I was about to text 80s that otb was going to be pissed today.

Kermit >>>> Mr. Smarmy Arse

ferriss was an *******. with a whole movie based around him. only things I genuinely liked was the car and cameron's house.

kid were the epitome of "priveleged/entitled" spoiled brat ... eff him in both ears.

set that in 1963 and it coulda been "George W. Bush's Day Off"

my highlight were Jeanie - Grey always did it for me - HOT

I think thats the point. Everyone wanted to have Ferris's life. He was great at everything, super privileged, everything went his way, he always won. Wasn't that the point?

 

[KarmaPolice]

The lack of shtick made for a pleasant weekend.

 

[JAA]

#19: ALIENS [starz]

My #5 of the decade, 80s #64. The person behind that quote is one of many reasons why I love this movie - peak Paxton smarminess. I can admit that Newt was a miss, and wish she wasn't in the movie, but it's still epic. Watched it again this week and had a smile on my face the whole time.

Awesome flick. Such great action and story. It looks to be somewhat outside my top 50 at the moment. Such an easy watch. Good characters, scary aliens, fun ending (the mech suits?).

Impressive they followed up Alien with such a better movie. I mean, Alien was excellent horror, but I didnt enjoy the lack of action.

 

[JAA]

#18: STAND BY ME [amc+]

80s' #37 and my #24 pick. These are the types of nostalgia movies that are climbing the ranks vs. stuff like the Hughes movies for example. Another that I watched recently, loved, and thought held up well. Like Ferris, I love a lot of the side characters as well, especially Cusack's small role as Denny.

I wanted to rank this higher. Unfortunately the top 60 movies of the 80s are so much more watchable than this movie. Don't get me wrong, the movie, cast, acting, and storyline were excellent. It just falls down the rewatchability list. For example, Schindler's list was an excellent excellent movie. However, how many times can one watch that movie? I believe you should want to rewatch a movie. If not, how great can it be?

 

[JAA]

It occurs to me that I have never seen Stand by Me, but I fear it would be one of those 80s movies I need to have seen at the time, similar to The Lost Boys, which I somehow never saw until like 10 years ago and thought was pretty stupid.

No. It holds up. You should watch it.

Itd worth a one time watch, 100%

 

[KarmaPolice]

@shuke - I don't imagine you are looking to start your countdown immediately. I won't post others on our list- we can just comment as you go on any movies that we're on our lists in the 70-100 range.

What I do want to do is post our lists in order separately of what did show up, so if you wait until Weds or Thursday so I can compile and post those, it would be great.

 

[JAA]

#17: THE TERMINATOR [hbo max]

80s' #19, and my #39. More Bill Paxton!! This is probably as close as we are going to get to an 80s slasher, which is how this one feels (with a sci-fi twist). Love it, just personally I didn't think it held up quite as much as a couple sci-fi or action movies I had above it like Aliens, The Abyss, and Robocop. [and maybe a couple still to come]

Good positioning.

Great movie. I found the ending a little drawn out and lacking. The plot, acting, sequencing was top notch.

Spoiler: spoiler

I'm still unsure about the time-traveler inseminating the lady he was there to protect to create the person who sends him back.

 

[El Floppo]

IIRC it was the opening scene... with the camera tracking across typical suburban front yard with kids playing, green grass, sprinklers, flowers, white picket fence and then zooms down into the grass to find the ear. I knew right then to buckle up when I saw this in the theater. I always remember the scene with candy colored clown (roy orbison tune?) and the dancing... just a great film... even though I've never been a fan of Kyle Mclaughlin.

The opening scene didn't depict the ear in the grass, it depicted bugs (I think beetles or ants) acting what seemed to be violent or at least producing uncomfortable sounds.

pretty sure that's Honey I shrunk the Kids.




oh crap... I hope I didn't spoil a top 5er for these guys.

 

[shuke]

#10: BLOW OUT [hbo max]

My #9, and 80s' #25. As I look at my list, I would say this is easily the fastest climber for me. I saw it for the first time within the last decade and have been a bit obsessed since. Like I hinted at, it manages to hit me in that movie nerd soft spot, and just love plot element of Travolta being a sound man for cheesy B-movies and how that ties in to the evidence and plot. Great supporting cast too, as I've always been a fan of Nancy Allen and Lithgow.

Of all the ones that the peanut gallery might not have seen and have the best shot at liking of our top movies, I would say it's Blow Out and Thief.

Nice pick. It's movies like these that I assumed would be left out, which what prompted me to want to do a next 100.

 

[JAA]

#16: WHEN HARRY MET SALLY

My #20 and 80s' #35. Another one that kept climbing my rankings over the years on rewatches.

Great movie, great cast, excellent ending.

I dont have an excuse for why its in the 70s for me. Maybe a little too whiny for me? I mean, every characters seems to complain all the time. Am I wrong?

 

[massraider]

"Well, he's very popular... The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wasteoids, dweebies, dickheads — they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude."

NOOOOOOO!!!!!1!!!1!

I was about to text 80s that otb was going to be pissed today.

Kermit >>>> Mr. Smarmy Arse

ferriss was an *******. with a whole movie based around him. only things I genuinely liked was the car and cameron's house.

kid were the epitome of "priveleged/entitled" spoiled brat ... eff him in both ears.

set that in 1963 and it coulda been "George W. Bush's Day Off"

my highlight were Jeanie - Grey always did it for me - HOT

I think thats the point. Everyone wanted to have Ferris's life. He was great at everything, super privileged, everything went his way, he always won. Wasn't that the point?

No, the real hero was the wealthy hypochondriac who complained all the time, and didn't want to get out of bed. (And if there's anything this forum loves, it's modern teens who feel bad for themselves )

The kid who was well liked by everyone, yet maintained loyalty to his self-involved Debbie Downer buddy (you KNOW Cameron has no other friends) , he's the jerk.

 

[JAA]

Wife and I watched Bull Durham today. She has never seen it and I honestly don't think I've seen it since I was maybe 13. Too young to fully get it. Really good but I will say my diminished interest in baseball and it's lore hurt it a bit. When I was a kid and saw it, baseball was magical to me. I would watch baseball all summer, even if it wasn't the Tigers. I would just watch any game on. I played baseball on a summer team and then neighborhood kids would get baseball games going in the park, in the street, anywhere. For several years, I probably played some form of baseball 2/3 of days in the summer. Now, I could probably name less than 10 current MLB players. I wonder if I rewatched Field of Dreams if I would find a similar result or if my nostalgia for that movie (which I've seen many many times) would just hit so many feelings that I couldn't help but be wrapped up in it.

I believe FoD have staying power because all it tries to do is get you to love what you previously loved about baseball. Its not trying to contrive anything that didnt already exist. That and baseball lore of the that time was golden. Now, not so much.

 

[JAA]

#15: RAGING BULL [hbo max]

My #13 and 80s' #39. Just like us - we have all the boxing movies with robots, arm wrestling, throats getting ripped out, and Kumite fighting movies to choose from in the 80s, and we land on the black and white boxing movie that is a master class in acting and directing.

As I was creating my list this movie came up basically on everyone elses list. I havnt seen it, maybe I should.

 

[El Floppo]

Never seen Fast Times. Probably never will.

Why not?

I didn't have cable growing up and it just kind of passed me by.

Now it is just a comedy that stars Sean Penn - one I'm not very interested in and one im completely uninterested in.

fwiw, it doesn't "star" Sean Penn.. and whoever said 20% put that number pretty high. he's part of a very large ensemble- like the girlfriend farmer ted ends up with in 16 candles, except he's a stoned surfer. but to think that he's central enough to avoid, you must REALLY hate Sean Penn- to avoid seeing a very well done, hilarious and genuinely iconic movie. plus Phoebe.

 

[El Floppo]

Obviously Fast Times is funny and has all the sex and music that one wants from a teen comedy but what makes it special is how well every single cast member is treated. You can walk away saying something positive and negative about each character, even the lesser ones. The movie is never cruel or demeaning to them, it doesn’t make jokes at their expense.

Except Arnold. Nothing positive there.

Obviously Fast Times is funny and has all the sex and music that one wants from a teen comedy but what makes it special is how well every single cast member is treated. You can walk away saying something positive and negative about each character, even the lesser ones. The movie is never cruel or demeaning to them, it doesn’t make jokes at their expense.

well said.

ya know, as much as it were an ensemble piece, and the three main cultural touchstones are Phoebe/Spicoli/Damone, it's still JJL's flick, imo ... she's the heart of the story, and ya can't walk away from it not falling in love with her.

... especially back in '82

And she got better with age.

So hot in Hateful Eight.

plz don't entice me to watch a post 'Reservoir Dogs' Tarantino flick ...

TIA!

1. you haven't seen any others, or just never want to again?
2. That was 100% sarcasm. Do not watch that movie for how JJL looks, that's for sure.
3. I did find her attractive still in the show Atypical, which I have recommended a bit.

1) the latter

2) YOU BASTID!

3) queues it up

I thought she all kinds of plastic surgeried scary in Atypical- distracting, tbh. but a fantastic show, JJL love or no (and it's yes for me).

 

[JAA]

#14: BEVERLY HILLS COP [paramount+]

One we were in lock step with - 80s' #24 and my #25. This was the one I said I always preferred the sequel, until the last several years when I've been watching the first one more. I think I just like the dynamic of Axel dealing with the bad guys and the Beverly Hills police, where in the 2nd one you only get one of those.

Easy movie to watch. Love me some Eddie. Plot good, cast good, all good.

Feels like top #25 on any list is too high. IMO its not even the best of the series, but thats me. Is it this high because of Murphy? Uniqueness? If you told someone BHC was higher than both Ghostbusters, Stand By Me, and RotLA would they believe you?

 

[El Floppo]

#10: BLOW OUT [hbo max]

My #9, and 80s' #25. As I look at my list, I would say this is easily the fastest climber for me. I saw it for the first time within the last decade and have been a bit obsessed since. Like I hinted at, it manages to hit me in that movie nerd soft spot, and just love plot element of Travolta being a sound man for cheesy B-movies and how that ties in to the evidence and plot. Great supporting cast too, as I've always been a fan of Nancy Allen and Lithgow.

Of all the ones that the peanut gallery might not have seen and have the best shot at liking of our top movies, I would say it's Blow Out and Thief.

I didn't see this when it came out, but I think caught it in some college film class. really cool flick, and a fun ride. de Palma's had a lot of quality movies, but this one's my favorite of his.

 

[El Floppo]

#14: BEVERLY HILLS COP [paramount+]

One we were in lock step with - 80s' #24 and my #25. This was the one I said I always preferred the sequel, until the last several years when I've been watching the first one more. I think I just like the dynamic of Axel dealing with the bad guys and the Beverly Hills police, where in the 2nd one you only get one of those.

Easy movie to watch. Love me some Eddie. Plot good, cast good, all good.

Feels like top #25 on any list is too high. IMO its not even the best of the series, but thats me. Is it this high because of Murphy? Uniqueness? If you told someone BHC was higher than both Ghostbusters, Stand By Me, and RotLA would they believe you?

I'd have it around the first 2 somewhere in the top 50 probably. Raiders would be top 20 somewhere or higher depending on my mood (and actually looking at a list of more movies).

 

[JAA]

There is a difference between having action figures and designing your "art" around them (Ewoks anyone?)

True. I'm reading the article now.

She offers some good criticisms of the film, actually, but her criticisms seem rooted in oldster-ism. What on earth would she say about Tarantino if she were around to critique his use of older formats with a modern sense of irony like Raiders does? If anything, Tarantino saw Raiders and made its ironic retro-gazing high art and blockbustery when he did it.

Her criticisms -- the pace is too fast, there's not enough time to reflect, the story moves breathlessly, Spielberg's cuts aren't precise or vague enough (she never tells us), the characters are in service of the audience's sentiments, you know who the villain is, she has a difficult time with the suspension of disbelief because of the script, etc. are all valid concerns, but it strikes me as somebody who is, frankly, rooted in a pastoral view of the movies. She does not see the accelerated BPM (cross genre again) as a thrill ride, but something to deride.

In short, she sounds old and curmudgeon-y, dude.

She was old and curmudgeon-y especially by 81. She was 62 and was already old guard by then. Just as she had championed Bonnie and Clyde in '67 and forced out the old guard film critics she was now finding herself becoming out of step with the 80s. It's easy to say she should have loosened up and just enjoyed the fun 80s movies but we always do need those who hold tight to some traditions and point out to people when major changes are happening. I disagree with her a lot on many movies but she's almost always interesting. Her breakdown here isn't any earth shattering revelation. It's been pointed out here a bunch that the 80s had a certain kind of movie which was very different the 70s kind of movie. I am just surprised that so quickly this was being recognized.

She did review Tarantino in 1994 right after PF:
He’s certainly talented, but it’s too early to say if there’s any depth to the talent. I laughed a lot at “Pulp Fiction.” It tickled me the way Paul Morrissey’s 1970 porno-absurd “Trash” did, and Stuart Gordon’s “Re-Animator.” There’s nothing under “Pulp Fiction,” no serious undercurrents. And I didn’t find any of the important “statements” I had read about in the reviews, but it’s got a crazy good humor. Tarantino has a flair for pop dialogue, and a flair for casting. He used wonderful people.

I tried to watch PF with my 17yo. He didnt get it, we made it like 1/2 through and he didnt want to finish.

 

[El Floppo]

and lol at complaining/critiquing about film critics in here... especially a legend like Kael.

Ebert missed a bunch in his time. Stanley Kauffmann, longtime film writer for the New Republic, had his blind spots.

Fallible, and therefore, critique-worthy.

the part you clipped out said of course she's going to be hit or miss.. like anybody with an opinion based column. I just find it funny critiquing critics.... unless you're genuinely interested in the derivations/psychology of their criticisms- not quite my tempo, but more power to anybody who is.

 

[JAA]

Long story short, I can't think of an "80s movie" that I saw late in life for the first that I liked enough to rank high. Any movie that I did rank high after a late first watch are squarely in the foreign/artsy/Oscar category.

Sure thing. Unlike some of the commenters here, I hold no real love or nostalgia for the eighties as being part of my youth, and therefore, something to be revered. I was dead set for them to be over. I consider Pulp Fiction, especially the delayed opening credits, as the first movie that I saw and said, "Movies can be like this? Not just disposable entertainment?"

I will never forget where I was when I saw the movie. It was something else entirely and got me into French New Wave and older films that I hadn't seen that were more art house.

What I'm trying to say is I certainly won't flame you -- I have no particular love for the eighties and the movies created in that decade. Same with music in the eighties. But that's another topic for another time.

Me neither - little film theater at the UW. Oh, and I hated the movie.

And it's not that I don't understand the reaction to Raiders, there are several top notch and very "80s" movies that we haven't and won't get to. I also have a similar reaction when people tell me they don't like my favorite movie. I think both 80s and I knew that Raiders would be at the top of the list of gripes - that and the comedy staples like Airplane! and others. I think what my experience with Raiders did for me was prepare for the kid not liking several of the movies of my youth I showed him. I understood more how seeing stuff for the first time 30-40 years later might play, or at the very least it allowed me to take my 80s rosey glasses off for a bit and think about the movies slightly more critically.

It's much more fun to keep the rosey glasses on.

IMO I still keep them on for the most part. There are very few movies from that time (clarify - that I watched at that time) I don't like or wouldn't have fun watching in a group or with the family. But as I said to you or JAA - 90% of the time now, that is not how I am watching a movie and I'd rather watch something I haven't seen 100s of times. I am far more likely to try some drama or foreign movie I haven't gotten to from the decade on my day off than watch Bill and Ted's or Goonies again. And many of those I end up liking as much or more.

If you look at each of our lists apart, you would see that both have a ton of these types of movies you love. Especially towards the bottom of mine from 70-100s - I think overall 70-80% list is "80s movies".

I get that. My experience is that so many movies these days are too contrived or too purposeful in where they attempt to take your feelings. They try too hard to start you somewhere, then plot twist, then plot twist, then expect you to be over there. I much prefer to have a good, thoughtful plot, that allows the watcher to go where they want.

 

[JAA]

13. BLUE VELVET [hbo max]

My #4 movie, and 80s' #44. This movie is a lot. So weird, uncomfortable, beautiful, and scary. As I read more about Lynch and read his views on movies and life, I started to appreciate what he brings more. For example, the scene of a battered Rossellini was based on something that he saw as a kid and his reaction haunted him. Hopper is freakin' bananas in this movie.

Never seen it, but on lots of lists. It better be good.

 

[JAA]

13. BLUE VELVET [hbo max]

My #4 movie, and 80s' #44. This movie is a lot. So weird, uncomfortable, beautiful, and scary. As I read more about Lynch and read his views on movies and life, I started to appreciate what he brings more. For example, the scene of a battered Rossellini was based on something that he saw as a kid and his reaction haunted him. Hopper is freakin' bananas in this movie.

I get it. Great film, but zero desire to watch it again. Would be ranked substantially lower on my list.

That doesn't stop me while ranking things. I still haven't conjured up the courage to watch Hereditary again, but would rate it one of the best of the decade.

I dont get this.

How can a movie be truly great if you only desire to see it once?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Never seen Fast Times. Probably never will.

Why not?

I didn't have cable growing up and it just kind of passed me by.

Now it is just a comedy that stars Sean Penn - one I'm not very interested in and one im completely uninterested in.

fwiw, it doesn't "star" Sean Penn.. and whoever said 20% put that number pretty high. he's part of a very large ensemble- like the girlfriend farmer ted ends up with in 16 candles, except he's a stoned surfer. but to think that he's central enough to avoid, you must REALLY hate Sean Penn- to avoid seeing a very well done, hilarious and genuinely iconic movie. plus Phoebe.

Well....

I would guess after all this time it probably wouldn't mean much to me if I finally watched it.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

13. BLUE VELVET [hbo max]

My #4 movie, and 80s' #44. This movie is a lot. So weird, uncomfortable, beautiful, and scary. As I read more about Lynch and read his views on movies and life, I started to appreciate what he brings more. For example, the scene of a battered Rossellini was based on something that he saw as a kid and his reaction haunted him. Hopper is freakin' bananas in this movie.

Never seen it, but on lots of lists. It better be good.

Or what?

 

[JAA]

#12: RAN

80s' #7, and my #29 movie. I'm still behind on my Kurosawa flicks, but I did want to get to this one before countdown. I ended up loving it more than some of the movies he might be better known for.

Here we go again. I wont rehash all the movies behind it.

Maybe you should be on the Oscar judging panel. That would fit.

 

[JAA]

13. BLUE VELVET [hbo max]

My #4 movie, and 80s' #44. This movie is a lot. So weird, uncomfortable, beautiful, and scary. As I read more about Lynch and read his views on movies and life, I started to appreciate what he brings more. For example, the scene of a battered Rossellini was based on something that he saw as a kid and his reaction haunted him. Hopper is freakin' bananas in this movie.

Never seen it, but on lots of lists. It better be good.

Or what?

Or I will watch Goonies again.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

If you told someone BHC was higher than both Ghostbusters, Stand By Me, and RotLA would they believe you?

Yes - even though I may not agree. Beverly Hills Cop was HUGE.

 

[JAA]

#11: FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH [prime]

80s' #14 and my #21. There's a couple comedies after thinking about them today I would probably have a little higher if I did the list today - this and our #8 (which I am going to watch tonight). This is the very rare example of seeing it a bit later in life and loving it more and more. So funny with so many quotes, but it also takes the time to address or observe other things in a realistic way.

Excellent movie, excellent flick.

I think a little of the plot falls apart toward the end. But I guess thats how relationships go. However, Spicoli and Mr Hand scenes were all time classics.

 

[El Floppo]

Never seen Fast Times. Probably never will.

Why not?

I didn't have cable growing up and it just kind of passed me by.

Now it is just a comedy that stars Sean Penn - one I'm not very interested in and one im completely uninterested in.

fwiw, it doesn't "star" Sean Penn.. and whoever said 20% put that number pretty high. he's part of a very large ensemble- like the girlfriend farmer ted ends up with in 16 candles, except he's a stoned surfer. but to think that he's central enough to avoid, you must REALLY hate Sean Penn- to avoid seeing a very well done, hilarious and genuinely iconic movie. plus Phoebe.

Well....

I would guess after all this time it probably wouldn't mean much to me if I finally watched it.

Do you like John Hughes movies? This one gets into the zeitgeist of HS and the early 80s in what to me- then and now- felt like a much more real version of things than Hughes' world. and tbh, with a kid of my own in HS, still feels relevant. one of the OPs put it really well upthread- every character big and small (including the one we dare not speak his name) are allowed to breath and be human, with upside and down- all while still filling the iconic HS parts we see from Hughes movies.

I dunno- it's a pretty great movie... I'm just trying to understand why a movie fan like you wouldn't want to see it.

 

[JAA]

#10: BLOW OUT [hbo max]

My #9, and 80s' #25. As I look at my list, I would say this is easily the fastest climber for me. I saw it for the first time within the last decade and have been a bit obsessed since. Like I hinted at, it manages to hit me in that movie nerd soft spot, and just love plot element of Travolta being a sound man for cheesy B-movies and how that ties in to the evidence and plot. Great supporting cast too, as I've always been a fan of Nancy Allen and Lithgow.

Of all the ones that the peanut gallery might not have seen and have the best shot at liking of our top movies, I would say it's Blow Out and Thief.

I dont recall seeing this on many internet lists. Though seems its more neo-noir