Top 101 Movies of the 80s (1 Viewer)

[JAA]

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.

Not top 5 but def would have made my 101

 

[El Floppo]

for me, Fast Times and Dazed and Confused are the quintessential HS movies.

oh.. just started thinking of HS movies, and there's one I don't remember seeing on their list that likely won't go into the top 10 (and shouldn't) but certainly coulda/shoulda been top 100.

or I missed/forgot it was picked... looking at the op now to check.

eta: nope. not a giant loss, but still one of my faves from the decade.

 

[JAA]

for me, Fast Times and Dazed and Confused are the quintessential HS movies.

oh.. just started thinking of HS movies, and there's one I don't remember seeing on their list that likely won't go into the top 10 (and shouldn't) but certainly coulda/shoulda been top 100.

or I missed/forgot it was picked... looking at the op now to check.

eta: nope. not a giant loss, but still one of my faves from the decade.

Dazed and Confused is unbelievable and such a great movie. The flow of it is simple, basic, and yet enthralling. Each scene seems to be put together for the watcher to soak in each time they watch the movie. So much going on people wise. Would prolly be in my top 10 of the 90s.

 

[El Floppo]

Ran... I saw it in the theater when it came out, and despite the visuals, pagaentry, large moving battle scenes, king lear plot, etc... I found myself bored.

now.. maybe I was tired going in, and it was a long film and I just wasn't in the mood. I love Kurasawa and given the profound love it was getting at the time, and has continued to get, I wanted to like it more but just remember wanting it to end. This is one I should probably rewatch.

 

[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.

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).

For me, part of what I like is that she's a bit of a 'throwback' actor, very much in the same vein her dad (Vic Morrow) was. Never really lead-worthy, but always has every performance dialed in and memorable. Her looks were probably at their peak 20+ years ago, but she's 61 and while it's sad when they go under the knife, it seems to be too strong of a lure for most actresses.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Ran... I saw it in the theater when it came out, and despite the visuals, pagaentry, large moving battle scenes, king lear plot, etc... I found myself bored.

now.. maybe I was tired going in, and it was a long film and I just wasn't in the mood. I love Kurasawa and given the profound love it was getting at the time, and has continued to get, I wanted to like it more but just remember wanting it to end. This is one I should probably rewatch.

You'd probably like it better in its original Klingon.

 

[Willy]

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.

I'm sure the moment has past and there isn't much point for you to force yourself to watch it if you don't want to. Sorry for you though, the rest of us will always flash to Pheobe Cates slow-mo popping out of the pool when we hear The Cars "Moving in Stereo". It's been 40 years of joy hearing that song. You can't relive that now.

 

[El Floppo]

for me, Fast Times and Dazed and Confused are the quintessential HS movies.

oh.. just started thinking of HS movies, and there's one I don't remember seeing on their list that likely won't go into the top 10 (and shouldn't) but certainly coulda/shoulda been top 100.

or I missed/forgot it was picked... looking at the op now to check.

eta: nope. not a giant loss, but still one of my faves from the decade.

Dazed and Confused is unbelievable and such a great movie. The flow of it is simple, basic, and yet enthralling. Each scene seems to be put together for the watcher to soak in each time they watch the movie. So much going on people wise. Would prolly be in my top 10 of the 90s.

it would be interesting to do a cross decade HS list... something like Rebel without a Cause or Blackboard Jungle... be interesting to see what similarities and differences there are over time. I mean- I love Clueless and how they use cellphones (first time I remember them being brought into a film to convey that culture). stuff like that.

 

[Ghost Rider]

#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.

I don’t really see Fast Times as having a plot. It was essentially a high school year in the life of a bunch of teenagers. It didn’t need some big ending.

 

[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.

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

wgaf? Most are also the same boring lists with the same movies too. We were hoping for something other than the 100th version of the same thing.

 

[Todem]

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.

It is quite twisted and bizzare….that’s David Lynch. It is a signature style of filmmaking.

 

[BassNBrew]

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.

This also explains why you have "Cuts Like A Knife" ranked as one of you're all time favorite songs. MTV ran that into the ground.

 

[zamboni]

#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.

I don’t really see Fast Times as having a plot. It was essentially a high school year in the life of a bunch of teenagers. It didn’t need some big ending.

If Spicoli hadn’t saved Brooke Shields from drowning - and subsequently didn’t blow the reward money hiring Van Halen to play at his birthday party - it would have been a totally different movie.

 

[Keith R]

#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).

Yeah, I was getting worried that Scarface might be the only DePalma representation. While nowhere in a kid's/teen's wheelhouse (except for Scarface), his movies were pure 80s and many worthy of being in a list like this

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Pauline Kael's review of Raiders is incredible. She wrote in 1981 and it's spot on for the what the next 40 years of movies would bring and an effective takedown of some of negative aspects of some 80s style 80s movies:

The marketing executives are the new high priests of the movie business....Their growing power isn’t in any special effectiveness in selling pictures; it’s in their ability to keep pictures that don’t lend themselves to an eye-popping thirty-second commercial from being made....In the new Hollywood wisdom, anything to do with people’s lives belongs on TV.

The actors are mostly just bodies carrying pieces of plot around.

...essentially, George Lucas is in the toy business.

WHIPPED

THE CURRENT CINEMA review of “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

www.newyorker.com

She was a Hater!!!!!!

That was a VERY long review.

 

[Manster]

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.

It’s an ensemble cast really. Penn is probably on screen for 20% of the movie.

That 20% might even be a high estimate, not that I've clocked it or anything. It just feels like we are with the Hamiltons and Damone way more to me. It would be an interesting stat to see.

I see what you did there.....

This is U.S. history....I see the globe right there. -Jeff Spicoli

 

[Keith R]

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?

Because it is too intense to watch multiple times. Examples of non-1980s movies that are legitimately great but hard to rewatch are Million Dollar Baby and Leaving Las Vegas

 

[Manster]

for me, Fast Times and Dazed and Confused are the quintessential HS movies.

oh.. just started thinking of HS movies, and there's one I don't remember seeing on their list that likely won't go into the top 10 (and shouldn't) but certainly coulda/shoulda been top 100.

or I missed/forgot it was picked... looking at the op now to check.

eta: nope. not a giant loss, but still one of my faves from the decade.

Agreed.....Dazed is the Fast Times of the 90's. Both movies with great ensemble casts....lots going on....great re-watchability .....even the Mitch Kramer nose touch thing is endearing, imo....you can turn it into a drinking game.

 

[Scoresman]

Blowout's a great movie to include...

.. at maybe number 72.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

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?

Maybe not by your criteria. But maybe so by others' criteria. It's OK for people to have different criteria from yours.

 

[Ilov80s]

#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.

Huh? It’s a heist movie from the guy who made Heat. It’s not satire by any stretch.

 

[Ilov80s]

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.

Yeah I can see that. Not sure what movies he’s seen but it’s a major departure from what’s been pushed on teens this last decade.

 

[Ilov80s]

#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.

I would love to be. It’s a an epic huge scale war movie. You don’t like war movies?

 

[El Floppo]

for me, Fast Times and Dazed and Confused are the quintessential HS movies.

oh.. just started thinking of HS movies, and there's one I don't remember seeing on their list that likely won't go into the top 10 (and shouldn't) but certainly coulda/shoulda been top 100.

or I missed/forgot it was picked... looking at the op now to check.

eta: nope. not a giant loss, but still one of my faves from the decade.

Agreed.....Dazed is the Fast Times of the 90's. Both movies with great ensemble casts....lots going on....great re-watchability .....even the Mitch Kramer nose touch thing is endearing, imo....you can turn it into a drinking game.

I've seen D&C soooo many times and never thought about the Kramer nose touch. but as soon as I read your post, I was like- OF COURSE. it's all the time!

 

[El Floppo]

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?

Because it is too intense to watch multiple times. Examples of non-1980s movies that are legitimately great but hard to rewatch are Million Dollar Baby and Leaving Las Vegas

Requiem for a Dream for me.

 

[El Floppo]

#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.

I would love to be. It’s a an epic huge scale war movie. You don’t like war movies?

only if he's seen them before as a kid.

 

[Ilov80s]

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.

That was me. Maybe it’s a bit high. But 20% of a 90 min movies like 18 minutes? It’s probably a little less near that. Anyway, I’m not a big Penn fan buts he fantastic in that movie. Too bad he didn’t do comedy more often. He’s also ways so self serious.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

#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.

This one didn't do as much for me. It's good but not very memorable. DePalma's done much better films - Carrie, The Untouchables and Scarface.

 

[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.

That was me. Maybe it’s a bit high. But 20% of a 90 min movies like 18 minutes? It’s probably a little less near that. Anyway, I’m not a big Penn fan buts he fantastic in that movie. Too bad he didn’t do comedy more often. He’s also ways so self serious.

did you see that one he did where he's basically Robert Smith from the Cure? kind of a holocaust survivor thing set in England?

can't imagine he was taking himself seriously in that one- and yet, the guy is consistently good at inhabiting his role.

 

[Ilov80s]

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.

That was me. Maybe it’s a bit high. But 20% of a 90 min movies like 18 minutes? It’s probably a little less near that. Anyway, I’m not a big Penn fan buts he fantastic in that movie. Too bad he didn’t do comedy more often. He’s also ways so self serious.

did you see that one he did where he's basically Robert Smith from the Cure? kind of a holocaust survivor thing set in England?

can't imagine he was taking himself seriously in that one- and yet, the guy is consistently good at inhabiting his role.

I definitely haven’t lol. I just looked it up and oh boy I hopes it a comedy but it’s listed as a drama.

 

[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.

That was me. Maybe it’s a bit high. But 20% of a 90 min movies like 18 minutes? It’s probably a little less near that. Anyway, I’m not a big Penn fan buts he fantastic in that movie. Too bad he didn’t do comedy more often. He’s also ways so self serious.

did you see that one he did where he's basically Robert Smith from the Cure? kind of a holocaust survivor thing set in England?

can't imagine he was taking himself seriously in that one- and yet, the guy is consistently good at inhabiting his role.

I definitely haven’t lol. I just looked it up and oh boy I hopes it a comedy but it’s listed as a drama.

it's a strange one, tone-wise, and not really one I'd recommend that much. his whole character is somewhat comedic- just living/operating in a mundane world as this aging goth former star shuffling around doing his shopping and stuff. the central storyline gets dramatic, and seems disconnected with all of that. IMO, should've been a simple rom/com kind of thing instead- it started with a great character and conceit.

 

[rockaction]

If Spicoli hadn’t saved Brooke Shields from drowning - and subsequently didn’t blow the reward money hiring Van Halen to play at his birthday party - it would have been a totally different movie.

This was needed.

 

[Manster]

for me, Fast Times and Dazed and Confused are the quintessential HS movies.

oh.. just started thinking of HS movies, and there's one I don't remember seeing on their list that likely won't go into the top 10 (and shouldn't) but certainly coulda/shoulda been top 100.

or I missed/forgot it was picked... looking at the op now to check.

eta: nope. not a giant loss, but still one of my faves from the decade.

Agreed.....Dazed is the Fast Times of the 90's. Both movies with great ensemble casts....lots going on....great re-watchability .....even the Mitch Kramer nose touch thing is endearing, imo....you can turn it into a drinking game.

I've seen D&C soooo many times and never thought about the Kramer nose touch. but as soon as I read your post, I was like- OF COURSE. it's all the time!

I don't remember when I first noticed, but after I did, it's all I see when he's on screen

 

[El Floppo]

for me, Fast Times and Dazed and Confused are the quintessential HS movies.

oh.. just started thinking of HS movies, and there's one I don't remember seeing on their list that likely won't go into the top 10 (and shouldn't) but certainly coulda/shoulda been top 100.

or I missed/forgot it was picked... looking at the op now to check.

eta: nope. not a giant loss, but still one of my faves from the decade.

Agreed.....Dazed is the Fast Times of the 90's. Both movies with great ensemble casts....lots going on....great re-watchability .....even the Mitch Kramer nose touch thing is endearing, imo....you can turn it into a drinking game.

I've seen D&C soooo many times and never thought about the Kramer nose touch. but as soon as I read your post, I was like- OF COURSE. it's all the time!

I don't remember when I first noticed, but after I did, it's all I see when he's on screen

dammit.


that's going to be me now.

 

[Manster]

I don't want to spotlight, but I feel like there's a really quirky comedy that is making the top 10.......it's one that's in my top 5. I feel like it's gotta be yet to come.......but what do I know?

 

[El Floppo]

I don't want to spotlight, but I feel like there's a really quirky comedy that is making the top 10.......it's one that's in my top 5. I feel like it's gotta be yet to come.......but what do I know?

but enough of yer yakkin....

 

[Ilov80s]

for me, Fast Times and Dazed and Confused are the quintessential HS movies.

oh.. just started thinking of HS movies, and there's one I don't remember seeing on their list that likely won't go into the top 10 (and shouldn't) but certainly coulda/shoulda been top 100.

or I missed/forgot it was picked... looking at the op now to check.

eta: nope. not a giant loss, but still one of my faves from the decade.

Agreed.....Dazed is the Fast Times of the 90's. Both movies with great ensemble casts....lots going on....great re-watchability .....even the Mitch Kramer nose touch thing is endearing, imo....you can turn it into a drinking game.

I've seen D&C soooo many times and never thought about the Kramer nose touch. but as soon as I read your post, I was like- OF COURSE. it's all the time!

I don't remember when I first noticed, but after I did, it's all I see when he's on screen

It drives me nuts but you know what, kids have ticks like that sometimes.

 

[KarmaPolice]

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?

Because, IMO, that means it was VERY effective in doing what it set out to do - a.k.a., a great movie. I am saying things like Requiem for a Dream, Hereditary, etc aren't setting out to make a popcorn movie you can mostly ignore and have in the background at a party. Some are, and I also love those movies - see my love for The Lost Boys and others. I will get around to a rewatch, but I just haven't yet. My hestitancy is because it was so effective as scaring me and getting under my skin that I haven't wanted to revisit it, not because I thought it was a crap movie.

 

[Ilov80s]

I don't want to spotlight, but I feel like there's a really quirky comedy that is making the top 10.......it's one that's in my top 5. I feel like it's gotta be yet to come.......but what do I know?

You mean Off Beat with Judge Reinhold and Meg Tilley? Judge is a librarian dancing machine who poses as a cop to help his friend win a police dance contest?

 

[Manster]

I don't want to spotlight, but I feel like there's a really quirky comedy that is making the top 10.......it's one that's in my top 5. I feel like it's gotta be yet to come.......but what do I know?

You mean Off Beat with Judge Reinhold and Meg Tilley? Judge is a librarian dancing machine who poses as a cop to help his friend win a police dance contest?

Nope.....I don't wanna say too much other than it's not Howard the Duck, and it seems to be all over the place on 80's movie lists, or even omitted.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Sorry, no time for the usual wind-up. Been trying to track down a stolen? check on my lunch break instead.

 

[Scoresman]

There are many more comedies that deserve to be on the list than there are spots remaining.

 

[KarmaPolice]

#9: AMADEUS

@Ilov80s #2 movie and my #26 movie. This was one of the 3 I was told to watch for the draft, and the one I liked the most. I will let him pimp it since it was in his top 5.

 

[Gally]

it would be interesting to do a cross decade HS list... something like Rebel without a Cause or Blackboard Jungle... be interesting to see what similarities and differences there are over time. I mean- I love Clueless and how they use cellphones (first time I remember them being brought into a film to convey that culture). stuff like that.

Don't forget to include Slumdog Millionaire. It's a must for any HS movie list

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I don't want to spotlight, but I feel like there's a really quirky comedy that is making the top 10.......it's one that's in my top 5. I feel like it's gotta be yet to come.......but what do I know?

You mean Off Beat with Judge Reinhold and Meg Tilley? Judge is a librarian dancing machine who poses as a cop to help his friend win a police dance contest?

Nope.....I don't wanna say too much other than it's not Howard the Duck, and it seems to be all over the place on 80's movie lists, or even omitted.

This thread is going too fast so I probably missed this-

I assume we should not be throwing out names?

 

[Scoresman]

I have a special hatred for Amadeus in my heart. It was the one movie that always seemed to be showing on TV when I was looking for something to watch as a kid, and no 8 year old wants to watch ****ing Amadeus.

 

[TripItUp]

#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.

a lot higher than I would have it, but I have always liked it

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I have a special hatred for Amadeus in my heart. It was the one movie that always seemed to be showing on TV when I was looking for something to watch as a kid, and no 8 year old wants to watch ****ing Amadeus.

Same. To add insult to injury, we were forced to watch this in middle school during one of those last days of the year where we did nothing.

Now that I think about it, this movie may have been the catalyst for my not so illustrious class-skipping career.

 

[rockaction]

Don't forget to include Slumdog Millionaire. It's a must for any HS movie list

IT GOT DOCKED TWO POINTS BY THE INFALLIBLE JUDGE!

 

[zamboni]

#9: AMADEUS

@Ilov80s #2 movie and my #26 movie. This was one of the 3 I was told to watch for the draft, and the one I liked the most. I will let him pimp it since it was in his top 5.

Never saw this, but Tom Hulce will always be Pinto from Animal House for me.