Your Mount Rushmore of 80s movies (1 Viewer)

[jon_mx]

Someone should start this thread for the 90s and 00s

Has there been a good movie since the 80's? 

ETA:  Get off my lawn! 

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Someone should start this thread for the 90s and 00s

See that goes back to my first post.  I don't consider any movie a "90s" movie. That phrase wouldn't mean anything to me.

But when you say 80s movie, I have a very clear picture in my mind of the type of movie you mean.

 

[KarmaPolice]

See that goes back to my first post.  I don't consider any movie a "90s" movie. That phrase wouldn't mean anything to me.

But when you say 80s movie, I have a very clear picture in my mind of the type of movie you mean.

I dunno, I think there is a certain style that you could pick out from movies from the 90s, especially with the indie movies becoming a bigger thing.  Something like Clerks I would think of for a 90s movie. 

 

[Yankee23Fan]

I dunno, I think there is a certain style that you could pick out from movies from the 90s, especially with the indie movies becoming a bigger thing.  Something like Clerks I would think of for a 90s movie. 

Ok I will grant that as a general proposition.  

 

[KarmaPolice]

Ok I will grant that as a general proposition.  

I think the same thing goes for 80s movies.  I think we have an image of an "80s movie" when you say that phrase - Sixteen Candles, Ghostbusters, etc..   Stuff like Blue Velvet and Full Metal Jacket are great movies from the 80s, but I don't think people would usually think of them as an "80s movie". 

 

[Yankee23Fan]

I think the same thing goes for 80s movies.  I think we have an image of an "80s movie" when you say that phrase - Sixteen Candles, Ghostbusters, etc..   Stuff like Blue Velvet and Full Metal Jacket are great movies from the 80s, but I don't think people would usually think of them as an "80s movie". 

Agreed that was my exact point in my first post.

 

[Hastur]

I think the same thing goes for 80s movies.  I think we have an image of an "80s movie" when you say that phrase - Sixteen Candles, Ghostbusters, etc..   Stuff like Blue Velvet and Full Metal Jacket are great movies from the 80s, but I don't think people would usually think of them as an "80s movie". 

Yup.  The Verdict is a great movie, but people don't necessarily see it as an '80's' movie. 

Movies that spotlight cultural trends, fads, clothing, or famous people from the 80's:  Valley Girl, Joysticks, Weird Science, etc.

 

[Buttonhook]

I'm the only one that listed Escape from New York, which is a cult classic. 

If you really want a cult classic from the 80s, how about Clockwork Orange?

I had (weird-smart) friends that thought it was the best movie ever, but I never got it. 

 

[Buttonhook]

There are easily 20 or so movies that could make my list, so I went with the ones I distinctly remember seeing for the first time in the theatre:

Poltergeist

Raiders

E.T.

Empire

Seems like a cliché list, but it might be easier if we broke it down into drama, comedy, etc.

Surprised that the classic horror-films from the 80s are generally missing.  Not that they should make anyone's Top 4 list, but no love for Freddy or Jason?

 

[Buttonhook]

I was born in '75, so I might be slightly younger than normal on these boards.  Even if it's a few years, I think that makes a big difference on some of them.  I agree that a lot of finding these movies funny is growing up with them and quoting them with your friends.  I think I just missed on stuff like Animal House, Caddyshack, etc..   

Most of the stuff that would have been with my friends and I were closer to the PG #### at the time - Ghostbusters, Three Amigos, Big, Spaceballs, Great Outdoors, Goonies, etc..  A little later, it was the comedies that were raunchy and I could see some skin, so like I mentioned Revenge of the Nerds, Porky's, Police Academy, stuff on those lines.   I watch a lot of movies over and over, and the only one of that list that doesn't make me laugh much anymore is Spaceballs. 

I know there were a lot of comedies on my list when I did my favorite movies of the 00s.  as far and 90s and then, I would guess my list is pretty normal -  There's Something About Mary, Happy Gilmore, Austin Powers, Step Brothers, Superbad, Supertroopers, Clerks, Tropic Thunder, stuff like that.   IMO there has been a huge dip in quality comedies during this decade.  I can't remember the last movie I thought was really funny that was a straight comedy - I usually gravitate to the hybrid comedy/action and comedy/horror movies like Cabin in the Woods or Hot Fuzz.  They will get more laughs out of me than something like Neighbors. 

I find my kids can get into lots of 80s movies (Empire, Ferris B Day Off, Back to the Future, E.T...)

But I tried some 70s movies and that definitely didn't go over well.  It's amazing how slow most films pre-80s are...

 

[KarmaPolice]

There are easily 20 or so movies that could make my list, so I went with the ones I distinctly remember seeing for the first time in the theatre:

Poltergeist

Raiders

E.T.

Empire

Seems like a cliché list, but it might be easier if we broke it down into drama, comedy, etc.

Surprised that the classic horror-films from the 80s are generally missing.  Not that they should make anyone's Top 4 list, but no love for Freddy or Jason?

I grew up on that ####, and it still has a soft spot, but at the same time I am surprised how little a lot of those 80s horror movies hold up over time. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

I find my kids can get into lots of 80s movies (Empire, Ferris B Day Off, Back to the Future, E.T...)

But I tried some 70s movies and that definitely didn't go over well.  It's amazing how slow most films pre-80s are...

How old are your kids?  Seems like the ones you listed are the ones I have been thinking about and more of the PG ones, not Caddyshack, etc. 

It will be interesting to see his reaction when we do more of the movies from my day, but he love Star Wars and Iron Maiden, so already I have won a decent jackpot with that kid. 

It was a year or so ago, but I remember him saying that he didn't like The Goonies b/c there was a lot of swearing.  Thought it was an odd comment to make, but there does seem to be a bit of swearing in the movies I was watching at that age.  Not sure what to try next.  He did ask about Ghostbusters, and I did think maybe Karate Kid.  Maybe odd stuff like Last Starfighter or Spacecamp he might like too. 

What 70s movies did you try on your kids?

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Surprised that the classic horror-films from the 80s are generally missing.  Not that they should make anyone's Top 4 list, but no love for Freddy or Jason?

Lots of love for Jason. He was like the Thomas Paine of 80s film. Huge impact, tremendous influence on those who followed - but still Mt Rushmore's only got 4 spots.

 

[Politician Spock]

I find my kids can get into lots of 80s movies (Empire, Ferris B Day Off, Back to the Future, E.T...)

But I tried some 70s movies and that definitely didn't go over well.  It's amazing how slow most films pre-80s are...

It's funny you say that, but it just shows how different the Hollywood industry is from the rest of America. Those in the industry see the 80's as being the end of the great "New Hollywood" era, a change marked by the studio executives switching to making movies for mass appeal (aka the Blockbuster). While the executives loved their paychecks from the mass appeal movies, those lower on the totem poles in Hollywood did not like what was being produced during that decade. The turning point was in 1994 when Pulp Fiction was released, which supposedly gave new life back to independent cinema and the return of the spirit of "New Hollywood". The difference between the industry and the rest of America is also why movie awards tend to go to movies that the public didn't like all that much. It reminds me of the episode of Cheers where Frasier tries to read "A Tale of Two Cities" to the bar, who lose interest.... until he starts adding gun wielding crazy to get their attention again. The rest of American isn't really all that interested with what those in the industry love about movies. 

 

[peaces]

If you really want a cult classic from the 80s, how about Clockwork Orange?

I had (weird-smart) friends that thought it was the best movie ever, but I never got it. 

Err that's from 1971.  But cult classic from the 80s I don't think I've seen mentioned... Evil dead 1 and 2

 

[Christo]

The Thing

Best horror movie of the decade, maybe ever. 

Yes

 

[peaces]

There can be only one!

 

[Doctor Detroit]

A movie we'd never list but I love: Max Dugan Returns

80's movies so rock! 

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I'm the only one that listed Escape from New York, which is a cult classic. 

If you really want a cult classic from the 80s, how about Clockwork Orange?

1971, one of my all-time favorites. 

 

[Buttonhook]

1971, one of my all-time favorites. 

Wow.  I had no idea.  

 

[jon_mx]

How old are your kids?  Seems like the ones you listed are the ones I have been thinking about and more of the PG ones, not Caddyshack, etc. 

It will be interesting to see his reaction when we do more of the movies from my day, but he love Star Wars and Iron Maiden, so already I have won a decent jackpot with that kid. 

It was a year or so ago, but I remember him saying that he didn't like The Goonies b/c there was a lot of swearing.  Thought it was an odd comment to make, but there does seem to be a bit of swearing in the movies I was watching at that age.  Not sure what to try next.  He did ask about Ghostbusters, and I did think maybe Karate Kid.  Maybe odd stuff like Last Starfighter or Spacecamp he might like too. 

What 70s movies did you try on your kids?

Give them a real culture shock and throw some Blazing Saddles at them. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

Give them a real culture shock and throw some Blazing Saddles at them. 

...but then I would be punishing myself too. 

 

[Buttonhook]

How old are your kids?  Seems like the ones you listed are the ones I have been thinking about and more of the PG ones, not Caddyshack, etc. 

It will be interesting to see his reaction when we do more of the movies from my day, but he love Star Wars and Iron Maiden, so already I have won a decent jackpot with that kid. 

It was a year or so ago, but I remember him saying that he didn't like The Goonies b/c there was a lot of swearing.  Thought it was an odd comment to make, but there does seem to be a bit of swearing in the movies I was watching at that age.  Not sure what to try next.  He did ask about Ghostbusters, and I did think maybe Karate Kid.  Maybe odd stuff like Last Starfighter or Spacecamp he might like too. 

What 70s movies did you try on your kids?

My kids are 9 (boy) and 12 (girl).  The ones I can remember watching with them:

Ghostbusters, E.T., Raiders, Empire/ROTJ, Back to the Future, Ferris B (only my 12-year old), Goonies, Revenge of the Nerds, Karate Kid

Also add to the list Space Balls... I don't think I've ever laughed harder in a theatre when this first came out, but none of us liked it in 2016.

Here's the next ones in the queue:

Rocky(s), Hoosiers, Red Dawn, Airplane, Weird Science, Real Genius, Top Gun

When they get older:

Poltergeist, The Shining, Road Warrior, Terminator, Alien

 

[Buttonhook]

Give them a real culture shock and throw some Blazing Saddles at them. 

That was actually one of the 70s movies I tried on my family and was too slow.  Hell, never-mind my kids, my wife (who is 8 years younger than me) wanted to turn it off in the first 10 minutes. I kept telling them to "wait for the campfire scene, it gets better, I swear..."

 

[Buttonhook]

I agree with Karma about swearing in the 80s movies...  There is WAY more swearing in PG-13 movies from back then.  

 

[Buttonhook]

Oh yea, what about:

<<<-------Trading Places !!!

 

[Andy Dufresne]

My daughter didn't like Weird Science. I almost kicked her out of the house. 

I decided she could stay because she liked The Breakfast Club.

 

[KarmaPolice]

My kids are 9 (boy) and 12 (girl).  The ones I can remember watching with them:

Ghostbusters, E.T., Raiders, Empire/ROTJ, Back to the Future, Ferris B (only my 12-year old), Goonies, Revenge of the Nerds, Karate Kid

Also add to the list Space Balls... I don't think I've ever laughed harder in a theatre when this first came out, but none of us liked it in 2016.

Here's the next ones in the queue:

Rocky(s), Hoosiers, Red Dawn, Airplane, Weird Science, Real Genius, Top Gun

When they get older:

Poltergeist, The Shining, Road Warrior, Terminator, Alien

My exact reaction.  I watched this about 6 months ago to preview it for a possible viewing, and couldn't make it through the whole thing, so didn't bother trying with him.  

Hoosiers might be a good one - we've watched a lot of sports one and he seems to like a lot of them - Remember the Titans, Miracle, etc..  Might have to give Rudy a rewatch too. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

My daughter didn't like Weird Science. I almost kicked her out of the house. 

I decided she could stay because she liked The Breakfast Club.

Weird Science is a weird one (for lack of a better word).  It has a different feel to it than others.  I also could see a girl not liking a movie about two pervy nerds building a sex toy in their spare time. 

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Weird Science is a weird one (for lack of a better word).  It has a different feel to it than others.  I also could see a girl not liking a movie about two pervy nerds building a sex toy in their spare time. 

But my wife liked it. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

I agree with Karma about swearing in the 80s movies...  There is WAY more swearing in PG-13 movies from back then.  

A bit of it has to do with not having PG-13 for 1/2 the decade. 

It seems like every movie has a couple scenes that you wouldn't see anywhere near an equivalent movie from today - Johnny rolling a joint in Karate Kid, the drinking/smoking/rapin' in Back to the Future, the sex talk in The Goonies, story of Dad dying in the chimney in Gremlins, E.T. getting drunk, the boob shots in Sixteen Candles, on and on. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

But my wife liked it. 

At the time or now?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

At the time or now?

Both. She too was disappointed in our offspring.

My wife's an 80s girl through and through.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Both. She too was disappointed in our offspring.

My wife's an 80s girl through and through.

Cool. 

Just saying I think it has slightly more of a guy movie feel than some of the others of the time.  I am still disappointed my son didn't like The Goonies, so I feel your pain. 

 

[Yankee23Fan]

None of those movies aged for me at all. I just watched a little Spaceballs about a week or so ago on some channel and I was crying from laughing.

Maybe my sense of humor never really grew up.  And I'm ok with that.  Because not loving Blazzing Saddles from start to finish should be worthy if deportation. 

The sheriff is a n............ DING!

What did he say?  He said the sheriff is near. 

No flin flarn flannit.   I said the sheriff is a n........... DING! 

I'm going to be quoting it all day now.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

None of those movies aged for me at all. I just watched a little Spaceballs about a week or so ago on some channel and I was crying from laughing.

Maybe my sense of humor never really grew up.  And I'm ok with that.  Because not loving Blazzing Saddles from start to finish should be worthy if deportation. 

The sheriff is a n............ DING!

What did he say?  He said the sheriff is near. 

No flin flarn flannit.   I said the sheriff is a n........... DING! 

I'm going to be quoting it all day now.

I'd like to extend you a laurel, and a hearty handshake.

 

[KarmaPolice]

None of those movies aged for me at all. I just watched a little Spaceballs about a week or so ago on some channel and I was crying from laughing.

Maybe my sense of humor never really grew up.  And I'm ok with that.  Because not loving Blazzing Saddles from start to finish should be worthy if deportation. 

The sheriff is a n............ DING!

What did he say?  He said the sheriff is near. 

No flin flarn flannit.   I said the sheriff is a n........... DING! 

I'm going to be quoting it all day now.

:startspackingmybags:

Can't make it 20mins through that movie.

 

[Buttonhook]

Weird Science mostly makes our list because my wife met Anthony Michael Hall when she was in college, and whenever she brings him up my kids are    .  I don't expect my kids will like it much.

The other 70s movie we tried watching together was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  I was the only one still watching after about 30 minutes, really ssssslllllllloooooooooowwwww, but I still liked it.

 

[Tom Skerritt]

My Alternative Rushmore...

The Outsiders

The Lost Boys

Young Guns

Less Than Zero

 

[Buttonhook]

My Alternative Rushmore...

The Outsiders

The Lost Boys

Young Guns

Less Than Zero

Thanks for the reminder, definitely need to add this to my family watch list, along with Stand By Me.

 

[dal_boys_phan]

The Untouchables

Die Hard

Major League

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

All movies in my all-time Top 15, with Untouchables at 1 or 2 and the other three hovering no lower than the 9-12 range.

 

[Sabertooth]

Weird Science

Beverly Hills Cop

Lethal Weapon

First Blood. 

 

[Sabertooth]

So many awesome movies in here.  Notice not too many reboots or sequels.  It's almost like Hollywood still had some balls back then.  

 

[cincredfan]

Goonies

Empire Strikes back

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Christmas Vacation

 

[Gally]

My kids are 9 (boy) and 12 (girl).  The ones I can remember watching with them:

Ghostbusters, E.T., Raiders, Empire/ROTJ, Back to the Future, Ferris B (only my 12-year old), Goonies, Revenge of the Nerds, Karate Kid

Also add to the list Space Balls... I don't think I've ever laughed harder in a theatre when this first came out, but none of us liked it in 2016.

Here's the next ones in the queue:

Rocky(s), Hoosiers, Red Dawn, Airplane, Weird Science, Real Genius, Top Gun

When they get older:

Poltergeist, The Shining, Road Warrior, Terminator, Alien

Seems a little racy for a 9/12 yr old......"oh.... hair-pie, hair-pie"

 

[Tom Servo]

Like many, I'm hard-pressed to limit it to four.

Star Trek II

Breakfast Club

Airplane

Caddyshack

Next tier - Raiders, Weird Science, Top Gun, Lost Boys, Beverly Hills Cop, Running Man, Return of the Jedi, Big Trouble in Little China