LoC 66 Top 50 80s Movies

[anais.butterfly]

I hate ET

Yeah, that Mary Hart is such a bitch.

She DROVE John Tesh away with her bitchery

[D.B. Barnes]

I hate ET

Yeah, that Mary Hart is such a bitch.

She DROVE John Tesh away with her bitchery

The sound of her voice gave Kramer seizures!

[anais.butterfly]

My thoughts a little later.  Here are the trailers.  I love trailers

Top Secret

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/itaMyRNa-0w" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/itaMyRNa-0w</a>

They Live

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/L86AAGZ9BBg" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/L86AAGZ9BBg</a>

An American Werewolf in London

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/B_5s7JbEYGE" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/B_5s7JbEYGE</a>

Pee Wee's Big Adventure

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZrzqBwuxHV8" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/ZrzqBwuxHV8</a>

Lethal Attraction.... Wait, what?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/HEeQpejFbYA" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/HEeQpejFbYA</a>

Clue

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/NHEpuz_gUGM" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/NHEpuz_gUGM</a>

The Terminator

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/c4Jo8QoOTQ4" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/c4Jo8QoOTQ4</a>

E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/_7-2PB4jj2o" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/_7-2PB4jj2o</a>

The Breakfast Club

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZXzlCpHK3-I" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/ZXzlCpHK3-I</a>

Spaceballs

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/_rWZ9u717xw" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/_rWZ9u717xw</a>

Trailers were a lot different in the 80s

[Darth Geek]

Well, DG's write-ups don't seem quite so negative now...

Wait till tonight...

I have been trying to keep my own feelings out of some of these in the cases where I haven't seen or don't like the movie, but, yeah...

[Johnny Unusual]

Since Barnes already shared a scene from Top Secret and I don't really have much of an opinion beyond sporadically funny, I'll move ahead.

They Live

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Lwlx3GnLGs" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/7Lwlx3GnLGs</a>

Bet you thought I was going to show the fight didn't you.  It's a fun scene, but to me, this is the heart of the movie.  Though this movie didn't make it anywhere near my list, I really enjoy this movie.  It's kind of a ballsy poke at Reagan's materialistic America and it still works today.  If you see it as an action movie, you might be disappointed because it really takes a while to get to that, but if you're looking for fun (though not subtle) sci-fi satire, you are in the right place.  Though he never really had any big hits in the era, the 80's were a great time creatively for Carpenter, though I think we'll be getting to more of that soon.

EDIT: Oh, and though it is rather different, I also recommend the short story it was based on, 8 AM in the Morning.  I'd like to see it made into a movie again.  I think because of the nature of the story, there's a ton of different ways to tell it.

[Space version 2.0]

I don't think Spaceballs is terribly strong overall, but when it hits the marks... it's really great.... in this case that usually means anything involving Rick Moranis. From the funny factor, it reminds me of a lot of MST3K episodes... where you can go 20 minutes with nothing more than light chuckles, only to be bowled over by a hilarious 90 second run of brilliance.

For all the hate Spaceballs seems to get it also seems to be the most quoted Mel Brooks movie.

[Johnny Unusual]

An American Werewolf in London

<a href="http://movieclips.com/e/9yipX/0/72.47" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://movieclips.com/e/9yipX/0/72.47</a>

This was a part of my top 35 but ended up not quite making it (a lot of horror movies on that list that I really wanted to, but I knew honestly that I didn't connect as strongly to them as the other films on my list.  If you haven't seen it, I feel that it is the best werewolf movie of all time.  Sorry the Howling, you have some great scenes and an amazing finale, but I don't care for you as a whole.  It captures all the tropes and cliches in a way that makes them feel classic, but also has a great sense of humour (the scene in the porno theatre towards the end is comic gold) and has by far the best transformation effects of any werewolf movie (again, sorry, The Howling).

[Darth Geek]

I totally agree with you on The Howling. I understand the debate, but even as much of a Joe Dante fan as I am, AWIL is far better throughout.
And as good of a werewolf transformation and design as Howling had,

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

the design she turns into at the very end is inexcusably stupid looking.

[D.B. Barnes]

For all the hate Spaceballs seems to get it also seems to be the most quoted Mel Brooks movie.

"WE AIN'T FOUND SHIT!!!"

[Johnny Unusual]

Pee Wee's Big Adventure

<a href="http://movieclips.com/e/sJDda/0/214.38" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://movieclips.com/e/sJDda/0/214.38</a>

Just a fun movie.  Shame that Tim Burton's sense of fun feels completely phoned in for the past 15 years (though I hear Frankenweenie is a return to form).  I'm also glad that Paul Rueben's career came full circle to bring Pee Wee back.  That said, while I like the movie, it didn't make the list for me, though I completely understand why it would for others.  After all, what kid didn't want to live in Pee Wee's world in the 80's.  Also, Phil Hartman co-wrote the script.

[Johnny Unusual]

Heathers already got a clip from Barnes and I haven't seen it.  Moving on.

Clue

<a href="http://movieclips.com/e/HgEUD/0/132.41" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://movieclips.com/e/HgEUD/0/132.41</a>

Another movie that I think is a lot of fun, but really isn't all that great.  All the actors are doing great work (especially Kahn) and the film has a great look and there are a lot of great gags, but somehow, it doesn't quite become better than the some of it's parts.  But what works, works quite well.  What I think works best though is how incredibly frantic the whole cast is to give it a consistant mood of "look over there!", "come over here" and "look at this" to give the impression that the audience is taking part in the investigation, even if the actual mystery is a bit limp.

[Tripe]

EDIT: Oh, and though it is rather different, I also recommend the short story it was based on, 8 AM in the Morning.  I'd like to see it made into a movie again.  I think because of the nature of the story, there's a ton of different ways to tell it.

Yes it provides a lot of room to adapt in various directions. I like that one of the Fascinators is called Mr. Coney, change that spelling a bit and you can bring internet phenomena into play in another adaptation.

Another movie that I think is a lot of fun, but really isn't all that great.  All the actors are doing great work (especially Kahn)

Have I mentioned how sexy I find her in that role, not sure if I've done that.

[ColeStratton]

no uhf and no spaceballs? you and i are done professionally, base.

Sorry, I just prefer my comedies to be funny.

As someone who makes a living off of Comedy, I can assure you that both UHF and Spaceballs are funny, if you have any joy in your heart. Also, Weird Al was just on my podcast and he is amazing. THE END.

[D.B. Barnes]

*nervous collar pull*

[Tripe]

As someone who makes a living off of Comedy, I can assure you that both UHF and Spaceballs are funny, if you have any joy in your heart.

That's fine, Mrba and I are British; we have tea in place of joy.