Monday, December 31, 2012

Monday Listicles: Movies of the 80’s

Well, sometimes I go with these topics, not because I think of them, but because clever bloggers visiting Stasha come up with some great ones. This week was 10 Things 80's. I'm getting on the bandwagon late today but better late than never, right? 

Ah, movies in the 1980’s …I say that as though there were movies in the 1880’s…just attempting to clarify for those of you who may be confused. 

Actually, the first movie ever to appear on the big screen was “Birth of a Nation,” a silent film premiering in 1915. And no I didn’t need to look that up on the Internet (although I did VERIFY the date on the Internet). See, I did learn something in college…making those four years all worth it, right Mom and Dad?

There’s a definite je ne sais pas about those 80’s movies. And especially when you see the strong theme running throughout my list specifically. Let me know if you figure it out.
Actually, I will be giving you two lists today…for those of you for whom this is not your first rodeo with me, you will recall that I simply cannot limit myself to one list.

This week is no exception.

So, that being said, I give you list number one, in no particular order. 
10 (ok…11) Movies I Actually Loved in the 80’s:
  1. Original Star Wars Trilogy (yes, I know “A New Hope” came out in 1977, but I’m lumping them all together…my blog, my choice)…and yes, I’m counting the trilogy as one entry. Don’t judge.
  2. Goonies…I had a crazy crush on Sean Astin. Plus the story line…come on…best.screenplay.ever. OK, maybe not, upon revisit...
  3. Ghostbusters…that’s just some funny stuff right there. I had the soundtrack to this movie. On tape. I listened to it repeatedly. Don’t judge.
  4. Raiders of the Lost Ark…”Snakes? Why did it have to be snakes?” I couldn’t agree with you more, Indy. And no, my dumb dog is NOT named after him. Just an awkward coincidence.
  5. ET…how can you NOT love a movie which shameless promotes delicious candy? Oh, and one which has a helpless alien trying to return home (sorry if I spoiled that for you, had you not seen it yet).
  6. Splash…love me some Tom Hanks…also it was at this movie that I decided that if I had a daughter she would be named Madison…and apparently many other people my age decided the same thing because it appears to be a somewhat popular name of children belonging to the Gen X crowd.
  7. Pretty in Pink
  8. Breakfast Club
  9. Sixteen Candles…yes, a Molly Ringwald theme going, isn’t here?
  10. Back to the Future…how could you NOT love Michael J Fox?
  11. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off…this was the first “more mature” movie I remember seeing…yes, I lived on the wild side for sure.

Now can you guess what the other list is? That’s doubtful. And please don’t misunderstand – you are all smarter than a whip. It’s just that my second list kind of takes a turn for the unexpected. 

That being said, you may or may not have guessed correctly.

If you said “10 Movies I Actually Hated in the 80’s”, you are incorrect. Although that would have been a good idea…but I was trying to keep things on an up-beat…with the New Year and all. I’m such a positive kind of person…

Let me give you this hint: there were many more movies that were made during that decade than I was allowed to watch at the time. I was like a walking fetus in the 80’s. Well, maybe not…I am 39 with bi-focals, you know. Or maybe you don’t. Feel free to read all about this mid-life angst.

But I digress.

Some of these movies I maybe still should possibly not be watching, although I truly think my list is fairly tame…there were some crazy movies made in the 80’s for sure…like totally. In case you were wondering, that was my attempt at Valley Girl…didn’t have it then, don’t have it now. I always thought that would be cool…to seem like I was, ya know, totally an idiot, but then, ya know, I realized that was, like totally lame and junk. 

So…I have, since the 80’s been trying to catch up on some of the fabulous films created during that time which I may have missed… many of which I have since discovered to be quality.

Ok, maybe not QUALITY but entertaining for sure.

So…if you said “10 Movies Which Were Made in the 80’s But I Did Not Discover Until After the Fact,” you were correct. I doubt many of you could get inside my head like that and if you did, how frightening was it? Pretty scary, right?  Please get out now. There are enough voices in there already.

Anyway, so here is that list. 
10 (ok 13…I couldn’t even limit it to 11) Movies Which Were Made in the 80’s But I Did Not Discover Until After the Fact:
  1. Say Anything
  2. Better Off Dead
  3. One Crazy Summer…yes, a John Cusack theme
  4. Some Kind of Wonderful
  5. When Harry Met Sally…the only one from the 80’s, but I do love the early 90’s Meg Ryan flicks as well. She's so stinkin' cute...my inspiration for sure. At least she was in the late 80's to early 90's. Again…don’t judge.
  6. Blue Brothers…classic theater, right? I’ll throw my dad under the bus on this…I blame him for my affinity for this film.
  7. Airplane
  8. Coming to America
  9. This is Spinal Tap
  10. Christmas Story…and as it turned out, I have both Ralphie and Randy living in my house! Who knew?!?
  11. Planes, Trains and Automobiles
  12. Uncle Buck
  13. Summer Rental…again, another theme. This time: John Candy. I am loyal if nothing else.
Thanks for making it all the way to the end. I hope it took you down a memory lane for a little while. Hopefully not mine…like I said, get out of my head!

I am off to see what engaging television my boys are watching. Maybe it’s an 80’s movie. But probably not. I think it’s the Twilight Zone Marathon…a New Year’s tradition.  What else could possibly say, “Happy New Year” other than vintage television?

So, that being said…Happy New Year! Hope you’ll join me again in 2013!


I like to keep myself humble...otherwise why would I include such horrid photos of myself in this blog?!?
And this wasn't even 80's...this was 1992...yikes! But it LOOKS like the 80's, hence my inclusion.



5 comments:

  1. My husband loves that Goonies movie and I don't know why. One of these days it's going to get "lost". But then my copy of Sixteen Candles might mysteriously disappear too. Better not risk it.

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  2. I'm thinking you and I need to get together with the kids and have an 80s movie marathon. Our favorite movie lists are identical! And honestly, what's not to love about a John Candy movie?
    The only ones I could add, which may actually be on the 80s bubble are The Jerk and Burt Reynold's movies, specifically Stroker Ace.

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    1. Yes, The Jerk should be on my list...not one of the movies I'm proud to love, but I'll share that yoke with you. :)

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  3. Holy Cusack, I'm glad you've seen Say Anything! I don't know how you got out of the 80s without seeing that one. You must have slipped past the guard post. Or plied them with Reese's Pieces. :) Ellen

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  4. Love it. That is actually a lovely photo of you! I love airplane and coming to America. Both would make my top 50 funniest movies ever!

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