The Eleven Best 80s Films
Submitted by lbangs on Tue, 09/17/2002 - 03:33
Tags:
- 1) Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
- 2) sex, lies, and videotape (1989)
- 3) Raging Bull (1980)
- 4) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
- 5) Tootsie (1982)
- 6) When Harry Met Sally (1989)
- 7) Broadcast News (1987)
- 8) Blade Runner (1982)
- 9) Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
- 10) Blood Simple (1984)
- 11) Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
Thank you. I read this list and thought to myself, "Wow! I guess the 80s weren't the cultural sinkhole I thought they were!" But I wanted to pull Blade Runner out of there because I thought that the Director's Cut was so much better... anything to get to get one of your players off the pitch. When I tried to pick a substitute I came up with my own team. Of course I don't know how they'll deal with your ringers, Raging Bull and Broadcast News .
1) A Room With A View (1985)
2) Do the Right Thing (1989)
3) Brazil (1985)
4) The Princess Bride (1987)
5) Raising Arizona (1987)
6) The Shining (1980)
7) Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
8) Say Anything (1989)
9) Midnight Run (1988)
10) Aliens (1986)
11) Birdy (1984)
Ah yes, Midnight Run, perhaps the finest the "buddy" genre has to offer, and De Niro's only great comedy.
I love Midnight Run, but I confess I also love the first 48 Hrs, the papa of 80s buddy flicks.
Again, as to De Niro's only great comedy, I admit I also enjoyed Wag the Dog much more than I probably should have (and, against my expectations, even more on repeated viewings).
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I recall enjoying Wag the Dog moderately, but not nearly as much as Midnight Run. As for 48 Hours, it's definitely a progenitor, and indeed a contender as well.
Very nice list!
A Room with a View is a terrific film, and while it might not top my list, I think it is very cool that it tops yours. Do the Right Thing is also a great movie.
I really like Brazil, but still not nearly as much as you (or most people) do; for me, the last half never quite lives up to the first.
I believe I finally confess elsewhere on this site that I am not a fan of The Shining, and I think it is safe to say that you like Fast Times more than I.
Don't laugh, but I still haven't seen Birdy from start to finish yet, merely ten and fifteen clips on television which look very interesting.
With the above comments noted, I really enjoy most of the films on your list. Thank you!
The 80s were not a cultural sinkhole. They were the decade that saw the blockbuster format become almighty, and as a result, many people simply don't know much about the decade other than Spielberg rip-offs. I could (and perhaps should) make a list of small, lost films from the decade that I adore, and said list might well stretch to fifty or so films quite easily.
It was also the last great decade for Hollywood dramas.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Thank you. I'd love, really love, to see your list of Small Lost Films of the 80s. Perhaps "sinkhole" was a smidge hyperbolic but I would like you to help me with a decade that starts with The Empire Strikes Back , Superman II and Smokey and the Bandit II and ends with Back to the Future II , Ghostbusters II and Lethal Weapon 2 . My biggest concern is that such a list would make me ashamed of my Top 11 choices.
...and about Birdy - Do I look like I'm laughing?
Obviously I would encourage you to carve out some time to watch Birdy uninterrupted. It's Peter Gabriel's first soundtrack (and where he met Daniel Lanois), it has Nick Cage and Matt Modine at the height of their powers (...meaning early in their careers) and it's done by Alan Parker.
I will have to put a bit of thought into it, but I will see if I can't create such a list.
I will also try to land Birdy some time soon. Thanks for the suggestion!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs