The Viewing Files: The 80s Version

A post for my friend Michelle who like me remembers the 80s and all the bad fashion choices and hairstyles.  Seriously.  What were we thinking?

Still some of the movies are pretty cool.  So that's always a plus.

 

The Karate Kid

Starring: The guys from Cobra Kai and Elizabeth Shue.

Original release: 1984

Synopsis:  A victim of bullying learns marital arts.

I totally watched this for Mr Miyagi whose the absolute best and for slight swoony feels courtesy of Johnny aka William Z.

 

A sweet story that surprisingly holds up after all these years but man some of those 80s fashions really were the worse.

Tuff Turf

Starring: James Spader and Ironman

Original release: 1985

Synopsis:  A new boy in town runs foul of a local gang.

2 stars just because of James Spader who is swoony worthy sexy in this and Robert D who gives us a hint of what he could be.

The rest of the movie is just a really bad 80s rip off combo of every 50's teen rebel without a cause movie with music and not in a good way.  Not helped in any way at all by having Kim Richards as the love interest, who looks like she's a 12 year old playing at being an 18 year old.

Turner and Hooch

Starring: Tom Hanks

Original release: 1989

Synopsis:  A cop takes care of a dog after the dog's owner is killed.

It's a terribly good bad movie thanks to Hooch who pretty much steals every scene and Hanks goofy charm.

Stripes

Starring: Bill Murray and Harold Ramis

Original release: 1981

Synopsis:  A slacker joins the army.

Kind of what you'd expect for an 80s comedy - kind of funny, kind of silly, with plot holes galore.

An Officer and a Gentleman

Starring: Richard Gere

Original release: 1982

Synopsis:  Being a naval pilot requires you to wear a white uniform and have good dry cleaning.

Not as good as it thinks it is and not as bad as it could have been.  Very 80s and filled with a ton of cliches, some of which manage to work in it's favour.

RG and that ending is pretty much what saves it.

The Breakfast Club

Starring: A ton of 80s teen film stars

Original release: 1985

Synopsis:  So much talking.

 

A bunch of teens spend their Saturday detention talking and talking and talking..

Yep it's the boring movie you never wanted and characters who are pretty much just annoying and cliche. Allison is the only one remotely interesting but who gets totally ruined by the end of the movie.

Sixteen Candles

Starring: Molly Ringwald and a guy who quit acting to become a carpenter.

Original release: 1984

Synopsis:  A wedding, a crush and a birthday.

It's hard to still kind of like this due to some very cringe worthy scenes and questionable acts.

The romance itself is cute and works really well as do the two leads but the rest definitely needs to be redone. Maybe someone somewhere could remake this for today's audience?

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt and a cute guy.

Original release: 1985

Synopsis:  Dancing competitions 80s style.

It's the 80s at their best and worse and yet despite the bad fashion choices, the cheesy music and story line it somehow works. Thanks to great chemistry and portrayal of friendship between the 2 girls as well the 2 guys bromance which is just as good.

On a side note Lee Montgomery really should have been in a hell of lot more 80s movies.

Can't Buy Me Love

Starring: Patrick Dempsey aka Doctor McDreamy from that show.

Original release: 1987

Synopsis:  A popular girl reluctantly helps a nerdy classmate

The ending is what sells this.     That and Patrick D has a kind of goofy charm that works well in this story about geeky teen who wants to be part of the popular crowd. And we all know how well that's going to turn out..

Adventures in Babysitting

Starring: Elizabeth Shue and Penelope Ann Miller

Original release: 1987

Synopsis: A babysitter and her charges have an unexpected night in the city.

I want that pink sweater... and Brenda's glasses.

All the stars for the opening sequence, Elizabeth Shue and Penelope Ann Miller (who sadly is only in it briefly).