Mount Rushmore: 1980s movies

[rowech]

You know what to do...

[jbergey22]

1. The Untouchables
2. Caddyshack
3. Field of Dreams
4. Ferris Buellers Day Off

[sabotai]

Just off the top of my head

Ghostbusters
Back To The Future
The Princess Bride
Raiders of the Lost Ark

[EagleFan]

The Lost Boys
The Princess Bride
Die Hard
The Shining

[cartman]

In no particular order:

Scarface
Stand By Me
Full Metal Jacket
Raiders Of The Lost Ark

[rowech]

Mine are:

The Breakfast Club
Back to the Future
Top Gun
ET

[Izulde]

Big Trouble In Little China
Scarface
National Lampoon's Vacation
One of the original Star Wars trilogy (I'd have to rewatch them before I decided what one)

Man this was tough. Eventually though I settled for fantasy camp, the lone great mob movie that fit (Goodfellas is off by a year), one of my all-time comedies, and one of the movies from a decades-defining trilogy.

If I had to do this again a different day, I would seriously consider swapping out BTILC or the Star Wars flick. Vacation and Scarface are here to say, though.

[vex]

Back to The Future
Red Dawn
Field of Dreams
Ferris Bueller

[Grover]

This is incredibly hard.

Back to the Future
Aliens
The Empire Strikes Back
Ghostbusters

[BYU 14]

Wow, lots of choices

Scarface
Breakfast Club
Field of Dreams
Caddyshack

[Chief Rum]

Some thoughts on approach here. I feel like there are two ways to approach this. We can either literally go any movies released in the 80s, or we can go with movies that have the look and the feel of an 80s movie, the kind where you shake your head and say, yup that was the 80s. You know what I mean?

80s movies had a whole bigger than life feel to them that defined them, IMO. For instance, Caddyshack was mentioned. To me that was a 70s movie, maybe because it's the SNL guys from the 70s, but that's how it feels. And Princeas Bride while definitely an 80s movie, it doesn't feel like it.

Over the top kids movies like Goonies, that's the 80s. Anything by John Hughes or the Brat Pack? 80s. Anything with Michael J Fox? 80s. Beverly Hills Cop, Ghostbusters, any number of Arnold shooters, Karate Kid movies, etc. These all scream 80s!

I almost feel like putting out a Mt. Rushmore for both of the definitions in my head. ;)

[stevew]

The Terminator
Scarface
Full Metal Jacket
Field of Dreams

[ColtCrazy]

My first two are easy. After that, it gets much harder:

The Empire Strikes Back
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Die Hard
Back to the Future

[Abe Sargent]

Die Hard
Breakfast Club
E.T.
Batman

[Blackadar]

Very difficult, but not impossible.

The Empire Strikes Back. Simply the best film in the most iconic film franchise of all time..

Raiders of the Lost Ark. Incredibly watchable, even today.

Die Hard. There's never been a better "action-hero" movie ever. Yippie ki yay, motherfucker.

Aliens. Took a great movie and made it better.


Honorable Mention
ET (ET phone home)
Ferris (Life moves pretty fast)
Wall Street (Greed is good)
Christmas Story (You'll put your eye out kid!)

[Alf]

Raiders of the Lost Ark. Incredibly watchable, even today. <--- what he said
The Empire Strikes Back. Simply the best film in the most iconic film franchise of all time.. <--- what he said too
The Breakfast Club. The best "teen movie" ever
Top Gun.

Now, that is my USA list. For my french list.

37°2 le matin - (Betty Blue in the USA) Betty Blue (1986) - IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090563/)
Le Grand Bleu - (The big blue in the USA) The Big Blue (1988) - IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095250/)
La vie est un long fleuve tranquille.
Highlander.

Plenty of other top notch movies. Damn !

[TroyF]

Better Off Dead
The Last Starfighter
Goonies
Naked Gun

[JediKooter]

Empire Strikes Back
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Aliens
Blade Runner

[Alf]

I debated a long time between Blade Runner and Top Gun for #4. Excellent choice too.

[Alf]

dola, and TroyF nailed a good one with "The Last Starfighter"

[JediKooter]

I debated a long time between Blade Runner and Top Gun for #4. Excellent choice too.

It was a toss up between Blade Runner and The Thing for me. Though I do like Top Gun a lot. I also realized that after I made my choices, 3 of the 4 all star Harrison Ford.

[albionmoonlight]

Breakfast Club
Ferris Bueller
Ghostbusters
Die Hard

[B & B]

A Christmas Story - Is there another 80s movie that's more watched year in and year out?
SONS OF BITCHES! BUMPUSES!

The Empire Strikes Back - Simply the best film in the most iconic film franchise of all time.. <--- this is gospel.

The Breakfast Club - While there are many opinions on the work of this man, I think this film is Hughes' masterpiece. DOES BARRY MANILOW KNOW YOU RAID HIS WARDROBE?

Raiders of the Lost Ark - Spielberg + Harrison Ford. Just a beautiful film that captures the 80s.

Id like to give an honorable mention to Flash Gordon, a personal favorite that I can almost recite from beginning to end.

[BillJasper]

A Christmas Story
The Empire Strikes Back
Red Dawn
Commando

[Logan]

I feel like this is the most personal thing I've ever written on here. Without too much thinking, I'd go:

Major League
Breakfast Club
Ferris Bueller
Teen Wolf

[AENeuman]

Easily the worst decade in film... that said:

Raging Bull
Fanny and Alexander
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Do the Right Thing

[vex]

Easily the worst decade in film... that said:

Raging Bull
Fanny and Alexander
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Do the Right Thing

:eek:

[boberot]

Well, these aren't the "greatest" movies of the 1980s, by any means, but they sure had a massive impact / enjoyment factor for me:

The Outsiders
Blues Brothers
This is Spinal Tap
Rain Man

Honorable mention:
Princess Bride
Terminator
Empire Strikes Back
Karate Kid
Do the Right Thing
Raising Arizona
Flash Gordon

[Abe Sargent]

:eek:

I sorta agree - the best films are the blockbusters, not the thinking films or artistically done ones.

[Sublime 2]

Empire Strikes Back
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Breakfast Club
Goonies

[MIJB#19]

Back to the Future
The Naked Gun
Platoon
The Untouchables

[BillJasper]

Is it bad that I almost put Rocky IV on my list? The Soviets and the materialism just make it fell like the 1980's condensed down into one two-hour block.

[TroyF]

Is it bad that I almost put Rocky IV on my list? The Soviets and the materialism just make it fell like the 1980's condensed down into one two-hour block.

It came incredibly close to being on my list. I was a kid through the 80's. I didn't really give a crap about the "adult" type movies. I just wanted to have fun for a couple of hours. Rocky 4 fit that bill perfectly. Of course, so did the 4 I listed.

Better Off Dead remains one of my favorite movies of all time. The others were fun for my age, I probably wouldn't have much to do with them if they came out now.

[Blackadar]

Is it bad that I almost put Rocky IV on my list? The Soviets and the materialism just make it fell like the 1980's condensed down into one two-hour block.

With time left over to do something else. Rocky IV's runtime is a short 91 minutes. Don't ask me how I know that...

[NobodyHere]

Space Mutiny
Hobgoblins
Warrior of the Lost World
The Pumaman



Okay, this is an April Fools list...

[sabotai]

Re: The Naked Gun

Ugh, I knew I was forgetting an obvious one for me...

Revised list (The Princess Bride gets the bump)

Ghostbusters
Back To The Future
The Naked Gun
Raiders of the Lost Ark

[TroyF]

Re: The Naked Gun

Ugh, I knew I was forgetting an obvious one for me...

Revised list (The Princess Bride gets the bump)

Ghostbusters
Back To The Future
The Naked Gun
Raiders of the Lost Ark


Only three of us have it, I would have guessed a lot more. It is strange watching that movie now with OJ.

[AENeuman]

I sorta agree - the best films are the blockbusters, not the thinking films or artistically done ones.

Yep. But more than that, there was very little innovation or long term influence in genres other than big budget blockbusters. The 80's seemed to be influenced by movies like: Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now, Animal House, Jaws, Star Wars, American Graffiti, Network, Mean Streets, Godfather, Airplane, Rocky and Annie Hall.

Other than the Raiders/Die Hard mode, I don't see much long term influence of the 80's on the 90's or today. I guess maybe Disney and The Little Mermaid musical reboot.

[vex]

Is it bad that I almost put Rocky IV on my list? The Soviets and the materialism just make it fell like the 1980's condensed down into one two-hour block.

One of my favorites as well. But then again Red Dawn is on my list so I see a trend.

[Blackadar]

Only three of us have it, I would have guessed a lot more. It is strange watching that movie now with OJ.

I'm not. Naked Gun was funny, but it essentially was done already with Airplane! I watched it not too long ago and it was still funny, but many of the references were dated and thus some of the jokes weren't as funny. Blazing Saddles seems to have held up better than Airplane/Naked Gun IMO.

The nurse (or was it the nun?) singing and popping out the IV was still hilarious, however.

[sabotai]

Rocky IV is the only movie I can think of that had back-to-back music video like training montages. It went 3 minute long training montage - about 20 second scene with his wife showing up - 3 minute long training montage. In any other movie, that would cause a "WTF" reaction, but for some reason, in Rocky IV it worked.

[Subby]

Chief Rum is right. Are we going 80s Movies or movies from the 80s?

If it is the former (and I hope it is) I think you have to go with:

1. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
2. Breakfast Club
3. Karate Kid
4. Ghostbusters

Just missed the cut:

Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Porky's
Wargames
Weird Science
Risky Business
Back to the Future
Beverly Hills Cop

[sabotai]

I saw The Naked Gun before I saw Airplane! or many of the other movies like it, so that's why it holds a higher standard in my mind than the others. And I do agree with AENeuman, overall the 80s did kinda stink for movies. Put the 4 movies i have on my list in either the 70s or 90s, and I'm not sure any of them make the cut for a Mount Rushmore.

With the 70s, The Godfather parts 1 and 2, Rocky and Alien (just off the top of my head) would rank higher. For the 90s, Seven, Silence of the Lambs, Goodfellas, The Shawshank Redemption, Wayne's World, The Matrix, The Usual Suspects and Pulp Fiction would all be ranked higher as well. In fact, doing a Mount Rushmore for 90s movies might be near impossible for me...

[BillJasper]

One of my favorites as well. But then again Red Dawn is on my list so I see a trend.

I'm having trouble getting myself to watch the remake, even though its on Netflix.

[JediKooter]

I don't know, is there really a 'bad' decade for movies? Probably fodder for a different thread, but, the 80s had a lot of really good movies in general. Some may not suite everyone's tastes, however, that doesn't mean the 80s was a weak decade for movies though. Just my un-scientific, off the top of my head general analysis of 80s movies. :)

[ntndeacon]

I am trying to come up with a list of films that scream 80s to me. They aren't the best neccesarily or my favorites of he decade.( some of those definately do not scream 80s to me) So without further ado here are a few not previously said:
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Wall Street (yea some one had this one as a honorable mention but wasn't in the top 4)
Hoosiers!
A Nightmare on Elm Street

[Blackadar]

Hoosiers!

Good call, surprised that hasn't shown up on more lists.

[rowech]

Rocky IV is the only movie I can think of that had back-to-back music video like training montages. It went 3 minute long training montage - about 20 second scene with his wife showing up - 3 minute long training montage. In any other movie, that would cause a "WTF" reaction, but for some reason, in Rocky IV it worked.

It also has a scene where Rockey shifts his car into 27th gear.

[Logan]

This looks like a thread chock full of people underrating basketball playing wolves.

[digamma]

Can't Buy Me Love
Ferris Bueller
Breakfast Club
Karate Kid

I will always love Cindy Mancini.

[Blackadar]

It also has a scene where Rockey shifts his car into 27th gear.

Montage Overload: The Insanity of Rocky IV | Steve McCutchen's Cavalcade of Awesomeness (http://stevemccutchen.wordpress.com/2009/08/02/montage-overload-the-insanity-of-rocky-iv/)

There's something like 29 minutes of montages that 91 minute film.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I asked a buddy of mine this question, and he misunderstood. Gave me the following two interpretations:

Michael J. Fox
Molly Ringwold
Harrison Ford
John Candy

And

Wesley
Clark Griswold
Ferris Bueller
Jabba the Hutt

Personally I like the lists but I'd replace Jabba with either ET, John McClain or Indiana Jones.

[vex]

I'm having trouble getting myself to watch the remake, even though its on Netflix.

I refuse to watch it even though my wife bought it.

[vex]

Good call, surprised that hasn't shown up on more lists.

Top 10 movie of all-time for me, but most of my top 10 all-time are from the 80s.

[Scarecrow]

1980
Airplane
Blues Brothers
Caddyshack
Empire Strikes Back

[stevew]

I'm having trouble getting myself to watch the remake, even though its on Netflix.

I had basically zero expectations going in, but I thought that the action in the new Red Dawn was pretty well done. The movie really got hacked up for pacing reasons and it's really short. Like, crazy short. I enjoyed it enough though I guess as I was entertained. It works well on TV, but I wouldn't have paid to see it in the theatre.

I also really like Tyra from FNL.

I wouldn't hurry to watch it but I think you should try.

The remake was shelved for way too long and the China to NK transition was crazy. I think they should probably remake it again as a cable series.

[Scarecrow]

1981
Cannonball Run
Heavy Metal
History of the World Pt I
Raiders of the Lost Ark

[Alf]

I think I like Subby's list even more than mine

Karate Kid
Wargames

dola : isn't Tron an 80s movie, if so, it should be on that list

[Scarecrow]

1982
ET
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Porky's
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn

[Blackadar]

I guess Scarecrow doesn't know what to do... :)

[Scarecrow]

oh, I do - just a little too broad for me :wagfingers:

[JediKooter]

Haha! I like Scarecrow's idea.

[booradley]

One Crazy Summer
Sixteen Candles
The Karate Kid
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Return of the Jedi
Fast Times At Ridgemont High
Private School
Police Academy

[booradley]

OOOH - Also:

Hoosiers
Wargames

Bit ashamed for forgetting these little delights ... especially as my hs sweetheart's previous boyfriend was one of the guys in Hoosiers. MEMORY - RETURN TO ME! :)

[Scarecrow]

1983
All the Right Moves
Return of the Jedi
Vacation
War Games

[Subby]

Oh duh...

St. Elmo's Fire

[NobodyHere]

Mmmmmmm

1. Empire Strikes Back
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
3. Willow
4. Back to the Future

I also want to give an honorable mention to Stripes because it's a crime that it hasn't been mentioned yet.

[Scarecrow]

1984
Footloose
Nightmare on Elm Street
Karate Kid
Sixteen Candles

[HarryLime]

1. Better off dead
2. Back to the Future
3. Full Metal Jacket
4. Platoon

(Uncle Buck a very close 5th..)

[Scarecrow]

1985
Fletch
Goonies
Rocky IV
Up The Creek

[Alf]

1980
Airplane
Blues Brothers
Caddyshack
Empire Strikes Back

I would have put "The Shining" somewhere on this list (replaces Caddyshack maybe)

[Scarecrow]

1986
Ferris Bueller
Nine 1/2 Weeks
Three Amigos
Top Gun

[Scarecrow]

1987
Full Metal Jacket
Lost Boys
Princess Bride
Spaceballs

(probably would be my MR for the entire 80s)