#80sMoviesRock
B
I couldn't pick. Too many options.
The Breakfast Club.
I'm really only mentioning The Breakfast Club because everyone thinks I should. I don't love this movie at all, but it is a fabulous example of an 80's high school movie, so watch it if you haven't already. Judd Nelson's floppy hair is a joy. I find the characters a bit annoying and unbelievable, but then, teenagers are annoying and full of bravado, so maybe it's bang on the money. Also, Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me) is actually the highlight of the film.
Favourite quote - John - Eat. My. Shorts.
Blues Brothers.
Dated 1980, it does have more of a 70's feel about it, but Blues Brothers is in my top 10 films of all time (with Aliens), so the opportunity to mention it can't be missed! It's got everything you need - Dan Ackroyd at his finest (he doesn't remove his sunglasses throughout the film) and the late, great, John Belushi (he does remove his sunglasses, but leaves his hat on for the whole film). James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway and John Lee Hooker all perform, in addition to the band themselves, who are also just amazing! If nothing else, watch it for the music.
There are cameos from Frank Oz, Twiggy and Steven Spielberg, to name but a few. I just read that Joe Walsh is in the final prison scene, so now I have to watch it again to see if I can spy him. Carrie Fisher rocks the jilted-fiance-out -for-revenge, with rockets, machine guns and flame throwers. There MIGHT be better movie car chases for you to watch, but at the moment I can't think of one (Bullit maybe?). In addition to the amazing final car chase, you get to see the Blues Mobile jump an opening drawbridge, trashing a mall and running down Neo-Nazis!
Favourite quote - Elwood - What kind of music do you usually have here? Barmaid -Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western.
OK, so I feel I should also mention:
Back to the Future.
Seems so obvious, why would I bring it up? But seriously, there might actually be people out there that haven't seen Back to the Future. They might have had a deprived childhood. Let's not hold that against them and encourage them to make up for lost time. (According to Back to the Future 2, also made in the 80s but not nearly as good, we can look forward to hoverboards next year. I think I'm destined to be disappointed.)
Big.
Tom Hanks gets to do what he does best, act like a 12 year old in a grown-ups' body. And he does everything you would do - he gets a job in a toy store, gets an apartment in New York and fills it with basket ball nets, a trampoline, a pin ball machine and a drinks vending machine. I also like that Zoë and Paul saw a real life Zoltar machine on a recent trip to New York!
So those are my B's. Sorry if I've missed a favourite of yours (Beetlejuice? Beverley Hills Cop?)
I couldn't pick. Too many options.
The Breakfast Club.
I'm really only mentioning The Breakfast Club because everyone thinks I should. I don't love this movie at all, but it is a fabulous example of an 80's high school movie, so watch it if you haven't already. Judd Nelson's floppy hair is a joy. I find the characters a bit annoying and unbelievable, but then, teenagers are annoying and full of bravado, so maybe it's bang on the money. Also, Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me) is actually the highlight of the film.
Favourite quote - John - Eat. My. Shorts.
Blues Brothers.
Dated 1980, it does have more of a 70's feel about it, but Blues Brothers is in my top 10 films of all time (with Aliens), so the opportunity to mention it can't be missed! It's got everything you need - Dan Ackroyd at his finest (he doesn't remove his sunglasses throughout the film) and the late, great, John Belushi (he does remove his sunglasses, but leaves his hat on for the whole film). James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway and John Lee Hooker all perform, in addition to the band themselves, who are also just amazing! If nothing else, watch it for the music.
There are cameos from Frank Oz, Twiggy and Steven Spielberg, to name but a few. I just read that Joe Walsh is in the final prison scene, so now I have to watch it again to see if I can spy him. Carrie Fisher rocks the jilted-fiance-out -for-revenge, with rockets, machine guns and flame throwers. There MIGHT be better movie car chases for you to watch, but at the moment I can't think of one (Bullit maybe?). In addition to the amazing final car chase, you get to see the Blues Mobile jump an opening drawbridge, trashing a mall and running down Neo-Nazis!
Favourite quote - Elwood - What kind of music do you usually have here? Barmaid -Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western.
OK, so I feel I should also mention:
Back to the Future.
Marty realising he's sat by his Dad!
Big.
Tom Hanks gets to do what he does best, act like a 12 year old in a grown-ups' body. And he does everything you would do - he gets a job in a toy store, gets an apartment in New York and fills it with basket ball nets, a trampoline, a pin ball machine and a drinks vending machine. I also like that Zoë and Paul saw a real life Zoltar machine on a recent trip to New York!
REAL LIFE ZOLTAR
Berylune, 45 Park Street, Leamington Spa CV32 4QN. www.berylune.co.uk
The Pint Sized Department Store