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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Defining the 80's Movies

Defining the Eighties Movies

As I was putting this blog together, I took a break to read news headlines. And there it was. An article from FOX about the Ronald Regan era. The title is "Will Rise of the Reagan Baby Generation Mean a Return to Optimism?" by:  Peggy Grande 

Today is Ronald Regan's birthday, 2-6-2018. . . ."as president, Ronald Regan showed us how to dream big dreams.  To imagine a flourishing economy, to imagine renewed strength and patriotism.  To picture a world free of political tyrants and communist regimes. far-fetched? Perhaps, yet when that was the end goal, any steps taken in that direction were steps in the right direction."

"She goes on to mention that from the formative years, Reagan Babies were fed a healthy diet of optimism, of clarity of vision, and voice, and were raised to believe that anything was possible." to read more of this article click this link:

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/02/06/will-rise-reagan-baby-generation-mean-return-to-american-optimism.html

  

TAKING A LOOK AT THE MOVIES FROM THE 80'S

Film makers during 80's were able to lighten-up and have fun with their movies and did not always have to have practical or serious reasons to make them.  An example is "Mannequin" directed by: Michael Gottlieb starring:  Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrell  

A young artist, searching for his vocation, makes a mannequin so perfect he falls in love with it.  Finding the mannequin in a store window, he gets a job there and his creation comes to life.

 

Have you noticed the essential "naked scene"

   All 80's movies have the nonsense naked scene where a woman takes off her top or all her clothes and runs around naked for a few minutes for no reason.  Did they just do this for fun?  I heard that the foreign investors paid the film makers more money for the scene to be included in the movie. You will notice that the dialogue is running along smoothly then, "wha lah" it pops up?    

An example is "Trading Places" (1983) with Eddie Murphy and Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy  Directed by: John Landis    plot:  a snobbish investor and a wily street con artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by tow callous millionaires.

  

Why does the fish aquarium always get hit?

Fish aquariums were a big thing in the 80's. Recently, I saw the fish tank bust in "FX"  (1986) starring: Bryan Brown and Bryan Dennehy Directed by:  Robert Mandrel   "FX" is Hollywood shorthand for special effects such as bullet holes, gaping wounds, fake shotgun blasts and severed limbs. This movie dazzles us with all kinds of special effects.

 


Roger Ebert comments, "A movie special effects man is hired to fake a real-life mob killing for a witness protection plan, but finds his own life in danger. Bryan Brown (who was Tom Cruise mentor in "Cocktails") plays the special effects man and his Australian accent reminds us that he was not brought up to automatically trust the U.S. government in all matters." read more of Ebert's review of this fast moving, action movie! at this link:   Ebert gave it 31/2 stars.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/fx-1986 

"FX2" is a continuation of the first one! Just as entertaining! These FX films are too much fun and and should be added to you 80's movie watching list.

 

John Hughes (Feb 18, 1950 to Aug 16, 2009) wrote and directed several movies dealing with the issues of teenagers. The free, laid-back time period of the 80's was perfect for teens to be able to talk and hang out with others as they dealt with life. Some of the films he wrote and directed are: 

(1984) "Sixteen Candles"; (1984)"Breakfast Club"

(1986) "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"; (1986) "Pretty in Pink"

(1987) "Some Kind of Wonderful"

BREAKFAST CLUB

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

John Hughes used these feel good movies to explore more complex issues with teenagers. In our times, you don't see many movies like this because they would not be a box office hit like these films were. 

Hughes is credited with launching the careers of numerous actors including:  Michael Keaton, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Bill Paxton, Matthew Broderick, McCaulay Culkin and the "Brat Pack" 

 

 

Conclusion to "Defining the 80's" 

It was a positive time, there were jobs, places to live, friends to talk and listen, fun fashion. The government was not  dysfunctional and global warning was not as a problem. I hope the "Regan Babies" do bring some positive vibes back to us!

 

 

Thank you for letting me share with you!  Be on the lookout!  For More 80s. . ."Defining the 80's Movies" - Part II   that will include sharing about the "Brat Pack" and Action Heroes and Comedians!! Nelda

 

 

 

 

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For more study: 

Criterion     http://www.criterion.org 

IMDB          http://www.imdb.com

Rogerebert  http://www.rogerebert.com

AMC           http://www.filmsite.org