nicole morris: Review of 80's Movies

Real Genius

2005-05-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

A sixteen year old boy, Mitch, is sent a way to an academy for the genius. Discouraged by other students, Mitch pairs up with the bad ass of the academy as a way to fit in. When the two boys uncover the hidden intentions of the academy to exploit the students, they use their intellect to out smart their opponents.

The only reason I even watched this movie is because Val Kilmer was in it-which was a big mistake. Though the movie is full of good one liners, that's the only good thing that came out of my watsted 2 hours. The plot and characters are way too out their, especially the crazy genius who lives in the closet. DON'T YOUR TIME!

Pretty in Pink

2005-05-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

Andy, a high school senior from the poor part of town, falls in love with a "richie" named Blane. Despite their attempts to over come the social boundries of high school, they find each of their groups of friends reject this relationship at first glance.

More entertaining then the tragic love story of Andy and Blane, are the rediculous friends they both have. Ducky keeps you laughing while Steff adds a realistic high school jerk to the plot. Though the movie is 80's at it's best, it can take any viewer back to the age of sixteen.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

2005-05-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

Ferris Bueller, the boy who knows all the tricks, skips high school with his best friend and girlfriend. A day that was supposed to be relaxing turns into a race to not get caught by the suspicious principal and jealous sister.

Skipping a day of senior year with our best friends- something we all secretly wished to do...but never dared. Ferris is ridiculous, but somehow gets away with all his tricks in the end. My stomach still drops every time I see the Ferrari roll out the window. I remember that feeling oh too well of knowing how much trouble I would be in when I went home. For those of us that never dared to be like Ferris, we can still live vicariously through the movie.

E.T.

2005-04-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

E.T, another Speilberg classic, is a touching story about an extra terrestrial left behind on Earth who becomes loved by a boy, Eliete, and his family and friends. Elliete and E.T learn from eachother, forming a bond so deep that they can feel each other's pain. With the government on their trail and E.T growing weaker by the day, it is a race against time to get E.T home where he belongs.

I doubt there is anyone who hasn't seen this movie. Despite the tear jerking ending, the movie is filled with hunorous scenes- from E.T being dressed up like a doll to his binge in the kitchen. One of the final scenes when the bikes begin to fly will always remain a favorite of mine from childhood. On a deeper level, the movie shows the imagination and trust we loose as we become adults.

Heathers

2005-04-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

Veronica and the three Heathers make up an elite high school clique, whose main purpose at school is to torture everyone outside their group of friends. Veronica discreetly tries to leave the group, when she falls in love with the school rebel, JD. The Heathers take Veronica leaving as an insult, motivating them to go on a murder rampage. Students from school begin turning up dead, with suicide notes in hand. Though the rest of the school believes that the suicides are real, Verinca knows better, putting her own life in danger to uncover the secrets of the Heathers.

This movie is intended for an adult audience, and definitly not one I should have watched with my babysitter at the age of six. Not only is the plot twisted, but the scenes are incredibly disturbing. The scene that still upsets me is the one where they trick the boys to get naked in the woods, and then the Heathers shoot them while laughing. The cast is made up of soon to be popular actors: Shannon Dougherty, Winona Rider, and Christian Slater. As we know Shannon is great at playing a bitchy role, and is perfect as the lead Heather. Though this movie is not one I would watch repeatedly, it is a must see.

The Breakfast Club

2005-04-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday detention- one of the owrst punishments in highschool, can only be made owrse by the people you have to serve it with. The Breakfast Club were five students with nothing in common except the 9 hours they had to serve in detention that day. The group of five contained one of highschool stereotype: the jock, the nerd, the princess, the punk, and the left out one. despite their obvious differences, the 9 hours forces them to let down their gaurds. They share their stories, hopes, and fears, becoming friends-atleast during detention.

The Breakfast Club, satrring Molly Ringwald and Emilio Estevez, is a classic 80's teen movie. It deals with real highschool drama, while incorperating humor. The movie is filled with great 80's background music, and has a classic dance scene towards the end. Though i question how realistic it is that five random stangers would bare their souls, I still find myself watching this movie agian and again.

The Ghostbusters

2005-04-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

When unexlpained happennings trouble New York City, you don't call the cops, you don't call the fire department, you call...the Ghostbusters. Lead by Dr. Peter Venkman, the ghostbusters are a group of scientists who have joined together for one cause; to seek out and capture ghosts that are terrorizing the city of New York. When the evil God Gozer threatens to destoy the city and release evil onto the streets, the ghostbusters kick into action. Almost overwhelmed by Gozer's power, the ghostbusters are forced to battle a giant marshmellow man in the final scenes in order to eliminate Gozer as a threat.

The Ghostbusters movie is one of the all time classics. Lead by actors Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis this sci-fi comedy provides great humor as well as giving the audience outstanding special effects for its time. The adventures of this movie inspired playground activity, with daily recesses revolving around these characters. The most entertaining part of the movie for a child was the repeated scenes of these humorous ghost encounters. The only part of the movie I would change would be to recast the role of the secretary, whose voice still haunts me today.

Goonies

2005-04-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

In order to save their neighborhood from being sold to make way for a new golf course, Mikey and his friends go on a treasure hunt using an old map they found in hidden behinf an olf picture frame. On their search, they run into the Fratelli family, who recently escaped from prison. Mikey and his friends follow this map through caves of obstacles, while trying to out run the Fratellis who are close behind. Just as they are filling their pockets with the lost treasure, the Fratelli's show up. Mikey and his friends are able to escape with the help of Sloth, one of the Fratelli's sons. They make it home with just enough treasure in their pocket to save their neighborhood.

This was by far one of my favorite movies as a child, and maybe still today. The adventure they have takes us all back to childhood, where treasure maps and neighborhood games where played almost daily. Sloth and Chunk were by far my favorite charactors because of the humor they brought to the movie. To this day, whenever i hear, "hey, you guys," i still think of the Goonies.

BIG

2005-03-17T08:34:00.000-08:00

Tom Hanks plays a twelve year old boy, Josh, who is tired on being young. One night he makes a wish to be big on a fortune telling machine, and wakes up the next morning as a thirty year old man. With the help of his best friend Billy, Josh makes the transition to an adult life in New York City. Starting at the bottom, Josh works his way up in a toy company within weeks. His success at work, and new love with his girlfriend, Susan, are due to the charm and creativeness from the little boy within. When he is finally able to wish himself back to twelve, he has a new appreciation for his youth and his life as a whole.

Even in his early movies, Tom Hanks never disappoints. His ability to imitate an over grown twelve year old is hilarious. This movie can be enjoyed by all ages. Josh is able to help the adults around him find their inner child, which most adults are too busy to remember. Almost anyone can relate to the childhood wish to just be grown up. But the movie also reminds us of something more important- to be happy with what we have, and be careful what we wish for. Despite the predictable ending, the movie as a whole is a must watch.

Rocky 4

2005-03-13T20:18:00.001-08:00

This time-it is for revenge. The "Italian Stallion" Rocky Balboa takes the fight into Russia, where he faces the Russian fenom, Ivan Drago. After the death of Apollo Creed in a charity fight agains Drago, Rocky vows to take revenge for his long time friend. Even with deteriorating health, Rocky decides to fight, despite the discouragement from his wife and friends. Rocky and his team tavel to Russia, where he and Drago battle in Rocky's biggest fight ever. During the fight, the courage, passion, and determination of Rocky change the Russian cheers from "Drago, Drago" to "Rocky, Rocky."

In what should have been the last Rocky movie, Rocky 4, directed and staring Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren, features the toughest and biggest fight scenes of them all. It is evident that this movie symboliaed the tension between the US and Russia at the time. I beleive that Stallone did a good job building up the anticipation for what could be Rocky's last fight of his life. If you want a movie to build up your courage and give hope for the underdog, this movie does just that.

labyrinth

2005-02-14T10:14:00.000-08:00

Labyrinth, another famous movie produced by Jim Henson, is a fantacy type movie that takes you on an adventure through puzzles and mazes on an attempt to make a rescue. This movie has a well known cast, ranging from Jennifer Connelly to David Bowie. This main character, Sarah, spends her days playing fantacy games to escape her daily routine of taking care of her baby brother. Frustrated my the comstant crying of her brother, she wishes for the Goblins to take him away. David Bowie, the Goblin King, sees how upset Sarah is when her wish comes true, and decides to give her a chance to save the baby. She is given thirteen hours to solve the labyrinth, or the baby will be turned into a goblin.

Though the majority of the characters are monsters and goblins, the special effects in this movie are standard for 1980's movies, making the scariest part of the movie David Bowie. Throughout the movie, David Bowie and his goblin friends, break into unnecessary song and dance. The goblins singing allow the veiwers to see their softer side, making the movie less scary to younger viewers. The (not so) hidden message in the movie is to be careful what you wish for. All and all, this movie may appeal to all generations as a light hearted and easily enjoyable movie.