TheSacredTurf (Level 36)

If it wasn't for pasty white people, bad music, noisy kids, skin cancer and wasps I would probably enjoy the warm weather. #TeamAlbino
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The Best Movies of the 80's!
The 1980's was, for me, the best decade in the history of cinema.  Purely in alphabetical order, here are some of my top picks.  Enjoy!
1. The Abyss

Possibly Michael Biehn's best performance ever. A taut, underwater thriller. Could have done without the alien stuff and still would have been a brilliant dramatic piece. And would have saved little Jimmy millions of dollars. Not that he cares that much.

2. A Fish Called Wanda

This movie is like Adam Sandler. Amusing at times, but you wouldn't want it in your house. This is only on the list because of Kevin Kline.

3. After Hours

Wrong guy in all the wrong places. Right actor with the right director. Griffin Dunne are you the man? Hmmmm. Yes!!!

4. Airplane!

Makers of modern day spoofs should hang their heads in shame and watch this. The Zuckers show how it should be done. Leslie Nielsen was never the same again.

5. Aliens

Simply one of the best action movies ever. Great characters, great monsters and great set pieces. Helmed by a master. It's hard to believe the same guy that made this made Titanic. Game over, man!

6. Amadeus

Daft accents aside (Simon Callow is British, playing an Austrian with an American accent... confused?) this is a masterful, gorgeous movie. Speaking of Mr. Callow, does he really say c**t or is it just me?

7. An American Werewolf in London

A rare movie that pulls off the almost impossible task of being both really, really funny and really, really scary. And it's got a talking meatloaf in it.

8. Bachelor Party

Taught me about donkey sex. That's right. We rented this movie out about once a week when we were kids. Not for the donkey abuse, you understand. Just for the comedy. Which is fine for a 12 year old. I'm 35 now. I really should know better.

9. Back to the Future

Nostalgia time-travel movie genius. With incest! What's not to love?

10. Bad Taste

It could be argued that this is Peter Jackson's masterpiece. A movie made with passion, determination, imagination and the will to succeed. This took years to make. Most people would give up. Jackson was still going after five years. He made the special effects in his mum's oven. Respect.

11. *batteries not included

Aww... it's so sweet! Just a nice, nice movie. Love it.

12. Beverly Hills Cop

Do-do-do-de-do-doo, do-do-do-de-do-doo, do-do-de-do-doo-doo-de-doo. With Ronny Cox, everyone!

13. Big

A touching performance from Hanks makes this movie better than others of its type. Teaches kids not to mess with the occult. Good lesson!

14. Blade Runner

What does it all mean? Is Deckard a replicant? Does it even matter? A beautiful film that throws more questions than answers at the audience and I salute it for that. Also, soundtrack = awesome.

15. The Blues Brothers

A strange mix of comedy, stunts and music. Somehow, it shouldn't really work. And sometimes it doesn't. But when it does, it does. Does that make sense? Um... I just like it, ok?

16. Blue Velvet

Weird and creepy. And that's just Dean Stockwell.

17. Born on the Fourth of July

Really brutal stuff. Mr. Stone doesn't like to mess around.

18. Brazil

Terry Gilliam's finest hour. A dark masterpiece with dark humour. Plus, it's got Bob Hoskins in a scat scene. Yep, you read that right.

19. Breakin'

Or "Breakdance" for us Brits. Brought Kraftwerk to the masses. 'Nuff said. The soundtrack of my childhood.

20. The Breakfast Club

This movie has the most hilarious montage ever committed to film. RIP Mr. Hughes.

21. Brewster's Millions

Richard Pryor has no money. Richard Pryor then has loads of money. Richard Pryor then spends loads of money. With no drugs involved! That is what's known as fiction.

22. The 'burbs

Why did Tom Hanks stop doing comedy? I have an answer. Meg Ryan. Say no more.

23. Cocoon

Old people and aliens. That must have been one hell of a pitch to the studio.

24. Coming to America

Eddie Murphy dons make-up and a daft voice. Thank goodness that was just a fad.

25. Commando

Arnold eats Green Berets for breakfast. That must be where he gets all his fibre from.

26. Crocodile Dundee

Did wonders for the Australian tourist industry. Did wonders for Paul Hogan's bank balance. Did wonders for Paul Hogan's career. (Note: one of those statements is not strictly true)

27. Das Boot

The TV version is much longer and more complete, but the movie still stands up as the best submarine movie ever. Fact. Claustrophobes stay away.

28. Dead Poets Society

I was undecided whether to include this. But it's got Clarence Boddicker in it! So, it's in.

29. The Dead Zone

Perfect vehicle for Christopher Walken. The ice is GOING to break!

30. Die Hard

Have you seen this? Then welcome to the party, pal!

31. Do the Right Thing

Still has the best opening credit sequence ever. Good work, Rosie.

32. Dune

Both amazing and awful. Usually at the same time.

33. The Elephant Man

Sad, uplifting and hauntingly beautiful. Amazing stuff.

34. Escape from New York

Snake Plissken is the best character name, ever. Fact.

35. European Vacation

Ok, it may not be terribly sophisticated at times, but who cares. It's damn funny. Americans abroad always are.

36. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn

More of a remake than a sequel, it is simultaneously awesome AND awesome. No small feat.

37. Excalibur

Completely daft and silly. Bizarre casting choices and naughty bits certainly add to the hilarity. Brilliant.

38. Field of Dreams

I'm not American. I know nothing about baseball. I don't care about baseball. But I love this movie. If you ask why, then you haven't seen this. Costner being a bit rubbish is offset by James Earl Jones being awesome. And Ray Liotta. And Burt Lancaster. Classic.

39. First Blood

My dad's cousin is in this. And that's a fact.

40. Flight of the Navigator

Vectors? I don't have any vectors! See if you can spot where the marketing department dropped the potential toy in the movie.

41. The Fly

Try to imagine this film without Jeff Goldblum in it. Go on, try it. Hmm...? See, can't be done.

42. 48 Hrs.

Great chemistry with Murphy and Nolte. Foul mouthed and funny.

43. Full Metal Jacket

Too beaucoup! Too beaucoup! Me love you long time! Private Pile! etc. etc. Set in Vietnam. Filmed in London. Mr. Kubrick didn't like to fly. Thanks to Pickle for reminding me about this.

44. Ghostbusters

Do you need me to say what it is about this movie that I love? I'm not going to waste your time. It's Ghostbusters, for God's sake.

45. The Goonies

One of the few kid's movies that features kids that aren't completely annoying. Also features a pirate called One-Eyed Willy. For those of you in the US, that's not funny. For those of us in the UK that IS funny. Still.

46. Gremlins

Is this really meant for kids, cos it's pretty freaky at times. Not that I was ever scared, you understand... well, I wouldn't say never... ummm... The Santa story has stayed with me ever since, though.

47. Hellraiser

What could have been a standard schlocky horror turns out to be a highly creative, imaginative nightmare. It's a shame Clive Barker never really followed through on his directorial career.

48. Highlander

Has there ever been a collection of the worst accents gathered in one place? A Scotsman playing a Spaniard and a Swiss dude playing a Scotsman. Er... what?

49. House of Games

Highly implausible at times, but still gripping. Ricky Jay is always great to watch.

50. Howard the Duck

Only kidding. This is obscene. George, stop making movies. Oh... too late.

ThePickleon Aug. 28, 2010 at 4:56 p.m.
The only one missing is Full Metal Jacket
Flap_jacksonon Aug. 31, 2010 at 11:10 a.m.
Great list! Only thing I would add is Real Genius. Young Val Kilmer, William Atherton, the popcorn, and the great comedy. This film is a classic, of the 80s.
Organicalistic_on Oct. 27, 2010 at 11:42 p.m.
Add thewar of the roses, also doesn't the beginning of up remind you of batteries not included?
 
what decade are the short circuit movies, they should go on the list
TheSacredTurfon Oct. 30, 2010 at 2 p.m.
@organicalistic_ said:

" Add thewar of the roses, also doesn't the beginning of up remind you of batteries not included?
 
what decade are the short circuit movies, they should go on the list "

I haven't seen War of The Roses or Up but I am familiar with the Short Circuit movies.  I wouldn't say they were my best films of the 80's and not just because of the bizarre racism of the Fisher Steven's character.  More due to the fact that I thought they were crap.  However, I do have a nostalgic soft spot for the C64 game of the original movie.
subtlescreameron July 25, 2011 at 2:29 a.m.
Spiffy list! Don't forget to throw Big Trouble In Little China some love, because it's all in the reflexes.
TheSacredTurfon July 27, 2011 at 5:14 a.m.

@subtlescreamer: Thanks! I've never seen Big Trouble in Little China, which is weird considering how much I like John Carpenter and Kurt Russell. It's just one of those movies that has managed to pass me by over the years.

subtlescreameron July 27, 2011 at 8:39 p.m.
No worries dude! It's a great movie that's fun to watch. "Cheesy 80's Action Sci-fi Horror Comedy that looks like a comic book" is the best way to describe it.
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