For eight years, from 1981 until 1989, the United States had one of the greatest Presidents running the nation; Ronald Reagan. Of course, the media hated him. Of course, subsequent politicians and their media sycophants have rewrote the narrative, turning the amazing decade into one of “racism”, inequality, and a trampling of rights. What a crock of bullshit.
It was no such thing.
You can tell simply by looking at pop culture from that time.
If everyone was sad, unhappy, unemployed and suffering, the pop culture would reflect it. Just like pop culture reflected World War II, and the 1950’s. Pop culture is a far superior barometer of the health of a nation than the nonsense spewed out from mainstream media. For if you listen to the mainstream media narrative, the United States today is completely unified and angry against Donald Trump. The media has us believing that Antifa and the BLM are “grassroots” organizations that spring up organically. They try to give the impression that it’s just normal everyday folks that hide behind the black masks. Don’t believe them or their narrative, as it is not an accurate reflection of American society today.
This is my tribute to the decade of Ronald Reagan.
This is my tribute to the years from 1981 until 1989. If you, the reader, DON’T want to hear what actually happened during this time from someone who experienced it, you can leave. You can read the politically correct revised narrative; one that is saturating the history books, and one that is repeatedly proclaimed over and over by the progressive mainstream media. Go ahead. That is your reality. Suck it up. Absorb the bullshit. Read the narrative. Hell, you need boots to traverse the sludge.
- 28 Amazing Achievements of Barrack Obama
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- 5 Achievements of Barrack Obama that the GOP Pretends Never happened
- Obama’s Top 10 Achievements according to Obama
I guess that Americans must be friggin’ idiots not to want this kind of “success” to continue. Because, last I heard, the entire policy plank of the liberal progressive elite was in tatters by 2016. Everyone was so happy with the “new” Global-centrist Socialist America that they decided to tear it all up and go with Trump. Go figure. So, yeah. Believe what you want in your reality.
This is mine.
Introduction
If you go on many internet websites, such as history.com, you will see the politics of that time. You will see the big issues that the newspapers printed. You will see what wars the United States were involved in. You will see the various political issues and the various spending initiatives. All of which was true.
Yes. That was the 1980’s, but that was NOT what you personally experienced.
That was what you read about in the papers. That was what you watched on the news. That was what the radio talked about. It was the reality that was TOLD to us. Then, as now, the media are completely out of touch with the vast bulk of America.
Well, it should be clear by now, that everything that comes out of the mainstream media is propaganda designed to manipulate. It was just as true then as it is today. If the news-babe is talking, you pretty much can believe that it is a lie. Any facts and figures coming from a “blue ribbon panel” is nonsense. And, just about any polling data is simply fabricated baloney.
So, instead of a nice rehash of what we were told was important, you know, by the oligarchy that runs the propaganda, let’s talk about what it was like on a personal level. Let’s talk about the society and culture under a conservative presidency.
Oh, yeah, real conservatives are a rare breed. Neither of the Bushes were conservatives. They were globalists. They served the global oligarchy.
The last real and honest conservative in office was Ronald Reagan.
Let’s talk about the culture during a successful Republican (Conservative) presidency. It’s not a perfect analogy by any means. However, for those of you who seemingly enjoyed watching these movies, realize that they are a reflection of that time and that place.
Here are some highlights as described by the pop culture (movies) of that time…
Movies during this time
There were so many good movies during this decade. I believe that this was pre-progressive Hollywood. They really hit their stride then.
Not like today, where the case is always diverse, progressive, and female. Hey! How did you like the all-female remake of Ghostbusters? Oceans Eleven? The Rocketeer? Get ready, they plan an all-female remake of Goodfellas next year too. Groan!
The Mixed (And Misguided) Messages Of All-Female Movie Remakes What's up with all the Female Remakes Dear Hollywood, These All-Female Remakes Are Dumb, Boring, Childish, And Demeaning
The trailer for the new all-female “Ocean’s 11” reboot was unveiled this week. The Hollywood Reporter called it "the capstone 2017 needed." Most regular people called it awful and stupid. What else could it be other than awful and stupid? It’s a reboot of a remake of a remake, which means it already has all the fun and freshness of dried vomit. The feminist twist just gives it an extra touch of preachiness and pandering, like a vomit stain that comes to life and lectures you about the patriarchy. -The Daily Wire
The movies in the 1980’s didn’t have any of this progressive revisionism rammed down our collective throats. They were light-hearted fun and charming. Even the more serious ones. Here’s a trip down memory lane…
Criteria
There were so, so, so many great movies made during this time, that there is no way that I would be able to put them all here. I just added them as my memories permitted. The first one is “Spaced Invaders” because it is really great and really obscure.
Spaced Invaders.
I don’t know how anyone could hate this movie. I honestly and really don’t. It is so funny. It took a unique mind to come up with this story line. It’s not your typical alien movie. These aliens are so stupid and confused. They remind me of Eric Holder, Nancy Pulaski, and Mad Maxine Waters.
Characters so stupid that you wonder how they learned to walk.
I am not at all kidding. Just pay attention to their actions and listen to what they say and how these aliens react to situations. When you transpose a progressive mantle onto them, the movie takes on an entirely new meaning.
Twins.
The whole film is about the brothers and how they get along. De Vito plays the sluggish criminal Vincent who finds it difficult to accept his brother and Arnie plays the very enthusiastic brother Julius who is always willing to do everything he can.
Having two different types of characters allows the tension and excitement of the film to boil up and engages the audience into watching the humor but also the emotional ideas contained. It is very heart warming and will bring a smile to your face as some actions are completely ridiculous in a humorous sense but the ending is also very special for many people. There are many ‘brother’ conventions. De Vito is willing to help his brother into the world and teach him the things he knows as is Arnie.
War Games.
Historically-speaking, there are two movies that have shaped public opinion about computers: 2001 and WarGames. With 2001, there is the question of “What happens when an automated computer system makes decisions on its own?” In today’s world of automatic Windows updates and random error messages for no reason, it seems very prophetic. WarGames poses the question of “Who uses the computer and what do they do?” The consequences, as one can easily guess, are enormous. Even when hardware ages, the ethics remain.
WarGames isn’t perfect. There are plenty of logic problems in the script, but it still presents its topic with a naive fascination. What the writers don’t know, they pretend they do. Matthew Broederick is, once again, the nerdy teen with social problems (Ferris Bueller had a different problem, though). Aside from Glory, he won’t be able to shake that image even now in his 40s.
Weird Science.
This is a great movie that contained the hit from the group “Tears for fears” where “Everyone want’s to Rule the World”.
Welcome to your life There's no turning back Even while we sleep We will find you Acting on your best behavior Turn your back on mother nature Everybody wants to rule the world
Tears For Fears and “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”. This is jet another 1980’s classic . It was also in the movie “Real Genus“, which in itself was a totally classic 1980’s flick.
Let’s talk about it.
It’s interesting to me that Revenge of the Nerds, while still full up of the nostalgia that the 80s lends us, is lately being rewritten as chauvinistic . What was viewed for many years as a bit of harmless fun that waved the banner for nerds everywhere is now being a called a movie full of racism and misogyny, and damages the image of geek culture more than it applauds for it.
Oh, give me a friggin’ break.
Real Genius was loosely (very very very loosely) inspired by actual events that took place when university students were working to crack laser technology. But in Real Genius, this is being done on the fictional Pacific Tech campus, where the students are unknowingly creating that laser for the CIA to use in government sanctioned hits from space. They don’t know this because their odious professor, Dr. Hathaway (played to a tee by William Atherton), obviously isn’t letting them in on the secret.
He’s too busy skimming off the funds that the government is providing to the project, so he can renovate his house.
Weird Science.
This is yet another great 1980’s movie. Even when John Hughes makes a mediocre film such as “Weird Science,” the nature of his intent still shines through, to the point where you can’t necessarily fault him for anything except not making a better one.
“Weird Science” serves as the ultimate 1980s high school nerd fantasy, one in which babes see social awkwardness as a turn-on and bullies and extortionist older brothers help themselves to large servings of humble pie. The movie truly doesn’t need to be anything more, even in spite of the shallowness of its characters and general disregard for logic.
Anthony Michael Hall (in his fourth Hughes film in three years) and Ilan Mitchell-Smith star as two losers who determine that if they can’t get girls the “old-fashioned” way that they can use their computer smarts to play Frankenstein and create the ideal woman. After some illegal hacking they pack her with a high IQ (and an appropriate breast size) then hook a doll up to a machine. One crazy storm inside their house later and suddenly there’s Lisa (Kelly LeBrock), who’s every bit as stunning with a type A personality as a nerd could possibly imagine or desire.
The Lost Boys.
There are many films about vampires, but one that is almost always remembered with a shy smile on the face is definitely “The Lost Boys”. As one of the best remembered films of the 80s, this movie has become part of pop culture and a defining film for that period.
The movie showcases most of what was cool or hip in that decade.
While its status as “horror classic” has a lot to do with the nostalgic factor, it’s an entertaining film on its own right and its modernization of the vampire myth along with its tongue in cheek humor still make for a charming and funny session of pure mindless entertainment.
Trading Places.
“Trading Places” is a 1983 comedy that sees Murphy teaming up with fellow Saturday Night Live star Dan Ackroyd. It’s a fantastic tale of two men whose fates are manipulated by the unscrupulous Duke brothers, a pair of stock traders who decide to take Winthorpe (Ackroyd), a high-powered executive and Valentine (Murphy), a down and out beggar, and swap their situations.
They do this to see if they can turn Winthorpe to crime and turn Valentine into a successful trader, regardless of how the two men are affected by it. I’m not sure anyone tolerates blacking up in the politically correct Hollywood movies today, but we still love Ackroyd’s brief stint as ‘Lionel Joseph’ a rasta from Jamaica who has a short but glorious meeting with Eddie Murphy’s ‘Nenge Mboko.’
Louis Winthorpe III: Nenge? Nenge Mboko? It is me, Lionel Joseph! Billy Ray Valentine: Lionel? From the African Education Conference? Louis Winthorpe III: Yah, mon, I was Director of Cultural Activities at the Haile Selassie Pavilion. Billy Ray Valentine: I remember the pavilion – we had big fun there! Both: Boo-boo yah, boo-boo yah, boo-boo yah, hah! Boo-boo yah, boo-boo yah, boo-boo yah, hah! Billy Ray Valentine: Oh, memories!
Denholm Elliott’s drunk Irish priest adds to the racist fun. I love how politically incorrect it is.
Dragnet.
When was the last time you watched this movie? Heh heh. Maybe it might be time to dust off the ol’ BetaMAX and pop that puppy in and watch it again.
This film is a scream. It takes everything that the original series did, and does it with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Dan Ackroyd’s deadpan Jack Webb impersonation is a riot, as are the remarks he makes to Hanks’ Pep Streebeck.
A typical example would be after Joe ignores Sylvia Wiss’ advances, and Pep calls him on it. Joe looks him dead in the eye and says,
"Streebeck, there are two things that separate us from the animals. One, we use cutlery. Two, we can control our sexual urges. I don't know about you, but don't drag ME into your private HELL!"
That line is so Jack Webb-DRAGNET that I’m surprised it never showed up in the 1960’s version. Like the Austin Powers films, DRAGNET spoofs a cultural icon in such a way as to evoke the original. Ignore the silly plot, and just enjoy the ride.
Young Sherlock Homes
What if Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created a story where Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson met as adolescents? What if he made it a very suspenseful mystery that explained may of the great sleuth’s character traits and stylistic characteristics?
What if…well, he did not, but screenwriter Chris Columbus, director Barry Levinson, and producer Steven Spielberg do bring us a fine film that does these things called Young Sherlock Holmes. Young Sherlock Holmes is the meeting of fantasy film and classic literature, and it is a meeting that coexists very nicely.
The great detective meets his future colleague and friend Dr. Watson in a London prep school amidst the mystery of what six men did many years ago in Egypt. Several of the men begin to die in horrible, inexplicable ways, and the young Holmes suspects mischief.
The film is a veritable treasure trove of Sherlock Holmes allusions. The film is fast-paced, fun, fantastical, and creates insights into why Holmes developed emotionally the way he did.
Overboard.
This was a great film. I enjoyed it thoroughly! The casting couldn’t have been better and it was hilarious! The kids were great and made me laugh! Kurt did another excellent job.
All those who are fanatics for edge of your seat thrillers, don’t even comment on this movie, go see Soldier or something, maybe you’ll like that better. “Typical 80’s trash” says the pompous Hollywood critics. Nonsense. Just enjoy the story, I loved it.
My Stepmother is an Alien.
Here is an oldie but goodie. This movie is great! It’s got a funny script and an interesting storyline…I don’t know if people were expecting some kind of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” challenger, but you all need to see this movie for what it is…somehow I doubt it was meant to deliver some deep message about society or help you delve into your soul…it’s a comedy that is meant to entertain!
Lighten up, people….
Top Gun.
How can we ignore this movie? I remember when it first came out. I was in ELF training at the China Lake Naval Weapons Center. We, my wife and I, went to the theater in Ridgecrest on a lovely Friday night. They were playing this movie, and I with my wife sat and watched it. There were other Naval Aviators in the theater, and everyone thought that the movie was outstanding. It was a great time, and afterwards, we went to the local pizza parlor and had a stuffed-crust deep dish with a pitcher of beer.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
This movie exemplified what the 1980’s was. It was fun, positive and upbeat. People, for the most part, were optimistic. It was a big change from the doom and gloom of the Jimmy Carter years.
Remember that time? President Carter would hold these “fireside chats” and tell Americans that we have to accept a new reality, one where we are not as good as other nations. We, as Americans need to do with less. We need to stop dreaming. We, need to pay more, and more, and yet more taxes. It is to atone to our sins of the past (whatever the fuck they were…).
Yes. I remember that time.
I well remember this movie. I remember his sister, the crazed principal, and his secretary with the big bee-hive hairdo. I remember his carefree attitude, and who can forget the fantastic parade scene? Honestly!
John Hughes was believed to be THE scribe for teen angst. He wrote eloquently of it in "Sixteen Candles", "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink". And with "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", he creates a person and a time in life that just about anyone who's ever been a teenager can relate to. Who hasn't known someone like Ferris Bueller (Broderick)? Someone who always has a plan, someone who made loafing off an art form, someone who could fall in a barrel of you-know-what and come out smelling like a rose? -Mister-6
Doctor Detroit.
With the democrats constantly harping that the 1980’s were a travesty with Conservatives running things, the popular culture did not reflect that at all. People listened to music that they could relate to.
They watched movies that they found happy, light and funny. The movie “Doctor Detroit” is one such movie. That is what they could relate to. Just like today, under Obama, people watched zombie survival movies. It’s all a reflection of the times.
Airplane.
Yuppur, if everyone was so miserable, then why did they enjoy so many absolutely silly comedies? The liberal narrative just falls apart.
This is still one of funniest spoof movies ever made, Airplane is one of the first and one of the best around. Spoof movies definitely have there place in everyone’s collection, but this is probably the best you’ll ever see in the genre, if you have never seen it and you fancy a laugh, I can’t recommend a better film.
Caddyshack.
This is a classic. When the world seems to be spinning out of control, I just download this torrent and get a smile on my face. What’s not to love?
Rodney Dangerfield is just like Trump in Washington DC. It’s friggin’ awesome. (Which is something that even Rush Limbaugh noted.)
You know another way to look at Trump? How about the movie Caddyshack? Here you have these phony club members led by Ted Baxter, and he's running around. They've got this little country club and everybody in it thinks they're the best of the best in town. Rodney Dangerfield decides to join and gets in and blows the club up. He gets this gigantic golf cart, drives it on the greens, blows a big horn, has a gigantic golf bag. The leaders of the country club are beside themselves. They try to kick the guy out, and they can't. They lose every effort against him. That's Trump: Rodney Dangerfield in the Caddyshack, and the media thinks he's Governor William Le Petomane in Blazing Saddles. They haven't the slightest idea who the guy is. -Rush Limbaugh
Better off Dead.
John Cusack was one of my favorite actors during the 1980’s. He had many films, especially the young romantic comedies. I loved them all. One of my favorite memories is the scene with the newspaper boy that keeps on wanting to get paid.
Lane Myer: Johnny... Johnny: Four weeks, twenty papers, that's two dollars. Plus tip. Lane Myer: Gee Johnny, I don't have a dime. Johnny: Didn't ask for a dime. Two dollars. Lane Myer: Well... it's funny see... my mom, had to leave early to take my brother to school and my dad to work cuz... Johnny: ...two dollars... cash. Lane Myer: See... the problem here is that... my little brother, this morning, got his arm caught in the microwave, and uh... my grandmother dropped acid and she freaked out, and hijacked a school bus full of... penguins, so it's kind of a family crisis... so come back later? Great.
A look of the movies that he participated in and the years make a great statement that it would seem that his movies were a firm fixture and part of the Reagan years.
| 1984 | Sixteen Candles | Bryce |
| 1984 | Grandview, U.S.A. | Johnny Maine |
| 1985 | The Sure Thing | Walter Gibson |
| 1985 | Better Off Dead | Lane Meyer |
| 1985 | The Journey of Natty Gann | Harry |
| 1986 | Stand by Me | Denny Lachance |
| 1986 | One Crazy Summer | Hoops McCann |
| 1987 | Hot Pursuit | Dan Bartlett |
| 1987 | Broadcast News | Angry Messenger |
| 1988 | Tapeheads | Ivan Alexeev |
| 1988 | Eight Men Out | Buck Weaver |
| 1989 | Say Anything… | Lloyd Dobler |
| 1989 | Fat Man and Little Boy | Michael Merriman |
Back to the Future.
Who hasn’t watched this? I have versions of this movie on BetaMAX, VHS, LaserDisc, and DVD. I remember the first time I saw this move, like Top Gun, on a Friday night in Ridgecrest after ELF training at China Lake NWC. Sit down and watch it again. It’s great!
The Princess Bride.
Of course, this is such a classic that I am afraid to list it here. This is one of those rare films that gets better each time you watch it. With something for everyone, The Princess Bride combines romance, action, adventure and parody to create the perfect movie.
The plot is rich, with adult innuendos the kids will miss all together and levels of wit to entertain the whole family. The dialogue is full of very funny catch phrases- many of which are still part of my repertoire more than a decade after I first saw the movie. If you like dry humor and fast wit, The Princess Bride will make your day.
Revenge of the Nerds.
Revenge of the Nerds (1984) was a surprise hit. The film follows the adventures of two “nerds” as they go to college and try to join a fraternity. Oh the trials and tribulations they go through. Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards are the two “nerds”who do everything they can to try and fit in with the rest of the college crowd.
This one is the first and best of the series. They should have left well enough alone. But since this was made during the 80’s, a mandatory sequel was made. I recommend this movie. It’s entertaining and worth watching.
Fletch.
Yet another forgotten gem. What really makes the movie is both Fletch’s imagination, his flair for developing different characters, and especially his speed talking. examples include “I love your body Larry (Geena Davis)” while on the phone in front of a hotel clerk, “Nugent, Ted Nugent” when asked by Alan what his name was, “What kind of a name is Poon anyways?” asks Mr. Boyd, to which Fletch’s reply is, “Comanche Indian”.
This movie totally rocks and you will love seeing it AGAIN and AGAIN!!! It is so much better than jay and silent bob strike back, you’ll be laughing for hours! enjoy!
The Goonies.
Here is just another fun movie. It’s now a cult movie, and over the years the house in the movie has had countless visitors to it wanting to relive the movie in their own way. I had this movie on both BetaMAX and LaserDisc, and when the production of the movies in this format dried up, I was left with these classics to watch on rainy days.
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
This is classic. He and Alex Winter (an indie film dynamo) play Bill and Ted, a couple of 80’s California dudes who want to start their own rock band (Wyld Stallyons). However, both are flunking in high school and will be expelled unless they get an A+ in history.
To make matters worse, Ted will be sent to the military by his father, therefore squashing their dreams of rock stardom.
Enter Rufus (George Carlin), a man from the future who plays Clarence to the boys George (shades of It’s A Wonderful Life) who gives them a telephone booth. With it, they decide to use it to collect great historical figures and bring them to San Dimas, California to show them how mankind has evolved.
Who’s Harry Crumb?
This is a forgotten jewel. John Candy’s best film, by far. Granted, he’s been in such classics like Uncle Buck, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Little Shop of Horrors, but this is a film where he had to completely stand alone as THE MAN. Campy, fun and entertaining, this film is a great find for anyone who loves old-school comedies.
Volunteers.
Before they started winning Oscars, struggling actors such as Tom Hanks and Robin Williams used to be… SURPRISE!! funny! volunteers is a great example of a movie that refuses to take its leading actors seriously and is all the better for it. this is not a “star vehicle” but is rather an irreverent tongue-in-cheek romp. it takes its cues from Saturday night live, SCTV, Monty Python, and cheesy off-broadway one-act plays.
In return, it is spoofed by one particular Hollywood blockbuster to follow, Austin Powers Goldmember. Mike Myers must have been as impressed with the “reading the subtitles” joke, as well as the “Asian guy on the toilet/being chased by sumo wrestler” schtick. but rather than beat the jokes to death, volunteers assumes we are smart enough to catch them on the fly.
Back to School.
Old Rodney Dangerfield never got the level of respect that he deserved. (Snicker…)
A funny post-Animal House college film with a pretty distinguished cast. In addition to Dangerfield, who is terrific as usual, we also get to see Sally Kellerman, Burt Young, Ned Beatty, and an introduction to the brilliance of Robert Downey Jr. who is unforgettable as Derek Lutz.
Although the movie is silly, lacking any convincing realism or plot, it is nonetheless wonderful fun…especially if you are a Dangerfield fan. His rendition of “Twist and Shout” is a classic. And the scene at registration where his chauffeur Lou, played by the redoubtable Young, is priceless when he holds up a sign by the limo with Bruce Springstein’s name on it and all the students rush out to mob the car while Dangerfield, his son, his son’s love interest, and Lutz have the pick of classes.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
This was made during the post-disco, pre-greed era of the 80s that was far too short. I’m surprised to find out this movie is still popular considering it is far from being politically correct. And, boys and girls, that is a very good thing.
I’ll admit, I wouldn’t want my kids to some of the things these high school kids did, but it is a nice reminder how much fun the era was.
Adventures in Babysitting.
Elizabeth Shue plays Chris Parker who is babysitting one night but due to certain circumstances ends up taking the kids out on the town in order to pick up one of her friends. What follows is all sorts of adventures involving thugs, crooks, thieves, the lot.
The film is totally funny to watch and has some really good scenes in. Two that come to mind involve a fight between two gangs on a train and one involving the god of Thunder Thor (well, not the Thor you would be expecting).
This is an exciting movie which was typical of 1980’s movies.
Boy, I wish they could make movies like that now. The 80’s has got to be the best decade ever for films of all genres and this movie is just one of many great comedy films of that era. Oh and by the way, I think Elizabeth Shue is beautiful and I believe this was her best role.
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.
It’s terrible what the liberals did to Pee Wee. I guess you could say that he was “Borked” long before the democrats assaulted picks for the Supreme Court. Because they and the liberal media got away with it without consequence, it paved the way for all subsequent terror and mayhem that they implemented. Sigh.
Surprisingly, this is Tim Burton’s first movie and he did a great job. His unique directing, visual design, and dark comedy just work superbly as a whole. I can never remember being so affected by clowns in hospital smocks.
Let’s not forget Pee Wee as well. He was definitely a character who I enjoyed watching because he was so carefree, happy, and it was hard not to like him. There are so many great scenes in this one like breakfast time, the Alamo, Pee Wee’s nightmares, any scene with Francis “YOU’LL BE SORRY PEE WEE HERMAN!” Buxton, Mickey the con, the Warner Bros lot and so many more.
The characters are great too and from their performances, you can tell they had fun doing this film cause it shows. With a the limited budget, Pee Wee’s wacky nature, and Tim Burton’s imagination, it all adds up to a really entertaining film. Oops, can’t forget Danny Elfman’s great soundtrack which sets the tone rather nicely.
One Crazy Summer.
I love the atmosphere, the story line, and the black and white portrayals of Rich Country-Club Republicans.
Do you remember the monster suit where the zipper broke? The poor guy was trying to get the darn head off, and the rich millionaire threw his cigar in the mouth. The monster began streaking and demolishing the model community while smoke came out of his mouth! LOL.
Spies Like Us.
Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd were awesome in this film. It reflected the changing politics of the time, and how two nations can get together after a long, long cold war. What a great 1980’s movie.
Night of the Comet
Cheesy, but enjoyable satire with a big chunk of ’80’s vibe for flavor! Comet eliminates the worlds population, leaving surviving sisters to fend against a group of demented scientists.
While many peg Night of the Comet as a zombie picture, and granted two or three zombies do show up along the way, this film really has much more in common with the old B sci-fi movies of the 1950s. In fact, one could make a good case that the film is meant to be a comical parody of those old schlock films, after all it does have a nice comic book feel! From any view, this is an entertaining film even with its silly moments. It manages to stir up a few chills along with the laughs.
Hot Dog.
For a while, I worked as a movie theater manager in Corpus Christi Texas. We would get movies and then run them for one or two weeks. This movie “Hot Dog” ran for four weeks and was, in my mind, very typically 1980’s.
“Hot Dog” is a light-hearted comedy and served to inspire me to trek out to California later on that year. While there is no proof, I suspect that the movie “Hot Tub, Time Machine” is somehow a modern day incarnation of this movie.
The Harkin Banks character reminded me of my best friend in university, ol’ Peter. Heck, he’d probably think of me as the hard-drinking clown Dan O’ Callahan. LOL.
An Officer and a Gentleman.
This movie really seemed to seriously influence everyone during this time. It was almost as if the ideas of the knight in shining armor that would come and rescue the damsel in distress would actually come true.
This was a central theme of many of the movie of the 1980’s; that the childhood fantasies of our childhood could really come true, we just need to see them in a new light.
Flashdance.
It wasn’t only the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” that had the knight in shining armor rescue the girl. There were other movies of a similar theme. In Flashdance, a hardworking steel worker gets a big shot at her dream. Oh, don’t ever, ever let anyone steal your dream. It’s a story about hopes, dreams, and obtaining them.
When Flashdance first came out, all the New York, Chicago and LA critics despised the film. They thought it was a flop. That’s how far out of touch the liberal elites were back in the 1980’s. Yet, when the movie was released, it became an instant success.
Everyone in the heartland could relate to it.
Risky Business.
This is a great movie about being an entrepreneur. Of course, things don’t always go as you have planned. The underwater 928 is a great case in point. But, what a great movie. Of course, it stars Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay which made the film even more magical.
I really love the job interview scene at the tail end of the movie. Heh heh.
The Witches of Eastwick.
This is a great movie, but somehow it’s been kind of forgotten. I love the movie plot, three women, who have “powers”, conjure up a demon. Suddenly all sorts of interesting things happen. Yikes!
Dirty Dancing.
This movie inspired me to take up ballroom dancing. Which, I might add, became a serious love of mine and a significant hobby. It’s a great movie about summer, dancing, and many other things. Of course, the show point is the dancing. This is such a wonderful movie.
Oh, by the way, as great as the acting was with actress Jennifer Grey was, when she had plastic surgery on her nose, she was unable to get any other roles in Hollywood, she became unrecognizable.
This is literally the original “feel good” dance film — which spawned dozens if not hundreds of imitations. The script is perfect. The acting is perfect. The casting is perfect. The direction is perfect. And the music score is to die for. Swayze’s career was unfortunately cut short. Jennifer Grey, who practically made this role a part of her DNA, had a nose job and (the cynics say) lost a lot of later roles because the casting directors were afraid no one would recognize her.
Explorers.
This is a charming little movie that has faded into obscurity. It’s all about a group of boys who start getting messages in their sleep. They listen to their dreams and build a space ship. It’s a fun and wild tale. I well remember this movie as yet again, I watched it the Ridgecrest movie theater after training at the ELF substation at China Lake.
Sixteen Candles.
This is a pure classic, and it is so well known that I would be surprised if anyone hasn’t heard of this movie.
I once taught English to a 16 year old Chinese gal who had a terrible crush on this other boy in her school. She would talk about it (in English with me) and expressed her frustration that no one understands. So I downloaded this movie on a USB and gave it to her. I can’t say that it changed her for the better or the worst, but I will tell you that she really appreciated it.
Coming to America.
What an absolutely laugh out loud comedy. Again, this is yet another of the dreams come true fairy tales. This is a modern day story of the prince comes and rescues Cinderella from a life of drudgery. Only this time Cinderella lives in Queens, and the Prince is from Africa.
I watched this movie with my girlfriend from Zambia. She couldn’t control herself. She was rolling in the chair laughing, as many of the scenes in Africa were really, really exaggerated versions of Zambia.
The movie is filled with gags and charming and funny situations. It’s a poke in the eye of barbershops, Queens, Black culture, relationships, McDonalds and just about everything else. However, as funny and charming as it is, the end where Cinderella gets married with the prince is most especially pleasing.
Ghostbusters.
Here we talk about the very first movie. Not the sequel, and most certainly not the progressive politically correct all-woman remake. Yuck!
Like numerous other movies, I first watched this movie in Ridgecrest when I was in ELF training at China Lake. What a fun movie. I remember standing in line to buy the tickets and a son in front of us asks his father if this movie will be too scary for him. The father smiled and said that he didn’t think so. LOL.
Vacation.
I am not sure, but I think that all the “National Lampoon” Vacation movies were made in the 1980’s. What a great decade! Who can forget this movie. I most especially love the new station wagon. LOL!
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
This is the charming comedy when a “mad scientist” accidentally shrinks the kids and they get stuck in the backyard. Not bad, eh? Well, it is if you are the size of an ant. Oh, remember that this was made in the 1980’s.
Today, in the hyper-protective, politically-correct America, there is a parental advisory for this movie (if you can believe it.) Why the friggin’ heck why?
WARNING: Husbands and wives kiss in several scenes! Two teens kiss passionately. The mother makes a reference to a boy being in the dark with her daughter. A boy says he learned to give mouth to mouth resuscitation in "french class". A teen girl talks about a boy she would like to date. A boy asks a girl for a date. A man tells another man that his wife has "plumbing trouble". -Parents Advisory IMDb
Labyrinth
By today’s standards “Labyrinth” may look dated and cheap but there’s something about it that makes it special. David Bowie makes it a stand alone movie in the weird ranking. The man is crazy but his performance is excellent!
Jennifer Connely (being 16 at the time) delivers a solid and tender performance. She was very, very cute and her performance totally gained the audience’s love.
The tale is fantastic and keeps you interested from the beginning to the end. The musical moments are also great! The f/x were great for it’s time and I wonder how they came out with the idea for creating such original characters. The thing that I liked the most about the movie is it’s art direction. The world that is created is taken directly from everyone’s fantasy world idea. Colorful and dark at the same time.
Splash.
This is a seemingly forgotten movie with the great John Candy and a mermaid. It is charming and funny at the same time. It is a shame that it has fallen into obscurity.
This movies, as well as many of the movies of the 1980’s were made long before the social re-engineering of the Bill Clinton presidency. People could smoke in offices, and have beer at lunch. You could talk about porn openly, and no one would bat an eyelash. Ah, the days when Americans had freedom.
Riders of the Storm (The American Way).
This is a great little movie that kind of got lost over the years. It is a gleefully anarchic one fingered salute by the liberals in Hollywood to Eighties America, especially Ronald Reagan politics.
But, don’t let that scare you. It’s really obvious who the enemies are; the rich and wealthy elite that controls government and media… who are they? Yeah. They are progressive liberals. Not conservatives.
“The American Way” sees Hopper playing the leader of a bunch of technological pirates who continually broadcast anti-establishment anti-Reagan material over mainstream television channels.
Dennis Hopper and Michael J. Pollard (Doc Tesla) lead a crew of misfit Vietnam veterans highly trained in psychological warfare and armed with a B29 equipped as a flying pirate TV station creating havoc for the broadcast networks and authorities as they fly the country on a crusade to bring radical philosophies and classic audiovisuals to a conservative and media brainwashed viewing public.
On the verge of retirement they are compelled to mount one last campaign to destroy a demographically engineered presidential candidate (who looks to me a lot like a Conservative version of Hillary Clinton) who would see the country brought to war again.
Extensive explorations into concepts of non-violent defiance of authority and pursuit of justice, questioning conventional morality, exposition of criminal activities in the guise of righteousness by righteous people being classed as criminals by a corrupt establishment, existentialist themes, technology and rock music versus violence and force, nature of religious beliefs, political corruption and post Vietnam issues.
Some excellent 60’s and 70’s music in the soundtrack. Not to be missed.
Funny, heartfelt and with a serious bone to pick with the world in general, “The American Way” is something of a lost gem. Hunt it down if you’re in the mood for something different that really taps into what makes Hopper great.
Amazon Women on the Moon
This is a kind of odd-ball movie. It is simply a collection of comedy sketches. “Amazon Women on the Moon” is one of my all-time favorite movies, not because it is perfect, but because it effectively yet respectfully lampoons so many genres, including 50s movies, late-night television of all sorts, and even different styles of literature available throughout a good portion of the 20th century. Find a trend in literature of the 40s and 50s, movies of the 50s and 60s, or television of the 50s through the 70s, and it is somehow made fun of in this movie.
With a few exceptions, the film is about your typical late night television and the crazy ads that used to permeate the airwaves before all the infomercials started taking over in the 90’s. In this film, they make fun of those crazy ads and programming by doing outrageous spoof ads interspersed with an old 1950’s B movie with a lot of projection problems.
Any couch potato with a good sense of humor and a memory of the 70’s & 80’s television programming should enjoy this one!
Desperately Seeking Susan
In this very clever story, Roberta (Arquette) is a bored housewife with a rich fantasy life who envies a woman named Susan (Madonna). Susan’s boyfriend is always leaving her notes in the personals column about where to meet.
Before long, Roberta is showing up at the meeting places and actually starts stalking Susan. When Susan pays for a pair of boots that she wants with her unique leather jacket, Roberta buys it and starts wearing it.
All this could have been harmless fun except for three things: 1) Susan is a con artist, and she’s stolen Egyptian artifacts she mistook for earrings from a guy in Atlantic City, who ended up dead at the bottom of his hotel; 2) Susan was seen (from the back) wearing her jacket in the hallway of the hotel by a mobster who wants the artifacts; and 3) Roberta is in an accident, and when she wakes up, she has amnesia…
This is such a fun movie, with much of the comedy being in the situation rather than in the dialogue. Not only that, it’s totally ’80s, right down to Madonna’s leggings, and brings back a lot of great memories.
Near Dark
I loved this movie when it first came out. It was able to portray a more “realistic” scenario for vampire outlaws. LOL. A young cowboy is literally bitten by a beautiful stranger and ends up joining a band of blood-suckers who roam the American heartland.
Although Near Dark is often over-shadowed by the ultra-hip vampire movie The Lost Boys (1987), Near Dark is a far more juicier treat for horror fans. Eric Red, who also wrote The Hitcher (1986), gives us a seemingly old-fashioned tale of struggle between human nature and savage lust with a nicely spun sense of modernism. Not to mention plenty of touches of dark humor.
It’s a story that does well with avoiding the obvious clichés of the vampire genre. Director Kathryn Bigelow gives this film terrific style, not only adding scenic beauty but sharply creating plenty of intense action sequences. The entire sequence in the bar has became a favorite among many. Adding even more to the film is the beautiful music score by Tangerine Dream.
The Freshman.
OK, for you purists out there, this movie was released in 1990, but was in production in 1988. So I am including it herein. How many actors could have parodied their most classic roles without falling into caricature? Think about it: while it takes a certain talent to make a performance that elevates a character to a legendary status, overplaying enough to make it comical but not over-the-top is the ultimate proof of acting genius.
Only Marlon Brando could have got away with playing his most iconic character, the Godfather, and make it so damn believable. And it’s this very seriousness in his performance that makes “The Freshman” so delightful and naturally, hilarious.
Although not revolutionary, what makes “The Freshman” such a classic on its own is that it accomplishes a real miracle by resuscitating Vito Corleone, his name is Carmine Sabatini but the movie can’t fool us: the guy IS Vito Corleone.
As explained in the film, Sabatini’s the one who inspired Vito’s character, in other words, “The Freshman” is so confident over its comical premise, and rightfully so, that it doesn’t even hesitate to insert several references to “The Godfather”.
Yeah, and these are not just gratuitous ‘Godfather’ references thrown away for the sake of it, it’s important to know that it’s not a parallel world where the movie isn’t supposed to exist. On the contrary, not only it does, but whoever sees Carmine Sabatini has the most natural reaction by immediately thinking of Vito Corleone.
The movie, in a way, asks the question, how any of us would react in front of a movie character. How would I if I met my favorite character? I guess, probably like Clark Kellog, Matthew Broderick as a film college student, the titular “Freshman”.
Die Hard.
This movie has a special place in my heart. But, aside from that, this is just a great flick. Period. It is all about the everyday, plain old man, who has (out of necessity) be the hero and do the uncomfortable and the job that no one else wants to do. Hey guy! How’s your friggin’ Christmas this year? Eh?
Rescues that Occurred and their Movies
There were numerous heart-warming events that happened during the 1980’s. Funny how the mainstream media has somehow forgotten these important events. Let’s discuss three of them. The first is the true story of how three trapped whales were freed by joint efforts of the United States, Russia and the local inhabitants of the icy North.
The rescue of the whales.
Operation Breakthrough was an international effort to free three gray whales in 1988. The whales had become trapped in pack ice in the Beaufort Sea near Point Barrow. Point Barrow in the U.S. state of Alaska. The whales’ plight generated media attention that led to the collaboration of multiple governments and organizations to free them. The youngest whale died during the effort and it is unknown if the remaining two whales ultimately survived.
This event was made into a Hollywood movie titled “Big Miracle“. The entire nation, including myself, were riveted to the television screen trying to find out what was going on with the poor trapped whales.
The rescue of the geese and their breeding grounds.
In 1986, Bill Lishman started training Canada Geese to follow his ultralight aircraft. As such, he succeeded in leading their migration through his program “Operation Migration.” This event was made into a movie titled “Fly Away Home“. I have to admit that this move is a “tearjerker”. But that is in a good way.
The recovery of huskies abandoned at the South Pole.
Like the other two events, this was also made into a movie. The event itself took place in 1958, but the movie about it was very popular and released in 1983 and was a big hit. This movie was then remade later on. The remade movie was named “Eight Below“.
In the extreme wilderness of Antarctica, three members of a scientific expedition -- Jerry Shepard, his best friend, Cooper and a rugged American geologist -- are forced to leave behind their team of beloved sled dogs due to a sudden accident and perilous weather conditions in Antarctica. During the harsh, Antarctic winter, the dogs must struggle for survival alone in the intense frozen wilderness for more than six months. -Rotten Tomatoes
The 1958 ill-fated Japanese expedition to Antarctica inspired the 1983 hit film Antarctica, of which Eight Below is a remake. Eight Below adapts the events of the 1958 incident, moved forward to 1993. In the 1958 event, fifteen Sakhalin Husky sled dogs were abandoned when the expedition team was unable to return to the base. When the team returned a year later, two dogs were still alive. Another seven were still chained up and dead, five were unaccounted for, and one died just outside Showa Station.
Conclusions
These are just some vignettes of my snippets of memory from the 1980’s. I present them here as someone who had experienced them first hand. You know, for a time period that was so full of inequality, poverty and racism as the Democrats, and Obama constantly says, the popular media of that time did not reflect it.
Which is WHY the elites and the oligarchy has to rewrite history.
- The Necessity of Rewriting our History – Michelle Obama
- Barrack Obama Rewriting History…Again.
- Mike Pence Busts Obama Trying to Rewrite History
- Media Rewrite History to Credit Obama Instead of Trump
- Obama Tries to Rewrite History
If the decade was truly one as described by the democrats, then the songs would be sadder, the movies darker, and the culture more subdued. Right? Look at the movies and the culture of America under Obama. Look at the movies that were made and the popular television shows.
I am firmly convinced that Americans have been the most propagandized people in all of history. It doesn’t matter what the subject is; whether it is life in China to history three decades ago, the narrative has constantly been directed towards certain targets. The “goal posts” have constantly been moving. All to keep Americans ignorant, fearful and suspicious.
In short, the mainstream American media has spent the last fifty years trying to separate, divide and isolate Americans from each other. That is because, unified we are a serious threat to those who control the nation.
When your children look back at the presidency of Barrack Obama, a socialist democrat, what will they read and see? The history books will talk glowingly about his “many” successes, and repeatedly state how everyone was happy and dancing around with unicorns under rainbows…
Eh?
Well, maybe a look at the culture at that time will tell you all that you need to know about what life was under his sphere of influence…
Take Aways
- History can be described by facts, numbers, charts and data.
- However, the best measure of a period of time is how you felt living it.
- The Obama rewritten narrative of the 1980’s does not resemble what it was like by those who experienced it.
- I argue that to understand a period of time, you need to delve into the culture.
- The culture of the 1980’s was strange and unusual compared to today.
- A look at the movies of the 1980’s can illustrate what it was like living during that time period.
FAQ
Q: What is the purpose of this post?
A: I see many people who have not lived in the 1980’s try to tell me that it was a horrible and terrible time. They do so because that is what they were taught. Yet, these very same people also tell me that they love the movies and the people during that time. They wish that they could be cruising in a GTO and living the life that they can only dream of.
They wish that the movies of today would be of the same caliber as the movies of today. Their disconnect from the awareness that culture tracks reality is disturbing. They go hand-in-hand. A culture always is a reflection of the people in society.
Q: Is this a complete list of movies?
A: No, not by a long shot. Many movies are left off, but I really don’t have all day. Here are just a handful of movies that are reflective of this time. Honorable mentions include…
- Brainstorm (1983)
- Dead Heat (I love the animated butcher shop. LOL)
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- My Best Friend is a Vampire
- Lean on Me.
- Blade Runner.
- The Terminator
- The Breakfast Club
- Platoon
- Blue Velvet
- Full Metal Jacket
- The karate Kid
- Earth Girls Are Easy
- The Burbs
- Red Dawn
- Big Trouble in Little China
- Aliens
- They Live
- Predator
- American Werewolf in London
- The Blues Brothers
- Gremlins
- The Money Pit
- Beetlejuice
- Howard the Duck
- Raising Arizona
- The Neverending Story
- The Adventures Of Buckaroo Bonzai Across the Eighth Dimension
- Ernest goes to camp
- The Last Starfighter
- The Blues Brothers
- Brazil
- Strange Brew
Posts Regarding Life and Contentment
Here are some other similar posts on this venue. If you enjoyed this post, you might like these posts as well. These posts tend to discuss growing up in America. Often, I like to compare my life in America with the society within communist China. As there are some really stark differences between the two.
More Posts about Life
I have broken apart some other posts. They can best be classified about ones actions as they contribute to happiness and life. They are a little different, in subtle ways.
Stories that Inspired Me
Here are reprints in full text of stories that inspired me, but that are nearly impossible to find in China. I place them here as sort of a personal library that I can use for inspiration. The reader is welcome to come and enjoy a read or two as well.
Links about China
China and America Comparisons
Learning About China
Articles & Links
- You can start reading the articles by going HERE.
- You can visit the Index Page HERE to explore by article subject.
- You can also ask the author some questions. You can go HERE to find out how to go about this.
- You can find out more about the author HERE.
- If you have concerns or complaints, you can go HERE.
- If you want to make a donation, you can go HERE.
Notes
- Compiled 12OCT18.
- Completed 14OCT18.
- Published 15OCT18.
Great list!
LOL of course you worship Reagan! You even love Trump. You tout racist lies about BLM and Antifa organizers. You defend the white supremacist system because it benefits you. You’re full of it and you’ve learned nothing over the decades. Being against anti-fascism means you’re a fascist!