The 10 Best Films of the 1980s, in my opinion (and that I have seen)
by George Watches Things
Today, we continue counting down the decades. And we’re so close, too. Please note, though, that the order of picks 3-9 changes each time I think about it.
10. Stand by Me
I’m not really sure what to write about Stand by Me. It’s an important film to me. It aims so high, but keeps most of the dialogue between the quartet of friends realistically small. Stand by Me is timeless and will always be a bittersweet slice of nostalgia. Honorable mentions: Airplane! and Rain Man.
9. Moonstruck
This isn’t a ‘chick-flick’ and it’s not a ‘rom-com’ either. It isn’t lightweight, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s not the funniest of movies, but it’s one of the best comedies of the 80s. And if you want to see Nicolas Cage act, rent Moonstruck now.
8. The Thin Blue Line
The Thin Blue Line actually changed the outcome of the events it displayed. Completely absorbing and easily one of the best documentaries of all-time. Errol Morris knows what he is doing.
7. Goodbye, Farewell and Amen (aka The M*A*S*H Finale)
Hmm… a TV movie? Sure, why not? It boasts all the most authentic, most dramatic, and (even though it is debatable) best, parts of the series. It hits love, friendship, community, loss, loyalty, and of course war. It’s hard not to watch and then not to cry when it appears on TV Land every few months.
6. Hannah and Her Sisters
Hannah and her sisters and her sisters’ spouses are just so interesting. It’s only 103 minutes long, but it feels so much longer… in a good way. Packed with so many carefully written characters and moments, Hannah and Her Sisters is a must for any Woody Allen fan.
5. E.T.
Ah, yes. My good childhood friend. I got to see it on the big screen when I was five years old. E.T. is, perhaps, the centerpiece in the Americana film collection, and is a huge rite of passage. I recently saw Super 8, and it helped me appreciate E.T. all the more.
4. The Gods Must Be Crazy
One of the first movies I’ve ever seen, The Gods Must Be Crazy is funny, charming, and heartwarming. Also, it’s extremely crazy and it sticks with you… like a pesky, devilish Coca-Cola bottle. The film spawned four sequels, including this little monster.
3. Raging Bull
The character-study biopic to end all character-study biopics, indeed. Robert De Niro has only been better once than as boxer Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull. The complicated life he leads is a fascinating one, but I don’t think the film would be considered the classic it is if a powerhouse actor weren’t playing him. There is a sequel to Raging Bull expected out in 2013, by the way. Won’t that be fun?
2. The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back is one that I just couldn’t talk myself out of including on the list. Decidedly better than any other installment of the Star Wars franchise, it is both visually glorious and emotionally arresting.
1. A Christmas Story
What can I say? I love A Christmas Story. It’s the only one I would salvage from the 80s if a movie eating monster made me choose only 10 films to live with and love forever. So, if you’ll allow it, I’d like to quote myself from January 30th, because I’ll always feel the same way:
But I don’t really think of it as a Christmas movie, even though it has the word Christmas in the title. A Christmas Story is just a family movie. I’ll always remember sitting on the couch, watching this with my family… no matter what the weather is like outside or if there’s a tree in the corner of the room.
Very diverse! Nice to see Allen, Scorsese, and Spielberg all highlighted here! No “Desperately Seeking Susan”? Ha
Well I can’t argue since I spent my most formative years in the eighties and cannot yet separate my memories from the realities of the movies from that decade. But I do agree A Christmas Story is a classic in the making. Family memories here too. But I still can’t watch it at other times of the year. No Indiana Jones? Maybe it’s my memories interfering again. Coming To America? Maybe it’s just me lol. Me and my childhood memories …
Wait, what about the Breakfast Club?!?!
:(
Does that mean you haven’t seen this one either?! LOL, well, you’ve got time to catch up!
Can you believe I haven’t seen Raiders of the Lost Ark or Coming to America?
I see… Well, they were certainly two of my favorites growing up. Whether you would see them as I saw them is difficult to predict, but they’re certainly both very entertaining in their own ways.
Thanks for the reminder about “The Gods Must Be Crazy”.
Okay, I’m sure you’ll get the “but you forgot” comments like crazy no matter what ten movies you picked. But you did forget “Ghostbusters”.
I always get those. I deserve about half of them.
This is a pretty impressive list I must say. A lot of surprises which make it a truly unique and appreciable because all ten are good movies. I like that you added to the title “that I have seen” to fend off nay-sayers.
I loved the 80′s.. Stand By Me is one of my fave’s.. Raging Bull is such a classic! Great list.
Good call on number 1! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that movie. I only watch it when it’s on TBS and YES, I watch it almost 24 hours straight. LOL It’s such a great movie. You know that part when Ralphie imagine to get a A+++++++ on his “What I want for Christmas” essay…I’ve thought that many of times in school too. LOL
There is nothing more refreshing than seeing someone stick EMPIRE and A CHRISTMAS STORY in front of something like RAGING BULL.
Lovely list.
I found the addition of “The Thin Blue Line” to be both a surprising and impressive pick. Leaving aside the films you mentioned, the following are just some films you should see if you haven’t and perhaps in the future, you may want to revisit this particular blog to update it: Blade Runner, El Norte, The Natural, Platoon, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Tootsie.
Snap out of it! ;) flippin LOVE Moonstruck! and just about every other flick on this list! I’d move Stand By Me closer to the top (or bottom?) though :)
My fav and mainly coz it was the first movie I watched – brilliant, and I had no shame about crying at the end. Still tear up 20+ years later.
Even now, Stand by Me tears me up. It was such an unexpected movie, loved it.
Thrilled to see Raging Bull make the list.
I have seen Christmas Story about 145781 times. Give or take.
I’m happy to see the Stand by Me (even though for me it should be much higher up). I love that movie sooooo much (here’s what I think of it http://wp.me/p19wJ2-ih)… but where is raiders of the lost ark!?!?! http://wp.me/p19wJ2-mE
The Thin Blue Line, Moonstruck and Stand By Me, Aye! Will look forward to seeing those.
I like #10 and #4 (and I love the honorable mentions, both), and I love #s 5, 3, and 2, but I can’t stand #1. Drives me nuts, and I know I’m the only kid on the planet with the nerve to say that. Here’s my top ten of the 80s:
1. Raging Bull
2. A Fish Called Wanda
3. The Shining
4. Ordinary People
5. Blade Runner
6. Die Hard
7. Rain Man
8. The Blues Brothers
9. Airplane!
10. The Empire Strikes Back
Honorable mentions:
Gandhi, Gremlins, The King of Comedy, The Naked Gun, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Return of the Jedi, Spaceballs
(Weird. All of them are from either ’88 or ’80 expect # 5.)
The Blues Brothers would have to go in the honorable mentions column for me. And I’m not a big fan of Die Hard.
Forgot to mention ET and Poltergeist on my list. Too many classics of that decade!
… And talking about ET, this is for all the lovers of that masterpiece.
http://wp.me/p19wJ2-ym
Stand By Me is so underrated, its scary! Great way to begin your list!
Love em all. ;-)