I Can Remember LOTS of Things: '80s Movies

[WestEndGirl]

Oh yes, I loved "Space Camp" too! One of my friends had that on VHS and we watched it over and over. We used to argue over who could like Kelly Preston's character and who could like Lea Thompson's (because only one of us could like a character at a time? who knows.)

And of course, "Dirty Dancing." I am amazed my parents let me see that one. Same with "Pretty Woman."

[divasahm]

One of my favorites is National Lampoon's Vacation. It was the movie that Mr. d and I saw on our first date and to this day, we watch it if it's on. The cast is perfect, especially Imogene Coca as Aunt Edna--she still cracks me up every time.

I wonder, though, if our repeated viewings are the reason that we never took the kids on an extended road trip until last summer... (it went fine--nobody died.)

[Daisy Pusher]

Jan 6, 2009 22:33:28 GMT -4 groovethang said:

Another movie I remember that I believe Tim Robbins wants to pretend never happened is Fraternity Vacation. The other guy in Valley Girl (Nicolas Cage's friend) was also in this movie.

Was that the one set in Palm Springs, and the blonde female love interest drove a white VW Rabbit convertible?

Another 80s movie I always had affection for is Hot Dog The Movie. I came across it on On Demand recently, and could not believe it because it had been probably 20 years since I last saw it. Superb freestyle skiing sequences--remember when ballet was all the rage? Ignoring the woeful acting of most involved (except for David Naughton), it is a fun movie to watch and I love seeing shots of Squaw with the lake in the distance.

[raqs]

Jan 7, 2009 10:27:05 GMT -4 @stalemate said:

I remember being in the 8th or 9th grade and friend's talking about Nightmare on Elm Street, talking about how it was the scariest movies they'd ever seen. And it even made the boys cry with fear.

I saw it during the day then had to babysit that night and was terrified after I put the kids to bed. That movie was so freaking scary.

I was a big fan of Jim Henson movies. The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. I also adored The Never Ending Story.

Did anyone ever see Space Camp? Lea Thompson, Tate Donovan, Kelly Preston, Joaquin Phoenix, Kate Caphsaw, Tom Skeritt. I saw it at the theater and saw the preview for Feris Bueller's Day Off and wanted to see that movie so bad!!

One of my most favorite movies from the 80's is Stand by Me. "Suck my fat one you cheap dime store hood!" But whoa it was filled with profanity. Luckily my mom let me watch anything I wanted so it was no problem for me.

I also remember my mother taking me to see Gremlins. I so didn't get the point of the movie. I wanted a Mogwai so bad. I remember the grocery store had a huge display of Mogwai plushies that would giggle when shook. My best friend and I set practically the whole display laughing. It was great.

It was funny we didn't own a VCR so we would rent one during weekends and as many movies as we could. For some reason we were always watching The Beast Master. Brian Singer and his muscles... Hmmm

Dissolving into a pile of misty nostalgia from every single one of these movie titles. How about Red Dawn, The Lost Boys, War Games, Iron Eagle, Taps.

The Outsiders wins hands down as my absolute favorite 80's movie - was the first VHS I ever owned and I think I was in love with every one of those guys. Oh Matt Dillon, I had so much angsty, teenage lust for you and your bad boy self

Speaking of back in time - How about Menudo? I can't believe there is a present-day incarnation of that band floating around.

eta: How could we forget Porkys?

[Atreides]

Jan 7, 2009 9:32:43 GMT -4 Karrit said:

"Back to the Future" is one of my favorite '80s flicks. This was at the $1 theater for about a year. I was at uni at the time and my roommate and I would see it whenever we were really bored. To this day, I can recite the whole movie, almost word for word.

Didn't like either of the sequels though.

For some reason, Back to the Future II scared the crap out of me. The futuristic scenes were fine but at some point, the characters end up in some dark and creepy place. I think my mind has erased the memories as that's all I can really remember.

I remember seeing La Bamba from 1987 as a kid. Don't laugh but that movie exposed me to death as a tangible concept. My very young mind was blown away at the idea that people who weren't old could die just like that.

[proper stranger]

Jan 7, 2009 12:34:15 GMT -4 divasahm said:

One of my favorites is National Lampoon's Vacation. It was the movie that Mr. d and I saw on our first date and to this day, we watch it if it's on. The cast is perfect, especially Imogene Coca as Aunt Edna--she still cracks me up every time.

Oh man, I love Vacation! So many classic lines:

Cousin Eddie, the gourmet: "I don't know why they call this stuff Hamburger Helper. It does just fine by itself!"

Clark's eulogy: "And, yea, though the Hindus speak of karma, I implore you--give her a break."

And the piece de resistance, Clark's "quest for fun" rant:

This is no longer a vacation--it's a quest. It's a quest for fun. I'm gonna have fun and you're gonna have fun. We're all gonna have so much fucking fun we'll need plastic surgery to remove our Godamn smiles. You'll be whistling "Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah" out of your assholes! I gotta be crazy! I'm on a pilgrimage to see a moose. Praise Marty Moose!

When I'm giving someone directions, I always want to start by saying, "You see that sign that says "rib tips"? F*** that--you don't wanna go that way."

[Augustus]

Man, this entire thread has made me realise that I love a lot of 80s movies!

Conan the Barbarian movies and all the others, like Red Sonja. Weird Science, Mannequin and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The Dark Crystal and the Labyrinth. Mustn't forget The Never Ending Story. I love Dangerous Liaisons more than Amadeus. Bill & Ted's, which introduced me to Keanu. I still flove Clash of the Titans. The Gremlins, Ghostbusters and I'm sure I have forgotten lots more.

I haven't seen Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles for years nor do I want to, but boy do I remember the horrendous pink prom dress Molly RIngwald wore.

[kateln]

I remember seeing La Bamba when I was 9, and loving it. I had such a crush on Lou Diamond Phillips after that movie.

[Deleted]

Anyone else remember A Nightmare On Elm Street 2? That movie was bad, bad, bad. I distinctly remember an exploding bird and a pervy P.E. teacher getting whipped in the showers while wearing leather fetish-gear. Bizarre, yet so bizarre as to be enjoyable.

[Ripley]

All these are bringing back great memories. I loved Ghostbusters. I still sometimes shout "Dogs and Cats! Living Together! Mass Hysteria!" much to TTMR's glee. Hilarious!

I was trying to remember the movies I saw in the theater. Labyrinth was a joy to my teenaged self (David Bowie was so hot in his tights). Did anybody else see Psycho 3? God, that was a piece of crap.