Platoon

The film Platoon, directed by Oliver Stone, is possibly the most graphic war movie of all time. Taking place in Vietnam, the film follows the life of Private Chris Taylor, Charlie Sheen, from his first day entering the jungle to his last. Throughout his tour, he faces not only gruesome battles with the Vietnamese soldiers, but also moral dilemmas within himself. Stone was able to portray Taylor’s experience so realistically because he himself was a soldier in the Vietnam War.

Taylor originally chooses to enter war because his father fought in World War II. Taylor was also not doing well in college so he felt like it was a good decision to drop out. However, once he arrives in Vietnam he realizes that he made a big mistake. He comes to realize the hard way that he and his fellow soldiers are not only struggling to maintain their lives from day to day, but also their sanity. In a world with no law enforcement where no rules or ethics apply, Taylor is forced to choose himself between what is right and what is wrong.

This is a very powerful film in many ways. Stone deliberately made the battle scenes extremely graphic in an attempt to convey what Vietnam was really like. For its time, this was as vivid of a portrayal that there was in the eighties. To this day, there have not been many war movies that have lived up to the realistic nature that this film offers. An exception and comparison to this type of film would be “Saving Private Ryan,” directed by Steven Spielberg which took place during D-Day; however, Spielberg did not fight in World War II like Stone fought in Vietnam.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

For my last blog I figured I would do the most popular movie of the 80’s, The Breakfast Club. This movie is the epitome of the 80’s. Like many movies form this era, it examines the relationship between young teen, and authority figure. These movies tend to frame the youths as the heroes and the adults as the enemies. The “uncool” kids are the ones that listen to the principle, and the “cool” kids are the ones that rebel. Bender, Ferris Bueller from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Jeff Specoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Ren from Footloose are all glorified as the heroes because they question authority. Vernon, the principle, is made to look like an idiot by Bender simply because he refuses to adhere to his rules. By pretending not to care about the consequences, Vernon’s ability to have authority over him is shot. Mr. Rooney from Ferris Buellers Day off comes off like an idiot because he can’t control Ferris. He spends all day trying to catch him, and ends up getting more hurt than Ferris. All the teen authorities come off as dumb, and the kids (who are breaking the rules) come off as cool. Brian, who is by far my favorite character simply because he got a fake ID so he could vote, is uncool because he does what he’s told. But in the end, in true 80’s cheesy fashion, they realize that they’re all the same. They all have a little brain, rebel, princess, athlete, and basket case in them. “We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are better at hiding it, that’s all”- (Andrew- the Jock).

Ghost Busters

The film Ghost Busters, directed by Ivan Reitman in 1984, is a comedic tale about three friends Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz, and Eagon Spengler who get fired from their jobs as professors at Columbia and are forced to find other means to make money. The three friends decide to go into business together as ghost catchers but can't seem to make any money when they first start.

The ghost busters get their first big break when they get a call to capture a ghost in a popular hotel in the city . The ghost catchers, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis, eventually catch the ghost within the hotel and in doing so jump start their business. The three friends hire Winston Zeddmore, played by Ernie Hudson, as their new partner.

Eventually later on within the film the government closes down the ghost catching buisness and releases all the once captured ghost onto the city. Eventually Peter and his friends are forced to take on a demon with an incredible amount of power that was released under paranormal circumstances.

This film is one of my favorite movies of all time. The special effects for its time were amazing and you couldn't get a better story. The plot combined with the great casting made this movie one of the hit movies of 1984. The movie plays on the horrow craze of the 80's by making fun of such movies as Nightmare on Elms street, and Halloween. If you like funny movies this is a good one to watch

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/

Young Guns

Young Guns

Young Guns is a classic gun fighting movie set in old west in the 1800’s. How can anyone turn down Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, and Keifer Southerland. These three are part of a group of “regulators” as they call themselves who are on a quest for vengeance of their old boss while using their power of the law to fight criminals and corrupt businessmen in New Mexico. The story revolves around the character Billy the Kid who is ultimately the one who abuses the power given to the regulators by the sheriff. This then sets into motion, a waive of bounty hunters who try and kill the regulators and just basically leads to more good ol’ fashioned gun fightin’. Strong bonds between characters start to mold and add to the depth of the story. There is also a love story in the background with Doc’s (Southerland’s) character who falls for an Asain girl who is property of the man who killed his boss. The end of this movie is the best when the gang becomes trapped and attempt to take on 100 men by themselves. If you like action, you will love this movie which also has a decent plot to it as well. All the guys out there in the class, if you haven't seen this movie yet you definately should. I don't like westerns at all and I liked this movie jsut beacause of the action. Its always on AMC or USA too so you can catch it on TV.

Classic Quotes:
“Regulators, let’s mount up.”

"Dear Governor Axtell,
I've heard that you will give 200 dollars for my head. Perhaps we should meet and talk. I am at the Juarez village at the border. Send 3 men, and instruct them not to shoot, as I am unarmed. In short, Sir; I surrender.

Your obedient servant,
William H. Bonney.

PS: I changed my mind. Kiss my ass."

“They say he’s killed more men than small pox.”


Check out the trailer....

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096487/trailers-screenplay-E13118-10-2

Ski Patrol

Ski Patrol


Now that I am back home in Rhode Island, I had to go down to Blockbuster and rent a couple of 80’s movies to finish up the semester’s blog requirement. Since it is about 20 degrees here (not like 80 when I left) I figured 1990’s Ski Patrol might be fitting. This is basically your classic 80’s slapstick comedy starring the only notable name that looks familiar, George Lopez. Now if you have 91 minutes of pure boredom maybe you might want to pick this movie up but even then I wouldn’t recommend it. The basic plot line is that a ski resort is being threatened to get shut down and taken over by a developer who is then going to build on what was once the ski mountain. The only hope left lies within the out-of-control ski patrol and its members. The developer realizes that the only way to shut down the resort is to create a few problems on the mountain and damage the immaculate safety record that the ski patrol has upheld for so many years. The only other person that I had seen before in this movie was the guy from the original Saved by the Bell, the janitor Milo I think his name was, T.K. Carter. I originally rented this movie because I enjoy skiing and you just don’t see too many skiing movies- now I know why… This was just poorly thought out even for a comedy of the 80’s. Next time you pass this title in your favorite video store just keep on walkinnnnn


Check out the trailer if you don’t believe me…

http://videodetective.com/default.asp?frame=http://videodetective.com/home.asp?PublishedID=1029

Field of Dreams (1989)

Field of Dreams” is one of the best baseball films of all time. It involves an Iowa corn farmer who plows over his valuable cornfields to build a baseball field which brings back the Chicago Blacksox and “Shoeless” Joe Jack, the reason being because he hears a voice. After the voice comes up multiple times again later, he is compelled to follow his instincts and listen to it, risking bankruptcy.

When everybody else thinks that Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) is straight-up out of his mind, he disregards their thoughts and does what he feels is right. The trick is that the voice does not tell him directly what to do; Ray must infer the voice’s message and act on it appropriately. He ends up going out of his way to, driving across the nation to find Terrance Mann (James Earl Jones), an author who wrote about the Brooklyn Dodgers. He then realizes that Terrance is the only other person who is able to pick up on these hidden messages. He also comes to learn that the only people who can see the Blacksox’s ancient players on his field are the people that believe it to be true.

“Field of Dreams” is a true thriller that involves fantasy fiction, yet still indulges into themes of mankind. It is an entertaining film to watch which includes great acting performances from Costner Jones, and Ray Liotta as “Shoeless Joe.” In addition, for sports fans out there, it includes a good deal of baseball history and would fascinate even those who don’t like sports. Overall, it is a genius film appropriate and enjoyable for people of all ages.

Cheech & Chong: Still Smokin'

I just finished watching Cheech & Chong Still Smokin. Overall I think this movie was pretty funny. I have always been a fan of silly humor, so the jokes in this movie work out for me fine.

The movie basically follows Cheech & Chong on a journey to Amsterdam. They got invited to Amsterdam by Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds to attend a film festival and go to many parties. One of the hosts of the parties decided to run off with all the money, so Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds never show up, and the other host of the part is left dirt poor. The people of Amsterdam confuse Cheech and Chong for Mr. Burt and Mr. Dolly. To help the other arty host get his money back so he can help his wife and family, Cheech and Chong decide to do a show at the film festival.

The whole movie follows Cheech and Chong as they journey around Amsterdam. The basic plot line of the movie is pretty dull. Infact, I didnt really like the movie untill Chong started having his day dreams. Those were some of my favorite parts of the movie. Chong would have day dreams about the most ridiculous things. My favorite day dream was when Chong dreamed about them being a gay couple. I was laughing the entire time.

My other favorite part of the movie was at the end, when they were putting on the show. It was basically like stand up comedy, and stand up comedy is my most favorite kind of entertainment. I thought the entire thing was sooo hilarious. I especially loved the scene where they pretended to be dogs, and Chong pretended to make a bowel movement on stage. It was a little vulgure, but at the same time it was so ridiculious that you had to laugh.

This was my first time seeing a Cheech and Chong movie, and I thought it was hilarious. I will deffinatly be renting more of there films.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

The Breakfast Club is a classic teen film based on a group of five high school teenagers serving a Saturday morning detention. Each of the five students are categorized with different stereotypes. However, throughout their detention, they begin to bond with each other, realizing that they have a lot more in common than they thought.

John Bender (Judd Nelson), the punkish, rebel kid, is the center point of the group; for, he does not get along with anybody and is already known as a troublemaker. The other four characters include Brian (Anthony Michael Hall) the nerdy kid, Andy (Emilio Estevez) the jock/wrestler, Claire (Molly Ringwald) the spoiled rich girl, and Allison (Ally Sheedy) the weird girl who nobody understands.

Most of the people in the group get along with each other fine except for Bender; everyone seems to have a problem with him. Ironically enough, however, Bender is mostly responsible for bringing the group together. His outgoing and talkative personality gels the group by constantly providing action and conversation.

This is arguably the best teen film of all time, as it accurately depicts the stereotypes of a high school. To this day in 2006 (almost 2007), all high schools across the nation still have kids that fit these stereotypes. In addition, it is a heart-warming story that brings a group of different people together as one. These aspects combined with a good laugh make this film a fun one to watch.

The Shining (1980)

The Shining is a creepy scary movie that leaves the viewer frightened hours after watching it. I think the scariest character of this film was the little boy, Danny who had different voices and rode his mini bike through the hallways. What also added to the scary tactic of the film was the music. Even before something creepy happened, we heard the music so we knew something was about to happen. Even though this film did not have as much killing and brutality as other horror films, it still does its job of getting the audience scared and leaving them with the plot still going through their head.

The Shining is the story of Jack Torrence who applies for a job as a caretaker of The Overlook Hotel in the Rocky Mountains. This hotel has been abandoned for years and when he goes for the interview, he is told that the last caretaker shot and killed his family due to the loneliness he experienced. He decided to take the job and after he says this we see a shot of his son visualizing the hotel and the old caretakers two murdered daughters. When the family finally arrives and settles in, we see a change in Jack as his temper grows and he is continuously yelling at his wife. As winter becomes worse, we see Danny's shinings (voices) getting more intense. After Jack has a terrible dream about killing both Wendy and Danny, we see Danny emerge from upstairs with scrapes all over his neck. Soon after this, we see Jack going crazy and entering a 1920's ballroom where he meets up with Mr. Grady, the old caretaker who tells Jack how he corrected his famiy and how Jack should do the same thing. We see Jack going crazy, trying to kill his wife and son. Jack dies in a maze and in the last scene there is a photo that says Overlook Hotel, July 4th Ball, 1921 with Jack in the front row.

Through sounds, symbolism, and cinematography, this film provides great horror and sometimes humor. This film definitely makes the audience jump and does a good job of completely freaking everyone out. I would highly recommend this film for those that love a good fright.

Ghostbusters II

Ghostbusters II begins several years after the events of the first film, and the popularity of our heroes has dwindled down from national media attention to hosting children's birthday parties. A lack of ghosts to capture has them out of business until Peter Venkman's (Bill Murray) old flame, Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver), asks the gang to investigate some paranormal activity surrounding her child. It turns out to be connected to some hateful slime and an evil painting.

The most memorable scene in the film, and possibly the series, would be the legendary Statue of Liberty fight scene. In order to get into a museum covered in evil goo, the Ghostbusters use the same evil goo and some soul music courtesy of Jackie Wilson to bring the statue to life. It proceeds to walk across New York City to the museum, where it breaks all the windows, allowing the Ghostbusters to run in and zap the evil painting. Ghostbusters II made a lot of sense.

The problem with this film is that it is very loosely held together by a plot that involves goo and paintings. The movie is completely ridiculous, in that regard. However, if you can ignore the weak plot and simply look at it for its entertainment value, it is just as much fun as the first.

Scrooged

While many people of my generation look at A Christmas Story as the definitive 80's Christmas film, I've always preferred Bill Murray's Scrooged, an adaption of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Bill Murray plays Frank Cross, a modern-day Scrooge who owns his own television company and is in the process of making his own live-action special of A Christmas Carol. Frank goes about Christmas the entirely wrong way, whether it is firing people or giving half-hearted gifts, until he is visited by three ghosts and shown the true spirit of Christmas.

While Murray delivers a great performance as Cross, the real stars of this film are the role players. Carol Kane and Daniel Johansen are particularly enjoyable as the Ghosts of Christmas Present and Past, respectively. The scene in which Kane repeatedly delivers blow after blow to Cross, from a toaster to the face to a swift kick to the privates, was one of my top 5 favorites as a young one.

The true hero of the film, however, is a staple of 80's comedies, Bobcat Goldthwait. Riding the popularity generated from his performance as Zed in the Police Academy films, Goldthwait appears as Eliot Loudermilk, an employee that Frank fires on Christmas Eve. Eliot proceeds to go berzerk and returns to terrorize the building later on. Goldthwait is the true scene stealer in this film. With his off-pitch voice and wacky antics, he creates a truly unforgettable character.

Commando (1985)

Starring: Arnold Shwarzeneggar
http://imdb.com/title/tt0088944/

Commando is the most unrealistic action movie I have every seen. Shwarzeneggar plays Col. John Matrix. He is an ex-commando and his daughter has been kidnapped by the dictator of some South-American country. Matrix is probably the most muscular army guy I have ever scene. H escapes from his enemies and goes to Val Verde to rescue his daughter. Once in Val Verde, Matrix kills what seems to be over a thousand people.

He is probably the most badass character ever. When he goes to use Cindy’s car and cannot fit, he simply rips the front seat out of the car and sits on the gound. Only Arnold can do that…Matrix even manages to land a fall from a plane that just took off with out hurting himself.Another one of my favorite scenes is when he breaks into the gun store and finds the secret red button. This button opens up secret compartments in the store filled with crazy weapons such as a bazooka. Matrix brings these weapons to Val Verde and is unstoppable. Although it is realistic that one man kills hundreds and takes down what seems to be an entire army, it is still entertaining. There are still cool guns and huge explosions, which in my book make a good movie. If you do not like Arnold Shwarzeneggar or ridiculous and unrealistic action films, I suggest you stay away from Commando.

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Starring: Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards
http://imdb.com/title/tt0088000/

Although dorky and ridiculous, Revenge Of the Nerds is absolutely hilarious. This movie is about two nerdy best friends, Lewis and Gilbert. They are both the stereotype of a typical nerd. They have geeky laughs, wear pocket protectors and glasses, and have large I.Q.’s in place of big mussels. Lewis and Gilbert are most excited about the “chicks” in college. Throughout the film Lewis and Gilbert are teased and harassed by the Alpha Beta’s. The quarter back of the football team, Stan Gable, is an Alpha Beta who has a person vendetta with Lewis. The two decide to join a fraternity, and become Tri-Lams. Stan Gable, whom is also the president of the greek counsel, does everything in his power to hurt the nerds. The Trilam’s realize the only way for them to escape the wrath of Gable is by winning the homecoming games. By using their brains, the nerds are able to win most of the events. One example of this is during the bicycle race. Each lap each rider has to chug a beer. The Trilam’s come up with a pill that reduces the effects of alcohol and they are able to perform at a much higher level than the rest. Another example is during the Javolyn Toss, Lamar is given a javolyn by one of the nerds that was designed to fly further.The nerds do the best prank I have ever heard of and put hidden camera’s all over the girls sorority. They prove through the rest of the movie that brain power is more important, and win respect from the majority of the campus. It is made clear that the nerds have out-done the Alpha Beta’s when Stan Gable’s long time girlfriend Betty has sex with Lewis on an artificial blow up moon. If you want a good laugh, watch this movie.

The Heathers (1989)

Directed by Michael Lehmann
The Heathers is definitely The Mean Girls and Jaw Breakers of the 80's. It offers a dark, satirical perspective of high school and popularity. What makes the film so comical is that all of the female clique members besides Veronica are named Heather. This adds an almost unreal characteristic to film, but as one watches the film it is clear to see how unrealistic and imaginary the whole film is. While this film depicts the cruelty of high school girls and cliques it does it in a way that makes the audience laugh because the characters in the film do not seem to understand how truly mean they are being and how they are living in a fantasy world.

The Heathers is the story of Veronica Sawyer who is in the popular group called the Heathers. Unlike the other girls in the group, she is not nearly as stuck up and does not understand why they are either. She claims the only reason she hangs out with them is because it is her "job." We often see the clique playing croquet, making fun of people, and using their own slang. While Veronica hates them, she initially does not do anything about it. As the film progresses, we see Veronica hating the Heather's more and more. One night after the "head" Heather embarrasses her at a party she has had enough. We see her at home frantically writing in her diary about how much she hates the three Heathers. When she meets Jason Dean, everything changes for her. He gives her the confidence to disassociate from the Heathers, but at the same time kill the head "Heather" by going over to her house with drain cleaner. At first Veronica is relieved but then she begins to realize that even though one is dead, there are still two others and another assumes the "head" role. As they continue their killing spree murdering two football players, other students start to kill themselves because it is the "cool" thing to do, leaving Veronica feeling guilty. She tells Jason Dean she cannot do this anymore and he freaks out attempting to kill her, but she fakes a suicide. When she learns Jason is going to set a bomb off at a school pep rally, she goes where they get into a fight and she shoots his middle finger off. After he rushes out to the pep rally and detonates a bomb, we see Veronica ashy and bleeding. The last scene that we see is Veronica ripping the red bow out of Heather Duke’s hair that she always wears and putting it in her own hair.

This is one of the best black comedies made, especially for the time since it is one of the first 80's films to depict the true dark side of high school. While John Hughes films may shine some light on the cruelties in high school, it does not compare to this which gives a much colder and harsh view. In addition to this, the cast is brilliant with Winona Ryder playing Veronica as a disturbed but truly enlightening character. Even though this film is old, it still depicts high school cliques in a light that may still be too familiar for some.

Sleepaway Camp (1983)

Sleepaway Camp is a low budget horror film set on a lake at camp Arawak. Angela is a quiet girl that is uninterested in the activities and is constantly picked on by the other campers at the camp. She is the survivor of a motor boat accident that killed her father eight years earlier and is very removed from the rest of the camp. When murders start to happen the owner of the camp tries to keep them quiet because he does not want his camp to be shut down. More dead campers and employees are found, but the killer remains a mystery until the end of the film when we find out that Angela was the killer all alond and the she was in fact a boy and not a girl.
Although it is cheesy and the murders throughout the story aren't very scary, I thought that the ending was great. When i watched the film, i actually had to watch the Texas Chainsaw Massacre to calm down. With that being said, the ending doesn't really make up for the rest of the story which is weakly thrown together and sometimes boring. I can appreciate the fact that the movie was probably a little creepier when it came out in 1983, but it would definately be an overstatement to call Sleepaway Camp a good horror movie. The only way to enjoy this film is to go into it knowing that you'll probably feel like laughing more than anything. And if you read this blog and already know the ending, don't even bother.

The Untouchables (1987)

The untouchables is a classic gangster movie set in the 1930's in Chicago. It's the story of Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) trying to put the famous crime kingpin Al Capone (Robert DeNiro) behind bars. Ness is a federal agent called upon to stop the illegal flow of alcohol in the city. After an attempted raid fails, he almost gives up hope until he gets help from a veteran cop named James Malone (Sean Connery). After teaming up with Malone, they enlist a rookie cop George Stone (Andy Garcia) to help them take Capone down. After raiding a large brewery Ness and his family become wanted by Capone and he sends his wife and his daughter away to safety. His team of untouchables (called so because of their refusal of bribes) then stops a shipment and finds out Capone's business information after capturing his book keeper and making him confess. Capone is taken to court on the charges of tax evasion and is put in jail because of Ness' efforts.
This true story is told amazingly, and keeps the viewer at the edge of their seat. It is very interesting to see how the famous Al Capone was caught and life of Eliot Ness, the man that caught him. The cast makes the story believable and add to the already great plot. The Untouchables is a classic gangster film that can be enjoyed by people that aren't already interested in the story of downfall of Al Capone.

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

Bill and Ted’s excellent adventure might be one of the dumbest yet entertaining movies ever made. It marks the beginning of the age of totally pointless stoner flicks geared toward the teenage burn-out. However, with an open mind even the non-stoners can enjoy the film on a very basic level. Much like Jeff Specoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Ted Logan (aka Theodore Logan) and Bill S. Preston ‘esquire’ are threatened to fail history if they don’t get an A on their presentation. Their troubles are solved when a mysterious man comes to them with a phone-booth time machine that will bring them into the past to gather information for their presentation. It’s almost like reading rainbow for stoners in that it brings together simple historical concepts into a fun and interesting setting. The movie makes an obvious reference to Fast Times at Ridgemont High with the struggle between teen and authority figure. Once the teens realize that history and learning can actually be fun when it is put into terms they can relate to, they are finally able to respect the teacher’s efforts to teach. Some of the interactions between the historical figures are actually very clever, like some of the more subtle jokes with Freud. Whereas some of them are almost painfully stupid, like Lincoln’s speech to the class in which he tells the class to “party on, dude.” Despite all the work they do to gather all the figures, and the lessons they learn, they still can’t properly pronounce the names of some of the historical figures or understand the concepts. Like many films of the 80’s, this film is best if taken for pure entertainment value. There is apparently a Bill and Ted cult following, which can be found online at www.billandted.org.

Dirty Dancing 1987

Dirty Dancing is the Classic tale of love overcoming class.
BabyHouseman is the daughter of Dr. Houseman and she is obviously a "daddy's girl." the beginning of the movie shows Baby in the car with her sister, mom, and father driving to the summer getaway they've been going to for years. Her voiceover explains how she is still naive and doesn't even care yet that people call her baby.
Shortly after arrivng, Baby watches Johnny Castle, the dancer and dance instructor, and is intrigued. Johnny is from the wrong side of the tracks and it would be a major breech of social contract for Baby to be involved with him.
Baby saves his friend and saves his job by covering for his partner while she gets an "abortion." Of course the two fall in love, but they can never be together. When Baby finally reveals to her father that she's been seeing Johnny, he is extremely disappointed. Johnny gets fired for their relationship, but of course comes back for her in the end. Where they have their finally dancing number at the annual talent show. Dr. Houseman sees that he is a good guy.In a corny and completely unrealistic finish, the poor workers and the rich people who attend all merge to dance together all because Baby and Johnny beat the class system!
Opening Voiceover:
"That was the summer of 1963 - when everybody called me Baby, and it didn't occur to me to mind. That was before President Kennedy was shot, before the Beatles came, when I couldn't wait to join the Peace Corps, and I thought I'd never find a guy as great as my dad. That was the summer we went to Kellerman's."- Baby

The Shining 1980

In 1980 Stanley Kubrick's The Shining was released in theatres. The film, of course, was an adaptation of Stephen King's novel. I had read the book previous to viewing the movie and found the book to hold much more suspense. In my opinion, it is interesting that a text would evoke more fear than a movie seeing as a movie is a multi-track medium and is able to directly influence more senses.
Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a recovering alcoholic and english teacher, takes the job as the witner caretaker at the Overlook Hotel. The Hotel is completely isolated during the winter and he takes his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and son, Danny (Danny Lloyd). In the book, it is clear that there is a supernatural power that seems to posess Jack. The reader knows this because of a topiary with moving animals. However, in the film it seems more that Jack has gone mad being isolated with his family. He eventually tries to kill his wife and child, but ends up dieing in the snow himself.
The film utilizes the steady cam during long takes of Danny riding his bicycle through the halls of the hotel. The bicycle runs from wood to carpet and the noise is far louder than it should be, creating suspense.
Famous Quote:
"Here's Johnny!" -Jack Nicholas

The Breakfast Club

I watched The Breakfast Club for my first time over the weekend. I really liked this movie. I tend to like "teen movies" usually, but this movie was more than just a teen movie. Although it had the typical people, the brain, the jock, the outcast, the princess, the bad apple, and the bullying principal adult, the movie was still really different.

The movie follows a group of students, all from different scoail groups in their high school, to detention on a saturday mornning. It is a really strange group of kids to all have, and they more than likely would never have hung out together if it haden;t been for their all getting detention at the same time. The movie shows how they dont get along in the beginning, and they dont really give eachother a chance, but as the movie goes on, and they start to really talk to eachother and get to know eachother, but see through the sterio types they held of eachother, and see that they all have alot of the same problems.

It made fun of othe teen movies in the sense that it was so obnoxious about making a point of who each kid in detention was. They really went out of their way to say stero-type all the kids to fit into a catagory.

Emilio Estevez is really quite handsom in this movie. He is obviously much younger, but this is one of the only movies he has actually looked pretty good in. It is funny to see all those actors in this movie, like Judd Nelson, who looks COMPLETELY different, and Molly Ringwald, who looked very different in her movie before this, Sixteen Candles. They all look much older now, and it is funny to see them from when they were so young.

Overall I think this is a really good film. At times it is a bit cliche, but it still holds a slightly different look and feel than most other teen movies.

The Jerk 1979

"I think next week I'll be able to send some more money as I may have extra work. My friend Patty promised me a blow job." --Navin Johnson in a letter home to his family.

I know what you're thinking: "This isn't an eighties film--it was made in 79!" Please, calm down, take a seat, we can make this work.

Although The Jerk isn't technically a film of the 80's, it does contain subject matter similar to the other eighties films we've studied. Navin Johnson, played by a hilarious and naive Steve Martin, realys his rags-to-riches then back-to-rags but then lifted-up-again-into-riches story. A pasty white man born into a black family, Martin has to venture out of his rural Mississippi household and discover his place among white Americans.

Navin drifts around from job to job, living a simple and happy life and wooing the girl of his dreams. But, once someone takes off with his invention, the "Optigrab," a handle for eye-glasses, and sends him millions of dollars as ten million people buy the product, Navin becomes the exact opposite kind of person he was in Mississippi. He begins to love material things, and the relationship between he and his love Marie falls apart.

Navin hits rock bottom when the product makes people go cross-eyed and he is sued for all of his money. Leaving his wife, he says, "All I need is this ashtray, this paddle game, this remote control, these matches, this lamp, this magazine, and this chair!" as he walks out the door. He has been drivend to ruin by his materialism. But soon, his rural black family comes to his rescue as the father smartly invested the checks Navin sent in a conservative money market account--proving again that the most valuable things in life are not possessions, but things like security, family, love, and contentment.

There is really no reason for you to read the script of The Jerk, but here it is anyway

Steve Martin Homepage

The Toy 1982

"I'm writing a book. That is a job!"

Jack Brown has trouble finding the money to keep his house and support his wife. Because there are no jobs available for black people in the city, especially at the newspaper where Jack dearly wants a job, Jack becomes a cleaning lady.

Throughout The Toy, Richard Pryor's character Jack Brown is a journalist and author struggling to find work and sustain himself in a white-dominated world. Now, that sounds like a pretty grave and serious movie, doesn't it? It's not. The spoiled son of the richest man in the city gets to visit every week and pick out something from the giant toy store. But, the kid is bored with all his toys and, to upset his father, his chooses Jack Brown.

The kid's name is Master Bates.

Richard Pryor displays some of his comedic genius here, but it's not really legendary stuff. However, there are a lot of racial and social issues that play into the plot and understanding of the film. Jack Brown appears to be nothing more than a modern-day slave, as, for one week, he can't go home to his wife and is stuck being a plaything for Master Bates.

In the end, Jack teaches Master Bates how to be a journalist and they print a small newspaper condemning the father and his immoral practices. The father, at final party, is revealed to have ties to the KKK. So, in a moment of kindness, he gives Jack a job at the newspaper.

Oh, did I give away the ending? Sorry--but it's more about the comedy than the racial undertones, anyway.

IMDB

A Funny Richard Pryor Site

Annie By Elyse Lightner

/Users/elyselightner/Desktop/annie.gif

Firstly, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Annie is a typical play of the 80s because of the standard happy ending. There are many obstacles that little Annie overcomes but ultimately finds a family who she loves and is who is willing to adopt the troubled child. Annie is about a girl whose parents leave her in an orphanage but promise to come back to her after a while. The owner of the children center, Mrs. Hannigan, makes the girls do work around the house, serve her, and rarely allow the girls to play outside; basically the only reason she has the job is to pay bills not because she cares for the kids. After many hard nights spent in the home, a wealthy man, Daddy Warbucks, finally comes to take Annie into his house and rescue Annie. The saved orphan celebrates her happiness thorough song. While the staff treat Annie very well, Daddy Warbucks has never had children before and doesn’t know how to act around kids; Annie’s charming personality makes Daddy warm up to her and treats her like his own. After many tribulations and arguments over the legality of adopting Annie, Daddy Warbucks finally prevails and gets as he wishes, to adopt Annie into his family and refer to her as his own.
This tell tale happy story tells of Annie going from being an orphan slaving at the hands of Ms. Hannigan to having people work for her; the staff at the Warbuck mansion bring an entire new wardrobe to Annie and wait on her hand and foot. Annie does not forget where she came from though, she convinces Daddy Warbucks to buy the orphanage and revamp it so the house is enjoyable for the other children to live in and on top of that has Ms. Hannigan removed from ownership.

http://www.orphans.com/info_intro.html
this is a site to see how to help American Orphans and how the houses are run in the present.

Lethal Weapon

Starring:

Danny Glover
Mel Gibson
Gary Busey




The tagline pretty much says it all: “Two cops. Glover carries a weapon. Gibson is one.” Lethal Weapon follows in a long line of buddy cop films like 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop. Danny “I’m too old for this shit” Glover plays Roger Murtaugh, a veteran detective who is forced to partner with Martin Riggs (played by Gibson), an edgy cop with a death wish. Together they discover a widespread drug-smuggling operation and team up to take it down.

This movie follows the standard Hollywood formula. The odd-couple flung together under strange circumstances can’t stand each other at first, but as the movie progresses their bond grows and, eventually, they overcome their differences to defeat a common enemy who, in this movie, is the mercenary Mr. Joshua (played by Gary “My middle name is DUI” Busey) and the ringleader, General Peter McAllister. Throw in the obligatory racially awkward scene—the family dinner where the audience is subjected to Murtaugh’s prepubescent children beat-boxing and rapping, and Murtaugh good-naturedly joining in—and we have a complete buddy cop movie.

What makes the movie enjoyable for me, someone who is watching it for the first time when it is nearly twenty years old, is admiring the collection of future whack-jobs work on screen together: After the movie, Mel Gibson goes on to issue a barely-coherent anti-Semitic rant while drinking and driving, Gary Busey goes on to be a drunk who has no business riding a motorcycle and Danny Glover goes the way of Harry Belafonte, becoming a Castro-loving, Chavez-worshipping, America-hating political nutjob who gives Hollywood lib-labs a bad name.

Aside from the fun cast, Lethal Weapon is a plotline everyone has seen a hundred times before. A good movie with a committable cast.

View Trailer Here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093409/trailers

Overboard by Elyse Lightner

This film is about a snooty woman who sails around on her yacht with her husband and is forced to stop in a country port because of overdue maintenance. While in port, Goldie Hawn hires a carpenter, Kurt Russell, to build shelves in her closet for more show space. When Kurt doesn’t build the shelves to her expectations, she throws him “overboard” literally and figuratively, without pay. Late the next night after the ship has set sail once again, Goldie Hawn walks on deck to retrieve her wedding ring, which she left there earlier. Fatefully, she too, falls overboard. In the cold water, she catches amnesia and forgets her name. The Psyche ward posts signs asking who the woman is and as revenge Kurt Russell takes her back to his shack of a house with four rowdy boys. She doesn’t adjust at first but eventually falls into a routine of disciplining the boys and ultimately ends up falling for the carpenter. However, she eventually comes to and puts the pieces together of where she came from. She leaves the slums and sets sail with her husband once again. She realizes though that she is not as happy doing nothing and being spoiled. She ends up turning around and going back to Kurt in the end. These two real life lovers live happily ever after. The moral of the story here is that love can withstand anything. Unlike most 80s films, this one argues that money isn’t everything, contrary to the 80s mentality which is work hard and earn lots. Family values play a major part in this film.

visit:
www.yachtworld.com
and shop for your future home

National Lampoon's Vacation

The wacky Griswold family is out on a cross-country road trip to Walley World. Let's just say this, the trip does not go exactly as planned! To start off, Clark and his son Russ go to the car dealership to pick up their new car, but the new car they ordered wasn't here, their old car is crushed, and they have to settle for an atrocious "Wagon Queen family truckster." Clark promises the best trip ever, but it proves to be anything but! The problems start right at home as they are pulling out of the garage, and all of their luggage comes off the top of their roof! They set off to St. Louis from Chicago and get lost in St. Louis ending up in the wrong neighborhood. After the family truckster is trashed in the wrong neighborhood in St. Louie, they set off to Cousin Eddie's! This has to be one of the funniest scenes of this hilarious movie, Aunt Edna is cranky, Eddie asks for a large amount of money, and they leave with a new pair of white slippers and a vicious dog! The rest of the trip with Aunt Edna and the vicious dog is hilarious, along with the scenes where Clark tries to imprees the beautiful blonde driving the Ferrari by demonstrating the family truckster's horsepower. Anyway, then the dog dies, followed by Aunt Edna (who they put on the top of the car, and then left in the back porch of a home where the family is on vacation!), they go to the Grand Canyon, and Clark steals the money in the register! So they make it to Walley World, and guess what? IT'S CLOSED! But since they have had such a troubled time getting here, Clark is on the edge and buys a pellet gun and forces his way into Walley World.

Overall, the Griswold's adventure is absolutely hilarious because everything imaginable and more goes wrong! The characters are perfect, Clark is an absolute goofball, and Aunt Edna could not be any more cranky and whiny. For a great comedy, go grab this movie for some classic jokes!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085995/

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark

In the first of the Indiana Jones series is Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harrison Ford plays "Indy" the confident and courageous adventurer. It is very interesting when looking at the very first scene of this film, because it really sets the tone for the movie and the character and reputation of Indiana Jones. In this first scene, Indiana Jones is seen forcing his way through the jungle with his team following him. You actually don't get to see Indy's face until he whips the gun out of a man about to shoot him. This demonstrates Indy's "badassness." Even after he whips the pistol out of the man's hand, he continues to show how tough and smart he is, as he manages to go through the booby-trapped temple unscathed as many others have failed here.

Raiders is set in 1936, as Indiana tries to retrieve a golden idol in an Aztecan temple, and as he achieves this, the idol is taken from him and he has to run from tribes people running after him to kill him. He escapes from a seaplane, and is soon back to his teaching job. Indy then sets out to discover the lost Ark of the Covenant, and the Nazis are also after this biblical piece. He then sets out to Nepal to meet an old aquaintance named Marion who holds a very important artifact and will accompany him on the rest of his journey. They then go to Cairo and wrestle with Belloq and the Nazis over the Ark, but Indiana Jones comes through adversity and settles this and the location and safety of the ark.

Raiders of the Lost Ark is definitely a fun movie, one thing that is great about it is that it makes you think of the possibilities. What if the Ark really is real? What if the Nazis really did set out to gain control of it and its power? Another thing that makes Raiders great is the action, and it is full of it. But the film is a bit overdone in that Indiana is the glorified hero, and always saves the day in sometimes overdone ways.

For more info on Raiders:


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082971/

Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters (1984)

I remember when I was younger, I used to watch “Ghostbusters” all the time, and I still get a rood thrill even when I watch it today. An action packed film with a stellar cast including Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman, Dan Aykroyd as Dr. Raymond Stantz, Sigourney Weaver as Dana Barrett, Harold Ramis as Dr. Egon Spengler, and more, gives this film a good combination of action, drama, and comedy all in one.

In “Ghostbusters,” three unemployed professors start their own business which specializes in getting rid of ghosts. All of their missions are whacky, intriguing, and exciting. The humor in this movie comes from the fact that these people are chasing ghosts, creatures that are supposedly scary, and they do it with smiles on their faces, cracking jokes and staying loose the whole time.

The special effects of the film are also very impressive for its time. Nobody can forget the almighty enormous Marshmellow Man as well as the green goblin ghost, both of which came from the old “Ghostbuster” cartoons. Also, it is a great movie to show to your kids… something fun, a pure good guy verses the bad guy film where the good guys have to fight hard but prevail in the end.

“Ghostbusters” is a timeless film, as people in generations to come will most likely be showing it their kids. Films that include a good mix of drama, comedy, and action will usually be remembered, because it is rare that a combination like that is successfully made. For this reason, you must see “Ghostbusters”… no questions asked!

Coming To America

Coming To America (1988)

A comedy/drama, “Coming To America” is a great film that is very fun to watch. Starring Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem (and a few other characters), he travels from his throne in Africa to Queens, New York to find the love of his life, whoever it may be. While he is in America, he indulges in their society and is amazed at all of the cultural differences.

Most of all, this is a film dominated by blacks, ranging from Africans to African Americans. What makes this movie so fun and entertaining to watch is the humor that Murphy’s character provides. Throughout the film, his oblivion to American society as well as his generosity to strangers in a bad, foreign neighborhood is funny in itself, and not to mention the delightful pleasure of watching an Eddie Murphy comedy, one of his originals at that.

This movie is not strictly a comedy; it is also a light hearted love story at the same time. However, it never is too serious, as it is constantly on the humorous side of things. The film also includes other well known actors such as Arsenio Hall as Semmi (and a few other characters), James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer, and a cameo appearance by Samuel L. Jackson in his first Hollywood movie.

Eddie Murphy gives a deliberate goofy side to all of his characters which makes this movie very humorous. If you are looking for a good laugh but something not too intense to watch on a random night in which you have nothing to do, head to the movie store and rent “Coming To America” if you have not already seen it.

Cocktail (1988)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094889/

Tom Cruise fits easily into the character of Brian Flanagan, a young, charming, ambitioius, and sometimes cocky bartendar who becomes the protege of restaurant-bar guru Bryan Brown. The music in this film is very catchy with your typical feel good 80's songs. Tom Cruise plays the character well and makes you think he has done this before because he has a certain charm and sex appeal. You can tell that the actors had a lot of fun making this film with all of the impressive bar tending tecniques.

Brian Flanagan, a young man recently out of the service decides to go to school for a business degree. To make extra money on the side he works at a cheap restaurant as a bartender (since his family was in the business.) His boss, Doug Couglin, becomes somewhat of a role model to Cruise and teaches Cruise everything he knows about bartending and how to make money off of it through his good looks and charm. After spending time on the Manhattan bar scene with Doug they have a fallout and Flanagan moves to Jamaica to become a bartender there. While there he meets Jordan Mooney, played by Elizabeth Shue. She is on vacation while her friend is passed out from drinking too much. After a while they become madly in love and she extends her vacation. After a while he gets scared of how much he likes her and has an affair with an older woman that visits Jamaica. When Doug commits suicide Flanagan has a change in heart and realizes that life is too short to be alone. Meanwhile Jordan is back home in New York and pregnant with his child. Flanagan goes to apologize to her and her father freaks out and says he cannot be with her. Finally she decides she loves him and goes with him even though her family disowns her. The couple ends up having a thrown together at a bar he opens for Doug called Cocktails and Dreams. After this, Jordan tells Flanagan she is going to have twins.

This movie is like a late day Romeo and Juliet because Jordans family disowns her for going with Flanagan. You can tell from watching the film that Cruise and Shue have a lot of on screen chemistry and their romance is very believeable. It is a very feel good romantic 80's comedy that is mainly directed toward adults.

Evil Dead II

So if you're wise, you took my advice and saw the face melting brilliance that is Sam Raimi's "The Evil Dead". If you havn't taken a moment to readjust all the furniture that has no doubt been thrown around the room in an orgy of cinematic awsomeness, then do so now because Ash is coming back at you in his equally brilliant sequal, "Dead by Dawn".

The story picks up where the last one left off--well--almost where it left off. You see, the five minutes that Raimi takes at the beginning of the film to explain what happened isn't exactly accurate. But that tends not matter because Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell do what they want and no one will tell them otherwise! After the brief moments of lies and deceit, Ashley J. Williams (played by the aforementioned Campbell) proceeds to chop off his hand, shoot it, get drenched in a tidal wave of blood, attach a chainsaw to his bloody stump, and finally get sent back in time.

I would venture to say that this is the best film in the trilogy. It has a good balance of horror and comedy which lays the groundwork for the dry, one-liner sense of humor that Ash developes in the third installement entitled "Army of Darkness". Also, a corpse ballet in the pale moonlight! Does it get any better? I think not. See it or suffer the consequences!

Dirty Dancing: Fun Film

Every girl has seen this movie, at least all of my girlfriends have. This is a great movie to watch when you're feeling down. It's fun, light and easy without boring you. Summer love is the best. For me, the best part of the film is the narration in the beginning, it gets the movie going with a nostalgic tone. Baby is adorable and Johnny Castle is dreamy. I love Baby's relationship with her family, being the more liberal, progressive one. Is this movie quality? No. That being said, the dancing is really quite good and the soundtrack is a lot of fun. This movie touches on what it is like to disobey your family, and beat the odds(as Baby does by dancing as well as does). It also reflects on the importance of selflessness, love, friendship and acceptance. I love at the end of the film when you see Baby's parents in the audience, smiling at how proud they are of their daughter, who, may I add, they spent the majority of the movie disagreeing with. A lot of people find Patrick Swayze very dreamy in this movie, but I can't laughing at him. He IS a great dancer, but it’s just hard to keep a straight face—boys who dance make me laugh, I don’t know. The movie is generally uplifting and leaves you wishing you could dance like they do. It also leaves you wishing you could get back to 1963! On that note, the greatest quote from the film is… “That was the summer of 1963 - when everybody called me Baby, and it didn't occur to me to mind. That was before President Kennedy was shot, before the Beatles came, when I couldn't wait to join the Peace Corps, and I thought I'd never find a guy as great as my dad. That was the summer we went to Kellerman's.”

buy the movie: amazon.com/dirtydancing

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089208/

Girls Just Want to Have Fun is the crappier version of Dirty Dancing that includes a lot of dancing, a good girl- bad boy character combination, strained family relationships, and bitchy girl drama. Sarah Jessica Parker and Lee Montgomery star in this bad dancing chick flick.

Janey is new to Chicago. She and her new best friend Lynn have a love for dancing and when they hear about a dance contest on Dance TV they immediately go to town and try out. Janey is ecstatic when she finds out that she is a finalist, but hides this from her father whom she has a strained relationship with. She is given her dance partner, Jeff whose evil ex girlfriend will do anything in order for Janey and Jeff to fail. She tries to eliminate the competition by inviting Jeff to her debutante ball at her fathers country club. To get back at Natalie, Janey and her friends make copies of the invitations so transvestites and body builders could attend her ball. After this, Natalie's father agrees that he will do anything in his power to make sure that his daughter wins. He tries to threaten Jeff by telling him that if he danced his father would be fired from his job (his father worked for Mr. Sands). After speaking with his father, Jeff decides to enter the contest anyway. Even though Janey is grounded for sneaking out of the house, she still goes to the contest. At the finals there is a dance off between Janey and Jeff and Natalie and her partner. In the end, Janey and Jeff win and are named the new DTV regulars.

Whereas Dirty Dancing is actually interesting and keeps your attention, after watching this film you are wondering why it was so bad. Was it Sarah Jessica Parkers frizzy hair or the fact that the dancing and acting was terrible? Of all the roles that Helen Hunt played, this is probably the worst. This movie is so predictable and at the same time you are laughing at how bitchy girls can be to each other, especially when it comes to boys.

This movies definitely does not stick in my head as one of the better 80's dance movies. If you want to see good dancing rent Flashdance or Dirty Dancing, not this knock off high school beginners stuff.

another woman

This Woody Allen film is fantastic. Allen truly channels depression in this film, and shows viewers a realistic look at what its like to be on a mental downfall. Gena Rowlands character. Marion, is a very intelligent professor. She has an apartment where she writes, or attempts to, until interrupted by sounds coming through a vent on one wall of the room. She initially puts a pull over this to drown out the sound, but soon realizes that the sounds she hears are sessions with a physciatrist. This part of the movie confused me. She continues to overhear a pregnant woman (Mia Farrow) talk about her morbid depression and life. I was unsure for a good deal of the film as to whether or not this was a figment of her imagination. In keeping with Woody Allen's films, this one is set in New York. I find that Woody Allen manages more so than any other director to depict New York City in a light that resonates with New Yorkers. Back to Marion's eavesdropping; she uses these overheard sessions to reevaluate her own existence, ultimately leading her to realize many things about love's lost and her estranged relationship with her husband. She comes to find that her professional achievements and seemingly nice life simply serve as a facade to cover up her own feelings of loss and failure. The film has a cold air to it, there is some disconnect between the film and its viewers. This film isn't one to sit back and watch when you’re trying to get your mind off of things. It will make you think about your life and how you relate to these ever so complex characters. I love Woody Allen!

check out what other people thought about the film! imdb.com

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

Last night, Comedy Central aired the 1988 classic comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine. Steve Martin is not as funny as he is in some of his other films but he still does a good job of providing comedy to a well developed and clever plot. Martin plays an amateur conman named Freddie Benson who has much to learn about the game of swindling wealthy women out of hefty bundles of cash. He falls into becoming an apprentice of Lawrence Jamieson (Caine) who teaches him the trade of conning as they team up to fool upper class women in Europe. Soon Freddie grows tired of being the apprentice, thinking he can do the job better than the master Jamieson himself, and they take opposing sides in double-crossing one particular woman to see who has become the better thief. In the end a series of twists and turns lands Freddie and Lawrence in a tight spot, but I won’t ruin that for you… This was one of the few 80’s in which I did not cringe in embarrassment thinking that it did not translate well to a time some two decades later when I was watching it. This con type of film was later used with female con artists in a 90’s adaptation called Heartbreakers with Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt. I have seen both movies now and I can say the original is much better from most aspects. From a comedy standpoint I would have to say that this film falls short for me, however, the turns in the plot kept me interested and entertained. Personally I’d rather see Steve Martin in The Jerk or Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, but that’s just me.

Think you might want to see this one...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095031/trailers-screenplay-E17638-10-2

Classic Quotes:

“I know someone here. Oh yes? Who?... Lawrence Jesterton-- Lester Johnston--Jester Lawerenceton--Jamesss LLlllllllaa… Lawrence Jamieson? YES that’s it!”

Coming To America

Comign To America (1988)

A comedy/drama, “Coming To America” is a great film that is very fun to watch. Starring Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem (and a few other characters), he travels from his throne in Africa to Queens, New York to find the love of his life, whoever it may be. While he is in America, he indulges in their society and is amazed at all of the cultural differences.

Most of all, this is a film dominated by blacks, ranging from Africans to African Americans. What makes this movie so fun and entertaining to watch is the humor that Murphy’s character provides. Throughout the film, his oblivion to American society as well as his generosity to strangers in a bad, foreign neighborhood is funny in itself, and not to mention the delightful pleasure of watching an Eddie Murphy comedy, one of his originals at that.

This movie is not strictly a comedy; it is also a light hearted love story at the same time. However, it never is too serious, as it is constantly on the humorous side of things. The film also includes other well known actors such as Arsenio Hall as Semmi (and a few other characters), James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer, and a cameo appearance by Samuel L. Jackson in his first Hollywood movie.

Eddie Murphy gives a deliberate goofy side to all of his characters which makes this movie very humorous. If you are looking for a good laugh but something not too intense to watch on a random night in which you have nothing to do, head to the movie store and rent “Coming To America” if you have not already seen it.

Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop, also known as the only good movie Eddie Murphy made besides Coming to America, was in many ways a groundbreaking film that created new genres and showed how far an R-rated movie starring an African-American could go. When it was released in 1984, it became the highest grossing R-rated movie ever, and it stayed at the top spot until the release of Passion of the Christ 20 years later. It was the first of its kind, an action-comedy, and also paved the way for all the straight white cop-wacky black cop movies that would follow, a number of which would star Eddie Murphy himself.

Murphy's Axel Foley is a Detroit cop who heads to Los Angeles to solve the murder of his best friend. The film shows the glitz and glamour of life in LA in the 80's, particularly when Axel is visiting his friend in fashion and runs into Serge. Another scene that stands out to me is when Axel is walking down the street with "Neutron Dance" playing in the background, and he passes someone in a red leather jumpsuit and snickers to himself. Ironically, the suit closely resembles the outfit Eddie Murphy wears during his performance of Delirious. The fact that the villain is a major player in the cocaine trade is also typical of the 80's, when cocaine reached its peak in popularity.

Beverly Hills Cop would mark Eddie Murphy's rise to superstardom, establishing him as the premier actor/comedian of the 80's. Before Murphy was cast, Sylvester Stallone was in line for this role and the movie would have been a more straightforward action movie. Had that happened, the face of film would have changed quite a bit. Without Murphy's Axel Foley, it is possible that action-comedy films like Rush Hour and Starsky and Hutch might not have been possible.

Empire Strikes Back

David Grosvenor

The film Empire Strikes Back, directed by Georges Lucas in 1980, is a galactic movie like no other. Empire Strikes Back is the 5^th part to a six series saga of the famous Star Wars movies. Although created second out of the six because of where it is placed on the time line it is labeled as number five. The movie takes place in a galaxy far away where there is a constant battle between good, the rebellion, and evil, the imperials.

Empire Strikes Back begins on an icy planet called Hoth where the rebellion is hiding out in fear of being captured by the imperials. Eventually the imperials discover the secret hide out and launch a full fledge attack on the planet. Shortly after the battle Luke, played by Mark Hamill, is told by his old jedi master that he must go search out a Jedi master by the name of Yoda. After leaving Hoth Luke follows obi-ones, Luke’s jedi master, advice and goes to the planet Dagobah to learn how to become a Jedi himself.

As Luke is on the forest planet his friends become captured by the evil imperial forces and are desperate for health. By using the force Luke is able to see his friends in need and quickly runs to their aid. When trying to save his friends Luke is forced to fight a sith lord named Darth Vader. While fighting Vader Luke finds out that his enemy is actually his father. At the end of the movie Luke is forced to run away from the battle and escape with his friends off the planet.

George Lucas might have created the best sequel to any movie possible when he created this film. This movie and the other two in this classic trilogy might all be in the top ten of my favorite movies. The plot is fantastic and if sci-fi is your thing you can’t beat the Star Wars movies. With the amount of money George Lucas had to make the first one I am surprised it was good enough to have made a second and a third for that matter. If you haven’t seen this movie yet I highly advise it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080684/

Sixteen Candles (1984)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088128/

Molly Ringwald is the first name that comes to mind when I think of an 80's film. She is the girl next door and one of her well know films of the 80's was Sixteen Candles. This movie depicted every problem that teenagers struggled with, mainly dealing with love, high school, and being accepted. If you have only seen this movie once, you will never forget Molly Ringwald's pouty face or constant whinning. Poor Ringwald could not have had it harder in the movie, talk about having a hard time in high school and going through womanhood during all of these crazy happenings!

When Samantha Baker wakes up on her sixteenth birthday she is shocked and upset when she realizes that no one in her family remembers her birthday and everyone is only concerned with her sisters upcoming marriage. Samantha is also upset because she has not grown physically (which in high school is very important to many girls.) Samantha has a huge crush on the jock at school, Jake Ryan while the geekiest kid at school Farmer Ted has a crush on her. When it seems like her birthday could not get any worse it does when her grandparents take over her room and she must sleep on the couch. Later on the same night she attends her school dance where she confesses to Ted that she has a crush on Jake. Ted strikes a deal with Samantha and she gives him her underwear as a keepsake to show his friends since he made a bet that he would sleep with Samantha. Later that night at a party, Jake speaks with Tedd about Samantha and admits he is interested in her. Meanwhile, Samantha goes home and her parents are deeply apologetic about forgetting her birthday. At her sisters wedding she spots Jake where they speak and kiss and it is a happily ever after type of ending.

Throughout the movie you start to feel sorry for the whinney birthday girl because it truly seems like the worst birthday ever. Just when we could not handle the fact of this girl being tormented anymore with continual and terrible mishaps Jake comes along and makes the story have a happy ending. It is funny to watch her go through womanhood on camera because many girls can relate to what she is going through which makes the film even better and more enjoyable. Molly Ringwald is perfect for this character because she is an 80's girl that everyone can relate to in some way.

This movie is the 80's with its culture and music. In addition to this, the characters are seriously wacko yet intriguing at the same time which makes it a classic.

The Goonies by Elyse Lightner

The whole premesis of the Goonies is based on the eviction notice of the entire small town to turn the bay side town into a private country club. The characters are introduced according to their quirky qualities and together unite at the group leaders house, Mikey’s. Together the clan attempts to “save” their town by recovering enough booty from one eyed Willie’s treasure chest to pay the expenses in order to keep their homes. They embark on one last adventure as a group not knowing that they will cross many ethical issues along the way.
Firstly they act in a utilitarian way in that they are selflessly attempting to make the neighborhood their home again. They are making the majority of people happy by searching for wealth together; any one of the Goonies could have taken the map and sought the treasure for himself and made a great deal more wealth if he had taken it all for himself. The Goonies introduce the idea of ethical egoism. The kids act on the principle that they are doing what makes them feel best which is saving their family and keeping their group of friends together.
The typical 80s enemy creates conflict in the film. The Fratelli brothers threaten the lives of the Goonies in an attempt to selfishly reach the treasure before the clan. The outcome in typical 80s films ends up happy and the Goonies prevail in the end. A small sack of gems is all the kids need to save the neighborhood from the antagonistic developers.
http://oneeyedwillie.com/
The pirate actually turns out to be a decent band so check them out here.

http://www.thegoonies.com/
this is the ultimate site for the film!