Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade

The Last Crusade was the last Indiana Jones movie made before the series’ rebirth in 2008. In the movie Indy searches for his father, a Holy Grail scholar, who was kidnapped in his search for the Grail. In order to find his father, Indy has to retrace his father’s footsteps on his quest for the Grail, and actually discovered new clues that his father couldn’t find and which tell the location of the Grail. After Indiana rescues his father from the Nazis, the duo goes on to find the hiding place of the Holy Grail only to discover that the greedy Nazis had found it first. The Nazis, however, did not know the secrets of how to pass the booby traps guarding the Grail and, knowing Indiana did, the Nazis shot Indy’s father so that Indy would have to find the grail to save him. After passing the three treacherous obstacles separating Indy from the Grail, he uses its divine power to save his father’s life. Once his father was healed and the group was leaving the Grail’s hiding place, there was an earthquake that caused the Grail to be dropped and swallowed up by a crevice in the earth. Indy and his father were not that disappointed though because they had accomplished their lifelong dream of finding the Holy mystic religious symbol.



This movie of the original Indiana Jones trilogy was unique because it provides much of the back story that is not explained in the first two films such as Indy’s fear of snakes, the cause of a scar on his chin, his use of bullwhips and his hat. It also shows a different side of Jones, which makes him seem more human, by paring him with his father and showing us their rocky relationship. We also get a glimpse of how Indy grew into the man he was in the film through his initial attempts at recovering a mystic cross from treasure robbers.
Although this film is not a typical 80s film with bright colored clothing and synthesized music, it gives us an idea of the political climate of the time. We see the nazi regime portrayed in a very negative way indicating the scars of the Second World War to still be quite raw. We also can see the development of treasure seeking which became a very large sport in the 80s with the invention of diving and the ease of travel. Overall the Indiana Jones trilogy seems to spark a childlike passion for adventure and treasure in all of us.

The original Mean Girls- Heathers

Being a big fan of Winona Ryder’s, I was excited to watch “Heathers” because I knew it to be a cult classic that she starred in with bad boy Christian Slater. I can definitely see why the film is such a cult class being completely different than any other typical 80’s high school movie. The plot was insane with many twists and surprises that never made you bored or able to predict what was going to happen next. I think that dark comedies are a hard genre to make because it’s hard to make things like teenage suicide and murder, which is the case in this movie, as amusing as they did. A lot of the credit not only goes to the script but the great cast especially of Winona Ryder and Christian Slater who had strong chemistry together as a modern (for the 80’s) day and more messed up version of Bonnie and Clyde. Ryder’s character of Veronica was interesting because she wasn’t the typical popular mean girl but had more of a heart, brain and an edge than most. Slater’s character of J.D. was a great leading man role because throughout the movie, you know you shouldn’t be rooting for this psychotic homicidal high school boy yet at the same time you can’t help but find his crazy-ness exciting and see how devilishly charming he is. The Heathers themselves were also great and even more conniving and bitchy than our “Mean Girls’ we have today yet I didn’t expect any less knowing that the ultimate queen bitch Shannon Doherty was going to be playing a Heather. This movie to me was definitely 80’s with the life altering high school drama, big hair, obsession with material things and money and the message about teenager’s lives being hell in high school until they rise up and do something to shake up the norms. Yet, I really like the Heathers because Veronica and J.D. rebelled in a more twisted way than most while still keeping the audience on their side, at least with Veronica. Even the ending, with J.D. being blown to pieces and Veronica taking back running the school, from another mean Heather, was really well done because it wrapped it up sort of happily but still kept the dark and shocking aspects of the film going right up to the end. Even though this film was made in 1989 it can definitely hold up in time and be a classic because everyone feels the rebellion or that angst in their life at one time and Heathers presents it in an exhilarating and unusual way.

Heathers

This 1989 black comedy film was one that I would highly recommend to everyone as I found that it did not follow the typical 80’s style movie trend. Rather than including excessive dancing and singing this film had an original plot with new twists occurring. This was the first time I had ever seen this movie and did not know what to expect although I have seen Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands and therefore had somewhat of an idea as to what kind of character she would play. To be honest, I had never heard about this film but after watching it I can understand how it is a cult classic as it has a fantastic cast and innovative style to the script. Many contemporary movies such as Mean Girls followed the same sort of story line in terms of popularity and what girls will do to gain that title. “Que Sera Sera” was the song that played at the beginning and end of the film both being different versions. I believe that this was successfully used seeing as how it is a song that most people know and heard in their youth and because the film used repetition which added to the black comedic mood. I felt that Christian Slater did a remarkable job of being in character. Specifically, his voice caught my attention as it had a certain air to it that gave him a conniving, cynical and devious vibe. Through Veronica’s (Ryder) and J.D’s (Slater) devious ways they use teenage suicide as a means of alleviating suffering by making others suffer more. I think this aspect of the film is what draws audience members in as well as how the director was able to add comedy to this dark film in order to make it easier to watch.

The following clip includes the line "Fuck me with a chainsaw" which is one of the more prominent quotes from the movie. It also shows popularity and how people act as well as react to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ-3rikUQ34

One of the versions played in the movie of "Que Sera Sera"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQZNkzP4kYw

Big (1988)

Big is a great 80s film that provides great social commentary on the process of growing up and trading in one’s youth for adult responsibilities. In the movie Tom Hanks is hindered by his size and age so he makes a wish to a mysterious carnival game to be big. Little did he know that the wish would actually come true, and the next morning he woke up as an adult. He ends up running away from home and getting a job as with a toy manufacturing company in order to sustain himself.

Throughout the movie we see the transition of this man with the heart of a boy gradually become a true adult worried about work and deadlines. I think this movie takes an interesting spin on the nature vs. nurture argument because it shows that it is not necessarily being physically older that makes a person who they are but the fact that they are molded into that person by their environment. At the beginning of the movie Tom Hanks’ only concerns are playing baseball, flirting with girls, and being with his best friend, however the pressures of the work place along with the social status quo set forth by his coworkers and others his age gradually change Hanks priorities as well as smother his boyish heart. This is relevant to the time because during the 80s people were becoming much more work oriented and life was becoming more fast paced compared to the peace loving hippie ideals of the 70s. I also believe these ideas still hold true today and that if we let it, life can quickly strip us of our love, passion and youth.

The climax of the movie is when Hanks childhood best friend comes to his office to help Hanks become a child again but is shooed away because Hanks had ‘deadlines’ to meet. His friend responded by saying “I’m your best friend and that used to be important.” Although we often wish we could be older or get to the next step in life, it is important that we take the time to appreciate where we are in life right now because we will never get this time back. We must be careful what we wish for.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

When Harry Met Sally is a classic “hate at first sight” love story. The beginning scene is an old couple talking about how they met and how they have been in love ever since. These small confessionals continue through the movie, punctuating that the film is about love and the various ways people come to recognize it.

Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan have a believable chemistry as a reluctant couple. The film follows the couple through around a dozen years of dislike, friendship, flirting, and finally, true love. Though they begin with a rocky start, the audience understands that they will end up together. After all, Harry (Crystal) from the get go states his belief that men and women can never be friends. Sex will always get in the way. The film definitely does well at providing support for Harry’s theory.

The confessionals of the elderly couples and humorous side stories are what make the movie for me. As much as I try, I can never really forgive Harry for freaking out and leaving after he and Sally finally got together. However, I do appreciate that Harry remains true to his character throughout the film. He is a non-committal man, and though he did get married, its dissolution forced him to return to his way of life at the beginning of the movie.

When Harry Met Sally is a classic romantic comedy, but it wasn’t one of my favorites. Though the faked orgasm scene and “pecan pie” were amusing, I feel that there are funnier movies that came from the 80’s. I wouldn’t stop anyone from watching it, but I feel that there are better films out there that I could suggest in the romantic comedy genre, with more satisfying romantic and/or comedic elements.

The Karate Kid (2010)

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BIG

Big is one of those timeless movies that always makes you want to cherish every minute
of what remains of your childhood. And even though any generation can appreciate the film,
it is definitely 80's. There are numerous scenes that feature sights and sounds from the decade.
Whether it is Billy Idol rocking out in the background on MTV, the big hair, or the giant Pepsi
machine in Josh's apartment, the eighties are always present but not always obvious; which is
why I feel the film really captures the time.

Tom Hanks, who won an oscar for his performance, is the perfect actor to play the part. His
priceless antics and boyish looks really make you believe that he is a 13 year-old in a 30 year-old
body. And as we see Josh transform from a child to adult, we can't help but relive our own childhood
and wish that we could go back in time with him. Just by being himself, Josh receives an
amazing promotion,gets the girl, and almost infectiously affects everyone around him in a
good way, (besides Paul..." I don't get it.."). We are reminded that work and life in general
shouldn't always be taken so seriously. That fast food and jumping on a trampoline can be a
recipe for a perfect date. And that there is a 13 year-old version of ourselves in each and every
one of us.

I would recommend this film to anyone because it has it all. A little bit of comedy mixed with a
unique and sensitive perspective on life. We all could use some self reflection some times to
truly remind ourselves what life is all about. I think Big is a great reminder.

Flashdance!

Flashdance, the ultimate 80's movie, inspired girls everywhere to wear legwarmers, be dancers, and cut their sweaters for the ideal off-the-shoulder sex kitten look.

Set in exotic Pittsburgh, the movie opens following Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) as she transitions from her day job as a welder at a steel mill to her night job as a dancer at the ever-popular tavern/bar, "Mawby's." She aspires, however, to train at the Pittsburgh Conservatory of Dance and Repertory so that she can be a professional ballet dancer.

Alex's boss from the steel mill, Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri), goes to Mawby's one night where he watches Alex dance. He is inspired to pursue her despite their difference in age-he's pushing 40, she's 18- and in income; he owns the mill, she owns a bicycle. This is most likely because of their difference in attractiveness; he is a hairier version of Prince Humperdinck, and she weighs 80 pounds.

Most of the conflict in the film comes from Alex being an angry teen. Suspicious boss/boyfriend Nick is cheating on her, she throws a rock through his window. While being leered at by an uncouth customer of Mawby's, she pours his beer on his crotch. Most of the major plot points are fairly predictable- her ancient dance mentor dies, she gets attacked walking to her bike after work, etc etc. As she watches her friends fail in their pursuits of their dreams, she becomes increasingly intimidated to pursue her own. The majority of her troubles, however, are solved by her rich boyfriend. He gets her an audition from the conservatory, she rides in his porsche instead of her bicycle, he feeds her and buys her things, etc.

Punctuating the movie are the dance sequences from Mawby's, so when Alex's drama becomes too overbearing, a dance routine is in order. These frequently involve over-the-top costumes, dramatic 80's make-up, and titillating writhing and grinding set to the tune of a soon-to-be hit 80's anthem. The theme song of the movie, "Flashdance...What a Feeling" by Irene Cara, became a major hit, as well as "Maniac" by Michael Sembello.



All in all, Flashdance is an ideal movie to watch if you are drinking, sick, or otherwise incapacitated. It's fairly simple, there isn't a whole lot to figure out, and it provides an ideal pick-me-up as only the 'best' dance movies can.

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