"She's a Maniac"- Flashdance

After watching the film “Flashdance”, I’m still uncertain if I actually liked it or not. I didn’t go into the movie with many expectations because all I knew of it was the famous pouring water striptease scene, but for being a big 80’s movie, I was expecting a little more. First, the plot was a little extreme, but it was the 80’s so extreme was popular, yet it’s hard to believe that an eighteen year old girl would somehow find herself in the sketchy part of the city working as a welder by day and somewhat of an exotic dancer, except of course more tasteful, by night, especially with such a caring grandmother. Another thing that seemed strange to me was her older man boyfriend who was charming yet gave me a weird vibe and I’m still not sure why since he really did help her out in accomplishing her dreams. While on the subject of dreams, was it absolutely necessary that every time someone tried to help her she had to throw a hissy fit or lie or do something stupid because she wanted to do it on her own even though she was the one holding herself back? Yes, I get the message there that only you can accomplish your dreams if you really work at something but did she have to get out of the car in the tunnel highway? Yet, there were some aspects of “Flashdance” that I thought were awesome. Specifically, the dance scenes were amazing whether it was at the club or in her apartment, the film found some really talented dancers with different and difficult moves that they made look so smooth and easy. Even with TV shows today like “America’s Next Best Dance Crew” showing off some crazy moves, the dancers in “Flashdance” seemed to have paved the way, showing that yes, the body can really move like that. The club scenes especially were filmed in almost a trippy, music video type way with cool angles and lighting that made the movie fun to watch and a nice break when you were searching through the plot. The music that accompanied these scenes too were also what really got my attention with the famous “What A Feeling” and “She’s a Maniac”, which would have anyone get up from the couch watching that movie to dance with Miss Alex Owens. Even though ballet might have been what she was aiming for, Alex seems made for MTV or what MTV was in the 80’s which was all about new cool music and modern dancing. I must also mention the clothes worn in this film which were never dull but something Keri Bradshaw might consider fabulous even today. The tuxedo halter top outfit Alex wore when out to dinner with Nick and the cut up off the shoulder sweatshirt really captured the fun that the 80s were able to have with fashion. The workout clothes too were eye catching and colorful and yet again came back in style today especially with the colorful leggings and tights. All the scenes in the flashy club or her darkly and sensually lit apartment, even the gym while working out with the girls against the all the white background or the back alley break dancing, all made this more of an amazing music video than a quality film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORVxGDxoVio

Flashdance - a movie where nothing makes sense...

Flashdance

Flashdance was definitely… not what I expected. The movie seemed to be various clips of music videos strung together in one colorful musical mosaic. The film was essentially a visual piece, and created some really interesting pictures using different lights and clothing and silhouettes. However, the plot was absolutely terrible. And not only because of its eccentric twists, (I generally love movies with eccentric twists) but because the plot was completely unrealistic and unbelievable. First of all, a welder is an extremely physically demanding job. The frail thin frame of a dancer’s body could not endure such demands. And a welder is such an obscure position of employment, how in the world did she end up there? It also requires skill and training, as well as connections with construction companies. Now I would like to know how this little girl is already a well-established well-trained welder by the age of 18. Her age is one of my biggest complaints. She’s only 18 but she has already converted that warehouse into her own mansion and filled it with all those nice things? Where did all that come from? And how did she acquire a warehouse? I’d love to know how, I could use a warehouse myself. And finally, she dances all night in that shady bar in front of all those drunk gross men. The bar closes, everyone leaves and typically has no where to go but home, and she just gets on her bike and leisurely pedals home through the ghetto? To a random warehouse where she lives alone? In the real world, she would’ve been raped/kidnapped/killed if not on her first night then surely the second. Now I have a great imagination, but the claims they tried to make in this movie were so farfetched it was impossible for me to connect with the movie and I spent most of the time making fun of it and pointing out the inconsistencies.

Airplane!

Airplane! is a 1980 satirical comedy. Once again, I am embarassed to admit that I have never seen this 80s classic. Several pop-culture references have been derived from this film, such as "and don't call me Shirley."

The film takes place in an airliner travelling to Chicago in which several passengers, including the navigator, pilot, and co-pilot, have been striken ill by food poisoning. Ex-fighter pilot Ted Striker, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is then forced to fly and safely land the aircraft, but due to his war time experience he has developed a fear of flying and a "drinking problem" (which is actually him missing his mouth and splashing liquid on himself). His intent was to board the plan and win back the love of Elaine, a stewardess onboard.

Once the navigator, pilot, and co-pilot sucumb to their illness Elaine is forced to activate the auto-pilot which is an inflatible captain who, sometimes, comes alive and makes obscene jestures. The plane continues to face impossible situations but, naturally, Striker lands the plane safely, wins back the girl, and the auto-pilot takes off with the plane and an inflatible stewardess.

This film is considered classically 80s because of it's cheesy content, costumes, sound effects, and special effects. It's one of the great 80s classics; it's hilarious and witty. Anyone who considers themself an expert on the 80s must watch this film.

Say Anything...

It is slightly embarrassing to admit that I have not seen this film before. I've attempted watch it several times, but never succeeded in watching it all the way through.

The story takes place in Seattle, Washington in which Lloyd Dobler (played by John Cusack) has just graduated High School and has set his eyes on the valedictorian, Diane Court (played by Ione Skye). The two differ in so many ways that, naturally, everyone around them question their budding romance. For example, Diane has won a fellowship to study in England and Lloyd's only aspiration is to become a kick boxer; Diane is highly intelligent and scholarly while Lloyd is a somewhat mediocre student. But Lloyd's curiosity and kindness towards Diane convince her to take a chance on him.

Turmoil erupts within Diane's family life when the Internal Revenues Service accuses her father, Jim, of stealing money from deceased patients of his nursing home. This predicament creates tension between Diane and Lloyd because she feels that she should spend more time with her father.

Once her father finds out that she spent the night with Jim he attempts to force a break up. HIs actions eventually lead to Diane dumping Lloyd despite the fact that she loves him. But in the end, as we all expected, Lloyd wins Diane's heart once again when she finds out that her father is guilty of tax fraud and has kept it a secret from her.

This film is quintessentially 80s- the fashion, the music, the hair, the cast (John Cusak is a big 80s star). I mean, Lloyd's four year old nephew sports a mullet, you can't get much more 80s than that. One aspect of it that comes through in more modern films is the dependency of the female character on men. Diane has blind faith when it comes to her father, but once his image is ruined she runs back to Lloyd for emotional support.

All in all I greatly enjoyed this film. It's one of those classic 80s movie that everyone should see.

Valley Girl

Julie: Yeah, but Tommy can be such a dork, ya know? Like he's got the bod, but his brains are bad news.
Suzi: But he is bitchin'. You really are so lucky, Julie.
Julie: I know, but we've been going together so long now. Like I'm beginning to think I'm a piece of furniture or something... like an old chair!
Loryn: Oh, bad news!
Julie: [glancing at Brad] I definitely need something new.

Valley Girl: the title says it all.

This quintessential 80s film is full of the captivating drama you can expect from a movie about high school California "valley girls." The opening scenes are where else but the mall, as the audience watches mildly vapid Julie (Deborah Foreman) and her posse try on now-vintage pieces of 80s clothing. Julie breaks up with popular jock Tommy in the mall, despite the fact he'll be at posse-member Loryn's rad party that night. The girls discuss the party at the beach a few hours later, where they are overheard by a boy who decides to crash the party later. This party crasher, Fred Bailey, drags best friend Randy (Nicholas Cage) with him that night, where Randy and Julie meet. They hit it off immediately, despite their big differences.

These differences are enough to cause Julie's friends to pressure her into dumping Randy. Mostly, the trouble originates from their locales; Julie is a valley girl, Randy is from Hollywood. Julie wears soft pink and purple clothes, Randy wears red and black leather. She goes to house parties, he "slums it" in dive bars. Julie is prep, Randy is punk.

Despite these differences, they are happily together for about two months, until Julie's friends pressure her into dumping Randy so she can start dating Tommy again. Julie considers it a very hard decision, and ultimately yields to the pressure. The audience knows Tommy is a tool because he A) hooks up with July's slutty friend at the party, and B) pops his collar. We also know that while Randy looks like a bad ass, in reality he's a sap, and pursues Julie lovelorn and relentless after she breaks up with him.

This movie only further emphasizes the stereotype of valley girl, with Julie spineless against her friends' opinions and consumed with the responsibility of being popular. Likable enough, the audience cheers for Randy as he tries to get her back, because what's this classic Romeo and Juliet tale without a happy ending?

St. Elmo's Fire

St. Elmo’s Fire is a coming of age film about seven recent college graduates of Georgetown. Though it has many of the same cast members as The Breakfast Club, the issues addressed in the film are very different from those encountered by high school misfits.

I enjoyed this movie. The issues that the main characters deal with seem to be problems most recent college graduates will encounter. Minus the cocaine usage, issues such as keeping a job, learning to be responsible, relationships, unrequited love, and finding a way to bring what you love into your career are common tribulations in life as well as film.

This movie stands the test of time because of the relatable nature of the characters and the challenges they face. However, I think the movie only truly hits home with people either in college or recently graduated. The issues addressed by St. Elmo’s Fire relate to the challenges and inexperience of youth. While everyone will probably be able to understand or recall those sensations, the self-centered nature of the characters may not appeal to people in all walks of life.

This movie is essentially 80’s because of the cast. This Brat Pack filled film was directed by Joel Schumacher. It is amusing to see the cast of the Breakfast Club playing such different roles. The freak is now the girl with whom two men are in love. The outcast is now the guy everyone wants to be. I enjoyed seeing the actors I had associated with certain personalities in such different roles.

Sixteen Candles

I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I had never seen Sixteen Candles before last week. However, I now understand why it holds strong as a classic teenage film and has remained culturally relevant through the decades. The Film tells the story of Samantha Baker, the typical and relatable American high school student who is plagued by such hardships as her parents forgetting her birthday, her crush not knowing of her existence, and a geeky freshman vying for her attention.

            The success of the film can most likely be contributed to its familiar story, relatable nature, and fairytale-like ending. Samantha awakes on the morning of her sixteenth birthday to find her mother scolding her for her teenage attitude, her younger brother tormenting her, and the attention of the family turned on her sister’s wedding, which is scheduled for the next day. After a harsh day at school and learning that a secret note containing her wishes for senior Jake Ryan has been seen by some unknown person, Samantha comes home to find her grandparents in her room for the coming wedding, while all the while they forget her birthday too. She later attends the school dance, along with the eccentric foreign exchange student that her grandparents bring from out of town. After attempts to lose the annoying geek freshman, who has made a bet to bed her, Samantha ends up confessing her love for Jake to him. The freshman later tells the popular senior, who has been intrigued with Samantha ever since finding her note earlier in the day. Jake then offers the geek his blonde, inebriated girlfriend in exchange for Samantha’s underwear, which she had given him earlier to satisfy his bet with the other geeks.

            Samantha reconciles with her parents after they realize that they forgot her birthday and the family attends the unique wedding the following day. Jake drives up in his shiny car to rescue Samantha and takes her to celebrate her birthday in a romantic and picturesque closing scene in which the teenage ideals of innocent love and granted wishes are fulfilled by the glow of sixteen burning birthday candles.

Sixteen Candles is a quintessential 80’s film because of its distinct style and cultural references. However, it also a timeless coming of age high school story, as well as a Cinderella story. With it’s distinctly exaggerated portrayal of the American high school student, it remains relatable and entertaining, while its sweet and unlikely love story between the seemingly unknown Samantha Baker and the popular and prince-like Jake Ryan make the film intriguing and endearing. Sixteen Candles proves not only to be a distinct 80’s film, but an immortal embodiment of the age-old concept of teenage life and love. 

Risky Business

This is a film that I had always wanted to see and I am glad I finally did. The famous dancing scene that has recently been imitated by a myriad of celebrities on various commercials, such as XBox 360, held its weight and was relatively PG when compared to the rest of the films "risky" behavior. I must admit my naivety to the films actual plot and controversial nature, but I enjoyed the film nonetheless.

The film DOES stands out as truly 80's shown by the unmistakable fashions, the 80's Porsche RB 928, and of course its excellent soundtrack featuring popular groups from the decade, such as Phil Collins and The Police. Despite the obvious 80's nature of the film, I believe that it stands up over time. Although the viewer is expected to accept the fantastic notion of running a one night prostitution operation in the middle of suburban Illinois, Joel's challenge of dealing with the pressures of getting accepted into college is one that is quite real and relatable to the youth of today. I really liked the change in Joel's character when he finally embraces the ability to, "just say fuck it," which results in his loss of virginity, admission into Princeton, and promising career in business. In this way, the film is almost humorous.

I would recommend this movie to any post-pubescent individual, because I find the themes and overall message to be very insightful and relatable. Plus there's no denying the appeal to fast cars, beautiful women, and a twisted plot that keeps you guessing the whole time.

The Dance Scene

Highlander (1986)

There can be only one!

Highlander's plot is basic: a group of immortals populate the earth, trying to survive until "The Gathering," where they will assemble and fight to the death, as the winner receives the ultimate prize.

The only way to kill one of these immortals is by beheading, and should one immortal behead another, he obtains all of the vanquished's power, which is portrayed as blue light or energy.

The film opens with the protagonist, Connor MacLeod/Russell Nash (Christopher Lambert) watching a pro wrestling match and having flashbacks to his earlier life in the 1500s in the highlands of Scotland. The film often switches between the present (1986) and the past as seen by MacLeod, helping to explain his story.

MacLeod's recovery from a fatal battle wound in the 1500s causes his clan to kick him out of the village for 'devilry', subsequently he moves to a remote location in the highlands of Scotland and settles down with Heather (Beatie Edney), more or less his wife. The news of his excommunication from his tribe causes fellow immortal Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez (Sean Connery) to track him down and educate MacLeod as to the immortal that he is. They train together and MacLeod learns the finer points of swordsmanship. The antagonist of the film, "The Kurgan" in the 1500s and Victor Kruger in the 1980s, arrives to the scene hunting MacLeod, instead finding Ramirez and Heather. Predictably, an epic battle occurs between Ramirez and the Kurgen, ending with Ramirez's death and the Kurgen pillaging Heather.

MacLeod in the 1980s has assumed the identity of Russell Nash, where the gathering is occurring in New York City. Only a few of the immortals are left, as they have been battling for several centuries; eventually, only Nash and Kruger remain and they must fight to the death on the streets of NYC. Roxanne Hart plays Brenda Wyatt, a forensic analyst working for the police who uncovers Nash's secret immortality and thus gains the keys to his bedroom for a night. Remarkably similar-looking to Heather, Brenda becomes the ultimate damsel in distress when Kruger kidnaps her to instigate the fight between himself and Nash.

The movie is laughably bad. It provides a good opportunity to watch Sean Connery pretend to be Egyptian and to ponder that everlasting question: what do Scottish men wear underneath their kilts? The make-up is ultimately what turns the audience off, with Nash overloaded on bronzer and Kruger covered in pasty white "bad guy" foundation. By the end of the film, Kruger resembles Frankenstein quite strongly, and his laughable growl as he speaks also lends an air of ridiculousness to the film. Despite its flaws, Highlander is a strong 80s action film given the frequency and intensity of the sword fighting, and fans of Scottish culture or Sean Connery would appreciate the film.

Coming to America (1988)

Coming to America is one of the first movies featuring Eddie Murphy as multiple characters. Luckily, it is a much better film those based on the same premise, such as the atrocity that was Norbit. Coming to America was made after the high of Eddie Murphy’s Saturday Night Live career, before people tired of his humor.

The film describes Akeem’s (Murphy) search for love. Born the prince of Zamunda, his wife was selected and trained from birth. However, Akeem wants nothing more than to find a wife who will love him for who he is, not his royal blood. To appease him, King Jaffe Joffer gives him 40 days to “sow his royal oats”. Cue Akeem and his trusty sidekick, Semmi, to set off to America in search of a wife.

Akeem does end up finding love, but not before the encountering the normal obstacles and a plethora a comedic situations. Their Louis Vuitton luggage is stolen their first day in Queens (obviously the perfect place to find a suitable wife for a king), dozen golden toothbrushes and all. Akeem and Semmi find work at McDowells, a McDonald’s copycat, and receive their advice from a group of barbers (a testament to the makeup skills on set) who live below their apartment.



One of my favorite moments of the film was when Akeem gave a bag of money to seemingly random homeless people. These men turn out to be Mortimer and Randolph, the villains who were taken down in Murphy’s movie Trading Places. I thought this was a just subtle enough reference to be amusing, without the shove it down your throat self-awareness that some movies/actors utilize. All in all, I found Coming to America to be a hilarious film. Though there was a lot of bushman from Africa humor, which the more politically correct would frown upon, watching it was an enjoyable experience and I would recommend it.