Platoon

Platoon
"The First Casualty of War is Innocence"

This movie is a real classic and winner of 4 Academy Awards. Platoon is written and directed by Oliver Stone and stars young Charlie Sheen known as Chris Taylor in the movie. The movie shows what it is like in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Platoon is extremely tense and keeps you on the edge of your seat during the whole movie.

Throughout the movie Charlie Sheen gives you mini monologues or little journal entries letting you know what day it is and how he feels about the whole situation over in Vietnam. This technique makes it a lot easier to know what the troops are about to do and where they are headed.

Oliver Stone does a great job filming this movie by making it very realistic. He does a great job showing the types of problems and difficult situations are troops and the Viennese were put in while this war was going on. The movie includes a little of everything from the killing and raping of innocent girls to extremely exciting ambushes and firefights, to even friendly fire of our own troops due to an argument. The movie really shows all the extreme events our troops had to go through and after watching this movie it is easy for me to understand why so many of our soldiers had a hard time adjusting back to life in the United States.

This is a great action movie that really keeps your attention from the opening scene to the very last scene. This movie definitely deserved all 4 Academy Awards it was given!

Scarface

Scarface (1983) Brian De Palma

Scarface is a mob film that has become an instant classic. The movie follows the story of Tony Montana, an immigrant from Cuba. Tony learns that life in a capitalistic country is not as easy as he thought. When the opportunity arises for him to make more money doing drug deals than the backbreaking low paying job he is working as a dishwasher, he takes it. Pretty soon Tony learns about the world of drugs in Miami in the 1980’s and the more he learns, the greedier he becomes. Although his boss, Frank Lopez, warns him of the pitfalls of greed, Tony doesn’t listen. He falls in love with his boss’s girlfriend and begins to resent Frank even more. When visiting Bolivia, he meets Alexander Sosa who offers him a chance to become a huge dealer and bring in millions of dollars. When Frank hears about the business Tony set up without his permission he is furious. Tony decides to venture out on his business by himself bringing his best friend Manny with him. Tony also proposes to Frank’s girlfriend, Elvira. Frank sets up assassins to try and kill Tony, but after the shootout Tony escapes and instead kills Frank. Once Frank is dead, Elvira finally decides to marry Tony and his business starts flourishing. Soon he is making more money that he can handle, but with this his cocaine habit gets worse. Tony and Elvira’s life together becomes a miserable mix of just getting high and being greedy. This movie is a 80s movie because of the themes it covers and because the mob and gangster genre became extremely popular during this time period. The film has stood the test of time with everyone still recognizing the line “say hello to my little friend!” Although this movie may be a bit violent and graphic for some, I would recommend it to anyone who likes films like Goodfellas or The Untouchables. Brian De Palma’s work is brilliant with a story about greediness and its consequences.

Top Gun

Top Gun (1986) Tony Scott

The man of the 80’s, Tom Cruise, stars in the action packed film about fighter pilots. When Cougar bails on Top Gun, Stinger must send another team of his top pilots. Maverick and Goose head over to US Navy Fighter Weapons School; also known as Top Gun amongst the pilots. The competition is fierce as everyone is competing for the top spot. Maverick’s biggest rival is Iceman. Maverick decides to do as he wishes on the first day flying and in turn breaks many rules even though he ends up getting the teacher. When he’s at a bar with Goose, he sees a woman and sings to her in an attempt to get with her. She turns him down and also tells him that he is a horrible singer. Later, Maverick discovers that the woman he hit on is actually one of his instructors. When he tells her that he flew a plane into an inverted dive and then flipped the other plane off, she becomes intrigued by him. Maverick pursues her and she ends up falling in love with him. When a mission goes wrong, Goose’s seat ejects and he hits the canopy and dies. This leads Maverick to doubt himself although the accident was not his fault. The movie ends with Maverick saving Iceman’s back. This movie is a classic 80’s movie that has stood the test of time. People still consider it one of the best action movies and it is well known all throughout the world. The film influenced many trends of the 80’s such as the aviators that became popular thanks to Tom Cruise. This movie has influenced generations and I’m sure will continue to influence generations to come.

Dead Poets Society

Dead Poets Society (1989) Peter Weir

Dead Poets Society is unlike any 80s movie I’ve seen before. Movies that come to mind when I think of it include American Beauty and Crash. The movie follows seven boys who attend a strict New England prep school. The boys have gotten used to their monotonous planned out lives trying to please their parents and take the path that has been laid out for them. The boys find this life dull and unfulfilling as they are just doing as their parent’s wish they would out of obligation instead of pursuing their passions. When the boys meet their new English teacher, Mr. Keating, their lives are forever changed. Mr. Keating teaches the boys in unconventional ways; influencing them to be more creative, passionate and to seize the day. He teaches them the importance of Carpe Diem, viewing the world differently, and to be passionate. When the boys find Mr. Keating’s old yearbook picture, they ask him about the Dead Poets Society. He tells the boys about it, and how he would go to the woods and recite poetry with his friends. The students decide to start their own Dead Poets Society. The influence it has on them is tremendous; they grow and start to become their own person. Neil joins a play, Knox pursues a girl that he just can’t have, Todd finally gets over his fear of public speaking, and Dalton speaks out against the headmaster. Because of Mr. Keating the boys learn more about themselves, life, and the world than they ever would have from any other teacher. He pushes and inspires them to be better people and to think outside the box. When Neil does not quit the play he is in, his father is furious with him. His parents plan had been for him to become a doctor, but his new passion is acting which he wants to pursue. Neil’s father threatens to withdraw him from Welton to attend a military school. The movie ends tragically, but it inspires and makes the audience think. It is an excellent movie and has definitely stood the test of time. I would recommend it to anyone because it is a movie everyone should see.

The Little Mermaid (1989)

In 1989 directors Ron Clements and John Musker joined forces to create the cinematic masterpiece that is “The Little Mermaid”. The film “The Little Mermaid” is the story based off the fairy tale written by Hans Christian Anderson in 1836. In the first part of the film we are introduced to several key characters who serve meaningful roles throughout the film. Ariel, the actual mermaid herself is a teenage girl who wants to escape her underwater life and be a real human. The ballad “Part of Your World” gives viewers a good summarization of what she wants to be a part of. We also meet Ariel’s friends Flounder, a fish and Sebastian, a sea crab. We are introduced to King Triton, Ariel’s father who warns her to stay away from contact with the humans. In the shadows of the sea lives Ursula, an evil sea witch who watches Ariel and sees her as a way to take revenge on King Triton and rule the sea. We also meet Eric, a sea man from the world above who ends up being Ariel’s romantic interest throughout the film. Through the story of Ariel and Eric we see a predicament commonly found in modern society, a fathers trouble with letting his daughter grow up and fall in love with another man. Ursula grants Ariel the exchange of human legs for her voice and Ariel is given human legs. The film takes us on a journey from way under the sea to the land world in which we live in, with constant twists and turns but as always a classic Disney happy ending. This film was the revival of the musical format of Disney films with classic hits like “Under the Sea”, “Part of Your World” and “Kiss the Girl”. The music in this film is phenomenal, and never misses a note. “The Little Mermaid” shows little to no evidence of the time period in which it was released; this may be due to the fact that the film is an animated film. I would recommend this film to any lover of Disney films, or any young child. I will also give recommendation to any adult who wants to go into a film with an open mind. I went into this film feeling this way and thoroughly enjoyed the entire film.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

“Aloha Mr. Hand” is the line that I will always think about when summing up the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Writer and producer Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous) along with director Amy Heckerling bring us this film about high school in California in 1982. Fast Times at Ridgemont High brings us the story of what high school really is like. With lots of topics that may be touchy such as drugs and sex, this film gives viewers the best feel for the awkward years that make up high school. After all, this film was based off Cameron Crowe’s book where he actually went to a Califoniria High School and went undercover as a student. The film shows us a very proper feel for high school when it shows us the different social groups hanging out, something that was very similar to what went on at the high school, which I attended. My personal favorite character in Fast Times at Ridgemont High was Jeff Spicoli. Spicoli played by actor Sean Penn is the classic California “stoner” who just sits around, surfs, smokes pot and drives a VW Bus without a care for a thing in the world. The film’s main plot surrounds Characters Stacey and Mark; these two give us a great summarization of what high school romance is really about. I thought that this film showed lots of 80’s signifiers, from the way the cars looked to the way that the students were dressed, this film was totally 80’s. I would recommend this film to anyone who wants to sit and watch a film that would thoroughly entertain him or her while teaching them a lesson of romance at the same time.

Heathers (1989)

Ever dated a guy your parents told you was going to get you into trouble? Ever dated a guy that really did? Then you've got something in common with Veronica.

Your average high school girl, Veronica (Winona Ryder) started out in the "in" crowd. Despite her unusual name, she managed to fall in with the Heathers, the three most popular girls in the school who all happened to be named Heather. Unfortunately, they aren't the nicest girls or the best friends.

Slowly, after meeting loner Jason "JD" Dean (Christian Slater), the new kid at her school. Veronica begins to notice more and more things wrong with the popular kids at her school. It all starts with a simple "accident" where, jokingly, JD and Veronica poison the head Heather and snowballs from there. Eventually, they make suicides a trend at Wasterburg High School as they kill more and more people and disguise them as suicides.

A clever, dark comedy that draws from the real life increase of teen suicides in the late eighties, this film is one of my favorites. But it turns sour in the end when JD goes a little too far for Veronica. After a rough break up and a faked suicide by Veronica, JD attempts to blow up the school. After a mysterious reappearance, at least to JD, Veronica appears just in time to foil JD's plan. However, he still manages to blow himself up.

At the end of the film, Veronica lights a cigarette and takes her place as queen of the mountain. Hell, I need a cigarette after a blow up like that too!

The Sure Thing (1985)

So it's your average plotline: boy meets girl, boy and girl hate each other, boy and girl travel cross country together, boy and girl fall in love. Be it as it may, it does have a few twists, but ultimately it's just another endearing romantic comedy.

John Cusack plays Walter "Gib" Gibson, who goes to a north eastern college and is tired of snow and cold hearted girls. He longs for the warm, tan skin of a classic California chick who his friend out in CA describes as being a "sure thing." Embarking on the ultimate quest for sexual gratification, a surprise lays in wait for Gib when he signs up to carpool with three other kids from his college. The surprise: Alison Bradbury (Daphne Zuniga). Alison, meanwhile is traveling to Cali to reunite with her fiance and their beloved flannel sheets.

Complete opposites and fighting right from the start, Gib and Alison want nothing more than to get away from each other. But when Alison makes it back to her good old comfortable relationship and Gib makes it to the ultimate party, they both can't help but wonder what would have happened if they had ended up together.

Like all romantic comedies, it ends happily. Back at college, in poetry class, they reveal their love for each other and Gib finally gets a hold of his sure thing.

Clue (1985)

"It's Not Just a Game Anymore"

In 1985, writers John Landis and Johnathon Lynn made a bizarre film based on the game Clue bearing the same name. The familiar cast featured in the game remain the same in the film including Mrs. Peacock (Eileen Brennan), Professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd), Mr. Green (Michael McKean), Colonel Mustard (Martin Mull), Miss Scarlet (Lesley Ann Warren), and including new characters Wadsworth (Tim Curry), Yvette (Colleen Camp), and Mr. Boddy (Lee Ving).

This who-done-it mystery i set in New England in 1954 and begins with all of the primary characters arriving at a spooky and isolated mansion, each having received a strange letter summoning to the house. Upon their arrival, they are greeted by the maid Yvette and the butler Wadsworth who asks that they use the pseudonym that was given to them in their individual letters. All of the guests then congregate and realize what they have in common - they are all being blackmailed for various "Un-American" acts by a mysterious Mr. Boddy and they all live in Washington D.C. or are employed by the government.

After learning this, Mr. Boddy hands each of them a wrapped box containing one of the weapons from the game and tells them that they should kill Wadsworth or all of the secrets they are being blackmailed for will be exposed. Mr. Boddy then turns off the lights so that whoever decides to kill him will not be known, and when the lights are turned off Mr. Boddy is laying on the floor dead. Soon after this, the group finds the cook dead in the kitchen, and Boddy supposedly killed again with a head-wound dealt by a candlestick.

Soon after this, the group decides to draw straws and break up into pairs to search the house and also to lock the weapons up in a cabinet. While they are searching the house, two guests come to the house - a passing motorist and a policeman, who both end up dead by a mysterious person wearing a black leather glove; Yvette also ends up dead by the same perpetrator.

This is where the plot begins the get strange. All of the guests re-congregate and Wadsworth exclaims that he knows who the killer is. He first explains that Miss Scarlett is the killer, but after this the words "That's how it could have happened, but what about this?" flash across the screen. This time Wadsworth explains that Mrs. Peacock is the killer, this time the words "This is how it could have happened, but this is what really happened." flashing across the screen. This time, it is revealed that each of the guests killed one of the victims, and Wadsworth is actually Mr. Boddy and is the one that has been blackmailing them all. Finally Mr. Green announces that he is actually an FBI agent, and shoots and kills the real Mr. Boddy saying "I killed Mr. Boddy in the hall, with the revolver."

Strange, huh? Yet surprisingly entertaining. I recommend this one if you have some free time and want to watch a film that no one could guess the outcome of.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

"Fast Cars, Fast Girls, Fast Carrots... Fast Carrots?"

Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a cult classic of the 80's written by Cameron Crowe, directed by Amy Heckerling, and starring Sean Penn as the infamous Jeff Spicoli. This well-known teenage film is a coming of age story about the high school lives of Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh), Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates), Mike Damone (Robert Romanus), Mark Ratner (Brian Backer), Jeff Spicoli, and what it means to be a teenager - namely sex, drugs, crappy jobs, and drama.

The story starts out introducing Stacy Hamilton and Linda Barrett at their job at a pizzeria in the mall. Compared to Linda, Stacy is a sexually inexperienced freshman who has a lot of questions, and Linda is ready and willing to divulge her. When a home stereo salesman in his twenties asks Stacy for her number at the pizzeria, she eagerly gives it to him, and he ends up taking her virginity in a dugout of a baseball field, and unsurprisingly never calls her again.

Later, Stacy is asked out by Mark Ratner, a nerd in her biology class who also works at the mall. However, she seems to want to go farther than he does on their date, and he gets freaked out and leaves, prematurely ending that relationship. So, instead, Stacy randomly hooks up with Mark's best friend Mike Damone, and consequently becomes pregnant.

Meanwhile, Jeff Spicoli is getting stoned and getting in trouble with his teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston) at Ridgemont high, and Stacy's brother Brad Hamilton (Judge Reinhold) is working a plethora of dead-end jobs at All-American Burger, a fish restaurant where he is forced to dress like a pirate, and later at a mini-mart. When Stacy realizes she is pregnant, she asks her brother to drop her off at a bowling alley, and when he sees that she has actually gone into an abortion clinic, he waits around for her to take her home.

The film ends with Mark and Stacy getting together, and Mark and Damone reconciling after they got into a huge fight about Damone fooling around with Stacy. Also, Spicolli almost doesn't pass Mr. Hand's class, but manages to squeak by after Mr. Hand comes to his house and forces him to sit down and have a study session with him before the end of the year dance. Lastly, Brad finally gets promoted to manager after he thwarts a criminals attempts at robbing the mini-mart where he works.

This film remains a timeless classic because it touches on all the issues teenagers are familiar with and always will be familiar with. So, if you haven't seen Fast Times at Rigemont High I suggest you take the time to watch it. You won't be disappointed, and I guarantee you'll be able to relate in some way as well.