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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The Princess Bride (1987)

A classic in and of itself, is there anyone who actually hasn't seen The Princess Bride? I grew up watching this 1987 film, and I have to say that it probably affected my vision of true love more than any of the Disney fairy tales.

What makes this film so great? Westley's undying love for Buttercup? Inigo's unfaltering allegiance to his father's memory? Miracle Max and Fezzik's (not together like the clip might suggest, for the rare one's that haven't seen it, that scene is between Inigo and Fezzik) great sense of humor? I'm not sure, but I do know that I could watch this movie back to back and not get tired of it.

The one thing that I don't like about this movie though, is how ditsy Buttercup is. I mean, when you first meet Buttercup and Westley and they're still on the farm you think "oh, they're probably both just daft because of the intensity of this new love or something." I mean, we've all been there. But after Westley goes off and makes his way in the world, you start to realize that he's actually a pretty smart and courageous guy. But Buttercup, she does nothing to prove that she has even the minutest amount of intelligence. I'm not talking about how she doesn't recognize her "one true love's" chin, either. Because you know, that's a willing suspension of disbelief and all. Come on though, seriously, when he's fighting the ROUS in the Fire Swamp she just STANDS THERE! Doesn't kick him his sword, nothing. Not to mention that she doesn't figure out Prince Humperdink's scam until the movie is practically over. How dumb do you have to be to be fooled by that jerk?

Believe it or not, as nerdy as this sounds, I actually named my car after Westley. Hey, when I was in high school, my car was the ultimate hero.

P.S. As great as the movie is, the book is like fifty times better.