Sam's Best of the 1980s

Blade Runner (1982)

This film spectacularly creates a vivid future, telling a compelling story in addition to pushing the boundaries of special effects. Not only do the effects stand the test of time, but the landscape shots are also some of the most memorable. It is rare that all the aspects of a futuristic world are so well developed, and that makes this dystopic vision of Los Angeles especially affecting. The ensemble cast is great, especially in the charismatic performance by Rutger Hauer.

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

This movie gets funnier with every viewing. This is one of the best kinds of parodies, made by people who truly love the subject that they mock. There are so many memorable performances, from the leads to the cameos. The songs work as fun music while also being hilarious. The dialogue in this film is among the most quotable of all time: “The review for ‘Shark Sandwich’ was merely a two-word review which simply read ‘Shit Sandwich’.”

After Hours (1985)

This film is a very dark comedy that I have found extremely influential. Simply put, the moral of the story is to be careful what you wish for. Griffin Dunne leads an extremely boring and sheltered life, and decides to mix it up and have a little adventure. Like Tom Cruise will later attempt in “Eyes Wide Shut”, Dunne sets off one night into New York on a sexually disastrous odyssey. The city turns into a nightmarish prison where Dunne interacts with a parade of insane characters. Scorsese’s use of the camera is energetic, and he excels at using visuals to increase the tension.

Better Off Dead (1985)

This movie manages to make fun of 80s teen comedies while simultaneously being one of the best of them. It has an extremely dark premise: John Cusack’s character is dumped by his high school girlfriend, which leads him to spend much of the movie trying to kill himself. In one scene Cusack is doing a problem on the chalkboard in math class, and instead daydreams and draws pictures of the time he had a pregnancy scare with his ex. The math teacher holds him after class, presumably to punish him, but instead asks permission to take Cusack’s ex-girlfriend on a date! There is a fantastic performance by Curtis Armstrong as Cusack’s best friend, and he is even funnier here then in his more famous turn in “Revenge of the Nerds” as Booger. “I’ve been going to this high school for seven and a half years. I’m no dummy.”

Brazil (1985)

This movie is so ambitiously creative. Despite all obstacles, Terry Gilliam created a film that feels like his fears and dreams are transferred right onto the screen. The movie is an exceptional satire of bureaucracy and the struggles of the individual in a conformist society. In the end, the hero is only able to escape by going insane. The conclusion, like the rest of the movie, is both memorable and brilliantly disconcerting.

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

When I first encountered this film I was primarily dazzled by the boot camp sequence. The shot compositions and camera movements are exceptional, as are the performances. R. Lee Ermey is captivating as the drill instructor, giving one of the most memorable performances in cinematic history. The trainees are specifically drawn across the board, with a fine performance by Matthew Modine as the thoughtful and humanly flawed Private Joker. But the most haunting aspect is the disintegration of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Private Pyle. Upon repeat viewings, my appreciation of the Vietnam portion has grown as well. I love the metaphor of the sniper sequence for the entire war, with more and more lives being futilely sacrificed.

No Way Out (1987)

This is a fun and intricately plotted thriller. The story is beautifully structured to trap Kevin Costner’s character, and the joy of the film is watching him scramble to stay ahead of a seemingly inescapable tightening noose. Gene Hackman is a charismatic villain who is having an affair with the same woman as Costner. The film feels very Hitchcockian, with a wrongfully accused innocent man scrambling for survival and to find the truth. The movie also contains a wonderful twist ending.

Die Hard (1988)

This is my favorite summer blockbuster. Great characters, an interesting plot, dazzling action sequences, and quotable one-liners. Bruce Willis is at his smart-assed best since making his name in “Moonlighting”. The movie benefits greatly from the intelligent and witty performance by Alan Rickman, who demonstrates how a highly charismatic villain can engage the audience and strengthen a film.

Midnight Run (1988)

The premise is great, the plot is well-structured, and the dialogue is smart and funny, but the movie stands out because of the amazing performances by Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin. De Niro is exceptional as the beaten down bounty hunter, and Grodin gives a career-best performance highlighted by perfect deadpan reactions. Beyond the comedy, the characters also have depth and heart that makes the audience care about the outcome. Overall, the most memorable aspect of the film is how much fun it is.

Shoot to Kill (1988)

At 61, Sydney Poitier may have seemed an unlikely action hero, but he is at his most cool and charismatic as the leading FBI agent. The movie opens with a very dark sequence, where Poitier leads a negotiation with a jewel thief who has taken a hostage. Under Poitier’s command everything goes to shit, with the hostage being killed and the thief getting away. But this only leads to an obsession for Poitier to get his man, and the movie proceeds with two thrilling fish-out-of-water manhunting sequences. Poitier teams up with a mountain guide played by Tom Berenger, and they are a great odd couple. The two are forced to work together to capture both the thief and his new hostage, Berenger’s girlfriend. The movie has amazing action set pieces, is constantly suspenseful, and yet somehow manages to include comedic interplay between Poitier and Berenger as well.