Shameful movie confessions – my 15 top dramas of the 80
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Image: Stock.xchngYou know we can laugh about the 80s fashion, we can laugh about the 80s hair (there is a lot to laugh about when it comes to hair) but fact of the matter is 80s were a really good period in cinema. Scoff all you want but its true. I present to you some of the best dramas of the 80s – feel free to chip in your own suggestions. These are in no particular order I just wrote them down as it came to me. And even though some of these movies might not even be the best, my criterion was to pick the movies that made the most impact on me at the time.
And next week we will have the best of Sci-Fi movies (Amy you might want to take note
Amadeus – I remember seeing this one in the cinema. And I thought it was brilliant. And that Salieri was evil.
The Color Purple – I was always a huge fan of Whoopi Goldberg. There I said it. Not only she is hilarious but this was her first movie role and she did magnificently.
Born on Forth of July – another one I saw in the cinema. I do not have much affection for Tom Cruise these days, but his role of a Vietnam vet Ron Kovic, well it was impressive.
Casualties of War – ok I know now that Sean Penn is a brilliant actor, but who would have thought Michael J. Fox aka Alex P. Keaton would be able to pull of such a performance?
Class – John Cusack, Andrew McCarthy and Rob Lowe, hello that would have been enough. And even though the story centers around teenagers and the usual how-to-get-off-with-someone it does not have the usual froth of the teen movies of the decade.
Dangerous liaisons – I absolutely love John Malkovich. When you add a brilliant performance by Glenn Close and Michelle Pffeifer with an excellent story you get one hell of a movie.
Gandhi – life story of the world famous Indian leader who protested against the British rule with his philosophy of non-violence. The film won 8 Oscars including best actor for Ben Kingsley.
Lean on Me – I can watch Morgan Freeman in anything. This was no exception. Principal with unusual teaching methods brings a bad school back on the right track.
Less then Zero – based on a book by Bret Easton Ellis Less then Zero gives us a glimpse of the other side of the 80s. Robert Downey Jr. brilliantly portrait of an addict was as he has stated himself “a ghost of the Christmas future”.
Mississippi Burning – directed by Alan Parker and staring Gene Hackman, William Defoe and Francis McDormand it is a chilling tale of FBI agents who come to a small Southern town to investigate the murder of civil rights workers.
Mommie Dearest – it is not the best film ever that is for sure, but Faye Dunaway portrait of Joan Crawford (as over the top it might have been) is down right scary, far worse then any horror.
Name of the Rose – 14th century monk Sherlock Holmes. Based on a brilliant book by Umberto Eco The Name of the Rose stars Sean Connery (my favorite Bond ever) and Christian Slater investigating murders in a abbey in Italy.
Raging Bull – a combination of De Niro (way before Fockers and Analyze this and that) and Scorsese makes for one of the best movies of the decade.
Wall Street – ha Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen in a tale of yuppies, greed and financial wheelings and dealings. And you can always have a giggle at how the comps looked at the time.
Full Metal Jacket – another movie about Vietnam war directed by Stanley Kubrick. Difficult to watch at times (at least to me it was) but brilliant nonetheless.
So what are some of your favorites?
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Less than Zero was awesome, even if it didn’t do well by the critics… I’ve always love Robert Downey Jr, and I’m so glad he seems to have cleaned himself up.
Full Metal Jacket is my husband’s favorite movie, but I agree it is difficult to watch.
I didn’t really see many dramas in the 80s, I liked the teen movies or horror movies of Freddie, Jason, and Pin Head. Thanx for keeping these 80s memories alive, Berta!
Oh yes, one last thing…. I miss my big hair!
Oh dont worry I’ll be doing the horrors as well
Trying to cover the whole spectrum…
I agree some of these are difficult to watch, but now that I look over the list many of them are sort of relevant even today… at least thats my opinion.
Please lets try and forget the hair shall we? I who had been born with a straight hair decided to go curly wurly at one point… honestly what was I thinking?
Oh and thank you for always chipping in