John Bender, Duckie, Blane McDonnagh, Ferris, Llyod Dobler and my personal favourite Jake Ryan. The decade of the "Rat Pack", big and feathered hair, blue eye shadow, neon, and legwarmers. Although I do agree with the big hair; what is it about the 80's; especially the movies that compels us so?
Over the course of my Christmas holidays it is safe to say that I didn't have much of a life. What did I do instead you may ask? I watched a colossal amount of both amazing and horrible 80's movies... And I am here to share my favourites with you, as well as possibly shed some light on why we are all so taken with these movies, well at least why I am!
The first 80's movie that I was ever introduced to and completely absorb by was The Breakfast Club. My sister had suggested I watch it, but I never really listened to her until I stumbled upon it watching tv one day. And it was then in that moment that The Breakfast Club struck me with all its glory. John Hughes; the ultimate 80s writer/producer. In this movie Hughes attempts to understand high school stereotypes by throwing a group of students in detention on a Saturday. Remember if you mess with the bull you get the horns. This movie examines the life of The Princess, The Jock, The Brains, The Basketcase, and The Rebel. Ahh, The Rebel. John Bender.
My other three favourite 80s movies are Say Anything... ,Pretty In Pink and 16 Candles. Call me a hopeless romantic but I can't help but love how in each film two unlikely individuals end up falling for each other. Sure, there is always some drawn out trial as to why the two main characters can't be together. But you always know going into an 80s movie they'll eventually end up together. How can a simple gesture like throwing ones fist in the air over excitement of being with a girl be so romantic?!?!?!?! . . . I digress; in the majority of these high school love stories, it goes a little something like this.. The high school stud ends up falling for a girl who is completely opposite and maybe not be all that popular. Simple. A story that has been overly redone many times. So why do we love them so?
I think at the end of the day what we all love about 80s movies is the impossible romances they project and the lengths at which these characters go to be with one another. It leaves us wondering; why can't I get swept away on a lawn mower or why can't the guy I like stand out my bedroom window with a stereo blaring one of my favourite songs . . . 80s movies give us some sort of false hope and longing for these unimaginable characters to somehow appear in our lives and sweep us off our feet. I don't know, maybe there are guys like that out there (thanks a lot Easy A). It's a vicious circle... But, until that day comes I guess we can resort to laying around on a rainy day and falling even more deeply in love with these famous characters and the romantic gestures they present in order to get the attention of the girl.
In case you haven't seen Easy A. Which you all should have; I think Olive said it best. . .
"Whatever happened to chivalry? Does it only exist in 80's movies? I want John Cusack holding a boombox outside my window. I wanna ride off on a lawnmower with Patrick Dempsey. I want Jake from Sixteen Candles waiting outside the church for me. I want Judd Nelson thrusting his fist into the air because he knows he got me. Just once I want my life to be like an 80's movie, preferably one with a really awesome musical number for no apparent reason. But no, no, John Hughes did not direct my life."
In case you haven't seen Easy A. Which you all should have; I think Olive said it best. . .
"Whatever happened to chivalry? Does it only exist in 80's movies? I want John Cusack holding a boombox outside my window. I wanna ride off on a lawnmower with Patrick Dempsey. I want Jake from Sixteen Candles waiting outside the church for me. I want Judd Nelson thrusting his fist into the air because he knows he got me. Just once I want my life to be like an 80's movie, preferably one with a really awesome musical number for no apparent reason. But no, no, John Hughes did not direct my life."
Below I have provided a list of my favourite 80s movies that I hope you all get the chance to check out!
The Breakfast Club.
Please take a look.. Oh, John Bender you have never looked so good. And wait for the fist pump..
Say Anything...
There is no one sweeter then Lloyd. <3 This scene gets me everytime!!
Pretty In Pink
Duckie singing and dancing to Otis is by far my favourite 80s scene.
Sixteen Candles
The trailer for 16 Candles enjoy Jake Ryan.
Overboard
This movie didn't receive very good review and there are some corny parts. But I cannot help but love and I mean.. Kurt Russell. Total babe!
More...
Pretty Woman
The Thing
(Thank You Megan!)
Can't Buy Me Love
The Pick-Up Artist
(Young Robert Downey JR.<3)
Mystic Pizza
(I adore Julia Roberts.)
When Harry Met Sally
St. Elmo's Fire
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Girls Just Want To Have Fun
Footloose
I hope you get the chance to check out some of these movies!
-Vicki