The 80s was a great decade for movies. So much of what was in the theaters was all about getting people, and their families, in the seats to laugh, scream, and buy large sodas and popcorn, back when the combined prices of these things didn’t rival monthly mortgage payments. There were some great creatives working at the time. The people who would later produce some of the best movies of the 90s and beyond were just beginning to really make names for themselves.
Since the pandemic has shut down all of the fine movie houses across the land, and because I don’t believe I’ve seen a movie in a theater since the last Star Wars back during winter break, In fact, even counting cable and streaming and whatever else you want to work into the equation, I can’t think of the last movie I saw for the first time. It probably goes all the way back to that Star Wars movie six months ago. Needless to say, I’m a little out of practice with writing my 10-Word Movie Reviews.
With all that in mind, I’ve made a list of what I consider to be ten perfect movies from the 1980s. When I say perfect, I mean movies that were the kind of pure entertainment that would captivate you so completely during that first dreamlike viewing, you could easily forget who or where you were.
With that in mind, here are my 10-Word Movie Reviews of ten perfect 80s movies. As always, in no particular order:
Back to the Future: Masterfully-written comic adventure fantasy. Hits all its targets perfectly.
Raiders of the Lost Ark: A nonstop epic adventure, driven by an imperfect romantic hero.
Die Hard: An explosive surprise of action. Redefined the genre for decades.
The Goonies: The manifestation of the imagination kids use while playing outside.
The Breakfast Club: Best high school movie ever. Realistic, hopeful, but not condescending.
Poltergeist: Legitimately scary with minimal gore. Slowly unspools into terrifying fun.
When Harry Met Sally: The rare intelligent romantic comedy that doesn’t make you sick.
Aliens: Departure from the original; more action than horror. Scary, thrilling.
Hoosiers: Pure inspiration. Powerfully quiet. Extraordinary use of setting and character.
Ghostbusters: Scary and hilarious. Deserves comparison to a roller coaster ride.
Did I forget any?
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