Robin Hood: Men in Tights -- this movie cracks me up every time I watch it , it's just a good, funny movie.
The 80iest movie of them all is Fame. A bunch of kids who are barely actors and NEW YORK circa 1980. New York should have gotten top billing in the credits. I swear I fell in love with this city from this movie and then Giuliani fricking killed it. I loath gentrification.
You guys are amazing! I made up a list for her and one for myself. Thanks to everyone who took the time to help me out.
Right^ More from the Harrison Ford's action/suspense catalog The Fugitive Patriot Games Clear & Present Danger (Might as well see the original Jack Ryan in "The Hunt For Red October" with Alec Baldwin) Some Tommy Lee Jones goodies Men In Black Under Siege Tom Cruise's good stuff Rain Man A Few Good Men The Firm A few unmentioned Bruce Willis flicks The Sixth Sense 12 Monkeys The 5th Element Armageddon
I have to disagree with this- Its not only a fun movie, but it gives perspective on the status at the time of a large group of actors. I actually listed it as an example of the "modernization" of period pieces, a trend that continues with Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge, and A Knight's Tale, to name a few.
I thought the point was to suggest movies that were relevant to the times. Ace Ventura? Seriously? Not even close. All that does is show what an ass Jim Carrey is. That's why I picked the movies I listed. One more would be Broadcast News w/William Hurt and Holly Hunter and Albert Brooks.
Going through my dvd collection, with some that might have already appeared in the thread: Big Trouble In Little China The Blues Brothers the 2 Bill & Ted movies The Dark Chrystal The Goonies Gremlins 1 & 2 Jewel Of The Nile Romancing The Stone The Fifth Element Galaxy Quest Leon aka The Profesional The Nightmare Before Christmas The Shawshank Redemption
'War of the Roses'Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, and Danny DeVito show that vivorce makes for great black comedy.
It just hit me that the Evil Dead Trilogy (Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness) could be thrown in there. The first two are a bit more straightforward horror, though in crazed Sam Raimi fashion, though the second one has more humor. Army of Darkness is more of a silly medieval romp than actual scares. However, these movies are known to crop up as either influences (including the recent remake) or references in a lot of places.
I guess it's in how you define "relevant." I took that to mean movies that were popular, that are often used in pop culture references, that people still quote today, and that are a part of the collective social conscious. Ace Ventura, while not a masterpiece, is certainly a part of our culture and I still hear it quoted/referenced all the time. I mean, even now I'm still saying "allllrighty then" and I didn't even like the movie that much! I figure the point of a list like this isn't just to watch the serious, thought-provoking dramas, but also to partake in the cultural milieu of slapstick comedy, ridiculous horror films, sappy romances, and inspiring stories that made up the films of the 80s and 90s.
I was going to mention another film of the late 90s, but to talk about it would be a violation of the First and Second Rules.
The way I looked at it was in typical conversation what is more likely to be mentioned Ace Ventura or Broadcast News? I think Ace Ventura fits more with what was laid out in the original post. As an aside, Jim Carrey put out Ace Ventura, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber all in 1994! Not bad...
some of my faves et ghostbusters back to the future I and II burglar footloose the original problem child raiders of the lost ark single white female he man: the secret of the sword who's that girl ghost overboard the legend of Billie jean st elmos fire lost boys flatliners Childs play beaches adventures in babysitting top gun 9 to 5 masters of the universe warlock flight of the navigator labyrinth gremlins nightmare on elm street down and out in Beverly hills jumpin' jack flash fatal beauty ruthless people moving violations double trouble silence of the lambs batman batman returns Thelma and louise steel magnolias star trek II star trek IV star trek VI weird science MASK,,,this is not the jim Carrey film but the one with cher whose son has a facial deformity national lampoons Christmas vacation national lampoons vacation my cousin vinny goodfellas can't buy me love mannequin police academy the executioner's song with Tommy lee jones
I was going to say Star Trek 2-3-4 as a great adventure/comedy trilogy. Your friend may not be a nerd but these are very much era touchstones. Also, no love for Indiana Jones? I only saw Raiders mentioned once (could be my dodgy eyesight). Aussie movies!! A little outside your time range but Picnic At Hanging Rock (1970s) Crocodile Dundee Mad Max 2 Strictly Ballroom The Castle Babe Rabbit-Proof Fence The Dish Happy Feet (a bit later but fun) Red Dog (also later and a bit of a tear jerker, as well as really funny, filled with Aussie humour)