80s-90s Must See Movies for a Non-Nerd

Discussion in 'TV & Media' started by Kestra, Apr 7, 2013.

  1. sojourner

    sojourner Admiral In Memoriam

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    Hard to believe Unforgiven is from 1992. Feels like a much more recent film.
     
  2. Sephiroth

    Sephiroth Vice Admiral Admiral

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    do NOT show your friend grave of the fireflies if your friend hates dark, depressing movies.
     
  3. MacLeod

    MacLeod Admiral Admiral

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    Dead Poets Scoiety
     
  4. Random_Spock

    Random_Spock Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Robin Hood: Men in Tights -- this movie cracks me up every time I watch it :), it's just a good, funny movie.
     
  5. Davros

    Davros Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Repo Man
     
  6. Guy Gardener

    Guy Gardener Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    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.
     
  7. Kestra

    Kestra Admiral Premium Member

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    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. :)
     
  8. sojourner

    sojourner Admiral In Memoriam

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    Oh no. you don't get off that easy. We're not done. Keep going guys!
     
  9. Mojochi

    Mojochi Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    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
     
  10. Mistral

    Mistral Vice Admiral Admiral

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    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.
     
  11. Mistral

    Mistral Vice Admiral Admiral

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    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.
     
  12. Rincewiend

    Rincewiend Admiral Admiral

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    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
     
  13. Gov Kodos

    Gov Kodos Admiral Admiral

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    'War of the Roses'Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, and Danny DeVito show that vivorce makes for great black comedy.
     
  14. Zulu Romeo

    Zulu Romeo World Famous Starship Captain Admiral

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    "Local Hero"
     
  15. Mr. Adventure

    Mr. Adventure Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    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.
     
  16. Spot's Meow

    Spot's Meow Vice Admiral Admiral

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    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.
     
  17. Zulu Romeo

    Zulu Romeo World Famous Starship Captain Admiral

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    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.

    ;)
     
  18. Mr. Adventure

    Mr. Adventure Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    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...
     
  19. degra

    degra Fleet Captain Newbie

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    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
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2013
  20. Australis

    Australis Writer - Australis Admiral

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    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)