Movies that best show off the 80’s.

Wolf of Wallstreet

Has anyone said Commando yet? Just thought of that.

Dictator kidnaps a family member and hatches some crazy plan? Check.

Dictator has all sorts of henchmen, including one guy that wears a ridiculous chain mail tank top? Check.

Arnold muscling his way around killing everything? Check.

Terrible special effects and continuity errors? Check.

Other henchmen in cheap 80's suits getting offed in creative ways? Check.

One liners aplenty? Check.

Soundtrack with dramatic synth tom toms and a tropical feel? Check.

It's almost perfect.

Ah, so we're not looking for movies that show the 80's as they really were, but over the top stylized stuff.

Earth Girls Are Easy is a fun one. It's about the little people, but if you want a sunburn from the clothes it's got what you need. And I agree that Commando is the prototypical Ahnold movie.

RossD wrote: I watched "Chuck Norris vs. Communism" last night on Netflix. It's about the communist regime in Romania in the 80's when VHS became popular. It was illegal for western media but everyone was watching Hollywood films where a Romania woman dubbed voices over the top. It's really interesting in a movie buff / cold war historical way.

That was a really cool show, I saw it on pbs.

Weird Science and War Games were great examples of hopeful 80's technology.

The Toxic Avenger series I think really pushed the limits on pastel 80s fashion and over the top cheesy horror films.

Has anyone mention Jason or Freddy? 80's movies icons.

Gung Ho

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Gleaming the Cube

Revenge of the Nerds

Airplane

Another Martin Mull movie was Serial. I believe it may have been released under another name at one time.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: Wow, I posted this as a throw away as I was leaving work yesterday and missed the replies while surfing last night. What a response. I've seen most of the movies mentioned but most miss the mark of what I'm looking for.

Marjorie Suddard wrote: Probably the last decade when just about every genre had a standout, before homogenized, serialized, blockbusting movies were the only options. Great stuff already mentioned. Also (edited to correct some anachronisms): Uber '80s:: Less Than Zero

Belive it or not I've never seen this, I must rectify.

Tom_Spangler wrote: It's a current show, but "The Americans" on FX really nails the early 80s cars, fashions, gadgets, etc. It also happens to be a damn good show. For movies, has anyone mentioned "Heathers" yet?

Funnily enough we went to the library on Monday, but they didn't have disc 1, season 1 on DVD, we're waiting to watch that one, so many of our friends (you included) have told us it's awesome it's already on our list. The issue with most of the movies people have suggested so far is that they are either movies made in the 80's about other things/times. Blade runner is amazing, I'm desperatly trying to talk my 15 year old daughter into seeing it as she loves Syd Mead, but the concept doesn't appeal. I'm going to have to tie her down and confiscate her phone, tablet and laptops so she has to watch it. It has a great 80's vibe, but it wasnt' in and about the 80's. Other movies were more about 'regular' people in the 80's. what appeales to my inner 15 yearold is that Miami Vice and Scarface is they show the cloths, cars, god awful over the top fashion that I wanted to aspire to as a teenager in Northern Rural England. Not much in the world seemed cooler than Don Johnson in an Armani suit with pastel T shirt and no socks getting into a Ferrari leaving a party full of scantily clad hiotties with Glen Fry playing smugglers blues and Phil Collins escaping in a white Jalpa (or was it black, i don't recall now). That's the vibe I'm looking for. 80's to the max, forget the little people, forget the Aliens and vampires, show me pure to the max Hollywoodized 'reality' of the rich and seedy!!!

But I did.

Not a movie but The Goldbergs on ABC is a pure 80's comedy gold. Good stuff.