I’m currently working on my third as yet unnamed novel. Part of it is set back in 1985 and during the course of research today (involving hours of distraction on the web) I was thinking about all those Hollywood Blockbusters from that decade. Some have become iconic, for good and not so good reasons. Some have stayed with me personally for special reasons, bringing back happy memories of being a teenager (there were some). Others have become part of our national consciousness, the States’ popular culture really becoming enmeshed with ours so that language and looks and attitudes changed Britain as much as Thatcher.
So here is my top five faves and top five shockers (in no particular order).
Faves
1. Rainman: Touching and moving and a reminder that Tom Cruise could actually act, despite Top Gun, and before Scientology made him a joke. Dustin’s acting ability has never been called into question. This film just confirmed it.
2. ET: Quite possibly the best family film ever, always guaranteed a smile and many tears. Introduced the concept of Hallowe’en trick or treating to the UK (not so good).
3. Beverly Hills Cop: Action, drama and laugh-out loud moments. And some bromance going on.
4. Fatal Attraction: The feminist in me shouldn’t like this portrayal of a woman who brought us the phrase ‘bunny boiler’. However, it’s exciting and the tension at the end is spectacular. And Glenn Close superb.
5. Back to the Future: Still amazing after all these years….
Shockers:
1. Rambo – Muscles and violence never did it for me
2. Anything with Swarzenegger for the same reason as above
3. The Breakfast Club: Boring and annoying
4. Porky’s – Sexist nonsense – can’t believe I watched it all the way through with a boyfriend who should have known better
5. Flashdance: Welder turns ballet dancer… I mean, really?
Gosh, I could go on and on but I’ll let you have your own memories of the days when it was cool to have big hair and big egos.
sophieduffy 