Top Ten Favorite Films Of The Eighties
My favorite films made in the nineteen-eighties, in no particular order.
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- DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsPeter WellerNancy AllenDan O'HerlihyIn a dystopic and crime-ridden Detroit, a terminally wounded cop returns to the force as a powerful cyborg haunted by submerged memories.Ultra-violent, absurd and deeply satirical, quite possibly one of the best action films of all time.
- DirectorDavid CronenbergStarsJeff GoldblumGeena DavisJohn GetzA brilliant but eccentric scientist begins to transform into a giant man/fly hybrid after one of his experiments goes horribly wrong.Cronenberg's classic remake of a campy 1950's B-Movie surpasses it's original in practically every way imaginable. It's compelling, disgusting and heart-breaking, all at once.
- DirectorJohn WooStarsChow Yun-FatDanny LeeSally YehA disillusioned assassin accepts one last hit in hopes of using his earnings to restore vision to a singer he accidentally blinded.Easily my favorite action film of all time, it's ultimately a meditation on innocence, conscience and repentance.
- DirectorRobert HarmonStarsRutger HauerC. Thomas HowellJennifer Jason LeighA young man who escapes the clutches of a murderous hitchhiker is subsequently stalked by the hitcher and framed for his crimes.Remarkably under-appreciated action-horror masterpiece. One of the best-written, best-acted and best-directed horror films of the eighties.
- DirectorJohn McNaughtonStarsMichael RookerTracy ArnoldTom TowlesArriving in Chicago, Henry moves in with ex-con acquaintance Otis and starts schooling him in the ways of the serial killer.As dark, bleak and disturbing now as it ever has been. Easily the best performance in Michael Rooker's career, it is filled to the brim with darkness, pain and tragedy.
- DirectorBrian Trenchard-SmithStarsNed ManningNatalie McCurryPeter WhitfordIn a dystopian future Australia, a health nut and his tag-along girlfriend become trapped in a drive-in cinema that has become a concentration camp for delinquent youths and immigrants.Ultra-satirical post-apocalyptic action-caper that manages to portray staggering social commentary a midst stylized action set-pieces.
- DirectorGeorge A. RomeroStarsLori CardilleTerry AlexanderJoseph PilatoAs the world is overrun by zombies, a group of scientists and military personnel sheltering in an underground bunker in Florida must decide on how they should deal with the undead horde.Romero's penchant for scathing social commentary is fired 110% in what is quite easily the strongest of the 'Dead' series. While not my favorite, it is nonetheless an absolute masterpiece.
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsIsabella RosselliniKyle MacLachlanDennis HopperThe discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.If ever one needs proof of the genius of David Lynch, this film is of the strongest pieces of evidence one can find. Disturbing violence, murder, intrigue, sex, drugs and some truly bizarre behavior all encased in a scenic Norman Rockwell-esque setting.
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.Bold, bleak and epic in scope, this is not just the best film in the Star Wars saga, it's one of the greatest films of all time, period.
- DirectorBuddy GiovinazzoStarsRick GiovinazzoVeronica StorkMitch MaglioA dangerously disturbed Vietnam veteran struggles with life 15 years after his return home, and slowly falls into insanity from his gritty urban lifestyle.One of the greatest anti-war films of all time, it's unbelievably bleak, nihilistic and gritty. The ending of this film will stick with you for the rest of your life.