80s Movie Review - Rain Man

Director: Barry Levinson
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 133 minutes
Year: 1988
Starring: Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman, Valeria Golino

Description: After a selfish L.A. yuppie (Tom Cruise) learns his estranged father left a fortune to an autistic-savant brother (Dustin Hoffman) in Ohio that he didn’t know existed, he absconds with his brother and sets out across the country, hoping to gain a larger inheritance.

Review: “Rain Man” is a heartwarming, moving and powerful road movie with exceptional performances. I used to watch it all the time when I was younger, time for a rewatch.

Charlie Babbitt learns that his estranged father has passed and he left him none of his fortune. Charlie finds out he has an autistic brother Raymond, who inherited all their dad’s money.

Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal of Raymond is a world-class performance. Tom Cruise’s development of his selfish character into a mature human being is also a highlight. The two have excellent chemistry.

The film is moving and effective in showing a growing bond between two brothers, making it a feel-good experience despite the heavy subject matter.

Emotional Impact: The film is moving and effective in showing the growing bond between the brothers, making it a feel-good experience despite the heavy subject matter.

“Rain Man” is classic that resonates with its heartwarming story and brilliant performances. It remains an essential film about human connection and character transformation. I forgot how much I loved this movie.

Rating: 5/ 5

80s Movie Review - Amsterdamned

Director: Dick Maas
Genre: Action/ Horror/ Thriller/ Crime
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 1988
Starring: Huub Stapel, Monique van de Ven, Wim Zomer, Serge-Henri Valcke, Hidde Maas, Lou Landré, Tatum Dagelet

Description: A hard-boiled police detective (Huub Stapel) sets out to capture a gruesome serial killer terrorizing the canals in Amsterdam.

Review: The is a murderer terrorizing the canals in Amsterdam. Police detective Eric Visser is trying to find out who is killing all these innocent people.

“Amsterdamned” is considered a very “un-Dutch” spectacular, entertaining action thriller. It’s directed by Dick Maas, praised for its thrilling canal chase and atmosphere.

It’s an exciting story with a good whodunnit, but it is predictable at times. The performances by the main actors is solid, the supporting roles are a bit weaker.

It’s an entertaining film and a classic in Dutch cinema within its genre.

Rating: 3/ 5

80s Movie Review - This is Spinal Tap

Director: Rob Reiner
Genre: Comedy/ Mockumentary
Runtime: 82 minutes
Year: 1984
Starring: Christopher Guest, Michael McKeen, Rob Reiner, Harry Shearer, Fran Drescher, Ed Begley Jr.

Description: Spinal Tap, one of England’s loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 37: A FILM FROM 1984
 
Review: In this halrious debut film from director Rob Reiner, we follow the American comeback tour of the fictional rock band Spinal Tap. They are touted by fans as the loudest heavy metal band in the UK.
Absurd stage experiences are interspersed with interviews that start out realistic but invariably end up completely absurd. The band’s nonchalant attitude makes it extra funny. Much of the humor lies in what is not said: a surprised look, or the silence after a strange statement.

What elevates this film above a bland parody is the credibility with which it is presented. Because regardless off all the stories, the life on the road of a rock band is portrayed quite accurately here: the traveling, the hotels, the backstage areas, the tour bus, the stage.

“This is Spinal Tap” is an entertaining, hilarious mockumentary. Some of the songs in this movie are just to die for. Great film.

Rating: 4/ 5

80s Movie Review - 1984

Director: Michael Radford
Genre: Science Fiction/ Drama
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 1984
Starring: William Hurt, Richard Burton, Suzanna Hamilton, Cyril Cusack, Gregor Fisher

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 43: A FILM WITH A STRONG PHILOSOPHICAL OR EXISTENTIAL THEME
 
Description: In a totalitarian future society, Winston Smith (William Hurt), whose work is re-writing history, tries to rebel. He meets a kindred spirit named Julia and they fall into a love affair.

Review: Based on George Orwell’s classic novel “1984”, in which civil servant Winston Smith fall in love with dissident Julia completely against the law of the totalitarian state. Smith expresses his doubt to a member of the party, but a nightmare awaits.

Willaim Hurt is strong in his role as Winston, and Richard Burton is brilliant as the party man. The film pictures the vibe of the book well, with its grim and dark décor. It’s a depressing dystopian story, much better than the 1956 version.  

Rating: 4/ 5

80s Movie Review - Die Hard

Director: John McTiernan
Genre: Action/ Thriller
Runtime: 132 minutes
Year: 1988
Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, William Atherton

Description: A New York City police officer (Bruce Willis) tries to save his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.

Review: I have watched this movie so many times, I can’t believed I never wrote a review for it. Bruce Willis plays his iconic character John McClane. He is visiting his estranged wife in Los Angeles, only realizing that during her company’s Christmas party, some uninvited guest arrive to keep them hostage. Good luck for them, because McClane is a bad ass New York City cop.

The story is pretty simple, but the execution of it is phenomenal. A real action movie with lots of humor interspersed with rock-hard action. “Die Hard” set a trend for a new generation of films in the late 80s and early 90s.

“Die Hard” is a kick-ass movie that ever fan of the action flick lives. Willis’ most iconic role.

Rating: 5/ 5

80s Movie Review - Silverado

Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Genre: Western/ Action/ Drama/Crime
Runtime: 133 minutes
Year: 1985
Starring: Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Kevin Costner, Danny Glover, John Cleese, Brian Dennehy, Rosanna Arquette, Jeff Goldblum, Linda Hunt, Jeff Fahey

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 9: A WESTERN
 
Description: A misfit bunch of friends comes together to right the injustice which exist in a small town called Silverado.

Review: Four cowboys brought together by fate arrive in Silverado. A series of events force them to face off against an overpowered force.

In 1985, director Lawrence Kasdan successfully attempted to bring back the big western to the silver screen. Even though he does not innovate the genre, he resumes authentic western mythology and creates an entertaining and adventurous old-fashioned western.

The main reason why “Silverado” is so long, is that each of the four main characters has their own plot line. But the movie does not bore for a moment. There is enough action and tension building to keep one’s attention. Only the subplot surrounding Rosanna Arquette’s characters seems a bit thrown away and isn’t fleshed out.

The four men are cast well. Kevin Kline is the main protagonist. He plays the dryly comic Paden, who tries very hard to put his past behind him. Scott Glenn is the very cool Emmett. His brother Jake is played by Kevin Costner (in his first major role), a young, carefree spirit. And Danny Glover is Mal, a more serious character partly because of his personal situation. But he was my favorite.

We get some great supporting roles by Linda Hunt as  the petite but feisty saloonkeeper Stella. Brian Dennehy as the corrupt sheriff Cobb. And John Cleese makes a brief appearance as a quirky sheriff in a town nearby Silverado.

What also lifts “Silverado” to a higher level is the music by Bruce Broughton. Which is also something I seem to love about westerns: its music. The film looks stunning. I believe that “Silverado” is a fine and sadly underrated masterpiece. Even if you’re not a fan of westerns. I loved it.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

80s Movie Review - Witness

Director: Peter Weir
Genre: Drama/ Romance/ Thriller
Runtime: 112 minutes
Year: 1985
Starring: Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Earl W. Wallace, Lukas Haas, Josef Sommer, Danny Glover, Brent Jennings, Alexander Godunov, Jan Rubes, Viggo Mortenson, Patti LuPone

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 4: A FILM FROM THE 1980S
 
Description: While protecting an Amish Boy (Lukas Haas) - who is the sole witness to a brutal murder - and his mother (Kelly McGillis), a detective is forced to seek refuge within their community when his own life is threatened.

Review: We meet Rachel, who has just lost her husband. Together with her son Samuel, she lives in an Amish community. She is going to visit her sister and while waiting for their train in Philadelphia, young Samuel witnesses a murder. Detective John Book comes in and has to find out what Samuel saw. When he realizes, a cop was involved and even the man at the top can’t be trusted, John has to go in hiding. While protecting Rachel and Samuel, he takes refuge in their community.

I believe “Witness” is an underappreciated and overlooked movie. It’s a highly suspenseful thriller where the contrast between the city and the quiet and sober life of the Amish runs like a thread. The drama gets a bit woeful at times, but Harrison Ford’s brilliant, non-verbal, acting fills the gaps flawlessly.

I really enjoyed this movie, I never hear anyone talk about it.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

80s Movie Review - Spoorloos

Director: George Sluizer
Genre: Thriller/ Mystery
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 1988
Starring: Gene Bervoets, Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Johanna ter Steege, Gwen Eckhaus

Description: Rex (Gene Bervoets) and Saskia (Johanna ter Steege), a couple in love, are on vacation. They stop at a busy service station and Saskia goes missing. After three years and no sign of Saskia, Rex begins receiving letters from the abductor.  

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 6: A PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

Review: Saskia and Rex are on vacation. In the car, Saskia tells him she has a recurring nightmare, about her being trapped in a golden egg and must love forever alone in darkness. The book this movie is based on is called “The Golden Egg” by author Tim Krabbé and it has a deeper meaning, which you will learn at the end of the film.

While on the road, Rex and Saskia stop at a service station. Saskia goes inside to get both of them something to drink, but she never returns. Rex is left with a million questions. After 3 years, he starts receiving letters.

“Spoorloos” is one of our Dutch national film treasures, that not many people seem to talk about. Or probably seem to remember. It had a limited budget, but this movie proofs that you don’t need it. A good story and solid performances are often enough. I was invested in this movie from start to finish and loved the symbolism the golden egg represents. The movie was remade in the US in 1993, starring Kiefer Sutherland, Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock, as “The Vanishing” (also the English title for the Ditch version), which I also really loved. But for once, the Dutch version is the better one here. Directed by George Sluizer as well, but not loved by athor Tim Krabbé.

Rating: 4/ 5

80s Movie Review - At Close Range

Director: James Foley
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 1986
Starring: Sean Penn, Christopher Walken, Chris Penn, Mary Stuart Masterson, Kiefer Sutherland, Millie Perkins, Eileen Ryan, Tracey Walter, David Strathairn, Crispin Glover

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 37: A MOVIE RECOMMENDED BY YOUR BROTHER
 
Description: Reunited with his career criminal father (Christopher Walken), tough teen Brad (Sean Penn) thinks he’s found his ticker to an exciting life of crime, only to find out he’s wrong.

Review: Brad Whitewood is a boy from a simple background whose life is going nowhere. Occasionally he has a job but he never really keeps it up for long. Then suddenly his father returns. Brad Sr. turns out to be the leader of a local gang. Soon Brad Jr. starts working for his father. He experiences success with some simple jobs and Brad’s friends join. They too have an appetite for making quick money. However, Brad’s friends are not the most efficient thieves and soon things go wrong. The police are after them and Brad Sr. has no problem getting some witnesses out of the way. Brad wonders how far his father will go to stay out of jail and even begins to fear for his own life.

Sean Penn and Christopher Walken in one movie, that’s going to be great. This is what any movie lover would think when they see who is starring in this film. I can say it is true. Penn and Walken both have rock solid performances and carry the film. Walken in particular is stellar as the criminal and psychotic Brad Whitewood Sr. One moment you think you are dealing with a caring father while a moment later he turns into a cold-blooded killer who does everything in his power not to get caught.

Director James Foley manages to keep the tension well throughout the film, the story is loosely based on a true story. Highly recommended for people who like dramas with a touch of thriller.

Rating: 4/ 5

80s Movie Review - Top Gun

Director: Tony Scott
Genre: Action/ Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 1986
Starring: Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, Kelly McGillis, Tom Skerritt, Val Kilmer, Michael Ironside, Tim Robbins, Meg Ryan,

Description: As students at the united States Navy’s elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot (Tom Cruise) learns a few things from a civilian instructor (Kelly McGillis) that are not taught in the classroom.

Review: Lt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell and his wingman and friend Lt. Nick ‘Goose’ Bradshaw are among the best fighter pilots in the Navy. Despite their reckless, dangerous behavior and failure to follow orders, they are sent to Top Gun: an elite school for the Navy’s best fighter pilot, who receive extra-heavy training here.

Maverick is also a great charmer, throwing all his charms into the fray the first night to get attention of an attractive lady. The next day she turns out to be the instructor Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Blackwood. Charlie is particularly interested in Maverick because he and Goose are the only ones who have been in contact with a Mig-28 in the air. But gradually, Charlie and Maverick fall in love with each other.

“Top Gun” is the epitome of a delightfully macho, cheesy eighties popcorn flick. A film that, many years later, isn’t as great as in the 80s. The film is impressive though because of two elements: the stunning flight scenes and the soundtrack.

When I first saw this movie, in the 90s probably, I was madly in love with Tom Cruise’s Maverick. Now, I realize that he is kind of a dick and that Val Kilmer’s character Iceman, who is portrayed as the antagonist, is absolutely right about Maverick. And the fact that Charlie is very clear with her statement of not dating students, she falls in love with Maverick fairly quick. They’ve only had like three conversations.

But that’s just me nitpicking. I still enjoy watching this film and this is pure 80s fun.

Rating: 3/ 5

80s Movie Review - Good Morning, Vietnam

Director: Barry levinson
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 1987
Starring: Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, J.T. Walsh, Bruno Kirby

Description: In 1965, an unorthodox and irreverent DJ named Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams) begins to shake up things, when he is assigned to the U.S. Armed Services radio station in Vietnam.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 30: A MOVIE RECOMMENDED BY YOUR DAD
 
Review: “Goooooooooood Morning Vietnam”, those are the words DJ Adrian Cronauer starts his radio show with, while being assigned to the U.S. Armed Service radio in Vietnam. The people listening to his how, love him. His superiors not so much.

Fans of Robin Williams will have a blas with “Good Morning, Vietnam”.  The actors is especially in the first half of the film, in top form with a lightning-fast succession of jokes that he makes up on the spot. If you’re not a fan of Williams, you won’t like this movie, since Williams is the heart and soul of “Good Morning, Vietnam”. I especially loved how a film set during a war, is lighthearted at times. It doesn’t shy away from the heavy imagery or topics either.

I really loved “Good Morning, Vietnam”, realizing again what a treasure Robin Williams was.

Rating: 4/ 5

80s Movie Review - Sophie's Choice

Director: Alan J. Pakula
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 142 minutes
Year: 1982
Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Peter MacNichol
 
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 21: A MOVIE RECOMMENDED YOUR MY MOTHER
 
Description: Sophie (Meryl Streep)is the survivor of Nazi concentration camps, who has found a reason to live with Nathan (Kevin Kline), a sparkling if unsteady American Jew obsessed with the Holocaust.

Review: Stingo is a young writer from the southern United States who movie to Brooklyn to begin writing his first novel. He rents a room in a big mansion, where he soon becomes friends with his upstairs neighbors Nathan and Sophie. Nathan is a biologist whose team is about to make a major discovery. Sophie is a Polish immigrant who survived the Nazi concentration camps. Nathan is a rather volatile person, who frequently argues and leaves home and sometimes stays away for nights. Sophie then seeks comfort from Stingo, who himself craves affection passionately and is only too happy to accommodate her. During such moments she tells him stories about her life and how she ended up in a concentration camp. Slowly, Stingo gains insight into Sophie’s life, which literally and figuratively contains a lot of scars.

“Sophie’s Choice” can rightfully be called an actor’s film. Visually, the films is also impressive, however, the most of the attention goes to the three lead actors Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline and Peter MacNichol. The film contains long dialogue scenes, sometimes minutes of two people sitting on a bench, but because of the wonderful acting it’s never boring. That is the strength of the film. Especially Meryl Streep, who won her second Academy Award for this role, is convincing as the Polish immigrant. She had to learn a Polish accent and had to speak both Polish and German for the role. And does this flawlessly. For Kevin Kline, “Sophie’s Choice” was his film debut. This is what gave him his Oscar-winning role in “A Fish Called Wanda”.

The story is compelling. We see it through the eyes of Stingo and this way we see the developments in the lives of Sophie and Nathan. The theme of the film is rather heavy, but it has a lot of light-hearted moments as well. But it’s mostly the acting that lifts the film to a higher level.

Rating: 4/ 5

80s Movie Review - Clue

Director: Jonathan Lynn
Genre: Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 1985
Starring: Tim Curry, Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren, Colleen Camp

Description: Six guests are invited to a strange house and must cooperate with the staff to solve a murder mystery.

Review: The movie “Clue” is based on the board game Clue. The setting is perfect: a remote, spooky mansion in New England, USA. In this gorgeous, atmospheric décor a true murder mystery takes place, where the characters from the board game come to life.
The guests are welcomed by butler Wadsworth. Every character that’s is invited, has a secret they are blackmailed with. Host Mr. Boddy will join later. What they don’t know, is that somebody is about to be murdered and one of them is the killer….
The ingredients are simple: a group of strangers locked in a remote mansion, a murder takes place and one of them did it. It’s a typical ‘whodunit’, but who doesn’t love a good murder mystery?
In this detective it’s all about the humor. It could be seen as a mockery  of the genre. To start with the characters names. The victim is Mr. Boddy, Mrs. White is dressed all in black and Mrs. Peacock is all covered in feathers. With that, the many comedy moments filled with screaming, falling and madness. The best thing about the film is the climax, where Wadsworth tells everyone what happened. But that’s not all, because there are many possible scenarios.
The humor is great, very classical comedy. I can watch “Clue” over and over again. It’s so much fun!

Rating: 5 / 5

80s Movie Review - Stand By Me

Director: Rob Reiner
Genre: Drama/ Adventure
Runtime: 89 minutes
Year: 1986
Starring: Will Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, John Cusack, Richard Dreyfuss

Description: After the death of a friend, a writer recounts a boyhood journey to find the body of a missing boy.

Review: The name Stephen King is easily linked to horror stories like “The Shining”, “It” and “Carrie”, but he also wrote some stories that fall in a different genre than horror. The movie  “Stand By Me” is one of them, which is based on the short story “The Body”. In this realistic drama we follow four teenagers in a coming of age story.
Those four boys are Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern. They grow up in a little town in Oregon. In the summer of 1958 a boy from their town goes missing. One of the boys overhears a conversation about the whereabouts of the dead body of the boy. The four kids decided to start a journey to find him. Their journey is more than just that, it’s testing their friendship and it’s the next step to adulthood.
Director Rob Reiner creates the perfect atmosphere and shows us the life of small-town American kids in the 50s. This movie makes you long for your own childhood, where a journey outside your town sounded like an adventure already.
River Phoenix, who unfortunately died too young, is the most impressive actor in the film. He manages to convince us as the tormented problem child. But also Will Wheaton, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell manage to impress. It’s touching to see how all these very different characters grow on you.
Simple dialogue, a beautiful story and good acting make “Stand By Me” a fantastic film. It’s on my favorites list.

Rating: 5/ 5

80s Movie Review - Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Director: John Hughes
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 93 minutes
Year: 1987
Starring: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Kevin Bacon, Dylan Baker, Carol Bruce, Olivia Burnette, Diana Douglas, Larry Hankin, Richard Herd, Matthew Lawrence, George Petrie, Charles Tyner, Susan Isaacs, Lulie Newcomb

Description: Neal Page (Steve Martin) must struggle to travel home for Thanksgiving with  obnoxious slob  shower curtain ring salesman Del Griffith (John Candy) as his only companion.

Review: When John Candy takes of his shoes on a plane, and then holds them in front of Steve Martin, it looks juvenile. But it’s just really funny, especially because it’s John Candy who does it. The comedy level in “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” is very high. The story is simple, but that’s okay.
When Steve Martin’s character, Neal Page, is stranded in Wichita he meets Candy’s Del Griffith. Candy is so enjoyable as the jovial and annoying ‘friend’. During a trip through the Midwest of the states, Del is where Neal is. The combination of the two characters and actors is so much fun to watch.
“Planes, Trains & Automobiles” knows a lot of funny scenes. Think about the scene in the dirty motel, where the two men have to share a bed or the moment where Del and Neal are in their car and going the wrong way.
“Planes, Trains & Automobiles” is one of my favorite comedies and also one of the best movies John Candy and Steve Martin made. The film is fun, it’s the perfect holiday movie.

Rating: 4/ 5

80s Movie Review - Gremlins

Director: Joe Dante
Genre: Comedy/ Horror/ Fantasy
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 1984
Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Frances Lee McCain, Judge Reinhold, John Louie, Keye Luke, Don Steele, Scott Brady, Dick Miller, Arnie Moore, Susan Burgess, Corey Feldman

Description: A boy inadvertantly breaks 3 important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.

Review: Films like “Gremlins” are such a joy to watch, no matter how many time you see them. For someone from the eighties, “Gremlins” is a piece of nostalgia, but for today’s viewers it’s also a fun film. A classic in its genre, because who doesn’t know Gizmo?
Billy gets a new pet from his dad, a so called Mogwai. There are three very important rules: don’t let him get into the light, don’t get him wet and don’t feed him after midnight. Billy doesn’t manage to live up to those rules and all hell breaks loose in an American town.
Gizmo is without a doubt the cutest, most adorable and heartwarming movie creature ever created. And that’s exactly how bad and scary the Gremlins are. But all of it is entertaining to watch and causes you to laugh.
The movie was made before the era of computer animations. With this thought, Joe Dante did a great job on “Gremlins”. The creatures look really good and detailed. And it still holds up. That makes “Gremlins” a timeless classic, especially for those who grew up with this film.

Rating: 5/ 5
 
 

80s Movie Review - Ghostbusters

Director: Ivan Reitman
Genre: Horror/ Comedy/ Action
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 1984
Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts

Description: Three unemployed parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.

Review: When you’re an eighties kid, you grew up with the cartoons. And who didn’t enjoy the adventures of ghostbusters Ray, Peter, Eagon and Winston? They are a group a parapsychologists. Together they take on all the evil ghosts, monsters and creatures.
They beautiful Dana Barrett asks them for help, after she saw something strange in her refrigerator. When Peter checks out her apartment, he doesn’t really think much of it, but something big and powerful is coming to New York.
The group of ghostbusters is cast perfectly, with Bill Murray excelling as Peter Venkman. He is a master at sarcasm.  Dan Aykroyd, playing Ray Stantz, was also unthinkable in ‘80s comedies and works great together with Murray. Harold Ramis plays Eagon Spengler. You know that without them even saying his name. The big nerd amongst the group. A smaller role is for Ernie Hudson, as Winston Zedmore. Sigourney Weaver shines as the damsel in distress, who was very seductive back in the days. And a really funny supporting role for Rick Moranis, as Weaver’s geeky and clumbsy neighbor.
Although the special effects are a bit dated, it never takes away the fun. “Ghostbuster” has reached a certain status over the years, every ‘80s kid loves this. And the comedy is so strong and to the point.
“Ghostbusters” is a movie I can enjoy every single time. The movie that made me love Bill Murray and that is still funny today. 

Rating: 4,5/ 5

80s Movie Review - Videodrome

Director: David Cronenberg
Genre: Horror/ Thriller/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 87 minutes
Year: 1983
Starring: James Woods, Debbie Harry, Sonja Smits, Peter Dvorsky, Lerslie Carlson, Jack Creley, Lynne Gorman, Julie Khaner, Reiner Schwartz, David Bolt, Lally Cadeau, Henry Gomez

Description: A programmer (James Woods) at a TV station that specializes in adult entertainment searches for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.

Review: “Videodrome” gained cult status soon after its release due to David Cronenberg’s innovative vision of mass media and the intertwining of body and technology; by now it has been called a prophetic film, as the director seemed to predict as early as 1983 how obsessed people would become with internet technology. Just look at the scene in which Max Renn walks through a room where homeless people in rooms are getting their own much-needed dose of cable-television.  
“Videodrome” revolves around cable television operator Max Renn who is constantly looking for even more challenging and controversial material. When his sidekick shows a recording of a video named Videodrome, Renn’s world view begins to rapidly shift. Terrible hallucinations plague his brain. Searching for the how and why of his physical decline, he discovers the programs of television guru Brian O’Blivion, who explains tat the show gave him a brain tumor. The evil Barry Convex begins programming Renn with live videos, which he inserts into his body. For Renn, who mutates into a killing machine, there seems to be no turning back.
After so many years, “Videodrome” is still disturbing, thought-provoking and at time particularly unpleasant viewing experience. And overall it’s a very weird movie. Director David Cronenberg devised a few iconic scenes that will leave very few viewers unmoved. The mutating bodies of Renn and Convex seem to be the consequences of the destructive power of VIdeodrom broadcast, which are meant to make weak America strong as the rest of the world gets tougher and tougher.
Even though it’s a creepy, weird and disturbing horror movie, the 80s vibe is a bit funny as well. But “Videodrome” has lost none of its power.

Rating: 3, 5/ 5