Feb 05 2010
Taylor’s High Five: Classic ’80s movies
This week, Sports Editor Eric Taylor presents his top five classic 80s movies. Next week, look for Staff Writer Jason Glenn’s top five somewhat impractical American cars he has owned.
5) “Top Secret”
Pretty senseless humor, but you can’t help but laugh at this flick that helped launch Val Kilmer’s career. He enlists the help of members of the French Resistance that include “Latrine” and “Chocolate Mousse” and my favorite, “Déjà vu.” The soundtrack isn’t bad as well, including the “Skeet-surfing USA” tune.
4) “Better off Dead”
My favorite of John Cusack’s 80s films as he falls in love with a foreign exchange student while trying to get over the heartbreak of his girlfriend dumping him. But the best part is the obnoxious paperboy who keeps tormenting Cusack for the $2 he owes him from his paper route.
3) “Can’t Buy Me Love”
Before he was Dr. McDreamy on Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey was a nerdy 17-year-old kid mowing lawns while trying to impress his beautiful neighbor. He eventually buys her a dress to help make him popular (heard that one before, right?) and they end up falling in love, then breaking up. But all is well in the end as they ride off into the sunset on his lawnmower.
2) “Weird Science”
One of the few movies where I actually like Anthony Michael Hall’s character. The two nerdy boys create the gorgeous Kelly LeBrock and show her off to their friends. The best character is older brother Chet, who makes life miserable for the boys and causes Michael Hall to puke by mentioning a “greasy pork sandwich, served in a dirty ashtray.”
1) “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”
It wouldn’t be the 80s without this classic. I think all of us would admit we knew someone like Jeff Spicoli in high school and we would all loved to have known Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates) in high school. One of my favorite scenes is where Mr. Hand, Spicoli’s teacher, comes into Spicoli’s home and wastes all of his time after Spicoli had wasted the teacher’s time most of the school year. A classic for high school kids of any generation.