Revisiting some underrated 80's movies.

[HymanKaplan]

This misses by 2 years, but I have to mention it in this thread, ONLY because I want to watch THIS:

 

[august-west]

And a truly underrated movie - Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

I saw this at the theater and didn’t like it all, of course I was probably 12-13. It is now one of my favorite movies.

 

[Mash 2.4]

Sorry, but best decade for movies was 90s, and it’s not even close.

But back to the topic of underrated 80s movies..

A great start for the Coen Brothers with the movie Blood Simple.

And a truly underrated movie - Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

70’s gotta be the best for truly great movies right?

 

[Mash 2.4]

I saw this at the theater and didn’t like it all, of course I was probably 12-13. It is now one of my favorite movies.

Great movie. Not sure it’s necessarily under rated. Another Steve Martin movie. I think from the 80’s. My Blue Heaven. That ones under rated.

 

[Glenn's take]

Fletch and Taps. Tom Cruise's character dies in Taps so even better.

 

[DSmith21]

Once Upon a Time in America was great, but I don't think it falls into this category.

Not sure that I understand your criteria please elaborate.

 

[HymanKaplan]

Underrated 80's movies. Once Upon A Time In America is considered a genuine classic, IMO. One of the pillars of modern gangster films.

 

[funKYcat75]

Great movie. Not sure it’s necessarily under rated. Another Steve Martin movie. I think from the 80’s. My Blue Heaven. That ones under rated.

I quote it a lot, but nobody knows what I’m talking about.

 

[HymanKaplan]

Those aren't pillows.

How 'bout those Bears?

 

[DSmith21]

Underrated 80's movies. Once Upon A Time In America is considered a genuine classic, IMO.

Critics didn't like the original 2 hour version. The +3 hour director's cut is excellent but didn't get released until much later. I get your point though.

 

[rick64]

 

[HymanKaplan]

Critics didn't like the original 2 hour version. The +3 hour director's cut is excellent but didn't get released until much later. I get your point though.

The first time I saw it was in 1986. I only remember the year because I know I was living in Texas. I saw it on cable TV (probably HBO) and it was easily 3 hours. I remember it had a damn intermission. LOL

Apropos of the original thread intent or not, it is a classic movie in every sense. There are some strange/not so strange theories out there about the story line and ending that provoke thought.

 

[ukwizard]

The best I've heard Big Trouble in Little China described is its the best movie of alltime as you watch it. A true work of art imo.

The Burbs is fvcking great.

Ghostbusters 2 is underrated imo. It is clearly not as good as the original but it has some truely great moments. The courtroom scene is Rick Moranis at the top of his game.

 

[justa]

Heaven’s Gate…..LOL

I tried to watch that a couple times. Brutal

 

[DSmith21]

Here one with mixed reviews and only moderate financial success. I find it a guilty pleasure starring Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines.

 

[HymanKaplan]

Here is an early 80's film. Odd, corny, but great in it's own way.

Directed and produced by the venerable George Romero, and starring an as of yet unheard of Ed Harris, and co-starring effects/makeup wizard (in Romero's classic previous films, Dawn of the Dead etc.) Tom Savini.

Knightriders...

 

[HeismaNole]

Sorry, but best decade for movies was 90s, and it’s not even close.

But back to the topic of underrated 80s movies..

A great start for the Coen Brothers with the movie Blood Simple.

And a truly underrated movie - Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Yeah if we’re talking like Oscar films and what not, yes, the 90s reigns supreme. But the 80s was king of cult classics though.

 

[HymanKaplan]

How could I forget one the 80's all time classics: Buckaroo Bonzai Across the 8th Dimension.



Somebody get her a f*cking violin. LOL

I'm going to sing this song for you Peggy. "It's PENNY" LOL (someone in the backgounf says, "this sucks" LOL

 

[FargenBastich]

Does Porky's qualify?

 

[HymanKaplan]

No, because it was awful.

 

[HeismaNole]

Over the Top and BTILC are definitely on the list.

What about Better Off Dead? Underrated? I think so.

Absolutely. It’s a classic film and plot. I think everyone in the 80s either had to ski or water ski to save a slope or a summer camp. 😂 I think that was the plot of Meatballs 4 with Corey Feldman too.

Over the Top taught me the best way to win a child custody battle was through winning an arm wrestling tournament.

Cobra was another solid Stallone performance

 

[HeismaNole]

Does Porky's qualify?

I don’t know. I think that’s a pretty iconic movie but it could still be underrated in the grand scheme.

 

[HymanKaplan]

Everyone is entitlled to their opinion. I thought Porky's was awful.

 

[K86]

Repo Man
Real Genius
Three O’Clock High
Better Off Dead

Real Genius is a great movie.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I submit Jewish gangster movie Once Upon a Time in America. Screenplay by Sergio Leone (from the Eastwood spaghetti westerns). Staring Robert DeNiro, James Woods, Joe Pesci, Elizabeth McGovern, Treat Willims, etc. Really good movie but it was very long (over 3.5 hours). The American release got cut down to about 2 hours and it didn't work/critics didn't like. The original full version is a really good movie.

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Have the Directors cut in queue, just because I heard it's one of those films you need to see the DC version (Along with films like Brazil and Alien 3)

 

[HymanKaplan]

Just remembered another one: Alien Nation, with James Caan and Mandy Patinkin

 

[UK82]

Great movie from 1987.

 

[Keeping the faith]

Some Kind of Wonderful
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
Tough Guys-Not the best but always on HBO back then.

 

[HymanKaplan]

Great movie from 1987.

This movie is God mode fantastic, and so far, the absolute winner of this thread.

 

[Keeping the faith]

One last one for me. It was 1990 but loved it
Memphis Belle

 

[thabigbluenation]

As a kid

Flight of the navigator
Explorers
Transformers
The Neverending story
D.A.R.Y.L

 

[megablue]

For me, this is a no-brainer.

House of Games | Rotten Tomatoes

After one of her patients threatens suicide, psychiatrist Margaret Ford (Lindsay Crouse) confronts the source of his anxieties, a downtown bookie named Mike (Joe Mantegna). Once she decides that Mike is not a serious threat, however, she herself becomes interested in his world of high-stakes...

www.rottentomatoes.com

 

[HymanKaplan]

As a kid

Flight of the navigator
Explorers
Transformers
The Neverending story
D.A.R.Y.L

Good call on D.A.R.Y.L.

 

[justa]

Tough Guys is great

Lancaster
Douglas
Wallach

Add in Durning

Good flick

 

[exemjr]

I'm going to submit:

The Wraith
Tank
Any movie with Ninja in the title
Uncommon Valor

 

[HeismaNole]

Oh I got a great one.

To Live and Die in LA with William Peterson and Dafoe.

Point Break got its car chase scene from this movie. Badass action movie.

 

[d2atTech]

70’s gotta be the best for truly great movies right?

hell no. independence day is 1996. that alone easily vaults the 90's to the top. not only is it a fourth of july tradition, a tear-jerker of a presidential speech, but the template for victory against the aliens that we can pass on to future generations.

 

[megablue]

Oh I got a great one.

To Live and Die in LA with William Peterson and Dafoe.

Point Break got its car chase scene from this movie. Badass action movie.

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Great movie. Great soundtrack.