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For this week’s movie recommendations, I’m going ‘80s and I’m going Amazon Prime. We’ve got a couple of ‘80s classics and then one I don’t think is great but that still has some things going for it. Hey, late at night sometimes that’s all you need.
Start off with Top Gun. Yes, it’s an insane, over-the-top action movie. There isn’t really much in the way of an antagonist. It’s just a bunch of aggro dudes in flight school led by Tom Cruise. Tony Scott is not a subtle filmmaker, and he is working with no restraints in Top Gun. There’s a lot of star power, a famous ‘80s soundtrack, and a ton of fetishization of military vehicles, specifically planes. Planes flown by those with a need for speed. It’s a corny movie, but it has its charms, and it is an iconic ‘80s film. Plus, a sequel will arrive…eventually. When the world is a smidge less insane.
After that, move on to WarGames. It’s another classic ‘80s film with a classic ‘80s star, Ferris Bueller himself Matthew Broderick. The Cold War looms over this movie as well, though this time the problem is a military machine with a mind of its own that is set to launch missiles after Broderick’s hacker character accidentally stumbles upon it. When I was younger I assumed it was more comedic than it is, but really it’s a (somewhat light) political thriller in many ways.
Lastly, end your ‘80s evening with Valley Girl. It’s a pretty good movie known mostly for being Nicolas Cage’s first starring role. Unfortunately, is isn’t too crazy in it. The story has some Romeo & Juliet vibes as a punk (Cage) and a Valley Girl (Deborah Foreman) fall for each other. There’s classic gratuitous ‘80s movie nudity, but on the other hand there’s also a great soundtrack. It’s fun just to see the sights, take in the fashions, and hear that music. End your evening of ‘80s movies with a feast for the senses (if not for your brain).
To me, this seems like a totally tubular way to spend an afternoon, or evening, this weekend.
