50 Favorites Flicks of the 80's

my FAVORITE movie

A perfect transition from book to movie.

This was one of my favorite movies as a child.

Return to Oz is true gem... no pun intended. ;-)
Disney did not do well at the box office and many critics were very harsh calling it "grim" and "creepy" and "lacking the luster of the original 1939 MGM version."
But this movie was never meant to be anything like Judy Garland's cheery, musical, vibrant colored Oz. This Oz stays true to Frank Baum's original stories and anyone who comes in to the film expecting the magic and enchantment from the first movie is wasting their time and will be sadly disappointed. You must come to this movie with an open mind, accept it for it's artistic appeal and on its own terms. It is nothing like the first movie and it is best to separate them completely in your mind if you are going to enjoy it.
Some children may get scared as there are some creepy parts like the wheelers, head-hunting Princess Mombi, and the Nome King. Even Jack Pumpkinhead (who is a good guy) scared my little sister when we were younger and watching it today, he still creeps her out as a sixteen-year-old!
Dorothy has new, delightful sidekicks who are fun and loveable. The lavish special effects were incredible in 1985 and even today are still awe-inspiring. Dorothy's return to Oz is a bleak one as to her dismay, the yellow brick road is in disrepair, the Emerald City in shambles, and the previous inhabitants have been turned to stone including her friends the tin woodman and the cowardly lion. In the original book Ozma of Oz, Dorothy was in a different city across the deadly desert when the events that take place in this movie happened. The film has a gorgeous soundtrack, great costumes and visuals and excellent acting even though Fairuza Balk does lack the sparkle and spunk Judy Garland brought to the role.
Nonetheless, Return to Oz is a wonderful adventure. There are many exciting parts where the characters are put into peril but they always get out of it. My favorite parts are when Dorothy makes the Gump out of the Powder of Life and the moose head (which is not in the book) and when she has to guess which of the objects in the Nome King's palace are her friends to restore them. See this movie, give it a chance, it is amazing!!!

Offensive at parts, but that's the point. Many tender moments between husband and wife, mother and son, and the high school sweethearts. Really fun! It could do without so much vulgar language.

I loved this since I was a kid and I still love it. Every time we went to Blockbuster I got this video because it was too rare to find and buy.

Amazing. I'll never tire of seeing it.

I used to rent this all the time at Blockbuster... over and over. This one and Unico, Island of Magic. They were my favorite.

It's the best music video ever!

This movie asks the question: What does it mean to be human? Number 5 thinks he is alive because he has creativity, imagination, the ability to laugh, communicate, rationally think, and feel emotions. If you liked Artificial Intelligence, I, Robot, Bicentennial Man, and WALL-E... you'll love "Short Circuit." I thought it was cute, funny, and heart-warming.

What was the point of this movie? What did the film-makers want to say with it? Is it about different customs? Peace? The fact that sometimes murder is justified in self defense? The kindness of neighbors? I didn't understand the purpose of the love story either. Still, it wasn't a full waste of 2 hours. It was average.

Here's a cute one. A spoiled rotten, pampered rich wife falls off a yacht and develops amnesia. A carpenter whose four unruly sons may get taken away by social services decides to make her believe that she is their mother. In so doing, she also becomes the babysitter and housekeeper. Of course, things get tricky when he starts to fall in love with her but her husband wants her back...

Classic! Amazing. Even though compared to today's special effects, I enjoy the effects they had back then because it's almost more real. The people on fire, the Terminator fixing his eye, the metal robot engulfed in flames and moving toward Sarah Conner to kill her.... so disturbing!

An unfortunate ending, but well done. I love the early 80s special effects... especially the wind scene.

Excellent movie about a teacher who empowers lower-class hispanic students and gives them a chance to be somebody. No one thought they could do it. No one challenged them beyond what anyone thought they were capable of. But Mr. Escalante teaches an introduction to math class... and in two years, he teaches the students AP calculus. He gains their respect and instills a desire to learn in their heart.

This is one of the cheesiest movies... but it's so fun.

I remember seeing this when I was about six and it made a big impression on me. I used to act out my favorite scenes with my friend David. It's a classic.

I saw this as a little girl and remember one particular scene that still haunts my memories and nightmares. I saw it again yesterday, and that scene was perfectly exact as the memory in my head. The best part of this movie is the beautiful landscapes of Africa and the amazing cinematography and performance by Weaver. It's a crappy ending but hey, it's a true story, and they gotta tell it like it is.

A very cheesy 80s movie with great music and enough gags and laughs to make it worth watching. The humor is great... even though it's slightly hokey.

Too much swearing and needless vulgar references to women's body parts. Otherwise, this movie is so great. The best part about it is the music!

I suppose it was alright... your typical silly 80s flick with really no point except to entertain.