What was it like growing up in the 80's.

In 1985 I saw 2 films at the cinema that I thought were so good I bought them on VHS when they were released for rental. This was before sell through videos were available so I paid full whack for them. One was The Terminator and the other was The Breakfast Club.

I haven't seen either in quite a few years so I'm going to have to get hold of them again.
 
Orcish-Horde said:
As cool as the 70s, 80s and 90s were, now would be a great time to be born. Nothing you can't do now that was done back then, with the added plus that the kids from back then are making their dream real. Games, film and music, just think how mind blowing it is for kids to experience for the first time todays games.
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Funny, I went to see the Avengers Assemble last night and mentioned to my mate something similar about how kids years ago just had the comics yet we watched the film with brilliant special effects.

Kids today though probably just think it's normal I'm guessing, whereas me and you realise they're mind blowing as the special effects we grew up to were probably a tinfoil suit and a silver bucket on someones head.
 
m4cc45 said:
You're talking about technology (SKY+ / TIVO / Multiplex Cinemas) which I actually agreed on. I could have drawn a massive list like Predator, Airwolf, Beverly Hills Cop, 48 Hours, Commando, Blue Thunder, Knight Rider, Ghostbusters, Aliens, Blade Runner, Platoon, Indiana Jones, Full Metal Jacket, etc. but they get very boring very quickly.
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And I could list many brilliant films from the last two decades. The point is that you are ignoring all the dross that was also released in the 80s and focusing on the best.

m4cc45 said:
Kids TV? Really better now? You're talking Telly Tubbies and **** like that which was made (or looks like) by people on drugs? To name but a few: Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, Thundercats, MASK, He-Man, Cities of Gold, Star Fleet, Ulyses, Dogtanian, Dungeons and Dragons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dangermouse, Trap Door, Count Duckula, Catch the Pigeon, etc. (again another boring list but it goes on and on)
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Again you focus on the best (though some of that list is pretty awful if you watch it again) and the make utterly bizarre comparisons. Why would you compare Thundercats to Teletubbies? 20 channels of kids TV compared to 2 hours ....

m4cc45 said:
When was the last time you went to a multiplex with 12 screens and you were literally spoilt for choice? I'm talking where you wanted to watch everything that was on. You may have more choice but you certainly have a lot more rubbish on.
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Compared to every week you went to the cinema in the 80s and there was a brilliant film on both screens.... :D

m4cc45 said:
A hell of a lot of films are being redone or sequels made. It's because they have no idea and the originals were brilliant. Look recently you have a remake of Total Recall another Terminator film, Fright Night, Freddy vs Octoshark (this may be a lie). But they all have throw backs to a time when films were a bit more original or new ideas were being tested. Look at how films would have turned out if, for example, George Lucas had his original way - then there would be no decent Star Wars just the rubbish that are 1 to 3.
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So none of your "brilliant films from the 80s" were sequels? :D And let's be honest the new Total Recall actually has a chance to be a better movie especially if it sticks closer to the source material! Standard nostalgia, forget the rubbish and only remember the good stuff.

m4cc45 said:
P.S. You do realise that the Avengers is based on something from wayyyyy back (like 60s when the comics came out).
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Probably more so than you, but I fail to see the point, the movie was brilliant (more so than many on your list) and was made outside of the 80s. As far as TV, Music and Films go, the 80s was ok but you really need to be selective in what you highlight and ignore the rubbish!
 
Where I disagree there is SFX now are par for the course but seeing Close Encounters at the cinema in 1978 was somewhat mind blowing. Same for Star Wars. The SFX of those 2 may not be as good as they are in films today but back then they were amazing considering what we'd had before.
 
ElliorR said:
It wasn't Estevez it was Judd Nelson.
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Whoops, that's a bit embarrassing by me but the point still stands about the ending of the clip. :o

m4cc45 said:
Kids TV? Really better now? You're talking Telly Tubbies and **** like that which was made (or looks like) by people on drugs? To name but a few: Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, Thundercats, MASK, He-Man, Cities of Gold, Star Fleet, Ulyses, Dogtanian, Dungeons and Dragons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dangermouse, Trap Door, Count Duckula, Catch the Pigeon, etc. (again another boring list but it goes on and on)
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I wouldn't be so sure that previous kids TV wasn't made by people on drugs - Rainbow, The Magic Roundabout, The Clangers etc? I've got my doubts about a fair few on your list there too.
 
kPATm said:
Holy Hell. I just read this bit and now I feel VERYVERY OLD:eek::eek::eek::eek:
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Me too. At first I was thinking... hang on. You mean YOU were born in 1972, not your dad, surely. Because that would mean you'd have to be, what, 8?

[Dawning realisation...] Oh... :eek:

I miss the 80s because I miss being a kid. I had a great childhood, and the world was wondrous and exciting. Lots about the 80s played into this. It seems a decade filled with noise and excess, colour and brash exuberance. It seems a fun time to have been a kid.

I played for hours on Manic Miner, Knightlore and The Hobbit. I don't think many kids would prefer those games to Skyrim, Deus Ex, Stalker, etc. Still, the power of nostalgia makes me look on them with disproportionate fondness.

Same for the horrible repetitive synthpop and twee ballads that saturated the 80s - hearing them now bathes me in the glowing warmth of nostalgia's warming glow without even a twinge of revulsion. I mean, I can listen in contented reflection to Men Without Hats, for God's sake.
 
Another thought to throw into the mix...

For those of us who were born in the 70s and grew up in the 80s... have you ever seen a film, or read a book of which you've heard a great deal but didn't get around to doing until your 30s?

For example I didn't read 1984 until 5 years ago. I can understand why it's a great book but sadly it's been so plagiarised, and every idea or concept has been taken and expanded on in so many other derivative works that I didn't especially enjoy it. I don't regret reading it and Orwell writes a good book... however I wonder if it's the same for 80s culture for people born in the late 80s/90s. Do they look at the 80s stuff we wax lyrical about and think it's a bit basic, they've seen it before and it's nothing really impressive?
 
I just ordered The Terminator and The Breakfast Club on Blu Ray, time for an 80's film revival for me I think, but am somewhat disappointed by The Breakfast Club's cover.

The original image is so iconic for me.

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I'm sorry but i'm an 80's child through and through but The Breakfast Club is utterly dull and completely overrated. Ferris Bueller's Day Off, now that's were it's at!!
 
A lot of good films in the 80s... or probably more exactly a lot of us were more susceptible to forming great memories in the 80s.

Superbad is a fantastic film, I wonder if children now will appreciate it in the same way we appreciate our 80s films? My head says yes they will, my heart says it's not the same!
 
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