80's Film

Here are my favorite movies from the 80's.


1. Amadeus - Dir. Milos Forman (1984)



This film is FANTASTIC! Two of the best performances in any movie are right here in this masterpiece. There is an overload of music, humor, drama, suspense, color, but somehow it works beautifully. A must see for a film lover.


2. Platoon - Dir. Oliver Stone (1986)



There is a feeling of authenticity in this film. Maybe its because Oliver Stone did a tour of duty in Vietnam. Such an amazing film.

3. The Empire Strikes Back - Dir. Irvin Kershner (1980)



The best of all the Star Wars films. So much emotion. Such an interesting story. I love, love, love this film.

4. Raging Bull - Dir. Martin Scorsese (1980)



Robert De Niro gives the best performance of his career in one of the best of all character studies.

5. Raiders of the Lost Ark - Dir. Steven Spielberg (1981)



Nobody does adventure like Spielberg.

6. My Left Foot - Dir. Jim Sheridan (1989)



Daniel Day-Lewis gives one of the best performances of the decade in a truly inspirational film. The greatest aspect of the film is in its portrayal of Christy Brown who, while amazing, was not in any way heroic. Check this one out.

7. Driving Miss Daisy - Dir. Bruce Beresford (1989)



I was not looking forward to this film. Thought it would be amazingly boring. Imagine my surprise when it moved me to tears. What a beautiful film about friendship.

8. Ordinary People - Dir. Robert Redford (1980)



Robert Redford's directorial debut, and it was a doozy. Such a painful film about the deep seeded pain in seemingly normal families.

9. Field of Dreams - Dir. Phil Alden Robinson (1989)



A childhood favorite. I love the enigma this film is. It never explains the mystery behind anything, which is one of its strengths.

10. When Harry Met Sally - Dir. Rob Reiner (1989)



Some of the best dialogue in any movie ever. This film actually gives me insight into my current relationship.

11. Sophie's Choice - Dir. Alan J. Pakula (1982)



This film is an emotional roundhouse to the gut. Meryl Streep is a goddess.

12. Back to the Future - Dir. Robert Zemeckis (1985)



Michael J. Fox is a gifted comedic actor. And this is one of the best of all fantasy films.

13. The Princess Bride - Dir. Rob Reiner (1987)



How did this film work? Its so outrageous. Yet it works as a comedy, romance, fantasy, action, and sometimes political commentary. Amazing.

14. Blade Runner - Dir. Ridley Scott (1982)



A visually stunning film. One of my favorite scifi films.

15. Do the Right Thing - Dir. Spike Lee (1989)



Spike Lee's best. Great film about race relations.

16. Say Anything - Dir. Cameron Crowe (1989)



Such a sweet love story. so tender and romantic.

17. Die Hard - Dir. John McTiernan (1988)



Sheer adrenaline! Bruce Willis at his best.

18. A Christmas Story - Dir. Bob Clark (1983)



I don't know if any other film has done nostalgia this well.

19. Bull Durham - Dir. Ron Shelton (1988)



This film has an extremely high baseball IQ. So funny, yet touching.

20. The Karate Kid - Dir. John G. Avildsen (1984)



One of the best friendships of all film. I love this film.

Los Suns

The following article made me proud to be a sports fan. With the Nuggets eliminated from the playoffs, I will be rooting for Los Suns to take the NBA title.

80's Albums

My favorite albums of the 80's...


1. Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)



This may be the best pop album ever recorded. MJ was not a manufactured star like the mickey mouse clubbers of today. He wrote most of his own lyrics and music, which were rarely ever sissy bubble gum pop songs about silly love. Such a badass album!

2. U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)



Beautiful rock and roll album by one of the most consistent bands of the 80's. They've fallen off in the past decade, but they knew what was up in 1987.

3. The Smiths - The Queen is Dead (1986)



One of the greatest all time underground bands. Morrissey's voice is instantly recognizable and Johnny Marr was one of the more creative guitarists around. This is their crowning achievement.

4. Guns n Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987)



This album melts my face everytime I listen to it. Wow, these guys ruled for a bit.

5. U2 - War (1983)



This would be the best album for most bands, but for U2, nothing measures to Joshua Tree. this album is fantastic though. so intense.

6. Michael Jackson - Bad (1987)



King of Pop went angry with this record. Served him well, because it is awesome.

7. Joy Division - Closer (1980)



Yet another band whose life was cut short by suicide. I was not too familiar with this band 'til I saw the movie "Control" a couple of years ago. Check them out.

8. The Stone Roses - Self titled (1989)



One album wonder, but what a wonderful album it is. Listen to it and see where some other Brit rock bands of the 90's and 2000's drew influence.

9. Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever (1989)



Hard to pick one Petty album, but this one has so much. This guy is a rocker for the ages.

10. U2 - Boy (1980)



This band ruled the 80's. This is their first, and lesser known album. Don't let that discourage you from listening to it. This album is packed with more energy than most of their other stuff.

11. Violent Femmes - Self titled (1983)



This band is far too underground, their music deserves to be heard. Yeah, everyone knows "Blister in the Sun" and "Add it Up." But this album is full of great stuff.

12. Peter Gabriel - So (1986)



I get a lot of crap for digging this album, but who cares! Gabriel is stellar. In your eyes has gotta be one of the most romantic pop songs ever recorded.

13. The Police - Synchronicity (1983)



Great album from a great band.

14. U2 - The Unforgettable Fire (1985)



Wow, it took them 7 albums to make a bad one. This one is so great as well. Lots and lots of the Edge on this one.

15. The Clash - Combat Rock (1982)



So many of their classics on this album.

16. Prince - Purple Rain (1984)



Prince rules the sexually ambiguous glam rock. What a great party record.

17. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA (1984)



Springsteen isn't my absolute favorite, but he's got some great stuff.

18. Talking Heads - Remain in the Light (1980)



Weird Weird band, but strikingly good.

19. The Smiths - Self Titled (1984)



This first album of theirs was a doozy. I love them.

20. The Cure - Boys Don't Cry (1980)



Fun band of the 80's with a solid album.


your thoughts...

70's Film

Here are my favorite films of the 70's...


1. The Godfather - Dir. Francis Ford Coppola (1972)



Perhaps the greatest of all American film. Has everything I could possibly ever want in a movie. absolutely perfect!

2. The Godfather part II - Dir. Francis Ford Coppola (1974)



Only because one had to be first and one had to be second. another perfect film. further adds to the tragedy. wow!

3. Network - Dir. Sidney Lumet (1976)



Is it a coincidence that Robert Duvall stars in all three of my top 3 films? this film is outrageous. what a brilliant and prophetic look into the future of reality tv, over 20 years early!

4. Jaws - Dir. Steven Spielberg (1975)



I still don't think its safe to go back in the water. Spielberg takes what could've been a standard thriller and turns in into something far more frightening and engaging.

5. The Deer Hunter - Dir. Michael Cimino (1978)



contains a few of the most intense scenes ever committed to film. this is a gut wrenching and unforgettable film.

6. Rocky - Dir. John G. Avildsen (1976)



A tender love story disguised as a rags to riches sports film. Shows that Stallone is a true acting and writing talent when he wants to be. He later cashed in for big bucks, can you blame him?

7. Dog Day Afternoon - Dir. Sidney Lumet (1975)



Pacino's best performance in an amazingly intense film. Lumet brilliantly directs.

8. Patton - Dir. Franklin J. Schaffner (1970)



One of the most brilliant performances of any film ever.

9. Taxi Driver - Dir. Martin Scorsese (1976)



Scorsese's first of several brilliant films. De Niro is frightening in this.

10. Star Wars - Dir. George Lucas (1977)



Before George Lucas got terrible. an amazing fantasy adventure followed by an even better film 3 years later.

11. Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Dir. Steven Spielberg (1977)



An inspiring film of hope and faith.

12. Being There - Dir. Hal Ashby (1979)



A very good film made great by a perfect ending.

13. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Dir. Milos Forman (1975)



One of Nicholson's Best.

14. A Clockwork Orange - Dir. Stanley Kubrick (1971)



A weird and disturbing film with a frightening performance from Malcolm McDowell

15. Alien - Dir. Ridley Scott (1979)



Brilliant thriller. completely frightening.

16. Monty Python and the Holy Grail - Dir. Terry Jones (1975)



One of the weirdest comedies i've ever seen. still makes me laugh.

17. The French Connection - Dir. William Friedkin (1971)



A great performance from one of my favorite actors, Gene Hackmen.

18. Chinatown - Dir. Roman Polanski (1974)



A great pre-statutory rape film for Polanski.

19. Annie Hall - Dir. Woody Allen (1977)



Woody Allen's funniest film.

20. Blazing Saddles - Dir. Mel Brooks (1974)



Funny stuff from Mel Brooks.


Thoughts and feelings?