A 1980s Film Binge Fest on Netflix

I’m a child of the 1980s and the pop culture from that time period stands out in my memory and will forever more.  I loved the music, TV shows and the movies…ahhh, the movies.

Films back then were kind of ground-breaking. They delved into topics of teenage-dom and adulthood that had never been touched on. Some were hits and we all saw them over and over. Some just wasted away into oblivion and returned as cult favorites many years later. I’ve spent the last few months pulling some out of my memory’s list and have been re-watching them with my children, particularly all the films by John Hughes.

I remember sitting in the theater watching Hughes’ movies and really relating to his characters.  They were dorks, they were unpopular, they were seeking a higher purpose in life. He also featured the music of all my favorite bands (Psychedelic Furs, Simple Minds, OMD to name a few) and the characters even dressed like me (particularly Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink). The 1980s for me was the decade I went through puberty and adolescence and I got a lot of direction from his films on how to navigate through high school.

I know that my kids can’t get the same of direction from these movies. We had no technology back them and life was VERY different. But a lot of the issues of trying to fit in still apply. I’m determined to continue our streak of watching some of my favorites and I’m quite sure that the more we watch, the more that will make sense to them about what was once meaningful to me.

Want to relive the 1980s?

Go on Netflix, look up the films I mention below, dedicate a day to reliving a great decade in all its glory. Or do what I do and pull one out every Friday night. After all, my kids are still too young to complain (too much) about what we watch. I also list a few to watch after they’re in bed. After all, life isn’t just about them….just watch some of these great clips:

Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark (OMD) singing “If I Leave” – great scene in John Hugh’s PRETTY IN PINK.

I had such a crush on John Cusack in the 80s. This was one of his best: SAY ANYTHING. And more great music by my favorite, Peter Gabriel to boot.

The athlete, the freak, the princess, and the basket case. THE BREAKFAST CLUB will always be one of my favorites. Remember this great dance scene?

HEATHERS is another 80s film that you can’t forget. Winona Ryder and Christian Slater play two very screwed up teenagers who decide to kill all the popular kids and nearly get away with it. I just saw it on Broadway, too. Some movies never go away….because they shouldn’t.

My daughter loved CLUELESS. This film that really spoke to our generation and it never really ages.

Another one of my kid’s favorites – FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. Who couldn’t love watching Matthew Broderick play a kid who gets away with everything? This has to be the biggest hit in the group of 80s films for my kids.

BROADCAST NEWS is another one of my favorites but you might want to put the kids to bed for this one. William Hurt, Holly Hunter and Albert Brooks played three news professionals whose personal and professional lives were intertwined and the results were unforgettable.

Another favorite that’s not for the kids: CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD. William Hurt and Marlee Matlin played two characters falling in love defying all odds. She’s deaf; he’s his teacher. I loved this film. I watched it over and over and over when I was younger.

Disclosure: I’m a member of the #Netflix #Streamteam and write one post a month about my experience with Netflix but I choose my own topics and all opinions are my own.

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