A little more than two years ago, I hatched a good idea for a writing series on this space. While it has provided me some wonderful fruit, I still hope to hravest a bit more. Thus, I’m hoping to reseed this forgotten orchard by…something, something, something, horticulture metaphor.
Jokes aside, I’ve had some great conversations over the last several months about people’s first time watching what I percieve to be pop culture classics. These are films of the era that I believe hold up well to rewatch (so no FOOTLOOSE, or GOONIES) but ones that haven’t elevated themselves into that capital-C-Classic Film status (thus no PULP FICTION or INDIANA JONES).
What I’m saying is that this project shouldn’t be confused with the Blind Spot Series, since I’m more interested here in pop culture touchstones…not necessarily movies that make lists like the AFI Top 100 or The Sight & Sound Poll. Think more PRETTY WOMAN, and less LITTLE WOMEN.
I know some people out there had plans to contribute (BIG, and THE LION KING were spoken for once upon a time), but again I have run out of participants. I still remain hopeful that I can find someone to tackle HARRY POTTER & THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE, but my last attempt at that one didn’t go so well.
So again, I put out this call to arms:
I’m looking for people who have never seen certain pop culture classics from the 80′s and 90′s to give the films a watch sometime soon, then discuss their thoughts on them with me via email. If you’re interested, leave a comment or drop me an email with your selection.
In case you’re curious, the films we’ve covered so far include:
FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH
SCARFACE
GHOSTBUSTERS
GREMLINS
THIS IS SPINAL TAP
BACK TO THE FUTURE
THE BREAKFAST CLUB
FERRIS BEULLER’S DAY OFF
HEATHERS
DIRTY DANCING
BATMAN
SAY ANYTHING
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
CLUELESS
Some films I’d particularly like to tackle in coming months include EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, THE LION KING, AUSTIN POWERS INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY, and BIG.
16 comments
Nikhat says:
Jan 17, 2013
Okay, choose- The Naked Gun, Revenge of the Nerds, Weird Science, Risky Business, Trading Places, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Airplane!.
Ryan McNeil says:
Jan 17, 2013
A nice selection. I think I shall task you with RISKY BUSINESS.
Go to.
Kristin says:
Jan 17, 2013
The Breakfast Club, Ghostbusters, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Die Hard — Any of these work?
Ryan McNeil says:
Jan 17, 2013
DIE HARD! Sweet mother of all that is good and holy, DIE HARD!!
Watch it and get back to me.
Sean Kelly says:
Jan 17, 2013
I haven’t seen SIXTEEN CANDLES, so perhaps I could do that one.
Helen says:
Jan 18, 2013
I’m heading into a trial and won’t have time for any projects (or much movie watching for that matter) until March, but if that fits your schedule I’m game. Cultural touchstones of the ’80s I haven’t seen that come to mind are DINER, WALL STREET and THE BIG CHILL.
Helen says:
Jan 18, 2013
Oh and I’ve only seen the third and fifth Harry Potter movies
Ryan McNeil says:
Jan 18, 2013
Touchdown!
No hurry, but you are watching THE SORCERER’S STONE – we’ll talk in March.
Helen says:
Jan 19, 2013
At last, the deadline I need! Seriously I’ve been meaning to watch it for years. I mean, how can I not have seen Harry Potter?! I’ll be in touch.
Max says:
Jan 22, 2013
I’m interested. I’ve never seen Airplane!, Superman II, Escape from New York, Beverly Hills Cop
Ryan McNeil says:
Jan 30, 2013
Beverly Hills Cop it is. Watch it and get back to me.
Nostra says:
Jan 23, 2013
There are some movies I’ve never seen from that time period. Can’t name a lot from the top of my head, but I know for sure that I haven’t seen the original Rambo.
Ryan McNeil says:
Jan 30, 2013
I’ve actually never seen RAMBO myself, but my theory is that none of those beefcake movies from the 80′s hold up all that well.
Google some lists of essentials from the 80′s and 90′s and see what jumps out.
Joel Bocko says:
Jan 30, 2013
I’d go to bat for Scarface & Spinal Tap as genuinely great classics (in addition to being pop culture icons). That said, if you’re serious about thePotter thing (kinda sticks out from the generally 80s/early 90s lineup so I wasn’t sure) I’d be game. Never read any if the books and saw only fragments of the film, so I’d probably be the perfect candidate for that one…
Ryan McNeil says:
Jan 30, 2013
You need to read a little closer mate: SCARFACE and SPINAL TAP have already been covered.
POTTER does stick out a tad (so too did IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE when I had Rachel tackle it), but considering it’s omnipresence in the pop culture lexicon, I’m still interested in what a newbie thinks of it.
Of course, it too is now being covered.
Any others that jump to mind?
Joel Bocko says:
Jan 30, 2013
Yes, I know they were been covered. I was responding to this: “These are films of the era that I believe hold up well to rewatch (so no FOOTLOOSE, or GOONIES) but ones that haven’t elevated themselves into that capital-C-Classic Film status (thus no PULP FICTION or INDIANA JONES)”…not volunteering to write about them.
As for possibilities, I would have said First Blood or Rambo II but looks like you haven’t seen it either, so ‘twould be the blind leading the blind.