Confessions of an 80s addict

While I generally consider myself a complete 80s fan, I will admit there are several things I didn't get to experience. I never figured out how to "moonwalk" like M.J., I never tried break-dancing and I couldn't stomach wine coolers. Maybe more important, I missed out on several 80s classics in the theaters.

Here, for your consideration, are the "great" 80s movies I haven't seen -- at least not all the way through -- to this day:

Goonies (1985): Sean Astin, Corey Feldman. I catch a lot of flack for not seeing this one. I can only guess that because it came out the year I started college, it probably didn't seem cool enough at the time. Plus, Anne Ramsey gives me the creeps.

E.T. - The ExtraTerrestrial (1982): Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore. Let's see, 1982 ... year of Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Last American Virgin. Yeah, my priorities were elsewhere. Can't see it now because the thought of my lust-idol Drew Barrymore as an adolescent is wrong.

Stand By Me (1986): River Phoenix, Corey Feldman. I keep thinking I've seen this one, but when friends quiz me, I can't remember a single quote or plot line.

Heathers (1989): Winona Ryder, Christian Slater. Actually, I was forced to watch this when we did our Heathers podcast (one of only a few shows I deliberately delayed as long as possible). And still, I don't think I ever got through it without falling asleep. I have no recollection of the ending whatsoever.

Raising Arizona (1987): Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter. Another naptime favorite of mine. I hear those forced country/western accents, and see a movie based in the desert, and I nod off. I realize this was named to our top comedies of the 80s list, but I never appreciated it. Sorry, Nic.

Rad (1986): Bill Allen, Talia Shire. OK, not a classic, but you'd be surprised how many e-mails we get from podcast listeners who want a show on this movie. However, I dropped my fascination with BMX when I was about 10 years old.

Dream a Little Dream (1989): Corey Feldman, Corey Haim. Maybe it's just Corey Feldman movies I don't like (with the exception of The Lost Boys.)

The 'Burbs (1989): Tom Hanks, Carrie Fischer. Hey, this movie has Corey Feldman too. I think we have an official motive here. I caught some grief in my top Tom Hanks movie list for not including this stink-bomb. Again, tried to watch ... couldn't come close to finishing.

Howard The Duck (1986): Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Jones. Once again, not a classic, but surely an infamous film. But you figure an 80s fan like me who has seen "Red Dawn" a dozen times could take time out for another sad flick. Nope.

[Photo: AP; click to enlarge]

Comments

[Spears]

I've seen Lost Boys so many times, I think I'm the major shareholder in movie royalties. Great flick.

[Rita]

Feldman was gorgeous in GOONIEs. This is the one movie I will keep to show my kids. Oh and Stand By Me.

While i'm here, i gotta ask ya? Have you seen The Lost Boys? I reckon this movie pretty much defines the 80's.

[cougarbait]

Drew started being really hot as an adolescent--a fact I don't have to apologize for knowing since I was an adolescent at the same time (I think she's just a few months younger than me).

Anyway, in ET she was a child (6 years old?). Definitely not lust-worthy (and a shudder of disgust goes up my spine).

[Damian P.]

I haven't seen 'Heathers' either - nor 'Fast Times as Ridgemount High', 'Valley Girl', 'Pretty in Pink', 'Sixteen Candles' or, perhaps most shockingly, 'Caddyshack' and 'Stripes'.

On the other hand, I have seen 'Howard the Duck'. (How about a "box office disasters of the '80s" podcast?)

[Igor Vorobej (Ukraine)]

"Heathers", "Rad", "Dream a Little Dream", "The Burbs", "Howard the Duck"

Ahhhh, my favorites...

(+ "E.T." was (and still is) great flick anyway)