The Great 80s Kiss-Off
OK, so my argument that Some Kind of Wonderful's Hardy Jenns is the Best John Hughes Villain has been universally defeated by the 80s Nation. I'm not going to take defeat lightly.
Today's argument: The kissing scene between Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Keith (Eric Stoltz) in the same movie is the hottest make-out scene of any 80s flick. Right? ("And we're gonna destroy Lincoln tonight ... alllriiiiight?")
You want a list, don't you? OK...
Top 5 Make-Out Scenes in 80s Movies:
5. THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987)
The participants: Wesley (Cary Elwes) and Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn)
The location: Outside Prince Humperdinck's castle
Music: "Happy Ending" (Mark Knopfler)
Why it's not No. 1: Any make-out scene narrated by Peter Falk isn't going to win.
4. RISKY BUSINESS (1983)
The participants: Joel (Tom Cruise) and Lana (Rebecca De Mornay)
The location: Joel's living room (and staircase ... and bedroom...)
Music: "Lana" (Tangerine Dream)
Why it's not No. 1: Joel had to pay for it. Ouch.
3. VALLEY GIRL (1983)
The participants: Randy (Nicolas Cage) and Julie (Deborah Foreman)
The location: Backseat of Fred's car.
Music: "Time To Win" (Gary Myrick & The Figures)
Why it's not No. 1: The atmosphere ... Fred chases Stacey around the car while Randy tries to convince Julie he isn't a stalker. Otherwise, it has "Let's make punk rock babies" written all over it.
2. SAY ANYTHING (1989)
The participants: Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) and Diane (Ione Skye)
The location: In the rain
Music: "In Your Eyes" (Peter Gabriel)
Why it's not No. 1: You can see the whole "You're going to dump me and give me a pen, aren't you?" in Lloyd's face. You need a stopwatch to measure the time from kiss to kiss-off here. Ione, you wench!
1. SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL (1986)
The participants: Watts and Keith
The location: Gas station garage where Keith works
Music: "She Loves Me" (Stephen Duffy)
Why it's No. 1: Spontaneity. Longevity. Music that's -- dare I say? -- classic. Pardon
the Journey pun, but lots of lovin', touchin' and feelin'. Throw in the
whole "Whoa, I'm suddenly making out with my tomboy best friend who's really a smokin' hot drummer vixen" factor, and dinner is served.
OK, what's your opinion? Am I right or am I right? What other classic 80s scenes do you think belong on the list?
[Thanks to: Filmsite.org, IMDB.com, Somekindofwonderful.org]
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Well Joel and Lana did light it up..but hey the girl was a pro..Guess Lloyd and Diane get my vote ( Ione would be rather inspiring to say the least )
Posted by: Dr John | January 17, 2007 at 07:47 AM
Great list, Steve. It's about time gave some props to this movie!
Posted by: | January 17, 2007 at 09:54 AM
What about Andrew McCarthy and Jamie Gertz in Less Than Zero? Very hot scene. I also vote for Linda Fiorentino & Matthew Modine in Vision Quest.
If you did a list of the weirdest make out scenes, you would have to put Lea Thompson and Howard The Duck at the top of the list.
Posted by: Bassnote | January 17, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Linda Fiorentino looks like she's choking back vomit in that scene!
As for Less Than Zero, I can't bear to watch it anymore.
Posted by: Spears | January 17, 2007 at 10:35 AM
Andrew McCarthy and Ally Sheedy in St. Elmo's Fire.
Posted by: Andy fan | January 17, 2007 at 10:47 AM
With respect to your opinion... No way Say Anything loses out to Some Kind of Wonderful... Are you kidding me? I know we are just talking about one scene, but you have to take into account the entire movie to some degree...
The "breaking up with me with a pen" line still gives me chills. And the scene with the boombox, his overcoat, early morning dew, and sunrise outside her window.. Oh man. That's good stuff. Made me buy an overcoat back in the day...
Posted by: | January 17, 2007 at 10:56 AM
I agree with the number one on the list. For single scenes, that particular make out scene is definitely the best. When I first saw it, I remember getting all giddy when Keith and Watts first kissed. And I think the music is perfect in there, and helps the scene out a lot.
Posted by: Elle | January 17, 2007 at 01:46 PM
This has nothing to do with the fact that Steve completely DISSED my other suggestions, but I have to side with Say Anything. Lloyd Dobler was the man, and Diane Cort was hot; brains and beauty. And, the Peter Gabriel tune added so much class.
Posted by: Bassnote | January 17, 2007 at 01:53 PM
I'm going to go with Robby and Julia on the plane, in The Wedding Singer. Yes, I know the movie wasn't made in the '80s, but it was set in the '80s and totally celebrated the '80s, so I think it should qualify for this discussion.
And any time a guy basically blows off Billy Idol and his hints of a recording contract to kiss a girl, you know it's serious.
Steve, you know I'm right about this.
Posted by: Johnny B. Goode | January 17, 2007 at 03:12 PM
What about Sixteen Candles Jake and Samantha at the end of the movie, sitting on the table across the cake and kissing. Classic 80's moment-soooo romantic. Good music can't remember who the group was though. Anyone? Anyone?
Posted by: colleen | January 17, 2007 at 10:01 PM
few, not mentioned above:
• Interracial kiss between Ahnuld and Maria Conchita Alonso in "The Running Man".
John Parr's "Restless Heart" makes this one really memorable.
• "Out Of Bounds": Anthony Michael "i'm-not-a-geek-anymore" Hall and Jenny Wright.
I know, nothing special here, but that kiss was really touching.
• Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn in "The Terminator":
"- Was there someone special?
- Someone?
- A girl. You know.
- No. Never.
- Never?.."
Outstanding and unforgettable with Brad Fidel's "Love Theme".
• Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon in "The Hunger".
No comments.
• Kiss of Melanie Griffith and Craig Wasson in "Body Double" with FGTH's "Relax" in background.
Hot and pornographic!
• Teenage boy kissing mature woman -- Sylvia Kristel and Eric Brown in "Private Lessons".
Hot! Hot! Hot!
• Gorgeous Sybil Danning and Eric Brown in "They're Playing With Fire".
Same as above, even hotter.
• Sandra Prinsloo and Marius Weyers in "The Gods Must Be Crazy".
It's more like 70's movie but what a cute kiss it was!
• Meredith Salenger and Corey Feldman in "Dream A Little Dream".
• King Kong and Lady Kong in "King Kong Lives".
Every giant ape has a right to kiss another giant ape.
• All James Spader and Kim Richards kissing in "Tuff Turf".
"What do you do when opposites attract?"
• "Innerspace": The "transmitting" kiss between Meg Ryan and Martin Short.
Strong feelings can change physics!
• Sylvester Stallone and Darlanne Fluegel in "Lock Up".
Don't know why, but I like it.
• Pamela Gidley and Josh Brolin in "Thrashin'"
Posted by: Igor Vorobej | January 17, 2007 at 11:13 PM
Aww, Bassnote. You know we love you! You had good suggestions. I think the Modine-Fiorentino scene belongs on some list -- maybe best "older woman, younger man" sex scene list. It reminds me of the Topy Gun scene between Cruise and McGillis. Not a ton of kissing, but a lot of something else.
Posted by: Spears | January 18, 2007 at 04:44 AM
Nice list Steve! Absolutely dead on with number one and two. The Watts and Keith kiss is amazing! The hands on the hips still gives me shivers!!! Yum!
Posted by: Sara Hall | January 18, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Thanks for the love Steve.
I think Molly Ringwald & Judd nelson from Breakfast Club should be on the list. I loved the way Judd was leaning in for more, but Molly denied him. The ultimate tease. Simple Minds' Don't You (Forget About Me) playing behind it was classic.
as for what Igor said above: "Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon in "The Hunger". No comments."
To quote Monty Python: "SAY NO MORE!! Wink Wink, Nudge Nudge, Know what I mean?!"
Posted by: Bassnote | January 18, 2007 at 11:39 AM
While my personal fave is the kiss between Keith and Watts in SKOW, what about the heat from the tongue-sweeping, open-mouthed kiss between Charlie (Kelly McGillis) and Maverick (Tom Cruise) in Top Gun? Try being sixteen years old, on your first date, and having to sit nervously through that kissing scene in a darkened theatre??!!!
Posted by: Heather in Ottawa | January 18, 2007 at 03:06 PM
Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin in "The Big Easy"- wow, I remember that their scenes were mighty steamy, at least in my
12th grade eyes back in '87. Very memorable movie, made all the better by Quaid's passable Cajan accent.
Posted by: sherrie87 | January 18, 2007 at 04:06 PM
I'm going to have to vote for the steamy makeout session in the cave between half-vampires Jason Patric and Jamie Gertz.
Posted by: mydoppelganger | January 18, 2007 at 04:36 PM
on the flip side...anyone ever notice how Andrew McCarthy ALWAYS grabs the face of the girl he is kissing. I LOVE many of his 80's movies, but if a guy ever kissed me like that I'd knock him out!
Posted by: Karenann | January 18, 2007 at 05:59 PM
KarenAnn -- what's the ideal location for a guy's hands during a kiss?
Posted by: Stuckinthe80s | January 18, 2007 at 09:59 PM
Stuckinthe80s - It's not the location of the hands (although on the hips as in SKOW is good!)so much but rather it's that he is GRABBING her face, not just touching it. I noticed it in St. Elmo's fire and Pretty in Pink. He must have been afraid they would get away or that he would miss. See what you think...I'm telling you - he is a face-grabber!
Posted by: Karenann | January 19, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Totally agree with Spears about Less than Zero--THAT movie begs for a remake!
I think the hottest would be Valley Girl--not only in Fred's car but the whole montage to "Melt with You," and hot because you know it's forbidden...obviously Romeo and Juliet overtones throughout...
Posted by: Bgirl | January 19, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Steve, you're exactly right this time. The Lloyd/Diane kiss and some other scenes mentioned are all extremely romantic and lovey-dovey, but they lack the intensely sexual heat of the Watts/Keith kiss. The pair are awkward and make wisecracks beforehand, joking that they're just fooling around. Then The Kiss starts slow and nervous at first, building as the pair clutch each other like they are starving and they dissolve in each others' mouths. Watts nearly has an orgasm right there squirming in Keith's lap. Finally she literally tears her mouth off of his because the excitment is so powerful that she has to flee the room to cool down while Keith sputters in befuddled amazement. At that point the audience feels the need to light up a cigarette. Both characters react to what they just experienced with utter confusion, which is more honest and true than teen films usually are, and what made Hughes' films so exceptional. I can't think of any teen movie from any decade that depicts raw adolescent lust with such incandescent vividness and also is real enough to deal with the conflicted emotions that go along with it. Risky Business' kissing scenes were also very hot but Lana was so cool and in control that she is more of a male fantasy wish-fulfillment sex kitten than a genuine character like Watts. Lastly the scene that is really memorable from Say Anything isn't their kissing scene, it's the boombox scene which follows that steals the movie, whereas The Kiss in SOKW is the clear highlight of the movie.
Posted by: Drew | January 19, 2007 at 10:44 AM
I like the Hunger suggestion and how about Raul Julia and the other fellow in Kiss of the Spider Woman?
Posted by: | January 20, 2007 at 07:00 AM
I totally agree. That is an amazing kiss that comes out of nowhere to become a turning point in the whole movie.
Posted by: | January 26, 2007 at 09:38 AM
Han Solo and Princess Leia in the Empire Strikes back, best 80's kiss hands down.
Posted by: Erik Sean Montoya | January 26, 2007 at 09:45 AM
What about the blazing hot yet somehow innocent scene in "Summer Lovers" when Daryl Hannah/Cathy finally realizes that she is willing to explore a 3-way relationship between herself and her formerly-faithful boyfriend Peter Gallagher/Michael and his new exotic, mysterious lover Valerie Quennessen/Lina? The kiss between the three of them begins as a voyeuristic exploration, and ends with a discovery, a possibility they had not imagined. We're watching them be born as people fully open to life. And of course it doesn't hurt that they're all beautiful, sexy, smart, and tanned beyond belief by the Greek summer sun.
Posted by: | January 26, 2007 at 10:01 AM
The music that Jake and Samantha were kissing to in 16 candles was "If You Were Here" by the Thompson Twins. And I think it was the best movie kiss of the 80's.
Posted by: Chris | January 26, 2007 at 10:11 AM
No, no, no... while Say Anything is a good choice, the better Cusack choice is the end-scene in "The Sure Thing."
Walter 'Gib" Gibson kissing Alison on the roof of the library while the Ray Charles song 'Just Because' swells up as the credits roll.
Classic kiss.
Posted by: Richard | January 26, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Helena Bonham Carter and Julian Sands in A Room With a View!
Posted by: Claire | January 26, 2007 at 11:40 AM
I totally agree with the posts of Jake and Samantha in Sixteen candles, best 80's movie kiss ever, they way he was leaning in to her, just kinda surprised the glass table didn't break under them, j/k
Posted by: Lori | January 26, 2007 at 12:01 PM
Yeah, the EMPIRE kiss definitely belongs on the list.
What about Jerry Mitchell (Casey Siemaszko) and his teacher, Miss Farmer, in THREE O'CLOCK HIGH. it's not all that passionate, but the buildup is great, it has a Tangerine Dream score, and he does it just to get sent to detention so he can avoid the fight, but ends up fainting... awesome.
Posted by: andy | January 26, 2007 at 12:12 PM
I think some kind of wonderful was THE best kiss, but Sixteen Candles was agreat one too wih Molly Ringwald and some "fine" gentleman. It was at the very end when he came to the church and she decided to not to go tto her sister's reception. She went home with him and they sat on his dining room table and ther was a birthday cake for her and they leaned over and kissed. It was memorable because we waited fo this connection to happen and it is how the movie ended.
Posted by: Joyce | January 26, 2007 at 12:52 PM
You are ENTIRELY correct.
Nothing can touch that kiss.
Posted by: Paul | January 26, 2007 at 12:54 PM
I agree with the Watts and Keith kiss being number 1. I get chills everytime I see it and I also love that he put his hands on her hips.
Posted by: Meghan | January 26, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Nice mention of Three O'Clock High, love that movie! I do appreciate your list, all solid choices however, I would not be true to my adolescent self if I did not make a genuine argument for Sixteen Candles with a truly satisfying ending scene of Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling) leaning in very slowly to kiss Samantha-Baker-Davis-Jr (Molly Ringwald). Ah, Jake Ryan. He was the man who I wanted to be kissing before I even had my first kiss. I still do. That kiss is amazing, as soon as you hear the music come on when the car outside the church pulls away, revealing Jake and his red sports car...I would hold my breath until the kissing scene. Why are they sitting on top of a glass table? I have no idea, but I had the urge to do the same thing. Serious Sixteen Candles fan? check out this link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A41194-2004Feb13?language=printer
Posted by: | January 26, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Some Kind of Wonderful remains one of my favorite movies because of the kiss, but I do really love the ending scenes in Sixteen Candles and The Sure Thing. I love that mention of A Room with A View..you just can't forget how hot buttoned up sexuality is.
Posted by: | January 26, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Not to get all art-house on y'all, but what about the collage of kisses and sensual moments at the end of Cinema Paradiso (1988)? If the symbolism of the moment doesn't get you, how about the soaring musical score, and clip after clip of passionate kissing?
Posted by: Johnnycrv | January 26, 2007 at 01:40 PM
Emilio Estevez suprise kissing Andie McDowell in St Elmo's Fire. Might not be the steamiest kiss in the world, but for all teenager losers with a crush back then it shows that you can be a Kirby and get to kiss the hot chick!
Posted by: Stevie G | January 26, 2007 at 01:40 PM
Peter Gallagher (Michael) and Valerie Quennessen (Lina) in Summer Lovers in the water in Santorini should be on the list
ALSO
16 Candles - Jake and Samantha - on the table with the birthday cake and "If you were here" playing in the background
Posted by: | January 26, 2007 at 01:47 PM
We're talking about KISSES here, so...
It's true...the Some Kind of Wonderful kiss was one I VERY well remember. There was HEAT! SPARKS everywhere- I loved her reaction!
Say Anything...one of the best of the 80s movies. Cusack rules! Greatest scene ever (that Cusack didn't initially want to do) with the boom box over his head- historically one of the all-time best 'love' scenes EVER- and no one even kisses...That scene was WAY hotter than any of their kiss scenes, except maybe the one in the car...and the great Peter Gabriel music..where he's shaking!!!
BUT...to leave out 16 CANDLES is a CRIME!
No way did valley girl (one of my VERY fav 80s movies!) have a lot of heat in the kissing.
In 16 Candles, Jake shows up in the red Porche, takes the wide-eyed 'plain' Samantha he sees as really special back to HIS HOUSE... candle-lit birthday cake between them as they sit on top of the dining room table (HOT!)...
the whole "make a wish" dialogue, THEN....the music ("If You Were Here...") ....then they lean in to kiss...I was barely breathing! It was the culmination of the ENTIRE film...a film which had ALL great parts, too...not just a few good scenes.
Maybe you had to be a girl to really 'get' that...but if only EVERY guy had followed Jake's movie example, high school would have been SO much more fun!!!!
Every guy can learn something about how to get the girl in this movie, even today.
Totally classic & still relevant!!! THAT'S what makes a REALLY great movie....
THE KISS just happened to be the icing on the cake. And I bet the icing ended up on them & all over the table after they yelled 'cut!!' heheeee.
Posted by: *i | January 26, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Steve, you are a man after my own heart! LOVE this movie! I've watched it over and over. Thank you for finally giving it the accolades it deserves. Eric Stoltz and Mary Stuart Masterson rock!
Posted by: Mandi | January 26, 2007 at 02:49 PM
EMPIRE kiss hands down. It is one of the very few perfect moments in movies.
Posted by: Kizza Kizza | January 26, 2007 at 03:06 PM
I wholeheartedly agree that SKOW should be #1. It's more than 20 years later and I still look forward to seeing Watts convince Keith he needs "The kiss that kills". Could watch it over and over. Of course say Anything should be on this list..just like SKOW I could watch this over and over. The kiss in the rain is great and the car scene at the beach...need I say more? Lloyd is such a nice guy...and that IS a compliment.
I will agree with my fellow posters...Where IS 16 Candles? Didn't everyone want Jake Ryan? I know I did!
Posted by: Lisa | January 26, 2007 at 03:12 PM
I admit, I didn't read the entire thread, but Samantha Morton and Christian Slater in "Pump Up The Volume" was a 2-tissue scene.
Posted by: Alanix | January 26, 2007 at 04:36 PM
Watts and Keith #1 all the way! I absolutely LOVE that scene - the song, the way she feels about him, the hands on the hips? I'm so glad someone else feels the same way about that scene!!!! Well done.
Posted by: shortbread71 | January 26, 2007 at 04:56 PM
Best kiss of the 80's was in Breathless between Richard Gere and Valerie Kaprisky. The kiss he gave her when he climbed down the macrame plant hanger, pulled her up to him on the diving board and planted one on her was the best kiss of all time and is by far the best kiss of the 80's!
Posted by: deedee | January 26, 2007 at 04:56 PM
I agree that Say Anything should be #1, but definitely missing from the top 5:
Leia kissing an about-to-be-frozen Han Solo in EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Not set in the '80's, but released in 1980. Followed by "I love you", "I know", makes it that much more memorable.
And second, Crash Davis and Annie Savoy finally hooking up in BULL DURHAM. Costner unhooking Sarandon's garter in such a way as to make her stop kissing and proclaim, "Oh My . . .", come on people, that's impressive.
Posted by: T-shirt | January 26, 2007 at 05:14 PM
Sadly, I was 4 in 1980 so some of these movies, I haven't seen (Risky Business) but any time I think of a movie kiss, I think of The Princess Bride (partly becasue of the last two or three lines of the story) so I was glad to see it in the top 5. And for all of you saying you wanted to kiss Jake Ryan, have you seen Cary Elwes!?! If any man who looked like him said "As you wish..." to me, I would probably be putty in his hands.
Posted by: Petra | January 26, 2007 at 05:52 PM
Oops - that should say (Risky Business and Valley Girl) as the movies I haven't seen.
Posted by: Petra | January 26, 2007 at 05:54 PM
What about: The Goonies?! The moment Andy (Kerri Green) kisses Mikey (Sean Astin) in the darkened cave giving him his first and very surprising kiss? The trump card being that she has no idea who she really kissed until the end of the film when she realizes that her intended-Brand by Josh Brolin-doesn't have braces!
Posted by: jenn | January 26, 2007 at 06:58 PM
My Beautiful Laundrette: Gordon Warnecke and Daniel Day-Lewis!
Also, second (for the 10th time) the nomination of the closing kiss of Sixteen Candles- just a beautifully shot and magical ending.
Posted by: lo | January 26, 2007 at 08:00 PM
I can't believe that nobody mentioned Somewhere in Time (1980).
When Christopher Reeve(Richard Collier) kisses Jane Seymour(Elise McKenna) it is truly electric. Maybe this movie is not mainstream(teen) enough, but it rates as "the kiss" for
me.
Posted by: Madmike007 | January 26, 2007 at 08:12 PM
Oh how I LOVE to get lost in the 80s! :)
My two choices for favorite 80s kisses in two categories, as follows:
For sweet and touching: Kenneth Branagh as King Henry V and Emma Thompson as Princess Katherine in "Henry V".
For passion: The seedy but oh-so hot scene in the back of the limo between Kevin Costner and Sean Young in "No Way Out" (though Rob Lowe and Demi Moore make a good account of themselves in "About Last Night" also).
Otherwise, the 16 Candles comments are certainly true...and now I have another movie to see that I have to watch again: "Some Kind of Wonderful".
Posted by: BobG | January 26, 2007 at 08:14 PM
What about Brazil? When Sam and the woman of his dreams finally kiss, it's really something else. The build up to the kiss is incredibly charged. Then the build up pays off with an outragously enthusiastic kiss. It's romantic and funny at the same time.
Posted by: Matt | January 26, 2007 at 08:17 PM
Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis' pent-up passionate kiss in the rain in "Witness"; William Hurt and Kathleen Turner in "Body Heat". Also, I agree on "Empire", too.
Posted by: Allison | January 26, 2007 at 08:51 PM
Some Kind of Wonderful....oh my how I do love this movie. I have to agree with you that the scene in the garage was amazing, and powerful, and all out sexy as all get out. However I felt that at the end of the movie when he left Lea Thompson on the road and chased after Mary Stuart Masterson and caught her in the street and then planted "the kiss" on her was amazing as well. I truly do agree with this list.
Posted by: matt | January 26, 2007 at 08:53 PM
SKOW, definitely. Though Matt, the first kiss was probably better - I think Drew somewhere up above summed it up perfectly. That kiss DEFINED SKOW, like the boombox scene defined Say Anything. Ask anyone what they remember of SKOW, and it'll be that Stephen Duffy kiss! "The minutes that we missed, the idle lips that should've kissed are now gently together, the first kiss lasts forever..."
Posted by: pamela | January 26, 2007 at 10:04 PM
That is my favorite 80's kiss of all time!! I can't believe you picked it. No one ever seems to remember this movie. It seems like the "Lost Hughes" film. Thank you so much for hitting the nail on the head with this one.
Posted by: Janelle | January 26, 2007 at 10:38 PM
The real travesty is that you omit Big Top Pee Wee.
Pee Wee Herman's kiss in this movie is in the guiness book of world records as the longest hollywood screen kiss. well done, son!!
Posted by: Kev | January 27, 2007 at 12:02 AM
Catherine Deneauve and Susan Sarandon in THE HUNGER is right up there. Ouch!
Posted by: danield | January 27, 2007 at 02:10 AM
These are not the best kisses of the 80´s, these are the best kisses of the 80´s by teenagers. You have forgotten all the REALLY good ones. Harrison Ford and Kelly Mcgillis in The witness should be in top 5, no question about it.
Posted by: PPP | January 27, 2007 at 04:57 AM
The best one in absolute, for me, is the kiss between Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis in "Witness": hot, sweet, desperate, unforgettable.
Posted by: irene | January 27, 2007 at 07:22 AM
No Empire Strikes Back? This list is bogus!
Posted by: anonymous | January 27, 2007 at 08:04 AM
I'm way on board with Empire, Witness, and...
Pretty in Pink. OMD's "If You Leave" playing...and when she drops her purse.
I agree completely with Helena Bonham Carter and Julian Sands in A Room With A View. She's standing in that field all unsuspecting and he comes up and lays it on her. Her world changes forever.
Posted by: marcy | January 27, 2007 at 08:41 AM
TOTALLY AGREE WITH WATTS & KEITH!!!!!!
Posted by: Rese | January 27, 2007 at 09:20 AM
i clicked on the link to this article only to see if you would... maybe, just maybe, have the same idea of the best 80s kiss as me. i simply CANNOT beilieve that you did! way to go... I am thoroughly impressed.
Posted by: carin | January 27, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Definitely Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis in "Witness" - that was downright erotic.
Posted by: | January 27, 2007 at 01:11 PM
I second McGillis and Ford in Witness--and Ford and Fisher in Empire and raise you one Karen Allen and Harrison Ford in "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Come on, "Well, dammit, Jones, where DOESN'T it hurt?!" ranks as one of the sexist moments in the 80's ever.
Man, Harrison Ford was like some make-out god in the 80's now that I write it out like this.
Posted by: Elisabeth | January 27, 2007 at 05:36 PM
Oh and I also echo the Top Gun mention. Seems like if you wanted a hot kiss in the 80s, you hired Kelly McGillis or Harrison Ford!
Posted by: Elisabeth | January 27, 2007 at 05:43 PM
How can you not have Han Solo and Leia's pre carbonite freeze kiss from Empire Strikes Back?????
"I love you."
"I know."
Eat your heart out, Bogey and Bergman.
Posted by: Laslo | January 27, 2007 at 05:50 PM
Sorry, rully, rully off base on the "Valley Girl" scene. Randy doesn't start doing weird stalker stuff until after Julie breaks up with him, later in the movie.
And the very HOT kiss in the movie is while they're sitting in the nightclub (in real life, now known as the Viper Room, in downtown Hollywood) on their first "date". The Plimsouls are playing "A Million Miles Away", they've been talking, and kiss while sitting in a wash of red light. Totally awesome.
Otherwise I do agree with so many of the comments here! Empire Strikes Back, A Room with a View, Witness - great choices!
Posted by: Wahine | January 27, 2007 at 07:32 PM
The kiss between Karen (Diane Franklin) and Rick (Steve Antin) in "The Last American Virgin". The kiss was memorable because it affected not two but three people's lives. Talk about gut-wrenching. Watching Gary(Lawrence Monoson) drive away from the party with "Just Once" plsying in the background as the credits roll still makes my heart drop.
Posted by: Casper | January 27, 2007 at 08:10 PM
I'm a little surprised nobody mentione Tom Cruise and Kelly Mcgillis in Top Gun...
Posted by: JohnPhoenix | January 28, 2007 at 01:57 PM
I'm a little surprised nobody mentioned Tom Cruise and Kelly Mcgillis in Top Gun...
Posted by: JohnPhoenix | January 28, 2007 at 01:58 PM
What about Andrew McCarthy and Molly Ringwald in "Pretty in Pink"? The first kiss right outside her house on the curb. Man, I kinda melt whenever I see it. Sigh.
Karenan, I like the face grabbing. It's so.... urgent. And very teenager-y.
Posted by: Jeana | January 28, 2007 at 03:19 PM
Sean Astin and Kerri Green in "The Goonies". How could you forget the "braces" kiss?
Posted by: John Crowley | January 28, 2007 at 10:12 PM
I suggest "Date with Angel" (Michael E Knight + Emanuelle Beart). Beautiful kiss, warmth , sweet and tender.
If you see this movie now, it's like nostalgic 80's moment in front of you now
Posted by: Ivan | January 28, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Klaus Maria Brandauer kissing Kim Basinger goodbye in Never Say Never Again was so disgusting that it made a great scene.
Posted by: J.C.Green | January 28, 2007 at 10:51 PM
How about these- Scott Coffey and Trini Alvarado in Satisfaction (1988), Sarah Jessica Parker and Lee Montgomery in Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (1985), Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer in Footloose (1984), Jennifer Beals and Michael Nouri in Flashdance (1983), Julia Roberts and Adam Storke, Lili Taylor and Vincent D'Onofrio, Annabeth Gish and William Moses in Mystic Pizza (1988), and I love River Phoenix and Lili Taylor in Dogfight (1991), I know it's not technically the 80's, but it took a good 3-4 years into the 90's to get the 80's out of our systems!!!
Posted by: Kristy Campbell | January 29, 2007 at 05:48 AM
Also, Ricki Lake and Michael St. Gerard in Hairspray (1988), Julia Roberts and Dylan McDermott in Steel Magnolias (1989), Winona Ryder and Michael Schoeffling in Mermaids (1990), and the obvious one- Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing (1987). Hope some of these selections bring back some happy 80's memories!!!!
Posted by: Kristy Campbell | January 29, 2007 at 08:30 AM
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Posted by: kipybmnhq wgtinyxsd | February 06, 2007 at 02:23 AM
Definitely, Keith and Watts! One minute they're joking around and the next there's like a bolt of lightning coursing through them! Then comes the hands on the hips- grasping at denim. It shows an expected wanton desire for more. I think there was a little spit there when they pulled away. Intense!
Add to that the premise that this girl you knew all your life as a friend IS also the one you've always wanted. AND, she's HOT! (OK, 80s hot.)
But 'The Princess Bride' kiss? No. Any kiss between Aidan Quinn and Darryl Hannah in 'Reckless' would beat that.
Posted by: Semi | May 22, 2007 at 10:16 AM
D'OH! How could I forget 'The Empire Strikes Back'? When Han, the dashing scoundrel, finally makes that eye contact with Leia, the hotest princess I know of, and follows it up with a passionate kiss.
His hand caressing her face being the only other skin-to-skin contact which lets us know that the act is still considered forbidden even between the two of them. Totally hot!
Posted by: Semi | May 22, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Wow, a Star Wars kiss. I hadn't even considered that. I know that when I saw Leia kiss Luke -- "for luck" -- back in the original flick, I finally became a man. (Well, as much as that's possible for someone who was only 10 years old.)
Posted by: Spears | May 22, 2007 at 10:27 AM
I was lucky enough to DVR SKOW a couple of weeks ago and I must have watched it 20 times since then.
My husband mocks the way I sit on the edge of my seat for "the kiss that kills" but hell - I *was* the tomboy back in highschool.
Movies like that gave me hope that my best friend (who saw me as 'one of the guys') would wake up and realize that I was a girl.
He did and we dated in HS for almost two years.
Lord love ya, John Hughes!
Posted by: Cynthia | April 21, 2008 at 01:07 PM