Hitting the Rewind Button: Vol 3 - The Golden 80s

[_____V_____]

Welcome to Part 3 of a 5-part, decade-wise exploration of the finest horror cinema. So far, we've done the 60's and the 70's. This, and the following lists, look not just at the most acclaimed films of the decade, but the ones with the most impactful cultural footprint. I hope you enjoy the show, and go back to your classic DVDs with a smile on your face.

(All credit goes to the original author who wrote the initial descriptions. I put forth my choice of movies only. The Blurbs have been taken from the Stickied Top 100s and related threads.)

Bring on the big hair.

MTV. Pac-Man. The fall of the Berlin Wall. Aviator sunglasses. Michael Jackson's Thriller. Protests in Tiananmen Square. Bananarama. Rubik's Cube. Duran Duran. He-Man and the Masters Of The Universe. Madonna. The Chernobyl disaster. Jane Fonda workout videos. Live Aid. Oprah Winfrey. The famine in Ethiopia. Iron Maiden. Prince. Miami Vice. Boom boxes. Alan Moore's Watchmen. The assassination of John Lennon. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.

It was indeed a decade of mayhem. The largest period for global population growth in history, the 80s gave us disasters of both fashionable and fatal kind. Caricaturists rejoiced as Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher led their countries, while popular culture became pop-er than ever as synthesisers and music videos turned everything we saw and heard into bright and colourful plastic.

In film, the blockbuster era only grew stronger, and successful sequels minted money. The extreme popularity of home video allowed films to tap into cult audiences more easily. Action movies grew into a niche of their own, and critically acclaimed directors got their hands dirty with horror. Teen movies and fantasy films all flourished, as filmmakers tried to bend the censor's rules and squeeze in as much explicit sex and violence as they possibly could.

In many ways a transitional phase for horror cinema, the 80s is a deceptively tricky decade to filter into a list so tiny simply because it saw the birth of several genres and yet, not enough standout masterpieces. In many ways, it was a decade that laid the ground for better-crafted film -- while also being a period that created the most popular and enduring horror cinema.

Without further ado, here's a chronologically presented top ten. And it's one crazy, mixed up bunch.


01) The Shining (1980)



The Shining is one of those movies that will never go out of style. It's a mix of psychological thriller and haunted house horror that builds tension so masterfully that many times you feel it in the muscles of your shoulders before your brain is aware of it. The breakdown of the family unit is like a train wreck, and you watch helplessly as the father (Jack Nicholson, in a master performance) slowly descends into madness aided by the darkness that lives in the hotel.

There are scenes that haunt me until this day, and I've never been in a hotel corridor since that didn't have me looking over my shoulder. The musical score is perfect for building the tension, and when the hotel truly wakes up, the movie becomes one nightmare of a ride. A must-see for any horror fan.


02) Friday the 13th (1980)



This is obviously the one that started it all. And that is reason enough for this to be required viewing, and maybe ownership, by anyone proclaiming to be a horror fan.

Like lots of movies, I like the way this one looks because it doesn't look like anything being made today. maybe I have been duped into believing that anything old is automatically better, but it doesn't matter because for one reason or another, I think this movie is awesome. from the poster art (the outline of the killer with the kids walking through the woods), to the costumes, to the murder methods.... it's all good.

I don't want to spoil anything, but the mystery involved in this is like in Psycho... everyone knows the end (it's embedded in pop culture, unfortunately) but somehow it is still surprising.


03) Cannibal Holocaust (1980)



Early reviews of Cannibal Holocaust were united in condemnation, mostly concentrating on the animal cruelty scenes. They also helped propagate the myth that the human deaths might not be special effects, sometimes referring to the real execution footage and blurring the line of reality between those shot dead and those eaten. To curious viewers with stronger stomachs this could be irresistible, and make the film a ‘must see’ – perhaps if only to satisfy oneself that this is not a real murder (or ‘snuff’) film and come out of it feeling more informed than the average person and equipped to pontificate about it. This attitude seems common in many of those who have seen the film, particularly ‘film buffs’ desperate to impress about such controversial (and hard to find, at least uncut) work. ‘Serious’ reviewers were quick to denounce the film as ‘phoney’ – people do not die after all – and hypocritical, as in true Italian Mondo tradition the film purports to condemn what it takes great voyeuristic delight in displaying. This did not affect public curiosity, and conversely boosted ticket sales as people still wanted to find out what all the fuss was about. The film reaches out to the darker, voyeuristic natures buried within us all – and people always want to investigate controversy and scandal if only to judge it for themselves.

Unlike other films, with the passing of time Cannibal Holocaust has lost none of its ferocious power. The sub-genre of cannibal movies has long since died out (unlikely many directors would be able to include the requisite animal slaughter with today’s tighter laws against cruelty), but new generations of horror and exploitation fans keep it very much alive and DVD reissues make such films more widely available. Decades of review and analysis reveal it to be still widely condemned because of its approach to animals and depicted atrocities, but it has now also been accepted as a unique and very intelligent film with a lot more technical achievement (its manipulative ‘fake documentary’ style is quite significant in these times of ‘reality’ TV) and message (interpreted as pure hypocrisy by most, as bravely constructive by others) than previously considered.


04) An American Werewolf in London (1981)



One of the best, if not the best black comedy I have seen. Yet another film I saw when I was a kid and I was blown away. The film has a fantastic flow to it with not one boring bit in the whole film. All the characters are excellent from the main cast to the background folk. Honourable mention has to go to Brian Glover, he was always fantastic. The effects, by Rick Baker, are fantastic and it was one of the first times you saw a full transformation from man to wolf without to many cut a ways. All the victims are equally grisly especially Jack, with that nice waggly bit of skin on his neck. The music it also fantastic and fits the film perfectly, especially Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Bad Moon Rising."

The story is basically your run of the mill werewolf story but with the dark comedy this is one werewolf film you don't want to miss. And I can't not mention Jenny Agutter, if you're as old as me and male you'll know what I mean.

This all time great classic by John Landis delivered undoubtedly the best werewolf transformation scene ever in the horror genre. Rick Baker won the first ever Oscar for the special effects and makeup for that particular scene, and deservedly so." If you haven't seen it yet check it out and "Beware the Moon"!


05) The Evil Dead (1981)



To me, horror movies are about two things: Getting scared, and having a great time in the process. The Evil Dead pins these two objectives right in the heart, and leaves you to bleed. Not only is it creepy, it’s over the top, it’s disgusting, it’s provocative, and it’s hysterical. With the help of Bruce Campbell and the rest of Raimi’s cast, this movie is everything you need for a fun, scary night.

A personal favorite of mine and possibly the main reason you will never hear of me going anywhere near a secluded cabin in the woods, The Evil Dead may be the best example of what a filmmaker can do with a low budget and lots of creativity. Its very rare that a film can not only be over the top, gory, and a tad silly but also very creepy and disturbing. Here is a film that manages to balance all of this quite well. The camera work is very well done, some of the shots are just outstanding. Its fun, its energetic, and hey, its definitely gross and very shocking.



(Contd.)

[_____V_____]

06) Poltergeist (1982)



When I first saw this movie I was about three years old. It scared the hell out of me. The little girl was just that creepy kind of performance people just wish for when making a scary movie. She was a cute and young little girl but still could make you shiver and wince at the same time while looking at the T.V. screen through the cracks of my fingers.

With other performances such as the old lady played amazingly by Zelda Rubinstein, I still shudder when I hear those words, "They're here!"


07) The Thing (1982)



Undoubtedly one of the best horror films of all time, The Thing uses the concept and idea of fear itself as a powerful tool, and in a far more direct way than most horror films. It plays mainly off of three fears: the fear of the body (in a very Cronenberg way), the fear of effing horrifying aliens, and most importantly, the fear of isolation.

Almost immediately, we are plunged into Antarctica with the rest of the United States National Science Institute Station 4. All is well until the camp is infiltrated by one of the most terrifying creatures of all time, and Carpenter does such a wonderful job of creating a tangible, suffocating atmosphere that the viewer feels as if he/she is really there, wondering what to do next to avoid being infected, and who to trust (as the group hysteria within the camp is almost more dangerous than the thing itself). The intensity is only heightened with gut-wrenching special effects, an eerie electronic score, and awesome performances (among other things).

I know it's hard to call a movie "perfect," but this is as close as it gets.


08) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)



I guess I was about 12 or 13 when I first set down and watched Freddy on the small screen with my ma and da (both were avid and dedicated Horror fans of the 80s and the VHS revolution). Now you would think that at that age and being in the presence of your family you would be able to stand the frights and chills but there was something so damn scary about a being that not only looked like pure evil but could get to you in your most private situations - your dreams!

Every night for about 6 months Freddy Krueger invaded my wishes, daydreams, hell even my wet dreams and had me standing (at almost 6 foot at the time) at the end of my parent's bed in the middle of the night shouting "Ma, Da wake up, I can't sleep. I can't get to sleep!" Of course this scared them half to death to glance up from their slumber and see an almost grown man standing in front of their bed...boy did I get yelled at!

Robert Englund once told me he treated Freddy as the quintessential boogeyman in every child's story, the big bad wolf, the monster under the bed. Well he sure as hell pulled it off for this monster fan!


09) Aliens (1986)



This is it. The perfect combination of Sci Fi, Horror, and Action.

Difficult to pull off, but James Cameron really outdid himself with this one. Aliens is the striking sequel to the 1979 classic, and takes the concept to a totally different level. We go from one Alien... to hundreds. Terrifying and gruesome, it grabs hold of you with it's toothy, lethal tongue and doesn't let go for the entire time, all 2 and a half hours of it.

It was released in 1986 and hasn't aged a day, and is found on many, many shelves. Aliens is constantly compared to Alien and is commonly thought to be on par, if not the better of the two, and, any way you look at it, Aliens is difficult not to love, and should be owned by everyone.


10) Evil Dead II (1987)



I first saw this back in the late 80s, and it is one of the few films that I never get bored of. In my opinion this is the best horror comedies of all time. Gore, violence, slapstick comedy, amazing effects, tons of blood, laughing furniture, straight forward story line great acting and of course Bruce Campbell! What the hell else could you ask for? The original Evil Dead was good but this has to be my favourite.

It has a very simple plot, so no thinking is required but it is not your usual cheap crappy horror film. The camera work is fantastic especially for it's time and the budget of the film, but the main thing that makes this a great film has to be Mr Campbell. His hammy acting is out of this world, who else can pull off beating yourself up with so much style? He just fits the film perfectly, be it talking to himself, laughing with the rest of the house or cutting off his hand with a chainsaw.

If you haven't seen this film you'd better have a bloody good excuse!!


Honorable Mentions :-


Re-Animator (1985)

The Fly (1986)

Hellraiser (1987)



Until the next time...another week, another decade. Till then, happy memories and viewing. Ciao!

[neverending]

Another awesome list. Great job, V.

[_____V_____]

Thanks, NE. It was difficult choosing those from the decade of horror which made my childhood years.

[hammerfan]

Great list, Avi!!

[bloody_ribcut]

the eightes had some good stuff.

[_____V_____]

Originally Posted by bloody_ribcut

the eightes had some good stuff.

The high point of the 80s was the music, IMO. There were so many good tunes coming out, it was literally a boom of sorts. Every genre of music produced wonderful, memorable stuff. Its the one thing 80s will be always remembered for.

Thanks, you two.

[urgeok2]

Originally Posted by _____V_____

. Its the one thing 80s will be always remembered for.

.

well, dont forget the rediculous fashion and hair styles

and the cocaine

[ferretchucker]

The eighties really were good for Horror. Better than the 90's or 00's.

Good list too __V__.

[Bub the Zombie]

Yet another good thread, V. Keep up the good work!