Entertainment Weekly (EW) recently published a double issue (June 27^th & July 4^th) which commemorated their 1000^th issue. The subject of this issue was titled "The New Classics" and discussed what they considered to be the 1000 Best Movies, TV Shows, Albums, Books & More from the last 25 years. Overall, I would say that the issue did a decent job (though lots to debate) and is definitely worth reading. You should try to pick up this issue or you can find some of the articles on line.

I figured I would comment on portions of the EW lists in general, but specifically as they applied to the 80s (since it includes that decade from 1983 on). This article will focus on the MOVIES section only, but I will come back and comment on some of the other sections in a future Kickin' it issue. Here is a link to see the entire Top 100 list of movies that was published as the best from the past 25 years (1983-2008). The online list unfortunately does not include the commentary for each of the Top 50 selections as was published in the actual magazine article.

First, I have to give EW full credit for deservingly placing Pulp Fiction in the #1 spot on the list. Quentin Tarantino's 1994 masterpiece is probably my favorite film of all time. The line from the article which best describes this movies greatness reads, "You'd be hard-pressed, by now, to name a moment from Quentin Tarantino's film that isn't iconic." How very true. My goal was to focus on the 80s movies, so I will move on now.

As with any list of this magnitude, the EW list includes some questionable choices and also some debatable positions within the list. Here are the 80s movies on the list and where they placed:
#4 Blue Velvet (1986) - Huh?
#7 Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) - Again, huh?
#9 Die Hard (1988)
#11 This Is Spinal Tap (1984) - ranks on my Top Rob Reiner Directed Films list
#18 Do the Right Thing (1989)
#24 A Room With a View (1986)
#27 Aliens (1986)
#28 Wings of Desire (1988) - Sadly, I had never even heard of this movie
#30 When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
#33 The Breakfast Club (1985) - ranks on my Top Brat Pack Movies and Top 80s Teen Comedies lists
#45 Rain Man (1988) - ranks on my Top Tom Cruise Movie Characters list
#48 Scarface (1983)
#52 The Naked Gun (1988)
#55 Risky Business (1983)
#58 Ghostbusters (1984)
#61 Beverly Hills Cop (1984) - ranks on my Top Eddie Murphy movies list
#62 sex, lies, and videotape (1989)
#63 Big (1988)
#65 Dirty Dancing (1987)
#68 Witness (1985)
#70 Broadcast News (1987)
#74 Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
#75 Out of Africa (1985)
#77 Sid & Nancy (1986)
#81 Moonstruck (1987)
#83 Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)
#91 Back to the Future (1985)
#94 Full Metal Jacket (1987)
#97 Glory (1989)

Wow, where do I even start? First, not even taking into account the films from 1990 to present which were on the list, these 80s films do not seem to be ranked correctly. Then, there are many "classic" 80s movies that did not make the list that probably deserved to be there.

David Lynch's Blue Velvet and Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters might be worthy efforts but how can you put them in the top 100 movies of the past 25 years let alone rank them in the top 10? Those selections call this entire list into question as do A Room With a View at #24 and Wings of Desire at #28. The Breakfast Club is way too low down at #33 as is Rain Man at #45 and Back to the Future all the way down at #91. I was happy to see Do the Right Thing high on the list, but it may deserve to be even higher than #18.

Those are some of my criticisms with the movies that made the list, but wait until you read some of the movies that did not even make EW's top 100. Here are some of my favorites that I feel deserve to be on this list somewhere:
Stand by Me (1986) - Would likely be in my top 20 of all time
The Princess Bride (1987)
Return of the Jedi (1983)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) or the Temple of Doom (1984)
Say Anything... (1989) - ranks on my Top John Cusack Movies list
Wall Street (1987)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Coming to America (1988) - ranks on my Top Eddie Murphy Movies list
Dead Poets Society (1989) - ranks on my Top Robin Williams Movies list
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) - ranks on my Top 80s Teen Comedies list
Hoosiers (1986)
Revenge of the Nerds (1984) - ranks on my Top 80s Teen Comedies list

Those are some that I feel were deserving to be on the list. They are claiming their list to be the "new classics" after all. Are there any 80s movies from 1983-1989 that you feel are missing??? Post your comments below.

Within the article, there are some mini-lists included which also mention some 80s movie moments. One is called the "Five Romantic Gestures" and this list includes 3 moments from 80s movies. These moments are:
Robert Redford washes Meryl Streep's hair in Out of Africa (1985),
The beauty (Molly Ringwald) gives the rebel (Judd Nelson) her earring in The Breakfast Club (1985), and
John Cusack blasts Peter Gabriel outside Ione Skye's window in Say Anything...(1989) - The song from that moment ranks #1 on my list of Best 80s Movie Songs which is a fun list you should check out

At least Say Anything... received mention somewhere in the EW issue. I am sure the writers and editors of Entertainment Weekly spent a long time developing this list, but lists like these are sure to cause debate and disagreement. In this case, I am not bothered as much by some of the ranking, but more so by some of the movies which were wrongly omitted. I am interested to hear what you think.

That's going to wrap up this issue of Kickin' it Old School. Thanks for reading. Like I said, I do intend on discussing some of the other portions of the EW New Classics lists in a future issue. So be on the look out for that. If you are looking for more of Old School's 80s related articles, click here for a summary. Peace and much love.

Check this out: If you were driving into a small town and saw this billboard, I know I would probably take heed...

Quote of the day: "Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend's success." -Oscar Wilde

Download this: "In Your Eyes (live)" by Sara Bareilles - This cover of the amazing song by Peter Gabriel from the film Say Anything... is available exclusively on iTunes. There is also a cool acoustic version of this song performed by Jeffrey Gaines which I also would recommend.