MY FAVE TEN...

Inspired by Rolling Stone magazine and all of its lists (does any other publication have so many "list" issues?), I've decided to a series called "My Fave Ten" where I'll pick a category that I know a little something about and share my favorite ten from that category. Tonight's category is My Favorite Ten Movies from the 1980's. Not necessarily my choice for the best movies (for instance, you won't find OUT OF AFRICA on the list), but rather these are my personal choices for the movies from that decade that I remember the most fondly or that I personally think might have had the most impact.

So, without further adieu, let the shoes fly where they may...

My Fave Ten Movies of the 1980's

SAY ANYTHING (1989) - Wait for the ding. The first movie legendary writer Cameron Crowe directed is still probably his best. Who wouldn't want to hang out with Lloyd Dobler? And when it comes to big, over the top sentimental gestures, nothing is more iconic than Lloyd holding the boom box over his head while it plays Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes." Written and directed by Cameron Crowe. Stars John Cusack, Ione Skye and John Mahoney.

DO THE RIGHT THING (1989) - Sending the 80's out with a bang, Spike Lee's career defining masterpiece looks at one hot day in the life Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy and makes some insightful statements about race, class, the New York police and just what it means to "do the right thing." Fight the power indeed. Written, directed by and starring Spike Lee. With Danny Aiello, John Turturro, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis and Samuel L. Jackson.

E.T. (1982) - Best. Fantasy. Movie. Ever. What kid didn't relate to Eliot and to ET? This film is a perfect marriage of pop culture, childlike wonder and cinematic artistic vision. It also redefined just what a blockbuster movie is--remember, this was the first movie to earn $300 million at the box office. Written by Melissa Matheson. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Stars Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Drew Barrymore.

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981) - This just in: Steven Spielberg's really good. Insert your own fond Indiana Jones memory here. Written by Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Directed by Spielberg. Stars Harrison Ford, Karen Black and Denholm Elliot.

BRAZIL (1984) - Misunderstood when it came out and frequently misunderstood now. Of course, the studio also famously butchered it with their own cut when it came out. But guess what? The darkly comic but oh-so-oppressive bureaucratic state, the video game-like flights of fancy...many things in Brazil turned out to be precursors of our present day. Written by Terry McKeown. Directed by Terry Gilliam. Starring Jonathan Pryce and Robert De Niro.

SIXTEEN CANDLES (1986) - Other John Hughes movies were more popular, but none of them touched as universal a chord as this one did. Plus, everyone loves Long Duck Dong! Written and directed by John Hughes. Stars Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall.

BLADE RUNNER (1982) - Is it just me, or were the 80's crazy loaded with great movies? I know the 70's were supposed to be the golden era of the New Hollywood, but here we are seven movies into this list before we get to arguably the most visionary and influential science fiction adventure of all time. Amazing. Written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples. Directed by Ridley Scott. Stars Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Daryl Hannah and William Sanderson.

SCARFACE (1980) - Is it a "good" movie? No, but has there been another movie since that has been so widely imitated, so frequently parodied or so influential in a particular genre of music (hard core rap and hip-hop)? Talk about iconic--Al Pacino's over the top Tony Montana is one of cinema's all time most memorable caricatures. Written by Oliver Stone (!) and others. Directed by Brian DePalma.

FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982) - Cameron Crowe strikes again--this time as a teenage writer hiding out undercover in a San Fernando Valley high school, an experience that served as the inspiration for the Rolling Stone articles on which this movie is (very) loosely based. What's important about this picture is that it forever changed the way Hollywood portrayed teenagers in the movies (they have sex and it's awkward, they want to be adults but still sometimes act like kids, they curse) and, of course, it made a star out of Sean Penn, a remarkable actor who has been nominated for a half dozen Oscars but who will forever largely be best remembered as Spicoli. Written by Cameron Crowe. Directed by Martha Coolidge. Stars Sean Penn, Ray Walston, Phoebe Cates, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Judge Reinhold.

SOPHIE'S CHOICE (1982) - Let's be honest: all anyone really members is the end of the movie, which of course, is the crux of Sophie's story. But what an ending. Meryl Streep is the greatest film actress in the world, but she's never been better than when she makes you feel the agony of her "choice" in this movie. By the way, the rest of the movie is pretty damn good too. Written and directed by Alan J. Pakula. Stars Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline and Peter MacNicol.

Honorable mentions: The Color Purple (1984), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1989), Full Metal Jacket (1987), Platoon (1986), The Shining (1980), The Breakfast Club (1988).

As always, feedback is welcome. Peace.