THE GOONIES (1985)screens Sunday Night April 11th at the Sky View Drive-in in Lichtfield, Il. (1500 Historic Old Route 66) This is part of the Sky View’s ‘Throwback Sundays’. The second Sunday of the month, they screen a classic movie. Admission is only $7 (free for kids under 5). This is a double feature! GOONIES will be followed by GODZILLA VS KONG. Gates will open at 6pm for all showings.Movie Start time: 7:35pm. The Sky View’s site can be found HERE.
Four kids – Mikey (Sean Astin), Chunk (Jeff Cohen), Mouth (Corey Feldman) and Data (Ke Huy Quan) who call themselves “The Goonies” finds a map in the attic of Mikey’s house. Their beloved neighborhood is about to become a golf course, so they go out on an adventure to find lost buried treasure. Unfortunately, three crooks Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey) with her sons Jake (Robert Davi) and Francis (Joe Pantoliano) are also seeking the treasure.
One of the most beloved movies of the 80’s, THE GOONIES is a timeless adventure from director Richard Donner and producer Steven Spielberg that has stood the test of time.
THE GOONIES has youth, fun, and excitement by the truckload but also that perfect “Boy’s Adventure” element that’s often hard to capture on film (think KING KONG, THE THIEF OF BAGDAD, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, and LIFE OF PI). THE GOONIES also captured the 80’s so well with its fashion, hairstyles and music, so even now it feels not so much dated, as a charming look back. Many of the film’s young actors went on to bigger things (Sean Astin in LOTR and Oscar-nominee Josh Brolin). They show quite a lot of star quality and manage to give performances beyond their years under the assured direction of Richard (THE OMEN, SUPERMAN) Donner. In many ways, the film plays like a juvenile variation of the Indiana Jones movies, and is a very competent and fast-moving yarn. Don’t miss THE GOONIES when it screens April 11th at The Sky View
” Let’s turn on the juice and see what shakes loose!”
THE WAIT IS OVER!!! The Skyview Drive-in in Belleville (5700 N Belt W, Belleville, IL 62226)CAN OPEN ON MAY 8!!!
Drive in movies are now allowed to open on May 8th and The Skyview is going to do that. They are sure that they can do it safely. First thing they will do is reduce their capacity by half. Instead of parking two vehicles between poles, they will park only one car. The Health Department said that since we are parking like that, you be able to bring your lawn chairs and sit next to your vehicle. You will be more than 6 feet away from anyone else.
The concession stand will have a limited menu. They will have cheeseburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and bottled soda and lemonade. You will not come inside, Someone will meet you on the Schnucks side patio and get your order for you.
They will not use the women’s bathroom at all since it so crowded. Men’s room will allow four at a time. They will have 16 porta-potties that will be cleaned every fifteen minutes.
Here’s the line-up for May 1st-7th
Screen #1 – The Goonies PG 8:00 and BEETLEJUICE PG 10:05 Screen #2 – Grease PG13 8:00 and Ferris Buehler’s Day Off PG 10:00
Most of the reserved spots have been taken for both screens on Friday and Saturday. If you would like to try to reserve a spot, just respond to this email and tell us three things; which night you want to come, which movies you want to see, and whether you will be parking at an orange pole (vehicle taller than 5’2″) or a white pole (vehicle 5’2″ or shorter.)
They expect large crowds, especially over the weekend, so you should plan to come early. The box office will open at 6:30 all seven nights.
” Let’s turn on the juice and see what shakes loose!”
THE WAIT IS OVER!!! The Skyview Drive-in in Belleville (5700 N Belt W, Belleville, IL 62226)CAN OPEN ON MAY 1!!!
Drive in movies are now allowed to open on May 1st and The Skyview is going to do that. They are sure that they can do it safely. First thing they will do is reduce their capacity by half. Instead of parking two vehicles between poles, they will park only one car. The Health Department said that since we are parking like that, you be able to bring your lawn chairs and sit next to your vehicle. You will be more than 6 feet away from anyone else.
The concession stand will have a limited menu. They will have cheeseburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and bottled soda and lemonade. You will not come inside, Someone will meet you on the Schnucks side patio and get your order for you.
They will not use the women’s bathroom at all since it so crowded. Men’s room will allow four at a time. They will have 16 porta-potties that will be cleaned every fifteen minutes.
Here’s the line-up for May 1st-7th
Screen #1 – The Goonies PG 8:00 and BEETLEJUICE PG 10:05 Screen #2 – Grease PG13 8:00 and Ferris Buehler’s Day Off PG 10:00
Most of the reserved spots have been taken for both screens on Friday and Saturday. If you would like to try to reserve a spot, just respond to this email and tell us three things; which night you want to come, which movies you want to see, and whether you will be parking at an orange pole (vehicle taller than 5’2″) or a white pole (vehicle 5’2″ or shorter.)
They expect large crowds, especially over the weekend, so you should plan to come early. The box office will open at 6:30 all seven nights.
The ‘Movies on Art Hill’ Series in St. Louis continues this Friday, August 2nd with THE GOONIES. Admission is FREE and the movie will start about 9pm.A Facebook invite for the event can be found HERE
The We Are Movie Geeks gang always goes to these, so if you wanna hang with the cool kids, you should go too. It’s free and they set up a big screen at the bottom of the hill. There are food trucks and beer and wine for sale. You can even go dine in the museum’s restaurant before the show if you got money to burn. If you’re a museum member, you can show your membership card and get free popcorn and ice cream (I did that last year even though my card was expired!). Of course, you can bring a cooler with your own food and drinks as well. It’s a lot of fun! Bring your dog! The movies start at 9 but get there early! Thousands of people show up, especially if the weather is nice, and close parking is scarce. There’s live pre-show music and the people-watching can be entertaining.
What’s a film series without the food
Bring your own picnic.
Food Truck Fest, presented by Sauce Magazine, will run from 6 to 8:30 pm in the parking lot to the west of the Louis IX statue on Art Hill. Food trucks vary each week and lines will close at 8:30 pm sharp each night. Cash, credit, and debit cards accepted. An ATM will be on Art Hill Plaza.
The Museum’s Cafe will be open and serving casual fare including freshly prepared soups, sandwiches, and salads until 9 pm.
Concession stands with snacks and soda will be located at the top of Art Hill. Show your Saint Louis Art Museum membership card and get a free bag of popcorn!
Adult beverages will be available for purchase at the Panorama booth.
In THE GOONIES, four kids – Mikey (Sean Astin), Chunk (Jeff Cohen), Mouth (Corey Feldman) and Data (Ke Huy Quan) who call themselves “The Goonies” finds a map in the attic of Mikey’s house. Their beloved neighborhood is about to become a golf course, so they go out on an adventure to find lost buried treasure. Unfortunately, three crooks Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey) with her sons Jake (Robert Davi) and Francis (Joe Pantoliano) are also seeking the treasure. One of the most beloved movies of the 80’s, THE GOONIES is a timeless adventure from director Richard Donner and producer Steven Spielberg that has stood the test of time. THE GOONIES has youth, fun, and excitement by the truckload but also that perfect “Boy’s Adventure” element that’s often hard to capture on film (think KING KONG, THE THIEF OF BAGDAD, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, and LIFE OF PI). THE GOONIES also captured the 80’s so well with its fashion, hairstyles and music, so even now it feels not so much dated, as a charming look back. Many of the film’s young actors went on to bigger things (Sean Astin in LOTR and Oscar-nominee Josh Brolin). They show quite a lot of star quality and manage to give performances beyond their years under the assured direction of Richard (THE OMEN, SUPERMAN) Donner. In many ways, the film plays like a juvenile variation of the Indiana Jones movies, and is a very competent and fast-moving yarn. Don’t miss THE GOONIES when it screens Friday night on Art Hill
“You stay classy, San Diego. I’m Ron Burgundy?”… “Dammit. Who typed a question mark on the Teleprompter?”
Celebrate 10 years of films, food, and fun with your dream team this summer at the Art Hill Film Series! Everyone knows that Art Hill, in front of the St. Louis Art Museum, is a great place to go sledding in the winter. But did you know it’s a great place to see movies in the summer?
The We Are Movie Geeks gang always goes to these, so if you wanna hang with the cool kids, you should go too. It’s free and they set up a big screen at the bottom of the hill. There are food trucks and beer and wine for sale. You can even go dine in the museum’s restaurant before the show if you got money to burn. If you’re a museum member, you can show your membership card and get free popcorn and ice cream (I did that last year even though my card was expired!). Of course, you can bring a cooler with your own food and drinks as well. It’s a lot of fun! Bring your dog! The movies start at 9 but get there early! Thousands of people show up, especially if the weather is nice, and close parking is scarce. There’s live pre-show music and the people-watching can be entertaining.
What’s a film series without the food?
Bring your own picnic.
Food Truck Fest, presented by Sauce Magazine, will run from 6 to 8:30 pm in the parking lot to the west of the Louis IX statue on Art Hill. Food trucks vary each week and lines will close at 8:30 pm sharp each night. Cash, credit, and debit cards accepted. An ATM will be on Art Hill Plaza.
The Museum’s Cafe will be open and serving casual fare including freshly prepared soups, sandwiches, and salads until 9 pm.
Concession stands with snacks and soda will be located at the top of Art Hill. Show your Saint Louis Art Museum membership card and get a free bag of popcorn!
Adult beverages will be available for purchase at the Panorama booth.
Bring your appetite! Before the movie starts, make sure to tap into your creative side. Each week, there will be an Art Lab for adults complete with an instructor and all the materials you need to create your own Film Series masterpiece.
Here’s the line-up for this summer:
Friday July 12th – BLACK PANTHER – A Facebook invite can be found HERE
The Academy Award-winning Black Panther follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
Friday July 19th – ANCHORMAN – A Facebook invite can be found HERE
Hotshot television anchorman Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) welcomes upstart reporter Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) into the male-dominated world of 1970s broadcast news — that is, until the talented Corningstone begins to outshine Burgundy on air. Soon he grows jealous, begins a bitter feud with Veronica and eventually makes a vulgar slip on live TV that ruins his career. However, when an outrageous story breaks at the San Diego Zoo, Ron may get a chance to redeem himself.
Friday July 26th – OCEANS 8 – A Facebook invite can be found HERE
Five years, eight months, 12 days and counting — that’s how long Debbie Ocean has been devising the biggest heist of her life. She knows what it’s going to take — a team of the best people in the field, starting with her partner-in-crime Lou Miller. Together, they recruit a crew of specialists, including jeweler Amita, street con Constance, suburban mom Tammy, hacker Nine Ball, and fashion designer Rose. Their target — a necklace that’s worth more than $150 million.
August 2nd – GOONIES – A Facebook invite can be found HERE
A group of young misfits who call themselves The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on a quest to find a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure.
The Academy will pay tribute to director-producer Richard Donner with an evening of personal anecdotes, film clips spanning his prolific career and special appearances by friends and colleagues on Wednesday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.
Guests to take the stage with Donner include actors Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Rene Russo, Jeff B. Cohen, Carol Kane, Joseph Mazzello, David Morse, Ke Huy Quan and John Savage; producer and president of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige; writer, president and chief creative officer at DC Entertainment Geoff Johns; writer Brian Helgeland; and Lauren Shuler Donner, producer and Donner’s wife for more than 30 years.
Lauren Shuler Donner and Richard Donner 2006 Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com
Donner’s work is wide-ranging, from small independents (“Inside Moves”) to cult classics (“The Goonies”), superhero epics (“Superman”) to medieval love stories (“Ladyhawke”), and mystery-suspense thrillers (“The Omen”) to blockbuster comedies (“Scrooged”) and the buddy action series, “Lethal Weapon.”
Recently director Patty Jenkins described in the New York Times how Donner’s SUPERMAN played into one scene from WONDER WOMAN.
What was the inspiration for the scene?
It’s an homage to one of my favorite movies of all time, Richard Donner’s “Superman.” One of the things I loved in Superman was this very playful period of time where we know who Superman is and what he can do. But he’s let loose on Metropolis. And he encounters a mugging he’s completely ill-prepared for. In that movie Lois Lane knows exactly what’s going on and is trying to handle the situation. She causes a gun to go off and he catches the bullet and she never sees it and he’s able to save the day with his superpowers. So this scene is trying to comment with humor on how things would go down when the roles are reversed….we built onstage because what we were looking for was something that both echoed Richard Donner’s “Superman” alleyway and something that [allowed us to] block that alley fight.
LETHAL WEAPON recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Released in March 1987, the movie grossed over $120 million against a production budget of $15 million, and it was nominated for Academy Award in the category of Best Sound. It spawned a franchise that includes three sequels and a television series.
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film four out of four stars, saying Donner “tops himself”.
THE GOONIES (1985) plays this weekend (July 29th and 30th) at The Tivoli at midnight as part of their Reel Late at the Tivoli midnight series.
Four kids – Mikey (Sean Astin), Chunk (Jeff Cohen), Mouth (Corey Feldman) and Data (Ke Huy Quan) who call themselves “The Goonies” finds a map in the attic of Mikey’s house. Their beloved neighborhood is about to become a golf course, so they go out on an adventure to find lost buried treasure. Unfortunately, three crooks Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey) with her sons Jake (Robert Davi) and Francis (Joe Pantoliano) are also seeking the treasure.
One of the most beloved movies of the 80’s, THE GOONIES is a timeless adventure from director Richard Donner and producer Steven Spielberg that has stood the test of time.
THE GOONIES has youth, fun, and excitement by the truckload but also that perfect “Boy’s Adventure” element that’s often hard to capture on film (think KING KONG, THE THIEF OF BAGDAD, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, and LIFE OF PI). THE GOONIES also captured the 80’s so well with its fashion, hairstyles and music, so even now it feels not so much dated, as a charming look back. Many of the film’s young actors went on to bigger things (Sean Astin in LOTR and Oscar-nominee Josh Brolin). They show quite a lot of star quality and manage to give performances beyond their years under the assured direction of Richard (THE OMEN, SUPERMAN) Donner. In many ways, the film plays like a juvenile variation of the Indiana Jones movies, and is a very competent and fast-moving yarn. Don’t miss THE GOONIES when it screens midnights this weekend at The Tivoli
The Tivoli’s located at 6350 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO. Admission is a mere $8!
Reel Late at the Tivoli takes place every Friday and Saturday night and We Are Movie Geeks own Tom Stockman (that’s me!) is there with custom trivia questions about the films and always has DVDs, posters, and other cool stuff to give away. Ticket prices are $8. We hope to see everyone late at night in the coming weeks.
Another brilliant lineup of midnight movies for the ‘Reel Late at The Tivoli’ for the remainder of Summer of 2016 season. It’s a typically good variety of titles that will draw the late night movie buff crowd with a couple of retro surprises. The Midnight Movie experience has always catered to a college-age crowd and that’s the way it should be. Looks like we have one Miyazaki (PRINCESS MONONOKE) which always draw good crowds. The oldest film this time is the Hitchcock classic from 1960 PSYCHO (if you didn’t get your Hitchcock fix with REAR WINDOW this weekend) and the most recent appears to be THE ROOM, the ineptly hilarious interactive crowd-pleaser starring Tommy Wiseau. We have not shown ENTER THE DRAGON at midnight in many years and this will be the first time EVENT HORIZON has ever played at the Tiv.
Here’s the line-up:
July 29-30 – THE GOONIES
August 5-6 – THE ROOM
August 12-13 – ENTER THE DRAGON
August 19-20 – THE SANDLOT
August 26-27 – EVENT HORIZON
September 2 – 3 – PRINCESS MONONOKE
September 9-10 – THE BIG LEBOWSKI
September 16-17 – PSYCHO
Reel Late at the Tivoli takes place every Friday and Saturday night and We Are Movie Geeks own Tom Stockman (that’s me!) is there with custom trivia questions about the films and always has DVDs, posters, and other cool stuff to give away. Ticket prices are $8. We hope to see everyone late at night in the coming weeks.
The Tivoli is located at 6350 Delmar in The Loop. Visit Landmark’s The Tivoli’s websiteHERE
With the release of EASY A not more than a week away, we here at WAMG thought that we would have a little fun with one of the topics in the film… 80’s movies. You know ’em, you love ’em, you’ve seen them a million times on your television set, and you know ’em by heart. These are our quintessential 80’s flicks…
HONORABLE MENTION: TEEN WOLF
Many movie fans seem to forget that Michael J. Fox had two box office hits in 1985. While BACK TO THE FUTURE is an enduring classic , we shouldn’t overlook the success of the more modestly budgeted, TEEN WOLF. In it Michaels’ character Scott Howard has some similarities to Marty McFly. He’s an average high school student who pines for the better life( with the queen of the drama club and his lackluster basketball team). One day Scott discovers that his journey to puberty comes with a bonus: he’s a werewolf. His family curse is explained to him by his dear old dad (played by F TROOP’s James Hampton). Scott soon learns that this curse may not be such a bad thing. He becomes a hoops phenom and leads the team to a winning season while taking the lead in the school play opposite his dream girl. But all’s not roses(or in this case dog biscuits) for Scott as his aggressive wolf side starts to take over. Thanks to Michael J. Fox’s charming performance, TEEN WOLF inspired a sequel( TEEN WOLF, TOO with a furry Jason Bateman) ,a Saturday morning cartoon show, and established him as one of the 1980’s great teen movie stars.
HONORABLE MENTION: FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH
Oh, Sean Penn… You made Spicoli one of our favorite slackers! It has everything an essential 80’s movie needs: Drugs, the valley speaking airhead, the surfer, horrible teachers, and rock and roll. It deals with a could of heavier issues, but lightens the mood up again with some serious laughs! I wish I would have gone to Ridgemont High!
10. THE KARATE KID
The Karate Kid – starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita – is one of those movies that you either care nothing about or absolutely love. There’s not really anything in between and I happen to fall into the latter category. Obviously, I could start out by saying that the director was no other than John G. Avildsen (yeah, the guy that directed Rocky…) and I wouldn’t have to say much more. But there is so much more. This is a story about friendship, honor, coming of age, and beating the odds. It had us cheering for the underdog and gave us iconic pop culture catch-phrases such as “wax on, wax off” and “sweep the leg.” There were several sequels including one with future 2-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank as “the girl karate kid”, but none ever quite lived up to the original. And not for nothin’, but the remake with Jaden “I’m only in a movie because will smith is my dad” Smith was an unnecessary abomination with Jackie Chan as a ridiculous disgrace to the legacy of Mr. Miyagi. We’ll just pretend that never happened.
So, for all you Karate Kid purists like myself, here’s a little treat. Look for many of the original Cobra Kai members from the film, as well as Johnny and Daniel-son. Enjoy!
09. SIXTEEN CANDLES
“Chronologically you’re 16 today. Physically you’re still 15.” Is Samantha Baker’s (Molly Ringwald) opening line bemoaning her breast size. And that one dry observation is just the beginning of Samantha’s hellish 16th birthday in SIXTEEN CANDLES, the debut feature from that king of the teen movies John Hughes. SIXTEEN CANDLES was very special for the simple reason that John Hughes showed other filmmakers of the day what a teen movie could be all about. Instead of an orgy of sex, booze and all night partying, films starring teenagers could be about real people. Young people with problems of their own. Fears. Insecurities. And a healthy dollop of angst. SIXTEEN CANDLES took all of those qualities and made a surprisingly fun film out of it. Even at the start of his career, John Hughes made a film that was buoyant, brimming with confidence, and delightfully dotty. It was everything an 80’s teen film should be.
08. FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF
“The question isn’t what are we going to do, the question is what aren’t we going to do?”
Even at the ripe old age of 100, Matthew Broderick will still be seen by fans primarily as the rebellious, iconic high school hero Ferris Bueller. John Hughes’ classic 80’s comedy opus FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF is a film that captures the mind of the graduating teen, the varying degrees and fear, excitement and resignation to the inevitable post-high school life and dullness and slow death. Being the incurable optimist, Bueller takes his neurotic best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) and his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) on a wild adventure into downtown Chicago, while thwarting Principal Rooney’s efforts to bust Bueller for playing hookie by any means. FERRIS BUELLER is a timeless classic, burned deep into the psyche of every child of the 80’s and guaranteed to continue influencing teenagers for generations to come.
07. WEIRD SCIENCE
With a hip title song from Oingo Boingo …
and Robert Downey, Jr.’s hilarious turn as Ian…
…WEIRD SCIENCE is one of those John Hughes 80’s comedies that’s become a cult favorite. The film also has a young Bill Paxton as Chet… pain-in-the-ass older brother of Wyatt who constantly made to suffer at the hands of this menace. It’s only when Lisa (Kelly LeBrock), fantasy creation of two teenage goofballs – Wyatt and Gary, turns Chet into a farting, green, grotesque creature, that he must humble himself and apologize to Wyatt for years of abuse.
It’s so off-the-wall, goofy that WEIRD SCIENCE is a definite addition to any movie geeks essential 80’s collection!
06. THE BREAKFAST CLUB
Five kids, all with differing hang-ups, all from differing back grounds, are sentenced to Saturday morning detention at Shermer High School in THE BREAKFAST CLUB. Of all the teen films of the 80’s, few can match THE BREAKFAST CLUB for vibrancy and simplicity of worth. Written by John Hughes in just a couple of weeks, the film has five young actors in one locale, that is driven by dialogue, and for better or worse, managed to tap into the zeitgeist of a whole generation of teenagers. There is something totally engaging watching the nerd, the weirdo, the princess, the jock and the rebel poke fun at each other to only then pick apart their respective defenses. THE BREAKFAST CLUB also contains a fine ensemble cast that infuses a sense of reality in the script. Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson and Anthony Michael Hall are particularly memorable, while only Emilio Estevez embarrasses himself with his excruciating dance sequence. Iconic for many, and resonating to even more, who would have thought such a simple picture could have such lasting appeal?
05. THE GOONIES
Quite essentially one of the staples of the Amblin Entertainment films – Yeah, I know E.T. is the logo, but keep with me. Amblin Entertainment was founded by Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall and in the early to mid 80’s was recognized as bringing high quality family entertainment. What is interesting is prior to THE GOONIES, Amblin Entertainment released GREMLINS. As it has been said before, if both THE GOONIES and GREMLINS were made today, they would have been rated PG-13 because of the subject matter. Luckily, THE GOONIES wasn’t PG-13 because the rating was so new and probably squeezed past it because Spielberg actually semi-created the PG-13 rating.
THE GOONIES is a fun family cinematic treasure hunt as a group of childhood misfits seek the hidden loot of Chester Copperpot. If you haven’t seen this, it must be purchased for your movie geek soul to be redeemed.
04. THE LOST BOYS
Filmgoers in 1987 might’ve thought they were going to see another fantasy adventure involving Peter Pan’s pals. However these lost boys do not stay forever young by living in Neverland :they are vampires. The films begins with the arrival of newly single mom, Lucy Emerson(Dianne Wiest) and her sons Michael(Jason Patric) and Sam(Corey Haim) to her fathers home in Santa Carla, CA(the murder capitol of the world). The boys soon encounter a group of leather clad toughs lead by David(played memorably by a spike haired Kiefer Sutherland). While Michael pursues his attraction to the lady of the gang, Star(Jami Gertz), Sam goes to the local comic book shop and meets the Frog brothers(Jamison Newlander and Corey Feldman) who explain to Sam why David and his gang only prowl at night. Soon Michael is deceived by David and falls victim to the vampire curse. Can he be saved by Sam and the Frog brothers? Will Star be rescued from David and his crew. And what about Lucy’s new romance with her boss, Max? Joel Schumacher’s film offers many unexpected twists and injects a lot of fresh young blood into the big screen Vampire genre. Plus, it’s one of the first pairings of the two Coreys! That alone qualifies LOST BOYS as an 80’s movie classic!
03. SAY ANYTHING
“She’s gone. She gave me a pen. I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen.”
SAY ANYTHING certainly isn’t John Cusack’s first film, having built his foundation on 80’s classics such as 16 CANDLES, BETTER OFF DEAD and ONE CRAZY SUMMER, but it is the film that made him a star. Likewise, it’s the film that first propelled writer/director Cameron Crowe into Hollywood’s good graces. Lloyd Dobler (Cusack) is a hopeless romantic, an underachieving kickboxing recent graduate who is determined to date the beautiful, intelligent Diane Court, played by Ione Skye. Despite her father’s strong objections, Lloyd will do anything to win her heart before she leaves on a scholarship to England.
02. STAND BY ME
STAND BY ME is a favorite film of mine from the 80’s. What could be better than spending time with Gordo, Chris, Teddy and Vern as they have their last weekend of summer, of grade school? The film brought back vivid memories of friends and events from my own summer of being 12. Who doesn’t remember going off to Junior High School? Would my friends stay the same? Would I? STAND BY ME is a great movie because it evokes those memories of being 12, especially how innocent we all were and how perfect the world seemed. How you could sit around with best friends and discuss matters of the world, at least from a 12 year old perspective? The last line of the movie says it so well,” I never had any friends later on, like the ones I had when I was twelve…Jesus… does anyone?” I love this movie because it brings my twelve year self back to mind. It is always good to remember.
01. BACK TO THE FUTURE
BACK TO THE FUTURE is one of the most iconic films of the 80’s and the majority of it takes place prior to the decade. How did the film become such a staple of the decade? Because it was that damn good. It was entertaining. Produced by Steven Spielberg – sort of a big deal, read THE GOONIES description – working from a script from St. Louis’ own Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis with the latter directing, BACK TO THE FUTURE is a film that embellishes on the dream of change. It answers the what if’s while fusing itself into pop references and music history. BACK TO THE FUTURE is a timeless tale that still stands up – 80’s clothing style aside – today. Parents, to quote Marty McFly – “…but your kids are going to love it.”
25 years ago on this very day, THE GOONIES, a modern classic of magical cinematic adventure opened in theaters, spawning an onslaught of adolescent fans who to this day remain devoted to this film as grown-ups. As a young boy, I could relate to the youthful recklessness and hunger for adventure and wonder that the boys of The Goonies set out to experience. I felt the excitement, and the fear, as they explored and uncovered an amazing story and all the intricate details of what made this 114 minutes of movie such a vivid memory.
THE GOONIES was written by Christopher Columbus, directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Speilberg. I mean, really… this was a childhood masterpiece before it even went into production! On this day in 1980’s movie history, I simply wanted to take a moment to recognize and honor one of my favorite films from my tender adolescent years.
While I don’t have kids of my own, I hope all the parents out there who shared my experience growing up with THE GOONIES do the right thing and share the film and their love of it with their kids, so that THE GOONIES remains a classic, instilling imagination and adventure in the hearts of generations to come. Please, take a moment and share your memories, your stories and your thoughts on the film in a comment below. Long live Sloth in our collective imaginations!
By the way, anyone who calls Sloth a “monster” is itching for a fight!
