Movies from the 1980s

In an effort to cure my YouTube problem once and for all, lately I have retreated to what appears to be my ‘happy place’. Movies from the 1970s and 80s.

I spent my formative years in the 1980s and thanks to VCRs becoming affordable towards the end of the decade, I discovered a great many movies that have followed me through life into the 2020s.

Certainly a vibe...

There was a few constants with movies of that era --everything was shot on film, and it wouldn’t be until the early 2000s that digital cinema cameras would start to creep in.

35mm film of the era had a look. It was grainy (which I adore), colours were vivid and they gave scenes an atmosphere you don’t quite get with digital sensors. Couple that with the 80s fashions (which I never really grew out of); 80s cars and architecture.

Then there was the lack of CGI and green screens, instead relying on physical models, miniatures and a need to carry a scene without relying on big explosions. The script, the acting and the plot needed to carry the movie forward.

They were also not afraid to have long scenes rely solely on the dialogue and the interaction between characters. The scene that sets up Quint’s monologue in Jaws is the sort of thing I’m talking about. One room, three actors and the creaking of an old fishing boat makes for the perfect platform for one of the finest pieces of cinema I’ve seen (aside from Roy Batty’s monologue in Blade Runner).

So, I’ve been collecting Blu-ray Discs of my favourite 80s movies, but I’m also on the lookout for ones I haven’t seen yet.

Long-form content

The added benefit of a 90-minute movie (of which many of the movies from the 80s were), is that my mind has to stay focused on one thing for 90 minutes, not grazing for the next short hit of dopamine from an ultimately unfulfilling Youtube video.

I’m no neuroscientist, but I understand there is a neurological reason I feel a lot calmer and happier when I’m not wasting so much time searching for the next hit.

I know this is the business model of companies pushing algorithmic timelines --keeping people hooked but never really satisfied. You can be aware of this, but somehow still susceptible to it. Needless to say, I don’t think it is good for me.

I’m also well aware that I’ve mentioned quitting YouTube several times already, but the quitting part never seems to stick and I end up being drawn back into it. The trick is finding a suitable replacement.

The 80s was of course when the likes of John Candy, Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and countless others were at their peak. It was a period in movie history that means the most to me, so I’m going to embrace it.

I’d love to know which movies from that era resonated with you. I’m always on the lookout for suggestions for the ones I’ve not seen yet.

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