STACK #152 Jun 2017

DVD&BD FEATURE

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The eighties gave us leg warmers, big hair, Live Aid, New Romantic tunes, the return of Halley’s Comet, and the introduction of the PG rating. It was also the decade of the teen film and the blockbuster comedy, and saw fledgling stars embarking on their journey towards the Hollywood A-list.This month at JB Hi-Fi you’ll find a specially curated selection of films on DVD and Blu-ray that collectively defined the era – some of which we’ve assembled here according to theme, for your shopping convenience… THE ESSENTIAL ‘80s

COMEDY WAS KING

The ‘80s were a golden age for comedy blockbusters. Saturday Night Live alumni Chevy Chase, Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd graduated to the big screen and became marquee names,

and spoof movies were actually funny. The great Mel Brooks took the mickey out of Star Wars in the beloved Spaceballs (1987), and rewrote the past in History of theWorld: Part I (1981 – note: there’s no Part 2). The dancing gopher and floating chocolate bar in Caddyshack (1980) left an indelible impression on amused Gen X-ers, as did the original Ghostbusters (1984), which pretty much set the template for the modern blockbuster comedy with its snappy logo, catchy theme song, and all-star ensemble.

KIDS ON BIKES Adventurous youngsters investigating strange things – usually while on their bikes – became a staple of ‘80s flicks, thanks largely to the success of Steven

Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). Rob Reiner’s Stand by Me (1986), a poignant adaptation of a Stephen King novella, further raised the bar when it came to exploring the bonds of friendship and things best left undiscovered. And let’s not forget The Goonies (1985) – how could we? It didn’t feature a lot of bikes but it did have pirate treasure, Corey Feldman and Cyndi Lauper, and that’s “good enough”.

THE RISE OF THE CRUISER Tom Cruise that is, not the Alcopop variety (although Coolers were a thing

back then.) The guy who would become one of the biggest movie stars on the planet was introduced lip-synching to Bob Seger’s ‘Old Time Rock n Roll’

TEENAGE RAMPAGE

The father of the modern teen film, the late John Hughes ruled the roost in the ‘80s with a succession of hits – Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), Pretty in

in his white undies in Risky Business (1983). But the real runway to superstardom came when he felt the need for speed as pilot Maverick in Top Gun (1986), while taking Kelly McGillis’s breath away. Whether confidently perched atop his motorcycle at sunset, playing beach volleyball shirtless, or engaging enemy fighters at high altitude, Cruise personified the romantic hero on the edge.

Pink (1986) and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986). Hughes launched the careers of stars like Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy, Matthew Broderick and Emilio Estevez – some made it out of the ‘80s and on to superstardom, while others got stuck there. Synonymous with bringing high school hijinks and adolescent angst to the masses, one of Hughes’s best films is also one of his most overlooked when discussing his body of work. It doesn't have Molly Ringwald, but Weird Science (1985) is a cleverly scripted teen nerd take on The Bride of Frankenstein, in which the ultimate woman turns out to be perm queen Kelly LeBrock!

DANCE AND ROMANCE Let’s hear it for the boy! Before there was six degrees of Kevin Bacon, the rising star was cutting loose to the tunes of Kenny Loggins and Bonnie Tyler in Footloose (1984), as a city

Words Scott Hocking

slicker who flaunts a small town dance ban. Elsewhere, action man Patrick Swayze discovered his tender side – and had the time of his life – with Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing (1987). A box office smash that also broke videotape sales records and spawned a stage production, Dirty Dancing is one ‘80s classic that will never be put in a corner!

• Check out the other awesome titles in the '80s range at

30 JUNE 2017

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