80s Movie Marathon.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Ferris Bueller, an 80s Idol. Every 80s teen either wanted to be him or date him. Heck, I wanted both.

Whats not to love? You've got our lovable protagonist who reminds us that we need to make the most out of life and enjoy it, so he chucks the proverbial "sickie", convincing his parents he is ill and takes the day off school. Then using all his wiles goes about having the greatest day off ever, taking his best friend and girlfriend along for the ride.

Ferris is just so clever without even trying too hard. Like so many of Writer/Director John Hughes films, there is many a life lesson. Chill out and go with the flow man. Don't let the man get ya down. Life really does not have to be so hard. Be your own person and for the sake of all sakes, have a lot of fun.

As a result of the education contained within, this movie is one of my most quoted. My husband and I make many a reference to it. The most common being whenever we are sick (or dare I say it, hungover):

"I'm dieing"
"You're not dieing, you just can't think of anything good to do." 

and when we head off on adventures we often start by snapping our fingers. Oh and our cat is called "Ferris" of course. The darling hubby and I love this movie so much we used one of its songs in our wedding. I walked down the aisle to the instrumental version of The Dream Academy's 'Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want' from the famous Museum scene. It was beautiful I tell ya. Beautiful.

Ferris Buller's Day Off is in its essence, one big giant reminder that life is short and there will be plenty of time to be serious, so embrace the happy times and live life til your cup runneths over. I thank John Hughes for this lesson. I'm thankful of it everyday. 

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Another John Hughes film. I can barely speak of his passing last year, so fraking sad, he was the most amazing man who is more than likely responsible for my passion for films (which I'm sure will be lifelong).

As much as I love Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Breakfast Club was life changing for me. I always felt like an outcast throughout my bloom period, hense why Allison the Basketcase (played by Ally Sheedy) is my favourite character. Via the power that is this film Hughes made me understand that everything was going to be ok. We all have concerns and fears. We all love and hate. We all feel alone in the world at some point or another. We are all in our simplest terms.. human.

The genius of a story like this one (and so many of Hughes films) is in its ensemble cast and scenario. You put a bunch of different characters together "..a brain, an athlete, and a basketcase, a princess, and a criminal." Then you create a forced situation they all have to deal with, in this case putting them all in detention together, then you watch them for a day and see what happens.

This has become a format I adore. With similar films (some I'm sure are giving a nod to Hughes intentionally) such as Empire Records (1995) and Mallrats (1995). Heck, most of Kevin Smith's movies to be honest. I actually know he is a fan. Of Hughes, not of me.

The Breakfast Club is certainly a must see film for anyone. I'm always shocked to hear whenever someone hasn't seen it, and I do my best to make sure they do. This viewing was actually one of those occasions. A Kylie the Awesome 80s Film Education.

I dare anyone not to be able to find a connection to the characters in some way, and walk away without feeling touched. Though I do wonder if this film will speak to future generations. I think it should as the lessons taught are ageless. I look forward to continuing to share this film with as many people as possible. I personally will never tire of watching it.

So if you are yet to experience this amazing, intelligent, sad, funny, and brilliant drama, then that's your homework for this week or else "The next time I have to come in here I'm crackin' skulls." 


The Lost Boys (1987)

After the unfortunate passing of Corey Haim last week, what better way to end my 80s Marathon than with The Lost Boys.

The coolest (as in hip-crazy-hair-leather-jacket-wearing-saxophone-playing-flying-through-clouds kind of cool) 80s movie of them all that puts Twilight (2008) vampires to shame.

As a result of divorce and financial troubles, two brothers (Mike & Sam) along with their mother, move to the fictional coastal town of Santa Carla in California to live with their grandfather. Turns out Santa Carla is the Murder Capital of The World and people are constantly going missing. We soon discover apparently this town has a little bit of a Vampire problem. So after Mike gets caught up with said troublesome vampires because of a girl (isn't it always?), Sam sets out to save him with some help from a couple of comic book reading, self-appointed vampire hunters. Awesome.

There is so much to love about this film. The great soundtrack featuring songs such as "People are Strange" by The Doors and the theme song that says it all "Cry Little Sister" by G Tom Mac (BTW he's created a new True Blood inspired version, go look for it). Then there is the Life Before CGI Effects that are now enjoyable on numerous levels, the charmingly quotable quips that could only come out of a film made in the 1980's, and last but not least.. seeing Kiefer Sutherland in a world prior to the TV show 24.

Oh and seeing as my other 80s films had life lessons. What this film teaches us is don't drink the Kool-Aid! Especially if it's given to you by creepy bikers you just met like an hour ago. Things will go very bad.