I’ve had a ton of fun looking back at the movies from the 1980s. I grew up on these films and I’ve been making my way through them year by year. Today we stop in 1985 to look at five of the best films from that year. While 1985 wasn’t as rich with great movies as the previous year, there were still a number of fantastic flicks many of which have stood the test of time. There were a wide range of films that covered nearly every genre and a few turned out to be all-time classics. So considering all of that I won’t go as far as to call this the definitive list. But I firmly believe that these five films from 1985 are absolutely phenomenal.

#5 – “BACK TO THE FUTURE”

I know that this would be #1 on most people’s list and I understand why. It’s a film from 1985 that many do regard as a true timeless classic. While I don’t personally hold it up that highly, I do think it’s a very good film that deserves to be on this list. The whole idea behind “Back to the Future” is just plain fun. It’s also a very “80s” movie that remarkably still holds up well today. Sure a lot of it is due to the nostalgia factor, but just as much is due to the great characters and numerous memorable lines. Michael J. Fox will always be remembered for his role as Marty McFly and watching him trying to get out of his time-jumping predicament is a blast.

#4 – “FRIGHT NIGHT”

Just disregard the lame sequels and poor remake. The original “Fright Night” from 1985 was a great horror picture written and directed by Tom Holland. There were several things that made “Fright Night” stand out. It didn’t just follow the same overused horror movie formula. It cleverly incorporated humor and homage into its creepy vampire tale. There are several laughs mixed in with the frights and the constant tips of the hat to the old classic B-movie horror pictures and television shows really works. But it also features some really good makeup effects from a time when we weren’t dependent on computers to enhance our films. Sure it’s a tad corny at times but that is easy for me to forgive. I’m still a big fan of “Fright Night”.

#3 – “COMMANDO”

Laugh at me or say what you want but “Commando” is still one of my favorite action movies from the 1980s. This was one of the movies that launched Arnold Schwarzenegger into stardom and one of the original ‘one man army’ action pictures that became pretty common later in the decade. “Commando” is brimming with great action, super cheesy one-liners, and a bullet filled finale that I probably watched 100 times growing up. It certainly didn’t win an Oscar and Arnie didn’t earn accolades for his performance. But there are so many memorable moments and I still love watching this wild romp today. The amount of cheese is only surpassed by the body count, but the entertainment value is through the roof. So call me what you want but I do love “Commando”.

#2 – “THE BREAKFAST CLUB”

Talk about a movie that is right at home in the 80s! “The Breakfast Club” remains one of my favorite films from writer and director John Hughes. While this movie is loaded with hilarious moments, it also takes a serious look at a number of weighty teen problems that were often times glossed over during that time. Teen rebellion, social outcasting, suicide, peer pressure, parental pressure – it’s all addressed in a smart and responsible way. But it’s also a film that has fun. 80’s regulars Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, and Anthony Michael Hall each give great performances. But it may be the late Paul Gleason as the merciless assistant principal who steals the biggest laughs. “The Breakfast Club” is such a wonderful film and even as it approaches 30 years old it still doesn’t miss a beat.

#1 – “MASK”

We see so many ‘based on a true story’ movies these days and new biopics seem to pop up routinely. But few have ever carried the emotional pop that you’ll find in the 1985 drama simply titled “Mask”. The movie tells the true story of Roy “Rocky’ Dennis, a boy born with a severe cranial disorder. He’s had to grow up with his incurable facial disfigurement but you would never know it by being around him. His great attitude, chipper demeanor, and ambitious dreams make being around him infectuous. Eric Stoltz is fantastic as Rocky but it’s Cher who really blows me away. She plays his single mother who has had her share of personal troubles but is 100% dedicated to supporting her son. I won’t ruin the ending for you but let me just say if you haven’t seen “Mask” please do. It’s an unforgetable experience.

So there they are – 5 Phenomenal Movies from 1985. What do you think? See something I missed? Disagree with any of my choices? If so please take time to share your comments below. I would love to hear your thoughts on the movies of 1985!

It can’t only be reviews, Phenomenal 5 lists, and commentaries, right? Know Your Movies is all about having fun. Here’s how it works: I’ll share a single shot from a movie. It can be extremely serious or completely absurd. After that I’ll provide you with three hints. The rest is up to you. Hop on the comments section and share your guess as well as any thoughts you have on the movie, actor/actress, or the scene. It should be a blast.

Today’s image is from a comedy that is still hilarious to this day. So here’s the shot. Three hints will follow.

Hint 1: Released in 1994

Hint 2: Has a long awaited sequel set for 2014

Hint 3: Features a cameo from Hockey Hall of Famer Cam Neely

Now head to the comments and share your guess. Pretty obvious, right? I would also love to hear your thoughts on the film, the scene, or anything else related to it. The correct answer will be announced first on my Twitter feed (@KeithandMovies for those who want to follow).

I’ve always had a unique affection for going back and rewatching a movie for a second time, particularly movies I love. Obviously there is the satisfaction of rewatching a good film. But more than that, I love seeing if a film holds up and justifies my high praise a second time around. I love seeing if my initial enthusiasm was merited or if it has fizzled over time.

This past weekend I finally had the opportunity to revisit “Amour”. Winner of more international awards than you can count, including the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, “Amour” was a global attention getter. It was also one of only three films from 2012 that I gave a perfect 5 star rating. Needless to say, with such a positive original review I was really anxious to see the film would still impress me. More importantly, especially with a film like this, would the movie still pack the moving and emotional punch that it did when I first saw it in the theater? The answer is an unequivocal and resounding yes!

Michael Haneke wrote and directed “Amour” and to say I’m fascinated by his technique is an understatement. He’s a very identifiable filmmaker who has an undeniable style and never shies away from difficult subject matter. Such is the case with “Amour”, a tender yet crushing story of an elderly French couple whose lives change after the wife Anne suffers a paralyzing stroke. Her husband Georges commits to taking care of his true love even as her health slowly deteriorates. We get to see a true testament to the incredible and self-sacrificial love that so many never experience these days. We also see the reality of the harshness of life which Haneke never shortcuts.

The effect “Amour” had on me didn’t change a bit during the second viewing. I still loved Georges and Anne Laurent. I laughed with them. My heart broke with theirs. And even as their circumstances grew more difficult, I still wanted to be right there with them. A lot of that has to do with the brilliant performances. Emmanuelle Riva gives one of the most authentic and committed performances I have ever seen. Her convincing and uncompromising approach is one of the most essential and vital ingredients to the film’s success. The way she embraces Haneke’s script and direction is masterful. Not to be outdone, Jean-Louis Trintignant’s work as Georges is top-notch. Haneke wrote the script specifically for Trintignant. After a 14-year absence from cinema, the actor accepted the role and he is amazing.

Haneke is often criticized for his focus on uncomfortable things and his willingness to crush his characters under the weight of torturous circumstances. Certainly movies like “Funny Games” and “Caché” have given a hint of credibility to those arguments. That same criticism was volleyed against “Amour” by some and a linear focus on one aspect of the film could feed that. But I think that misses another strong element of the movie that gives it such an impact. Yes “Amour” is sometimes difficult to watch and it unashamedly depicts Anna’s failing health in uncomfortable ways.

But sprinkled throughout the film are those special moments – sweet and beautiful moments that the couple share which reflect their love. It may be a funny moment at the dinner table. It could be a special bedside story. These lovely scenes are critical to fully understanding what Haneke is portraying. These are the scenes that give light to the darker moments of trial and difficulty. These are the moments I cling to and that help me understand and comprehend everything else I’m seeing.

I’m also still amazed by Haneke’s technique. The director never manipulates for the sake of emotion. His camera is almost always in a state of observation. He strategically frames his shots and will leave the camera rolling allowing us to take in all that’s happening. Whether it’s long takes or his quiet and still camera, Haneke’s style is always perfectly in sync with the material. We see these techniques at work in the Laurent’s Paris apartment. In fact, other than a brief sequence at the beginning, we spend the entire movie inside the apartment confined just as they now are. By the end of the film, I knew every room and the layout was as familiar to me as to the characters.

Needless to say my opinion of “Amour” hasn’t changed one bit. It’s still the brilliant 5 star film that it was after my first viewing. It’s potent, painful, sweet, and real. These are just a few of the adjectives I could use to describe Michael Haneke’s Oscar winning gem. It’s filmmaking mastery featuring two of the best lead performances of the past several years. It paints a beautiful picture of love and a dismal picture of illness. Yet it all is interwoven to create a truly remarkable and touching experience.

Click here to see my original review of “Amour”.