Movies that exemplify the 80’s aesthetic? *

As far as I can tell, the earliest movie that set the template for what we now recognize as the 80’s aesthetic is American Gigolo (1980)
Sleek Art Design. Quick cuts. Armani clothes. Pastels. Giorgio Moroder music (synths).
Michael Mann’s Thief wasn’t too far behind though....

 

Well, its had to top an earlier 80's movie than the you picked that came out in 1980 itself, but I think that Electric Dreams (1984), comes pretty close. And checks off many of the 80's things, like computers, synth music and aerobics. Full on in eighties style.

 

Purple Rain. Not the first but still pretty damned
ubiquitous.

 

Well, there's only going to be 1 first, which really doesn't allow for participation. Why not make it 80s movies that are just "So" 80s? Aesthetics (clothing, music etc.)
- That'd make for fun thread!

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

 

I was just thinking about doing that, since another movie (Cat People) just sprang to mind ; that one just screams 80’s.
I am curious, though,,whether the aforementioned Gigolo actually was Ground Zero for this style.

 

Ooooh...Cat People great movie...fits thread terrific! Have fun w/it! (You can ask Gorts to change title, if you want to. Too much time has elapsed to change yourself.) BTW, welcome..see you joined in October! ~ I'm signing off now, but if you do want to contact Gorts & don't know how, okay to PM me. I'm usually here @ some point ea. day; if not, every other.

 

I only recently watched Rocky IV for the first time, maybe 6-8 months ago. And from the very beginning all I could think was... this is so '80's. Even down to the little robot thingy that was probably crazy sci-fi at the time.

 

Thanks for the assistance; I just reached out to a Gort.
And then thought of : The Hunger (1983).
Fast cuts. David Bowie. Visually striking. Very early 80’s

 

To Live and Die In LA

 

Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)

- high schoolers, sex, coming of age, 80s music throughout film, 80s clothing, all with a lot of actors/actresses making appearances

 

1988's "Working Girl"...YIKES! The hair...look at the HAIR! and the goofy pant suits...

 

“Commando”

 

Breathless
Into the night
Fletch

When I want to time travel back to L.A. in the 80's ..these three classics do the trick

 

Breathless, definitely!

 

The Hunger = the look
St. Elmo's Fire = the zeitgeist
Repo Man = the weirdness

 

9 1/2 Weeks

 

Near Dark
At Close Range

 

Flashdance, I guess.

Something tells me every iconic '80s movie will be named by the time it’s all done.

 

Breakfast club!

 

Less Than Zero

 

Oliver Stone's Wall Street.

We got unrestrained greed, slicked back hair, pink dress shirts with white collars, Armani suits, tie clasps, and smoking in the office.

 

How about De Palma’s Scarface? It’s got Moroder and cocaine.

 

Rain Man
Real Genius
Valley Girl
Last American Virgin
Repo Man
River's Edge

 

Better Off Dead is 100 percent 80's. The synth score, pop music, juvinile humor, fashion, a bully, a montage. raging hormones, etc. A lot of movies from the early 80's were on the strange(most likely drug influenced) side. Movies like Jeckle and Hyde Together Again, Modern Problems, Altered States, Neighbors, Dr. Detroit, Zapped, etc. And this film definitely has some out there moments(the hamburger coming to life and playing Van Halen). There are plenty of movies that fit inbetween a John Hughes film and a movie like Fast Times or Valley Girl, but Better Off Dead really seamed to throw everything into the mix.

 

The best depiction of 80s teens and malls, imo.