The Top 40 '80s Movies? I Say Moviefone is Wrong!
Filed under: Fandom, Newsstand, Lists
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Let me get this right out of the way: I love the folks over at Moviefone; they're cool people. We've hung out together, thrown back a few cold ones and even high-fived on one or two occasions. But this latest list ... well, I'm a little upset. Moviefone has counted down the top 40 films from the '80s, and while I certainly agree with a lot of the films on said list, their placement is completely out of whack. Here's their top five: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1), Blade Runner (2), Raging Bull (3), Empire Strikes Back (4) and This Is Spinal Tap (5). Don't get me wrong -- all dynamite flicks -- but Back to the Future at 21, Ghostbusters at 40 (!!!!!), E.T. at 20 and The Breakfast Club at 27? And don't get me started on the fact that Ferris Bueller's Day Off didn't even make the list -- just thinking about it sends murderous shivers down my spine. What's up with that Moviefone? I guess when it comes to listing the best '80s movies, I'm more inclined to stick films that defined the decade in top spots moreso than films that were critically acclaimed (not that some can't be both). I mean, I definitely do not think Bull Durham (9) should beat out Aliens (10), The Terminator (13) or The Shining (14) ... but maybe I'm missing the total and complete awesomeness that is Bull Durham. Check out their list over here and let us know where they got it right and where they went wrong. (Trust me, I've already gone after them about the Back to the Future placement because if we don't protect Marty McFly, who will?)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-10-2009 @ 12:41PM
Rebekah said...
I was horrified that Ghostbusters was so low on the list. It should have been so much higher. And I was shocked that When Harry Met Sally was ranked so high, but that might be due to my dislike of Meg Ryan. However, I was really pleased to see Ordinary People on the list.
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3-10-2009 @ 1:54PM
AndyIII said...
I'm starting to see a REALLY obvious pattern here:
1) Think up idea for 'best of' list
2) Hold meetings discussing and creating list
3) Randomly pick three items to completely remove from list.
4) Randomly pick three different items and shuffle their places.
5) Release list and wait for linkbacks due to utter absurdity of randomized elements.
Not falling for it anymore.
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3-10-2009 @ 1:46PM
Beanie said...
Were you a moviefone programmer?
3-10-2009 @ 1:54PM
AndyIII said...
You know, a very simple program could be written to help make these lists. I should get on that.
Just need to get some contacts as to who to sell it to at Entertainment Weekly, TIME, Moviefone, Fandango, AFI, etc.
3-10-2009 @ 1:11PM
Adam said...
I stopped looking after Ghostbusters was at 40. If it isn't in the top 10 of 80s films, I don't trust their judgement.
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3-10-2009 @ 1:22PM
GarrisonDean said...
No list of best of films that doesn't include Die Hard in at least the top three is faulty.
Like Best movies of the 70's
1.Godfather
2.Network
3.Die Hard.
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3-10-2009 @ 1:43PM
Beanie said...
Don't you know yet not to question your AOL overlords?
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3-10-2009 @ 1:59PM
techstar25 said...
That list would make sense if the title also included "...in no particular order." The list is okay, but yeah the order sucks. And it's an absolute crime to not include Ferris Bueller.
What happened to Superman II (1980), Stand By Me, or The Goonies?
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3-10-2009 @ 2:06PM
matt d. said...
harrison fords the man... 3 out of the top 5....
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3-10-2009 @ 2:09PM
Mike said...
Who is "Anne" Heckerling and in what movie does "Bushwick" Country Club appear? Because it ain't Caddyshack.
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3-11-2009 @ 4:06PM
Pablo R said...
Ghostbusters gets less funny every time I see it. It was good the first time, but does not stand up to multiple viewings. It should not be any higher than #40.
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3-10-2009 @ 2:48PM
Matt said...
WTF! No goonies?
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3-10-2009 @ 5:31PM
Alan Bacchus said...
Yeah, it's a lame list
A Room View a View, Caddyshack, Stripes???
All decent films but, come on.
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3-11-2009 @ 5:19PM
Kevin said...
Moviefones got a crush on Bill Murray. If you look at the best flicks of the 90's they've got Groundhog Day at 8th. I like that movie just fine, but its better then T2, Saving Private Ryan, Unforgiven, The Matrix, etc.? Not a chance.
3-11-2009 @ 5:22PM
Alan Bacchus said...
For kicks, check out my article about the Great Reveals in Cinema on my blog:
http://www.dailyfilmdose.com/2009/03/cinemas-great-reveals.html
And fire away if necessary!
3-10-2009 @ 4:49PM
giuseppe said...
they ranked 'full metal jacket' higher than 'platoon' in this one, but ranked 'platoon' higher in the '25 best war films' list...what does that tell you?
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3-11-2009 @ 11:56AM
David Musto said...
I know that The Dark Knight is the greatest thing since sliced piemento loaf, but Tim Burton's Batman was still pretty freaking awesome in its day. Was this Moviefone's official list or was Kramer impersonating Moviefone making this list? Hmmm.
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3-11-2009 @ 4:58PM
Kevin said...
Geez, its like they have never even seen BttF. They say that Marty HAD to make the trip back in time to make sure that his parents fell in love and that he would be born. Umm, no, he had to do that BECAUSE he went back in time. If he doesn't go back in time and get hit by his grandfathers car then he wouldn't have to get his mom to fall in love with his dad at the high school dance because his dad would've gotten hit by his grandfathers car and then taken his mom to the dance the way it was supposed to happen all along!!! Yikes, I just gave myself a headache...
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