If you're anything like me, finding the time to re-watch films in your collection is getting increasingly difficult. Especially with the ever-increasing size of our collections.

Gone are the days when I could start at 'A' in my collection and get through everything I own in a couple of weeks.
Nowadays I'm lucky if I get to re-watch something within a year of buying it!

So, with that in mind (and inspired by Pete's holiday marathons!) I decided that my ONLY New Year's resolution would be to re-watch more of my collection (or stop buying!!)

As we're entering a new decade I decided that I would celebrate previous decades.
For me the 80s and 90s were my best years. I was discovering who I am and what I liked. More importantly I was discovering my passion for films.

With that in mind I have gone through my collection and compiled a list of films that were of importance to me (my only criteria was that I hadn't watched the film for at least 3-4 years!).

My intention is to work my way through the 80s and 90s over the next few weeks and post here what I watch, why it was important to me, and my personal highlight for each title.

Hope you enjoy joining me on my trip down memory lane!

Neil

P.S. My highlights may contain spoilers....you have been warned!

Xanadu (1980)

School in 1980 for me was horrendous in some ways. I was still letting my mother dress me (!!!) and had trousers that hovered a few inches above my shoes and hair-by-pyrex!!
However, my mother wasn’t all bad (?!). She did introduce me to musicals (she loves all the old classics like ‘The King and I’ etc). She was also a fan of ONJ...which is why she wanted to see Xandadu...and I was along for the ride!
The film was totally naff and overtly camp...and...I loved it. The songs were amazing and some of the choreography was great (to my young eyes). I also really loved Olivia!
So...I loved Xandadu...musicals and Olivia Newton John. It may come as a shock to some of you that my mum was still surprised when I told her I was gay 6 years later!!

Highlight: It’s simply got to be the title number. ONJ gets to wear the campest collection of costumes and there are people on rollerskates!!! Yes, rollerskates!! Have to admit that I love the songs!

Verdict: 2.5/5. Totally naff but great fun! Michael Beck really can’t act tho’.

Somewhere in Time (1980)

I was 12...so the notion of romantic love was a little alien to me. So, it was with some trepidation that I agreed to watch Somewhere in Time (described to me at the time as ‘Superman falls in love in the past’...sheesh!).
However, I thought (and still think) it’s one of the most moving love stories I’ve ever seen. Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour are absolutely perfect as the unlikely lovers and while the story may have some impracticalities it’s totally engaging.
It was a revelation...so love can be tragic? Who knew?

Highlight: When the old Elise gives Richard the watch and says ‘Come back to me.’ It gets me every time because I know what’s going to happen later in the film; it makes that moment all the more poignant.
Also , John Barry’s incredible score makes the film even better!

Verdict: 4.5/5. Beautiful in every way. A total chick-flick that still has me reaching for the tissues!


That's all I've watched so far...but will post as soon as I get the next one watched.

Quoting widescreenforever:

Quote:
that editon of yours for Somewhere in Time also contains an audio commentary by the director.., the commentary is very entertaining in itself..

only negative thing about that collectors editon is the fact the 1.85 letterbox is not anamorphic or 16x9 friendly ..

Never listen to commentaries!

Agree about the AR though. Will buy on Blu-ray if ever released!

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

1981 – the year when I had my first serious crush on a girl in my English class. She was beautiful and very intelligent....and didn’t know I existed (it was probably my too-short trousers and basin haircut that kept her oblivious!)
This was the first film I remember actually screaming out loud while watching (what a girl!!). It was during the 3rd dream sequence when David sees his face all white and fangy! It was also the film that kindled my love of all things werewolf!

Highlight: It has to be the transformation sequence. I still think it’s unsurpassed to this day; the only other film even coming close is The Howling (which I shall be watching soon). Absolutely incredible!

Verdict: 4.5/5. Still an excellently paced and superbly directed horror/comedy. Easily one of the best werewolf films ever made.

Quoting Pantheon:

Quote:

An American Werewolf in London: Collector's Edition

Region 1

Released: 18/09/2001

Anamorphic 1.85:1

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

...

Highlight: It has to be the transformation sequence. I still think it’s unsurpassed to this day; the only other film even coming close is The Howling (which I shall be watching soon). Absolutely incredible!

The transformation scene is amazing! I've not seen The Howling, but have promised some friends a double-feature with this, and I promised not to watch it before then. According to IMDb, the transformation scene in this was the inspiration for the transformations in The Incredible Hulk. i.e. They had to be painful.

Another good one! 

And agree with you on what you put in the spoiler!

Quoting Pantheon:

Quote:

Clash of the Titans (1981)
I saw the incomparable Jason and the Argonauts and was instantly hooked on Greek Mythology; so it was only natural that I would got to see Clash at the cinema. I have to admit to being very disappointed at the time.
I thought Bubo was totally naff and that some of the FX were dreadful compared to other films around the same time.
However, time has worked its magic and I now love Clash for the very reasons I disliked it. Everyone knows Ray Harryhausen was a King of his trade and this film really showcases his talent in my opinion.

Great one!  Like you, I admire it more now than I did back then (this was the only Ray Harryhausen FX film I had the pleasure to see on a big screen).

I also like your inclusion of both THE FOG and AMERICAN WEREWOLF (but, man oh man, did I hate XANADU!)