Reexamining the 1980s

I know the 80s was a hit-or-miss decade for movies. And I know the winners of the Best Picture Oscar are rarely the best films from their respective years.

But... seriously!? This is the best that decade can do!?

See for yourself:

1980 - Ordinary People

1981 - Chariots of Fire

1982 - Gandhi

1983 - Terms of Endearment

1984 - Amadeus

1985 - Out of Africa

1986 - Platoon

1987 - The Last Emperor

1988 - Rain Man

1989 - Driving Miss Daisy

Now, I want to give my both my favorite film and what I consider the best film for each year, according to my own personal enjoyment of them (with no regard to any other implications/expectations).

There can be a difference, because I can see the difference between "favorite" and "best." One might argue the great films would/should have the power to make themselves my favorites, but unfortunately it doesn't work that way for me. I'm gonna consider these "favorites" as the ones I could watch over and over and over and never tire of 'em. Also, some of the best films I've ever seen I've only see once, or I would be unable to watch them five times in a row.

Anyway, that's a whole other argument. Feel free to disagree, but let's start, shall we?

(Runners-up are in parentheses)

1980

• Best Film: Raging Bull (Ordinary People)

• Favorite Film: The Blues Brothers (Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back)

1981

• Best Film: Chariots of Fire (On Golden Pond)

• Favorite Film: Raiders of the Lost Ark (For Your Eyes Only)

1982

• Best Film: Blade Runner (Gandhi)

• Favorite Film: The World According to Garp (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial)

1983

• Best Film: The Big Chill & Terms of Endearment

• Favorite Film: The Big Chill & Terms of Endearment (Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi)

1984

• Best Film: Amadeus (The Killing Fields)

• Favorite Film: This Is Spinal Tap (Once Upon a Time in America)

1985

• Best Film: Kiss of the Spider Woman (Ran)

• Favorite Film: Clue (Kiss of the Spider Woman)

1986

• Best Film: The Mission (Hannah and Her Sisters & Platoon)

• Favorite Film: The Great Mouse Detective (Hoosiers)

1987

• Best Film: Wall Street (Full Metal Jacket)

• Favorite Film: The Brave Little Toaster & Dirty Dancing (The Untouchables)

1988

• Best Film: Mississippi Burning (Rain Man)

• Favorite Film: Die Hard (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

1989

• Best Film: Dead Poets Society (Born on the Fourth of July)

• Favorite Film: When Harry Met Sally... (Dead Poets Society & Lean on Me)

I am sure I have offended someone out there. So be it.

***I apologize for not expanding upon each film, but I could fill up 50 pages with my thoughts and feeling toward them all. I'd be happy to address anything or any questions in the comments section (or feel free to leave something as simple as a "hello," letting me know you've stopped by).