Movies

RiskyBusiness Still classics The ultimate high school male fantasy: beauti- ful women, joy rides in Dad’s Porsche and averyunderstanding Princeton Univer- sity admissions officer.Tom Cruise, in 25 years later the role that made him famous, genu- inely captured the angst of suburban high school existence. And then AGen-Xerriffs on the greatest hits of 1983. there’s the underwear dance. 2008 observation: Themovie lets BY JAYDYCKMAN The Big Chill TomCruise and you see Cruise dancingonacouch, TWAS 1983.Everyone The cast of this movie, including Rebecca De Mornay but in acute, career-enhancing way. wanted aSwatch watch. Kevin Kline and Glenn Close, is get cozy. I Vanessa Williams won Miss like an all-star team of ’80s ac- America. Reagan tagged the tors. With its group of college Trading Places National Lampoon’sVacation USSR an “evil empire.” And, buddies reuniting after several Great for one reason: Eddie Murphy,the Chevy Chase plays Clark Griswold, ade- more important, the nation was years, The Big Chill was more ultimate comedian of our generation, in voted father who leads his family across introduced to the McNugget. like The Big Party,funeralnot- probably his best role.Itwas aspot-on America for avacation. Ilove this movie But most of all, there were withstanding. As someone who look at the era’s wealth because Ilived this movie. My family took the movies. This was the year hadn’t even been to college yet, gap, but funny! that same vacation. I, too, fought with my that produced several of the it was veryencouraging to see And it all began sister in the back seat be- most iconic films of the ’80s. that “old people” still knew how with a$1bet tween stops at inane Watching these movies as a to have agood time. Sadly,Iam on what would tourist attractions TION LLEC young Gen-Xerhad such an now one of these “old people” and happen if the and visited rela- CO TT effect on me that they practi- can safely say that not one of my rich and the tives Ididn’t ERE DanAykroyd EV cally infiltrated my DNA. single friends from college has and Eddie Murphy poor switch know or care TESY On the 25th anniversaryof asked me to help her get preg- swap lives. places — to know.This OUR CES :C these cinematic gems, here’s a nant. Not even close. still the movie nailedthe LA rundown of 1983’s best, includ- 2008observation: Kevin Cost- greatest wager in film history. hysterical torture GP ADIN ing why they were, and always ner,asthe corpse viewed briefly 2008 observation: If the movie of family vacations. TR AND E

will be, classics. So grab aMc- at the beginning of the film, did were made today,would Murphy 2008 observation: AC

Nugget, and let’s stroll down more with this role than he did also play Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Oh, god. IamClark SCARF TheGriswold family memorylane … in Waterworld . Lee Curtis? Griswold. TION , bonds on the road. CA VA

Scarface that classic line, “Say hello to my little Flashdance TION; LLEC CO

The brilliance of Al Pa- friend!” when introducing ashorter col- Featuring the stunning Jennifer Beals as ayoung TT ERE cino. The horror of his league? Just me? Well, take my word blue-collar woman who dreams of becoming apro- EV

Cuban accent: Depicting for it, it’s pure gold. fessionaldancer, Flashdance was the movie that TESY the rise and fall of a 2008observation: Pacino’s launched athousand bare shoulders. It was the per- OUR gangster, Scarface character is named Tony fect ’80s fairytale, an inspiration for all girls who OUNT/C AM AR embodied the ex- Montana. Could dreamed of becoming adancer,orperhaps awelder. :P cesses of the ’80s. there be asequel And who hasn’t attempted to re-create at least some ANCE ASHD

Nowhere was it starring portion of her dance audition at afriend’s wedding FL

more evident Hannah reception? What afeeling, indeed! ORBIS; /C than in Paci- Montana as a 2008 observation: I’m not suremymother has TO no’s swagger. vengeful daughter? forgiven my sister yet for turning an entire closet APHO And who hasn’t full of clothes into Flashdance sweatshirts. W INEM Jennifer Beals’ used abad Cuban INESS :C Al Pacino shoots the classic mobster movie. iconic look J AY D YCKMAN was 10 in 1983 and is thankful that movie BUS accent to shout theaters rarely asked to see ID. RISKY

22 USA WEEKEND •April 11-13, 2008