Ryan McNeil
About eighteen months ago, I hatched a good idea for a writing series on this space. While it has provided me some wonderful fruit, I find that the harvest has stopped well short of the yield I had hoped for. Thus, I’m hoping to tend to this neglected garden by…something, something, something, horticulture metaphor.
Jokes aside, I’ve had some great conversations over the last several months about people’s first time watching what I percieve to be pop culture classics. These are films of the era that I believe hold up well to rewatch (so no FOOTLOOSE, or GOONIES) but ones that haven’t elevated themselves into that capital-C-Classic Film status (this no PULP FICTION or INDIANA JONES).
I still do have a few irons in the fire (perhaps even a newbie to the HARRY POTTER franchise), but by and large I seem to be running low on participants. Thus, I put out this call to arms:
I’m looking for people who have never seen certain pop culture classics from the 80’s and 90’s to give the films a watch sometime soon, then discuss their thoughts on them with me via email. If you’re interested, leave a comment or drop me an email with your selection.
Some films I’d particularly like to tackle in coming months include EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, DIRTY DANCING, BATMAN, THE LION KING, AUSTIN POWERS INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY, BIG, and HEATHERS.
I think Edward Scissorhands and Heathers are pretty cult status-y.
This sounds very cool but I’ve seen all the films you’ve mentioned. The only film I can think of is Karate Kid though I’m not very keen on it. I’m sure there are more 90s things that I haven’t seen but nothing comes to mind at present.
Sorry this wasn’t helpful at all. But I will look forward to this series 🙂
Not to start the day (or in your case, end the day) with disagreement, but when I think of “cult films” I think of films that began their life lacking something as a film, but grew a following of people who loved them for their flaws – not in spite of them.
Think ROCKY HORROR, PINK FLAMINGOS.
Anyway, semantics aside, if you come up with any more pieces of 80’s or 90’s pop culture that you haven’t seen yet, sail it past me. You might have a possible topic that I haven’t thought of, and I’d lovfe to discuss it with you.
I’ve spent the whole day thinking about this and I have a few films that may be acceptable- the Bill and Ted movies (haven’t seen either), Swingers and Cry Baby.
I saw American Werewolf in London a couple of weeks back that I think would’ve been perfect for this.
Let me know 🙂
We have a winner – you are tasked with watching SWINGERS and getting back to me once you have.
I’ve actually never seen Heathers, had it on my mind to watch the last month or so. Let me know if you wanna talk Cristian Slater in all his awefulness (I just assume he’s bad).
You are hereby tasked with watching HEATHERS. Give it a spin and email me once you have.
As you may know, I’ve been doing a “Revisiting 1982” series for my blog, in which I watch a classic 1982 film a month (many of which I haven’t seen) in celebration of me turning 30 this year (in fact, TODAY’s my 30th birthday 🙂 ).
Anyways, here are the 1982 films I haven’t seen in order I’ll be watching them. Tell me which one you would like me to e-mail you about.
– Porky’s (this month)
– Conan the Barbarian (May)
– Tron (July)
– First Blood (September)
– Poltergeist (October)
– The Dark Crystal (November)
Happy Birtday man…
I’ve yet to see a few of those on that list. The one I’m more than sad about the fact for is Dark Crystal as I’m a massive Henson fan and loved Labyrinth.
A very happy birthday good sir – 30 is the new 20.
I’ll keep you in mind if I come up with any more, but the ones you’re focusing on I want you to keep for your site.
Ah, if only you’d done this a few months ago before I watched The Lion King for the first time.
Sadly, I’ve seen your entire list.
Are there any pop culture staples akin to what’s listed in the link that you haven’t seen that you think could be worthwhile?
How does When Harry Met Sally grab you? Or Pretty Woman?
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY would be a great discussion. Go for that and drop me a line once you’ve watched.
As incomprehensible as it may sound, I have never seen The Lion King. I would like to pick that one – it should be very easy to get hold of it as well and I am anyways clearing up Miyazaki’s filmography. It will be interesting to compare it with Disney Classic. Let me know.
That sounds great dude. Check it out and drop me an email when you have. No hurry.
I haven’t seen Clue, which is one of those ’80s films I hear people talking about as one they still enjoy today.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is another from that era I haven’t caught up with yet.
I actually haven’t seen CLUE, and LOATHING is a bit more niche than what I’m after. Any others that come to mind?
YOU HAVEN’T SEEN CLUE????? Get on that now sir.
Pipe down, it’s on the list…
I’ve seen a great deal of these, but not Labyrinth, it never struck me like most Scott films.
I get the hunch LABYRINTH hasn’t aged all that well, hence why I haven’t gone at it already. Any others come to mind.
The only other pop-culture movie from the 80s I can think of would be Road House.
Sweet Lord No.
Anything out the 90’s?
I’m really reaching here, and forgive me for it, Beavis and Butt-head Do America?
I haven’t seen DIRTY DANCING. So, there’s that.
If I participate could it be after May 7 though? Too much school at the moment!
Take your time – I’ll consider DIRTY DANCING taken and come back to you about it in a month or so.
I had a lot of fun with my conversation. Can’t wait to read some of these chats.
Gah, I have got to clear my damn cookies on Safari. It still autofills that time I messed up my email.
I haven’t seen so many pop culture classics it’s a bit shameful. From your list, I’ve never seen Dirty Dancing, Big, Heathers and Batman. I’ve also never seen The Breakfast Club, Jurassic Park, any Indinia Jones films, to name just a few…
So, any in paticular you would like me to watch haha? I’d love to take part.
Welcome to The Matinee Rowan!
Wow, quite the bounty of films to choose from! I’d love for you to tackle DIRTY DANCING, as it’s probably the top one I’d like to discuss.
Give it a watch sometime soon and drop me an email.