80s Flick Flashback

This rollercoaster ride of espionage and intrigue is like a maze where secrets are hidden, loyalties are deceitful, and nothing is quite what it seems. But this 80s flick isn't just your run-of-the-mill thriller; it's a mind-bending carnival ride of suspense. A Navy officer's clandestine affair takes a treacherous turn when he becomes a pawn in a high-stakes conspiracy within the Pentagon. As the...

Set against the backdrop of heightened Cold War tensions, this 80s flick introduces us to two bumbling government employees unwittingly thrust into the world of international espionage. Tasked with a decoy mission to distract attention from a genuine covert operation, the duo becomes entangled in a web of conspiracies, encounters with KGB agents, and a journey that takes them from the treacherous...

This 80’s flick was meant to be just another chapter in the misadventures of Clark W. Griswold and his family, but it has become one of the most surprisingly popular and most quoted holiday movies of all time. So this Christmas we are returning to Chicago for a special abbreviated version of the episode we recorded in 2021. So dig up your oversized Christmas tree, fill up your Wally World glass mu...

This 80’s flick is more than just a vehicle for laughs; it's a biting satire that skewers societal norms and exposes the fault lines of privilege and inequality. Its significance lies in using humor as a Trojan horse for razor-sharp commentary, causing audiences to laugh and reflect on the absurdity of the disparities between the haves and the have-nots. As we revisit this holiday cult classic, we...

This late 80s underwater masterpiece invited moviegoers to revisit the beguiling world beneath the waves, where a spirited mermaid dared to dream of a life beyond the ocean's shimmering horizon. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to resonate with audiences of all ages, weaving a narrative that transcends its fairy-tale origins. Filled with memorable songs, this story of love, sacrifice, and t...

This 80s flick is a shining example of teenage adventures and unexpected chaos. This lively comedy about growing up invites us to revisit the wild night that forever changed the lives of a suburban babysitter and her diverse group of charges. The clever dialogue, surprising plot twists, and memorable characters make it a timeless favorite for those who grew up in the '80s. It reminds us that somet...

Prepare for an exciting bonus episode featuring a true 80s legend. You might remember him from iconic films like "Adventures in Babysitting" (1987), "Hiding Out" (1987), "Toy Soldiers" (1991), and "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead" (1991). He dove deep into the nostalgia, reminiscing about his early 80s TV appearances, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, and geeking out about his memorable role...

Opinions were divided when this 80s horror flick sequel hit theaters, but the franchise demonstrated its unyielding commitment to advancing its storyline. While some fans appreciated the added complexity given to the unstoppable masked killer, others longed for the simplicity that made the original movie a timeless classic. As we witness the return of the mystifying Michael Myers, we are reminded...

This 80s Flick sequel is often remembered as a complete misfire among the wide range of slasher classics. Screenwriter and director Danny Steinmann, whose limited filmography was mainly exploitation films, ventured beyond the well-trodden path of its predecessors, by introducing a narrative twist that left fans both confused and disappointed. But when Friday the 13th falls in the month of October,...

In 1982, horror aficionados were treated to a ghoulishly delightful cinematic experience with the release of this 80s Flick, a morbid masterpiece directed by George A. Romero and written by the legendary Stephen King. This anthology flick paid loving homage to the golden age of horror comics, delivering a spine-tingling collection of five tales that combined gruesome frights with dark humor. With...

For a whole generation of video-game-playing kids, this 80s flick   represents a special kind of wish-fulfillment: a down-on-his-luck kid becomes a video-game champ, only to find himself recruited to fight in an interplanetary war in another galaxy. Directed by Nick Castle and produced by Gary Adelson, this fan-favorite film has since become a cherished classic, captivating generations of audience...

This 80’s flick explores the complex terrain of friendships, aspirations, and the struggle to find one's own identity outside of the classroom. The story takes place at an all-boys preparatory school in the 1950s, where tradition and conformity are the norm. Mr. Keating's unconventional teaching methods ignite a profound transformation in the lives of his students. By instilling a love for poetry,...

In the vast cosmos of cinematic history, few stories have resonated as powerfully as the Star Wars saga. This 80’s flick sequel is the third installment of George Lucas's space-faring epic and draws us back into a galaxy far, far away, where the eternal struggle between light and darkness reaches its crescendo. The saga continues with Luke Skywalker as he discovers the truth about his family tree...

Who you gonna call when paranormal chaos once again descends upon New York City? Thanks to this 80s flick sequel, the answer remains the same—Ghostbusters! Taking place five years after the team's first victory over the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and Gozer, the Ghostbusters have fallen out of business and out of favor with the city they fought so hard to protect.  But when a malicious slime starts...

In 1987, Lethal Weapon took everyone by surprise when it hit theaters. It was like a bomb went off and re-ignited the buddy cop genre with a bang! The perfect mix of an established director, two lead actors with undeniable chemistry, and an up-and-coming screenwriter’s knack for snappy odd-couple banter created a formula that was ripe for a follow-up. So when Warner Bros decided to make a sequel,...

In the realm of iconic action movies, few characters have achieved the legendary status of John Rambo. The name itself evokes images of a relentless warrior, a solitary figure pushed to his limits, and an embodiment of pure adrenaline-fueled heroism. At the heart of his enduring legacy lies this 80s Flick sequel that propelled the franchise to new heights. While the first film introduced audiences...

This 80’s flick sequel brings a blend of family chaos, outrageous escapades, and a sprinkle of British humor. Get ready to tag along with the Griswolds as they embark on a madcap European adventure, where every tourist spot becomes a hilarious misadventure just waiting to happen. So, grab your funky beret, power up your super-cool electronic language translator, and don’t forget to be a pig as Tim...

Released just three years after the iconic "Raiders of the Lost Ark," this action-packed prequel takes us back to the 1930s, where we find our intrepid archaeologist, Indiana Jones in a web of peril when he becomes entangled with a ruthless cult hell-bent on capturing the mystical Sankara Stones and enslaving an entire village. Joined by reluctant lounge singer Willie Scott and the wise-cracking S...

Since its release this 80’s flick is still considered by many to be one of the best war movies ever made. The director — who himself was wounded twice while serving with the US Army in Vietnam — famously put his cast through a grueling "boot camp” to help immerse them in the world of their fictional characters. With an all-star cast and loads of visually striking practical effects, this Vietnam Wa...

Based on a 1902 novel of the same name, this 80’s flick brought together two of the 80’s greatest funnymen and an established director who wasn’t prone to making comedies.  Despite primarily negative reviews, it still did well at the box office and was a mainstay on cable television over the years, making it beloved by those who were watching basic cable channels in the late 80s and early 90s.  So...

This 80’s Flick has one of the most inaccurate titles ever which is easy to forgive when the movie also happens to be considered by fans of the franchise as one of the best in the series.  So get ready to revisit Crystal Lake as Tim Williams and guest co-hosts Laramy Wells and Charlie Cotter discuss “Friday the 13th Part 4: The Final Chapter” from 1984 on this episode of the 80’s Flick Flashback P...

The 80s is often seen as the defining era of “the teen movie”. While “The Breakfast Club” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” might have garnered all of the attention, it was this 80s flick that took the “teen movie” from raunchy sex-comedy to more serious themes of losing innocence, living with regret, and navigating independence at such a young age. Released to little fanfare, with many expecting it...

For the month of March, I am taking a break from recording new episodes so that I can highlight some of the other fantastic podcasts that I have had the privilege of being a guest co-host on. This week, I will be replaying part of an episode of Retro Life 4 You with host Chris Adams.  Chris reached out to me last year to guest host on an episode about Chuck Norris and we hit it off immediately.  C...

The 1980s were a transformational time for movies, with plenty of lesser-known debut directors being given creative freedom to make unique and innovative projects, many of which we still consider to be all-time classics today.  While some of those directors continued to excel into the 90s, others made their career-defining flicks in the 80s. But which one deserves the title of Best Movie Director...

For the month of March, I am taking a break from recording new episodes so that I can highlight some of the other fantastic podcasts that I have had the privilege of being a guest co-host on. This week, I will be replaying part of an episode of Moving Panels with host Laramy Wells. Laramy is a good friend of mine and has been a frequent guest on the 80’s Flick Flashback podcast going all the way b...