1. "The Terminator"(1984)
If I traveled back in time to 1984, and told people that the director of "Piranha II" and that Austrian weightlifter would be responsible for a genre-defining landmark that would become permanently imbedded in pop culture, I'd look crazier than Kyle Reese. Well, that's exactly what happened with this gritty, low-budget sci-fi tale that wasn't supposed to be any more sophisticated than countless other films of it's kind. But the compelling story, exhilarating action and Schwarzenegger's instantly iconic performance blew away critics and audiences alike to the point where a sequel was demanded, and 1991's "T2" was sure as hell worth the seven-year wait. Arnold aggressively ran with the momentum to improbably become one of the biggest stars on the planet, while James Cameron made a couple more movies you may have heard of("Titanic", Avatar"). In other words, nothing's been the same since.
2. "Amadeus"(1984)
The legend of Mozart, the eponymous 18th Century musical genius, received glorious treatment by director Milos Forman("One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"). The story is told in extended flashbacks by his aging, bitter, less talented rival Salieri(F. Murray Abraham) while he is locked in an asylum, alluding to the fact that he was Mozart's murderer. Historical accuracy is rarely a top priority in Hollywood and mythmaking is always more entertaining than the truth, but every other aspect of this lavish film is of the highest order. It's easily one of the strongest Best Picture winners of the 1980s, making it unusual that the haunting Abraham and the giddy Tom Hulce never reached these acting heights again.
3. "Beverly Hills Cop"(1984)
Eddie Murphy was, without a doubt, the hottest comedic performer of the decade, thanks to this franchise-starting mega-hit that sent his popularity soaring to rock star levels for the duration of the Reagan era. Pop culture history was altered forever when Sylvester Stallone dropped out of the film due to budget constraints, allowing the brash, young phenom to land what would become his signature role. Eddie never bettered his first go-around as hip Detroit cop Axl Foley, and this flick's freewheeling exuberance is the main reason we put up with him for so long. The equally assured direction of Martin Brest and the lovably square duo of Judge Reinhold and John Ashton, helped make "Cop" the archetypal action comedy.
4. "The Killing Fields"(1984)
The '80s wasn't all fun and games. Contrary to popular belief, there were some serious films being made just in case you couldn't tell from this picture. The Cambodian Civil War was reenacted in tense, harrowing fashion by Roland Joffe, and the only reason his directorial debut didn't collect a truckload of Oscars is because "Amadeus" was out already. Nevertheless, Haing S. Ngor's Best Supporting Actor win was a triumph for the actual survivor of the real life slaughter, whose life was saved by his ties to American journalist Sydney Schanberg(Sam Waterston) and Vietnam photographer Al Rockoff(John Malkovich).
5. "Ghostbusters"(1984)
The SNL gang truly arrived as a big screen force in 1984 and the film comedy landscape is still feeling the effects. I shouldn't have to tell anyone in the civilized world that Ivan Reitman sent Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis running around NYC in proton packs and made one of the most ludicrously entertaining blockbusters of the last thirty years. Nor do I have to tell you about Slimer, Sigourney Weaver getting possessed, or the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. This movie was a genuine phenomenon that made Murray a permanent movie star(and Aykroyd a temporary one) as well as spawning a hit theme song, an animated series, and a lesser 1989 sequel. Ghostbusters III is an inevitibility, but the chances of a quality 21st century revival with a new crew are slim to none. I know who I'm still gonna call.
6. "Once Upon a Time in America"(1984)
In an alternate reality somewhere, Sergio Leone's sprawling gangster epic rivals "The Godfather" in the pantheon of classic crime flicks. In our reality however, the spaghetti Western maestro was forced to trim his three hour and forty-nine minute would-be masterpiece down to a mere two hours and change to accommodate the short attention spans of summertime audiences. The movie flopped after receiving lukewarm reviews, and a heartbroken Leone never worked again. An ambitious video release included all the footage that was originally intended a few years later, sparking a full critical reevaluation. Lengthy flashbacks fleshed out the violent saga of Robert De Niro's Prohibition era hood 'Noodles' and this is now the accepted version. As impressive as this restoration is, it was too late for awards or recognition from non-film geeks, and "America" ultimately goes down as one of modern cinema's greatest 'what ifs'.
7. "Places in the Heart"(1984)
The early '80s was the right time to be a leading lady in Hollywood with names like Streep, Spacek and Fonda enjoying as much respect and recognition as their male counterparts. Five years after her rabble-rousing turn in "Norma Rae", Sally Field officially joined this newly minted sorority in this moving period drama from "Kramer vs. Kramer" director Robert Benton. Sally is fierce yet fragile as a Texas widow desperately trying to remain in possession of her farm during the Great Depression. She gets a little help from a couple of future stars- Danny Glover as a local drifter/handyman and John Malkovich(he just makes every film better) as a blind houseguest. This film is as unabashed about it's intentions as Field was during her "You like me" Oscar speech, but with talent like this on display, you won't mind.
8. "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"(1984)
This 1935-set prequel finds our intrepid hero on a dangerous quest to find three sacred stones and rescue enslaved children from a bloodthirsty cult in India. Dr. Jones is joined by shrieking future-Mrs. Spielberg Kate Capshaw and Chinese orphan Short-Round, and the last half-hour arguably contains the best action of the entire series- the runaway mine-car chase and the rope bridge sequence both rank high on any '80s highlight reel. Spielberg was uncomfortable with some of the darker aspects of the story that George Lucas insisted upon(black magic and human sacrifice was apparently too much for the "E.T." director) and he has repeatedly stated that this is his least favorite Indy adventure. "Doom" was primarily responsible for the creation of the PG-13 rating, but recent events have cast the film in a much more favorable light(ahem, "Crystal Skull"), and he had no reason to be apologetic for such an expertly crafted thrill ride.
9. "The Karate Kid"(1984)
Many feel that 1984 was one of the best years ever for pure entertainment at the multiplex. It's hard to argue with all of this evidence. Director John G. Avildsen recognized that the tried and true "Rocky" formula he helped establish could easily be applied to martial arts and the hellish world of high school. Ralph Macchio is very likable as put-upon teen hero Daniel LaRusso, Pat Morita is effortlessly endearing as his wizened mentor Mr. Miyagi and together they formed one of the decade's premier double acts. Who didn't love seeing those Cobra Kai creeps get their comeuppance? Kids all over the country stood up and cheered, karate school attendance skyrocketed and three sequels dutifully followed.
The fun escalated in this manic horror-comedy that clearly drew inspiration from '80s box office champ "E.T.", before heading off in it's own bizarre directions. With the invaluable blessing of producer Steven Spielberg, director Joe Dante unleashed his delightfully destructive creatures on a sleepy suburb, and audiences turned out in droves. Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates brought youthful energy and innocence to the peculiar proceedings, which included the climactic invasion of a local movie theater! Like "Ghostbusters", this was another '80s phenomenon, that just wasn't meant to last. "Gremlins 2: The New Batch" didn't make much of a splash in 1990, but these crazy critters are rumored to be getting the reboot treatment, presumably in GGI form.
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