In Hadley Freeman I have found a kindred spirit. A book about how great 80’s movies were and still are speaks to my soul. As she was inspired to rewatch these classics as she wrote about them, so have I been inspired to hunt for titles on the various streaming services I subscribe to, or put out calls to friends for DVDs (even VHSs because of course I still have a working VCR) on Facebook. Of course I have a few in my own collection but now I am filled with regret that I didn’t pick up that copy of (insert awesome 80’s movie here) from the dvd sales bin. So the hunt continues. Thank you for writing this book!!!

This book is SO much more than a reminiscent romp through the best movies of the 80s, though it is that, too. She delves into the facets of social class, gender, race, and other issues that really make you think about what has changed in the last 30 years...and what absolutely hasn't. This is a super fun read that will make you want to stop by Blockbuster video for your favorite VHS movies.

This was a great book! And totally help justify my love of 80's movies. She is very funny and obsessive in her love of the 80's so I will definitely be reading more of her articles and books. She writes for the Guardian.

A look at the film industry and how its changed in the years since the 80's, the decade which spawned so many classic films, as well some interesting analysis of several specific films mixed in with some autobiographical memoir style elements.

Whilst some of it is definitely subjective from the point of Freeman, there's some solid stuff here too, especially when it comes to things like the contrast between the British BBFC and the American MPAA.

The lists seemed totally superfluous though.

The cover of this book (with the awesome title) caught my attention at the library. The book promises what it delivers. Hadley Freeman writes a compelling book about the heyday of the eighties as far as movies go. She brilliantly moves from racism to feminism to politics without missing a beat. She delves much further into movies than I would have thought possible and gleans from them so much information that some of it seems rather contrived.

I love her witty footnotes and unabashed bias for 80s films (especially those with Rick Moranis). I love how she compares those movies and the movie industry to their predecessors from the 70s and the spawn of the 90s and today.

I'm strangely compelled to go hunt down more indie flicks and my cherished gems from the 80s. Even some of them that I haven't seen in YEARS. (or really ever... I somehow managed to miss most of the Eddie Murphy movies of that decade).

That said, definitely a fun read.

Best for: People who enjoy pop culture analysis that is serious but not too serious.

In a nutshell: Film critic explores some of the top movies of the 1980s, focusing on what made them good and why we don’t see them anymore.

Line that sticks with me: “Nineties teen makeover scenes are all about stamping out a teenage girl’s awkwardness and unique personality, whereas the girls in the eighties teen movies celebrate those two qualities.” (p76)

Why I chose it: Book club!

Review: First, thank you everyone who voted for this as our CBR book club pick. It’s pretty much made for me: nonfiction, essays, humor, pop culture, written by a woman. Huzzah!

I haven’t read any of the other reviews of this so I might be repeating other folks, but I wanted to go into without any preconceptions. And overall, I enjoyed so much of it. I appreciate the author’s honesty about her feelings about the films, and the fact that she didn’t remove herself from the analysis. It’s apparent — and she acknowledges — that much of what she has to say is based o personal taste, yet she’s able to back up her assertions.

So instead of focusing on the good (and there is so much — especially her analysis of teenagers and teenage girls specifically, and the overall way these films tackle sexism), I wanted to share a couple of things that bothered me, and they are intertwined: the discussion of race (or lack thereof) throughout, and the Eddie Murphy chapter, where Ms. Freeman seems to put much of the discussion of race.

Ms. Freeman spends so much time providing good critical discussion about the depiction of women in film (ten of the eleven chapters, while not each focused on gender issues, at least touches on it), but she glosses over racism in nearly every other one. She does mention the issue in the chapter on Ghostbusters, and sort of makes an attempt and looking at it when talking about John Hughes, but mostly she seems to just be making excuses for filmmakers.

But any movie set in NYC that she discusses, for example, should at least be questioned if there aren’t any non-white characters (When Harry Met Sally … I’m looking at you. And I love you, but that’s a pretty white NYC). And sure, John Hughes may not be able to speak personally on the experience of a person of color, but perhaps he could seek to include at least a couple of non-white, non-stereotypes characters?

And then there’s the Eddie Murphy movies chapter. Ooof. Just not great. And I’m not going to go into a lot of detail about it, but it feels ironic to have nearly the entire discussion about race shoehorned into a single chapter. A chapter with the subheading “Race Can Be Transcended.” Oh Ms. Freeman, no. Just…no. You would have benefited from a sensitivity reader here (of course I’m assuming she didn’t have one, but I could be wrong). Or perhaps just a read over of this article.

Because of that, this otherwise four-star book gets three stars from me.

Hadley Freeman is a writer who has a love for 80s movies that is unparalleled by anyone I have known in real life.  She feels about the genre like I feel about a select few (specifically, Dirty Dancing and Steel Magnolias, so I was over the moon they each had their own chapters) and does an excellent job giving insight both into individual films, as well as the landscape of cinema in the 1980s.  And she does so with great humor, in depth personal self-reflection, and a great book is born.

I read this for the Cannonball Read non-fiction book club, buuut didn't actually stop by the online discussion thread, or even get around to writing my review until just now.  I think because of the format, each chapter discussed a different movie, I found it hard to wrap my mind around for a discussion of it.  I would be interested in debating some of her thoughts and conclusions, but largely I found myself nodding in agreement, and total agreement with the author doesn't make for good discussion. That being said, I did enjoy this book and I have recommended it to very many people I know, so my reading of it was not all for naught.  

I think it is best read and put down again over a few weeks, and not power read on a deadline as I did, because it can be a bit dense, and repetitive, as she comments on the industry, its problems and successes.  There is a lot of information in this book, so taking it one chapter (thus one movie) at a time would make for a more palatable experience. This book also has lots of insight from key players, as she as a journalist was able to interview many of the actors and filmmakers.  That adds authenticity (and delighted giggles) because I mean, who doesn't dream of talking with Wesley, of Princess Bride.

A common takeaway is that so many beloved movies couldn't be made today because the film industry is more concerned with performance in international markets, and cranking out money makers, than taking a chance on a weird little film like Back to the Future. As my brother could do a one-man performance of Back to the Future I can't imagine a world in which it doesn't exist.

Freeman is mostly successful, though I would say her preferences and opinions on what is THE BEST should be taken with a grain of salt.  I hadn't to my knowledge seen Pretty in Pink and she lauds it as one of her all-time favorites so I gave it a go.  Um, it isn't for me.  But would I have the same affection for it if I had seen it when I was much younger?  Probably so.

If you have an affection for 80s movies, and a rich nostalgia for how good movies USED to be, than this book is for you, and could even be revisited from time to time, as I intend to do in the future.

4.5 stars, but you have to be as obsessed with 80s movies as the author (and I) am. How often do you get to marry the sheer pleasure of interviews with/reflections on the comedies of your formative years with interesting and easy to read feminist commentary. None often, that's how often. A beach read with interesting criticism.

3.75 stars, but I'll round up to 4

Light, enjoyable, and somewhat insightful. The author obviously has her own favorites and biases, but in general I agreed with many of the observations of the movies she chose to highlight. It was interesting to get a bit of insight into how the film industry as a whole has changed in recent decades, and actually makes perfect sense.

Overall, a fun read for anyone who grew up watching (and still finds themselves re-watching and quoting) movies from the 80's.

I spent a great deal of time wondering recently why movies just aren't as good as they were in the 80's. Then I stumbled upon this book and found all the answers. Not only am I not alone in my high opinion of movies from that decade, but apparently, they really were. More realistic, more feminist, and more character diverse (that's different from race diverse, just so you know) that movies of today. So if you've been wondering why The Breakfast Club 'got you' in a way that 'Thor' doesn't, here are all the reasons why. Sure, Freeman wanders off the path ocassionaly to wax on about feminism, which drags the Dirty Dancing essay down like a lead balloon, but for the most part, she accurately conveys why we are still watching 'Ghostbusters' and 'Pretty in Pink' and 'The princess Bride ' despite the fact that they were neither box office hits nor well reviewed. A must read for anyone interested in movies, pop-culture, or the 80's.