It’s happening. The big 3-0. Not for a while though

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Film

2014 holds one big event for me. And, well, countless other people born in 1984.

This year I’ll be turning 30.

It’s just a number, right? It’s how I’m approaching the whole turning a year older situation.

As well as being vaguely boring about turning 30, I thought it would be a good opportunity for some vaguely linked set of blog posts.

So this year I’m going to take a look at some other films that are also turning 30 this year.

Turns out, 1984 was an AWESOME year for films. With the likes of Ghostbusters, Gremlins, The Karate Kid, Terminator and This Is Spinal Tap, I feel a little spoilt for choice.

Initially I was going to do a 30 for 30 sort of thing. But 30 films is a bit of a steep target. Even over the course of a year. How about 10? 10 feels like a nice easy number. Roughly one a month. Yeah. I can do 10.

Here are the 10 films from 1984 I’m going to get covered before 2014 is done. More that I haven’t seen than I have. I bumped Splash for Broadway Danny Rose. Hope it’ll be worth it.

The Terminator
The Terminator
There’s no way I couldn’t not include this in my little project. The Terminator terrified me as a child. Combination of being ridiculously unexposed to film violence and the idea of being hunted down with no remorse from the hunter.

Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
This will never not be a favourite of mine. Never fails to make me laugh and have never got bored with it.

Once Upon a Time in America
Once Upon a Time in America
Bit of a blind pick. I know the title, the actors and it’s got a decent rating. Yep, going on the list.

Gremlins
Gremlins
This is up there with Ghostbusters for me. Except this one probably gave me one or two more nightmares.

Beverly Hills Cop
Beverly Hills Cop
Probably didn’t see this one until after I saw the second one. Solid 80s action film.

This is Spinal Tap
This is Spinal Tap
Yes, yes yes… I still haven’t seen this film. What better time than now to watch this film?

NausicaΓ€ of the Valley of the Wind
Nausicaa-of-the-Valley-of-the-Wind
A Hayao Miyazaki film? Yes please. I definitely rate his earlier films more than his more recent ones. Lucked out by having one released in 1984.

Amadeus
Amadeus
A blind pick. Decent enough ratings all around and it feels like a film I ought to have seen. It’s won a ton of Oscars!

Broadway Danny Rose
Broadway Danny Rose
I haven’t seen all that much Woody Allen. A few of his more recent films, but they haven’t done much for me. Been informed that his earlier films are much better. So, let’s give this one a shot.

The Killing Fields
The Killing Fields
Again, another one of those films I feel like I should have seen. Subject matter looks just… peachy!

(I reserve the right to swap out any of these films if I suddenly can’t find it on Netflix or wherever the hell I’m looking.)

I’ll start with my first film, this weekend. Next week. Sometime in the not too distant future. But I haven’t decided which one I’ll watch. I’ll keep you guessing.

10 Comments

  1. Ah, 30. I just hit 38, so it seems a little way back. Your list of films looks like a lot of fun. I did a marathon looking at 1984 a few years ago, and I watched Amadeus, The Killing Fields, Once Upon a Time in America, and Nausicaa for the first time. It was a pretty impressive group, with one exception. I won’t give that away so you can go in without preconceived notions. All are worth seeing for sure.

  2. Almost 30, still so young πŸ˜‰ Like Dan I’m also already at 38! Looks like a solid list, couple of them I have not seen yet but there are great movies on that list. Have fun watching them!

  3. Omg, I’m turning 30 this year as well! Still act like an 18 year old most days lol! Interesting choice of films. I’ve never seen the first terminator film, so looking forward to your review!

  4. Gremlins and Ghostbusters, I remember those scaring me too!! And I had to watch Amadeus in school. Not bad. Don’t remember anything though πŸ˜‰ Oh, and 30, great times.

  5. How awesome to be born on 1984, you young’un you πŸ™‚

    Of course being a web designer, 1984 is significant to me because it’s the birth of Macintosh. I’ll always remember that Ridley Scott superbowl dystopian-themed commercial of ‘1984’ that only aired once during the game.

  6. I turned 30 last year – I tried to cling on to my twenties as long as possible but there’s nothing you can do when that clocks strikes midnight!

    …Yes, 1984 was a great year for movies. 1983 wasn’t bad either – Trading Places, Risky Business, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Scarface and…erm…Jaws 3D!

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