The 80’s or the 2010’s?

Looking back, the 1980s weren't as good as everyone thinks they were but they also produced some great popcorn flicks, particularly sci-fi (Robocop, Terminator, Total Recall) and action. That was the decade's strength; you were always in for a thrill ride with a 1980s movie.

Also, there was something for everyone in the 1980s--guy flicks, chick flicks, romance, comedy, horror, teen drama, teen comedy. There were even movies for senior citizens, stuff like Cocoon. Not anymore. Today's movies fall into three distinctive categories: 1) Uninspired kids movies 2) Lame Oscar bait 3) Comic book and sci-fi catering to male geeks.

It's difficult to say since we had some time to reflect on the eighties. The 2010's are not even done yet.

Technology-wise, the 80s had some really cheesy stuff, using puppets, stop-motion, and occasionally, CGI, though it was extremely primitive compared to today. Story-writing and good acting were what made the best films, and people were willing to go along with the cheesy special-effects, even if they could tell it was fake-looking. So if you want great story-telling, memorable lines, and memorable characters, 80s films are great examples.

Today, we rarely get any good films anymore that have both good special-effects (and we frankly have the finest CGI software available in Hollywood right now) and good plotlines/actors. In fact, more than once I've come across films that are all special-effects and no real plot. Or worse, they were really lazy with the CGI, and even someone who has never worked in computer graphics cringes at it. The worst films are the ones with great special-effects, good actors, and had a great concept going....but the execution of the story was awful. Those are the biggest letdowns for me. Many films from the 2010s are a hit-and-miss (with many, many misses). Chances are, you're more likely to have a small cluster of film gems from this decade, (which in themselves were somewhat anomalous), compared to the proliferation of good films the 80s had.

we had this discussion in the office the other day , and spent a long time looking a lists of films from each decade.
result:
80s produced the best films.
probly 90s second place.

I'd say the 80s are the worst because even their good movies generally aren't that great outside of a few like Die Hard and Aliens.

The movies from the '70s were? how can say this; more lad back. Ebert explained it to a ti. No special effects like they have today.

I really like the 80s but I'm tired of this nostalgia about it. There's far more 80s nostalgia going on than I've seen for any other decade in my life. I think there's more 80s music on the radio these days than there was in the 80s themselves! It really strikes me as the work of a bunch of people in their 40s and 50s not willing to let go of the past.