MovieChat Forums > Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986) Discussion > I miss 'simple' movies like this.

I miss 'simple' movies like this.

posted 12 years ago by exodus_laughing
10 replies | jump to latest

i grew up in the 80s, and i remember how much fun going to the rental place was and trying to decide between the HUNDREDS of really fun movies you had to choose from.
they all didnt HAVE to have crazy over-the-top special effects, or super-mega stars falling in love, or be "artistic", or innovative at all. they just had to be worth watching.

it seems like the mid-range budget movies went out along with VHS. all those studios i grew up with that used to churn out these things like clockwork are gone too.

now ive depressed myself.

[–] toking65000 12 years ago

I agree and I miss video stores!

Just because we lose today's battle doesn't mean we've lost tommorow's war.

[–] Future_Games 12 years ago

I totally agree. There's just something about those '80s comedies, thrillers and action films that just can't be found in films anymore. Can't beat it. I can still remember going into my then local video store with my sister and my parents and picking out some rentals for the weekend.

ROCK STARS HAVE KIDNAPPED MY SON

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] toking65000 12 years ago

I'm totally LOST in this new world.

I mean if there's a movie you wanna see HOW would you even get it now. I know there is NetFlix, but if you don't have access to a comp. you can't rent from them and you have to wait prolly a week for the movie to come.

Just because we lose today's battle doesn't mean we've lost tommorow's war.

[–] Drooch 11 years ago

These kinds of films worked because they had a good premise, and really strong CHARACTERS. Throw in a decent script with plenty of wit and you have a comforting 90 minute story which doesn't aim for the stars. Goldberg's charm goes a long way. We don't have stars with the same level of charm these days.

[–] lroy77 12 years ago

It is a fun movie. Watching it now, it's awfully dated---especially the computers.

[–] toking65000 12 years ago

"it's awfully dated"

To me that is a GREAT thing! :)

Just because we lose today's battle doesn't mean we've lost tommorow's war.

[–] MissMargoChanning 10 years ago

I loved going out to rent movies in the 80's too. It wasn't just the great movies like this, but also the fact that a person had a choice in what they wanted to see when we wanted to see it. Up until we all had vcr's that wasn't an option.

By the way, there are still movie rental places in this country. We have a Family Video (a chain store) just down the street from us.

You are right.... they just don't make movies like this any more. Another one that I love from this era is Ruthless People.

"Fasten your seat belts!
It's going to be a bumpy night!"

[–] mark_lucas 10 years ago

Not sure I do to be honest. The thing about nostalgia when revisited, you realise how much you built things up in your head, subconsciously compensated for flaws. You watch this now, it's kind of weak. The best Whoopi can manage is an Eddie Murphy impersonation, while constantly overacting like an animated character. Find her quite irritating now.

I prefer current comedies because they seem more layered, they don't treat audiences like total idiots and there's a lot of talent around. I will say original story-lines seem hard to come by though. In the 80's. You had everything from Airplane & national lampoon to MrMom, all unique, different styles. Now every comedy seems to have a pro-marijuana / party, alcohol and losing virginity agenda, tries too hard to be edgy or politically incorrect. Nothing against those, just don't need to see them in EVERY comedy.

[–] lilmarkuk 10 years ago

yep and 99% of so called comedies now are centered around sex in some way