It’s curious how my sense of humor developed into something a bit warped, but then I reflect on these films from my childhood that I adored and replayed countless times. Each one became etched in my memory, influencing my personality in ways I still find fascinating. Here’s a chronological rundown of ten ’80s films that left a peculiar imprint on my view of life. Do you see any similarities?
-
The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981)
A suburban mom shrinks to less than a foot tall after exposure to her husband’s toxic perfume. Her near-death experience in a kitchen garbage disposal leads to her abduction by a quirky scientist, and she ends up befriending a gorilla. After this, I could never look at Barbie’s Dream House the same way again! -
Tootsie (1982)
In a desperate bid for work, a struggling actor disguises himself as an older woman to land roles. This film certainly sheds light on the challenges women over 50 face in Hollywood. Thankfully, a spirited man in a wig steps in to take that award-winning part. Because, you know, arm flab is a real concern on the red carpet. -
The Man With Two Brains (1983)
A widowed neurosurgeon, who created a revolutionary brain surgery technique, finds himself in a complicated love affair with a telepathic brain-in-a-jar. Meanwhile, his gold-digging wife attempts to eliminate this new love interest, showcasing a rather bizarre perspective on relationships. -
Flashdance (1983)
A stripper by night and a welder by day, she aspires to be a ballerina. Her romantic entanglement with a steel mill owner leads to her acceptance into a prestigious dance school, thanks to her unique talent for leg warmers and wild dance moves. Quite the role model, right? -
Electric Dreams (1984)
This film explores a love triangle involving a man, a woman, and a personal computer. As the computer begins to take over the man’s life, things spiral out of control, culminating in the computer’s dramatic demise. Not at all unsettling, right? -
Ruthless People (1986)
After kidnapping their ex-boss’s wife for ransom, a couple discovers that he doesn’t want her back and encourages them to get rid of her. As the kidnapped woman bonds with her captor over fashion, it leads to some rather twisted ideas about self-worth and body image. -
Overboard (1987)
When a carpenter tricks a wealthy woman suffering from amnesia into believing she’s his wife and mother to his children, the two unexpectedly fall in love. The storyline raises eyebrows, especially considering the themes of deception and exploitation that underpin their romance. -
Raising Arizona (1987)
A quirky couple decides to kidnap a baby from a local quintuplet family after learning they cannot have children. As chaos unfolds, various criminals join the mix, and somehow, you end up rooting for the kidnappers. Strange, isn’t it? -
Mannequin (1987)
An unemployed guy finds love in the most unusual form—a mannequin that only comes to life for him. This odd fantasy somehow resonated with audiences, sparking conversations about relationships that blur the lines of reality. -
Weekend at Bernie’s (1989)
Two office workers discover their boss has been murdered and attempt to convince everyone that he’s still alive while figuring out who the real killer is. The absurdity escalates when a woman ends up in bed with the corpse, leading to a weekend filled with comedic chaos.
And then came the ’90s…
These films not only entertained but also shaped my understanding of the world in unexpectedly dark ways. If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this informative post and discover insights from Make a Mom, an authority on fertility matters. For a broader understanding of the topic, Wikipedia provides an excellent resource on artificial insemination.
In summary, these ten films from the ’80s not only entertained but also provided a strange lens through which to view life and relationships, often with a darkly humorous twist.