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80's action films

Started by Aos, September 18, 2007, 11:59:53 AM

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beeber

was total recall in the 80s?

escape from new york?
robocop

Aos

Quote from: John MorrowHow about They Live!?
(OK, so I'm on a John Carpenter kick.)

Years ago, there was an article by the author of the short story that movie was based on in Writer's Digest called "The Science Fiction Attitude" where he talks about how he purposely wrote the protagonist to have no name and no background to show that a science fiction story doesn't really need complex characterization to work.


That could be said of most genres, probably- on the other hand,  there is a big diffrences between a story that "works" and a story that fucking nails it. Frex, my favorite SF novel, Stars My Destination, is completely dependent on complex characterization.
You are posting in a troll thread.

Metal Earth

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Aos

Quote from: beeberwas total recall in the 80s?

escape from new york?
robocop


Total Recall was released in 1990, but it is from the 80's in every way that matters.
As a matter of fact, I think 80's action is more of a state of mind than a decade.
And Robocop is a big yes.
You are posting in a troll thread.

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Ian Absentia

Quote from: AosAs a matter of fact, I think 80's action is more of a state of mind than a decade.
Pretty much whatever anyone considers a decade is actually a recollection of the last year or two of one decade and the first two or three of the following.

The 60s?  1969-73.
The 70s?  1978-82.
The 80s?  Well, that was two decades.  The Reagan Years and then 1988-92.
The 90s?  1997-2001.

Go figure.

!i!

Aos

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaPretty much whatever anyone considers a decade is actually a recollection of the last year or two of one decade and the first two or three of the following.

The 60s?  1969-73.
The 70s?  1978-82.
The 80s?  Well, that was two decades.  The Reagan Years and then 1988-92.
The 90s?  1997-2001.

Go figure.

!i!

Agreed, but in the context of this conversation it becomes even more confusing,  because some of the films clearly belonging to the 80's don't show up until the 90's- Total Recall, frex or the Die Hard sequels; hell, I could probably make a case that Face Off (1997) be included in the category. It's called 80's action because it started in the 80's, not because it was contained by them.




or something.... Yeah.
You are posting in a troll thread.

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John Morrow

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaThe 70s?  1978-82.

The 70s start in at least 1976 or even 1975 with Disco.  Probably with the resignation of Nixon and the conquest of South Vietnam by the North.

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaThe 80s?  Well, that was two decades.  The Reagan Years and then 1988-92.

If you look at the music and other things, they were turning in 1979 (which may have something to do with why Carter was a one term President) and ended before 1992 (which may have something to do with why Bush 1 was a one term President).

Quote from: Ian Absentia1997-2001.

On what basis?  I think you're trying to force your theory here.
Robin Laws\' Game Styles Quiz Results:
Method Actor 100%, Butt-Kicker 75%, Tactician 42%, Storyteller 33%, Power Gamer 33%, Casual Gamer 33%, Specialist 17%

John Morrow

Quote from: AosAgreed, but in the context of this conversation it becomes even more confusing,  because some of the films clearly belonging to the 80's don't show up until the 90's- Total Recall, frex or the Die Hard sequels; hell, I could probably make a case that Face Off (1997) be included in the category. It's called 80's action because it started in the 80's, not because it was contained by them.

In that case, how about The Last Boy Scout?
Robin Laws\' Game Styles Quiz Results:
Method Actor 100%, Butt-Kicker 75%, Tactician 42%, Storyteller 33%, Power Gamer 33%, Casual Gamer 33%, Specialist 17%

stu2000

Ken Hite has a nice line f speculation about John Carpenter inventing the genre we're talking about. The theory stands up, though I could find precursors in other genres.

My favorite (well--aside from Big Trouble in Little China and Buckaroo Banzai) is Avenging Angel. "What?! Our best out-of-town heat was taken out by a rag-tag band of pissant vigilantes?!!"  Love it.
Employment Counselor: So what do you like to do outside of work?
Oblivious Gamer: I like to play games: wargames, role-playing games.
EC: My cousin killed himself because of role-playing games.
OG: Jesus, what was he playing? Rifts?
--Fear the Boot

Aos

Quote from: John MorrowIn that case, how about The Last Boy Scout?

Without a doubt.
You are posting in a troll thread.

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walkerp

I always had a soft spot in my heart for Shakedown:

"A legal attorney and renegade cop team up to stop a corrupt cop"

Peter Weller with his upturned collar and speckly blazer really captured the period for me.
"The difference between being fascinated with RPGs and being fascinated with the RPG industry is akin to the difference between being fascinated with sex and being fascinated with masturbation. Not that there\'s anything wrong with jerking off, but don\'t fool yourself into thinking you\'re getting laid." —Aos

Ian Absentia

Quote from: John MorrowI think you're trying to force your theory here.
Nonsense.  I've based my theory on the finest pseudoscience culled from the Internet possible.

!i!

Danger

Oh yeah, Walkerp has hit another nail on the head with the whole "opposites team up to fight evil," thing (ie. Tango and Cash, Lethal Weapon et al, and that Chuck Norris one where he teams up with a dog).

That shit is so 80s!  Or early 90s...whatever!


Keep the stuff a-comin'!
I start from his boots and work my way up. It takes a good half a roll to encompass his jolly round belly alone. Soon, Father Christmas is completely wrapped in clingfilm. It is not quite so good as wrapping Roy but it is enjoyable nonetheless and is certainly a feather in my cap.

walkerp

We're getting into the tale end of the 80s now, but Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man was a real mess, but a guilty pleasure nonetheless.

Oh yeah, and Stone Cold (the same year, 91).  Lance Henriksen should have won an oscar for his performance as the sadistic hippy biker.  "We're going to get into each others' heads man."
"The difference between being fascinated with RPGs and being fascinated with the RPG industry is akin to the difference between being fascinated with sex and being fascinated with masturbation. Not that there\'s anything wrong with jerking off, but don\'t fool yourself into thinking you\'re getting laid." —Aos

John Morrow

Quote from: DangerOh yeah, Walkerp has hit another nail on the head with the whole "opposites team up to fight evil," thing (ie. Tango and Cash, Lethal Weapon et al, and that Chuck Norris one where he teams up with a dog).

Then I should add (from 1992) the near-future Science Fiction/Horror movie Split Second with Rutger Hauer.
Robin Laws\' Game Styles Quiz Results:
Method Actor 100%, Butt-Kicker 75%, Tactician 42%, Storyteller 33%, Power Gamer 33%, Casual Gamer 33%, Specialist 17%

beeber

red heat, with jim belushi as the wise-crackin' american cop and arnie as the soviet stoic detective or somesuch.  

"have you heard of miranda?"  
"no"  
*pow*