While our focus is obviously on the Brat Pack and the movies those actors feature in, I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of my favourite 1980’s films that are completely unrelated to the Brat Pack…
Rain Man
Released in 1988, Rain Man features an all-star cast with Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman playing Charlie and Raymond respectively. The movie tells the story of Charlie Babbitt, a brash young man who discovers that his estranged father has died and left the majority of his multimillion dollar estate to his other son, Raymond, someone who Charlie was completely unaware existed. Raymond is actually an autistic savant and Hoffman’s performance is nothing short of remarkable. His Best Actor Oscar win for the role was definitely well deserved.
Batman
There have been a plethora of superhero movies since the release of Tim Burton’s Batman in 1989, but very few have managed to excite and entertain on the same level as this classic. Some online casino action is surprisingly omitted from Batman, but Michael Keaton’s performance as the caped crusader more than makes up for that fact. Jack Nicholson is also excellent as the Joker, a role that was a one stage going to be played by the late Robin Williams.
Trading Places
I always remember seeing Trading Places on terrestrial TV as a kid, and while I was a little too young to be watching the majority of the R rated film, it is one which I have really grown to love over the years. This is arguably the movie that launched Eddie Murphy into superstardom in the 80s, and made him one of the highest paid actors in the years that followed. A supporting cast of Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis make Trading Places such an enjoyable watch.
Big
An underrated classic, Big tells the story of Josh Baskin, a young boy who makes a wish to be Big and is turned into an adult overnight. Big quite rightly received received Oscar nods for Hanks as Best Actor and for Best Original Screenplay. With Elizabeth Perkins as Hanks’ adult love interest Susan, and both John Heard and Robert Loggia in supporting roles, Big is movie you can watch time and again.
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