Tag Archives: 1980s

When Was the Last Time You Said, ‘That’s the Coolest Thing I’ve Ever Seen’?

I love movies. There’s a power in being shown something I’ve never seen before. In my life, I’ve had many times when I’ve been able to say, “That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.” However, I worry that that’s becoming … Continue reading

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This Scene from Witness Shows What Happens When People Don’t Act Christian Anymore

It’s not normal to return good for evil or to love one’s enemies. For most of world history, we have accounts of people seeking revenge for wrongs committed against them, hating their enemies, and allowing anger to supersede patience and … Continue reading

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When Bill Murray Turned a Baby Ruth Into a Tootsie Roll

All right, I’m in the mood for something fun. And since it’s nearly Halloween, I want to relate it to candy.

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Did Back to the Future Part II Predict Endless Jurassic Park Sequels?

An interesting thing happened in 2015. The fourth movie in the seemingly dead Jurassic Park franchise debuted in theaters that year: Jurassic World. It revitalized its film series, serving as a bridge between the three original films from 1993-2000 and … Continue reading

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Why Didn’t Steve Guttenberg Become as Big as Tom Hanks?

Some movie stars get big because they appear in big movies. Others make movies big by their very presence in them. For example, there are two actors who started out around the same time in the early 1980s: Tom Hanks … Continue reading

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The Running Man Comes Full Circle in an Action-Packed Chiasmus

Unlike Ben Richards, I definitely do requests. And when my amazing reader Jordan asks me to analyze a film to see if it’s a chiasmus, I always say yes! He has a perfect track record, helping me discover the chiasmus … Continue reading

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My Disappointment with Doogie Howser, M.D.

I like old TV shows more than new ones. In general, I’m not a big TV watcher. But when I got sick last month and wanted to get my mind off the pain I was experiencing, I figured a medical … Continue reading

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Movie Matchups: Three Men and a Baby vs. Baby Boom

In 1986, there was a famous rivalry between fighter-plane movies in which Top Gun trounced Iron Eagle. In 1988, it was body-switch movies in which Big crushed Vice Versa and 18 Again! But what about 1987? Was there any rivalry … Continue reading

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A New Cinematic Chiasmus Takes Flight

Flight of the Navigator is one of my favorite films. I loved it growing up, and I enjoy it even more as an adult. The acting is incredible, the story is equal parts mystery and wish fulfillment, and the special … Continue reading

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Big Is a Bridge Between Tom Hanks’ Early and Later Film Career

Like two parts of a piano duet, Big feels like the perfect bridge between Tom Hanks’ early and later career in film. He may have made a Splash in 1984, but it wasn’t until 1988 that he really hit the … Continue reading

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