Brian's List of 80s Movies on DVD

I am a BIG fan of letterbox/widescreen (WS) movies. I hate Pan and Scan!! Seeing a WS and P&S version of almost any movie is a big difference. You won't see many reviews here for movies that are not widescreen. There's actually no excuse for not having both WS and P&S versions on a DVD other than pure cheapness on the studios part. The format was designed for it. This can only mean one thing... the film company did not care enough about the movie or it's fans to spend the money to include a WS version. I will almost never buy non-WS DVDs. I will, on the other hand, buy a movie on DVD that I already own on one or two other formats if it means I can have it in WS format-- the way it was originally shot and intended for you to see.

Key: (year, rating, format, other codes, UPC)
WS= Widescreen/Letterbox	PS=Pan and Scan	AC3= 5.1 surround/AC-3 audio	DTS=DTS Audio

9 1/2 Weeks (1986, NR, WS, surround, 027616702821) - This is the uncut, unrated version of the film. Includes the trailer. Booklet with film trivia and info included.

Beetlejuice (1988, PG, WS/PS, AC3, 085391178521) Remastered soundtrack in 5.1 surround, trailer, and a few other things including a music-only feature which I have never tried. Naughty me.

Blade Runner (1982, R, WS/PS, surround, 085391268222) - This is the origional Director's Cut of the film. Includes some production notes.

Blues Brothers: Collector's Edition, The (1980, NR, WS, AC3, 025192029929) - This is the collector's version of this film. It includes additional scenes not in the original film. Documentary, production notes, photo gallery, trailers, etc. Very nice package for a great film!

Blue Velvet (1986, R, WS)- A classic David Lynch film. Nice transfer.

Breakfast Club, The (1985, R, WS, mono, 025192021022) - Great film. The sound is more clear and it's easier to hear all the quieter dialogue. Includes some extra info about the film and actors which is really interesting.

Clerks: Special Edition (199-, R, WS) - This is a nice collection of extra footage, music videos, commentaries, etc. Recommended.

Clueless (1995, PG-13, WS) - Good

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (198-, PG, WS) - Very cool.

Get A Life: volume one (1990, TV) - I loved this tv show. DVD has four episodes. Very funny.

Ghostbusters: Special Collector's Edition (1984, PG, WS) - Lots of extras included on the disc. The audio on this is great!

Go! (1999, R, WS) - This is a GREAT film. My fave movie of 1999. Contains deleted footage, music videos, commentaries, etc. Highly Recommended!

Grosse Pointe Blank (1998, R, WS, 717951000408) - Yes, this is a 90s movie, but it's so closely tied to the 80s and I love this movie. The movie looks and sounds good.

Heathers (1989, R, WS, stereo, 013131067293) - Great Movie. Decent transfer in Letterbox format. Includes short documentary/interviews about the movie and trailer- same as the re-issued VHS.

Jerk, The (1979, R, PS) - Not Widescreen. Not reviewed.

Lost Boys, The (1987, R, WS/PS, AC3, 085391174820) - This is a great film and it looks and sounds great on DVD. Nice transfer and comes with a nice set of bios/info on the cast and even some interesting film notes and info on vampires.

Mallrats: Special Edition (199-, R, WS, AC3) - This is a great package with lots of extra footage and music videos, commentaries, etc. If you liked the film you should get this. A MUST for any Mallrats fan!

National Lampoon's Animal House: Collector's Edition (1978, R, WS, mono, 025192039621) - Almost made in the eighties... Great film! DVD includes a new documentary with new interviews, behind the scenes footage, etc. Also includes trailers, web links, and bios. There is also a NON-collector's edition- be careful not to get it.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983, R, PS) - Not Widescreen. Not reviewed.

Nightmare Before Christmas, The (1993, PG, WS, DTS) - Lots of extra features. The Collectors Box version of the Laserdisc serves as the basis of this DVD. It includes Vincent and Frankenweenie plus a photo gallery and a few commentaries.

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985, PG, WS) - Incredible audio. Cool musical score/Elfman commentary track.

Poltergeist (1982, PG, WS/PS, AC3, 027616603999) - Remastered audio in 5.1 surround. Includes trailer.

Sixteen Candles (1984, PG, WS, mono, 014381427028) - Kinda mad and happy at the same time with this one. This is one of my favorite movies and it is a crappy transfer. It looks like they found the worst copy of this film to transfer to DVD. The picture looks more grainy and I can see flaws in the film. On the other hand there are two very cool things about this DVD. 1) The movie is Widescreen format. 2) There are two or three shots in the film that are not found anywhere else that I've seen. I have two different VHS videotape versions, the Laserdisc, and a copy which was broadcast on USA Network and these scenes are not in any of those versions.

This Is Spinal Tap!-Criterion Collection (1983, R, WS, surround, 715515009126) - Are you a fan of this film? If so, this is a MUST HAVE!! DO NOT buy the other two versions of this film on DVD. Be sure to buy The Criterion Collection!! It costs a little bit more, but it includes two commentaries, and two hours of bonus stuff like demos, trailers, music videos, and over an hour of deleted scenes. The deleted scenes make it worth buying on it's own.

Uncle Buck (1989, PG, WS, surround, 025192031724) - Nothing particularly special about the DVD version of this film. Good transfer.

Wedding Singer, The (1998, PG-13, WS/PS, AC3, 794043466021) - Great movie set in the eighties. Shame on you if you haven't seen it. Nice DVD with some extra features set up in a nice interactive menu and the DVD even has a few 80s karaoke songs for you to sing along with!

Weird Science (1985, PG-13, WS, 014381423228) - Whoever did the transfer and audio re-mix for this DVD: I love you!! The sound is remixed and sounds excellent! And of course it's WS which looks nice.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982, PG, WS) - Of course you know this is a great movie already. The DVD is not a great package but it beats the VHS.

Edward Scissorhands (1990, PG, WS) - Of course you know this is a great movie already. The DVD looks and sounds good and includes commentaries.

The Goonies (1985, PG, WS) - The Goonies DVD is certainly good enough. It is a nice transfer and looks and sounds great. Features some interviews and commentaries, plus the full Cyndi Lauper video. This one sure brought back some memories. Just a fun movie and DVD all around. Highly recommended.

Also Out Now/Reviews Coming Soon:

Coming Attractions by Corona - huge list of films which includes updates and rumours through various stages of production.

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