Aliens / Predator

I hate ties, but this top ten has three of them so why the hell not start off with one? While the second Predator didn't really manage to impress there is no denying just how good the first film was, and while James Cameron's Aliens is a better made film the entertainment value of Arnold as he takes on an alien in the jungle is top notch.

As for Aliens, while I seem to be one of the only ones that actually enjoys the first film more than the second, this is a quality picture. The damn thing has become so recognizable that cable companies are even using it in their commercials:

The Living Daylights

I am sure this is a film many of you will disagree with me on, but it is my favorite of the entire Bond franchise and since it was released in the '80s it seemed a perfect fit to be one of my top ten favorites. Looking back on the film I am not quite certain just what exactly it is about it that I like so much, I just know that I can watch it over and over again without complaint.

I can already hear Connery lovers hating on me right now.

Scarface

Just about everyone and their mother knows the quote, "Say hello to my little friend," and I wouldn't be surprised if many of them don't even know what film it is actually from. Well, it is from Brian De Palma's Scarface, and while De Palma may be currently attempting to make a bankable Hollywood film I will always remember Scarface and all of its violent coked up goodness.

If you have a second, check out the video below and let me know just how many times the word "fuck" is said in what is referred to as Scarface (The Short Version).

The Natural

I was shocked to see that The Natural isn't even in IMDb's Top 50 of the 1980s, I guess more people aren't able to see past all of this film's flaws and just enjoy it on a surface level like I am. I will admit that when 'Bump' Bailey dies after busting through the outfield wall it may have been one of the biggest "What?" moments ever as the writers just didn't seem to know what to do, but I just look right past it. I remember growing up with this film and it will always be one of my favorites.

Top Gun

Even though Quentin Tarantino's character in Sleep with Me thinks Top Gun is about the struggle of a man with his own sexuality this is just another one of those '80s films that I can watch at any time. Despite only a 44% RottenTomatoes rating from critics this film still won an Oscar and elevated Tom Cruise into pre-Scientology stardom and will always be one of my favs.

I still remember it, I think it was fourth or fifth grade, a group of my friends did a lip-sync to "Danger Zone" at a talent show in school, and their guitars were tennis rackets. Yeah, they kicked much ass.

FYI: In sixth grade I think the song was "Rock Me Amadeus". Classic!