Memorable movies from 1980

The year 1980 is one of the finest in Hollywood's history and included a brilliant selection of character-driven dramas and a few wildly subversive comedies.

The studios provided mature audiences with moving works that explored nearly everything from aging  and mental illness to injustice and loss. It was a special year in an era of film craft that placed characters and stories above special effects and franchise sequels. The qualities offered then are not likely to be seen again in Hollywood anytime soon. 

The comedies even offered gifted writing and original characters. In a time before political correctness, the films offered unruly personalities and stories that bordered on anarchy. The movies were raucus, rowdy, rude and insensitive by today's standards, and few probably could not be made in the Hollywood of 2020. But they were hugely popular with audiences and were financial hits for the studios. 

The year really was special for films and film fans. Here are my favorites (presented alphabetically) from one of my favorite years for movies. 

Airplane! (Directed by Jim Abrahams, Dave Zucker, Jerry Zucker)

Why I like it: Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves and Robert Stack lead an ensemble of cast in an entertaining and successful comedy about mishaps on a commercial airliner. It's silly, often low-brow fun, but it stands the test of time.  "Airplane" was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Picture - Comedy or Musical.

Altered States: (Directed by Ken Russell) 

Why I like it: William Hurt portrays a university researcher who experiments with hallucinatory drugs and a sensory deprivation tank. The visual effects are dated, but Paddy Chayefsky's screenplay holds up well and the film benefits from the work of a solid supporting cast that includes Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, and Charles Haid. 

Atlantic City (Directed by Louis Malle) 

Why I like it: Burt Lancaster plays a small-time gangster who gets involved with the wife of a drug dealer in Atlantic City. Before Hollywood focused on making franchise movies, it made outstanding crime dramas for mature audiences, and this is one of those films. The supporting cast includes Kate Reid, Wallace Shawn, and Robert Goulet. "Atlantic City" received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Lancaster), Best Actress (Susan Sarandon), Best Writing, and Best Director. 

The Blues Brothers (Directed by John Landis) 

Why I Like it: John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd bring their Saturday Night Live characters Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues to the big screen in this mix of music, physical comedy, and car chases. It made for memorable summer entertainment, way back when. The script contains many lines audiences repeated for years and Landis does a fine job of moving it all at a good pace. 

Caddyshack (Directed by Harold Ramis)

Why I like it: Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield and Chevy Chase undermine the daily affairs at the exclusive Bushwood Country Club. Dangerfield steals the movie as the club's loud and hilariously obnoxious new member. The film's characters include Dr. Beeper, Maggie O'Hooligan, and (the classic) Lacey Underall.

Coal Miner's Daughter (Directed by Michael Apted)

Why I like it: Sissy Spacek delivers an Oscar-winning performance as country singer Loretta Lynn. Tommy Lee Jones is impressive as Lynn's deeply flawed husband. Watch this film and you will understand why it received seven Oscar nominations. The strong supporting cast includes Levon Helm, William Sanderson, and Bevery D'Angelo. 

Flash Gordon (Directed by Mike Hodges) 

Why I like it: This version of the Flash Gordon series is campy enough to make for light entertainment, but weird enough to develop a cult following over the years. Only a handful of other films from the 1980s can make that claim. The great Max Von Sydow delivers as Ming.

Gloria (Directed by John Cassavetes)

Why I like it: A great supporting cast of mostly unknown actors combined with deft direction makes for a memorable production. Gena Rowlands is terrific as the lead, a woman with mob ties who takes on the mob to protect a child. It's a role that was about 40 years ahead of its time. Cassavetes also does a wonderful job of presenting New York City.

Melvin and Howard (Directed by Jonathan Demme)

Why I Like It: I consider this one a real gem. It's the tale of a luckless guy who has a chance encounter with one of the world's wealthiest men. It's a low-key look at life that offers several fine performances, and earned a couple of Oscar nominations. The cast includes Jason Robards, Paul Le Mat, Michael Pollard, Dabney Coleman, and Mary Steenburgen, who scored an Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress.

Ordinary People (Directed by Robert Redford)

Why I like it: Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Timothy Hutton, and Judd Hirsch star in this intense drama about loss, grief, and mental illness. Mary Tyler Moore plays against type and delivers a powerhouse performance as an emotionally distant wife and mother. The movie won four Oscars, including Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Hutton) and best screenplay.  

Raging Bull (Directed by Martin Scorcese)

Why I like it: Intense performances, driven by a wonderful script. While attention is given mostly to Robert DeNiro's work, the supporting performances by Joe Pesci and Cathy Moriarty are outstanding.

Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980)

Why I like it: This is one of my favorite independent movies. It is well written and offers some intersting characters. But it was made one a limited budget and it shows. However, viewers who get beyond some of the obvious flaws will find and enjoyable story about college friends who reunite for a weekend. In 1983, director Lawrence Kasdan, working with a much larger budget and a big-name cast, made "The Big Chill," and did a fine job with the theme. But "Secaucus Seven" delivers a lot of heart in a small package. 

The Shining (Directed by Stanley Kubrick) 

Why I like it: Jack Nicholson's is in top form as a man on a steady descent into madness. The film also packs a visual punch, with several chilling and unsettling scenes. 

The Stunt Man: (Directed by Richard Rush)

Why I like it: When a fugitive stumbles on to a movie set, he's put to work as a stuntman by the film's odd director.  Peter O'Toole, Steve Railsback and Barbara Hershey star in this fast-paced tale. O'Toole delivers as the sinister director. The supporting cast includes Adam Roarke, Alex Rocco, and Allen Garfield. The film, which is little-known today, received three Oscar nominations, including Best Actor (O'Toole), Best Director, and Best Writing

Tom Horn (Directed by William Wiard)

Why I like it: Steve McQueen leads a terrific cast in this story of a former army scout who is hired to stop cattle rustlers. It's an entertaining character study with enough action and scenery to satisfy Western movie fans. The gifted supporting cast includes Linda Evans, Richard Farnsworth, Slim Pickens, Elisha Cook, Jr., and Geoffrey Lewis. 

Some Honorable Mentions:

The Dogs of War

Dressed to Kill

Heart Beat 

Inside Moves

The Long Riders

My Bodyguard

Seems Like Old Times

Used Cars

Where the Buffalo Roam

-- Thank you for reading. Your comments are always welcome. Post them here or email them to kbotterman@gmail.com.

Meeting a Challenge With Some Quarantine Fun

A friend recently invited me to take part in the Album Challenge, a popular activity on Facebook that requires a participant to post the cover to 10 influential albums for 10 consecutive days, posting one album each day.

The challenge is one of those things that's been around on Facebook for several years. Many of my friends completed at one time or another, but this was my first invitation. My submissions appear below, but with one significant change. I'm not posting the album covers, just the links to the albums, so that you can sample them for yourselves. 

A couple of interesting things about the challenge --one can learn a lot about a friend through the albums they select, and it's is difficult to narrow a list down to 10 albums. Music is a big part of my life, and I enjoy many types of music. The albums I selected all influenced me at one time or another. They are presented here in the order I shared them on Facebook. I hope you enjoy them.

Glenn Miller 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWDsaaoPcio&t=22s

The Brandenburg Concertos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCPM8DEsvmc&t=1021s

Frank Sinatra: Come Dance With Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhv4lpNFmps&list=PLrof5BMHvnqQzt1339QuwE0Or2tPDaa13

Traffic 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDcmo-5Qht4&list=PL94gOvpr5yt1XaRbW9B6YMyeC0tvfNfmp

Crosby, Stills and Nash

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMJug2iz3NA&list=PLA0mLsazILeTnCI-bC0DV550AHZ_s2rfY

The Who: Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voMja9C-coI&list=PL7Hsdhjbl9gVwrr-X_hct-MCIaaPcr1OV

Billy Joel: The Stranger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJtL8vWNZ4o&list=PLraUXdMOSKKFGJHUKaZnsswkOMFrwHsE5

Bruce Springsteen: The River 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeRhtNjPTVE&list=PLuLzcYr9FZ7q5NywEtgMfFIShJUGYIm40

Steve Winwood: Talking Back to the Night 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTVhtINEuYw&list=PLoWy7zxp_kiLJV1OvQTDX8tk2I4IwAyq_

The DeRailers: Guaranteed to Satisfy

https://www.allmusic.com/album/guaranteed-to-satisfy-mw0000794547

-- Thank you for joining me here. Please leave a comment, or send an email to kbotterman@gmail.com. 

More Notes from the Quarantine

     I make a point of walking a couple of miles every day (weather permitting), and I particularly enjoy hiking one of the preserves maintained by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. But I have good memories of hiking Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake. There is a section of the park that contains a sizable stand of pine trees, and I always enjoyed walking under those trees during my visits to the park. I haven't been to that park in nearly 18 years, but I cherish my recollections of that stand of pines. I just wanted to share that with you.

     I was disappointed to learn conditions related to the Covid-19 Virus forced The Evening Whirl in St. Louis to suspend production of its print publication after more than 83 years of operations in the Missouri city. For those not familiar with The Whirl, it specializes in covering the crime and night life in many of the city's "economically challenged" neighborhoods. It is known for its snappy headlines and the street slang it incorporates into its reporting. And the Whirl's staff pays no attention to the Associated Press Stylebook, which most conventional journalists adhere to with a religious-like fervor. A friend in St. Louis introduced me to the Whirl 38 years ago and regularly mailed copies of the paper to me. I hope it returns from hiatus one day and will miss it. 

     I was talking with a friend the other day about what life might be like after the "stay home" orders are lifted, and we're all allowed to return to our jobs (if they still exist). Professional commentators speculate life will not be like it was prior to the shut down and some think it might take until 2022 before we can expect a return of a "normal" lifestyle. The physical-distancing we are all encouraged to practice alone raises all sorts of questions about life after the immediate crisis. The impact to the world economy and daily life is almost too depressing to contemplate. 

-- Thank you for reading. Please share your comments here or email me at kbotterman@gmail.com. 

Mr. B's Notes From The Quarantine

• I work a part-time gig at a hardware store. The state considers hardware stores "essential" to daily living while most other workplaces are closed and Illinois residents are under a stay-home order. The store gets a fair number of visitors, but most seem to be looking for two general products -- paint and or propane for their gas grills. Seems many figure if they have to spend a few weeks indoors they might as well be looking at a freshly painted wall. Important, I suppose, for mental stability, but is it really an essential product, say like milk or bread?

• I miss the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. I missed the upsets that make the first round of the tournament so unpredictable an fun. We really could have used some bracket busters this month.

• I used some of my quarantine time to clean up my friends list on Facebook. It's been interesting. I found a few on the list that had closed their accounts, others that had not posted for several years, and two that passed away in recent years. In total I unfriended 14 individuals. The group included two individuals who regularly commented on my posts, but often only to criticize my opinions. I sometimes enjoyed the subsequent exchanges, but recently noticed the two only commented when they were in sharp disagreement with me. One never agreed with anything I offered. Life goes on.

• If you are on Facebook, you probably have an idea what I mean when I state there's been some funny memes posted during the virus crisis. I try to limit my time on social media, but I am thankful for the funny stuff posted there. If you're responsible for some of it, thanks.

• I've also been enjoying Youtube during my quarantine. I like the variety of content. Also, the site does a good job of finding videos for me, based on what I have viewed and liked in the past. I recently caught a recording of The Association's "Never My Love," a song I first heard when I was just a sprout and something of a forgotten favorite for me. 

• I am as frustrated as most with some aspects of the the stay-home quarantine, but one thing that troubles me in particular are the individuals and groups that attempt to politicize the virus and routinely share misleading information. I believe there is a time and a place for everything, and I think there will be plenty of time for finger pointing and recriminations after the crisis. In the meantime, I think we ought to be focused on sharing accurate information, meeting the challenges of the virus, and keeping as many as as possible as safe as possible. 

-- Thanks for reading. Leave a comment or send an email to kbotterman@gmail.com. Stay healthy

Mr. B shares his favorite summer flicks

Before we close the books on July 2019, I wanted to write about some of my favorite summer movies. I present my list in no particular order, and I note that not each features a summer theme. 

One or two were released during the summer months, became major hits for the year and remind this writer of that particular summer.

Each contains one or more the elements needed for memorable summer film – comedy, music, thrills, or simply a well-told tale that entertains and distracts from hot weather. 

American Graffiti (1973) Before bringing “Star Wars” to movie theaters, George Lucas directed this gem of film about high school graduates and their friends spend a final night together before heading off to college “back east.” The movie includes cars, laughs, and a rocking soundtrack. The movie is one of the first to employ the “one-crazy-night” theme and does a wonderful job with it. The cast includes Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Richard Dreyfuss, Charles Martin Smith, and Bo Hopkins.

Dazed and Confused (1993) Director Richard Linklater’s tale of the first night of summer break in 1976. The story line follows students who about to enter their senior year at a Texas high school and those looking ahead to their freshmen year. Those old enough to remember 1976 will immediately recognize familiar characters and behaviors common to the era. The cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Wiley Wiggins, Jason London and Ben Affleck. The film’s soundtrack features many pop hits of the ‘70s. Music, cars, parties, and acts of defiance – everything one needs in a summer hit.

Grease (1978) John Travolta and Olivia Newton John star in this hugely popular hit from the summer of 1978. The show opens just as summer break is about to end and a new school year is set to begin. We follow a group of high school students through the academic year, focusing on the romance between good girl Sandy, and Danny, a greaser. Songs from the soundtrack remained on Top-40 playlists for months.

Ghostbusters (1984) Director Ivan Reitman’s tale of three former university instructors turned ghost hunters earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture and one for star Bill Murray for Best Actor. The movie dominated the box office in the summer of 1984. It doesn’t include a summer theme, but contains all the elements of a solid summer comedy. 

Jaws (1975) Director Steven Spielberg’s mega-blockbuster summer hit won three Oscars (nominated for a fourth) and continues to pack a punch for suspense and shocks. The story centers on the hunt for a killer shark that is terrorizing the waters off a New England beach. The cast includes Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, and Murray Hamilton. 

Meatballs (1979) A few years before making “Ghostbusters,” Director Ivan Reitman and Bill Murray partnered for this light comedy about the counselors and campers at a low-brow summer camp. Murray leads the cast, and his work makes “Meatballs” a better than average summer movie. It’s tame by today’s standards, but still entertaining and worthy of your time.

Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello starred in several ”beach party” movies during the early 1960s, and ”Beach Blanket Bingo” is the best of the bunch, I think. The series featured light plots, young characters, surfing, and dancing. This movie stands apart from the rest of collection, because it refined the fundamental elements in the series. Harvey Lembeck supporting work as Eric Von Zipper, the buffoonish leader of the Rats, a motorcycle club, remains classic comedy from the 1960s. It’s all light-hearted, even nostalgic summer entertainment.

Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962) James Stewart stars as Roger Hobbs, a business executive and family man who plans a quiet family get away and gets a whole lot more in this light comedy that always reminds me of the family vacations of my childhood. The cast includes Maureen O’Hara, John McGiver, John Saxon, Reginald Gardiner, and Fabian.

Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) Director Michael Curtiz’s Oscar-winning salute to American entertainer George M. Cohan stars James Cagney as Cohan. This gem aired on TV nearly every July during my childhood and became a summertime tradition for my family. I think the song and dances numbers are entertaining, and the movies offers a solid jolt of patriotism.

- Did I miss your favorite? Post a comment here or email me at kbotterman@gmail.com. Thank you for reading.

Breaking bread and nourishing community

This past weekend was special because I celebrated a sense of community while sharing a meal with my neighbors at my homeowners association's annual picnic. 

The event included music, games, and an assortment of good food. It also provided an opportunity to visit with neighbors I have not seen since last year's picnic. And it all took place under clear skies and comfortable temperatures.

We elected members to the association's board of directors, and we cheered as winners of a raffle drawing were announced and presented with their prizes. I didn't win anything.

I ate too much. But it was all worth it, I thought afterward, because the event seemed to revitalize a sense of community for many. 

I serve on the board of directors (but was not on this year's ballot because I have two years remaining on my term of service). I see others members of the board at our monthly meetings. 

I see other neighbors while walking my dog.  We wave or nod to each other. We exchange pleasantries, and we then resume our tasks. It's a simple exchange that typically lasts less than a minute. It's polite, but hardly constitutes a conversation. 

And that's why I valued the picnic. When we sit and share a meal with someone, inevitably we ask questions, we share information, we learn a little more about the neighbor we see throughout the year. 

Conversations allow us to learn and understand. Understanding fosters concern, and a sense of concern reinforces the fibers of community.  And community seasons life and can help lighten the strain of daily living. 

So my weekend was special, because my sense of community was refreshed and revitalized, and that doesn't happen every weekend.

-- Thank you for reading. Your comments are always welcome. You may share your thoughts here, or email me at kbotterman@gmail.com.

A few mid-June notes and observations

Notes and Observations on a mid-June morning

• I follow Major League Baseball, but not too closely at this time in the season. I usually pay more attention after the All-Star break in July, and then my attention stays high through the World Series. I follow the league standings throughout the season, and I am happy to see my two favorite team are doing well. My Minnesota Twins stand in first place in the American League Central division. The Twins, 44-22, hold a solid lead over the second-place Cleveland Indians, 34-33. That's good news to me.

And my Chicago Cubs are a half game out of first place, behind the Milwaukee Brewers, 39-29, in the National League Central. The Cubs, 38-29, recently slipped out of first place, but hold a four-game lead over the the St. Louis Cardinals, 33-33. It's a long season and much could happen, good and bad. But for now, I'm having fun as my two teams are riding high in the standings.

• A wet spring continues to impact agriculture in Illinois, according to the Illinois Farm Bureau. Only 45% of the state's corn is planted as of June 10, and only 21% of soybean farmers planted seed. And insurance carriers are seeing a record level of prevented plant claims, according to a Country Financial representative.

The Farm Bureau recently shared some details. Illinois recorded a statewide average of 8.43 inches of precipitation in May, making it the third wettest May on record. Parts of west central Illinois recorded up to 12.5 inches of precipitation in May. 

Fortunately, it's not all bad news for Illinois. Farmers in Coles County this week reported nearly all corn and soybean planting completed, and Macon County farmers reported corn planting is 80% complete and soybean planting is 60% complete. Several other counties posted similar reports.

• The Farm Bureau's weekly report included an interesting item about Illinois farmers who are using vending machines to on their farms to sell items such as milk direct to consumers. I look forward to following the practice to see if it produces positive results for the farmers. I hope it does.

• The news media frequently reports on the status of the Millennials (those ages 23 to 38), including their spending habits, their interests and their fears. I find some of the information interesting. But there are times when some of these reports seem tedious and leave me feeling a bit sorry for Millennials. Several "news" outlets shared a report earlier this week about a hot item on Twitter that compelled a number of Millennials to tell us they are "scared" of doorbells and ask friends not to use the device when announcing their arrival. Instead, Millennials prefer visitors to send a text stating "here." Several Millennials commenting on Twitter stated texting is their preferred form of communicating, and it reduces the chances they'll be victimized by the anxiety-inducing doorbell.

The reports sparked another round of Millennial bashing, which I admit was hard to resist in this case. I know several Millennials, even work with a few. I avoid speaking of them in generalizations as much as I avoid speaking that way about other groups. Do on to others as you would want them to do to you, I figure. Of course, it would help if others kept some of their anxieties and fears to themselves.

-- Thank you for reading. Feedback and comments are always welcome. Share them here or email kbotterman@gmail.com. Give thanks each day.