Shat the Movies

The Best 80s & 90s Movie Podcast

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1980s Best Movies

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La Bamba (1987)

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips) becomes an overnight rock ‘n’ roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called “Donna” that he wrote for his girlfriend (Danielle von Zerneck) whose parents didn’t want her to date a Latino boy. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob (Esai Morales), and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly (Marshall Crenshaw).

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Krush Groove (1985)

Russell Walker (Blair Underwood) has started a new hip-hop and rap label called Krush Groove, which features a stellar list of acts that includes Kurtis Blow and Run-D.M.C. However, Walker doesn’t have sufficient money to keep up the label, especially after Run-D.M.C. scores a big single. As he struggles to fund the label, more and more rap groups, like the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J, emerge in the New York City hip-hop scene. The film is based on the beginning of Def Jam Records.

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Who’s Harry Crumb? (1989)

Harry Crumb (John Candy) descends from a long line of sleuths, but the well-intentioned private detective tends to turn the simplest case into a disaster. That’s why Harry’s maniacal boss, Eliot Draisen (Jeffrey Jones), selects him to investigate the kidnapping of a rich heiress; Draisen himself is behind the crime and he’s hoping that Harry will perform as dismally as he usually does. But, with more than a few tricks up his sleeve, Harry may end up cracking the conspiracy despite himself.

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The King of Comedy (1983)

Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) is a failure in life but a celebrity in his own mind, hosting an imaginary talk show in his mother’s basement. When he meets actual talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis), he’s convinced it will provide his big break, but Langford isn’t interested in the would-be comedian. Undaunted, Pupkin effectively stalks Langford — and when that doesn’t work, he kidnaps him, offering his release in exchange for a guest spot on Langford’s show.

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Hardbodies (1984)

In this sun-soaked comedy, three middle-aged men rent a beach house to relive their youth and enlist the help of a charming beach bum, Scotty Palmer (Grant Cramer), to teach them how to pick up women. As Scotty shows them the ropes of the “hardbodies” lifestyle, hilarity ensues as the men navigate awkward romantic entanglements and party antics. Hardbodies is a lighthearted, fun romp that embraces the carefree spirit of the ‘80s with plenty of laughs and beachside shenanigans.

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Let It Ride (1989)

Down-on-his-luck cab driver Jay Trotter (Richard Dreyfuss) stumbles upon a hot tip at the racetrack and decides to bet big, kicking off an extraordinary winning streak. As Jay rides the highs of his newfound luck, he encounters eccentric gamblers and an ever-growing fortune, but must decide how far to push his luck before it all comes crashing down. With humor, heart, and a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions, Let It Ride captures the wild unpredictability of gambling and the pursuit of a dream come true.

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Do The Right Thing (1989)

Salvatore “Sal” Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria’s Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin’ Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin’ Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.

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Perfect (1985)

When investigative journalist Adam Lawrence (John Travolta) is assigned to write an exposé on Los Angeles’ fitness scene, he meets aerobics instructor Jessie Wilson (Jamie Lee Curtis), whose charisma and intensity complicate his story. As Adam navigates the glitzy world of health clubs, romance sparks between him and Jessie, but their personal and professional lives soon clash in a struggle for truth and trust. Perfect offers a blend of drama, romance, and 1980s fitness culture, wrapped in a story about ambition, love, and journalistic integrity.