1981

Thief (1981)

  This week on “Shat the Movies,” we’re diving into Thief (1981), Michael Mann’s gritty, neon-lit crime drama starring James Caan. Join us as we explore the world of Frank, a professional thief with a plan, as he navigates loyalty, betrayal, and the high cost of trust. We’ll discuss the...

Outland (1981)

  This week, Rob Will Taylor fills in for Dick Ebert to join Gene Lyons in breaking down the 1981 sci-fi thriller Outland, starring Sean Connery. Often described as “High Noon in space,” this overlooked gem takes us to Jupiter’s moon Io, where a hard-nosed marshal uncovers corruption, drug smuggling,...

Halloween II (1981)

Halloween II (1981) picks up immediately where the original film left off, continuing the terrifying story of Michael Myers as he relentlessly pursues Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), now taken to a local hospital for her injuries. As Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) frantically searches for the escaped killer, Michael stalks the dark corridors of the hospital, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. The sequel deepens the lore by revealing a shocking family connection between Laurie and Michael, making his rampage even more chilling and personal.

The History of The World, Part I (1981)

Human history is traced through a series of vignettes, beginning with cavemen awestruck by their own magnificence. Then Moses (Mel Brooks) receives the tablets containing the “15” commandments, and Emperor Nero (Dom DeLuise) presides over a madcap Rome with his wife, Nympho (Madeline Kahn). Jumping ahead, the Spanish Inquisition softens repression with song and dance, and a few centuries later Madame Defarge (Cloris Leachman) is fomenting revolution in France.

Stripes (1981)

Hard-luck cabbie John Winger (Bill Murray) — directionless after being fired from his job and dumped by his girlfriend — enlists in the U.S. Army with his close pal, Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis). After his barely satisfactory performance in basic training, the irreverent Winger emerges as the figurehead for a ragtag band of Army misfits. However, his hijinks threaten to cause an international scandal when he inadvertently commandeers a military assault vehicle behind enemy lines.

Caveman (1981)

Atouk (Ringo Starr) is the leader of a small band of misfit cavemen who are part of a larger community headed by strongman Tonda (John Matuszak). Atouk is madly in love with Tonda’s woman, Lana (Barbara Bach). He even ignores the advances of the lovely Tala (Shelley Long) and sets his mind to finding some way of wooing Lana. During Atouk’s quest for romance, he and his cohorts fend off dinosaurs, indulge in hallucinogens and invent cooking, music and medicine.

Arthur (1981)

Wealthy New York City playboy Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore) is perpetually drunk and completely rudderless. Dutifully supported by his sharp-tongued and quick-witted butler, Hobson (John Gielgud), Arthur reluctantly prepares to enter into an arranged marriage with heiress Susan Johnson (Jill Eikenberry). When he meets Linda Marolla (Liza Minnelli), a waitress from Queens, he falls head over heels in love, but if he backs out of his engagement with Susan, he may lose his fortune.

Taps (1981)

Bunker Hill Military Academy has been targeted by real estate developers for demolition. The students, outraged at the thought of their school being turned into condominiums, vow to fight back. Led by Cadet Maj. Brian Moreland (Timothy Hutton), they stage a school-wide rebellion that ends with them in charge of the campus. After winning over the headmaster (George C. Scott), Brian and his fellow cadets, Alex (Sean Penn) and David (Tom Cruise) face their toughest battle yet with the Army.