California

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.

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.

Matilda (1996)

This film adaptation of a Roald Dahl work tells the story of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), a gifted girl forced to put up with a crude, distant father (Danny DeVito) and mother (Rhea Perlman). Worse, Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), the evil principal at Matilda’s school, is a terrifyingly strict bully. However, when Matilda realizes she has the power of telekinesis, she begins to defend her friends from Trunchbull’s wrath and fight back against her unkind parents.

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.

Gattaca (1997)

Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) has always fantasized about traveling into outer space, but is grounded by his status as a genetically inferior “in-valid.” He decides to fight his fate by purchasing the genes of Jerome Morrow (Jude Law), a laboratory-engineered “valid.” He assumes Jerome’s DNA identity and joins the Gattaca space program, where he falls in love with Irene (Uma Thurman). An investigation into the death of a Gattaca officer (Gore Vidal) complicates Vincent’s plans.

Short Circuit (1986)

When a military robot named Number 5 (voiced by Tim Blaney) is struck by lightning, it gains human-like consciousness and escapes from its creators, believing itself to be alive. On the run, Number 5 befriends kind-hearted animal lover Stephanie Speck (Ally Sheedy), while its inventor, Newton Crosby (Steve Guttenberg), races to find the robot before the military does. Short Circuit is a heartwarming and humorous adventure that explores the nature of life and humanity, with a lovable robot at its core.

Death Becomes Her (1992)

When a novelist loses her man to a movie star and former friend, she winds up in a psychiatric hospital. Years later, she returns home to confront the now-married couple, looking radiant. Her ex-husband’s new wife wants to know her secret, and discovers that she has been taking a mysterious drug which grants eternal life to the person who drinks it. The actress follows suit, but discovers that immortality has a price.

Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)

Peggy Sue Bodell (Kathleen Turner) attends her 25-year high school reunion after separating from her cheating husband, Charlie (Nicolas Cage). She regrets the decisions she has made in her life, such as getting pregnant by Charlie in high school. When she faints at the reunion, she awakens in 1960. Given the chance to relive her life, she changes many things. However, some choices are more complicated, as she begins to see young Charlie’s charm and true feelings.