So you’ve watched everything new on Netflix?
Time to rock it old school with these classics you haven’t seen in like forever, dude. It’s hard to believe most of these films are over 30 years old! All of them have “aged well” and are perfect for your next binge weekend.
1. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
This is the third installment of the Indiana Jones franchise and pairs wisecracking Harrison Ford with his father, played by the legendary Sean Connery. It’s non-stop action (and laughs) as the two try to search for the Holy Grail, battling evil Nazi’s and sexy femme fatales along the way.
This was one of Steven Spielberg’s top rated audience favourites (according to Rotten Tomatoes) due in large part to the chemistry and father-son banter that steals the show.
- IMDb: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 94% Audience Score
2. A Cry in the Dark (1988)
Before DNA evidence and CSI were a thing, there was the disappearance (and possible murder) of a baby from a campground in the Australian outback, and the accusations levied against her mother (played by the brilliant Meryl Streep).
The story moves beyond the typical biopic by the chameleon-like performance of Streep, in a role that would forever cement her at the top of every “best actress” list. It’s interesting to watch this film with our modern understanding of forensics, the role of the media in slanting the public against an unpopular defendant, and the tragedy of a case with a messy ending. Watch as “the dingo ate my baby” makes its way into popular culture forever.
- IMDb: 6.9 /10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 93% Audience Score
3. Deliverance (1972)
You know the scenes of the famous banjo duet in the backcountry, deep in the wilderness of Georgia. You may not have seen the actual movie itself as it disappeared out of late night reruns over the years.
The adrenaline rush of this escape-thriller is still fresh after 40 years. A group of friends (lead by Burt Reynolds in his star-making role) head into the woods for a canoe trip and getaway from their wives and families. The adventure turns sour after they experience disaster and have to evade the creepy, slightly-inbred locals and reach civilization.
- IMDb: 7.7 /10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 89% Critic Score
4. Dirty Harry (1971)
It’s quintessential Clint Eastwood as cop and tough guy Harry Callahan. “Dirty Harry” blazed the trail for all the gritty police dramas in the 70’s, like Serpico and The French Connection.
Eastwood is a do-it-his-own-way, hardened cop chasing the “punks” around town in the search for a psychotic killer. When Harry’s “dirty” techniques backfire and the killer is released, the search is back on across the streets of San Francisco.
- IMDb: 6.6 /10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 89% Critic Score
5. The Bodyguard (1992)
The soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission for this 90’s gem. A serious, world-weary protective agent (Kevin Costner) reluctantly agrees to protect the larger than life, spoiled music diva Rachel Marin (Whitney Houston). She makes his job difficult, until it’s clear that she and her young son are in serious danger from a deranged killer.
The romance that develops between them mirrors our own growing affection for her. Watching it now, it’s hard not to feel nostalgic for this Whitney … the beautiful, sweet, immensely-talented lady, who had so much promise in this film.
- IMDb: 6.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 64% Audience Score
6. The Remains of the Day (1993)
This poignant masterpiece stars oscar-winners Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs) and Emma Thompson (Howards End) as faithful servants to a wealthy Lord in pre-WW2 England. Their role is to be invisible, restrained and with complete deference to the frequent political guests in the manor.
Hopkins blind obedience to his employer is only matched by his blindness to his feelings for the warm, outgoing head maid (Thompson), both to be realized too late. It’s beautifully filmed and acted, a typically lush Merchant-Ivory production that makes this film a must-see.
- IMDb: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes 95% Critic Score
7. A Star is Born (1976)
If you’ve seen the 2018 remake of A Star is Born with Lady Gaga. you’ll love the blockbuster 70’s version with music legend, Barbra Streisand. Her show stopping performances of “Watch Closely Now” and “Evergreen” (one of her biggest hits) will remind you why she dominated the music industry in the 70’s and 80’s.
Kris Kristofferson holds his own as the hard drinking country star, whose career is fading just as hers is taking off. It’s an old school love story with a poignant ending and great tunes along the way.
- IMDb: 6.1 /10
- Rotten Tomatoes 63% Audience Score
9. Coming to America (1988)
There’s been a lot of buzz around this movie as “Coming to America 2” debuted earlier this spring. The OG version still holds up, thanks to the comic genius of Eddie Murphy as “Prince Hakeem” and costar Arsenio Hall as his faithful servant Semmi.
This fish-out-of-water tale has Murphy as a Prince trying to escape an arranged marriage by going undercover in New York City. He works at a fast food restaurant, and has hilarious adventures with a cast of characters (many of whom are also played by Murphy). This was Eddie at his best in the 80’s, and a great movie to watch as a warm up to the 2021 instalment in the franchise.
- IMDb: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Audience Review
10. Silverado (1985)
The cast says it all: Kevin Kline, Kevin Costner, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover, Brian Dennehy, Rosanna Arquette and John Cleese! The plot is a typical one for westerns, with a band of misfits helping a town in the grip of a greedy rancher and a corrupt sheriff. It’s a funny, sweet western that doesn’t demand too much of the audience and provides a few good laughs along the way.
- IMDb: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 80% Audience Score
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