Well after a bit of planning and piece collecting I feel my self designed Indiana Jones Lego diorama is now finished. I know its not spot on, but who cares. It was fun to just randomly throw pieces together while watching random 80’s flicks and not giving a care. I know I am a older guy, but as my wife says I’m still a kid at heart. I roughly did up scenes from Raiders, Temple of Doom, and The Last Crusade. I have the idol scene from Raiders. There is the Temple of Doom stones scene (*even though the stones ended up being jewels in my set). Then there is the Last Crusade scenes with the walk towards the Holy Grail room. I told the wifey I actually had more fun with this randomness than I do putting together a pre-designed set.
Diamond’s n’ Dust is the “re”watching selection for this afternoon. Growing up I remember watching every episode of this series. I know sometimes it seems campy, but back in the day this was golden… and still is. To this day I still love Murdoch the most and the way he would antagonize B.A. and the others. This episode was the first one in season two of the series and aired on 9/20/1983. Yes there are other episodes that outshine this one, but it was a little bit of a step up in the filming and story ark from season one as they progressed to develop the series while still holding to some of the common series cores.
In this episode I love how they get B.A. on the airline flight as a medical patient on a gurney. The scene where the build up a armored coal cart reminds me of the scene from the first Ironman movie when Tony builds his first suit to escape in. This is also one of those few episodes where the infamous A-Team black and red van is not in the picture… kind of hard to take it down under with you.
The synopsis of this episode is… Retired Australia soldier Griffin, who devoted his old age to setting up a diamond mine in a crackpot Southern African state, was murdered before it became profitable. His daughter Toby hires the A-team to get it running and warns they’ll be attacked too by local tycoon Jonathan Fletcher’s henchmen and just about everybody has been bought by Fletcher, resulting in an effective embargo. Face and Murdock masquerade as officials to scam supplies. They are all terribly exposed carrying a cargo of explosives to the mine, even after overpowering a pair of goons
Sometimes just sitting back and enjoying a 80’s flick and piddling around with legos gives a old man like me joy. I’m no Lego master by far and I dont go all out for expensive sets. Heck I look to save money where I can on them even if it means off brand or skipping a purchase all together if need. But while watching Raiders of the Lost Ark I decided what the heck, why not. So I start building myself an Indiana Jones diorama. It’s a start to it but so far I feel it its turning out ok. On the back side there are chambers for scenes from Raiders, Temple of Doom, and The Last Crusade. A lot more more to do to it though, but that’s for another night.
One of my newest off brand Lego sets. Sometimes being frugal pays of more than going for name brand when you just looking to have fun and experience some nostalgia.
Who would have thought that Rocky would eventually spawn seven sequels? And who could have ever guessed that one of those sequels would give the character Paulie a robot butler? Yes, Rocky IV turned the pitiful and sometimes awful character of Paulie into an outright cartoon. That was expanded upon by giving him a bizarre robot companion named Sico as a birthday gift. Paulie eventually reprogrammed the robot to have a female voice. We’re gonna leave the speculation of Paulie and Sico’s relationship to you.
Johnny 5 — Short Circuit (1986) & Short Circuit 2 (1988)
Short Circuit tells the story of rogue robot Number 5 who escapes from the laboratory he’s made in and begins to learn more and more about the outside world. He eventually decides to name himself Johnny 5 and creates a personality that’s curious, playful, and all-together sweet. Johnny 5 would go on to star in a sequel that only amped up his ridiculous nature. His many catchphrases and silly demeanor cement him as one of the funniest and most charming of the ’80s movie robots.
Killbots — Chopping Mall (1986)
This probably isn’t one a lot of people would expect, but the cult classic Chopping Mall is one of the most fun movie experiences you can have. The premise is simple: a bunch of friends hang out in a mall overnight to party, but the mall has instituted new robotic security guards to patrol the place. Unfortunately, the robots have malfunctioned and now view everything as an infraction worthy of lethal force. The killbots are dryly humorous as they electrocute and explode their enemies. Don’t miss out on this one. It’s a treat.
Max — Flight of the Navigator (1986)
This Disney film is a strange one that involves time travel and alien technology, but a lot of kids remember it thanks to the goofy artificial intelligence known as Max. Although he starts out serious and unemotional, he scans the brain of lead character David and is suddenly turned into a goofball. Fun fact: the voice of Max is none other than Paul Reubens. He is most famous for portraying the character of Pee-wee Herman in Pee-wee’s Playhouse and a number of films that starred the character. Once you hear Max do that Pee-wee laugh, it gives it all away.
Dot Matrix — Spaceballs (1987)
Mel Brooks’ send-up of the Star Wars films is a beloved spoof that is chock-full of memorable gags and characters. Of course, the movie had to riff on the uppity C-3PO. And what is its version of a stuffy robot assistant? Dot Matrix, a caricature of a nagging Jewish mother who chides Princess Vespa and her companions throughout the entire film. Naturally, you have to cast Joan Rivers to perform the voice and it’s an acerbic delight. There is a lot to love about Spaceballs and Dot Matrix is definitely one of those reasons.
Step into a time machine and transport yourself back to the colorful, electrifying, and iconic era of the 1980s. The 80’s were a period of cultural explosion, marked by unforgettable music, fashion, and perhaps most notably, movies. From sci-fi epics to teen comedies, the movies of this era left an indelible mark on pop culture. From my days of just enjoying films of this era to my time working at Blockbuster Video helping others enjoy movies from this great time in cinematic history, I have to say there are memories we all have of a movie from the 80’s.
The Rise of the Blockbusters
The 80’s witnessed the birth of the blockbuster phenomenon. Movies like Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) and George Lucas’s “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) set the stage for larger-than-life, visually stunning adventures that captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. These films not only revolutionized special effects but also showcased the power of storytelling on a grand scale.
The Brat Pack and Teen Culture
The 80’s gave birth to a slew of iconic teen movies that remain beloved to this day. John Hughes became the voice of a generation with classics like “The Breakfast Club” (1985), “Sixteen Candles” (1984), and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986). These films tackled issues of identity, social cliques, and the complexities of growing up, resonating with teenagers and adults alike.
Action Heroes and Sci-Fi Wonders
Who can forget the emergence of action heroes like Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Terminator” (1984) or Bruce Willis in “Die Hard” (1988)? The 80’s saw the rise of muscle-bound, larger-than-life characters who battled evil and faced insurmountable odds, often accompanied by witty one-liners that became instant classics. Moreover, science fiction took on a new level of imagination with Ridley Scott’s dystopian masterpiece “Blade Runner” (1982) and the time-traveling adventure “Back to the Future” (1985).
Fantasy Epics and Magical Journeys
The fantasy genre reached new heights in the 80’s with films like “The NeverEnding Story” (1984), “Labyrinth” (1986), and “The Princess Bride” (1987). These films transported audiences to magical worlds filled with whimsical creatures, epic quests, and timeless tales of love and courage.
Comedy Gold
Comedy reigned supreme in the 80’s, with a wide range of hilarious films catering to various tastes. From the raucous college antics of “Animal House” (1978) to the supernatural hijinks of “Ghostbusters” (1984), the decade brought laughter to theaters in abundance.
The 1980s left an indelible mark on cinematic history, delivering a plethora of iconic movies that continue to captivate audiences decades later. These films not only entertained but also reflected the cultural zeitgeist of the era, showcasing the aspirations, fears, and dreams of a generation. The combination of innovative storytelling, groundbreaking visual effects, and unforgettable characters solidified the 80’s as a golden era of filmmaking, and its legacy continues to influence the movies we enjoy today. So, whether you’re a fan of action, comedy, fantasy, or heartwarming dramas, the 80’s undoubtedly has something timeless to offer. There are so many great titles that could be mentioned and the few noted here are just the tip of the iceberg! Everyone has enjoyed at least one moment from a 80’s movie that has made a impact on their life in someway or another.
Rob's Desk WV 
