AFI Celebrates the 80s

AFI has been celebrating the films of the 1980s this summer. Coach let us know about Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains, which helped to inform the riot grrrls movement. I myself have finally gotten a chance to take a look at the listing of films remaining, and there are some serious gems on the list. Films good enough to get me to leave the District and zip up to Silver Spring for a climate-controlled few hours of cinematic enjoyment. I've listed my pics here for your consideration.

The Dark Crystal
When I was 9, I saw this film with a friend at the theater, and it frightened the crap out of me. I had nightmares for weeks about the pod people getting kidnapped by those giant hermit crabs during their big party. Scary stuff. I had to go see it again with my mom so she could understand the power this film held over me. I think part of my identification with it was the whole "being the only one" concept. Jen thinks he's the only gelfling left in the world, until he met another and together they discover their shared destiny. Pretty cool concept for a 9 y/o gay boy to wrap his head around. I'm hitting up the matanee, Saturday July 26 at 1 PM. Other shows Friday, July 25 - Thursday July 31. Check the site for times.

Labyrinth
I've never been a huge fan of this movie, but maybe I just need to see it again. Zack has already told us of the nightmares he's had inspired by this movie and/or David Bowie's crotch. Also shows at selected times Friday, July 25 - Thursday, July 31. Check the site for times.

Can't Buy Me Love
I saw this at the theater when I was a kid, mostly because I was a huge Beatles fan. Who knew Patrick Dempsey would grow up to be Dr. Dreamy. He was just a scrawny nerd back in 1987. Another great outsider-gets-in-then-loses-it movie, perfect for young queers in the 80s to watch in lieu of more accessible queer cinema. Shows August 2 and 6.

Poltergeist
What can I say about this one. I'm sure on the big screen it'll be scarier than every. Quite possibly the movie that initiated my fear of clowns. Shows August 9, 10 & 14.

Videodrome
I don't remember much about this 1983 David Cronenberg SciFi thriller. What I do know is that it features Debbie Harry when she was back in her prime and that's reason enough to go check it out. Shows August 15 & 16.

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
A movie about a boy and his undying love for his bicycle. What's not to love about this movie? I'm not sure if watching this on the "big screen" would be much different than watching at home, but it could be a fun night out. I'd love to watch it again and look for the signs that it was directed by creepy Tim Burton. Shows August 22, 23 and 28.

Adventures in Babysitting
Another 1980s classic. I saw this film in the theater with a girl, on a date. Go figure. I actually ended up having a crush on her for a few years. Go figure further. She thought the red-headed neighbor/friend kid was really cute. I told her I though he looked like he had bad breath. Secretly, I fancied the other "horny teenaged boy." Great, quotable movie. "Don't fuck with the lords of hell!" "Don't fuck with the babysitter!" Shows August 24, 26 & 27.

Aliens
This is such a great movie. I never saw it on the big screen when I was a kid (too young) but watched the VHS tape over and over. Perhaps it was the scene where hottie Michael Biehn wakes up shirtless from chiro-sleep. (Secretly I had a small crush on Paul Reiser in this movie, too, even though his character was a smarmy ass-kisser.) Or maybe it was Sigourney's bad-assery. Or maybe the non-stop, chair-gripping, toe-curling action and suspense scenes. Who cares. Go see this one on the big screen! Shows selected times from August 29 to September 4.

These shows and more at the AFI Silver, 8633 Colesville Rd, in downtown Silver Spring.