Tampabay.com
SEPTEMBER 09, 2006

These movies are all foam and backwash: Worst 80 movies of the 80s (Nos. 51-60)

Harryson A couple of obscure but dreaded films grace today's installment of the Worst 80 movies of the 80s. Consider yourself lucky if you weren't forced to watch "Harry & Son" as your sole source of entertainment on a bumpy transatlantic flight two decades ago.

Today's losers: The people at the airlines who choose in-flight movies. (My mental scars run deep.) Also, Hollywood's older stars, who litter today's list like crushed, empty cans of Schlitz in a Delta Airlines lavatory.

(Click to see movies 61-70 and 71-80.)

60. Masters of the Universe (1987): Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella. Tagline: "Only the universe could hold adventure this big!" One critic said: "Little kids at play have come up with craftier plots, better characterization and conceivably more spectacular effects -- provided their mothers let them play with matches."

59. Harry & Son (1984): Paul Newman, Paul Newman. Tagline: "They're two men with nothing in common. They're father and son." One critic said: "This movie looks like the aftermath of an explosion in the story department."

58. Blue City (1986): Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy. Tagline: "It's below Miami and above the law." One critic said: "This movie set out to leave a dead 90 minutes in my memory, and it succeeded. "

Homereddie 57. Homer and Eddie (1989): James Belushi, Whoopi Goldberg. Tagline: "She's ruthless - He's witless." And ... "From the director of Tango And Cash." One critic said: "Probably more unpleasant couplings are imaginable, but none springs immediately to mind."

56. Inchon (1981): Laurence Olivier, Jacqueline Bisset. Tagline: "War Changes Everything." One critic said: "A misfire of epic proportions, one of those cinematic rarities where absolutely EVERYTHING is bad."

55. Wicked Stepmother (1989): Bette Davis, Barbara Carrera. Tagline: "Which witch is which?" One critic said: "So catastrophically bad that it would be foolish to imply that something serious is going on underneath its campy surface."

54. Megaforce (1982): Barry Bostwick, Michael Beck. Tagline: "There has never been a superhero like ACE HUNTER!" One critic said: "Turn off every logic circuit in your brain and just watch this for the sheer spectacle ... Mind you, a shiny rock can occupy me for hours."

Beef 53. Take This Job and Shove It (1981): Robert Hays, Art Carney. Tagline: None found. One critic said: "Witless film that doesn't live up to its title about tensions between labor and management."

52. Like Father, Like Son (1987): Dudley Moore, Kirk Cameron. Tagline: "Chris and his dad have accidentally changed bodies - but no big deal." One critic said: "This plays less like a movie than like a penalty for the losers on a game show."

Yahoo 51. Young Einstein (1988): Yahoo Serious, Odile Le Clezio. Tagline: "In 1905 he discovered relativity... In 1906 he invented rock and roll." One critic said: "It's an ugly question but someone's gotta ask: Did Crocodile Dundee and Pee-wee Herman have a child? If not, then who's this Yahoo Serious kid with the Aussie accent?"

Sneak preview of tomorrow's list: More Swazye and Travolta and a very early look at Adam Sandler.

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

About the blogger

Relive the '80s music, movies and culture with Tampa Bay Times entertainment news editor Steve Spears. A teen during the greatest decade ever, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.

E-mail Steve Spears:
stuckinthe80s@tampabay.com
Visit the Stuck in the 80s Facebook page
Follow Steve on Facebook
Get '80s updates via Twitter

Advertisement

Follow us on Facebook

TampaBay.com on Facebook

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.