10 Amazing Overlooked Treasures from the 1980s

      We explore ten remarkable overlooked films from the 1980s... How many have you watched?

      The 1980s represented a diverse era in cinema. Blockbusters and franchises began to make significant waves. The rise of home video also provided films with opportunities to thrive outside of theaters. While cinema fandom has always existed in specific circles, the concept of cult cinema truly flourished in the 80s—thanks in large part to the secondary life offered by VHS. This trend has continued ever since.

      Amongst the many fascinating successes, excessive failures, and eccentricities of the decade were numerous films that have been somewhat unjustly forgotten over time. Here are ten hidden treasures from the 80s…

      Body Double

      It wasn't as celebrated as Carrie or Blow Out. Critics dismissed it compared to the more favorably received Dressed to Kill and it certainly didn’t garner the same broad appeal as The Untouchables or Scarface.

      Brian De Palma has directed many outstanding films and has often ventured into Hitchcockian-style thrillers. Body Double seems to be a polarizing, love-it-or-hate-it De Palma film that came during a period of his most notable works. Essentially, BDP amplified his already intense style and disregard for restraint to create a wild, twisting, and (if you embrace it) brilliant thriller. The film holds elements that nearly spoof the Hitchcockian sub-genre, which was a popular trend in Hollywood at the time. Craig Wasson plays a disturbingly awkward protagonist entangled in a murder conspiracy, while Melanie Griffith gives a stellar performance. The film is visually stunning, serving as a technical showcase like most of De Palma’s prime works, and I believe it's underappreciated within his filmography.

      If you enjoy a Hitchcockian narrative, be sure to check out the campaign for Flickering Myth’s upcoming film project Death Among The Pines, which offers opportunities for special thanks credits and producer roles among other perks.

      The Wraith

      Do you enjoy films like The Crow, High Plains Drifter, Pale Rider, The Stranger, and Dolph Lundgren’s Missionary Man? The Wraith features a stranger arriving in town to take down a gang of ruthless killers, who turns out to be a previous victim risen from the dead. If that premise appeals to you, then The Wraith is a must-see, complete with a quintessential Sci-fi super vehicle—a flashy black Dodge Charger that the hero (played by Charlie Sheen) speeds around in. Sheen battles a gang of punks led by Nick Cassavetes. Though it’s a ridiculous movie, it's also incredibly fun.

      Since the vengeful spirit comes with a sleek, futuristic sports car, it's no surprise that much of the action consists of car chases. There are some excellently crafted set pieces, full of practical effects and fantastic stunts. Ah, the nostalgia of in-camera action. Sheen's performance is surprisingly flat, even for his enigmatic character, but Cassavetes and Randy Quaid bring an enjoyable energy, making it all a wonderfully silly experience.

      The Man With Two Brains

      Despite a dream team consisting of Carl Reiner (director, writer), Steve Martin (star, writer), and Kathleen Turner, this screwball comedy with a morbid twist never quite receives the recognition it merits. Martin plays a brilliant brain surgeon who marries a gold-digger (Turner) and subsequently falls in love with a brain preserved in a jar that can communicate with him telepathically.

      This film is a lighthearted homage to silly (and low-quality) B-movies, along with the comedic style of people like Jerry Lewis, offering Martin a fantastic platform to showcase his talents. The Man With Two Brains is engaging, continuously amusing, and often quite charming.

      Nighthawks

      Two undercover cops in New York, known for pushing boundaries and questioning authority, are recruited to a task force intended to thwart an international terrorist from wreaking havoc in the city. Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams star as long-time partners tasked with stopping Rutger Hauer. While their characters inevitably succeed, neither Williams nor Stallone can compete with Hauer’s captivating and effortlessly brilliant performance.

      Nighthawks, released after Rocky but before First Blood, is a largely forgotten yet significantly underrated thriller in Stallone’s filmography. Although it may not hold the same iconic status as Rocky or Rambo, or be as notoriously bad as Rhinestone, or as cult-favorite as Demolition Man, it stands solid as an action thriller. The film’s style feels somewhat outdated, more aligned with the previous decade than the one that followed, yet it still effectively builds tension in the high-stakes pursuit of Wolfgang (Hauer).

      Roadgames

      This exceptional Australian thriller features Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis and aligns perfectly with fans of films like The Hitcher, Breakdown, Joy Ride, and Duel. Keach portrays a truck driver who suspects that a green car he has seen belongs to a serial killer