Since APs are over, my history class is studying pop culture. Every day, we answer a journal question about our favorite songs, films, actors or actresses. Friday’s  journal was, “What are the best movie lines?” Students said lines from “Star Wars” or “Mean Girls” (“you go Glen Coco!”), but I thought of something different almost immediately: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.” These wise words come from one of the most iconic, best movie characters of all time: Ferris Bueller from the 80’s film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” like many of its 1980’s counterparts, portrays diverse topics in a fun, funky and innovative light. Eighties movies’ charm lies in their ability to resonate with and show youthful audiences how to have a good time. Unlike some current movies that contain violent, racist or inappropriate elements, 80’s movies are almost always appealing, enchanting, quirky and all-around entertaining.
For those unfamiliar with 80’s movies, do not fear. Read this guide to the best four 80’s films, stick them on your Netflix queue and get ready to holler. Lights, camera, action!
1) In “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” a high schooler named Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) pretends to be sick in order to ditch school and go on adventures with his girlfriend Sloane and best friend Cameron. The trio gets into wacky adventures, including participating in a parade, getting their car hijacked and fighting off a rude maitre’d. This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. It contains everything from creepy teachers to red Mustangs to American sausage kings. The characters are wacky, the scenes are genius and there are plenty of quote-worthy moments (cue line, “My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night” or the ultra-famous deadpan: “Bueller? Bueller?”).
2) Seeing our parents dance or act embarrassing in public is bad enough, but imagine going to high school with them! In “Back to the Future,” teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) uses his friend Doc Brown’s time machine, travels back to 1955 and meets his parents — as teenagers! After unconsciously messing with history (and his possible existence), Marty must concoct a plan to make his parents fall in love and to get him home in time. Along the way, he must also stop his mother-turned-teenager from falling in love with him (cue gasp) and battle Biff, his father’s overpowering, idiotic classmate-turned-boss. This science fiction/adventure/thriller is exciting, endearing and unique. With an awesome soundtrack, this movie is not to be missed. Check out the sequels, too.
3) What do geeks, jocks, braniacs, burnouts and criminals have in common? “The Breakfast Club” has all the answers. A group of five high schoolers cannot relate to one another when they first arrive for detention one Saturday morning, but by the time they leave, they have discovered new things about themselves and their group. Filled with hallway antics, high school drama, letter writing, sandwich eating and breakout dance numbers, this film has it all. John Hughes directs this hilarious movie about growing up and discovering who we really are.
4) When Josh Baskin (Tom Hanks) wishes to be older at a wish machine in the movie “Big,” he wakes up the next day as an adult. Although Baskin eats ice cream, hangs out with his best friend, snags a job in the toy industry and gets a girlfriend, he still struggles to balance his new life with the one that he left behind. This flick is downright fun (dancing on a piano at FAO Schwartz, anyone?) and reminds us that no matter how old we are, we are all still kids at heart.