For nostalgia's sake, here's 10 movies from the 1980's that have never been released on blu ray in the U.S..
Ken Russell's production of Bram Stoker's Lair of the White Worm was one of the most visually appealing and surreal horror movies of the eighties. However, the film never really scored with audiences and was an absolute misunderstood flop. The Lair of the White Worm deserves cult status for its non-typical approach and flair for strange visuals. Confusing at times and horridly violent at others, the movie never got its due. Let's see a blu ray release so audiences can finally appreciate the movie for what it is: true classic horror with a great back story and some extremely cool practical effects.
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| "Ok. First Carrie. Now this? I'm out." |
Hot off his role on The Greatest American Hero, this comedy/horror movie stars William Katt as Roger Cobb, a novelist who just moved into a haunted house. The hybrid tale of House was a rarity at the time and features some genuine thrills and scares alongside plenty of laughs. I haven't seen this one in a very long time but know that it would be an excellent addition to my collection. I can still remember seeing the trailers on my black and white tv in my bedroom and being totally freaked out.
8.Cocoon: The Return
Why? Well, the first movie was put out years ago. So why not? Some of us like to be obsessive completists that would like the (often times) substandard sequel to watch in line with the original series entry. Obsessive compulsive, you say? Yes. Give me the below par Cocoon sequel and I won't force you to watch Jaws 3D again. Deal? Alright.
Cocoon: The Return suffered when director Ron Howard didn't return for the second movie yet most of the geriatric cast was back for another round with the aliens. Cocoon: The Return stars a cast that's mostly gone now. Don Ameche, Maureen Stapleton, Jessica Tandy, and Wilford Brimley all star alongside eighties mainstay Steve Guttenberg.
7. Rumble Fish
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| "Dude. I can't wait to get some plastic surgery!" |
Rumble Fish has been released in the format in other countries, but U.S. audiences have never had this one made readily available to them.
6. Eddie and the Cruisers
Eddie and the Cruisers is a guilty pleasure for tons of movie and music fans. Despite its terrible lip syncing and unbelievable live performances, this is one of the best rock and roll films ever released. Its mysterious tale of Eddie Wilson's (faked) death is an eerie one that still holds up today.
When you mix one part Elvis with one part Jim Morrison, you end up with Eddie Wilson, a singer that sounds a lot like Bruce Springsteen. Michael Pare, Ellen Barkin, and a youthful Tom Berenger star. Eddie and the Cruisers deserves a special edition with full soundtrack and all the goodies that a movie like this can offer.
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| "Like my costume?" |
The rebellious tale of Billie Jean (Helen Slater) and her brother Binx (Christian Slater) is about as astoundingly melodramatic and overtly cheesy as you can get. Binx's scooter gets trashed by the local bullies and Billie Jean doesn't take kindly to sexual advances from store owner Pyatt who refuses to pay for repairing the damage to the motorized bike. Suddenly all hell breaks lose and Billie Jean is on a self proclaimed feminist mission because you know...."fair is fair!". When she cuts her hair short, you know things are gonna get ugly.
It's a movie that I probably watched a hundred times when I was a kid. To see it again would be nostalgic and fun. There is a definite audience for this release. Personally, I'd love to get my hands on this movie....so I can sing along to Pat Benatar's Invincible. An added plus would be seeing the youthful Christian Slater before fame chewed him up and spit him out.
4.Real Genius
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| "I love toxic roles." |
3.Tranformers: The Movie
You're not a Transformers fan if you don't want to see this movie in a shiny new re-release. It got a DVD release a few years ago but over and over I hear rabid fans demanding that the Transformers animated movie be remastered and put out for our high definition consumption. This is considered cannon for the franchise and is the best Transformers related movie out there. Never forget: You've got the touch. You've got the power. Now, give us what we want.
2.The Outsiders
What child of the eighties doesn't remember watching The Outsiders over and over again on cable tv? If you couldn't catch this on HBO at any given time, something was amiss and the world was probably ending.
While The Outsiders is available in foreign markets in several formats, we've never had a proper U.S. release. As far as I'm concerned, this is a modern classic that kids today could definitely relate to. Its story of friendship and brotherhood is absolutely timeless. Stay gold.
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| "Respect the 'stache!" |
It's almost unfathomable that The Abyss is still not released on blu ray. To this day, the effects and story both hold up as if it were made in the era of CGI that was directly inspired by the technology used on this film. Give me a choice between The Abyss and Avatar and I'll pick the 1989 movie every single time. The movie was made pre-Terminator 2 when Cameron was absolutely focused on creating a unique world that we had not experienced before.
The visual style was new and the effects were mind blowing for the era. The Abyss still holds up as great science fiction with a who's who cast of top tier eighties stars. Give us what we want: a pissed off Michael Biehn and a younger Ed Harris in a career defining role.
(edit) Since this post, The Legend of Billie Jean has received a domestic U.S. blu-ray release.