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Being a teenager in the 80’s had many perks. Rap, video games, New Wave, break dancing, boom boxes, MTV, cassette tapes… the list could take up an entire post but one of the best perks of being a teen in the 80’s was John Hughes films.

I heard about the news of John Hughes death yesterday via twitter. I quickly put this up:

RIP John Hughes. It’s hard to count the chapters he contributed to the Big Pop Culture Book of our lives. http://bit.ly/15Iwqf   — @suzannehih

In honor of John Hughes here are 5 of my favorite films that made being a teen in the 80’s so cool.

1. The Breakfast Club

This Hughes film probably packs the biggest pop cultural impact punch. While searching for a homage or parody video of the movie The Breakfast Club  I came across a dance club named after the film. Inspired by retro coolness this party place in New Jersey is called The Breakfast Club. Sounds like a blast to me.

Check it out if you’re in the area and let me know how it is. Click here to visit their fun website.

2. Weird Science

Oingo Boingo was a favorite band of mine back in the 80’s. When my friends and I found out they did the theme song to the movie Weird Science we were even more excited to rush into the theater.

3. Sixteen Candles

“The Brat Pack gets bunnied. The 1984 coming of age film, Sixteen Candles, starring Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling John Cusack, and Anthony Michael Hall, gets the bunny treatment. Three words: Long Duk Dong.”
— Minisode Network

4. Ferris Beuller’s Day Off

Just like most of the films above, this isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned Ferris Beuller’s Day Off. I don’t think I go a week without seeing a reference or quote from this film on some form of social media. How many times have you seen a Facebook update ending with “Bueller? …Bueller? …Bueller?” or “Anyone? Anyone?”

The Ferris Beuller’s Day Off soundtrack had a great mix of music. One song, Oh Yeah, by the Swiss electronica duo Yello was also used in commercials, TV shows and other films. They’re coming out with a new album in October 2009.

Visit Yello’s official site by clicking here. Oh Yeah!

5. Pretty in Pink

John Hughes had a way of taking the worst part of our teenage drama and making it interesting on screen. Pretty in Pink is considered another “Brat Pack” movie. This one was less about getting into teenage trouble and more about teenage love.

He’s crazy about her, she’s crazy about him, and he’s just crazy . —tagline from Pretty in Pink

Pretty in Pink was written by John Hughes but directed by Howard Deutch.

The Psychedelic Furs did the theme song. Here they are in a more recent performance of Pretty in Pink.

What were your favorite John Hughes films?

Click here to get the High School Reunion Collection from Universal Studios.

As always, remember to click the highlighted text for the full HIH effect.

I’m off on vacation this week celebrating Father’s Day with my dad in his hometown of Richmond, Illinois. Richmond is a little over an hour away from Chicago so we’ll be doing some sightseeing Ferris Bueller style.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a John Hughes film from 1986. It became an 80′s cult classic full of fun quotes and memorable scenes. People of all ages have been spotted wearing their Save Ferris shirts.

How many times have you used the, “Anyone? Anyone?” line in the last few years? Or is that just me?

Many of the scenes were shot in Chicago so I think it would be fun to do a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off tour by frequenting some of the same places they went in the movie. Click here to view the trailer.

Matthew Broderick has grown up quite a bit since the 80’s. Here he is talking with David Letterman about going to the dentist, and expecting twins with his wife Sarah Jessica Parker.

Speaking of Father’s Day, Matthew Broderick guest stars as the voice of Max in a special Father’s Day episode of CYBERCHASE premiering June 19, 2009 on PBS Kids.

I’ll be back soon. Meanwhile you can always peruse the archives for HIH retro reruns.
Happy Father’s Day to all you Cyber Dads of the Year! You know who you are. Anyone? Anyone?

Alright so I might be dating myself AGAIN, but it’s true, I was a teen in the decade of decadence. Here we are in 2009 and I’ve seen more than a few actors from the 80′s in the media this week.

From Molly Ringwald on ABC’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and Marisa Tomei promoting her new film The Wrestler, I find myself humming the theme song to It’s a Different World and singing Don’t You Forget about Me by Simple Minds.

So here they are:

My 5 Fave 80’s Flicks

1. Ferris Beuller’s Day Off (1986)

The ultimate ditch day! Who knew Ferris would grow up and marry the girl on Square Pegs?

If you still find yourself chanting SAVE FERRIS, you might want to buy a t-shirt here.

2. The Highlander (1986)

There can be only one!

This statement is not only the key idea to the storyline but it’s also true. While the first movie is a classic with unique cinematography, amazing performances by Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery, it also boasts a killer soundtrack by Queen.

Unfortunately, I didn’t think the Highlander films that came out after the 1986 version were as legendary. I did enjoy The Highlander television series but it can’t be compared to the distinctiveness of the first film.

3. Back to the Future (1985)

Sci-Fi meets Comedy with a blast to the past and then back to the future again. With all the rockabilly Stray Cats music I was listening to at the time it was great fun being transported to 1955. Everyone wanted a time traveling DeLorean after watching this retro flick.

The official BTTF news site  gives you a daily jolt of about 1.21 jigowatts and you can rent out the DeLorean if you’re interested.

4. The Outsiders (1983)

After reading the novel by S.E. Hinton, I was hooked on the storyline and fell in love with the film. Not to mention crushing over every hot young actor involved. Ironically, I didn’t think Ponyboy was golden. It was scrawny little Johnny that stole my heart.

Like so many teen girls romanticizing The Greasers on the big screen, I could recite at will at least 3-4 lines from the film:

“When I stepped out into the bright sunlight, from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman, and a ride home.”—Ponyboy

“I hope I never see Dallas Winston again. If I do I’d… probably fall in love with him.” —Cherry

“Let’s do it for Johnny man! We’ll do it for Johnny!”—Dallas

5. The Breakfast Club (1985)

This John Hughes classic is the movie I can watch over and over again. Like so many teens in the 1980’s this was the film that spoke directly to our teenage angst, intensity, issues, and triumphs.

The day in the life of 5 teens, The Criminal, The Princess, The Brain, The Athlete, and The Basket Case. Which one were you in high school?