WAS there a better decade for movies than the 1980s? Well, yes: the 1970s. However, Strand Arts Centre have delved into their vault to rediscover some of the better moments from the days when greed was good and Number 5 was alive.
Their summer season of 1980s classics includes 1982's hit romantic drama An Officer and A Gentleman (May 20 and 26) starring Richard Gere and Debra Winger, 1984's pop-tastic Kevin Bacon star-maker Footloose (June 9 and 16) and the 1986 John Hughes favourite Ferris Bueller's Day Off (June 24 and July 1).
The plot of Richard Donner's Lethal Weapon (July 7 and 14) might make absolutely no sense, but who cares? This 1987 buddy cop action tour de force features deadly levels of mulleted Mel Gibson and "too old for this ****" Danny Glover gunning down bad guys to a wailing sax, funk 'n' Clapton soundtrack.
As for 1984's ace action comedy Beverly Hills Cop (July 21 and 28), it reminds us that Eddie Murphy used to be supercool: his superb turn as amusingly foul-mouthed Detroit badge Axel Foley on the loose in LA is surely the performance of a once glittering career.
Simpler times, eh?
:: Tickets and times at Strandartscentre.com.
