Bring Back That 80s Feeling

You’re at home sitting on your couch going through the millions of apps that you’ve downloaded onto your iPhone. You’re playing the latest shoot-‘em-up game, “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” and suddenly you realize that “Tron” is coming to theaters real soon, so you call up your buddies to plan things out. You’re thinking about how the latest technology will make the older version look ancient. You’re thinking—3D.

The theater life in the now is good. Things are coming alive right before your eyes and you feel like you’re in the picture, but sometimes new isn’t always good.

Why not re-watch some of the classics? Save yourself some money, stay indoors, pop the popcorn and invite a few friends over and be blown away (again) by the movies that were born in the 80s.

“Karate Kid” (1984)

The original is hands down one of the best films to come out of the 80s era. Daniel Larusso and Pat Morita are the a-team that can’t be beat. As you see Danielson being taught by the greatest martial arts master, you might just pick up a thing or two, besides “paint the fence” and “wax on wax off.”

“Back to the Future” (1985)

Puffy vest, white Nike sneakers, skateboards and a plutonium-powered DeLorean—do we really have to say anything else? Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett L. Brown go on adventures that will entertain you.

“Some Kind of Wonderful” (1987)

Romance is in the air with songs like “Turn To The Sky,” and “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” Two best friends and a love triangle are all nicely packaged in this flick.

He Talks to Angels

What would you do for a miracle?

Would you get on a small wooden boat, throw the oars overboard and let the lake’s current drift you to your destination? Would you make friends with strangers? Risk everything? Leave everyone you love behind?

In ‘48 Angels,’ Seamus (Ciaran Flynn), a strong-willed 9-year-old boy with a fatal illness, sets off on a solo journey in search of God. His mission is to find God before God finds him, otherwise he believes his miracle will not come true.

Set in the beautiful grounds of Ireland, the young lad crosses paths with two individuals, James (John Travers), a rebellious, faithless teenage boy who’s running away from his past, and Darry (Shane Brolly), an unsettled man who’s tangled up in risky business.

In the beginning of his voyage, Seamus steps foot on James’ turf. Once they come face-to-face, Seamus wants to tag along with him, but James wants nothing to do with him. There’s a bit of that Nikki-versus-Whitman confrontation-- I-don’t-know-you and you-don’t-know-me tension.

Before James can give the young boy a beating and lose Seamus for good, they meet Darry, who’s sprawled on a rock, on James’ so-called island, injured and bleeding. The boys decide to help this unknown man.

Conflict ensues, but they stick through it and as the movie progresses, they become a band of brothers held by one common ground: faith. The trio depends on each other and their connection is bound tightly and believable as they reach what seems to be the end of their journey, but in reality, a new beginning.

The characters are intriguing, and the actors execute their roles with success as their emotions and gleam in their eyes stir hidden emotions within the spectator. The film constantly will keep you thinking and looking for symbols. Nonetheless, the film is foreign and at times it’s hard to understand the characters verbatim, but even without subtitles you’ll get the gist of the story.

With a running total of 92 minutes, the heartrending drama, directed and written by Marion Comer, takes the viewer on a life-changing journey of faith and inspiration.

Grade: B-