Movie Music from the '80s: A Playlist by Jana and Erin

It's that time again, the last Thursday of the month, the time that Jana and Erin bring you a playlist that usually has a theme with a twist.  This month, we are talking about songs from '80s movies.  Yep, this playlist is as fun as it sounds.  There are a few obvious choices and a few hidden gems.  Take a look/listen and walk down memory lane with us.  Or, for some of you who weren't born yet, here's a history lesson.

 

Fame (1980) - I Sing the Body Electric by the Cast of Fame - Fun fact: this is also the name of a Walt Whitman poem

 

Urban Cowboy (1980) - Love the World Away by Kenny Rogers - My Texas roots started showing, and this was probably the most difficult soundtrack to choose a favorite song for me.

 

 

9 to 5 (1980) - 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton - We both love Dolly; this was a given.

 

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) - Somebody's Baby by Jackson Browne -  The song playing when Stacy is going to lose her virginity to an older man...statutory rape is never good, but this song is.



Easy Money (1983) - Easy Money by Billy Joel - A Rodney Dangerfield movie from the '80s was going to be represented; "I'm Alright" from Caddyshack almost made the list too.

Valley Girl (1983) - I Melt with You by Modern English - A humming sing-a-long is good stuff ... if you don't know what I'm talking about, you need to listen to the song.

Eddie and the Cruisers (1983) - On the Dark Side by John Cafferty - Damn, this song is soooo good.  Damn, the lead actor of this movie was soooo hot. 

Flashdance (1983) - What a Feeling by Irene Cara - This song still gets regular airplay.  That's the testament of a good song.

Footloose (1984) - I'm Free by Kenny Loggins - We had to consult each other for this choice.  Too many songs on the Footloose soundtrack to choose from, but you can't pass up the moment that Ren dances around the factory performing a high bar routine.

Purple Rain (1984) - Jungle Love by The Time - Arguably, the best soundtrack of the '80s (or all-time), but why not a Prince song?  Apparently, Prince doesn't do spotify.

Against All Odds (1984) - Against All Odds by Phil Collins - Pretty sure I've never seen this movie, but this power ballad of song is awesome.

Streets of Fire (1984) - I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman - The movie was advertised as "A Rock & Roll Fable".  Of course, we are going to have a song from such a movie.

St. Elmo's Fire (1985) - St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion) by John Parr - This song is still in heavy rotation on Australian radio, as it should be.

The Breakfast Club (1985) - Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds - The timeless and definitive teen movie from the '80s is represented by a timeless song.

The Goonies (1985) - The Goonies R Good Enough by Cyndi Lauper - Gosh, this lady sure can sing some fun songs.  A fun song for a fun movie.

The Legend of Billie Jean (1985) - Invincible by Pat Benatar - Jana mentioned this song, and Erin sang it for the next 3 days.  Friends, listen to this song.

Vision Quest (1985) - Crazy for You by Madonna - A song from the days that Madonna made entertaining music.

Pretty in Pink (1986) - If You Leave by OMD - The song is a reminder of a classic '80s teen movie moment (the girl runs to the boy at prom leaving her best friend behind); you can't hear this song and not think of that movie scene.

Dirty Dancing (1987) - She's Like the Wind by Patrick Swayze - That's right.  Patrick Swayze sings a song on this soundtrack, and it is wonderful.

The Lost Boys (1987) - Good Times by INXS with Jimmy Barnes - Americans don't know Jimmy Barnes, but Australians sure do.  When the quintessential Australian band teamed with an iconic Aussie voice, they made a fantastic song.

Disorderlies (1987) - Edge of a Broken Heart by Bon Jovi - Duh.  I had a say in this playlist.  Bon Jovi is represented...but y'all, this song is really, really good.  Promise!

Nightmare on Elm Street 3 (1987) - Dream Warriors by Dokken - Duh.  Jana and Erin created this playlist.  Hair bands are represented.  Plus, an '80s teen horror movie needed to be represented.

Say Anything (1989) - In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel - John Cusack holding a boombox over his head to profess his love for a girl.  Classic '80s moment. 

What song(s) did we miss?  We know there's more because we knowingly left off so many.  Tell us your favorites.

Batman v. Superman: Confessions & Hashtags

I never really cared much about superhero movies until the stepkid came into my life.  He's 8.  Some kids are into sports, some are into cars, my stepson is into superheroes and villains (and dinosaurs).  So, we purchased tickets online, grabbed the popcorn, found our recliner seats, and were ready for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. 

Confessions...these are real thoughts I had while watching the movie:

I had high hopes, as I have learned to enjoy many superhero movies.  #imlookingatyouavengers

I was sadly disappointed.  #maybetheworstmovieiveseenintheatersinadecade

Ben Affleck is an okay Bruce Wayne; Ben Affleck is a painfully awful Batman.  #sorryben

I read after the movie that the director chose to use a computer-generated Batman voice.  Why?  It was ridiculous, borderline comical.  #badchoicemrdirector

Christian Bale is an intense actor; Batman is an intense character; I missed Christian Bale's intensity.  #bigshoestofill

Henry Cavill is pretty...not a whole lot of personality...but he's pretty.  #issupermansupposedtobepretty

Source

***The stepkid informed me that Superman isn't supposed to have a lot of personality; he's not from this planet, so he doesn't really understand human emotions.  That stepkid sure is smart sometimes.

Reclining seats to watch a movie are worth the extra expense.  #payupsuckas

I shouldn't eat popcorn while wearing a V-neck t-shirt.  #findingmissingpopcornkernelstherestofthenight

I was so bored with the movie that I started taking selfies in the bathroom because I liked my new Astros shirt.  #openingdayislessthanamonthaway

I am terribly disappointed in the casting for Aqua Man.  Shouldn't Aqua Man be blonde?  #pardonmyignorance

I almost shouted "what the fuck" out loud when a particular character came on screen.  #hasntcgiadvancedmorethanthis

***Later I learned this creature has a name, thanks again to the stepkid.  It is Doomsday.

I almost shouted "what the fuck" even louder when Wonder Woman showed up.  I was expecting Wonder Woman, instead she looked more like Xena: Warrior Princess.  #givemetheredwhiteblueandgold

Amy Adams and Diane Lane have the best performances of the movie.  Plus, they are real women.  Not overly fancy, made-up, plastic, Hollywood-y types, which I appreciate immensely.  #girlpower

Jesse Eisenberg was mildly entertaining in this film.  I doubted his casting prior to the movie, but I enjoyed his work.  #buthestilldidntsavethemovie

Hope I didn't spoil anything or ruin the fun for anyone.  Have you seen this movie?  What did you think?

Wednesday link-ups with Nadine & Kathy , Laura & Lauren,  Alanna & Sarah

Aussie Author Challenge: Book 5

I'm blaming the hype (or maybe something is wrong with me) but this book was just okay for me. In fact, I was ready for it to wrap up and finish.  I feel like I should apologize for feeling this way.  So many people adored this book.  I gave it 3 stars, and if I'm being honest, I probably did so because I'd feel guilty for giving it a lower rating since so many others loved it.  Yes, I do fall to peer pressure from time to time. 

I don't like bashing books or talking negatively about books that others enjoy, because I want others to maintain those fond feelings.  I want to refrain from my criticisms.  But, that wouldn't be reviewing a book, would it? 

I felt like I was supposed to really care for these characters and get invested in their stories, but I didn't.  Maybe I'm heartless.  (No, I'm not.)  I think Alice's sister's (see, I finished reading it 3 days ago, and I can't even remember her name) story of her struggles with infertility was the most well-developed story.  But, it wasn't enough to make the book feel complete for me. 

Sorry Alice lovers!

It's the 7th year for the Aussie Author Challenge, and my 2nd year participating (click on the picture/link to take you directly to the site for more information).  My preliminary book list is as follows:

Female Authors:

• People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
• What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty  - COMPLETED 25 March 2016
• The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
• Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington (non-fiction) - COMPLETED 17 January 2016

Male Authors:

• Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
• Life or Death by Michael Robotham
• Guilt by Matthew Nable - COMPLETED 3 February 2016
• The Street Sweeper by Elliot Perlman

Authors New to Me:

•  Past the Shallows by Favel Parrett - COMPLETED 12 March 2016
• This House of Grief by Helen Garner (non-fiction) - COMPLETED 25 February 2016
• Thornwood House by Anna Romer
• All the Rivers Run by Nancy Cato

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.66

I did my best to "maroon out" (lipstick and all) for my Aggie Men's Basketball this week who lost in the Sweet 16.

Got off the train and saw this ... Wondering if I needed to join the party

Library haul

The husband posted this to his facebook this week. 

We took the boy to see Batman v. Superman ... Glad he was excited ... More on this movie next week.

The destructive duo trying to climb the stairs at the park

Easter

Hope you were surrounded by love and chocolate this Easter weekend!

Twitter is 10

Twitter and I have had an inconsistent relationship.  Sometimes, I love twitter.  Other times, twitter annoys me.  Some days, I ignore twitter, and other days, I'm tweeting multiple times. 

 

I'm pretty random about who I follow too.  I follow friends, bloggers, athletes, musicians, authors, and other celebs that I enjoy, but not all.  I don't really go searching for anyone to follow.  I just find them when something comes up pertaining to that person, and I think "do they have a twitter?" 

 

I live tweet, but only some events.  If you aren't a fan of my same sports teams, I may annoy you on game days, but not all game days.  I'm sarcastic, I get political, and sometimes I'm just silly or dumb.  I quote books, and I vent.  I'm random.  What else is new?

 

To celebrate twitter's 10th birthday, I thought I'd share 10 of my retweets to give you a slice of what you may find if you follow me @TexErinSydney :

 

Something true funny like this:

 

Something from a fellow blogger and Trump NON-supporter:

 

Something from one of my sports viewing moments when I can't actually watch the game, so I'm following along on twitter:

 

Something super awesome from a super awesome celebrity, like the time RDJ teamed with Make-A-Wish Australia for a boy to be Iron Man for a day:

 

 

Something that calls out hypocrisy and/or idiocy:

 

 

Something from Ellen giving her own spin and addition to the new Barbies:

 

Something celebrating the talents and contributions of a musician who passed away:

Something from another fellow blogger when I can relate:

Something that (again) calls out idiocy:

Something that calls out trolls and applauds one bad-ass singer:

What's your relationship with twitter?  Let me know your username so I can follow you, or follow me at TexErinSydney.

Linking up with Kristen and Joey:

Olympics as an expat

After this twitter exchange with Alyssa, I was reminded about a post I intended to write (but didn't).  Seriously, how often does this happen??  Anyway...that post was/is about watching the Olympic Games as an expat.

 If I was an organized blogger, I'd schedule it around the time the Olympics start showing, but I'm not.  So, here it is:

I pride myself on not being an American that feels like "We are Americans.  We are the best.  No other country matters but us."  But, when it comes to the Olympic Games, I find myself being uber-American.  I want America to win all the medals.  I want the telecasts to show all the American events (especially when medals are involved).  But, if you live in another country, that doesn't happen.  Australians want to watch Australians.  Can you believe that?! 

Here's a few of the things that I discovered watching the Olympics while living in another country:

• You know those little mini stories and bios that usually pull at your heartstrings that feature a personal story about athletes?  If you're in Australia, they're about Australian athletes.  Duh.

  

  This gif depicts the first ever gold medal won by an Australian, and it is a regular feature story.

• You know those extremely entertaining sports that are the top priority for my viewing: gymnastics (Summer Olympics) and figure skating (Winter Olympics)?  Well, they aren't all that frequently shown here.  And when they are, they show the Australian competitors...who usually aren't medal contenders, so they don't often show the full coverage of gymnastics and figure skating.  I know.  It's a travesty.
  

• I have more to say about this topic.  My most favorite Olympics viewing moments are watching gymnastics and figure skating.  I love the combination of artistry and athleticism.  I love watching the athlete perform a routine, then anxiously await the judges' score.  I like that this fills entire nights of excitement, thrills, and even spills.  I like that the commentators are often former medal winners and Olympians.  I don't get this here.  This is what I miss the most for my Olympic entertainment. 
  

• The television coverage here highlights the Australian medal contenders and winners (understandably so).  Sometimes, Americans are in the events (particularly snowboarding in Winter and swimming in Summer).  I've lived here long enough to be happy for Australian winners, but I'll admit it, if they are competing against an American, I want the American to win gold, and the Australian to win silver.
  

• Medal ceremonies...those times that an athlete has won a gold medal and he/she is standing on the podium with his/her hand over the heart and singing "The Star Spangled Banner"...and the viewer gets goosebumps as the camera zooms in on the parents in tears and the crowd waving American flags...nope, you don't see that here. 
  

• Yes, when something monumental takes place, like beating a World Record or Michael Phelps being awarded the medal that makes him the recipients of the most medals of any Summer Olympian, it's just good journalism for that to be televised.  And, it is.  But, you don't get all the stories and interviews and feel-good American hoopla surrounding it (when you don't live in America).
  

• BIG events, like the "world's fastest man" or the 4x100m swimming relay are televised live.  But, living in a land with a timezone that rarely comes close to any timezone that the event is taking place, often the result gets "spoiled" by the time I watch it.  Unless I avoid all social media, news commentary, and turn off all alerts on my phone, I get spoilers.
  
  
  
  
  
   Do you watch the Olympics?  What's your favorite part of the Games to watch?

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.65

Not a great picture, but I was on the train when I looked over and saw a rainbow over the Opera House

Posted to my work's Instagram - more pretty things made by my guy

Wandering around a bookstore and enjoy the fact that they support local authors

Got on my "going out" make-up...

...to see my boys from Buckcherry

On the door of every single toilet door at the club...Uhm. Okay. 

Sunday squad