Robin Wright and Cary Elwes in 'The Princess Bride', which is still a children's favourite to this day. 20th Century Fox / Kobal / REX / Shutterstock
Robin Wright and Cary Elwes in 'The Princess Bride', which is still a children's favourite to this day. 20th Century Fox / Kobal / REX / Shutterstock
Robin Wright and Cary Elwes in 'The Princess Bride', which is still a children's favourite to this day. 20th Century Fox / Kobal / REX / Shutterstock
Robin Wright and Cary Elwes in 'The Princess Bride', which is still a children's favourite to this day. 20th Century Fox / Kobal / REX / Shutterstock

From 'Stand by Me' to 'The Shining': '80s films that have aged surprisingly well


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

Not every film can stand the test of time.

Over the decades, tastes change, plots become dated and, as technologies develop, special effects might not seem very believable any more. Yet, there are still some films that are as good today as they were when they first came out.

Here, we take a look at eight films from the eighties that are as still enjoyable to watch now, more than three decades on.

‘Amadeus’ (1984)

This fictionalised biography of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is frequently cited as one of the best movies of all time.

The film stars Tom Hulce, who portrays the influential classical composer, and F Murray Abraham, who won an Academy Award for his role as Italian composer Antonio Salieri.

Though the film runs for a good three hours, it doesn't feel too long, as the impeccable acting and the snappy dialogue keeps you hooked.

‘Stand By Me’ (1986)

Stand By Me is a coming-of-age film that tells the story of four friends who discover the body of a missing boy while out on a hike.

Based on Stephen King's 1982 novella The Body, the film stars Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell.

While tragic and heart-rending at times, Stand By Me is one of the best movies to come out of the eighties, with its timeless story of boyhood friendship bringing in new fans every generation.

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

The overarching plot of this film is based around an elderly man reading the book The Princess Bride to his sick grandson.

The story itself – which centres on Buttercup, a former farm girl who has been chosen as the bride to Prince Humperdinck of Florian – has all the sugar, spice and suspense of an adventure fantasy, as Buttercup's true love must overcome a number of obstacles to try and stop the wedding.

It's classic children's fare that's a little less saccharine than some of its counterparts.

‘Brazil’ (1985)

Brazil is a dark, dystopian science fiction film, directed by Terry Gilliam, which satirises a bureaucratic totalitarian government, kind of like the one in George Orwell's 1984.

The film – which stars Jonathan Pryce and Robert De Niro – was not exactly a box office success when it first came out, but has since become a cult favourite with its Kafka-esque take on the genre.

It was voted the 24th best British film ever in a Time Out poll of 150 film experts and professionals.

‘The Shining’ (1980)

Based on Stephen King's 1977 novel of the same name, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is arguably one of the best horror movies ever made, and has become a staple of pop culture since its release.

The mere mention of the film’s title brings to mind Jack Nicholson’s maniacal grin peering through a cracked door in the famous "here's Johnny" scene.

‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (1984)

The first film in the Beverly Hills Cop series made Eddie Murphy a household name. The film won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture and was in the running for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award in 1985.

The New York Times reviewed the movie upon its release, saying: "Beverly Hills Cop finds Eddie Murphy doing what he does best: playing the shrewdest, hippest, fastest-talking underdog in a rich man's world. Eddie Murphy knows exactly what he's doing, and he wins at every turn."

That’s as true today as it was 36 years ago.

‘Pink Floyd: The Wall’ (1982)

The space-rock opera tells the story of Pink – played by Bob Geldof – a depressed rock star who suffers from a gradual mental breakdown.

The film is not an easy watch, but the stunning animations and the music of Pink Floyd make it one of most interest films to come out of the 1980s.

'E T  the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982)

Most alien films don’t age well. That’s less to do with how they’re written and more to do with the depiction of aliens themselves. Most seem awkward as technologies develop and make way for more sophisticated depictions.

This is true for ET as well. The large glassy eyes of the extra-terrestrial, as well as his stiff unbending skin, don't make him seem very life-like.

Yet, the movie has still aged well. That's mostly due to the charming story that drives it, and it is still easy to watch Elliot and his siblings form a bond with the alien as they try to keep him safe from government forces.

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Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Premier League results

Saturday

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Arsenal 1

Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 1

Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Huddersfield Town 0

Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 3

Manchester United 3 Southampton 2

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Cardiff City 0

West Ham United 2 Newcastle United 0

Sunday

Watford 2 Leicester City 1

Fulham 1 Chelsea 2

Everton 0 Liverpool 0

Key developments

All times UTC 4

Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten

Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a  month before Reaching the Last Mile.

Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

 

RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D5pm%3A%20Al%20Bateen%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Ma%E2%80%99Aly%20Al%20Shahania%2C%20Bernardo%20Pinheiro%20(jockey)%2C%20Mohamed%20Daggash%20(trainer)%0D%3Cbr%3E5.30pm%3A%20Al%20Khaleej%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20AF%20Rami%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E6pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Bant%20Al%20Emarat%2C%20Bernardo%20Pinheiro%2C%20Qaiss%20Aboud%0D%3Cbr%3E6.30pm%3A%20Al%20Nahyan%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20AF%20Rasam%2C%20Marcelino%20Rodrigues%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E7pm%3A%20Al%20Karamah%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Zafaranah%2C%20Bernardo%20Pinheiro%2C%20Musabah%20Al%20Muhairi%0D%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%3A%20Al%20Salam%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Nibras%20Passion%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ismail%20Mohammed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: from Dh155,000

On sale: now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to report a beggar

Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)

Dubai – Call 800243

Sharjah – Call 065632222

Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372

Ajman – Call 067401616

Umm Al Quwain – Call 999

Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411

Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

UAE v Zimbabwe A

Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs

Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

MATCH INFO

Euro 2020 qualifier

Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)

TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

ANALYSTS’ TOP PICKS OF SAUDI BANKS IN 2019

Analyst: Aqib Mehboob of Saudi Fransi Capital

Top pick: National Commercial Bank

Reason: It will be at the forefront of project financing for government-led projects

 

Analyst: Shabbir Malik of EFG-Hermes

Top pick: Al Rajhi Bank

Reason: Defensive balance sheet, well positioned in retail segment and positively geared for rising rates

 

Analyst: Chiradeep Ghosh of Sico Bank

Top pick: Arab National Bank

Reason: Attractive valuation and good growth potential in terms of both balance sheet and dividends

57%20Seconds
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Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sam Smith

Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi

When: Saturday November 24

Rating: 4/5

When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi

  

 

 

 

Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.

 
Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The drill

Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.

Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”

Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”

Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.” 

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5