We skip the lessons learned this week and instead discuss our individual top 5 defining childhood movies. Interestingly, at least to us, our lists only overlapped on one movie… and it was our #1 choice! Get ready for some fun ’80’s movie talk.
Sky’s #5: Return of the Living Dead (1985 – horror)
Dusty’s #5: Red Dawn (1984 – action)
Sky’s #4: The Last Starfighter (1984 – sci-fi)
Dusty’s #4: Predator (1987 – action)
Sky’s #3: The Transformers: The Movie (1986 – animated)
Dusty’s #3: Ghostbusters (1984 – comedy/sci-fi)
Sky’s #2: Spaceballs (1987 – comedy)
Dusty’s #2: Commando (1985 – action)
Sky & Dusty’s #1: The Goonies (1985 – action/adventure)
Let us know what you think of our list, and tell us your Top 5 Childhood defining movies. We’d love to hear them, especially if they’re non-1980’s movies. Just comment below or you can visit out Watch and Learn Facebook Page and comment there.
Dusty has chosen our #1 movie, The Goonies as the next movie we’ll learn from.
Weird Science isn’t exactly “weird”, but it’s a classic 80’s comedy we grew up with and still find super enjoyable. Kelly LeBrock is a mega babe and Anthony Michael Hall with Ilan Mitchell-Smith are great as the nerdy, girl-oggling, horny best friends.
Sky: Self confidence is built through overcoming challenges.
Lisa gives them a challenge with the crazy future dystopian bikers… and it works! They show how badass they are when they save Deb and Hilly.
Kelly LeBrock solves all the problems of these two geeky, no-girlfriend losers.
Dusty: Stand up for yourself and have confidence.
It was great seeing Wyatt and Gary finally take a stand against one of this movie’s many bullies. And you can see the good effects of growing a pair like this did for them.
Chet is one of the most memorable characters of all time, played expertly and hilariously by Bill Paxton.
Sky: Do not date bullies.
Max and Ian are jerks, the girls even know that if they see Lisa, it’s over for them.
Dusty: Don’t be like Chet.
Speaking of bullies, Chet’s the worst. They might think they’re respected, but it’s just fear. Eventually the fear will dissipate and you will have just created an enemy for life.
We love the Terminator Franchise. T2 Judgment Day is the best of the bunch, with 1984’s The Terminator in 2nd place. The most recent Dark Fate was very enjoyable with the return of Linda Hamilton and some crazy scary terminators for Arnie and co to deal with.
SPOILER ALERT! Watch these movies before proceeding.
Sky: If a naked guy in the middle of the night approaches you, back away.
Don’t antagonize or threaten him. He knows more than you or at least he ain’t scared of you. Tim Allen wrote a great autobiography called “Don’t Stand Too Close To A Naked Guy.”
Dusty: Don’t peal out when you are trying to sneak away.
They do this all the time in movies and a couple times here. Loud tire screeching is the enemy of your stealthy escape.
Sky: This too shall pass.
All those little annoyances, like ice cream in your apron and spilling food on a dude, ain’t no thang. In a few days, maybe even a few hours, they won’t matter. And look on the bright side, you might have a fun story to tell from it.
Dusty: The only way to keep a secret is to tell no one.
Yep, loose lips sink ships and the more sets of lips that know, the more likely your secret will get out.
Check out the IMDB page on 1984’s The Terminator for more info.
Lessons Learned from Terminator: Dark Fate
Listen to our episode on Terminator: Dark Fate
Dusty: The best defense is a good offense.
The best part of T2 was Sarah Connor going after Miles Dyson and tries to take out Skynet. They should do the same in this sequel.
Sky: Do the right thing now and come what may.
When you see someone in need, help them out like the couple did when Grace fell from the bridge. But, no good deed goes unpunished…
The T-800 Terminator versus an incredibly powerful Rev. 9 (played by Gabriel Luna)
Dusty: Always have a backup plan.
The EMP was good, but just in case, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Sky: Never give personal information to an unknown person.
With online phishing or stalkers or just bad people wanting to do you and yours harm, don’t give out information like, “All her friends call her Dani.”
Sarah Connor: still a bad-ass protecting Dani (Natalia Reyes)
Linda Hamilton, left, and Natalia Reyes star in Skydance Productions and Paramount Pictures’ “TERMINATOR: DARK FATE.”
Dusty: Always close the door.
Don’t allow the enemy a way in to kill you. Close that door so the Rev. 9 can’t get it.
We get an augmented human named Grace (played by McKenzie Davis) fighting for our future in this installment.
Sky: It pays to have powerful, well-placed friends.
If you need an EMP, call up Major Dean. But, why wasn’t “Major Dean” named “Major Danny Dyson” instead?
Listen to our episode on Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Dusty: Don’t stupidly fly your helicopter so close to your target.
If you can keep your distance and still do you job, do it.
Sky: Don’t let power go to your head.
Those psych ward abusers were terrible people. Psych ward abusers are cliché in movies, but it’s necessary so we’re on Sarah Connor’s side as she’s beating them to escape.
Our trio of Heroes: Sarah and John Connor (Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong) and the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
Dusty: Never Jerk the wheel when you are driving.
Stay calm and controlled or else it’s flipping/spinning time.
Sky: Learn to pick locks.
It worked for Sarah Connor, it’ll work for you as well.
The best scene: the canal chase with that awesome shotgun
Dusty: Have an arsenal because you’ll be glad when it comes in use.
You never know what the future will bring, but always be prepared.
Nothing more scary than the unrelenting T-1000 (Robert Patrick)
Sky: Always know your nearest metal smelting plant.
Terminators, zombies, psycho-hose beasts, they can all be destroyed by molten metal.
Bill & Ted Face the Music is a worthy follow-up that’s been 31 years in the making since part one in 1989. Our favorite bumbling, yet genius, best friends are back! Could you have ever escaped that mansion without remembering how?! That’s right, genius!!!
We loved this final installment of the B&T trilogy and highly recommend you watch it before you listen to our review below.
Life Lessons Learned from Bill & Ted Face the Music
Sky: If you want someone to succeed, give them all the info you can.
The Great Leader tells them that Preston and Logan will compose the song to unite all of reality. Sure, it adds suspense and doesn’t give everything away to the audience, but if you truly want Bill & Ted to succeed, then give them the song, the band members and tell them of their daughter’s role.
They’re still the fun-loving, music playing, earnest best friends we’ve always loved.
Dusty: Be excellent to each other.
This is a simple yet valuable idea that we can use more of nowadays.
Death returns… lovin’ it.
Sky: Be a role model to your kids.
Kids emulate what they see, and if you do it, they’ll do it. Pick up your dog’s poop, don’t cheat or lie, pay your taxes and work hard. If you lie, cheat, steal and beat your spouse, they’ll turn out the same way.
Dusty: Train a child in the way they should go and when they are older they will not depart from it.
This is taken from the Bible and fits right along with Sky’s life lesson above.
