1980's: Movies

Movies from the 80's were brilliant. The decade had it all in the film industry the humor, the horror, the emotion, and the cheesy-ness. I couldn't help but to notice but the film's we saw The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day off, and War Games all really focused on the adolescents. I guess the decade in my opinion was more about how people viewed teenagers at that time. In the movie Fast times at Ridgement High it really depicted our they viewed teenagers as dim minded, sex addicts, and stoners. It's quite evident that the blockbusters and popular films included teenagers. I really liked the 80's movies because it really defined a generation based off their actions and they really pin pointed the lives of them.

1980's: Does music reflect the events of the decade?

Besides 99 Red Baloons I don't think music from the 80's reflected the events of the decade. Music idols such as Michael Jackson and Madonna usually sing about themselves. In the song Billy Jean he talks mostly about him and his fame and how it has changed him. In Modonna's song Like a Virgin she talks about how she was "touched" for the first time. Michael Jackson and Modonna were two very iconic artists of their time yet the music they produced did not reflect events that occured in th decade. They usually produced music based off their own lives.

1980's: Music from 70's vs. Music from the 80's

As we enter a whole different decade music begins to morph and change. We go from the decades that birthed Rock n Roll, punk and disco to the decade where rap crossed into the mainstream. Music in this generation began to use more synthesized pop. The 1980's was also known for Madona who brought a whole new fashion statement to teenage girls. Music was more powerful just in terms of lyrics. In Michael Jackson's Billy Jean it tells quite a story about himself and his fame as oppose to most of the song lyrics from the 70's that consisted drug experiences. The 1980's was great for music it opened up a new genre of music at the end of the decade, rap, and MTV was brought to life as well bringing the best songs on television. What I didn't like about the 80's was Modona. I'm not a big fan of her because the influence she bring upon female adolescents.I'm not a fan of her making girls change into something their not.She made the girls become quite more independent. Not only that but Modonnas lyrics just make me awkward. I can't stand two minutes of her singing. Also country kind of sucked in the decade. It was not popular at all and when we listened to the music in class I couldn't stand the southern voices and  and the lyrics. The lyrics I just couldn't connect with personally. 

1980's President Reagan

As I watched Ronald Reagon in his documentary I found it quite interesting the things he had accomplish such increasing the employment rate. Who knew that Reagan was an actor before becoming the President of the United States? His acting skills helped him greatly on his speeches and his debates against Jimmy Carter. When they both debated in fromt of the their country on public television Reagan seemed to be more calm and livily in answering the questions as opposed of former president Carter. Reagan was an old president but that didn't stop him from showing his natural humor to the public. President Reagan's funny remarks was another reasons why the American people loved him but that later changed when he was on he compared our founding fathers to the Contras who were quite violent and not really good people. Eventually Reagon's presidency came to an end in 1988.

1970's Music

Two main genres that were born in 70's were disco and punk. Disco was a more upbeat, had joyful melody, and it was music that you could just can't resist to dance to. On the hand punk began to form as well. The most of the lyrics coming from this genre couldn't even be comprehended because the vocalists just scream in the mic. The two genres attracted completely different audiences. Punk had was categorized as just a bunch of conformists who go against what is being said at the time. While disco found its way to get the attention of teenagers, women and gays. The fashion between the two were also completely different. Punk had people wearing make up, ridiculous clothes, and crazy hairstyles. On the contrary disco fashion was made up very clean atire trying to attract the opposite gender in the club. After listening to some tracks from the 70's I found that they all have a lively up beat to their lyrics and to the music in the song. For example More than a Feeling by Boston and I will Survive by Donna Summer just changes your mood instantly to the positive side. Although most lyrics consisted still consisted of love and drugs still lasting from the 60's era.

1970's Movies

Don't get me wrong but but The Apocalypse and Jaws are two very great and iconic films of the 70's but I just think Saturday Night Fever represented the decade the best. It introduced the popularity of disco and displayed a teenagers life in the time period. Tony, a pretty boy, was a hard working kid who had made his money from a clerk at a paint store. Back then it felt as though everyone had a job when it came to the right age. Also the movie showed what some teenagers would do on a Saturday night. When their hormones were craving sex they usually had one to a night club to dance away the good times. Also throughout the movie Tony was smoking in almost every scene as well as his friends making poor decisions with him.  Another characterization of the 70's showing the ignorance of the youth generation when it came to drugs. In addition the movie represent the fashion of the 70's very well with tight t shirts popped collars and dresses from the ladies.

1970's Television

It's funny how much television has changed from back then today. In the television show All in the Family. The show was about a family living in their lives but would encounter problems that Archie would have to face and deal with. Archie Bunker, the elder father, displays great amount of racism towards Lionel and other African Americans intended for humor. I couldn't help but to actually laugh at his racial remarks at some instances.  Also in the televised program two characters in the show speak out their political views in the first episode about President Nixon. The show can reflect how the decade was much more easy-going than today. Also the decade present the show M*A*S*H, which also reflected much sexual content and military-base life for the 70's. It didn't spark my interest but when our class watch The Muppets, it definitely grabbed my attention. The show was great because it was something that no one at the time has ever seen before which reeled in a diverse audience. In my opinion it was quite a creative show that must of had the whole decade laughing. Sadly there are not much shows that are like these programs.now a days television shows do not  hold racism and political arguments, puppets hosting a variety show neither doctors having sexual-relations in a military base.