418 of 1001 Albums: Go Go's Beauty and the Beat

Yes! Just what I've been waiting for. A catchy, cool, new wave, female band. I'm definitely picking up this vinyl. Anyways, this album was a lot of fun, and once I remembered they were the writers and performers of "We Got the Beat" I was very excited. There is probably no person who doesn't know the Go Go's tunes.

History: The Go Go's debuted their album in 1981, and incorporated the sounds of California into their album. The album would go on to be at number one on the Billboards and a club hit. The album was a hit also critically, and has been garnered for pioneering new wave music. It's also credited with be an inspiration for music after it, with many coves of their songs following.  Even celebrities have noted the impact the album had on their lives early on.

209 of 1001 Movies: Chariots of Fire (1981)

Vangelis for a movie set in the early 1900s. Who knew that Blade Runner music would mesh? Actually it doesn't really mesh at all with the tone of the movie. I've read from fans that at the time of the release the soundtrack was a huge hit with viewers. If you watch I'm sure you'll recognize the tune. I've never thought I was a huge fan of modernized music to a movie that completely sets itself into a different time. Chariots of Fire is old fashioned in appearance, the costumes have no fun modernization either, yet they've taken the soundtrack into the 80's. Had the movie underwent a less 1900s vibe then it might have worked. Instead the soundtrack was one of the huge reasons I just didn't like this one.

Summary: Two track athletes from different backgrounds compete in the 1924 Olympics. Harold is Jewish and he is the son of a rich father. His arrival at Cambridge leaves him trying to prove his place among his peers that he is more than a rich boy, but has real abilities to contribute. Eric is another runner, and is a devout Protestant. When discovering that one of the qualifying races is scheduled on a Sunday he must make a hard decision about whether to run or honor his faith. The two men would rise to fame after their participation in the Olympics and this movie chronicles that.

404 of 1001 Albums: OMD's Architecture and Morality

Orchestrl Manoeuvres In the Dark is a really long name to write out and say, so to keep it simple I will write OMD, which is what most know them as anyways. I have to say I was really excited about this album though.  The only song I had heard from the band was "If You Leave", and this album has a different tone than I had heard on that song that I liked even better. It fits in more with the tones of bands like Depeche Mode or Joy Division.

History: Architecture and Morality is known as one of OMD's best work. It reached success critically and commercially, and reached number three on the charts. To this day it's said to be a huge influence on popular music. It's made several greatest albums list in popular magazines. The album itself produced three singles that were also successful. While critics did have some mixed feedback at first over time it has come become more acclaimed.

136 of 1001 Movies: The Boat (1981)

The Boat, or Das Boot, as it is said in German, isn't about the usual side of World War II you see, but the German side. I think Wolfgang Peterson knew how to keep tension out of this film though considering the content of the war, and focus solely on the men on a submarine who were fighting for the Germans. There is never any mention of Hitler or the word Nazi though. Instead the men talk a lot about their homes, wives, and just how they will survive the next day at sea.

Summary: A captain and his crew are sent out on a submarine in the "Battle of the Atlantic" to destroy British shipping. German U-Boats have been suffering a lot of losses, and the questions that the soldiers aboard are having against their government's missions are higher than ever, but as soldiers there isn't much they can do but try to make it home safely. About the only thing they can think of when not completing a mission is food, their homes, and creating odd games to occupy themselves.

125 of 1001 Movies: Body Heat (1981)

So I wouldn't have guessed that the same guy who directed The Big Chill also directed directed Body Heat. Actually, his debut directorial debut was Body Heat. He does well at capturing the vibe of film noir, but I also couldn't shake the feeling this was a lot like a Lifetime movie either. It has an interesting plot line, but everything that happens feels a little predictable. What does it carry it is the fact that it does have good actors who seem to have real chemistry with each other.


Ned is a lawyer in a small town that seems to lack air conditioning during the brutal summer. Out one night, and trying to be the heat, he finds a woman on the pier who he instantly falls for. She resist him until finally they begin a romance. There is one problem though, and that is she is married. Matty and Ned make a plan to kill her husband believing it will leave them to be with each other, but the more Ned conspires with her the more it seems Matty has other motives instead.