This is topic The Breakfast Club (1985) vs Sixteen Candles (1984) in forum Ŧ 80's Movies at iRewind Talk.


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Posted by Antwuan (Member # 7763) on :
 
Two great movies that were directed by John Hughes. I like both movies, they are both great.

I just want to know from you here which movie do you think is better?

The Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles
 
Posted by Helen_S (Member # 5804) on :
 
The Breakfast Club, by a million miles.
 
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
 
Devolution here,

Here's the short version of what could be a dissertation.

Sixteen Candles.

Better story.
Better looking cast
Remains consistent throughout (Breakfast Club loses a lot of people in the dramatic half hour)
Just as quotable but definitely less culturally referenced that the Breakfast Club.
Every girl wants a Jake Ryan.
The New Faces Dance scene might be one of the best in teen movie history.
And most importantly the music is leaps and bounds better.

We are DEVO
 
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
 
Devolution here,

Very sneaky Helen. I would argue the reverse everyday.

We are DEVO
 
Posted by Bernie_Lomax (Member # 8571) on :
 
Devo, I would hate to disagree with a moderator cos I know what that can do to my profile and I do love to give Helen a bit of stick from time to time but Breakfast Club by a million miles as well and don't get me wrong I do love both movies but The Breakfast Club to me is really special.
 
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
 
The Breakfast Club will probably win, but I'm with Devo on this one:

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"Sixteen Candles" is such an incredible flick!

Some detailed tidbits to enjoy next time you watch it:

1. I always thought is was cool that 'The Rave-Ups' is written on Samantha Baker's notebook. Molly Ringwald's real life sister had a small bit in the movie (being carried away by a football player at the dance) and was dating one of the band members. The band was also featured in the movie 'Pretty in Pink'.

2. They show a jean jacket in the beginning that had a bunch of cool button pins.. one of them said "Only Visiting This Planet".. do you think Michael Schoeffling is wearing that pin right now?

3. Ever notice the chalkboard in studyhall saying "TOTAL IDIOT" with an arrow pointing at the teacher's head?

4. I never did the "Confidential Notes" in school .. I played something called MASH in grade school. Update: I looked MASH up and that was not it.

5. There are two posters in Samantha's room that I noticed.. one was definitely The Culture Club and I've been told that the one directly above her bed is The Stray Cats. But Mike's room was where it's at: Heather Thomas on the back of the door, Styx on one side of the bed and Sammy Hagar right in the center.

6. Is it bad that when I finally met Joan Cusack .. my opening line was .. "Hey, Water Fountain Girl!"?

7. When Long Duk Dong is sitting at the dinner table .. he is trying to use his forks like chopsticks. Classic!

8. I'm still on the lookout for that 'Our House Filene' dance mix..

9. I think it is hilarious to see the size of the high tech cordless and car phones from the 80's.

10. The drive-in food tray still attached to the car is a nice touch.

11. Totally enjoy the geeks in a trunk scene... wow that's sad just typing it .. so I can imagine reading it too. 'And no.. he's not retarded'. <--- Hughes was edgy and inappropriate in his writing at times.. but it totally worked without seeming to offending folks in the 80's.

12. Oh and I also have a few similar photos in a Rolls Royce with the prom queen from high school.

13. Jim "that's why they call them crushes" Baker was a great Dad.

14. After the scene when Mike says "Classic".. notice how he slams into the door and then plays it off.

15. I had a Poltergeist moment, wait I want to watch Teen Witch for some reason too.

16. Remind me that the next time I listen to Billy Idol to avoid the birth control pills.

17. Headgear or Jake Ryan in a Porsche? Really?

18. The ending is just so awesome!!

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I respect "The Breakfast Club" and there are scenes that I really enjoy, but overall it is one of the least fav of my John Hughes film collection.  I watch it a couple of times a year and I'm always trying to capture why others love it so. I understand many see it as a cerebal film and maybe my attention to the depth of the conversation is lost because I was never in detention and my home life was rather awesome when I was in high school.  I agree that high school had it's social segmented groups and this film did an excellent job of representing and meshing them together.

We've done two Rewind Movie Polls in last ten years and I've been amazed by how many Rewinders have listed "The Breakfast Club" in their top five 80's movies of all-time.  More interesting was the fact that a few folks from the UK listed it as #1.

[ 24. September 2011, 06:18: Message edited by: Valley ]
 
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
 
Devolution here,

Valley, wasn't 16 candles number two on both lists?

We are DEVO
 
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
 
Wow Devo .. I didn't realize that!

Here are both lists one more time for reference:

Top 15 All-Time Favorite 80's Movie Poll Results from 2005:

1. The Goonies (1985)
2. Sixteen Candles (1984)
3. The Breakfast Club (1985)
4. Valley Girl (1983)
5. Back To The Future (1985)
6. Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
7. Pretty In Pink (1986)
8. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
9. The Lost Boys (1987)
10. Weird Science (1985)
11. Can't Buy Me Love (1987)
12. Some Kind Of Wonderful (1987)
13. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
14. St. Elmo's Fire (1985)
15. Return Of The Jedi (1983)

Top 20 All-Time Favorite 80's Movie Poll Results from 2011:

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"Sixteen Candles" and "The Breakfast Club" are represented quite well on both lists.
 
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
 
I love em' both as well, however, Breakfast Club for me too. Besides...on the IMDB rating....The Breakfast Club wins by 0.9 %....I mean really....what more do we need?! And like I said before...Jake Ryan is way over rated...he's as short as Ryan Seacrest...there may even be carnival rides he couldn't go on because of height restrictions......Judd Nelson....tall....real tall.....am I right here girls....and by girls I mean.....Devo and Valley.....oh no he didn't.......BURN!!!
 
Posted by Burnett (Member # 9924) on :
 
I prefer Sixteen Candles, because it's a fun, lighthearted, well-directed comedy.
The drama in Breakfast Club doesn't do it for me.
 
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
 
Kev .. uh .. was that a Long Duk Dong ramble where you thought I was your 'sexy girlfriend' again? ha.. 'No way Jose!!'

btw, your precious imdb lists Michael Schoeffling at 6' tall compared to Judd Nelson at 5'10" . Did I miss something while you were giggling on the lawn? [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
 
Agree with DEVO and Valley completely...Breakfast Club is good, don't get me wrong, but as a huge fan of 80's movies, there is just more to love in 16 Candles. Breakfast Club has some AMAZING dialogue but it also has some pretty cringe-worthy moments too(the group complaining about their parents, Andrew breaking the glass, the "makeover," etc....).

I would much rather watch Sam and Farmer Ted having their heart to heart in the shop room during the dance than the group in the Breakfast Club all complaining about the 'politics' of high school and how bad their home lives are.

Like I said...I do like Breakfast Club. But as I get older I find that the scenes with the adults (Carl the janitor and the Principal) are way funnier than the stuff with the kids.
 
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
 
Sixteen Candles, by a million miles. [Wink]
 
Posted by Helen_S (Member # 5804) on :
 
Oi lol [Razz]

This thread made me watch The Breakfast Club again [Smile]
 
Posted by Kash (Member # 297) on :
 
The Breakfast Club every time. All the doubters can just write me an essay telling me exactly who they think they are!

 -
 
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
 
Devolution here,

I had also watched The Breakfast Club today and my view still stands. It's a great movie, no doubt, but the fact of the matter is that most people are blinded by the amazing script.

That says it all.

We are DEVO
 
Posted by skatexedge (Member # 5712) on :
 
Sixteen Candles. Hands down.

I don't care much for The Breakfast Club although one of my favorite songs from the 80's is the theme song from it.


Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpc7TBhilFI
 
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
 
Valley....you really can't trust the numbers on the IMDB...well...cept for the viewers rain..Jake 6 ft tall....no way!

Veronica....spme good points about the crappy moments....may even have swayed my opinion a bit!

I think the seller for me was that I don't think I had seen Sixteen Candles as a youngster....but I did see the Breakfast Club...so maybe it's just more nostalgic for me!
 
Posted by cindymancini (Member # 679) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Devolution:
Devolution here,

Here's the short version of what could be a dissertation.

Sixteen Candles.

We are DEVO

First of all, I love this thread! Additionally, I love the handwritten list that Ronnie posted & also the handwritten Breakfast Club essay! Nice touch guys!! I fear handwriting is going to become obsolete like cd's...but that's another topic...

Ummm, yeah...I have to go w Devo & pick Sixteen Candles. It's tied w Fast Times as my favorite movie of all time...and the first reason being is the repeatability factor. It amazes me that eventhough I've seen this movie a million times, I never get sick of it!

I love everything about Sixteen Candles...the cast is perfect, the soundtrack is phenom & the locations are dreamlike to me! I wanted my room to look just like Sam's...I wanted to, wait what am I saying, I still want to go to a party at a house that looks like Jake Ryan's & I'd give anything to get my dance on to The Specials at the New Faces dance!

Don't get me wrong, I have a place in my heart for The Breakfast Club...it is classic...but I can't just put it on at any given moment...have to be in the right mindset...whereas, no matter what kind of day I'm having, Sixteen Candles always works...always makes me smile...always leaves me with the same great feeling I've had since the first time I watched it!
 
Posted by P_a_u_l (Member # 1022) on :
 
One more vote for The Breakfast Club from me.

The two movies are very different, and maybe comparing them to each other isn't fair on either one.....

EDIT: been thinking, and a better comparison would be Pretty In Pink vs Sixteen Candles. At least these two have more in common with each other thematically.

[ 28. September 2011, 07:59: Message edited by: P_a_u_l ]
 
Posted by J2ME (Member # 5728) on :
 
Yet another vote for The Breakfast Club.
 
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
 
Forgot to vote. [Wink]

I will always go with Sixteen Candles. Every scene has a laugh and I love the idea.... the younger, not so popular girl gets the dream guy...pure, romantic comedy. Lots of little silly scenarios happening within the main plot. It's a fun movie with terrific music throughout.

For the longest time, I couldn't watch Breakfast Club. I thought I was over it and not as interested. But I now feel like I appreciate it a lot for what it is. Very well written and it definitely does make you feel uncomfortable at times, but it manages to make you laugh, mainly because the characters were done so well and the funny lines come in at the right time. Great ending,..love the essay that Brian writes too!
 
Posted by Pyro (Member # 7658) on :
 
Tally up another one for The Breakfast club from me.
 
Posted by oneyedwilly (Member # 8730) on :
 
breakfast club.... just answer the question claire, answer the question
 
Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
 
My vote goes to The Breakfast Club as well.. BUT there is something to say about that.

In my teens and twenties i thought i'd never grow too old for that movie.. however, now in
my mid-thirties, i have to admit that my opinion has changed a bit. The Breakfast Club doesn't
seem to have the same impact as it once did. Where i once could identify so much with each of
the kids (or young adults), i now seem to have grown more sympathy for mr. Vernon. Apparently
my point of view has shifted over the years, without myself really realising it when it
happened.. damn [Frown]

Still, for nostalgic reasons and for remembering what the movie once meant to me, i'd go with
The Breakfast Club !
 
Posted by Nostalgic for the '80's (Member # 37454) on :
 
"The Breakfast Club", hands-down. TBC is my favorite John Hughes film, and one of my all-time favorite movies, period. I recently re-watched this on Blu-ray, and it was great as the first time I saw this back in the '80's.

I was a teen in high school when this was first released, and like others on here could really relate to the characters & the situations. I'm sure it's relatable for younger folks also, since the themes are fairly universal (though if the film came out now I'm sure the vice-principal would have had to confiscate all of their smart phones at the beginning of detention )...It was interesting to re-watch this as an adult, since, going along with the complaint the Vice Principal in the film (Paul Gleason) had, the kids going to the H.S. at that time are now running the country.

The ending scene with Judd Nelson walking alone across the football field & doing the fist pump, while Simple Minds' "Don't You Forget About me" plays over the scene is iconic & classic. Great stuff here.

Conversely, I didn't see "Sixteen Candles" for the first time until around 2004-ish, and felt it was sappy - though still well-done & worth seeing.

[ 03. October 2016, 12:49: Message edited by: Nostalgic for the '80's ]
 
Posted by Logan 5 (Member # 1467) on :
 
quote:
Conversely, I didn't see "Sixteen Candles" for the first time until around 2004-ish, and felt it was sappy - though still well-done & worth seeing.
Ah... but that would have a big effect on how you feel about it. It felt very fresh and fun when it first came out - the movie that introduced Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall to the world - not to mention the first Hughes teen effort. I imagine if you'd seen it back in the day you'd love it much more now. Your opinion on The Breakfast Club has nostalgia going for it too, which is hard to beat.

"Nostalgia is my ally... and a powerful ally it is"

I think the Breakfast Club has a better script, and that play like feel is great, but if I had to choose... nope - I think I'll opt out of this one. Others can decide!
 
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
 
Just started reading the John Hughes book so iīm rewatching all his stuff from Class Reunion to Curly Sue (ok, never seen Dutch or Curly Sue before).
The truth will be revealed! [Smile]

But, 31 days of horror first of course [Cool]
 
Posted by Logan 5 (Member # 1467) on :
 
What John Hughes book?
 
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
 
 -

This one. very informative, for me at least.
 
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
 
Rewatched these two films and the verdict is:

Sixteen Candles 9/10

The Breakfast Club 8/10

So itīs close.

SC is just fantastic and Mike is still the funniest little fella on earth. Remember when our rooms looked like these ones?

 -

TBC is very good, in fact it was much better than i remembered. The cast is great but the script is a bit too play-like and a tad too preachy.
I still would like to see the 3-hour version John had in his vaults though.
And even though the film doesnīt need any nudity, it would be nice if itīd be there like Hughes planned at first [Wink]

I also bought the soundtrack cd and you gotta love those Keith Forsey tunes.

 -
 
Posted by Nostalgic for the '80's (Member # 37454) on :
 
Cool - I remember checking out TBC CD soundtrack out of the library back in the '90's, but don't remember it having many notable songs other than Simple Minds "Don't you forget about me" - which played throughout the film. I'll have to go back & listen to this again at some point.
 
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
 
Devolution here,

I have rethought the Breakfast Club Soundtrack. It's now a B- instead of a C. But my opinion from 5 years ago stands, even though my wife, who just saw it recently would disagree.

We are DEVO
 


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