Brat Pack loses their creator

I'm sad to tell you that I read about John Hughes passing away today at the age of 59. He was my very favorite director throughout the 80's and I loved every single movie he made. I'm so sad that he died on my birthday. Back in November of last year I wrote a blog on Shine about the 'Brat Pack' and I'd like to share it and the comments I received with you tonight...

The 'Brat Pack' ....those were the days

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• by Kathy, on Tue Nov 4, 2008 5:16am PST

• 31 Comments

Remember the brat pack? Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson, Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald and Alley Sheedy. I watched Weird Science last night and it got me thinking about all those great movies. I loved them! They ruled my world in the 80s!

I guess my first brat pack movie was Sixteen Candles in 1984. It was a GREAT movie! I totally related to Molly Ringwald’s character Sam. I felt her pain. I really did. And I was so happy for her when she got the cute rich guy in the end! And so jealous!

I think John Hughes had a teenage girl giving him his show ideas. He had to have, everything was so real! I just thought there was no way a man could make so many movies that I could relate to… ‘I’ as a teenage girl of course. The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire, Pretty In Pink just to name a few… all gems to me.

What’s your favorite brat pack movie? Mine is The Breakfast Club. It probably has to do with my visits to detention in high school. I wish they could have been like that instead of just studying while a teacher stared at me all day…. And who was your favorite brat pack actor or actress. Mine was definitely Molly Ringwald. I think I really did connect with her way back in 1984. I was that same shy but opinionated girl she portrayed so well.

Related: movies, favorites, brat pack, actresses, actors, 80s

Posted by rockin' mom Tue Nov 4, 2008 5:22am PST

Those WERE the days!!!!!

Posted by MochaMama42 Tue Nov 4, 2008 5:24am PST

It's funny, I enjoyed all of the Brat Pack movies. I'm trying to decide which is my favorite, and I can't really narrow it down. Perhaps , Pretty in Pink, due to it's romantic, Cinderella-like theme of a Phoenix rising from the ashes analogy. I am curious to know what is going on acting wise with Judd Nelson. I really thought he would have been more of an acting presence at this juncture. Maybe he will have a "renaissance" moment like Patrick Dempsey.

Posted by Disgruntled Wed Nov 5, 2008 10:05am PST

My high school reunion is coming up so a very timely subject for me.

I'm not sure which movie is my favorite. For me it's a toss up between Sixteen Candles and Weird Science. Pretty in Pink was good but it always bugged me that Molly Ringwald didn't end up with Duckie (Jon Cryer). I always liked Duckie a lot more than the Andrew McCarthy character.

Posted by Question girl Thu Nov 6, 2008 5:33am PST

I never saw a full brat pack movie I'm to young but the parts I have seen are pretty good and your right their aren't many good teen movies any more.

Posted by Jess Thu Nov 6, 2008 8:38am PST

It has to be Sixteen Candles! Jake Ryan gives me butterflies in my stomach. Also, who doesn't have grandparents that annoy and love you at the same time.

Posted by Beth Thu Nov 6, 2008 8:46am PST

I love Pretty in Pink. And One Crazy Summer, does that count? :)

Posted by Brandy~Daisy~ Thu Nov 6, 2008 9:29am PST

My favorite was The Outsiders,Who could forget that one

Posted by Renaissancegirl Thu Nov 6, 2008 9:37am PST

The Breakfast Club was the ultimate Brat Pack movie for me. And Molly Ringwald? My greatest wish was to be her when I was a kid. She was perfect and so relatable. Even today I think she's wonderful.

Posted by coolgal18 Thu Nov 6, 2008 9:39am PST

i was born in 87 so i wasn't around early enough to fully appreciate and experience the 80's.

but god do i wish i was.

i own those movies now and totally wish i could go back and see what the 80's were like as a teen.

sixteen candles is one of the best, "jake ryan" makes me melt.

but pretty in pink is so romantic. i love it.

plus i love when duckie sings otis redding.

one of the best scenes.

Posted by MistressMinx Thu Nov 6, 2008 9:51am PST

Loved "The Breakfast Club"! I think I could relate to each of the characters in a different way, which was why it was such a great movie. The end pretty much summed it up, we are all a bit of each of those characters - the jock, the princess, the nerd, etc.

When I was getting married, I thought of "Sixteen Candles" and the sister who takes valium (I think) and then the veil keeps making her crazy. That scared the daylights out of me (even though I didn't take any medication), so I opted for a hat instead. LOL!

Posted by 80'sgirl Thu Nov 6, 2008 10:27am PST

Having been a teenager in the 80's John Hughes movies were the big thing with us, he hit the nail with the wardrobe and lingo of the time.

Now adays the teenage movies are pretty racy (American Pie etc.)

I remember our dances being like Sixteen Candles.

Also anyone out there remember the "afterschool specials?"

Posted by Don M Thu Nov 6, 2008 10:29am PST

It's goot be a toss up between breakfast club and Fast times at Riddgemont High. Anyone remember Valley girls with N. Cage?

Posted by Don M Thu Nov 6, 2008 10:30am PST

Sorry for my misspelling got in a hurry.

Posted by comeflywithme1990 Thu Nov 6, 2008 10:38am PST

I LOVED THE 80'S!!!!!

Posted by fine...whatever... Thu Nov 6, 2008 10:55am PST

st. elmos fire is my fav brat pack movie...i have always had a huge andrew mccarthy crush and this was my fav movie of his.

was Say Anything an 80's movie? i can't remember now...another one of my top fav's though...john cusack is still awsome!!!


Posted by fine...whatever... Thu Nov 6, 2008 10:56am PST

i totally forgot about vally girls !!! LOL tha movie was great too ;-)

Posted by deleta Thu Nov 6, 2008 11:43am PST

I'm a tad older but I loved The Breakfast Club (and Emilio).

Posted by Lori N Ty Thu Nov 6, 2008 11:43am PST

Ahh, I love all of them. I just watched About Last Night for the first time this last weekend and was not as in love with that as I was (am) St. Elmo's Fire and Say Anything. LOVE the Brat Pack!!

Posted by Sheelah N Thu Nov 6, 2008 11:50am PST

The Breakfast club was my favorite. Then Weird Science.

Posted by ashleyluckey Thu Nov 6, 2008 12:14pm PST

I love Molly Ringwald! She was so fantastic and I loved following her movies. The Breakfast Club is my favorite followed by Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink. However, I also loved For Keeps and Betsey's Wedding!!! Great for Molly Maniacs. I had a huge crush on Bender, he was so bad and that was hotttttttttt! Rob Lowe too, that man is beautiful!!!

Posted by mtag Thu Nov 6, 2008 12:51pm PST

It's a toss up between Breakfest Club and 16 candles - Jake Ryan. What about James Spader?! Long Duck Dong! Oh my, those were the days!

Posted by timmy2 Thu Nov 6, 2008 1:11pm PST

not full of the brat pack but your forgetting one of the best and that would be "some kind of wonderful"

Posted by kevin Thu Nov 6, 2008 2:29pm PST

breakfast club all the way... bueller... bueller

Posted by Bellisima Thu Nov 6, 2008 3:59pm PST

One Word:

Nostalgic.......

How sweet, those were classic, my daughter was born in '85, so there is so many memories from this era for me, including these awesome movies, she has all the movies of this era now. :) :) :)


Posted by camdavis@... Thu Nov 6, 2008 5:55pm PST

I've been told by many people that I look like Molly Ringwald but only when I wear my hair short.


Posted by Bunnysmummy Thu Nov 6, 2008 9:31pm PST

I love Sixteen Candles but The Breakfast Club is a close 2nd.I`m glad to see other people think as highly of the 80`s as I do!The 70`s usually gets alot more praise.

Posted by Disgruntled Fri Nov 7, 2008 9:52am PST

Bueller is Ferris Bueller's Day Off and darn it, I wish I'd thought of that. Ferris Bueller's Day Off is definitely my favorite '80s teen movie.


Posted by Ashley R Sun Nov 9, 2008 7:02am PST

My favorite is Sixteen Candles. My fav Brat-Packer was Anthony Michael Hall.

Posted by allee Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:54am PST

I love them all. they are and always will be some of my fave movies. they take me back to before i had to worry about the world. they made me laugh. I still watch them, guess what, so do my kids.

Posted by klgirl78 Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:14am PST

They sure don't make gems like these anymore. Those were the good ol' days... My fave Brat Packers are definitely Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez & Robe Lowe. LOVE 'The Breakfast Club' & 'Sixteen Candles'!

Posted by BG Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:53pm PST

Good ole memories those 80's, and I've seen all those movies. My favorites are Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles. But there is one other movie I love and thats The Last American Virgin. It's funny and the soundtrack is awesome. If you like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, you'll like this one.

REST IN PEACE JOHN HUGHES...I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOUR MOVIES ♥ --Kathy

I'm satisfied

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