My problem with 80's films (and every decade after), I have to be reminded of the films before I can remember them. They are not ingrained in my psyche like the films of the 30's, 40's, and even the fifties. I know there are good ones, but I have no reference texts for these films...so they don't stick in my mind.
RAN is a good one. I guess my THE FLY. I love a little movie called THOSE LIPS, THOSE EYES...with BK's old pal Tom Hulce and Frank Langella about summer stock. BODY HEAT. The ever-weird Ken Russell's CRIMES OF PASSION.
I think the reason wonderful quirky directors like Penn didn't flourish in the eighties was because after the Raiders/Star Wars phenomenon, everything became about the 20 million dollar opening weekend, only hitting home runs, and the Studio executive as Auteur...a concept I think started at Disney with Eisner and Katzenberg.
The individuality of interesting film-makers was suddenly straight-jacketed and all their interesting edges were knocked off in an effort to make movies for the lowest and largest common denominator. In a way, Spielberg and Lucas, by having mega-hits, ruined the film business by setting up an expectation of financial success that became the goal. While I think Raiders and Star Wars are perfectly enjoyable, well-made films...neither would make my top one hundred or probably my top two hundred list.
Found a list of best film nominees from the decade: AMADEUS, THE DRESSER, ATLANTIC CITY, BRAODCAST NEWS stand out in my memory. Others THE STUNTMAN, MY FAVORITE YEAR, HENRY V.