The 80s - Joe Dante Appreciation Thread - Because He Deserves One!

**Barrybgb** · 09-04-2009, 01:14 PM

His name may not be as familiar to mainstream audiences as his peers, but Dante's name is every bit as important, special, and nostalgic to those who love 80s films, as well as 80's horror/fantasy/comedy.

A little Info :

Joe Dante's first big break was with the 1978 cult classic, "Piranha". He got himself a place in horror history with 1981's "The Howling", a bona fide horror classic and one of the most liked werewolf movies ever. He also directed the wrap around segments in 1982's "Twilight Zone The Movie". But Joe firmly cemented his place in 80s legend with 1984's "Gremlins". A huge box office smash that is as beloved and iconic as any other 80s gem. After that came the 1985 sci-fi/fantasy/adventure film, "Explorers", with a young River Phoenix and Ethan Hawke. He rounded out the 80s with two films, the sci-fi/comedy "Innerspace" with Dennis Quaid, Martin Short and Meg Ryan in 1987, and the dark comedy "The Burbs" with Tom Hanks in 1989. He also directed some episodes of the Steven Spielberg series, "Amazing Stories".

Joe's career continued into the 90s and beyond with "Gremlins 2", "Matinee", "Small Soldiers", and "Looney Tunes:Back In Action", as well as the short lived 90s series, "Eerie Indiana". In 2010, Joe is back with his 3D movie, "The Hole", which he said was a movie that they "used to make in the 80s". Can't wait.

**Melis** · 09-04-2009, 03:53 PM

I don't know the actor, but he looks familiar.

**Barrybgb** · 09-04-2009, 04:21 PM

He's a director.

**Melis** · 09-04-2009, 04:54 PM

Oh that's what I get for not reading the thread. lol

**Barrybgb** · 09-05-2009, 08:32 AM

Lol. I guess so.

**Barrybgb** · 04-10-2012, 09:46 AM

This made my day. Joe replied to me on Twitter. I asked him about his 2010 movie, "The Hole", which has not yet found a distributor in the U.S. I wrote to him and said "We will see you direct Gremlins 3, 4, and 5 before we see The Hole im the states. Any news?" He wrote back and said the movie will possibly get a release in the fall. So, this is cool. He's one of my favorite directors.