When it comes to movies set in the 80's, which ones did you buy and not buy? I think Fargo is one of the better ones, because the filmmakers didn't overdo it, or underdo it. It felt pretty genuine. I didn't buy Donnie Darko at all.

Also by the Coen brothers, No Country for Old Men seemed pretty authentic.

Valley girl.

Wet Hot American Summer.

Movies made in the '80s are not period pieces. The OP is talking about movies made after the '80s, but SET in the '80s.

The Wedding Singer

Valley Girl!!!!

Ah, the '80's. When kids would hop into the back of a pickup, drive into town... And then proceed to freebase heroin in a room with a homeless man.

Boogie Nights (the second half)

Watchmen is one, but it doesn't come out for a few months.

10 posts and no American Psycho? Damn.

Nice...

1984

It is. That makes me more interested in that film.

American Pyscho is the best 80s piece.

Not even CLOSE. The movie didn't feel genuine, it was an 80s caricature.

Safe.

As usual, Todd Haynes gets everything right.

second half of "Casino"
"The Adventures of Sebastian Cole"

Pirates of Silicon Valley

American Gangster had a pretty good feel.

MONSTER HOUSE. It's very subtle but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be set in the 80's. I also agree that the WEDDING SINGER overdoes it when it comes to the 80's but I still love that movie.

Wedding Singer is too gimmicky and self aware. Dazed and Confused is a period piece that for the most part, is pure 70's and doesn't feel gimmicky and self aware. It's has a matter of factness.

I have a couple of theories on why most 80's period pieces ring false. I think most filmmakers are probably afraid of going really far with the fashion and art direction, because they think it will cause too much unintentional laughter. The other thing is, most period pieces seem to have a modern bent to them. The filmmakers probably think, if they go really far with the fashion, art direction and personalities, they'll lose the modern bent. I don't know if any of that makes any sense or not.

I didn't get any sort of 80's vibe from Watchmen. it felt much more like the 1970's, despite some of the music.

Yep.

Lords of Dogtown has an authentic 70's look and feel as well.

Feel, Feel, Feel, Feel, Feel

Feel my heat.