Sure it’s Brat summer, but I want to talk about some other Brats, specifically those from the 80s.

Andrew McCarthy recent made a documentary film that looks back at his time in the 80s when he was a member of the Brat Pack. Watching it, I was fascinated by how the various members of that group were affected by that label. Of all the members of said pack, no one seems as deeply affected by it as McCarthy. He’s a good reminder to leave the past in the past. It’s fine to revisit it from time to time, but it’s not good to get affixed to it.

Brats is a good film. The Times has a review here. More thoughts on it, here.

Relatedly, here are five films from that era, if you are feeling curious or nostalgic. Here’s even more on the brat actors who defined the 80s.

If after seeing McCarthy’s documentary, you might have been curious as to why Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson don’t appear in Brats, so click on this.

Brats is all about reunions. Speaking of 80s reunions, this is a story of the SCTV reunion from a few years ago. That group was one of the best things to come out of that decade.

Other things from the decade I thought worth noting:

• Here’s a piece on Memphis design, the defining look of the 80s. (See photo below.)
• Here’s a fun piece on tiktok parents who show of their 80s dance moves on TikTok
• This is a piece on when artists Tracey Emin and Billy Childish were in love/lust back in their 80s youth.
• Finally, a good piece on Blitz: the Rusty Egan interview featuring the Blitz Club.