film lover 293

Favorites of the 1980's: 1980--Private Benjamin 1981--Raiders of the Lost Ark 1982--Tootsie 1983--Never Say Never Again 1984--Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 1985--Prizzi's Honor 1986--Aliens 1987--Good Morning, Vietnam 1988--Heathers 1989--The War of the Roses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1990: Ran with the crowd: As a result, saw too many stinkers (again). 1.) "Dances With Wolves" 2.) "Bird On A Wire"--Goldie Hawn & Mel Gibson are priceless. 3.) "Ghost"--Worth watching just for Whoopi Goldberg. 4.) "The Grifters" 5.) "Edward Scissorhands" 6.) "Longtime Companion" 7.) "Fantasia (Restored re-release) 8.) "Blue Steel"

I'm from the U.S.,& so really have no business in this topic--but WHY all the replacements??? It can't all be rights issues; in your first listing, "Rich, Young, and Pretty" (1951 Minor MGM musical) & "Gigi" (1958 last major Arthur Freed musical) are both from the same studio! What's the problem?

YES!! I wondered what the **** had happened!!!!!!! Edit: LawrenceA--What is a "chi-com"? Sorry for the stupid question.

LawrenceA--A question: Do "restored" films (I"m thinking of the 1990 restoration of 1940's "Fantasia) count as new releases? Can we include them in our top ten? Edit: "Valmont" is a remake of "Dangerous Liaisons": "The Cook...." was hyped about barely escaping an "X" rating (at least in Kansas). Film isn't wonderful, and it made me wonder what's so great about Greenaway. Helen Mirren Is wonderful in the film, but it's one of those films where you see the plot points coming twenty minutes in advance, & the characters talk..and talk...and talk. Ending is deserved for the one who gets it though. Film is over two hours, though. If you like Greenaways' films you may enjoy this one.

1989: Again, I saw too many stinkers for 10 films. 1.) "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"--Critics carped. but film is great fun: the dialogue between Sean Connery and Harrison Ford is wonderfully funny. 2.) "When Harry Met Sally" 3.) "The War of the Roses" 4.) "Roger and Me" 5.) "Steel Magnolias" 6.) "Valmont" 7.) "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover"--I saw it and didn't hate it, nor was it Camp, or unwatchable--so here it is. Directed by Peter Greenaway.

SansFin--"Heathers" is available to be seen on YouTube for free--and more than six people have seen it, LOL.

1988: An embarrassment of riches. 1.) "Dangerous Liaisons"--The malice beneath the manners. Sit back and enjoy. 2.) "Heathers"--One can construct a religious allegory from the use of colors, the dialogue between J.D. & his dad, and throwaway remarks from J.D. to Winona Ryder's Veronica--or one can enjoy this as a revenge comedy to end all such comedies. Or do both. (sources differ as whether this was released in 1988 or 1989). 3.) "Beetlejuice" 4.) "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" 5.) "Bird"--About jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker. Film is a downer, but the soundtrack is Wonderful. 6.) "Bull Durham--Susan Sarandon and Kevin Costner are Great. Setting is a Southern town in Baseball season--film takes off from there. 7.) "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" 8.) "Lair of the White Worm"--From the Bram Stoker novel. A fun watch. 9.) "Working Girl"--Melanie Griffith is marvelous When she's cast correctly. Here, she's intentionally funny, & is marvelous. Sigourney Weaver & Joan Cusack are memorable in supporting roles. 10.) "Gorillas in the Mist--Sigourney Weaver as Dian Fossey & a Golden Globe winning score by Maurice Jarre.

TopBilled--No, I have not seen the original "Boudu Saved From Drowning" (1931) : Sorry for late reply, must have logged out right before you posted your question. 1987: Most have been discussed: 1.) "Good Morning, Vietnam"--Movie where Robin Williams proved he was more than a comedian. 2.) "Broadcast News" 3.) "The Last Emperor" 4.) "Outrageous Fortune"--hysterically funny movie with Bette Midler & Shelley Long & George Carlin--I last saw it in 2001--was still funny, with Midler & Carlin the best parts of the show. 5.) "The Princess Bride" 6.) "Prick Up Your Ears" 7.) "Maurice" 8.) "Angel Heart" 9.) "Roxanne" 10.) "The Whales of August"

1986: I don't have 10 films for this year. I saw too many stinkers that year. 1.) "Aliens" 2.) "Down and Out In Beverly Hills" 3.) "Wildcats" 4.) "Little Shop of Horrors" 5.) "Gothic" 6.) "Peggy Sue Got Married" 7.) "Something Wild"

1985: 1.) "Prizzi's Honor"--Best comedy John Huston had made since "Beat the Devil" (1954). Kathleen Turner and Jack Nicholson are brilliant. 2.) "My Beautiful Laundrette" 3.) "The Breakfast Club" 4.) "Lust In The Dust"--Funny western parody starring Tab Hunter & Divine. 5.) "The Jewel of the Nile"--Kathleen Turner goes after another gem. 6.) "The Color Purple" 7.) "Out of Africa"--way too long, but Meryl Streep is excellent. 8.) "Mask" 9.) "Young Sherlock Holmes" 10.) "That's Dancing"

1984: 1.) "Romancing the Stone" 2.) "Ghostbusters" 3.) "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"--opens with Kate Capshaw singing Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" in Mandarin(?) sets the films' tone. 4.) "Moscow On the Hudson"--Funny Paul Mazursky comedy starring Robin Williams. 5.) "Footloose"--I loved this movie and the MTV videos it spawned when I was in college. 6.) "Firestarter"--Drew Barrymore was so good in this film, as was George C. Scott, and this Stephen King novel was Made for the theatre screen;mindless entertainment I loved just before Finals week. 7.) "Starman" 8.) "The Cotton Club"--The music, Diane Lane's performance and the music. 9.) "Choose Me" 10.) "Body Double"--A salute to Hitchcock, with Melanie Griffith in a film-saving performance.

1983: 1.) "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life" 2.) "Cujo"--Horror film based on Stephen Kings' novel. 3.) "The Fourth Man"--Paul Verhoeven (sp?) thriller that mixes religious themes & ones' sexuality. 4.) "Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi" 5.) "Something Wicked This Way Comes" 6.) "Silkwood" 7.) "The Day After"--Not a pleasant viewing experience--but it received overseas theatrical release, so I have to include this anti-nuke tv-movie. 8.) "Never Say Never Again"--final Sean Connery Bond. 9.) "Streamers"--Robert Altman film that should be better known. 10.) "Terms of Endearment"--Listed only for the performances. Find--Tim Burton's original animated poem, "The Nightmare Before Christmas", narrated by Christopher Lee. Sources differ as to whether this was 1982 or 1983. Search "tim burton shorts" on YT.

I saw four movies last week. "The Maze" (1953), directed by William Cameron Menzies. is an effective low budget thriller that takes off from a 17th century gardening fad and a family curse on a castle in Scotland. Maltin says ending ruins film; I disagree. See what you think. Available on YT. "The Abominable Doctor Phibes" (1971). Late Hammer horror starring Vincent Price; plot has him going after ten doctors who tried and failed to save his wifes' life on the operating table. Phibes is assisted by his daughter, Vulnavia. Good film effectively mixes music with horror. Is on YT, "Doctor Phibes Rises Again" (1973)--Phibes & daughter Vulnavia make a return appearance in this sequel that places humor over horror. Bad guy goes against bad guy, with the police following a mile or more behind. Films' ending is possibly the intentionally funniest of the Hammer 1970's films. Is on YT. "A Boy And His Dog" (1975) Deeply cynical film about the dystopia left after WW IV. Don Johnson gives his best performance and is matched by Tim McIntire's voicing of Blood, the telepathic dog. McIntire's and Johnsons' back and forth, rat-a-tat-tat-tat dialogue is hilarious; Bloods' muttered asides are also very funny. Bitterly funny film is not for everyone.Based on Harlan Ellison's novella. Is on YT. Film with least intentional humor--"The Maze" (1953)

1982: 1.) "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" 2.) "Tootsie"--Very funny comedy. 3.) "Victor/Victoria" 4.) "Blade Runner" 5.) "Diner" 6.) "Koyaanisqatsi"--Hopi language for "life out of balance",documentaryish film is a poem, for lack of a better word, where time-lapse photography and speeded up images & an atonal score by Philip Glass stand for (?) dialogue. As you can tell, film is near impossible for (me) to describe. 7.) "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid"--a parody of and salute to film noir. 8.) "Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip"--Pryor was hilarious. For anyone who has never seen him, his stand-up films are recommended. 9.) "Poltergeist"--German, meaning "noisy ghost"; film is noisy , but also frightening & has excellent special effects. 10.) "Deathtrap"--Murder mystery. Find--"Vincent"--a short film by Tim Burton narrated by Vincent Price--is on YT.

"A Boy and His Dog"--(1975). Despite the title, it is Not a sweet film. It's after WW IV--which lasted five days--just long enough for politicians to drop multiple bombs and destroy the planet. An opening title says (I'm paraphrasing): "Politicians have finally solved the problem of Urban Blight." Don Johnson and his telepathic dog, Blood, are among the survivors. Picture is deeply cynical; not for all viewers. Film has hilarious back-and-forth dialogue between Johnson and Blood (voiced by Tim McIntire). I've read ABAHD was done on a budget of $20,000 dollars: film is a sci-fi classic, or near to it. 8/10 stars.

1981--Some discussed, some not. 1.) "Raiders of the Lost Ark" 2.) "Body Heat"--Wonderful throwback film noir; was Kathleen Turners' film debut. Turner & Hurt are Hot (despite film being shot during a FL winter) 3.) "The Howling"--Comic riff on the werewolf legend. 4.) "On Golden Pond"--Manipulative film with fine performances. 5.) "Pennies From Heaven"--Depressing film musical, but technical innovations and fine performances put it on the list. 6.) "S.O.B.--Sarcastic, cynical Blake Edwards film. 7.) "An American Werewolf in London" 8.) "Clash of the Titans"--Ray Harryhausens' last credit. 9.) "Eyewitness"--Murder mystery. 10.) "Reds"

"The Abominable Doctor Phibes" (1971): 8/10 stars And: "Doctor Phibes Rises Again" (1973); 8/10 stars. TADB is a late Hammer film, starring Vincent Price and weaving music into the goings-on. Fun horror mystery which mixes humor and horror very effectively. DPRA is humor with some horror mixed in. Example: (which happens 5 minutes into the film), Phibes rises, goes to his orchestra (is explained in TADP), checks the pipe organ, and does a "white glove" test on it. It fails, so Phibes grabs a handy feather duster, goes over the keyboard, Then sits down to play ominous music. Bad guy is pitted against bad guy, with the police following behind (a Long way behind). Films' ending is a wonderful joke.

1980: I've seen so many bad films I Can't make a Top Ten--so 8 "sees" and 1 (#9) that is so bad it's good, and 1 (#10) 'so-so' film 1.) "Private Benjamin" 2.) "Altered States" 3.) "Used Cars" 4.) "Airplane!" 5.) "Those Lips, Those Eyes" 6.) "Coal Miners' Daughter" 7.) "The Elephant Man" 8.) "Just Tell Me What You Want"--The scene that destroys a department store is classic. 9.) "The Awakening"--Charlton Heston as an archeologist who doesn't bother sifting things, he uses an axe to get to a priceless tomb. Too many idiocies to list. 10.) "9 To 5--If the whole film was as good as Lily Tomlin's animated sequence, film would be an unquestioned comedy classic. As it is , film is uneven--some jokes work, some don't--& film isn't paced fast enough for me to ignore the unfunny slow parts.

1979: Most have been previously discussed: 1.) "Alien" 2.) "Norma Rae" 3.) "North Dallas Forty"--am totally with Kingrat, except for one minor point: Is the minister foolish, or just a hypocrite? Otherwise, beautiful summing up of film. 4.) "Nosferatu"--Klaus Kinski is terrifying; Isabelle Adjani is angelic looking. 5.) "Zulu Dawn"--The beginning of the sunset of the British Empire. 6.) "Monty Pythons' "Life of Brian" 7.) "The China Syndrome" 8.) "All That Jazz" 9.) "The First Great Train Robbery" 10.) "Love at First Bite" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Top Ten of The 1970's: 1970--"M.A.S.H. 1971--"The Beguiled" 1972--"Cabaret" 1973--"The Sting" 1974--"Young Frankenstein" 1975--"Monty Python and the Holy Grail" 1976--"All The President's Men" 1977--"Star Wars" 1978--"Foul Play" 1979--"Alien"

1978:some odd choices, some mainstream: 1.) "Go Tell the Spartans"--Vietnam movie has Burt Lancasters' best performance (arguably) 2.) "Foul Play"--Goldie Hawn & Chevy Chase in a farce saluting film noir. Marvelous. 3.) "Coming Home" 4.) "Halloween" 5.) "Corvette Summer"--Fluff, I know, but it's very funny. 6.) "Movie Movie" 7.) "National Lampoons' Animal House" 8.) "Coma" 9.) "Invasion of the Body Snatchers--Philip Kaufman's remake is pretty good. 10.) "Superman"

Welcome Reaper, all opinions are appreciated--from silents to post 1970 films. Have a good time here discussing films. You definitely have company as a horror and science fiction fan.

CaveGirl--There is a documentary on YouTube called "The Enigma of The Wicker Man" which was released in 2001, and it says part of the film was probably permanently destroyed. Remember the scene with the snail & Christopher Lee talking in the apple orchard? There was a good six-eight minutes that was edited out and ended up thrown away (the studio making TWM was bought out right after production had finished--and the new owners tried to not release TWM plus one other film (Don't Look Now, 1973). They failed. The longest version that's available now is 102-104 minutes; but thanks to inter-studio politics, there may never be a Truly complete TWM. The documentary says what happened better than I can. Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, and others involved in the production of TWM speak. Excellent documentary. Hope I answered your question.

1977: 1.) "Star Wars" 2.) "Smokey and the Bandit" 3.) "The Spy Who Loved Me" 4.) "Julia" 5.) "Roots"--I believe this got theatrical release overseas(?) 6.) "Kentucky Fried Movie" 7.) "The Deep" 8.) "Annie Hall" 9.) "New York, New York" 10.) "Sindbad and the Eye of the Tiger"

1975: I've seen all the bad films from this year, not enough of the good: 1.) "Dog Day Afternoon" 2.) "The Man Who Would Be King" 3.) "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" 4.) "Jaws" 5.) "Shampoo" 6.) "The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother" 7.) "Funny Lady"--Up here strictly on Streisands' singing. 8.) "A Boy and His Dog"--It's after WW IV, and Don Johnson and his telepathic dog are among the survivors. Extremely cynical vision of post-nuclear dystopia; not for everyone. 9.) "Three Days of the Condor" 10.) "The Stepford Wives" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1976: 1.) "All The Presidents' Men 2.) "Network" 3.) "Family Plot"--Alfred Hitchcocks' final film, & a graceful, exit. 4.) "Harlan County, U.S.A. 5.) "The Ritz" 6.) "Taxi Driver" 7.) "Carrie"--Stephen King done on film, and maybe the best version of his work. 8.) "Logans' Run 9.) "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution" 10.) "That's Entertainment, Part II"

1974: 1.) "Young Frankenstein" 2.) "Chinatown" 3.) "Blazing Saddles" 4.) "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"--Gritty film that inspired the sitcom "Alice"; Ellen Burstyn is excellent in the title role. 5.) "The Godfather, Part II" 6.) "The Four Musketeers"--Almost as good as Richard Lesters' The Three Musketeers--Raquel is again a comedic delight. 7.) "Juggernaut"--Richard Lesters' take on the disaster film. 8.) "The Towering Inferno"--One of Irwin Allens' two best films. Special Effects deliver. 9.) "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad--Special Effects by Ray Harryhausen. 10.) "The Man With the Golden Gun--Roger Moore as Bond.