Bogie56 Posted February 12, 2017 Author Share Posted February 12, 2017 The Boston Society of Film Critics Awards for 1983 were… Best Actor Eric Roberts, Star 80 Best Actress Rosanna Arquette, Baby it’s You Best Supporting Actor Jack Nicholson, Terms of Endearment Best Supporting Actress Linda Hunt, The Year of Living Dangerously* (82) —————————————————————————————— The National Board of Review Awards for 1983 were… Best Actor Tom Conti, Reuben, Reuben and Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence Best Actress Shirley MacLaine, Terms of Endearment Best Supporting Actor Jack Nicholson, Terms of Endearment Best Supporting Actress Linda Hunt, The Year of Living Dangerously* (82) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 12, 2017 Author Share Posted February 12, 2017 The National Society of Film Critics Awards for 1983 were … Best Actor Gerard Depardieu, Danton and The Return of Martin Guerre* (82) Robert Duvall, Tender Mercies Gunter Lamprecht, Berlin Alexanderplatz (80) Best Actress Debra Winger, Terms of Endearment* Joanna Cassidy Under Fire Shirley MacLaine, Terms of Endearment Best Supporting Actors Jack Nicholson, Terms of Endearment* Best Supporting Actresses Sandra Bernhard, The King of Comedy* (82) Cher, Silkwood Lind Hunt, The Year of Living Dangerously (82) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingrat Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 Speedracer, we share a deep and abiding love for A Christmas Story. It deserves a Major Award. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedracer5 Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Speedracer, we share a deep and abiding love for A Christmas Story. It deserves a Major Award. "Only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceA Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 1983 proved to be perhaps the peak year for Canadian director David Cronenberg, at least as far as I'm concerned. Coming off of the exceptional psychic horror film Scanners in 1981, and following these next two with his biggest commercial hit to date, the 1986 remake of The Fly, Cronenberg made the transition from rising star to legitimate filmmaker of critical note with his two 1983 films, both filled with terrific performances. Released in February of 1983, Videodrome was classic Cronenberg body-horror. James Woods stars as Max Renn, head of cable channel CIVIC-TV, known for their boundary pushing programming, an issue much in the news at the time during the burgeoning cable-TV boom. He becomes the focus of a fanatical right-wing conspiracy to kill society's "undesirables" by embedding a brain-tumor causing signal in cable TV broadcasts that will kill anyone who watches it. They place the signal in a show called Videodrome, which consists solely of scenes of torture and murder, their justification being that anyone who would watch such filth deserves to die horribly. Does that judgmental voice resonate with today's political scene? I'll let you decide. James Woods is perfectly cast as Renn, more than a little sleazy, but sympathetic enough so that the audience feels for him when his horrific journey begins. The Videodrome signal causes its victims to hallucinate vividly, and the bizarre and disturbing visions Woods undergoes stretched the limits of the special effects of the time. The supporting cast includes good turns from several lesser-known Canadian thespians, like Sonja Smits, Les Carlson, Lynne Gorman, and my other nominee from the film, Peter Dvorsky. He plays Max's tech guy, the one who first discovers the Videodrome signal being broadcast on pirate TV. He plays a cliched type very well, and a change of character later in the film allows Dvorsky one stand-out speech, dripping with malice and contempt, that would fit in on any far-right radio call-in show. Videodrome is also remembered for one of the bigger, and better, acting roles for Blondie lead singer Deborah Harry. She goes with darker hair for her role as a radio relationship therapist who has an affair with Max Renn, and becomes enthralled by the Videodrome TV show. The other David Cronenberg film of 1983, released in October of that year, was the Stephen King adaptation The Dead Zone. King was big business in 1983, both in book stores and at the cineplex. Following the release in late '82 of Creepshow, 1983 saw the releases of film versions of Cujo, Christine and The Dead Zone. Children of the Corn and Firestarter would follow in '84. The Dead Zone is the best of the lot, though, in my opinion. The story concerns nice-guy school teacher Johnny Smith (Christopher Walken) who ends up in a coma that lasts for 5 years. Due to the passage of time, Johnny learns that his fiancee has moved on, marrying another man and having a child. The despondent Johnny also learns that his coma has left him a changed man, in that now he can catch glimpses into the past or future of those that he comes into physical contact with. When word leaks out about his abilities, local authorities ask him for help solving grisly serial murders. The second half of the film finds Johnny working as a private tutor, trying to live in anonymity, but once again finding emotional pain due to his abilities. He also encounters an aggressive populist political candidate (Martin Sheen) who Johnny glimpses will spell the end of the world if elected. An obnoxious, reactionary populist winning the presidency of the US? Never happen! Christopher Walken has one of his best roles as Johnny Smith, as his natural off-center, slightly-melancholy demeanor fits perfectly with the sad and haunted Smith. The supporting cast includes Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Anthony Zerbe, Colleen Dewhurst, Nicholas Campbell, Jackie Burroughs, Sean Sullivan, and Videodrome's Peter Dvorsky as a pushy reporter. My other nominee for the film, though, is Herbert Lom, who has one of the better roles of his late career as the kindly Dr. Weizak who nurses Johnny back to health and counsels him on the use of his power. It's a small role, but Lom manages to project enough warmth and spirit for the role to be a memorable one. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 13, 2017 Author Share Posted February 13, 2017 The BAFTA Awards for 1983 were …. Best Actors Michael Caine, Educating Rita* Dustin Hoffman, Tootsie* (82) Robert De Niro, The King of Comedy (82) Best Actress Julie Walters, Educating Rita* Phyllis Logan, Another Time, Another Place Meryl Streep, Sophie’s Choice (82) Jessica Lange, Tootsie (82) Best Supporting Actor Denholm Elliott, Trading Places* Bob Hoskins, The Honorary Consul Jerry Lewis, The King of Comedy (82) Burt Lancaster, Local Hero Best Supporting Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, Trading Places* Maureen Lipman, Educating Rita Rosemary Harris, The Ploughman’s Lunch Teri Garr, Tootsie (82) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 13, 2017 Author Share Posted February 13, 2017 Here are Danny Peary’s Alternate Oscar choices for 1983. Winners in bold. Best Actor Michael Caine, Educating Rita* Tom Conti, Reuben, Reuben Jeremy Irons, Betrayal Norman Kaye, Man of Flowers Anthony Perkins, Psycho II Charles Martin Smith, Never Cry Wolf Best Actress Shirley MacLaine, Terms of Endearment* Jane Alexander, Testament Rosanna Arquette, Baby It’s You Bonnie Bedelia, Heart Like a Wheel Barbara Hershey, The Entity (82) Barbra Streisand, Yentl Julie Walters, Educating Rita Debra Winger, Terms of Endearment And here are Michael Gerbert’s Golden Armchair choices for 1983: Best Actor Christopher Walken, The Dead Zone* Best Actress Sandra Bernhard, The King of Comedy* (82) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 13, 2017 Author Share Posted February 13, 2017 The Golden Globe Awards for 1983 were … Best Actors in a Drama Tom Courtenay, The Dresser* Robert Duvall, Tender Mercies* Albert Finney, The Dresser Richard Farnsworth, The Grey Fox (82) Tom Conti, Reuben, Reuben Al Pacino, Scarface Eric Roberts, Star 80 Best Actress in a Drama Shirley MacLaine, Terms of Endearment* Jane Alexander, Testament Bonnie Bedelia, Heart Like a Wheel Meryl Streep, Silkwood Debra Winger, Terms of Endearment Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical Michael Caine, Educating Rita* Woody Allen, Zelig Tom Cruise, Risky Business Eddie Murphy, Trading Places Mandy Patinkin, Yentl Best Actresses in a Comedy or Musical Julie Walters, Educating Rita* Anne Bancroft, To Be or Not to Be Jennifer Beals, Flashdance Linda Ronstadt, The Pirates of Penzance Barbra Streisand, Yentl Best Supporting Actor Jack Nicholson, Terms of Endearment* Steven Bauer, Scarface Charles Durning, To Be or Not to Be Kurt Russell, Silkwood Gene Hackman, Under Fire Best Supporting Actress Cher, Silkwood* Tess Harper, Tender Mercies Linda Hunt, The Year of Living Dangerously (82) Joanna Pacula, Gorky Park Barbara Carrera, Never Say Never Again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceA Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Here are Danny Peary’s Alternate Oscar choices for 1983. Winners in bold. Best Actor Michael Caine, Educating Rita* Tom Conti, Reuben, Reuben Jeremy Irons, Betrayal Norman Kaye, Man of Flowers Anthony Perkins, Psycho II Charles Martin Smith, Never Cry Wolf So Peary doesn't even include Duvall in the nominees? Odd. And I've never heard of Man of Flowers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 13, 2017 Author Share Posted February 13, 2017 So Peary doesn't even include Duvall in the nominees? My choices are so much better! I was crestfallen when I found his book years ago as I had this idea that I would do something like it someday. This thread is finally my chance I guess!! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimpole Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Quotes from 1983 Fanny and Alexander You will never be free from me. L'Argent If I were God, I'd forgive everyone. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life O Lord! Ooh, you are so big! So absolutely huge. Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell you. God knows all...He would see through such a cheap trick. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 The 1983 Berlin International Film Festival winners were… Best Actor Bruce Dern, That Championship Season* (82) Best Actress Evgeniya Glushenko, Love by Request* (82) —————————————————————————————— The 1983 Cannes Film Festival winners were… Best Actor Gian Maria Volonte, The Death of Mario Ricci* Best Actress Hanna Schygulla, The Story of Piera* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 The 1983 Venice Film Festival winners were: Best Actors Guy Boyd, George Dzunda, David Alan Grier, Mitchell Lichtenstein, Matthew Modine and Michael Wright, Streamers* Carlo Delle Piane, A School Outing* Best Actresses Darling Legitimus, Sugar Cane Alley* Angela Winkler, Ediths Tagebuch* ————————————————————————————————— The 1983 Moscow International Film Festival winners were … Best Actors Wirgillusz Gryn, Pastorale Heroica* Yoshi Kato, Hometown* Best Actresses Judy Davis, Winter of Our Dreams* (81) Jessica Lange, Frances* (82) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 Here are some performances from 1983 that will be recognized in subsequent years … Tom Courtenay will be nominated for the BAFTA Best Actor Award in 1984 for The Dresser (1983). Albert Finney will win the Berlin Film Festival Best Actor Award and be nominated for the BAFTA Best Actor Award in 1984 for The Dresser (1983). Meryl Streep will be nominated for the BAFTA Best Actress Award in 1984 for Silkwood (1983). Shirley MacLaine will be nominated for the BAFTA Best Actress Award in 1984 for Terms of Endearment (1983). Michael Elphnick will be nominated for the BAFTA Best Supporting Actor Award in 1984 for Gorky Park (1983). Eileen Atkins will be nominated for the BAFTA Best Supporting Actress Award in 1984 for The Dresser (1983). Cher will be nominated for the BAFTA Best Supporting Actress Award in 1984 for Silkwood (1983). Inna Churikova will win the Berlin Film Festival Best Actress Award in 1984 for War Time Romance (1983). Monica Vitti will also win the Berlin Film Festival Best Actress Award in 1984 for Flirt (1983). Carlo Della Piane will win Italy’s Nastro d’Argento Best Actor Award in 1984 for A School Outing (1983). Monica Scattini will win Italy’s Nastro d’Argento Best Supporting Actress Award in 1984 for Lontano da Dove (1983). Kim Anderzon won Sweden’s Guldbagge Best Actress Award in 1982 for Second Dance (1983). Ray Barrett won the Australian Film Institute Best Actor Award in 1982 for Goodbye Paradise (1983). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 15, 2017 Author Share Posted February 15, 2017 France’s Cesar Awards for 1983 were … Best Actor Coluche, So Longe Stooge Best Actress Isabelle Adjani, One Deadly Summer Best Supporting Actor Richard Anconina, So Long Stooge Best Supporting Actress Suzanne Flon, One Deadly Summer ————————————————————————————— The 82/83 Sweden’s Guldbagge Awards for 1983 included… Best Actress Kim Anderzon, Second Dance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 15, 2017 Author Share Posted February 15, 2017 Actor Runner-ups: Farley Granger (Senso) Actress Runner-ups: Alida Valli (Senso) I have to go back 100 pages to dig up this reference to Senso (1954) by Luchino Visconti. I just happened to catch it for the first time in the BFI Southbank's big theatre. It really was something to see especially the opening in the opera House with Verdi's Il Trovatore. It set the stage for Visconti's film opera where the melodrama would put Douglas Sirk to shame. In that vein the performances were suitably big with lots of emotion. Alida Valli, who also made Swithin's list is very good in the weepy part of a married Italian Countess who tragically falls in love with a dashing officer of the Austrian occupying army. She is older than the officer and is drawn to him despite his reputation as a rogue and ladies man. I suspect that Valli acted the part in her native Italian and did her own voice dubbing. With the exception of a few lines of dialogue everything was redone in the post sync studio as is the Italian way. Farley Granger is another matter. I could tell that he was originally speaking his lines in English when it was filmed then another actor replaced all of his dialogue in Italian. This would have been no concern to the Italians who would have seen all of Farley's American films dubbed in Italian anyway and maybe even by the same actor. But Farley certainly gave that voice artist something to work with. His physicality in the part is perfect and this is a case where the younger male lead looks better than his female co-star which is saying something when you have Alida Valli in your film. Though it would be impossible to watch a film where one person is speaking in English and the other is responding in italian I would have been curious to see Granger's performance with his own voice. He has never been so emotive in a film. On another note entirely while I was watching the film I was struck by how much Alida Valli looked like a girl I dated in college some 40 years ago. When I arrived home I had an email from her which was very surprising as I had not heard from her in 20 years or so! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jlewis Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 My choices are so much better! I was crestfallen when I found his book years ago as I had this idea that I would do something like it someday. This thread is finally my chance I guess!! I really like Dan Peary's Cult Movies (3 books total, all published in the 1980s and sadly no more) because he really goes into each film title in depth, pointing out similarities with other films, interesting patterns and coincidences. Even his analysis of the all-time familiars like Citizen Kane and The Wizard of Oz have interesting points I don't find in other movie books. Some of his profiles like King Kong get really, really deep and all Freudian (although I agree that the all-male ape is missing something between his legs and, yes, the Empire State Building certainly compensates in a symbolic way for being unable to bring his relationship with Ann Darrow to the next level). Oh... everybody here who likes to READ about movies must acquire all three of these books. It's the "little things", as Vincent Minnelli once remarked, that make us watch the same movie more than once. With that said, Alternate Oscar is more polarizing to me. I do find his writing style highly enjoyable but his opinions are scattered. Sometimes he will argue a performance or picture that may not be worth arguing. Also the whole point of the Oscars is that they reflect a time period when certain types of films were trendy and folks get awarded simply because they were passed over for earlier work and not because this year's product was necessarily their best. I think this book ends in 1991. I am sad that he stopped writing about movies and focused on sports subjects after this book. Maybe he lost interest in early 1990s cinema? I really wished he made a Cult Movies 4 because there is a wealth of memorable titles demanding his analysis. (Little trivia here: Peary's favorite "cult" movie is Tarzan and His Mate (1934) http://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/share-your-love-author-danny-peary-on-cult-movies ) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 15, 2017 Author Share Posted February 15, 2017 Italy’s 82/83 Nastro d’Argento Film Awards for 1983 included … Best Actor Francesco Nuti, The Pool Hustlers Best Actress Giuliana de Sio, The Pool Hustlers Best Supporting Actress Virna Lisi, Time for Loving and Italy’s 83/84 Nastro d’Argento Film Awards for 1983 included … Best Actor Carlo Delle Piane, A School Outing Best Supporting Actress Monica Scattini, Lontano da Dove —————————————————————————————— Italy’s 82/83 David di Donatello Awards for 1983 included … Best Actor Francesco Nuti, The Pool Hustlers Best Actress Giuliana de Sio, The Pool Hustlers Best Supporting Actor Lello Arena, Scusate iL Ritardo Best Supporting Actresses Virna Lisi, Time for Loving* Lina Polita, Scusate iL Ritardo* and Italy’s 83/84 David di Donatello Awards for 1983 included … Best Foreign Actor Woody Allen, Zelig Best Foreign Actress Shirley MacLaine, Terms of Endearment Best Supporting Actor Carlo Giuffre, Son Contento Best Supporting Actresses Elena Fabrizi, Soap and Water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 15, 2017 Author Share Posted February 15, 2017 The Canadian Genie Awards for 1983 were … Best Actor Eric Fryer, The Terry Fox Story Best Actress Martha Henry, The Wars Best Supporting Actor Michael Zelnicker, The Terry Fox Story Best Supporting Actress Jackie Burroughs, The Wars —————————————————————————————— The Australian Film Institute Awards for 1983 were … Best Actor Norman Kaye, Man of Flowers Best Actress Wendy Hughes, Careful He Might Hear You Best Supporting Actor John Hargreaves, Careful He Might Hear You Best Supporting Actresses Linda Hunt, The Year of Living Dangerously (82) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 15, 2017 Author Share Posted February 15, 2017 The Japanese Academy Awards for 1983 were … Best Actor Ken Ogata, The Ballad of Narayama, The Geisha and The Catch Best Actress Rumiko Koyanagi, White Snake Enchantment Best Supporting Actor Morio Kazama, The Geisha and Theatre of Life Best Supporting Actress Atsuko Asano, The Geisha and Dirty Hero ————————————————————————————— Japan’s Blue Ribbon Awards for 1983 were … Best Actor Ken Ogata, The Ballad of Narayama, The Geisha, Okinawan Boys and The Catch Best Actress Yuko Tanaka, Amagi Pass Best Supporting Actor Kunie Tanaka, Nogare no Machi and Izakaya Choji Best Supporting Actress Eiko Nagashima, Ryuji ————————————————————————————— Japan’s Mainichi Awards for 1983 were … Best Actor Ken Ogata, The Ballad of Narayama, The Geisha and The Catch Best Actress Yuko Tanaka, Amagi Pass Best Supporting Actor Takeshi Kitano, Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence Best Supporting Actress Saori Yuki, The Family Game 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceA Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Here are the 1983 movies I have not seen (60 this time!): A Nos Amours Amagi Pass And the Ship Sails On Another Time, Another Place Baby It's You The Ballad of Narayama Betrayal The Black Stallion Returns Brussels By Night Careful He Might Hear You Carmen The Catch City of Pirates Confidentially Yours De Vlaschaard The Death of Mario Ricci Dirty Hero Ediths Tagebuch Entre Nous The Family Game Flirt The Fourth Man The Geisha Goodbye Paradise Hometown Independence Day Izakaya Choji Lontano da Dove The Makioka Sisters Man of Flowers Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence Mickey's Christmas Carol My Brother's Wedding Nogare no Machi Nostalghia Okinawan Boys One Deadly Summer Pastorale Heroica Pauline at the Beach Phar Lap The Pirates of Penzance The Ploughman's Lunch The Pool Hustlers Ryuji A School Outing Scusate iL Ritardo Second Dance So Long Stooge Soap and Water Son Contento The South The Story of Piera Sugar Cane Alley The Terry Fox Story Theatre of Life Time for Loving Twice Upon a Time War Time Romance The Wars White Snake Enchantment p.s. The Honorary Consul was released in the US as Beyond the Limit, which I have seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 (edited) Here are the films from 1983 that were mentioned that I have not seen as yet. Amagi Pass with Yuko Tanaka And the Ship Sails On with Freddie Jones and Barbara Jefford Another Time Another Place with Phyllis Logan The Ballad of Narayama with Ken Ogata, Sumiko Sakamto, Tompei Hidari and Junko Takada Brussels by Night with Francois Beukelaers Careful He Might Hear You with Wendy Hughes and John Hargreaves The Catch with Ken Ogata Christine with Robert Prosky City of Pirates with Anne Alvaro De Vlaschaard/The Flaxfield with Vic Moeremans and Gusta Gerritsen The Death of Mario Ricci with Gian Maria Volonte Dirty Hero with Atsuko Asano Easy Money with Rodney Dangerfield Ediths Tabebuch with Angela Winkler Entre Nous with isabelle Huppert and Miou-Miou The Family Game with Saori Yuki Flirt with Monic Vitti The Geisha with Ken Ogata, Atsuko Asano and Morio Kazama Goodbye Paradise with Ray Barrett Hometown with Yoshi Kato The Honorary Consul with Michael Caine and Bob Hoskins Independence Day with Dianne Wiest Izakaya Choji with Kunie Tanake The Keep with Jurgen Prochnow The Last Battle with Pierre Joilvet Lotano da Dove with Monica Scattini My Brother’s Wedding with Everett Silas ad Jessie Holms Nogare no Machi with Kunie Tanake Okinawan Boys with Ken Ogata One Deadly Summer with Suzanne Flon, Alain Souchon, Isabelle Adjani and Michel Galabru Pastorale Heroica with Wirgillusz Gryn The Ploughman’s Lunch with Rosemary Harris The Pool Hustlers with Francesco Nuti and Giuliana de Sio Ryuji with Eiko Nagashima A School Outing with Carlo Delle Piane Scusate il Ritardo with Lello Arena and Lina Polito Second Dance with Kim Anderzon So Long Stooge with Colouche and Richard Anconina Soap and Water with Elena Fabrizi Son Contento with Carlo Gluffre The Story of Piera with Hanna Schygulla Streamers with George Dzunda, David Alan Grier, Mitchell Lichtenstein, Matthew Modine and Michael Wright Sugar Cane Alley with Darling Legitimus The Survivors with Robin Williams and Walter Matthau Theatre of Life with Morio Kazama Time For Loving with Virna Lisi Trading Places Eddie Murphy, Denholm Elliott and Jamie Lee Curtis Twice Upon a Time with Lorenzo Music and Marshall Efron Valley Girl with Nicholas Cage, Deborah Foreman and E.G. Daily War Time Romance with Inna Churikova White Snake Enchantment with Rumiko Koyanagi And I would like to see this again … Pauline at the Beach for Amanda Langlet Edited February 16, 2017 by Bogie56 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimpole Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Here are the films from 1983 that were mentioned that I have not seen as yet. Sugar Cane Alley with Darling Legitimus Lichtenstein, Matthew Modine and Michael Wright I think you're missing a movie. Sugar Cane Alley isn't a Modine/Wright movie. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceA Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Here are the films from 1983 that were mentioned that I have not seen as yet. Christine with Robert Prosky Easy Money with Rodney Dangerfield The Honorary Consul with Michael Caine and Bob Hoskins The Keep with Jurgen Prochnow The Last Battle with Pierre Joilvet Streamers with George Dzunda, David Alan Grier, Mitchell Lichtenstein, Matthew Modine and Michael Wright The Survivors with Robin Williams and Walter Matthau Trading Places Eddie Murphy, Denholm Elliott and Jamie Lee Curtis Valley Girl with Nicholas Cage, Deborah Foreman and E.G. Daily I've seen these. Easy Money is a decent comedy with Rodney Dangerfield, so if you like him, you should like the movie. Valley Girl is a fun time capsule of fashions and music. The Survivors wasn't completely successful, in my mind, but it has been a long time since I've seen it, so it may have aged better. Trading Places was a major comedy of the era. The divide between the rich and the poor is still a major concern so the film still has relevance. Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy have fun with their roles as manipulative rich jerks. And Jamie Lee Curtis never looked better, in my opinion. The Honorary Consul is based on Graham Greene, and plays like a Latin American version of The Quiet American. It wasn't bad, from what I recall, and even star Richard Gere maintained his own around Caine and Hoskins. Streamers is basically a filmed play, directed by Robert Altman. It isn't bad if you don't mind the set-bound scenario. Some of the dialogue is clunky, but most of it works. The Last Battle aka Le Dernier Combat is the first feature from writer/director Luc Besson. It's a stark, B&W post-apocalyptic movie with little dialogue. I recommend it. Christine is a Stephen King adaptation, this time from director John Carpenter. A nerdy kid buys a beat up car that transforms the kid into a self-confident but heartless sociopath. The car also repairs itself and helps its new owner gain revenge on his tormentors at school and beyond. The movie has a lot of flaws, but a few really outstanding shots, particularly one with the car engulfed in flames as it slowly bears down on a fleeing victim in the dead of night. Robert Prosky is great as a really loathsome, repugnant slob that runs the large garage where the kid works on his car. Finally, my pick would be The Keep, although it is also deeply flawed. Set during WW2, a German Army division, led by Jurgen Prochnow, arrives in a remote Romanian village to take possession of a large castle there. The locals warn them of the dangers within, but of course no one listens. Once inside, some soldiers unwittingly release an ancient evil that begins slowly killing the troops, gaining strength (and changing appearances) with each kill. The German High Command sends a brutal SS commander (Gabriel Byrne) to stop the killings, along with a Jewish medieval history expert (Ian McKellan) and his daughter (Alberta Watson). There's also a mysterious American (Scott Glenn) who has made his way to the village with an agenda of his own. Robert Prosky shows up again as the village priest. The film is very atmospheric, with some fantastic cinematography, and a score from Tangerine Dream that helps the mood (and definitely dates it). The film falls apart a bit in the final stretch, although I like it a lot, and it's very different from other horror films of the time, despite the obvious nod to vampire lore. Director Michael Mann has virtually disowned the movie, and has openly prevented it from being released on DVD or Blu-Ray, despite multiple petitions and direct campaigns to the film's company, Paramount. There were also issues pertaining to the score rights, as well. The movie is occasionally streaming on Amazon Prime, and it gets shown on pay-cable TV sometimes. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogie56 Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 Here are the 1983 movies I have not seen (60 this time!): A Nos Amours Baby It's You Betrayal The Black Stallion Returns Careful He Might Hear You Carmen Confidentially Yours The Fourth Man The Makioka Sisters Man of Flowers Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence Nostalghia Pauline at the Beach Phar Lap The Pirates of Penzance The South The Terry Fox Story The Wars I've seen these films listed above but a lot of them were not among my list of performances. I was pleasantly surprised by Carlos Saura's Carmen. It is about a flamenco troupe in rehearsals for a version of the Bizet Opera. Naturally real life begins to mirror the Carmen story. Flamenco dancer, Cristina Hoyos (on the left) was one of my supporting actress runner ups. And Laura del Sol as Carmen ain't bad either. Kon Ichikawa's The Makioka Sisters also made my top ten films of 1983 list. I believe it opened to mixed reviews. I caught it in the theatre which helped my appreciation of it I'm sure. It really is just a soap concerning the interaction of four affluent sisters in 1930's Japan. All four women ended up in my list of performances for this year. Ralph Thomas' The Terry Fox Story is listed on the imdb as a TVM. I can assure everyone that though it may have premiered in the U.S.A. on television it had a theatrical release in Canada. It concerns the real life story of young cancer amputee Terry Fox's 'Marathon of Hope' which was his attempt to run across Canada to raise money to fight the disease. It is better than your average disease of the week TVM and Thomas gets good performances from the entire cast. Pictured above are Robert Duvall, Chris Makepeace, Eric Fryer and Michael Zelnicker. I feel I am treading on a Peter Cook and Dudley Moore sketch when I mention amputee Eric Fryer's performance as amputee Terry Fox. Yes, it helped that he only had one leg but this young man did a great job in his only film appearance. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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