1984 Movies
OSCARS Won/Nominated
IMDB Top 250
IMDB Top 250
1984
Dir: Michael Radford Stars: John Hurt, Richard Burton George Orwell's 1984 is nearly impossible to adapt to film...but this one gets it as right as much as an adaptation can. There is a reason this hasn't been done again since. The lower budget makes the dystopia that much more believable. If it were made today, it would be a sci-fi visual effects spectacle and that would miss the point. B+ DVD |
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Dir: W.D. Richter Voices: Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin "Adventurer, brain surgeon, rock musician Buckaroo Banzai and his crime-fighting team, the Hong Kong Cavaliers, must stop evil alien invaders from the eighth dimension who are planning to conquer Earth." That's the description of this movie on IMDB...and this movie defies description. It is as if Luc Besson, Terry Gilliam, and Ed Wood got drunk & high and birthed this film with a few dings in it. Its ridiculous, absurd, totally unfocused, and oddly charming. When you have people like Jeff Goldblum, John Lithgow, Dan Hedaya, Christopher Lloyd, Vincent Schiavelli, and copious other character actors show up in this extraordinary mess...it HAS to have a measure of charm. SO STRANGE!!! B- |
OSCARS
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Picture
Best Director Best Actor Best Supporting Actress Best Adapted Screenplay Best Editing Best Cinematography Best Costume Design Best Makeup Best Sound |
Amadeus
Dir: Milos Foreman Stars: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Jeffrey Jones 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die IMDB #82 One of the greates biopics of all time. The music, the sets, the direction....its all perfect. The lead performances by Hulce and Abraham are just amazing. I love every second of this film, even if it did take a few liberties with history. It breezes by without any effort and it is one of those movies you never want to end because it is so beautiful. A DVD |
OSCARS
Best Original Screenplay
|
Beverly Hills Cop
Dir: Martin Brest Stars: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I am not as huge a fan of this film as a lot of people...and I AM a huge fan of Eddie Murphy. I think it is just a little too mean-spirited at times and that usually turns me off. A lot of the hijinks in this film is at the expense of people/cops who don't deserve it. It is still solid entertainment. B |
OSCARS
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay |
Broadway Danny Rose
Dir: Woody Allen Stars: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow This is a very mediocre Woody Allen affair. Allen is playing Allen as he usually does. The story trope is sort of interesting but never quite gets that spark. Mia Farrow seems incredibly bored with her role and the actor who plays the aging lounge singer at the center of the plot is oddly miscast. Allen was Allen in 1984 and could have benefited by casting someone recognizable. In the time where Annie Hall, Manhattan, and Crimes & Misdemeanors existed, this can be almost totally forgotten. C+ |
An Ewok Adventure: Caravan of Courage
Dir: John Korty Stars: Warwick Davis I really have no GREAT reason to love this movie...but I grew up with it. As an adult, if I think of it as a Star Wars movie with the Lord of the Rings journey trope in it...it makes it a Masterpiece. It's not quite that...but I love it. B DVD |
OSCARS
Best Original Song
Best Original Song |
Footloose
Dir: Herbert Ross Stars: Kevin Bacon, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest This movie is corny as hell, but the dance sequences are so infectiously fun that is is almost impossible not to enjoy yourself. Oh the 80s, when a premise like a town banning dancing was an acceptable plotline. B- |
OSCARS
Best Visual Effects
Best Original Song KEVIN'S PICK
Best Original Screenplay
|
Ghostbusters
Dir: Ivan Reitman Stars: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I always said the key to the success of this film is Bill Murray. Scientists going around New York capturing ghosts is dumb...and Murray's character points out this stupidity constantly...like the audience's conscience. It makes the movie hilarious fun. It is that simple. B+ DVD |
Gremlins
Dir: Joe Dante Stars: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates Director Joe Dante is a sick person, and the goofy quasi-horror Christmas movie that he came up with was so original and so fun. The tone is really the star...because it holds the dark, gloomy atmosphere while throwing out laughs and cuteness. B+ Bluray |
OSCARS
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Visual Effects
Best Original Score |
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Dir: Steven Spielberg Stars: Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, Jonathan Ke Quan Pitch perfect adventure. I actually grew up on this film more than Raiders of the Lost Ark. Its dark, sad, gross, and exciting. Everything a young boy needs with his enetertainment. A Bluray |
OSCARS
Best Supporting Actor
|
The Karate Kid
Dir: John G. Avildsen Stars: Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elizabeth Shue Brilliant in its simplicity, this film holds a very special place in almost every filmgoer's heart. Mr. Miyagi is one of the greatest coach/friend/mentor characters in the history of cinema. Even Ralph Macchio's irritating whininess can't overcome Pat Morita's charm. SWEEP THE LEG!! B+ DVD |
Micki & Maude
Dir: Blake Edwards Stars: Dudley Moore, Amy Irving, Ann Reinking I think nostalgia contributes a LOT to why I like this film so much, but it is still so enjoyable. Dudley Moore trying to juggle his two wives, pregnant at the same time, is screwball zaniness at its best, and one of the only Blake Edwards films to date that I actually like. When I was a kid, I don't think I ever understood the gravity and depravity of the situation at hand here...but as an adult...I relish the absurdity and fun that Moore can bring to it. B |
OSCARS
Best Original Song
|
The Muppets Take Manhattan
Dir: Frank Oz Again, and it is going to become a boring excuse, but it was 1984, and I love this film because it was my childhood. I watched this film and The Great Muppet Caper incessantly. Caper is definitely the better film, and the original film is superior to both...but this film definitely has its charm and the music is top notch. The final wedding scene is one of the most memorable pieces of cinema from my childhood and that goes a long way...but I have to be objective here...so I give it a B. B DVD |
OSCARS
Best Supporting Actress
Best Cinematography Best Art Direction Best Original Score |
The Natural
Dir: Barry Levinson Stars: Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die It is amazing to me that with such a lifelong love for baseball, I have never seen this film. I recognize the theme, I knew the name "Wonderboy"...I just never got around to seeing it. This is truly a love letter to the sport, and if you are a huge baseball fan, it plays like a wonderful, heroic tale...even if it all that is achieved is that a middle-aged rookie plants his flag in baseball history. Great acting all around, by Redford, Close, Basinger, Brimley, and Farnsworth. I really want to go break out my mitt and bat right about now. Is there anything more glorious in sports film history than that last home run and the fireworks that ensue? B DVD |
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Original Song
|
The Neverending Story
Dir: Wolfgang Petersen Stars: Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway I don't think there is another fantasy adventure that I get more immersed in and makes me feel like a kid again more than this film. To this day, it makes my heart race, makes me cry, frightens me, and makes me dream that something like this could ever happen to me. It is astonishingly effective and magical. A Bluray |
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Dir: Wes Craven Stars: Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die All you need is a great, universal fear (nightmares) and throw in an iconic villain (Freddy Kreuger) and you've got something special. There is no getting around the B-movie feel of this film, but Robert Englund is just so outstanding as Freddy that it makes the film a classic. B DVD |
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Supporting Actor
Best Art Direction |
Once Upon a Time in America
Dir: Sergio Leone Stars: Robert DeNiro, James Woods, Treat Williams, William Forsythe, Elizabeth McGovern 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die IMDB #70 At 227 Minutes...getting through this final film of Sergio Leone, about 60 years in the life of a Jewish gangster from Brooklyn, is an incredible test of endurance. Leone is a master, and a slave, to holding shots for twice as long as they seem to need, but he molds a hypnotic narrative that almost becomes silent performance art. DeNiro is wonderful as "Noodles", and we see him as a young street urchin, a powerful middle-aged mob boss, and a elderly broken man...and it is all told out of sequence, but in a way that is never confusing. This epic of epics is a rich tapestry of friendship, loyalty, greed, love, and hubris...and if it were a 6-part miniseries, told in 45-minute episodes...it may be heralded as one of the greatest miniseries of all time. My juxtaposed opinion of this near-masterpiece is that its only flaw is that it is so damn long...but I also never wanted it to end. A- Bluray |
Police Academy
Dir: Hugh Wilson Stars: Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall, G.W. Bailey, Michael Winslow, David Graf, Bubba Smith, Leslie Easterbrook The Police Academy series never really evolved into anything worth-while. It is an ensemble comedy, but the characters are so one-dimensional. The womanizer, the gun nut, the huge guy, the sound-effects guy...they are basically cartoon characters so it all feels jeuvenile and cartoonish. Still...there are SOME laughs to be had. C+ DVD |
Red Dawn
Dir: John Milius Stars: Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Grey, Lea Thompson This movie struck a chord with me I didn't expect. It isn't terribly acted and the sound design is a bit lacking for the intensity of the battles...but the desperation of these kids to defend themselves and their country from an invading Communist force was extremely effective. What's more is that in context of our lives today...it exhibits an allegory that they never knew they would be doing back in 1984. You can easily see this film from the point of view of Middle Eastern youth and how they react to a seemingly occupying force of the US. There are terrorist attacks, ambushes...you name it. And to flip the script that Americans doing this to invading commies in 1984 was heroic and you cheer for them...today, in the Middle East, you are considered monsters and cowards. That uneasiness made this film an incredible watch. A- |
Revenge of the Nerds
Dir: Jeff Kanew Stars: Anthony Edwards, Robert Carradine, Curtis Armstrong, Ted McGinley, John Goodman Very broad and predictable comedy of its time...but also very iconic. It is a very simple premise but some of the jokes are a little TOO outrageous to the point of not being funny...but it is undeniably classic. Back then...I guess assault, arson, secretly videotaping coeds, and flat-out rape were funny...because that is all here and played for laughs. A lot of that doesn't work anymore...but there is enough elsewhere...mostly racial and homophobic jokes...that still kinda work....but even those are a bit insensitive and dated now. B DVD |
OSCARS
Best Editing
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Actress
|
Romancing the Stone
Dir: Robert Zemeckis Stars: Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito This trope of having a live-action Romance Novel adventure works almost flawlessly. Robert Zemeckis really can take anything and inject magic into it. On paper...it shouldn't work NEARLY as well as it does. Props to Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, and Danny DeVito...all great. The action works, the comedy works, and most important to the premise...the romance works. A- DVD |
OSCARS
Best Original Screenplay
|
Splash
Dir: Ron Howard Stars: Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, Eugene Levy One of the great 80s Tom Hanks comedies...second only to The 'Burbs in my opinion. Ron Howard is really showing how notable a director he will become. John Candy and Eugene Levy's supporting roles are hilarious and classic. If you need anymore proof as to its quality...this is a comedy about a man falling in love with a mermaid...and it got a Best Original Screenplay Oscar nod. B+ DVD |
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Dir: Leonard Nimoy Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan This is a solid entry in the Star Trek Cinematic universe. The plot is pretty simple...not much more than a single episode of the series...but there is some real interesting emotions going on here as the Enterprise crew risks their lives to find Spock. The closing scene is so well done that it gave me chills, but it was a bit uneven when compared to the loss Kirk had earlier in the story. Cheesy and fun in the best of ways. B |
The Terminator
Dir: James Cameron Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die If Terminator 2: Judgement Day day hadn't been a modern, Sci-Fi Masterpiece and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines hadn't been such a whiz-bang barrel of fun, the original film may have been a decent movie. But the original is totally outdone, in every way, by its successors (even Terminator Salvation). I enjoyed Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese, but the whole film doesn't have the 80s charm...it has the 80s cheesiness. Arnold perfected the robot personna in the second movie...here....he just comes across as an Austrian with a mouth full of marbles. Action is ok, story is ok, but things get so much better later on...and not just technically. C- |
This is Spinal Tap
Dir: Rob Reiner Stars: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Ugh...I was so disappointed by this movie. I know this Mockumentary style was groundbreaking for Rob Reiner and the comedy troupe that would follow Christopher Guest around for his career...but its just not that funny. There were certainly some funny gags here and there...like the pod not opening on queue, the arrival of their completely black album cover, etc...but there was no comedic tone that carried the film throughout. The film thinks it is MUCH funnier than it actually was and I found myself incredibly bored with pepperings of chuckles...that is a failure for what is hailed as a comedy classic. C- |
Top Secret!
Dir: Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, and David Zucker Stars: Val Kilmer, Peter Cushing This movie was a step back for Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker after Airplane. They recovered once The Naked Gun came around...but there are a few laughs here and there. It is filmed a bit like amateur hour and Val Kilmer isn't the right choice because he is just not that funny. C+ |
OSCARS
Best Original Song
|
The Woman in Red
Dir: Gene Wilder Stars: Gene Wilder, Kelly LeBrock, Gilda Radner One of those weak Gene Wilder, 1980s movies. It can be sweet at times, can produce a chuckle at times, but it is ultimately uninspired and forgettable. But it DID give us "I Just Called to Say I Love You"...so there is that. C+ |