1986 Movies
OSCARS Won/Nominated
IMDB Top 250
IMDB Top 250
OSCARS
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Sound Effects Editing
Best Visual Effects |
Aliens
Dir: James Cameron Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Bill Paxton 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die IMDB #69 James Cameron's sequel to Ridley Scott's classic is as exciting and innovative as its predecessor. I still don't think it is the masterpiece that it is hailed as, but Weaver's Ripley is certainly an iconic action heroine. That shot of the aliens up in the ceiling will definitely give me nightmares. The Alien franchise, including the Alien Vs. Predator installment, is a lot of fun. B |
OSCARS
Best Original Song
|
An American Tail
Dir: Don Bluth Voices: Dom Deluise, Christopher Plummer One of those first features that showed animation could be done well elsewhere from Disney, but it still took Spielberg behind it to raise it up. Such a great immigration/assimilation story. Very smart and joyous and music that is so wonderful. Even now, thinking about it, I am humming There Are No Cats in America and Somewhere Out There. A- |
Big Trouble in Little China
Dir: John Carpenter Stars: Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall "A rough-and-tumble trucker helps rescue his friend's fiance from an ancient sorcerer in a supernatural battle beneath Chinatown" That is the IMDB description of this nonsense. An excuse could be made that one would have had to grow up with this film to appreciate it...or that it is a product of its time. I don't buy it. This is directed by the guy who made the masterful The Thing only a few years earlier. And equally ridiculous movies were out at the same time that are wonderfully charming (The Monster Squad). This is just chaotic silliness that is never funny enough or exciting enough to even have purpose. D+ |
OSCARS
Best Director
|
Blue Velvet
Dir: David Lynch Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I am not a huge fan of David Lynch, but watching Blue Velvet...I couldn't deny the hold the film had on me. This glimpse into the underbelly of suburbia just makes me uncomfortable...probably the only emotion I had...but I loved it. Kyle Maclachlan and Laura Dern are real, innocent kids being thrust into such an obscure, nightmare of a world that is so odd and so violent, focusing on a BRILLIANT Dennis Hopper...it is almost as if it doesn't actually exist. Lynch is a visionary...but I often don't buy into his vision. This time around...I got it...and I feel dirty because of it. A- |
Chopping Mall
Dir: Jim Wynorski What a disaster this movie is. There are some laugh-out-loud bad-acting moments and a bit of T&A...so it has that going for it. But very little gets "Chopped"...so that's odd. I only watched this because it was referenced in Marvel Agents of SHIELD....I guess it was a bit of an in joke or something. D- |
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Dir: John Hughes Stars: Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, Alan Ruck, Jeffrey Jones 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die It is a testament to Broderick and Hughes that a movie about a kid skipping school is so good and so iconic. The way movies like this work is that high-schoolers really would love to have the confidence, the hijinks, the girl, the friends, and the adventures of Ferris. It has often been copied but never equaled. Oh Yeah!! A- |
Flight of the Navigator
Dir: Randal Kleiser Stars: Paul Reubens, Sarah Jessica Parker As a kid, the time-travel aspect went right over my head but the adventure aspect was enough. As an adult, the adventure aspect is a bit cheesy but the time-travel aspect is intriguing. I guess it averages out to decent. This was one of those childhood movies I always dreamed of experiencing myself. B- DVD |
OSCARS
Best Makeup
|
The Fly
Dir: David Cronenberg Stars: Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Just as when I saw The Thing for the first time, I was horrified, grossed out, and totally enamored with David Cronenberg's The Fly. I loved how the creation of the "Telepods" were taken for granted and that we realize that this genius scientist worked for years and years before we first meet him at the cocktail party in the beginning of the film. Jeff Goldblum's deterioration throughout this film is a marvel of makeup and atmosphere. The various levels of his decay are definitely the things nightmares are formed around. Not only that, but the themes that Cronenberg brings up in this film (jealousy, abortion, journalistic responsibility, empathy) are all poignant and not at all forced. Loved this film!! A- |
OSCARS
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Supporting Actress
|
Hannah and Her Sisters
Dir: Woody Allen Stars: Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest, Michael Caine 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Not quite my favorite of Allen's films, and I certainly don't understand the ridiculous amount of attention the Oscars gave it. I can buy both Michael Caine and Dianne Weist getting Supporting Actor/Actress wins...but Best Pic, Best Director, Best ART DIRECTION noms? Not quite. I generally enjoy Allen's films in which he stars, but he seems imported from another film in this one. Regardless...it is a lot of fun and entertaining. But it's no Annie Hall. B DVD |
Haunted Honeymoon
Dir: Gene Wilder Stars: Gene Wilder, Gilda Radner, Dom Deluise, Jonathan Pryce So ridiculous and episodic, but the audacity of Dom Deluise in drag and the pairing of Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner is impossible not too like. There are a lot of recycled bits from Mel Brooks movies and Monty Python...but they work for a reason. A lot of fun even if it is an undercooked, Brooksian movie. B- DVD |
Highlander
Dir: Russell Mucahy Stars: Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown A perfect example of so-bad-it's-good. To watch a horribly accented Frenchman playing a Scottish warrior with a japanese katana clash sparking swords with a 7-foot tall psychopath wielding a spiked broadsword is a LOT of fun. This movie is so disinterested in the WHY of anything...it can't be THAT much enjoyed though. Why are there immortals? Why does Sean Connery know everything he knows? What is the "Prize"? Why "There Can Be Only One!"? It is all never explained. All we know is Lambert is eventually going to fight Clancy Brown...and that finale is great...even if it doesn't make any sense. C+ |
OSCARS
Best Original Song
|
The Karate Kid Part II
Dir: John G. Avildsen Stars: Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita They brought Daniel and Mr. Miyagi to Osaka, Japan for Daniel to be a fish-out-of-water character. Meh. Bring them back for Tournament and Bully stuff. The original film's brilliance was that it took a bullied Daniel Laruso and gave him some kind of outlet to overcome his hardships. I'm none to interested in his thoughts about Japanese culture and history. C+ DVD |
Labyrinth
Dir: Terry Jones Stars: David Bowie, Jennifer Connolly I know this movie isn't perfect, but it is one of my hands-down favorites. Monty Python's Terry Jones , George Lucas, and Jim Henson? It is a match made in heaven. The production design, the music, and just the richness of storytelling verve is one of the most infectious fantasies you can come across. It is like Alice in Wonderland told by some disturbed, freaky people. Pure magic in every sense of the word. A- Bluray |
OSCARS
Best Makeup
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction Best Costume Design Best Makeup Best Sound Best Original Score |
Legend
Dir: Ridley Scott Stars: Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry In my opinion, Tim Curry's Darkness is one of the most frightening characters in the history of cinema, and that goes a long way in the success of this film. The sound, the look, the Tangerine Dream score...its all so glorious. I feel the same about this movie as I do about Labyrinth. It is like a dream I want to have over and over again. The editing and story is a bit uneven, but who cares. A- DVD |
OSCARS
Best Visual Effects
Best Original Song |
Little Shop of Horrors
Dir: Frank Oz Stars: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin Such an infectious, dark-comedy musical. One of my favorites. Rick Moranis is pitch perfect as Seymour and I don't think it can be argued that Audrey II is the best thing the Jim Henson Creature Shop every created. On top of that, the great Steve Martin steals every scene he is in...until Bill Murray steals a scene from him. Such a great time. B+ DVD |
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Original Screenplay
|
Lucas
Dir: David Seltzer Stars: Corey Haim, Kerri Green, Charlie Sheen, Winona Ryder Simply the best high-school experience movie ever. Its realistic, sweet, funny, and heartbreaking. Corey Haim perfectly embodies the small, nerdy kid who just loses it when he realizes he can't measure up to the jocks in his school. Many archetypes are present...the cute girl, the unnoticed girl, the bully, the jock friend, the best friend, etc. but they all work exactly the way they should. Nothing that happens is hi-jinx or ridiculous. All-around perfect and enjoyable. With the greatest slow-clap of all time!! A DVD |
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Actor
Best Adapted Screenplay |
Manhunter
Dir: Michael Mann Stars: William Petersen, Brian Cox, Tom Noonan 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I am a huge fan of the Brett Ratner film, Red Dragon...but this original version of the Thomas Harris novel is excellent in its own right. This film was made before Hannibal Lecter was a cinematic icon, and Brian Cox does quite a superb job as the imprisoned doctor. I also enjoyed the rest of the cast, William Peterson, Thomas Noonan, Denis Farina, Joan Allen....great stuff. Also, directed by Michael Mann in 1986, the story is all about Will Graham and the psychological weight he carries while trying to solve these horrendous murders. 2002's Red Dragon was all about giving us Anthony Hopkins again and shocking us. 1986's Manhunter is all about disturbing us. And it certainly does. A- |
The Money Pit
Dir: Richard Benjamin Stars: Tom Hanks, Shelley Long When I was young...watching their house fall down around them was hilarious. Today? I think this is more of a horror movie. This movie turns my stomach now that I am an adult. Actually hard to laugh at nowadays. Even so...it is pretty classic Tom Hanks comedy faire. B- |
OSCARS
Best Actress
Best Cinematography Best Costume Design KEVIN'S PICK
Best Actress
|
Peggy Sue Got Married
Dir: Francis Ford Coppola Stars: Kathleen Turner, Nicholas Cage, Helen Hunt, Jim Carrey I have an affection for these go-back-in-time-and -redo-your-life kinds of movies. I mean, I have praised Back to the Future more times than I can count but it is even closer to Nicholas Cage's The Family Man. This movie, with Turner, Cage, and Carrey, is really a lot of fun in the spirit of those films. It is an odd genre for the iconic Francis Ford Coppola to direct...but it works. B |
OSCARS
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Picture
Best Director Best Supporting Actor Best Editing |
Platoon
Dir: Oliver Stone Stars: Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die IMDB #186 Sheer war film perfection, rivaled only by Full Metal Jacket for capturing the sheer horror, hopelessness, helplessness, and dehumanization of the Vietnam War. Where Full Metal Jacket focuses on some specific horrors and pointlessnesses in the bases and in the cities, Platoon shows us the horros of the jungle and how batshit the soldiers could become. Tom Berenger is truly frightening and it really shows that Charlie Sheen can really act. A DVD |
Police Academy 3: Back in Training
Dir: Jerry Paris Stars: Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, Bobcat Goldthwait It just keeps sliding away. This franchise just gets duller and duller. I like that crazy Bobcat Goldthwait is around, screaming at everyone, but there is just nothing to this nonsense and beyond the third installment, it never recovers. C- DVD |
Pretty in Pink
Dir: Howard Deutch Stars: Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy, Jon Crier Again...the Brat Pack stuff is just not for me. It's silly, goofy, and ultimately idiotic. I can kind of understand why it clicks for some people, but I just don't find people like Ringwald, McCarthy, Hall, and all the rest that interesting. I guess I'm one of the weirdos. C+ |
Short Circuit
Dir: John Bedham Stars: Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens Absurd plot, but the concept of an artificially intelligent robot made for war becoming self-aware has rarely been as silly and fun. Fisher Stevens may play the most offensive character of all time, the white guy playing Indian...but he still gets laughs that everyone must be ashamed of. The voice and design of Johnny 5 are great in a way that makes you want to root for a cute kid or a puppy. Johnny 5 Alive!! B |
SpaceCamp
Dir: Henry Winer Stars: Kate Capshaw, Lea Thompson, Tate Donovan, Joaquin Phoenix, Kelly Preston This is the epitome of corny 80s and 90s movies. Movies with scenarios that are completely off the wall but taken as plausible. Sure...this would NEVER actually happen, but there is something a bit believable and a bit spooky about the possibility of accidentally being shot into space. Its a good cast and it has some decent effects. Should probably have been much worse than it actually is. B |
Three Amigos
Dir: John Landis Stars: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Chevy Chase Oh how I love the Three Amigos. It stars three of the greatest cinematic comedians of all time at the top of their game. This movie is so absurd with such broad humor but I can't get enough of it. The singing bush? My Little Buttercup? Its all just so much fun!!! It is one of those movies I could watch almost every day of my life and not get sick of it. B+ DVD |
OSCARS
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Original Song
|
Top Gun
Dir: Tony Scott Voices: Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis Such classic action excitement. This really solidified Tom Cruise as a star and it is early Bruckheimer nonsense that worked. It isn't much more than an adrenaline/testosterone rush...but that is enough. Pure 80s nostalgic fun. B+ |
Troll
Dir: John Carl Buechler Stars: Michael Moriarty, Noah Hathaway This movie is ASTONISHINGLY horrible. Its not scary. The puppeteering is worse than incompetent, and the movie's star power is Sonny Bono. There is a cult phenomenon calling Troll 2 the worst movie ever made, but the filmmakers weren't even trying then. They were trying here. Watch it and try to make sense of it. Its almost fascinating in its failure. F DVD |