1987 Movies
OSCARS Won/Nominated
IMDB Top 250
IMDB Top 250
*batteries not includedDir: Matthew Robbins Stars: Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy The 80s were chock-full of cutesy sci-fi films trying to capitalize on the success of ET. This is another example but it gets a slight passing grade because Spielberg's producing credit gives it a bit more than most other ones. C+ |
Can't Buy Me LoveDir: Steve Rash Stars: Patrick Dempsey Drastically simple premise where a high-schooler pays off the cute girl to pretend to be his boyfriend, a premise done recently and better in Easy A, but a young Patrick Dempsey does show that his has some star caliber and the movie is good enough to get by. B- |
A Chinese Ghost StoryDir: Ching Siu-Tung 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die This film can perfectly be described as a combination of Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead. That may seem like a ridiculously odd comparison, but this is a ridiculously odd film. It is imaginative and fun, for sure, but just as I felt with Raimi's film...the charm of its amateurish feel is simultaneously a huge drawback. The music is beautiful, and the direction is quite masterful in order to keep things looking otherworldy, without special effects...but the whole thing is just so weird. hahaha. I did enjoy it though. C+ |
The Chipmunk AdventureDir: Janice Karman Probably the only Chipmunk entertainment that I grew up obsessed with. I had childhood dreames of going on a globetrotting scavenger hunt without parents looking for stuffed animals filled with cash or diamonds. All the while...I would be singing all the catchy music. It is a lot of fun. B- |
Dirty DancingDir: Emile Ardolino Stars: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach This movie really is not made for me. Be that as it may, I just don't get its universal appeal. I watch this these days and I find it almost statutorily creepy. But I will concede that some of the performances and musical numbers are infectious and impossible to not enjoy. B- |
Fatal AttractionDir: Adrian Lyne Stars: Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Ann Archer 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Very intense, very exciting, and almost sickeningly suspenseful. This movie has been made fun of and spoofed for a while now, but the original still never fails to entertain. Glenn Close as Alex Forrest is one deranged bitch, and the cycle of liking her, sympathizing with her, cowering away from her, and ultimately wanting to strangle her is a journey taken by both the audience and by Michael Douglas's character. I enjoyed it, even if it got a bit too dramatic and overblown toward the end. That roller coaster thing was pretty stupid. B |
Full Metal JacketDir: Stanley Kubrick Stars: Matthew Modine, Arliss Howard, R. Lee Ermy, Vincent D'Onofrio, Adam Baldwin 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Simply one of the most amazing movies of all time...and the most riveting exhibition of the soulessness and cynicism of war. It really is two movies in one, and following the adventure of Private Joker's dehumanization from basic training through Vietnam is absolutely hypnotic in ways that have never been equaled in cinema for me. This is a masterpiece above a director's filmography that almost exclusively contains masterpieces. A+ DVD |
The Garbage Pail Kids MovieDir: Rod Amateau It is almost fascinatingly grotesque to watch this film. I collected Garbage Pail Kids when I was a kid so I remember clamouring to see this film. The product is nightmarish and absurd...but not in a good way. If it were made today, and it wouldn't, but if it were...they would have to cgi these characters and allow me to sleep at night. D |
The GateDir: Tibor Takacs Stars: Stephen Dorff This is a pretty corny horror film...but there is an image of a kid seeing an eyeball in his hand and thusly stabbing his hand with a shard of glass. That image has stuck with me for many, many years. Moreso than a lot of the other more iconic, more famous horror films of the time. C |
Good Morning VietnamDir: Barry Levinson Stars: Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Solid dramedy that really gives Robin Williams a sensible outlet for his rapid-fire improv comedy, in an arguably more natural and believable situation than any other movies. It is in this role that Williams seems most comfortable than almost any other role he had in his career. It is this simple fact that he is allowed to shine as Robin Williams perfectly. B |
HellraiserDir: Clive Barker Stars: Doug Bradley What a huge disappointment. Pinhead is one of the most iconic horror villains of all time, and it took me a long time to finally dive into this inaugural film of the Hellraiser franchise...but this movie is just not good at all. Cenobites are really cool looking, but when nothing makes sense, it ceases to be scary or shocking. What a huge, ridiculous letdown. D |
InnerspaceDir: Joe Dante Stars: Martin Short, Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan, Kevin McCarthy Another one of those quirky gems from Joe Dante. This really shows the manic energy of Martin Short, the charm of Dennis Quaid, and the wonderful direction/special effects of a Joe Dante film. But I have to stress the effects. The shits of the pod inside Jack Putter's body are 100% believeable all the time. It is honestly, even 30 years later, so convincing that you start thinking miniaturization is possible. This is one of my nostalgic favorites. B+ DVD |
Jaws: The RevengeDir: Joseph Sargent Stars: Lorraine Gary, Michael Caine, Mario Van Peebles Quite possibly one of the worst movies ever made. A shark out for revenge, following a family from Martha's Vineyard to the Carribbean. It roars....the stupid shark roars. Michael Caine also swims out of a crashed plane only to be dry on the boat he climbs onto. The editing is so bad that you can barely orient yourself. It is all so unprofessional trash. F |
La Bamba
Dir: Luis Valdez Stars: Lou Diamond Phillips A solid biopic about basically a one hit wonder. This is what put Lou Diamond Phillips on the map and really gave us all an impression of who Richie Valens actually was. It doesn't break the mold very much as it follows his fame, his older brother rivalry, and his relationship with his girlfriend. It is still a fun star-making performance. B |
OSCARS
Best Sound
|
Lethal Weapon
Dir: Richard Donner Stars: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey Rarely has the buddy cop movie been done with such wit, humor, intensity, or excitement. Such an interesting idea to make the main cop on the verge of suicide and pair him up with a family man. Excellent stuff. A- DVD |
Like Father, Like Son
Dir: Rod Daniel Stars: Dudley Moore, Kirk Cameron, Sean Astin The switching bodies plot device has been done dozens of times. This movie is probably one of the better ones simply because Dudley Moore is so hysterically fun. No one comes to this movie for Kirk Cameron, that's for sure. B- DVD |
OSCARS
Best Original Song
|
Mannequin
Dir: Michael Gottlieb Stars: Andrew McCarthy, Kim Cattrall, Estelle Getty, GW Bailey, James Spader This is one of those 1980s gems that it an absolutely absurd, unbelieveable premise but somehow has enough charm to get by. Andrew McCarthy is a lot of Fun...Hollywood is over-the-top comical...and it is nice to see Captain Harris in a different movie, even if he is playing the exact same character. B- DVD |
The Monster Squad
Dir: Fred Dekker Stars: Tom Noonan It's like The Goonies and The Avengers with the Universal Monsters. It's profoundly silly but The personification of Dracula and Frankenstein are VERY well done, and it adds a lot to the overall product. The kids aren't nearly as well fleshed out as The Goonies were, and the stuff with the old man who knows all the folklore is really forced. But it is still unique and fun. B- DVD |
OSCARS
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Actress
|
Moonstruck
Dir: Norman Jewison Stars: Cher, Nicholas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello, Vincent Gardenia 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die This felt like an above-average, weighty Woody Allen movie, with Italian caricatures instead of Jewish ones. Cher shows she certainly has the chops as an aging widow looking for stability and better luck only to be thrown into mayhem with her fiancé's brother. It was a bit weird when nearly every character is miserable, dishonest, and disloyal...but it is treated with a delicate hand by director Norman Jewison and told through a great screenplay. Perfectly fine romantic comedy. Worthy of such Oscar praise? I'm not too sure. B |
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3:
Dream Warriors Dir: Chuck Russell Stars: Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp When it comes to the A Nightmare on Elm Street franshise all the sequels to the series are the same and almost interchangeable (except the superb New Nightmare). Englund is always a joy. There are a few good kills, but the movie is basically garbage and wasted. C- |
Overboard
Dir: Gary Marshall Stars: Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell Really silly and corny, but it shows how funny Goldie Hawn can be and how charming Kurt Russell can be. Not like I really by the concept for a second, but its still a riot. Only in the 80s can filmmakers make a movie premise that is inarguably kidnapping and fraud and make it a comedy. B- DVD |
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Original Song
|
Over the Top
Dir: Menaham Golan Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Robert Loggia One of the most outrageously stupid movies of all time. Nothing makes sense. No one acts the way real people would. And it suddenly turns into a fake documentary about arm wrestling at the end. what the hell is going on? Glorious!! C- DVD |
Predator
Dir: John McTiernan Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Shane Black I am ashamed that I had seen Adiren Brody's Predators and the AVP movies before I ever got around to this original. This is vintage Arnold, and it is a full blown does of testosterone. I found myself disinterested in the early rescue mission and the heat-vision observation stuff by the predator. Once the creature lets itself be known and the soldiers start to get picked off, it was a great time. The climactic battle was definitely riveting...but all that good stuff took a bit to long to get to. B |
OSCARS
Best Original Song
|
The Princess Bride
Dir: Rob Reiner Stars: Carey Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die What a FUN movie. This film is DRASTICALLY close do being a flat-out parody of the medeival fairy tale, but since its grasps onto a hint of seriousness, it makes the whole endeavor quite magical. I don't doubt that it was this film that made Mel Brooks hire Cary Elwes as his Robin Hood, since the roles are very similar, and equally enjoyable. I especially liked Mandy Patankin as the Spanish swordsman hellbent on revenge. Also, how can you not like a movie where Andre the Giant is in the cast? The whole thing plays out exactly as a child's bedtime story, so witnessing Peter Falk actually reading the story to his sick grandchild makes the whole movie nostalgic and exciting. B+ DVD |
OSCARS
Best Original Screenplay
Best Art Direction KEVIN'S PICK
Best Original Screenplay
Best Art Direction Best Costume Design |
Radio Days
Dir: Woody Allen Voices: Mia Farrow, Diane Wiest, Mike Starr, Jeff Daniels There is not structure or storyline...there is no main character...but this film that follows how the radio affected folks in 1940s Brooklyn/Manhattan is funny, it is insightful, and in is engrossing to a level that is almost inexplicable. Watching the veritable all-star game of Woody Allen actors is constantly and completely entertaining...and the small bits of performance that this seemingly never-ending parade of characters gives forth are focused and relatable. I really loved this movie in a way I can't really explain. I liked the vignette style of storytelling in a way I rarely do. And when people like Wallace Shawn, Tony Roberts, Jeff Daniels, and even Diane Keaton show their face, even if briefly, it is like a scavenger hunt that is SO much fun. A- DVD |
Revenge of the Nerds 2: Nerds in Paradise
Dir: Joe Roth Stars: Robert Carradine, Curtis Armstrong, Bradley Whitford This is a bad movie, but it is fun to be with the Tri-lambs again...and there are a good handful of jokes and hijinx to be found in this movie. Even so, its a bit too broad and a bit too many of the jokes are recycled directly from the first movie. C DVD |
The Running Man
Dir: Paul Michael Glaser Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Richard Dawson Arnold Schwarzenegger might be the worst actor of all time. He is atrociously bad...and his one-liners throughout this film are so incredibly corny that they are borderline infuriating. That all being said...this movie is so ridiculous that it is almost entertaining. It takes place in a dystopia where criminals fight for justice in a gladiatorial battle being televised. However, the movie doesn't attempt to focus on any themes of the government, corruption, or any other societal imnpacts. It is just Arnold fighting off increasingly absurd "Stalkers". I liked it in a weird way...but it is NOT a good movie. C+ |
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Supporting Actress
|
September
Dir: Woody Allen Stars: Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest, Elaine Stritch, Sam Waterston, Jack Warden, Denholm Elliott Major themes in a lot of Woody Allen's dramas is nihilism toward love and nihilism in general. His extremely small and intimate film September really accentuates this theme by putting a group of 6 adults in a Vermont cabin for a night and creating a round-robin, unrequited love rectangle where everyone simultaneously pours their heart out to someone while crushing someone else's infatuation. It is depressing...but you can't say it isn't well acted. It isn't until the final 3rd though, with everyone's souls bared and secrets revealed, that the film gets a much needed jolt of excitement. Elaine Stritch was definitely my favorite character, singing like a beacon of hope and confidence in this miserable quagmire of love-destroyed, broken adults. B- |
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Makeup
|
Spaceballs
Dir: Mel Brooks Stars: Bill Pullman, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Mel Brooks As a child, this was my first introduction to the world of Mel brooks, and I loved it. It is still the best lampooning of the sci-fi genre and the Star Wars franchise to date. It also stands on its own as a fantasy adventure regardless of the spoofing...so it is something special. Also...if it hadn't been for this film, I never would have moved on to the 1970s Mel Brooks masterpieces...so it gets a ton of credit for that. B+ Bluray |
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Dir: Sydney J. Furie Stars: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder Superman III was just bad. Superman IV is so bad it is good. Good ol' Cannon Films got a hold of the franshise and really cheesed and cheaped out. How can this movie look worse than the original? So ridiculous and so fun to sit through. C+ |
OSCARS
Best Supporting Actress
|
Throw Momma From the Train
Dir: Jeff Kanew Stars: Anne Ramsey, Billy Crystal, Danny DeVito Anne Ramsey was one of the greatest character actress villains ever...so the concept of this movie is great. I love a good black comedy but there are a few too many misfires with this one for it to be great. B- |
OSCARS
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The Untouchables
Dir: Brian DePalma Stars: Kevin Costner, Robert DeNiro, Sean Connery 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die This film has the same problem as Brian De Palma's 2006 film, The Black Dahlia. It is filled with the best actors, the most amazing production design, flawless costumes, and perfect music. The problem with this is that it makes these period crime pieces feel stagey and completely artificial. It is hyper-reastic, almost to the point of surrealistic. It is entertaining enough...but Road to Perdition did this genre so perfectly...so see that one instead. B- |
OSCARS
Best Actor
KEVIN'S PICK
Best Actor
|
Wall Street
Dir: Oliver Stone Stars: Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Solid Oliver Stone Entertainment. He made Michael Douglas's Gordon Gecko a true icon of greed and dishonesty. Oliver Stone really was a pwerhouse back in the 80s. B+ |