Al's Top Rated Films: 1987
This is not one of my absolute favorite years of the 80s in film, but it undoubtedly has some classics!
List activity
327 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
32 titles
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsMatthew ModineR. Lee ErmeyVincent D'OnofrioA pragmatic U.S. Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the Vietnam War has on his fellow recruits from their brutal boot camp training to the bloody street fighting in Hue.Spectacular war drama from Stanley Kubrick set in the late 1960s during the Vietnam War. Like many great war films, the story starts off in boot camp, which is one of the most iconic parts of the film thanks to the boiling tension between Private Leonard "Gomer Pyle" Lawrence (Vincent D'Onofrio) and the platoon drill Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (R. Lee Ermey). The story then mainly follows Private J.T. "Joker" Davis (Matthew Modine) as he's sent to Vietnam to be a reporter for the military newspaper Stars and Stripes. Joker has a dual mentality about war. While he claims to be a born killer, he also claims to be a peaceful man, and struggles with many aspects of the war. When the war starts heating up, Joker joins a team in combat and experiences the first-hand horrors of war in graphic detail. Incredibly powerful, unnerving, and superbly done story, casting, dialogue, and action. Kubrick has made three of the best war films ever made, and this certainly ranks as one of the best I've ever seen. Matthew Modine delivered an outstanding lead performance. Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey, Arliss Howard, and Adam Baldwin also had fantastic starring roles. Kevyn Major Howard, Dorian Harewood, John Terry, Kieron Jecchinis, Jon Stafford, Bruce Boa, Kirk Taylor, Tim Colceri, Gary Landon Mills, Papillon Soo, Peter Edmund, Ngoc Le, Leanne Hong, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsKevin CostnerSean ConneryRobert De NiroDuring Prohibition, Treasury agent Eliot Ness sets out to stop ruthless Chicago gangster Al Capone, and assembles a small, incorruptible team to help him.Superb crime drama/thriller from Brian De Palma set in 1930 Chicago during alcohol prohibition and the Great Depression, and follows a young U.S. Treasury agent named Eliot Ness who's been tasked to take down notorious gangster and businessman Al Capone. Capone has so much power that he controls most of Chicago, as well as plenty of men in the police department and other governmental departments. So Ness decides to assemble a small hand-picked team of dedicated and skilled detectives that he can trust, and employs different methods to find a crime they can legally charge Capone with. Fantastic story, great dialogue, excellent cinematography, and a fantastic cast. Kevin Costner delivered one of his all-time greatest lead performances. The same could be said for Sean Connery's excellent starring role. Robert De Niro, Charles Martin Smith, Andy Garcia, Billy Drago, Patricia Clarkson, Richard Bradford, Jack Kehoe, Brad Sullivan, Vito D'Ambrosio, Peter Aylward, and several others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsMel GibsonDanny GloverGary BuseyTwo newly paired cops who are complete opposites must put aside their differences in order to catch a gang of drug smugglers.Excellent action-packed crime drama/thriller from Richard Donner that follows a destructive, depressed, and daring Los Angeles cop named Martin Riggs who is near suicide after losing his wife in a car accident after 11 years of marriage. Veteran detective and family man Roger Murtaugh is tasked with partnering up with Riggs, which gets off to a rocky start. But soon they uncover a massive drug-smuggling and prostitution ring and must put aside their vast differences to work with each other and get the job done; while also becoming friends in the process. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover arguably deliver their best lead performances and share excellent comedic and dramatic chemistry throughout the film. Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Damon Hines, Ebonie Smith, Jackie Swanson, Steve Kahan, Jack Thibeau, Ed O'Ross, Jimmie F. Skaggs, Jason Ronard, Blackie Dammett, and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorMel BrooksStarsMel BrooksJohn CandyRick MoranisA star-pilot for hire and his trusty sidekick must come to the rescue of a princess and save Planet Druidia from the clutches of the evil Spaceballs.Hilariously epic comedy adventure and the most commercially successful film that Mel Brooks ever made. It's such a fantastic Star Wars spoof, that I like it more than most Star Wars movies. The story follows a pilot and mercenary named Lone Star and his loyal sidekick Barf who take on the job of rescuing the kidnapped Princess Vespa from the grasp of the evil Dark Helmet. Meanwhile, Dark Helmet's boss President Skroob plans on sucking all the oxygen and air from Vespa's home planet of Druidia by using a giant "Mega Maid" space vacuum cleaner. It's up to Lone Star and Barf save the world from these evil Spaceballs. The story is positively silly and hilarious all at the same time, and is perfectly done. I can't imagine a better spoof of a Star Wars film. Great writing, dialogue, cinematography, and casting all around. Bill Pullman, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Daphne Zuniga, and Mel Brooks all deliver some of their absolute best lead performances of their careers. Dick Van Patten, George Wyner, Joan Rivers, Michael Winslow, Sal Viscuso, Ronny Graham, John Hurt, Leslie Bevis, Mike Pniewski, Sandy Helberg, Stephen Tobolowsky, Tony Cox, Dom DeLuise, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerCarl WeathersKevin Peter HallA team of commandos on a mission in a Central American jungle find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior.Fantastic action-packed adventure/horror flick from John McTiernan that follows a specially selected team of elite special force commandos led by rugged veteran soldier named Major "Dutch" Schaefer. CIA agent and friend of Dutch, Colonel Al Dillon, is managing a rescue mission for potential survivors of a helicopter downed over remote South American jungle. Once they land, they find that a near invisible other-worldly creature that blends in with the forest and is systematically hunting and killing their entire team one-by-one. As the team dwindles down in numbers, each soldier begins to lose their sanity in their attempts to destroy the creature until only one man remains. Fantastic flick for the genre, and easily one of my favorite lead performances from Arnold Schwarzenegger. Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Landham, Richard Chaves, and Kevin Peter Hall also had excellent starring roles. Shane Black, Elpidia Carrillo, and R.G. Armstrong also has nice supporting roles.
- DirectorRichard AttenboroughStarsDenzel WashingtonKevin KlineJosette SimonSouth African journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend, the Black anti-Apartheid activist Steve Biko.Powerful historical biopic from Richard Attenborough set in the late-1970s, and follows a white journalist named Donald Woods who is the chief editor of a liberal newspaper in South Africa. After publishing many criticisms about anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko, he is invited to meet with him, and immediately changes his opinion about him, his philosophies, and becomes friends of his family and community. When Steve Biko os brutally murdered while in police custody, Donald writes a book about Biko, and must illegally escape from South Africa after being "banned" from publishing the book and getting the truth out to the world. Dynamic and fascinating story with great dialogue and a great cast. Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington both deliver excellent lead performances. Josette Simon, John Matshikiza, Penelope Wilton, Kate Hardie, Kevin McNally, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsChristian BaleJohn MalkovichMiranda RichardsonA young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of China during World War II.Excellent war drama from Steven Spielberg based on J. G. Ballard's autobiographical novel set in China during the final years of World War II (1941–1945). The story follows a young British boy named Jamie "Jim" Graham who's life is turned upside down when he gets separated from his parents during the Japanese occupation of China. He greatly struggles to survive in Japanese labor camps over the course of the war, and meets many interesting folks and learns plenty of life lessons along the way. Great story all around with great dialogue and cinematography. We get to witness an amazing performance from a 12-year old Christian Bale. He help up the lead role beautifully and ranks highly among any child-acting performance. John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers, Joe Pantoliano, Emily Richard, Rupert Frazer, Peter Gale, Takatarô Kataoka, Masatô Ibu, Ben Stiller, Leslie Phillips, and others also had very good roles among a solid supporting cast. It's a long film, but is plenty worthy of tis time.
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsCharlie SheenMichael DouglasTamara TunieAn impatient young stockbroker is willing to do anything to get to the top, including trading on illegal inside information taken through a ruthless, greedy corporate raider who takes the youth under his wing.Excellent crime drama from Oliver Stone set in 1985 New York City, and follows a hungry young stockbroker named Bud Fox who's anxiously looking to make his way to the top of his field. To further his cause, he begins working with an extremely successful and rule-breaking broker named Gordon Gekko, who Bud greatly admires, and strives to learns his devious tricks of the trade. Before long, Bud becomes involved with insider trading and other corruption that lands him in trouble, and ends up affecting his relationship with his estranged father. Charlie Sheen and Michael Douglas both delivered a couple of their best lead performances. Daryl Hannah also delivered an excellent starring role. Martin Sheen, John C. McGinley, Hal Holbrook, Terence Stamp, James Spader, Saul Rubinek, James Karen, Franklin Cover, Millie Perkins, Pat Skipper, Andrea Thompson, Sean Young, Richard Dysart, and others also have nice roles among the supporting cast.
- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsNicolas CageHolly HunterTrey WilsonWhen a childless couple--an ex-con and an ex-cop--decide to help themselves to one of another family's quintuplets, their lives become more complicated than they anticipated.Hysterical crime comedy from the Coen Brothers that follows a childless married couple from the Arizona suburbs named Herbert "H.I." McDunnough and Edwina "Ed" McDunnough. H.I. is a petty criminal and Ed is an ex-policewoman, and they fell in love while Ed was taking his mug shots. They're eager to have a baby, but after finding Ed cannot have one herself, they decide to kidnap a baby from a wealthy couple who just had quintuplets, which results in hilarious challenges and complications. Great writing and acting throughout, and one of the funniest films of all time. I'd have to say this is probably my favorite lead performance from Nicolas Cage. The same could be said for Holly Hunter. They were both perfect for the roles. Trey Wilson, John Goodman, William Forsythe, Frances McDormand, Randall 'Tex' Cobb, T.J. Kuhn, Sam McMurray, and several others had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorAdrian LyneStarsMichael DouglasGlenn CloseAnne ArcherA married man's one-night stand comes back to haunt him when that lover begins to stalk him and his family.Excellent drama/psychological thriller from Adrian Lyne that follows a successful New York City corporate lawyer named Dan Gallagher who's happily married and has a 6-year old daughter. When his wife Beth is out of town, he meets a book editor named Alex Forrest who has connections with his firm, and they end up having a steamy affair over the weekend. While they both initially agree they are just two consenting adults having some fun, that's not the case for Alex, who immediately falls deeply in love with Dan and becomes obsessed with him. When he makes it clear that there is no future for them, that sets Alex off on a crazed series of events in attempt to win Dan's heart and stay with her. Excellent story and a very well done thriller in all respects. The cast of fantastic actors really elevates the film. Glenn Close arguably delivers her all-time best (Oscar-nominated) lead performance. Michael Douglas also delivers one of his best starring roles, along with Anne Archer (also Oscar-nominated). Stuart Pankin, Ellen Foley, Fred Gwynne, Ellen Latzen, Lois Smith, and others also had great starring roles.
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsElisabeth ShueMaia BrewtonKeith CooganA babysitter must battle her way through the big city after being stranded there with the kids she's looking after.Hilarious crime comedy/adventure from Chris Columbus that follows a high-school senior named Chris Parker who begrudgingly accepts a local babysitting job after her boyfriend stand her up on their anniversary. 8-year-old superhero loving Sara and her 15-year-old brother Brad (who has a crush on Chris) are her responsibility for the evening, until her friend Brenda call her and desperately needs her to pick her up in the city—far away from the safe suburbs. Things are going fine until they blow a tire on the freeway. Then Chris realizes she forgot her purse, which unravels into many hilarious situations as they work to pick up Brenda and make it home safe before their parents come home. I had a huge crush on Elisabeth Shue back in the day, and I still love her in this movie. This is likely my favorite lead performance from her. She was excellent all around. Maia Brewton, Keith Coogan, and Anthony Rapp, Calvin Levels, Vincent D'Onofrio, George Newbern, John Ford Noonan, and Bradley Whitford all had very nice roles among the supporting cast.
- DirectorWilliam DearStarsJohn LithgowMelinda DillonMargaret LangrickThe Henderson family adopt a friendly Sasquatch but have a hard time trying to keep the legend of 'Bigfoot' a secret.Hilarious and touching family comedy drama from William Dear that follows the Henderson family on their way home from a hunting and camping trip when they strike what appears to be a large animal on the road with their car. After seeing that the creature is actually a Sasquatch, they decide to tie it to the roof and take it home since mythical creatures would be worth a fortune. That night, the Sasquatch wakes up and breaks free from the ropes in their garage, and proceeds to destroy the Henderson household as the family retreats in fear. But soon after, they discover the Sasquatch is a kind, caring, and loving creature that they nickname "Harry", and decide to help keep him safe and out of sight. But when some local hunters and a Bigfoot hunter named Jacques Lafleur learn about his location, Harry's life is in danger, and it's up to the Henderson family to save him. Underrated story all around with a great cast of actors. John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, Kevin Peter Hall (Harry), Margaret Langrick, and Joshua Rudoy all have excellent lead performances. David Suchet, Don Ameche, and M. Emmet Walsh also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJohn SaylesStarsChris CooperJames Earl JonesMary McDonnellA labor union organizer comes to an embattled mining community brutally and violently dominated and harassed by the mining company.Excellent historical drama from John Sayles set in Mingo County, West Virginia, 1920, and follows the infamous coal miners' strike against the Stone Mountain Coal Company, to protest poor and unsafe working/living conditions, long work hours, and low pay. Union organizer Joe Kenehan is determined to convince the workers that they must stand together in order for the company to meet their demands. However, once the company hires the Baldwin-Felts detective agency to fight the workers and steal their land and belongings, things turn deadly when both sides refuse to give up. Fascinating story all around with a great cast and great historical significance. Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham, and Kevin Tighe all delivered excellent lead performances. David Strathairn, Bob Gunton, Josh Mostel, Ken Jenkins, Gordon Clapp, and several others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorGarry MarshallStarsGoldie HawnKurt RussellEdward HerrmannA cruel but beautiful heiress mocks and cheats a hired carpenter. When she gets amnesia after an accident, he decides to introduce her to regular life by convincing her that they're husband and wife.Hilarious and excellent romantic comedy from Garry Marshall that follows gorgeous, wealthy, and pretentious heiress named Joanna who's struck with a severe case of amnesia after falling overboard while sailing on her luxurious yacht. After she's rescued and brought to the hospital, a small-town carpenter named Dean Proffitt she refused to pay for "shoddy" work he performed on her yacht, tricks her into believing she's his wife and a mother to his 3 misfit kids. Many comical situations arise as the lie unravels, and they both learn life lessons along the way (including the kids). I've always really enjoyed both Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell in this film. Both deliver excellent lead performances, and have great chemistry together. Edward Herrmann, Katherine Helmond, Mike Hagerty, Roddy McDowall, Jared Rushton, Jeffrey Wiseman, Brian Price, Jamie Wild, and others also have great supporting roles.
- DirectorJohn IrvinStarsAnthony BarrileMichael BoatmanDon CheadleA very realistic interpretation of one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War.Powerful war drama/thriller from John Irvin that tells the story of 14 U.S. Army soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who fights one of the most deadly battles of the Vietnam War in A Shau Valley from May 11–20, 1969. The battle was so bloody and horrific that it was given the nickname "Hamburger Hill". Very realistic, sobering, and well done story all around. The dialogue and cast of characters was excellent as well, and still holds strong today. Definitely an underrated gem. Dylan McDermott, Steven Weber, and Courtney B. Vance had the biggest story arcs, and all delivered excellent lead performances. Anthony Barrile, Michael Boatman, Don Cheadle, Michael Dolan, Don James, Michael A. Nickles, Harry O'Reilly, Daniel O'Shea, Tim Quill, Tommy Swerdlow, Tegan West, Kieu Chinh, and others also had great roles.
- DirectorSam RaimiStarsBruce CampbellSarah BerryDan HicksAsh Williams, the lone survivor of an earlier onslaught of flesh-possessing spirits, holes up in a cabin with a group of strangers while the demons continue their attack.Sam Raimi returns with another cult classic and sequel to the beloved horror classic, Evil Dead (1981). Hilarious, horrifying, and deranged story that follows a man named Ashley Williams and his girlfriend Linda, who travels to a secluded cabin in the woods, and find a mysterious tape recording and a book that unleashes evil possessive spirits that ends up taking over Linda and terrorizing Ashley. The story is arguably better and scarier than its predecessor. And comedy involved is always a welcomed addition. Bruce Campbell and Sarah Berry both deliver excellent lead performances. Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley DePaiva, Richard Domeier, Ted Raimi, Denise Bixler, Lou Hancock, John Peakes, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJonathan KaplanStarsMatthew BroderickHelen HuntWillieAn Air Force pilot joins a top secret military experiment involving chimps, but begins to suspect there might be something more to the mysterious "Project X".Fascinating sci-fi comedy drama from Jonathan Kaplan that's based on a true story, which follows an American Air Force pilot named Jimmy Garrett who's been assigned to care for chimpanzees that are being used in mysterious flying experiments in a program named "Project X". An extremely intelligent chimp named Virgil is sent into the program. Jimmy ends up forming an unlikely bond for Virgil, and really begins to enjoy his work there. However, tension comes in the play when Jimmy finds out something terrible is happening to these chimps during and after experiments, and works to expose the project's secrets and free the chimps. Underrated film all around, and great for animal lovers. Matthew Broderick delivers an excellent lead performance along with Willie the chimp (as Virgil). Helen Hunt and William Sadler also had great starring roles. Johnny Ray McGhee, Stephen Lang, Jean Smart, and all the superbly trained chimps gave great supporting roles.
- DirectorTom MankiewiczStarsDan AykroydTom HanksChristopher PlummerThe equally strait-laced and "by-the-book" nephew of Joe Friday must work with his more laid-back partner to solve a mystery.Hilarious crime comedy/mystery from Tom Mankiewicz. I've never seen the original Dragnet TV series, but I've always loved this comical rendition of what I understand is a serious over-the-top no-nonsense crime drama series from the 1950s. Friday is a serious strait-laced detective who does everything by the book, while Streebek has a wisecracking care-free personality. They must team up to bust open a case involving mysterious ritual killings surrounding a cult run by a corrupt man named Whirley. The dialogue and situations are hilarious and full of satire. The film still holds strong today. Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks both delivered excellent lead performances. Christopher Plummer and Alexandra Paul also had great starring roles. Harry Morgan, Jack O'Halloran, Dabney Coleman, Kathleen Freeman, and plenty others all have very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorMarek KanievskaStarsAndrew McCarthyJami GertzRobert Downey Jr.A college freshman returns to L.A. for the holidays at his ex-girlfriend's request, but discovers that his former best friend has an out-of-control drug habit.Powerful crime drama that follows an 18-year-old college freshman named Clay who returns to his Los Angeles home for Christmas vacation. His ex-girlfriend Blair is now involved with former best friend Julian, who has fallen into a serious cocaine and heroin addiction. Clay does all he can to help Julian (and Blair) with his addiction and life problems, but soon gets involved in the action when he must deal with Julian's cold-hearted drug dealer, Rip. Robert Downey Jr.'s lead performance hits close to home since he was evidently struggling with similar drug problem in his own life at the time. He was excellent, along with Andrew McCarthy's emotional starring role. Jami Gertz was also great. James Spader, Nicholas Pryor, and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorSteven Hilliard SternStarsJay UnderwoodAlan ThickeRobyn LivelyDr. Jonas Carson, a scientist, invents Chip, an android teenager. Dr. Carson sends Chip to school with his daughter Becky to see whether an android could interact with others. But his former employer decides to try and make a profit by stealing the mechanical boy.Totally underrated (and lost?) Disney TV family comedy that follows a scientist named Dr. Jonas Carson who invents an android teenager named Chip and ends up adopting him as his son. He experiments with Chip by sending him to school alongside his daughter and Chip's new sister, Becky. Jonas also lands a job as a science teacher so he can keep a close eye on him. Many hilarious situations come up with Chip's lack of knowledge about people and the world, and finds him overcoming several challenges. Tensions come into play when Jonas' former employer discovers their secret, and tries to steal Chip to make a profit. Great story, and an excellent way to kick off the trilogy. Jay Underwood was perfect for the role, and arguably delivers his best lead performance. Alan Thicke, Robyn Lively, and Joseph Bologna also deliver great starring roles among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorJohn HughesStarsSteve MartinJohn CandyLaila RobinsA Chicago advertising man must struggle to travel home from New York for Thanksgiving, with a lovable oaf of a shower-curtain-ring salesman as his only companion.Very nice comedy drama from John Hughes that follows a New York marketing executive named Neal Page who's traveling home to Chicago for Thanksgiving, when every catastrophe in the book presents itself. He eventually gets stuck traveling with an eccentric shower curtain ring salesman named Del Griffith, and they butt heads and drive each other crazy in every way possible. This movie is extremely popular, but I guess the boiling tension between Steve Martin and John Candy just wasn't my thing. That said, they do both deliver excellent lead performances, and the story is extremely solid throughout. Laila Robins, Michael McKean, Kevin Bacon, Dylan Baker, Edie McClurg, Martin Ferrero, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorTony ScottStarsEddie MurphyJudge ReinholdJürgen ProchnowAxel Foley returns to Beverly Hills to help Taggart and Rosewood investigate Chief Bogomil's near-fatal shooting and the series of "alphabet crimes" associated with it.Fun and entertaining sequel from Tony Scott, even if it isn't as good as the first Beverly Hills Cop (1984). The story follows Detroit police officer Axel Foley returning to Beverly Hills to assist his friends and detectives John Taggart and Billy Rosewood's investigation involving a multitude of carefully planned robberies known as the "Alphabet Crimes". Eddie Murphy delivers a great lead performance once again. Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Jürgen Prochnow, and Brigitte Nielsen also had great starring roles. Allen Garfield, Dean Stockwell, Ronny Cox, Paul Reiser, Gilbert R. Hill, Paul Guilfoyle, Robert Ridgely, Gilbert Gottfried, Hugh Hefner, Chris Rock, and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorGary GoddardStarsDolph LundgrenFrank LangellaMeg FosterThe heroic warrior He-Man battles against the evil lord Skeletor and his armies of darkness for control of Castle Grayskull.Wildly entertaining action-packed sci-fi fantasy adventure from Gary Goddard that follows a courageous and powerful warrior named He-Man who's mission is to stop the evil lord Skeletor from attaining massive power with the help of an invention called the Cosmic Key, which has the ability to open portals to travel anywhere in the galaxy. Soon He-Man and his team find themselves on Earth after the key was transported to California, which turns to full-on war as some local teenagers get involved in the debacle. This flick generally gets poor reviews all around, but it has some charming qualities that I've always liked. I watched this one a ton growing up, and remains a childhood nostalgic favorite. Dolph Lundgren delivered a great lead performance as He-Man, but it was Frank Langella's performance as Skeletor that was the major standout in the cast. Courteney Cox, Billy Barty, Robert Duncan McNeill, Jon Cypher, Chelsea Field, and Meg Foster also had great starring roles. James Tolkan, Christina Pickles, Tony Carroll, Pons Maar, Anthony De Longis, and Robert Towers also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorChuck RussellStarsHeather LangenkampRobert EnglundCraig WassonA psychiatrist familiar with knife-wielding dream demon Freddy Krueger helps teens at a mental hospital battle the killer who is invading their dreams.Great sequel to Wes Craven's 1984 classic from director Chuck Russell. The story picks up where the first film left off, with a psychiatrist and dream therapy specialist helping terror-ridded teens who are having their dreams haunted by Freddy. Their only hope is to make their way to Freddy's world in order to stop him. While none of the Nightmare on Elm Street films rank as highly as the first film, this has to be my second favorite (and a vast improvement over the second installment). Very nice story all around. Heather Langenkamp, Patricia Arquette, and Robert Englund all delivered excellent lead performances. Ken Sagoes, Rodney Eastman, Jennifer Rubin, Laurence Fishburne, Priscilla Pointer, Bradley Gregg, Ira Heiden, Penelope Sudrow, John Saxon, Brooke Bundy, and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorJoe CampStarsRed SteagallFrank InnBenjeanBenji is left in the wilderness after an accident. Can he survive?Very nice family adventure from Joe Camp and one of my nostalgic childhood favorites. This is the fourth in the series of six Benji films over the years (1974–2008). The story follows a small golden mixed-breed show dog named Benji who goes lost at sea and ends up struggling to survive in the heavy Oregon wilderness. After he witnesses a cougar being shot and killed by a hunter, he decides it's his duty to take care of the mother's orphaned cubs as he takes on the role of their mother and caretaker, while simultaneously struggling to survive and find his way back to civilization. Very nice story with a minimal and nice supporting cast of humans. Still a solid viewing today.
- DirectorJohn R. Cherry IIIStarsJim VarneyVictoria RacimoJohn VernonErnest, a lovable loser who works as a summer camp handyman and dreams of becoming a guidance councilor, must find a way to inspire a group of juvenile delinquents as well as stop a shady strip mining company from closing the camp.Great family comedy from John R. Cherry III, which is essentially the first of 10 films featuring Jim Varney's most popular character of his career—Ernest P. Worrell. Ernest is a simpleminded handyman who works at the Kamp Kikakee summer camp, and aspires to help kids as a guidance councilor. However, he has his work cut out for them when a group of juvenile delinquents are sent to the camp. Meanwhile, the future of the camp is in jeopardy at the hands of a greedy mining corporation. While the Ernest movies are nothing groundbreaking, I've always enjoyed them, and it's because Jim Varney always delivers such a likable character and solid lead performance. This film is my favorite of all the Ernest films. John Vernon, Victoria Racimo, Iron Eyes Cody, Gailard Sartain, and many others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsPeter WellerNancy AllenDan O'HerlihyIn a dystopic and crime-ridden Detroit, a terminally wounded cop returns to the force as a powerful cyborg haunted by submerged memories.Very nice action-packed sci-fi thriller from Paul Verhoeven that's set in and nightmarish Detroit, Michigan in 2043, which is plagued with crime and violence. When a corrupt company named OCP mega-corporation who develops crime-fighting cyborgs brings a terminally wounded street cop back to life as a cyborg named RoboCop, he turns against his makers when he learns of their deception. This is a cult classic that spanned a fill trilogy. I enjoyed this film, but I never thought it was spectacular, even as a kid who loved this style of film. Peter Weller and Nancy Allen both deliver great lead performances. Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith, Miguel Ferrer, Dan O'Herlihy, Ray Wise, and many others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsJason PatricCorey HaimDianne WiestAfter moving to a new town, two brothers discover that the area is a haven for vampires.Thrilling horror comedy that follows a mom and two sons who move to a small California town that's a breeding ground for violence, biker gangs, and is plagued with mysterious deaths. It follows an older boy who's intrigued by the a gang of bikers who are actually vampires. Meanwhile, some younger kids who fancy themselves as vampire hunters also get involved. It's not a story that I could really get into, but I'd have to say it's well done for the genre, and I can see why it is a cult classic. Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest, Barnard Hughes, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, and Corey Feldman all had very nice lead performances. Edward Herrmann, Jamison Newlander, Brooke McCarter, Billy Wirth, Alex Winter, Chance Michael Corbitt, and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorClive BarkerStarsAndrew RobinsonClare HigginsAshley LaurenceA woman discovers the newly resurrected, partially formed, body of her brother-in-law and lover. She starts killing for him to revitalize his body and escape the demonic beings that are pursuing him after he escaped their underworld.Very nice horror/thriller from Clive Barker that follows married couple and daughter that moves into an old house and discover a horrifying body-less creature upstairs, who forces the woman to bring him the blood and human sacrifices to complete his body. This film was certainly more bizarre, horrifying and twisted than a lot of horror films I've seen, and I can see why so many people revere it as a cult classic. It just wasn't personally one of my favorites in. the genre. Ashley Laurence, Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Doug Bradley, and Oliver Smith all had great starring performances. Sean Chapman, Robert Hines, Nicholas Vince, Simon Bamford, Grace Kirby, and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorGene FeldmanSuzette WinterStarsGrace KellyRichard KileyJean DalrympleA biography of American actress Grace Kelly from her early days as an aspiring actress to her death as Princess of Monaco.Very nice documentary on the greatest actress Alfred Hitchcock was lucky enough to employ—Grace Kelly. The film follows her rise to fame as one of the greatest actresses of the 1950s, how she married and became the Princess of Morocco, all the way up to her tragic and untimely death in 1982. There were lots of great interviews from legendary actors and filmmakers like James Stewart, Louis Jourdan, Delbert Mann, and Stanley Kramer. The fascinating news clips and footage keep it interesting, and shows why Grace Kelly was such a treasure.
- DirectorLeonard NimoyStarsTom SelleckSteve GuttenbergTed DansonJack Holden and his friends, Peter and Michael, spend most of their time having flings with several women in their apartment. Their life changes when a mysterious baby appears at their doorstep.Solid family comedy drama about from Leonard Nimoy that follows three Manhattan bachelors who are forced to take care of a baby that was left on their doorstep by the girlfriend of one of the guys, which ends up being more comically difficult than expected. Cute little comedy I remember watching plenty as a kid, and has some nice nostalgic memories and a fine cast of actors. Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson all deliver very nice lead performances. Nancy Travis, Lisa Blair, Michelle Blair, Margaret Colin, Alexandra Amini, David Foley, Paul Guilfoyle, Earl Hindman, Celeste Holm, and others also had nice supporting roles.
- DirectorJim DrakeStarsSteve GuttenbergBubba SmithMichael WinslowThe misfit Police Academy (1984) graduates now are assigned to train a group of civilian volunteers to fight crime once again plaguing the streets.As the title confirms, here we find the original Police Academy team taking on the difficult task of training a group of civilian volunteers to fight crime. It's another similar/recycled storyline as in previous films, but still very entertaining. Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, David Graf, Sharon Stone, Leslie Easterbrook, Marion Ramsey, Lance Kinsey, G.W. Bailey, Bobcat Goldthwait, George Gaynes, and many others have nice performances.