Best Comedy Back to School WTF did I just see? Matador Most overrated movie Children of a Lesser God Best juvenile performance Carrie Hen (Newt) - Aliens  Notes from awards committee: All the top HouseClark films of 1986 were snubbed by the Academy – including the Best Picture, Blue Velvet where an intriguing mystery captures the fancy of Jeffrey, an amateur detective, but he soon learns he is in way over his head. Film critic Pauline Kael said it best, “This [Blue Velvet] is possibly the only coming-of-age movie in which sex has the danger and the heightened excitement of a horror picture. It’s the fantasy (rather than the plot) that’s organic, and there’s no sticky-sweet lost innocence, because the darkness was always there, inside.” Father Time has since vindicated Writer & Director David Lynch against the critics who panned it upon its initial release. I have seen this movie about ten times, and I still find Dennis Hopper’s Frank Booth absolutely terrifying. Lynch has always excelled at sketching out an idea and vision of a place and people, particularly small towns and people that are frequently ignored by studio filmmakers. He would exhibit this talent again in Twin Peaks (1990-91 TV series.) World at Large
Fun Surprises -
52 Pick-Up - A good script by Elmore Leonard is the main reason why this movie wasn't just another crime thriller. The mood of the movie is old school Film Noir with Roy Scheider playing an in-over-his-head anti-hero who turns the tables on a trio of sleazy, but memorable bad guys. Good ensemble cast of B actors and porn stars effectively reveal the dark side of life in 1980s Los Angeles full of blackmail, murder, sex, and drugs. John Travolta future bride Kelly Preston plays stripper, Cini, and we see Vanity as a nude model before she became religious. This flick is for fans of sexy crime flicks. Highlander - The first time I saw this movie I knew it was going to be one of my favorite action flicks. There is enough violence to satisfy hard core action movie fans, and also some very touching scenes showing the kinder, gentler side of Connor McLeod, the immortal highlander. The swordplay is well choreographed and the old Scottish castle sets are remarkably detailed. Chris Lambert was born to play the Highlander and pairs brilliantly with Sean Connery. The film spans four centuries and uses integral flashback storytelling with remarkable skill to weld together a cool yarn. Manhunter - Let’s give credit where credit is due. This unique, groundbreaker movie was the first to feature a type of criminal that was rarely mentioned but often feared: the serial killer. Brain Cox's portrayal of Hannibal Lector to be far superior to that of Anthony Hopkins. He portrays Lector as someone coldly intellectual, almost reptilian, while Hopkins, many years later, gives a performance that is borderline comical (Silence of the Lambs). Watch this film if you want to see how it's supposed to be done. Manhunter launched a flood of serial killer/FBI profiler flicks that continue today. Will Peterson is great playing the troubled lead character as he journeys deep into the terrible abyss to catch the killer. A career best performance by Peterson in this underrated film. Top Gun – has immense big-screen visual impact, a talented cast and a killer music score. TG blew away the competition at the box office. Tom Cruise stars, as Maverick, the ace pilot who “feels the need for speed”, and looks, and acts, convincing in the cockpit of an F-14 Mach 2 fighter jet. He also has time to romance the prettiest girl (Kelly McGillis) ever to don an officer’s uniform. Goose is Maverick’s solid sidekick and the GIB (guy in back) of the dual cockpit F-14. This film is still considered the best Pro-US Navy propaganda film of all time. Navy recruiting was boosted immediately. Something Wild - Wild child Lulu (Melanie Griffith) kidnaps yuppie Charlie (Jeff Daniels) and embarks on a crazy, sex filled road trip. The film transitions from a screwball romantic comedy to edgy violence. Rom-com and noir verge on incompatible story types: One is all about welcoming your soulmate into your life, and the other is steeped in suspicion and betrayal. Yet Director Jon Demme skillfully manages to reconcile the genre blend. The film is a joy ride with a hard landing. Hoosiers - is not your typical Hollywood underdog sports movie. It is much more. It is about wounded people making the best of second chances in life. There are great life lessons on teamwork, patience, hard work, and tolerance. Gene Hackman takes command of the basketball court like George Patton with a whistle around his neck. This movie is authentic nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the mid-west in the 50's and 60's. Aliens – is fast, intense, nasty and scary as hell. Sigourney Weaver is back again as Ripley. She struts her stuff and kicks some alien ass. There is no doubt, she owns this role. A James Cameron big-budget, big screen extravaganza that is one of the all-time best sequels. The Morning After - Jane Fonda was brilliant in this mystery/ suspense, and earned Best Actress Simpson award for her knock-out performance. In one of her career best roles, she carries the movie to unexpected heights, and perfectly conveys the desperation and natural charm of her complex character. The chemistry between Jane and Jeff Bridges is believable and fun to watch. I ended up cheering for the two of them. Disappointments - Platoon – The main problem with this movie is the same as some other Vietnam War films: more attention is on the American soldiers fighting each other than the enemy. This is not the American Army that won WW2. A Room with a View – has beautiful scenery and a skillfully recreated world of the upper class Edwardian era. Ivory Merchant films are known for convincing production settings; but in this case, fail miserably with a too-modern storyline with zero suspense. The plot fits on a stamp. Lucy is engaged to Cecil, but meets a dashing, progressive bachelor while holidaying in Italy. After the movie switches to England from Italy, we get a taste of Cecil, Lucy’s fiancé. He is a snobbish, wooden peacock. Even the dullest knife in the box knows what Lucy will do about Cecil. There is little reason to trudge through the entire film. The Color of Money – is a direct derivative of The Hustler. In 1961, Paul Newman played “Fast” Eddie, a small time pool hustler, who goes for the brass ring. In CofM, Newman reprises “Fast” Eddie who mentors Vince (Tom Cruise) on competitive billiards. The problem is that Vince is too cocky and unlikeable. Newman was awarded a make-up Oscar. Hannah and Her Sisters – Woody Allen, once again, plays his neurotic character with plenty of his familiar movie themes: infidelity, moral dilemmas, navel gazing, depression and family tensions. Had a few chuckles, but it’s all quite tiring by the end. Children of a Lesser God – is an Oscar-bait prestige film about a romance in a school for deaf students. Sorry, but I found the romantic couple unlikeable and odd. Maybe they were meant for each other. This in an OK made-for-TV movie, but is NOT a big picture film. Overrated. Pirates – is Roman Polanski at his worst ever film making. It is a textbook example of how not to make a swashbuckling adventure picture. The biggest mistake is the no-chemistry, charisma-free, oddball cast.
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