Al's Top Rated Films: 1988
My favorite films of 1988! I'll continue to add more titles as I see them.
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- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsBob HoskinsChristopher LloydJoanna CassidyWhen a cartoon rabbit is accused of murder, he enlists the help of a burnt out private investigator to prove his innocence.Absolutely fantastic and unique animated/live action-packed comedy adventure from Robert Zemeckis set in a world where humans and toons coexist in 1940's Los Angeles/Toon Town. The story follows a washed up private detective and boozer named Eddie Valiant who hates toons due to mysterious circumstances surrounding the murder of his brother and private eye partner. However, he's broke and ends up accepting a job taking some controversial photos of popular toon movie star Roger Rabbit's wife Jessica and Toon Town owner Marvin Acme, which results in the murder of Acme. Roger Rabbit is quickly named the prime suspect, and Eddie gets wrapped up in proving his innocence after his own life and several others are put at risk by an evil megalomaniac named Judge Doom who wants to destroy Toon Town and all the toons in it. This is one of the most uniquely made films I've ever seen, and I still haven't seen anything like it. The story is fantastic and every actor delivers the goods. We get to meet a ton of timeless animated characters here, which really adds to the timeless appeal of the film. Bob Hoskins delivers his greatest lead performance of all time. Christopher Lloyd was also phenomenal as Judge Doom. Charles Fleischer also handled voicing Roger and other characters perfectly. Joanna Cassidy, Alan Tilvern, David L. Lander, June Foray, Mel Blanc, Stubby Kaye, Lou Hirsch, Richard LeParmentier, Joel Silver, Richard Ridings, Mae Questel, Tony Anselmo, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsBruce WillisAlan RickmanBonnie BedeliaA New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.Top-notch action-packed crime thriller from John McTiernan that follows a New York police officer named John McClane who travels to Los Angeles during the Christmas holiday to visit his estranged wife and two children, and hopes to work through some unresolved marital issues. Soon after he arrives at his wife's company Christmas party in the towering Nakatomi Plaza Hotel, a group of terrorists run by a diabolical crime boss named Hans Gruber takes her and everyone else hostage, as the work to steal $640 million in untraceable bearer bonds in the building's vault. John successfully escapes, and is able to get a hold of LAPD Sergeant Al Powell on a walkie-talkie as they work together to take down the group of armed thieves. Excellent story and easily one of my favorite crime thrillers of all time. Bruce Willis was a smaller, more atypical hero type at the time of its release. But his humor and sly attitude made the movie a hit and sky-rocketing him into star status. He arguably delivers his greatest lead performance. Alan Rickman also played an iconic villain as the evil Hans Gruber. Bonnie Bedelia and Reginald VelJohnson also had excellent starring roles. Alexander Godunov, Paul Gleason, De'voreaux White, William Atherton, Hart Bochner, James Shigeta, Andreas Wisniewski, Clarence Gilyard Jr., and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorAlan ParkerStarsGene HackmanWillem DafoeFrances McDormandTwo F.B.I. Agents with wildly different styles arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of some civil rights activists.Fantastic crime drama/mystery from Alan Parker set in Mississippi 1964, and follows two very different F.B.I. agents named Rupert Anderson and Alan Ward who are sent to an extremely racist and hateful rural Mississippi town to investigate the disappearance of three civil rights activists that were there fighting for black voting rights. Ward is strictly professional and operates by the book, while Anderson was a former Mississippi Sheriff who knows you must bend the rules a bit to get things done. When they learn the Ku Klux Klan is involved, they must put their differences aside and work together to solve the case. The tagline to this film (1964. When America was at war with itself.) is a perfectly fitting tagline for such a powerful and racially charged story. Superbly acted, written, and shot. It rightly one the Oscar for best cinematography. The incredible cast makes it even better. Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe both deliver a couple of their all-time best lead performances. Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, Stephen Tobolowsky, R. Lee Ermey, Michael Rooker, Gailard Sartain, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Badja Djola, Kevin Dunn, Frankie Faison, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorDavid ZuckerStarsLeslie NielsenPriscilla PresleyO.J. SimpsonIncompetent police Detective Frank Drebin must foil an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II.Side-splittingly hilarious crime comedy from slapstick comedy geniuses David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, and Jim Abrahams. The story follows a hilariously incompetent Los Angeles Police Squad Lieutenant named Frank Drebin. When Queen Elizabeth II arrives in town for a visit, a wealthy and corrupt businessman named Vincent Ludwig plans to assassinate her by brainwashing an unsuspecting gun-wielding killer. It's up to Frank and the rest of Police Squad to take him down. Meanwhile, he and Ludwig's secretary Jane Spencer start steamy relationship which complicates the investigation. Much like Airplane (1980), it's filled with nonstop clever humor at every turn. Leslie Nielsen is absolutely perfect for the role, delivers his all-time best lead performance, and would prove to be the greatest role of his career as they round out one of the finest trilogies of all time. Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalban, George Kennedy, and O.J. Simpson also deliver excellent starring roles. Nancy Marchand, Raye Birk, Jeannette Charles, Susan Beaubian, Ed Williams, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsDustin HoffmanTom CruiseValeria GolinoAfter a selfish L.A. yuppie learns his estranged father left a fortune to an autistic-savant brother in Ohio that he didn't know existed, he absconds with his brother and sets out across the country, hoping to gain a larger inheritance.Excellent drama from Barry Levinson that follows a selfish and egotistical Los Angeles auto dealer and hustler named Charlie Babbitt who's fallen on hard times stemming from a troubled childhood. When his estranged father dies, he wills him a car, while the remainder of the $3 million is going to his older autistic brother Raymond, whom he never knew existed. Raymond lives at Walbrook Mental Institute and lives in a world of his own. Charlie decides to kidnap Raymond in an attempt to collect on his inheritance, which actually results in a crazed trip of love, understanding, and healing for them both. Powerful story with great dialogue and acting all around. Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise both deliver a couple of their greatest lead performances of all time. Valeria Golino also had a great starring role. Gerald R. Molen, Jack Murdock, Michael D. Roberts, Ralph Seymour, Lucinda Jenney, Bonnie Hunt, Kim Robillard, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJonathan KaplanStarsKelly McGillisJodie FosterBernie CoulsonAfter a young woman suffers a brutal gang rape in a bar one night, a prosecutor assists in bringing the perpetrators to justice, including the ones who encouraged and cheered on the attack.Excellent crime drama from Jonathan Kaplan loosely based on a true 1983 case that follows the brutal gang rape of a young woman named Sarah Tobias in a Washington bar. The story opens with her frantically running from the bar, being picked up by a random driver, then being medically examined before meeting Deputy District Attorney Kathryn Murphy. While Kathryn treats it as a normal case in her line of work, she ends up getting more personally involved with the case after learning horrific details of the rape, and the nasty group of men that were cheering and chanting along while it was happening. Very controversial movie to this day, and Jodie Foster delivered one her most powerful lead performances of all time. Kelly McGillis was also excellent. Bernie Coulson, Leo Rossi, Ann Hearn, Carmen Argenziano, Woody Brown, Steve Antin, Peter Van Norden, Tom O'Brien, and several others also delivered great supporting roles.
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsEric BogosianEllen GreeneLeslie HopeA rude, contemptuous talk show host becomes overwhelmed by the hatred that surrounds his program just before it goes national.Powerful drama/thriller from Oliver Stone that follows a controversial Jewish radio personality named Barry Champlain who runs a successful talk show out of Dallas, Texas. He has a very brash, dark, and quick-witted personality, who's signature touch is to mock callers, point out their short-comings, and hang up on them. He's loved by many and hated by many more. However, the ratings are so good that they plan to take his show national, which adds building pressure throughout the film. When some callers that represent hateful groups and ideals start to threaten him on the air, he doesn't budge from is signature snide personality, which results in very troubling consequences. Eric Bogosian was absolutely perfect as Champlain, and delivered a complex and terrific lead performance. Ellen Greene, Leslie Hope, John C. McGinley, Alec Baldwin, John Pankow, Michael Wincott, Robert Trebor, and others also had excellent supporting roles. Very underrated Oliver Stone picture.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsAlec BaldwinGeena DavisMichael KeatonThe spirits of a deceased couple are harassed by an unbearable family that has moved into their home, and hire a malicious spirit to drive them out.Excellent fantasy-driven comedy from Tim Burton that follows a happily married couple named Adam and Barbara Maitland who die in a car accident, while their spirits continue to live on inside the vacant house. Their gigantic countryside New England home is soon sold to a the wealthy and insufferable Deetz family out of New York, who are looking to renovate the home and move business to their quiet and peaceful town. The Maitlands are dead set on getting rid of them, and find their scare tactics aren't going to do the job. Meanwhile, they make allies with the daughter of the Deetz family, Lydia, who attempts to help them, while a mysterious and hostile spirit named Beetlejuice claims to specialize and scaring the living. Beautifully shot with clever writing and acting throughout. Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Catherine O'Hara, Winona Ryder, and Jeffrey Jones all deliver excellent lead performances. Glenn Shadix, Sylvia Sidney, Dick Cavett, Susan Kellermann, Adelle Lutz, Annie McEnroe, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorPenny MarshallStarsTom HanksElizabeth PerkinsRobert LoggiaAfter wishing to be made big, a teenage boy wakes the next morning to find himself mysteriously in the body of an adult.Excellent fantasy-filled comedy/drama from Penny Marshall that follows a 13-year-old boy named Josh Baskin that finds a Zoltar fortune-telling machine at a carnival, and wishes to be made "big". The next morning, he wakes up in a full-grown human body, and humorously tries to live the life of a grownup with the help of his best friend Billy. After landing a job and getting a girlfriend, life as a grownup isn't what he expected, and battles with the thought of losing his childhood. Great story with a great cast of actors all around. Tom Hanks delivers one of his very best comedic lead performances, and handles the dramatic parts great as well. Elizabeth Perkins, Jared Rushton, Robert Loggia, John Heard, David Moscow, Jon Lovitz, Mercedes Ruehl, Josh Clark, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsForest WhitakerDiane VenoraMichael ZelnikerThe troubled life and career of jazz musician Charlie "Bird" Parker.Excellent music biopic from Clint Eastwood on the unsettling life of jazz musician and saxophone player extraordinaire, Charlie "Bird" Parker. Starting in 1940 New York City, he wowed audiences with his wildly inventive improvisations, while troubles brew simultaneously when he falls victim to heroin and alcohol addiction starting at about age 15—making it much tougher for him and his band to find steady work. It also follows his loving wife Chan, who stuck with him and supporting him throughout his entire short-lived life. Very honest and powerful biography, and beautifully done overall. Forest Whitaker delivers his all time best performance as Charlie Parker, and the same could be said for Diane Venora as Chan Parker. Michael Zelniker, Samuel E. Wright, Keith David, and several others had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorJohn SaylesStarsJohn CusackClifton JamesJace AlexanderA dramatization of the Black Sox scandal when the underpaid Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series.Excellent historical sports drama from John Sayles that follows the incredibly talented 1919 Chicago White Sox team. Back in those days, most players were under-respected, were barely paid a livable wage, and were promised bonuses that were never delivered. The story focuses on 8 frustrated key members of the team who take big bribes to throw the World Series, which quickly goes wrong in many ways, and finds the players battling each other on and off the field. After the series is over, information about the scandal is publicized in the press, which lands all them in court, fighting for their freedom and ability to keep playing pro baseball. John Cusack, Michael Rooker, David Strathairn, D.B. Sweeney, Don Harvey, James Read, Gordon Clapp, Bill Irwin, Charlie Sheen, Perry Lang, John Mahoney, Jace Alexander, John Sayles, Richard Edson, Christopher Lloyd, and many others had excellent performances.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsJeff BridgesJoan AllenMartin LandauThe story of Preston Tucker, the maverick car designer and his ill-fated challenge to the auto industry with his revolutionary car concept.Excellent historical biopic from Francis Ford Coppola on the life of automobile innovator and visionary Preston Tucker. In 1946 Preston decided to make his dream of producing a revolutionary car a reality, which shook The Big Three (General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford) to their core, as his ideas exposed several of their safety flaws and a general lack of overall quality. The car companies become involved with politicians to stop Tucker at any cost, which results in Preston being charged with stock fraud, with the possibility of facing 20 years in prison and losing everything. Excellent story and acting throughout. Jeff Bridges delivers one of his best early lead performances. Martin Landau, Joan Allen, Elias Koteas, Christian Slater, Frederic Forrest, Mako, Nina Siemaszko, Jay O. Sanders, Dean Stockwell, and Lloyd Bridges all had excellent roles among the supporting cast.
- DirectorRon SheltonStarsKevin CostnerSusan SarandonTim RobbinsA fan who has an affair with one minor-league baseball player each season meets an up-and-coming pitcher and the experienced catcher assigned to him.Excellent sports comedy drama from Ron Shelton that follows a gorgeous baseball groupie named Annie Savoy who considers the game her religion. Each season she chooses one hot-shot baseball player from the minor leagues for a long inspired steamy fling before they make it big in the majors. Her sights are set on the Durham Bulls' new cocky rifle-armed pitcher Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh, and 12-year minor league veteran catcher Crash Davis. Many hilarious situations present themselves along the way as Crash attempts to coach Nuke into utilizing his skills and respecting the game. Excellent and cleverly done story all around that covers a lot more ground than just baseball. Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins all deliver excellent lead performances. Trey Wilson, Robert Wuhl, Jenny Robertson, William O'Leary, Stephen Ware, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorMichael AptedStarsSigourney WeaverBryan BrownJulie HarrisThe story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and later fought to protect them.Excellent biography from Michael Apted on the life of renowned primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey. The story is set in 1963 Africa, and follows Fossey as she studies rare mountain gorillas and the fact that they are being killed off by corrupt poachers that sell their skins, hands, and heads. She becomes closely connected to these gorillas, and does everything in her power to fight for their rights and protect the species. Powerful and very nicely done film. Sigourney Weaver delivers a very complex emotional lead performance. It's definitely one of my favorites from her. Bryan Brown, John Omirah Miluwi, Julie Harris, John Omirah Miluwi, Iain Cuthbertson, Constantin Alexandrov, Waigwa Wachira, Iain Glen, and others also had very nice roles among the supporting cast.
- DirectorDennis HopperStarsSean PennRobert DuvallMaria Conchita AlonsoAn experienced cop and his rookie partner patrol the streets of East Los Angeles while trying to keep the gang violence under control.Excellent crime drama from Dennis Hopper about a veteran LAPD policeman and former Vietnam veteran named "Uncle" Bob Hodges, who takes on a rookie cop named Danny "Pac-Man" McGavin as a partner. Their job is to patrol the crime-ridden streets of several poor Los Angeles neighborhoods that are plagued with gangs and violence. Hodges is respected among many of the criminals on the street, while McGavin is young and cocky, and raises tensions with his brand of enforcement as they struggle to control the outbreak of crime. Underrated crime drama overall, with great performances all around. Robert Duvall and Sean Penn both deliver excellent lead performances. Maria Conchita Alonso, Grand L. Bush, Don Cheadle, Gerardo Mejía, Randy Brooks, Glenn Plummer, Sy Richardson, Trinidad Silva, Damon Wayans, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJohn LandisStarsEddie MurphyPaul BatesGarcelle BeauvaisAn extremely pampered African prince travels to Queens, New York and goes undercover to find a wife that he can respect for her intelligence and strong will.Hilarious comedy from John Landis and Eddie Murphy that follows a wealthy and powerful African prince named Prince Akeem who travels to Queens, New York, to find a wife that he can respect and love for their intelligence and personality—unlike the arranged marriages his family attempts to force upon him. He hilariously goes undercover working at a fast food restaurant with his valet, Semmi, and attempts to win the heart of the restaurant owner's daughter, Lisa McDowell. This is often considered Eddie Murphy's best movie. His writing and acting (several characters) is excellent, and he makes it very much his own with a predominantly black cast (many unknown for the time). Arsenio Hall, Shari Headley, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Louie Anderson, Madge Sinclair, Eriq La Salle, Clint Smith, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and many others others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorHoward DeutchStarsDan AykroydJohn CandyStephanie FaracyA Chicago man and his family go camping with his obnoxious brother-in-law.Hilarious family comedy from Howard Deutch and John Hughes that follows Chester "Chet" Ripley and his family as they embark on a summer vacation from Chicago to a nostalgic lake resort in Pechoggin, Wisconsin. Chet is proud loving father and husband who can't wait to tackle his list of fun family adventures. However, that's immediately interrupted when his repulsive and insufferably offensive brother-in-law and family randomly show up and comically ruins their good times. This is one of my favorite lead performances from the great John Candy. He was fantastic throughout, as was Dan Aykroyd's perfectly obnoxious character. Stephanie Faracy, Annette Bening, Chris Young, Ian Michael Giatti, Robert Prosky, Lucy Deakins, Hilary Gordon, Rebecca Gordon, Zoaunne LeRoy, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorBrian GilbertStarsJudge ReinholdFred SavageCorinne BohrerDivorced executive Marshall and his 11-year-old son Charlie casually touch a magical Tibetan skull, releasing a mysterious power that transfers Marshall's mind to Charlie's body and vice versa. Their problems have just begun.Hilarious and underrated comedy/fantasy that follows a divorced workaholic and father named Marshall and his wise-cracking and frustrated son Charlie, who magically switch bodies after angrily wishing they could change places during an argument, while simultaneously touching a mysterious Tibetan skull. We find Charlie going to work his father's job and Marshall attending high school as they get into many comical situations. Meanwhile, a duo of criminals are also after the Tibetan skull for its magical powers. Judge Reinhold plays a great teenager, and Fred Savage plays a great adult. They both delivered very funny and memorable lead performances. I still enjoy this film today. Corinne Bohrer, Swoosie Kurtz, David Proval, Jane Kaczmarek, William Prince, Beverly Archer, and others also had nice roles among the supporting cast.
- DirectorNewt ArnoldStarsJean-Claude Van DammeDonald GibbLeah Ayres"Bloodsport" follows Frank Dux, an American martial artist serving in the military, who decides to leave the army to compete in a martial arts tournament in Hong Kong where fights to the death can occur.Great action-packed biography from Newt Arnold set from 1975 to 1980, and follows the true story of American martial artist and U.S. Army captain Frank Dux, who leaves the army and travels to Hong Kong to complete his training and fight in underground fight-to-the-death martial arts matches. Meanwhile, he must elude the capture of two Army officers looking to bring him to America, and learns he must face off with the deadly defending champion Chong Li in order to succeed. The action and fighting is excellent all around, and Jean-Claude Van Damme delivers one of his finest performances. Bolo Yeung, Leah Ayres, Donald Gibb, Norman Burton, Forest Whitaker, and Roy Chiao all had very nice roles among the supporting cast.
- DirectorGene FeldmanSuzette WinterStarsRupert AllanRalph BellamyIngrid BergmanA retrospective of the life and career of actor Cary Grant, including clips from his films and interviews with his friends and co-workers.Excellent documentary/biography on the life and career of one of the greatest actors that ever lived—Cary Grant (1904-1986). The film covers his early years subjected to issues from his overprotective mother, his big breaks in film, rise to stardom, and difficulty with his five rocky marriages, which has brought up several questions about his sexual orientation over the years. I've seen a few of these documentaries from Gene Feldman and Suzette Winter, and I enjoy this one best so far, and maps out why he's a legend quite nicely. Great use of archival clips and later day interviews from actors and film-makers in Grant's hay day. Michael Caine, Ingrid Bergman, Richard Brooks, Irene Dunne, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Alfred Hitchcock, Grace Kelly, Deborah Kerr, Stanley Kramer, Eva Marie Saint, and others had very nice parts.
- DirectorKenneth JohnsonStarsFisher StevensMichael McKeanTim BlaneyRobot Johnny Five comes to the city and gets manipulated by criminals who want him for their own purposes.Wildly entertaining and somewhat underrated sequel to John Badham's 1986 family cult classic. This time Kenneth Johnson handles the direction, and the story follows Johnny 5 traveling to New York City in a giant freight shipping box to stay with his friend and inventor Ben Jahveri, and Ben's new business partner Fred Ritter. He was sent to help Ben and Fred mass produce miniature toy robot replicas of himself for a new business deal they landed. However, New York City has lots of interesting input, and Johnny 5 can't contain himself. He ends up getting himself into many comical and dangerous situations, as his naive personality gets him into trouble with criminals. Fisher Stevens, Michael McKean, Jack Weston, and Cynthia Gibb all have great lead performances along with a great supporting cast. Fun film with a great soundtrack as well.
- DirectorSpike LeeStarsLaurence FishburneGiancarlo EspositoTisha CampbellA not so popular young man wants to pledge to a popular fraternity at his historically black college.Very nice comedy/drama/musical from Spike Lee that follows many different students of the African-American university Mission College in Georgia. From bizarre fraternities to pro-black revolutionaries, the story finds them all struggling to find their identities. I'm not that into musicals, so this one fell a point shy for me, even though there is some great signature dialogue and stirring controversy that Spike Lee is known for throughout the picture. And as usual, it is uncompromisingly radical and unique in its approach. Laurence Fishburne and Giancarlo Esposito both delivered very nice lead performances. Tisha Campbell, Kyme, Spike Lee, Bill Nunn, Joe Seneca, Ossie Davis, Roger Guenveur Smith, and many others also had nice supporting roles throughout.
- DirectorDon BluthStarsPat HingleGabriel DamonHelen ShaverAn orphaned brontosaurus teams up with other young dinosaurs in order to reunite with their families in a valley.Excellent animated adventure/drama from Don Bluth, and one of my nostalgic childhood favorites. Following deadly volcano eruptions and earthquakes, an orphaned brontosaurus named Littlefoot teams up with a group of other young dinosaurs as they set out to find the legendary rich feeding grounds of the Great Valley where they will be able to reunite with their families after the catastrophe. The journey is dangerous and filled with predators and other challenges, and they must work together to survive. I've never seen any of the sequels, but it clearly made a huge impact, considering there are 14 total Land Before Time films. Gabriel Damon, Candace Hutson, Judith Barsi, Will Ryan, Helen Shaver, Bill Erwin, Pat Hingle, and Frank Welker all delivered excellent voice performances.
- DirectorTom HollandStarsCatherine HicksChris SarandonAlex VincentA struggling single mother unknowingly gifts her son a doll imbued with a serial killer's consciousness.Very nice thrilling horror flick from Tom Holland that follows a 6-year-old boy named Andy Barclay who receives a doll from his mother for his birthday that comes alive and appears to be possessed by an infamous serial killer named Charles Lee Ray, and refers to himself as "Chucky". Chucky ends up going on a killing spree while confiding in the boy. Unfortunately nobody believes the boy until complete mayhem has broken out. It isn't one of my favorite horror movies of the 80s, but it is definitely entertaining and well done throughout. Catherine Hicks, Alex Vincent, and Brad Dourif all deliver great lead performances. Chris Sarandon, Dinah Manoff, Tommy Swerdlow, Neil Giuntoli, Juan Ramírez, Alan Wilder, and others also have very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorJohn CornellStarsPaul HoganLinda KozlowskiJohn MeillonAustralian outback expert protects his New York love from gangsters who've followed her down under.Solid sequel from John Cornell that follows Mick 'Crocodile' Dundee and the lovely news reporter Sue Charlton living in New York City after the events of the first film. When Sue becomes the target of a Colombian drug cartel leader, they try to escape to Australia, but are followed by the murderous gangsters in the Australian outback. I must say I thought this film was just about as good and entertaining as the first. It some respects, I like it even more. Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski both delivered great lead performances. Charles S. Dutton, Hechter Ubarry, Carlos Carrasco, John Meillon, Ernie Dingo, Steve Rackman, Gerry Skilton, Alec Wilson, and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorDwight H. LittleStarsDonald PleasenceEllie CornellDanielle HarrisTen years after his original massacre, the invalid Michael Myers awakens on Halloween Eve and returns to Haddonfield to kill his seven-year-old niece. Can Dr. Loomis stop him?Solid sequel in the Halloween franchise from Dwight H. Little. Since Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) completely ignored the original storyline of the first two films, with this movie picking up the story 10 years after the ending of Halloween II (1981). Michael Myers returns to Haddonfield on Halloween Eve 10 years after the explosion at Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, and is now plans to kill his seven-year-old niece, Jamie Lloyd. While this sequel is very poorly rated, I found it to be one of the more entertaining Halloween films in the bunch. The story is solid even without Jamie Lee Curtis. Donald Pleasence, Ellie Cornell, Danielle Harris, George P. Wilbur, Michael Pataki, Beau Starr, and Kathleen Kinmont all had great performances.
- DirectorIvan ReitmanStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerDanny DeVitoKelly PrestonA physically perfect but innocent man goes in search of his long-lost twin brother, who is short, a womanizer, and small-time crook.Nice crime comedy from Ivan Reitman that follows a physically perfect specimen of a man named Julius Benedict, who discovers he has a twin brother who is the physical opposite of him—not just in height and shape, but with very different personalities. Maybe I need to revisit this one since I like both stars, and it definitely seems to be a well liked film by many. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito were a fun duo throughout the film, but the story just wasn't for me. Kelly Preston, Chloe Webb, Marshall Bell, Bonnie Bartlett, Trey Wilson, Hugh O'Brian, Nehemiah Persoff, and others also had nice supporting roles.
- DirectorJohn R. Cherry IIIStarsJim VarneyDouglas SealeOliver ClarkErnest helps Santa Claus as he searches for his successor.I loved the Ernest movies growing up, and I watched this every Christmas as a kid. Ernest plays a Florida taxi-driver who gives Santa Claus and ride, and learns that he's no longer able to perform his duties as Santa, and therefore enlists Ernest's help as the new man to take over his job as Santa Claus. Fun, simple, and funny holiday film. None of the Ernest films are as good to me today as they were when I was a kid. But they still have an undeniable charm and great nostalgic value. Jim Varney, Douglas Seale, Noelle Parker, and Oliver Clark all had very nice roles.
- DirectorPeter MacDonaldStarsSylvester StalloneRichard CrennaMarc de JongeRambo mounts a one-man mission to rescue his friend Colonel Trautman from the clutches of the formidable invading Soviet forces in Afghanistan.Entertaining but unremarkable sequel, and likely my least favorite film in the entire Rambo franchise. The story follows John Rambo traveling to Afghanistan to save Colonel Trautman from a large camp of ruthless Soviet soldiers after refusing to help him in the first place. Now it's up to Rambo to go undercover and save his friend and mentor. Solid story overall, but the films that came before and after this one are better in my book. Sylvester Stallone and Richard Crenna both deliver solid lead performances. Marc de Jonge, Kurtwood Smith, Sasson Gabay, Spyros Fokas, Doudi Shoua, Randy Raney, Yosef Shiloach, and others also had very nice supporting roles.