Best Films of 1988

The return is weak.

I saw this shortly after Chase's Christmas Vacation and was very disappointed.

The poor man's ET

Only Ernest can go to jail, meet aliens AND save Christmas

More like stealing two hours out of my life.

I was expecting Brat Pack-style fun, but was trounced with a boring and cynical look at an uninspired marriage.

So ridiculous it almost seems to make fun of itself

I was going to name my son Chucky, not anymore.

Another Woody Allen rambler, full of Woody Allens without actually starring Woody Allen.

Director: Roger Donaldson
His 7th movie
My 10th movie watched from the director

Cocktails and Dreams... this movie is so lame and cheesy and chauvinistic... and so incredibly 80s. That last part might be the only thing entertaining about it. Sure Elisabeth Shue is likable, as always, and the bar tricks are fun, but those are still actually a minor part of the movie.

Added to Lists:

Top Ten Performances - Elisabeth Shue


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Location: Manhattan & Brooklyn, NYC, NY, USA; Port Antonio, Jamaica

The sequel is not bigger and does not top the first

A strong female cast but the charms of the film didn't work for me. Perhaps I watched it too late in my life, as this recommendation was given by people who watched it when they were young.

Whenever I break someone's arm I can't help but think of this movie

A nicely-paced movie about a lifetime of an unusual friendship. The two leads are strong enough and the ending is effectively sad.

Director: Taylor Hackford
His 8th Movie.
My 6th movie watched from the director.

I had heard so little about this movie and see its low rating that I came into it with low expectations. I wanted to see an early film by Hackford and here it is, an all-American film about a rise to glory, glory, and faded glory. It's actually a very nice and moving film. I don't care to look into why it's rated low but I will say my opinion is it should not be.

I tend to like movies that take us through the bulk of characters' lives. See their rise, their mistakes, regrets, and successes. I find that all, plus reflection, very entertaining.

As far as production value, it is pretty weak. It relies on the story and performances. It's a good effort by Hackford and his cast.

The metal years didn't have such a raw quality that the punk original had, but it was overall more entertaining.

A wild idea with creepy, horrific, silly results

The only viewable sequel in the back half of the series

Surprised to see Liam Neeson and Jim Carrey in the final movie of the Dirty Harry series.

The oldest of Almodovar's works I've seen. It's inventive and fun and visually interesting in composition and art direction.

Lots of 80s hair

An essential romantic comedy from the 80s.

Director: Sidney Lumet
His 36th movie
My 12th movie watched from the director

Added to Lists:

Top Ten Films - Sidney Lumet
Movie Titles vs. Song Titles
"Taxi" Alumni: Post-Series Success Ranked

Essentially a loving tribute to the man, with plenty of archive footage I had not seen before.

Deep diving like it was meant to be seen. Epic and tragic.

Director: Stephen Frears
His 13th movie
My 14th movie watched from the director

This Stephen Frears movie might have created one of Malkovich's best roles. He has a lot of fun with it and is quite effective. The whole cast is strong and the story just twisted enough to keep interest. About halfway through I realized this must have been a strong influence on "Cruel Intentions".

Added to Lists:

Top Ten Performances - Malkovich, Pfeiffer
Top Ten Films - Stephen Frears