Sue Harvey,
Aug 10, 2007
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See the Top 10 of 1987
In 1988 George H.W. Bush was President. Salman Rushdie became a
wanted man when Iranian leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa
calling for Rushdie's assassination. Rushdie's misdeed? Writing and
publishing The Satanic Verses. From July through September
Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding areas burned, scorching
1.2 million acres of land and destroying over $3 million worth of
property. In December Pan Am Flight 103 from London to New York
exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people. And, after an
eight year run, Magnum, P.I. signed off the television
airwaves after its final episode. Meanwhile, Bobby McFerrin encouraged
us, "Don't Worry, Be Happy."
Despite all of this, or maybe because of it, in 1988 Hollywood also
released some pretty hopeful, uplifting and downright fun movies. Some
of the heavier, critically acclaimed and controversial Hollywood fare
like Mississippi
Burning and The Last Temptation of Christ didn't make
it on to my Top 10 because, this may sound shallow but, they're not
conducive to escape which was, and is, one of the things I love best
about the movies. Another title not on my list is the John Cleese,
Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Palin picture, A Fish
Called Wanda. I loved it when it was released but,
unfortunately, feel that it hasn't stood the test of time.
That said, here is my list of Top 10 movies of 1988:
1.Biloxi
Blues
Director: Mike Nichols
Stars: Matthew Broderick, Christopher Walken, Penelope Ann Miller
Why a favorite? In five words: Neil Simon and Matthew Broderick.
This is a smart, funny, well made movie that has not only stood the
test of time, it is a love letter to a past that fewer and fewer of us
alive now actually remember. It is eminently quotable and I enjoy it
now every bit as much as I did the first time I saw it. Its excellence
speaks for itself. Do yourself a favor, and watch it.
2.Who
Framed Roger Rabbit
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Stars: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy, Kathleen
Turner
Why a favorite? When I watched this film again with my family, I
was amazed at how well it has stood the test of time. It still feels
original, is still crazy fun with tons of sight gags, terrific lines
(as in "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way"), and cartoon characters
from every studio imaginable, along with a few originals as well. It is
a great reminder, especially during trying times, of the power of
laughter.
3.Working
Girl
Director: Mike Nichols
Stars: Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, Sigourney Weaver
Why a favorite? Because the story still resonates. Because it
is smart, funny, well written, well acted, well directed. Because
Harrison Ford was in his prime: good looking, funny and not
self-conscious. Because Melanie Griffith is absolutely believable as
Tess, and Joan Cusack is fabulous as Cyn with her mile-high hair, her
fright show makeup and her terrific lines, "$6,000 dollars? It's not
even leather!" and "You know, sometimes I dance around the house in my
underwear and sing. Doesn't make me Madonna. Never will."
4.
Bull Durham
Director: Ron Shelton
Stars: Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins
Why a favorite? This film makes me laugh! It's funny and sexy
and silly and I have fun every time I watch it. The sound track is
great, too. I am not a baseball fan, and know nothing about minor
league baseball except that every time we watch this film I find myself
wanting to go to a game. This is the first DVD I ever bought my
husband, several years before we even owned a DVD player.
5.Dirty
Rotten Scoundrels
Director: Frank Oz
Stars: Michael Caine, Steve Martin, Glenne Headly
Why a favorite? Funny, funny, funny! Casting Steve Martin and
Michael Caine as dueling con artists was a stroke of brilliance. Martin
is in broad, crass humor mode and Caine does elegant and charming. They
are each other's perfect foil. It features great dialogue and humor
from beginning to the very end. Still very entertaining!
6.Big
Director: Penny Marshall
Stars: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins
Why a favorite? His performance in this film earned Tom Hanks
his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a leading role,
and he deserved it. This is another funny, sweet film with great
dialogue. It is also a film I think about whenever I find myself
wishing for something and then remember, be careful what you wish for,
for you will surely get it.
7.Die Hard
Director: John McTiernan
Stars: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Alan Rickman, Alexander
Godunov
Why a favorite? I clearly recall going to see this film in the
theater with my boyfriend at the time and thinking, that I was doing
this for him. I didn't really care to see it, but he did, so I went. I
walked out of the theater totally blown away, with my blood pounding,
my face on fire and absolutely thrilled! I still, on occasion, feel
like yelling "Yipee-ki-yay, mother…" but then realize there are kids
around, and I stop myself. This is the film that made me realize that
not all action movies are created equal.
8.The
Accidental Tourist
Director:Lawrence Kasdan
Stars: William Hurt, Geena Davis, Kathleen Turner
Why a Favorite? This is a sad, sweet, hopeful film. It breaks
my heart, and then slowly and haltingly opens the door to the healing
possibilities of love. William Hurt is perfect as the wounded, wooden
Macon; Geena Davis won the Academy Award for this role by completely
inhabiting Muriel, who was also wounded, but odd, bold, brave and
wonderful.
9.Rain Man
Director:Barry Levinson
Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise
Why a Favorite? Dustin Hoffman.
10.The
Land Before Time
Director: Don Bluth
Stars/Voices: Gabriel Damon, Candace Hutson, Judith Barsi, Will
Ryan
Why a Favorite? To tell you the truth this is not so much a
favorite of mine as it is, and has been, a favorite of young children
for the past 19 years. It's still a hot item in the children's section
at the video store. Its storyline is somewhat formulaic, but it
features dinosaurs - always a hit with kids - and was put together by a
great team including Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall
and George Lucas. A perfect electronic babysitter .
<<<
See the Top 10 of 1987
Sue "Mom on Film" Harvey is a mother of three who shares her
passion for film with bi-weekly, family-friendly movie recommendations.
Read more of
Sue's pieces here.
