The Movies of 1988
By: Dan Jones
Twenty-two years ago, there was a fine line between the uncompromised movies and the desperate-for-attention comedies and/or horror movies. This was also the year for change, modernization, and improvements. The 90′s were on their way. Surely 1989 was going to be full of surprises, because it was the last chance. But 1988 was almost a filler year. That mustn’t be. So how could it stand out?
We’re not talking about the oddballs like “18 Again!” starring George Burns; or “Punchline,” the unfunny un-character studied movie starring Tom Hanks and Sally Field; or “High Spirits” starring a mix-matched cast of Steve Guttenberg, Daryl Hannah and Peter O’Toole; or “Feds” starring Rebecca De Mornay and Mary Gross for a nonexistent audience; or “Jack’s Back” struggling to turn James Spader into a star; or “Ghoulies II” (Remember the videotape cover of the monster coming out of the toilet?); or “Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers” with all of those hookers.
We’re talking about the fun ones. For instance, “Vice Versa” (starring dopey-face Judge Reinhold, squeaky-voiced Fred Savage, and David Proval who played Richie Aprile in “Sopranos” 3rd season). We’ll even give a shout out to “Young Einstein,” created and everythinged by innovative Australian comedic/entrepreneur who legally changed his name to Yahoo Serious before fame stardom and becoming all anyone could talk about. And then they stopped talking about him by 1989. (Perhaps his style will pick up again in 2088.)
Yes, 1988 was a screwy year. Let’s break it up by genres.
THRILLERS
“Lady in White” won’t be as scary as you remember it, and the poster for Wes Craven’s “The Serpent and the Rainbow” (starring Bill Pullman) is the only frightening moment you’ll dig up. Avoid “The Blob” remake, but admire their creative poster as well. “Pumpkinhead“? Stan Winston was a talented creator in the special effects department, but didn’t wow anyone beyond creating another freakish monster. Colin Firth has recently returned to “creepy” since his early work in “Apartment Zero.”
“Child’s Play.” Watching a killer Good Guy doll shows that we were just beginning to tap into the Horror genre.
Michael Keaton pulls off his finest role in “Beetle Juice” (which could be categorized as a dark comedy).
DRAMA
Be sure to observe a solid dramatic performance by Keaton in “Clean and Sober.” Matthew Broderick shows off his skills alongside Christopher Walken in “Biloxi Blues.” “A Cry in the Dark” stars Meryl Streep and Sam Neill and is referenced in “Seinfeld.” (‘Maybe the dingo ate your baby!‘) The film is intense, and media messages are received.
“Talk Radio” may get you thinking about your past actions today more than before, or will maybe help with your contribution to your personal listeners.
Quality and sophisticated are “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” (starring Daniel Day-Lewis) and “Dangerous Liaisons” (starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer).
Jodie Foster won the Academy Award for best actress in “The Accused,” and “Rain Man” won four Academy Awards (best actor [Dustin Hoffman], best original screenplay, best director, and best picture).
ACTION
One isn’t missing much if you skip the unusual combination of tough cop/alien cop in “Alien Nation,” even if the picture was out to prove the problems we have in this world. “Willow” is a Lucas/Howard mess. Yippee ki yay for “Die Hard,” I suppose. But I prefer “Young Guns,” brat pack or not.
FAMILY
“The Bear” follows the story of an orphaned cub, and “Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey” stars Sigourney Weaver following gorillas. Both films have touching moments.
The best children’s movie of 1988, however, is “The Land Before Time” (including cute kiddie voices often lost in today’s animated children movies). The somewhat risqué “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” expertly combined animation with live-action. “Mac and Me,” on the other hand, is extremely entertaining – unintentionally encouraging laughter till you ache (and ripping off “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” of 1982).
“Big” was a big hit, and still has worthy moments of innocence.
SPOOFS
“I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” is Keenen Ivory Wayans directorial debut of dirty spoofs. The more famous spoof of the year, however, was “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!”, where Leslie Nielsen reprises his role of Detective Frank Drebin from the television show “Police Squad” of 1982.
COMEDY
Steve Martin’s shenanigans in the “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” remake (also starring Michael Caine) and the ridiculousness of Kevin Cline and friends in “A Fish Called Wanda” are dated, but clever.
“Scrooged” is worthy of the Christmas holiday movie, and “Funny Farm” dabbles into Christmas in the last act (“Funny Farm” is surprisingly hardly dated and well-done). Strange, how much worse a movie like “Ernest Saves Christmas” can get over time. In all honesty, Ernest could ruin your holiday.
“Coming to America” (starring Eddie Murphy for the first time playing multiple roles) is more popular, but just as out-of-date as “Moon Over Parador” where Richard Dreyfuss shows his talents of playing two separate roles.
Watch “My Stepmother is an Alien” (starring Dan Aykroyd and Kim Basinger) with a group of friends during a loud and involving (very involving) board game. “The Great Outdoors,” also starring Aykroyd and John Candy, is written by John Hughes and your safest bet. John Candy had a busy year, as he voiced a horse for the wild Bobcat Goldthwait in “Hot to Trot.” Hughes also had another, which he directed: “She’s Having a Baby” (starring Kevin Bacon). Many moments of originality.
YOUR JOB OF 2010
Do a random search of movies of 1988. Make sure to get past all of the sequels (or go ahead and rent them), because there are other worthy films not mentioned here. But make sure you pick up the right title. For example, “Bulletproof” stars Gary Busey, not Adam Sandler and Daman Wayans of the 1996 action/comedy. “Chocolate,” “Dead Man Walking,” “The Expendables,” “The In Crowd,” “The Perfect Murder,” “The 13th Floor,” and “To Die For” are not what you think they are. And “In a Shallow Grave” is not “Shallow Grave.” Really, just be sure to double check the year (1988).
So what’d we learn? Avoid Anthony Michael Hall’s first big flop “Johnny Be Good” (also starring Robert Downey Jr.), but take an afternoon to appreciate River Phoenix’s Oscar-nominated performance in “Running on Empty.”
Be sure to see “Midnight Run” (starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin) and “The Last Temptation of Christ” (Martin Scorsese directing a humanized version of the story of Jesus Christ played by Willem Dafoe and also starring Harvey Keitel).
“Cocktail” isn’t cute; it’s just shallow. And John Carpenter’s “They Live” may be the best terrible addition of that year.
Actually, 1989 may have been a better year.