ReelSociety Forums

#8

Boosh: The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Bold choice. Never been a fan.

John: Eight Men Out (1988)
I never understood base-ball, but there are films I like. I haven't seen that one, actually.

Ron: The Thin Blue Line (1988)
I still haven't seen it !!!

six: The King of Comedy (1982)
Great film. I realize no Scorsese film made my list. Strangely.

StarLord: Lethal Weapon (1987)
Fun film.

transformers: The Killer (1989)
There were a couple of HK noir action films close to my list, but in the end only As Tears Go By made my list, which isn't your typical HK action noir. But I love the genre. the 90's provided better films in the genre, so in a Top 90's films, a couple probably would have made my list.

#7

Boosh & Tranny : Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
An absolute classic.

John: Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)
I much prefer their 70's oeuvres, but the Monty Python are always funny, and much more.

Ron: Akira (1988)
I really need to rewatch it. There's gonna be a screening in one of my favorite Parisian theaters soon, I'll try and catch it.

six: The Thing (1982)
You're absolutely right. Excellent film. Made my list.

StarLord: Aliens (1986)
I like it. But I much prefer the first one.

#6

Boosh: Scarface (1983)
I never liked Scarface.

John: Angel Heart (1987)
Been a long time since I saw it. I don't remember how I felt about it.

Ron: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Adventure at its best.

six: Blade Runner (1982)
It's true, too many versions. But the good ones are amazing.

StarLord: Die Hard (1988)
My #5.

transformers: Airplane! (1980)
Like I said, loved it as a kid, haven't seen it since.

#5

Boosh: Do the Right Thing (1989)
Spike Lee's best.

John: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Not sure I've ever seen it.

Ron: Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Here's one I really want to see. Sounds fun.

six: Fitzcarraldo (1982)
I have actually never seen it. I've been meaning to for years, but always missed the screenings in Paris, and I really want to see it in theaters.

StarLord: Back to the Future (1985)
Made my list. Great childhod film, and great film, period.

transformers: First Blood (1982)
I prefer the Rambos to the Rockys, so yes.

I've got Internet probelms at home so I have a hard time finishing this countdown, but I will !

4. Heaven's Gate (1980)
My favorite film of Michael Cimino will forever be The Deerhunter, but Heaven's Gate is a glorious second. The film's got this bad reputation because it sank United Artists, but it is one of those ambitious monuments of cinema that I miss in Hollywood these days. The portrait of a small community in late 19th century's USA, full of great characters, stakes, set in a magnificent decorum. With a fascinating rivalry between Kristofferson and Walken, whose line "You've got style, Jim. I'll give you that" I'll never forget.

I watched Heaven's Gate on New Years Eve for the first time, as I nabbed the Criterion Blu-ray for cheap. It's the full version.

I was impressed by it. The scale is amazing, and the bitterness of the theme and the main character who isn't the nicest. I'd argue it's too long, particularly the opening sequences, but the last hour is pure epic cinema.

I personally think the book about the making of Heaven's Gate, Final Cut, is far better than the film. It might be one of the most in-depth books ever written about film production and the inner workings of a studio stuck in turmoil.

As for the film, I found it okay. It's not the worst film of the 1980's but I didn't find it a misunderstood masterpiece either. A 5 out of 10 for me.

I had the chance of seeing it in theater, in a beautiful restored copy, with Cimino and Huppert attending, in one of the best cinemas of Paris, almost two decades ago, and it's one of those screenings I'll never forget.

3. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Sergio Leone died way too young, and we all wish he would have had time to make more films. But it seems relevant that his testimonial oeuvre is this masterpiece. Many of you have cited it already, so I don't have to convince you. This isn't a film I haven't watched and rewatched. I think I've only seen it twice. But it's the kind of film that don't need several viewings to make an everlasting impact on you.

2. Blade Runner (1982)
I have honestly lost track of all the versions of these films, and some of you have already mentioned that some of them are to be forgotten.
But Blade Runner is a phenomenal sci-fi classic, one which leaves images that won't ever desert you once you've seen it. But it's not just a film of images, the characters and ideas developed are on the same page. And I won't ever forget Rutger Hauer monologue at the end of it. "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe."
Amazing.