1(tie). "Batman"(1989)
The Dark Knight was originally slated to take flight alongside his DC counterpart Superman in the late 70's, before getting dragged down into developmental hell. Well, Tim Burton's game-changer was worth the wait. When you pause to consider how cluttered the superhero genre has become, it has to be considered one of the most influential films of the last quarter-century. Michael Keaton overcame some pre-internet casting controversy to bring the titular title character back to his comic book roots, as a stoic vigilante stalking criminals on the city streets. His photographer-girlfriend Vicki Vale may be a damsel in distress, yet Kim Basinger was undoubtedly one of this era's most luscious leading ladies, while Jack Nicholson forever raised the bar for big screen villainy as the maniacal, eternally grinning Joker unleashes a massive reign of terror on all of Gotham City. The action comes in small doses, but it's all meaningful and impactful, while Burton's striking originality and gothic sensibilities made him the perfect fit for the material. It's hard to accurately describe the hysteria that this film created to somebody that wasn't there. It was quite simply the biggest motion picture event since "Star Wars", and a sequel was every bit as inevitable as death and taxes.
1(tie). "When Harry Met Sally..."(1989)
Can men and women ever really be just friends? That never-ending question inspired one of the defining works in the respective careers of director Rob Reiner and screenwriter Nora Ephron. Their seminal collaboration has arguably surpassed Woody Allen's magnum opus "Annie Hall" as the benchmark of the modern romantic comedy. There honestly aren't many contenders to that throne, but that doesn't make this film any less great. Billy Crystal has rarely had a better showcase for his sardonic wit, and Meg Ryan has never managed to be more appealing despite her MANY appearances in the genre. This film's brand of relationship humor also acted as a precursor to "Seinfeld", which began it's not-so-coincidental rise to sitcom immortality the following year.
2. "Back to the Future Part II"(1989)
The original is quite possibly the most beloved movie of the decade, making this eagerly-awaited encore a daunting task for the entire BTTF team. Fortunately, Marty and Doc's highly entertaining second go-around is a lot closer to "Empire Strikes Back" than "Ghostbusters II". With it's Oscar-nominated visual effects, breakneck pace and brilliant labyrinth plotting, "Part II" was the grand finale of the '80s blockbuster era. I love how director Robert Zemeckis and screenwriter Bob Gale threw every crazy time travel concept they could think of at the audience, and trusted that they'd be smart enough to stay with every potential paradox and manic Doc Brown explanation. It's one of the most ingenious sequels ever created, and also one of the best.
3. "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"(1989)
Steven Spielberg crafted the perfect finale to his classic adventure series that propels his intrepid archaeologist on a search for the ultimate artifact- the Holy Grail(Oh, if only this WAS the finale but that's a discussion for another blog). Harrison Ford was born to play this role and the casting of Sean Connery's as Indy's dad was an inspired stroke of genius. Watching these two bickering icons trapped in a Nazi castle hideout and a nose-diving plane is about as much fun as you can have at the movies. We get to see a teenage Indy, nicely played by River Phoenix, in a flashback opening, and there's one memorable action set-piece after another. With the most humor and heart in the franchise, if "Last Crusade" is you're favorite outing with Dr. Jones, you've chosen wisely.
4. "Born On The Fourth Of July"(1989)
Three years after his Oscar-winning triumph "Platoon", Oliver Stone still wasn't ready to say goodbye to Vietnam. The fearless filmmaker coaxed a career-best performance out of Tom Cruise, in the real-life story of veteran Ron Kovic. His raw and powerful transformation from idealistic youth to bitter paraplegic would have garnered a Best Actor Oscar if Daniel Day-Lewis hadn't made an equally showy turn in "My Left Foot" that same year. Nevertheless, Cruise's follow-up to "Rain Man" left no doubt that he was here to stay, in another passionate effort from a director working at the peak of his considerable powers.
5. "Glory"(1989)
The Civil War gets stellar treatment in this grand tribute to the all-black 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Although Mathew Broderick received top billing for his role as the white bread colonel, this film is best known for heralding the true arrival of Denzel Washington. His defiant slave shed a single tear to clinch the Best Supporting Actor Oscar as the entire movie industry eyed it's next leading man. The rousing final battle is impressively staged by director Edward Zwick, and it's stirring score represents one of the first high profile gigs for composer-extraordinaire James Horner("Braveheart", "Titanic").
6. "Driving Miss Daisy"(1989)
Broadway legend Jessica Tandy became the oldest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar as an elderly widow bonding with her black chauffeur(Morgan Freeman entering his dignified prime), an intimate story that spans twenty-plus years, starting in 1948 and ultimately whisking us through of the civil rights changes of the 1960s. This warm and sensitive look at old age and race relations is a thoroughly pleasant experience, thanks to the moving interplay between it's two graceful leads, and Dan Aykroyd is very good in a rare serious role as Tandy's doting son. "Daisy" has often been knocked for being one of those 'safe' Best Picture winners, but if this decades-long friendship doesn't get you a little choked up by the end, you're made of stone.
7. "Lethal Weapon 2"(1989)
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, the greatest buddy cop duo of all time, dutifully returned to the screen to match all the slick, violent and explosive joy of their genre-defining inauguration. The old rule was that you shouldn't bother making a sequel unless you're prepared to top what we saw last time. Director Richard Donner and his loyal crew were up to the task, and included a booby-trapped toilet for anyone that still wasn't convinced. Those slimy South African villains were more evil than Gary Busey, and Joe Pesci's hyperactive federal witness isn't just funny, he figures into the plot. The second half of "2" is heaven for Reagan-era action enthusiasists. Diplomatic immunity?! Joss Acklund must have been joking.
8. "The Fabulous Baker Boys"(1989)
Michelle Pfeiffer officially staked her claim as Hollywood's new queen in this terrific low-key drama. She sizzles(and not just in the famous piano scene) in one of her signature roles as tough-talking torch singer Susie Diamond, and would likely have an Oscar to show for it if 80 year old Jessica Tandy hadn't taken a ride with Morgan Freeman that same year. Much of the hoopla around this film focused on Pfeiffer's lithe body and impressive vocals, but Jeff and Beau Bridges also shine as lounge-lizard brothers in this refreshingly unsentimental tale of quiet complacency and familial resentments.
9. "Field of Dreams"(1989)
Kevin Costner and baseball went together like peanut butter and jelly( or at least it did until "For Love of the Game", but I'm here to talk about the man's heyday). He just had that all-American aura which made him an ideally suited to play our favorite pastime. This is not a movie for skeptics. Cynics need not apply. Phil Alden Robinson's wish-fulfillment fantasy is as unabashedly optimistic as Costner's Iowa farmer and therein lies it's enduring appeal. That ghost-friendly baseball field may have been totally illogical, but since when has logic and movie magic ever gone together? So just sit down with your pop and enjoy this one, I sure did.
10. "Dead Poets Society"(1989)
Carpe diem. A post "Vietnam" Robin Williams was clearly following that famous credo when he seized the role of unorthodox English teacher John Keating. He livens up an ultra-conservative 1959 prep school and awakens the passions of a handful of restless students, including an 18 year old Ethan Hawke in his screen breakthrough. As far as inspirational teacher dramas go, Peter Weir's life-affirming film sits at the head of the class as major Academy Award nominations allowed Robin to class up his big screen credentials. I'm standing on top of my desk and saluting the Captain as I type this. You should be, too.
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