The Year in Review- 1998

   It was the year that two fabled filmmakers presented two very different perspectives on the second World War. Edward Norton was a racist, Jim Carrey was a reality TV star, and the Farrelly brothers were comedy kingpins. George Clooney nailed J'Lo, Jeff Bridges gave us cinema's unlikeliest hero, and Gwenyth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett had a 16th Century showdown. Here are the ten best films in order for 1998.

1. "Saving Private Ryan"(1998)
Five years after his Academy Award-winning triumph "Schindler's List", Steven Spielberg went back to WWII and produced another one of the greatest movies ever made. The 24-minute D-Day opening(June 6, 1944) startled younger generations with the most harrowing and realistic depiction of combat ever captured on film. Janusz Kaminski's virtuoso camerawork, Gary Rydstrom's sound effects, and Michael Kahn's editing places viewers(safely) in the chaos of battle, and was a deeply-affecting experience for real-life vets. The great Tom Hanks leads a grizzled cast that includes Tom Sizemore, Ed Burns, and Matt Damon in an unforgettable tribute to true heroism. Somehow, this instant classic lost the Best Picture Oscar to "Shakespeare in Love"(Spielberg more than earned his second Best Director trophy). More on that later.

2. "The Thin Red Line"(1998)
What are the chances that the two best war movies of the '90s would be filmed in the same summer and released just six months apart? If "Ryan" hadn't rattled our brains and topped the year's box office rankings, we would have been talking more about Terrence Malick's comeback(this was the reclusive writer-director's first film in twenty years). This existential epic, based on the James Jones novel, was beautifully shot by John Toll("Braveheart") and replaces simplistic flag-waving with spiritual meditations on the complex nature of man and war. Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jim Caviezel, Elias Koteas, and Adrien Brody(and many others) eagerly signed up for the 1942-43 Battle of Guadalcanal. Malick sustains his two-hour and 50-minute runtime(same as "Ryan") with a dreamy cast and bravura sequences. "Red Line" was rewarded with seven Oscar nominations, and a 'welcome back' for Malick from everyone who cares about movies.

3. "American History X"(1998)
A 27 year old post-"Primal Fear" Edward Norton was looking like the next De Niro, with his searing portrayal of a neo-Nazi gang member in this gripping exploration of modern racism. Flashbacks tell the tale of his hate-fueled descent, as the rehabilitated ex-convict attempts to save his brother(an effective Edward Furlong) from a similar fate in California. Although, David McKenna's emotional script and the black-and-white execution is a little heavy-handed, Norton is mesmerizing in the role that cemented his career. After a quiet theatrical release, the explosive "X" picked up a large following on cable. Fun fact- eccentric first-time director Tony Kaye was difficult and egotistical in his dealings with New Line Cinema, and has been on the fringe of the industry ever since.

4. "Life is Beautiful"(1998)
Italian one hit wonder Roberto Benigni was the recipient of the 1998 Best Actor Oscar. That's widely considered a blunder, but his famously annoying award show antics shouldn't detract in any away from the film itself. How audacious was it to make an upbeat film about the Holocaust? Benigni's clownish book store owner shields his young son from the horrors of an internment camp by convincing him that it's all part of an elaborate game. Life may not be beautiful, but this bittersweet tale achieves a semblance of it.

5. "The Big Lebowski"(1998) When the Coen brothers decided to follow-up "Fargo" with their first wholly comedic foray since "Raising Arizona", the results were impossible to predict. "Lebowsi" is ludicrous and totally bombed at the box office. Today, it's much more popular than many films that were hits. Jeff Bridges, previously known for award-worthy dramas, landed his defining role as a slovenly middle-aged slacker drawn into a case of mistaken identity and a kidnapping plot(?) in 1990 Los Angeles. John Goodman is just as good as his volatile Vietnam veteran pal, while Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Sam Elliott, and Philip Seymour Hoffman add some unexpected class to the unorthodox proceedings. Lebowski Fests, an online religion? This film's cult following is every bit as bonkers as The Dude's antics, and shows no signs of slowing down.

6. "The Truman Show"(1998)
After the obscene onslaught of reality TV that Americans have been subjected to in the 2000s, Peter Weir's prophetic, high-concept hit doesn't seem so far-fetched anymore. A premise that could have easily been given the overly commercial treatment is handled with a straight-faced intelligence that took summertime audiences by surprise. Jim Carrey seemingly relinquished his comedic throne to crass counterpart Adam Sandler as the decade drew to a close after coming to the realization that he wanted Tom Hanks' career instead(who doesn't?) Truman Burbank would be the closest he ever came to accomplishing that goal.

7. "There's Something About Mary"(1998)
After laying the groundwork for tasteless hilarity in "Dumb & Dumber", the Farrelly brothers reached their zenith in this hugely popular 'stalker' comedy. Nothing was sacred or off-limits as a game cast attacked every one of Peter and Bobby's increasingly risque comic set-ups with glee. Ben Stiller, previously considered an unproven commodity, became an ubiquitous presence on film screens for the next ten years and Cameron Diaz has her fetching title character to thank for her lengthy stay on the A-list. They would all try and (mostly) fail to repeat the singular success of "Mary" in subsequent vehicles, so rare was it's combination of heart and um, hair-gel.

8. "Out of Sight"(1998)
A repentant George Clooney was dusting himself off from the "Batman & Robin" fallout when indie pioneer Steven Soderbergh came to his rescue. The role of charming bank robber Jack Foley played to all his strengths in this post-Tarantino crime caper that also boasts a plethora of quality actors in bit parts. Now let's talk about Jennifer Lopez. She's tough and sexy as FBI agent Karen Sisco, a performance she never bettered(I'm aware that her subsequent output includes "The Wedding Planner", "Enough" and "Gigli"). Soderbergh had the foresight to unite these two future reigning sex symbols with some sizzling wordplay courtesy of Elmore Leonard, laying the groundwork for his own exceptional directorial career in the process.

9. "Shakespeare in Love"(1998)
The Academy Award for Best Picture is supposed to be the ultimate accolade. An indisputable indication of superior quality. But for many winners, the added scrutiny that comes with that distinction becomes a heavy burden. A curse. There would be absolutely no reason to hate on John Madden's winsome 16th Century dramedy if it hadn't bested the first two films on this list on Oscar night. Then again, we might not even be aware of the film if it hadn't won, so awards are a double-edged sword. Harvey Weinstein's aggressive Miramax campaigning upset the apple cart, there's no question about it. With that being said, Best Actress winner Gwyneth Paltrow is exquisite as the Bard's inspiration, and Judi Dench only needed seven minutes of screen time to bag Supporting Actress honors as Elizabeth I.

10(tie). "Elizabeth"(1998)
Speaking of, 1998 gave us dueling costume dramas in addition to the WWII conflict between Spielberg and Malick. Perhaps even more significantly, it was the year that the luminous Cate Blanchett came to our attention. Gwenyth may have been younger and more photogenic in the '90s, but there's no question that Cate's services have been in far greater demand over the long haul. The woman is a class act, and it's immediately clear as the 'Virgin Queen' navigates the shadowy England of 1558. Mistrust among her circle(Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush) necessitate her inevitable transformation into the cold, dominating monarch that we would see again in the 2007 sequel "Elizabeth: The Golden Age".

10(tie)."Armageddon"(1998)
Michael Bay's asteroid epic benefits from latent late '90s nostalgia, the longing for a simpler time when CGI mayhem(or Bayhem) was the biggest threat to the planet's survival. Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck lead a stacked cast that includes Billy Bob Thornton, Liv Tyler, Steve Buscemi, Michael Clarke Duncan, Owen Wilson, and William Fichtner. From the relentless one-liners to Aerosmith's immortal soundtrack contribution to the hour-long outer space finale, Bay doesn't allow his to soon-to-be loyal viewers to be bored for one minute. Check your brain at the door, you won't want to miss a thing.

Honorable Mentions- "Sphere"(1998) Barry Levinson sends Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, and Sam Jackson underwater. "Gia"(1998) The rise-and-fall of the first supermodel. "The Wedding Singer"(1998) Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore were a cute couple. "Primary Colors"(1998) John Travolta does his best Bill Clinton impression. "Mercury Rising"(1998) Bruce Willis protects an autistic boy from the evil govt. and Alec Baldwin. "The Man in the Iron Mask"(1998) Leonardo DiCaprio as an evil 17th Century king and his exiled twin. "The Odd Couple II"(1998) Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthua joust one last time. "City of Angels"(1998) Nick Cage has an otherworldly romance with Meg Ryan. "Lost in Space"(1998) William Hurt and Gary Oldman in the glossy film version of the '60s TV show. "Sliding Doors"(1998) Two Gwyneth Paltrows for the price of one. "Deep Impact"(1998) The disaster movie makes a comeback. "Can't Hardly Wait"(1998) I loved Jennifer Love Hewitt in high school. "Wild Things"(1998) Matt Dillon had a good day with Neve Campbell and Denise Richards. "Bullworth"(1998) Warren Beatty enters politics. "He Got Game"(1998) Spike Lee and Denzel Washington were a winning team.

"Godzilla"(1998) Roland Emmerich unleashes an enormous, radioactive lizard on Memorial Day weekend. "A Perfect Murder"(1998) This was the year of Gwyneth Paltrow. "Mulan"(1998) China is the setting of Disney's 36th animated feature. "Dr. Dolittle"(1998) Eddie Murphy talks to animals. "Six Days, Seven Nights"(1998) Harrison Ford and Anne Heche in an Ivan Reitman romcom. "The X-Files"(1998) David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are glum government agents in the film version of the TV series. "Small Soldiers"(1998) Joe Dante's toy story. "Lethal Weapon 4"(1998) Mel Gibson and Danny Glover take their final bow. "The Mask of Zorro"(1998) Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, and a gorgeous Catherine Zeta-Jones. "The Negotiator"(1998) Sam Jackson needs Kevin Spacey to prove his innocence. "Rounders"(1998) High-stakes poker with Matt Damon and Edward Norton. "Ronin"(1998) International espionage with Robert De Niro and John Frankenheimer. "Rush Hour"(1998) Jackie Chan turns on Chris Tucker's radio. "One True Thing"(1998) Meryl Streep has terminal cancer and her eleventh Oscar nomination. "Celebrity"(1998) Woody Allen's black-and-white dissection of showbiz. "Antz"(1998) Woody Allen voices a whiny ant for DreamWorks. "Pleasantville"(1998) Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon are trapped in a 1950s sitcom. "Apt Pupil"(1998) Ian McKellen is a Nazi fugitive in this Bryan Singer-directed Stephen King adaptation. "Beloved"(1998) Jonathan Demme's odd, heavy-handed slavery drama still boasts strong work from Danny Glover and star-producer Oprah Winfrey.

"A Bug's Life"(1998) The OTHER bug movie of '98 was Pixar's second offering. "Gods and Monsters"(1998) Ian McKellen as "Frankenstein" director James Whale. "Star Trek: Insurrection"(1998) Patrick Stewart's Picard rescues a peaceful planet. "Enemy of the State"(1998) Will Smith runs around for Tony Scott. "Stepmom"(1998) Chris Columbus tearjerker with Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon. "The Siege"(1998) Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis vs. radical Islam. "Very Bad Things"(1998) Peter Berg's black comedy contains murder and mayhem. "A Simple Plan"(1998) Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton in Sam Raimi's snow-covered morality tale. "You've Got Mail"(1998) "Sleepless in Seattle" reunion for Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, and Nora Ephron. "A Civil Action"(1998) John Travolta is a crusading lawyer. "Affliction"(1998) Nick Nolte and James Coburn in Paul Schrader's acclaimed indie drama. "The Prince of Egypt"(1998) DreamWorks Animation presents the story of Moses. "The Hi-Lo Country"(1998) Stephen Frears directed this 1940s love triangle with Woody Harrelson, Billy Crudup, and Patricia Arquette. "Playing by Heart"(1998) Sean Connery, Anjelina Jolie, Madeline Stowe, and Ryan Philllippe in an ensemble tale of love and loss. "Mighty Joe Young"(1998) Bill Paxton, Charlize Theron, and a 15-foot, 2,000 pound gorilla. "Patch Adams"(1998) Robin Williams proves laughter is the best medicine. "Rushmore"(1998) More detached brilliance from Bill Murray.

The Year in Review- 1981

   It was the year that two rugged heroes electrified the multiplex and made enduring symbols of movie masculinity out of Harrison Ford and Mel Gibson. Warren Beatty won Oscar gold, Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda bid farewell, and we didn't need to have a few drinks with Arthur before hitting the sheets with Kathleen Turner. Here are the ten best films in order for 1981.

1. "Raiders of the Lost Ark"(1981)
Director Steven Spielberg was looking to erase the memory of a rare failure(1979's "1941") when he joined forces with George Lucas to construct the ultimate escapist film, a throwback to adventure serials of the 1930s with contemporary technology and a modern sensibility. He far exceeded that goal. Whether or not it's the "greatest action movie of all time" is open to debate, but it's definitely the most important, as most of what passed for action before '81 just wasn't going to cut it anymore. The bar was raised significantly that summer. Has any movie ever had a better first ten minutes? Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones, a rugged archaeologist-adventurer, and the coolest hero not named James Bond ever committed to celluloid. Indy battles Nazis on a globetrotting mission to retrieve a lost ark supposedly containing remnants of the Ten Commandments. Karen Allen has plenty of spunk as his old flame Marion Ravenwood, and there are at least half a dozen classic scenes. Cinema just doesn't come any more iconic than this. "Raiders" was easily the highest grosser of the year, and remains one of the defining works of an era with no shortage of pulse-pounding entertainment.

2. "The Road Warrior"(1981)
When I mentioned that "Raiders" being the greatest action movie was debatable, it's because somebody is always going to bring up the fact that Mel Gibson showed up wielding a sawed-off in dusty bondage gear later that year. Indy had the huge box office and mainstream appeal, but Mad Max's slow-building cult fan-base sent the volatile Aussie hunk on the road to super-stardom. After a gritty, low-budget intro in 1979, George Miller's superior sequel is the craziest demolition derby in a post-apocalyptic wasteland you've ever seen. Dialogue and plot are kept to a bare minimum- this is an unapologetic B-movie. But the costumes, make-up, and stunts in this grizzled spectacle are as good as anything that had been done up to this point, and even outshines many of today's sterile CGI fests.

3. "Reds"(1981)
Despite some well-publicized misfires and lengthy layoffs, I'll say one thing for Warren Beatty. When he DID make movies, the womanizing actor-director always swung for the fences, and this politically-charged love story was absolutely his most accomplished and ambitious undertaking. An epic 195-minute treatment of American Communist John Reed's involvement in the Russian Revolution from 1915-20, features documentary-style testimonials from actual witnesses interspersed with a reenactment of Reed's stormy marriage to socialite Louise Bryant(Diane Keaton in her best dramatic performance). Jack Nicholson shows up to insure maximum critical acclaim, as Beatty's hard work was rewarded with twelve Academy Award nominations, more than any film in the previous fifteen years, for which it won three- Best Director(Beatty), Best Supporting Actress(Maureen Stapleton), and Best Cinematography.

4. "Chariots of Fire"(1981)
There are some scenes everyone is familiar with even if they've never seen the movie. The jog on the beach pictured above with that immortal Vangelis score in the background is definitely one of them, and if you're under the age of 35, you've probably never seen 1981's Best Picture winner. It's a shame, but that's just what happens with the passage of time, especially when there's no A-list actor or deified director keeping it front and center on DVD racks in retail stores. Hugh Hudson's handsomely mounted story of two young champion runners training for the 1924 Paris Olympics offers an impressively detailed recreation of the period and equally fine performances from Ben Cross, Ian Holm and Ian Charleson.

5. "Superman II"(1981)
Christopher Reeve's Man of Steel soars in this glorious sequel that many prefer over the majestic 1978 original. After a touching courtship, Kal-El gives up his powers to make love to Lois Lane(Margot Kidder), while three super-villains from Krypton take over the Earth. Terence Stamp's General Zod is one of the great '80s villains, Gene Hackman's hilarious Lex Luthor is still loose, and the franchise reached it's inarguable peak with that epic final battle above the skyscrapers of Metropolis. Forget about the Salkinds and the Richard Donner vs. Richard Lester directorial debate. Either way you slice it, "Superman II" is a winner.

6. "On Golden Pond"(1981)
Screen legends Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn rode off into the cinematic sunset in this geriatric tearjerker. They both won Academy Awards(Fonda's first, Hepburn's FOURTH) for their dignified portrayals of an elderly couple facing the end of their lives together. Henry's superstar daughter Jane Fonda provided ample support on both sides of the camera(she was the driving force behind the project) and confirmed her status as the preeminent actress of THIS generation before all those workout tapes beckoned. A quietly affecting look at old age and long-standing familial resentments.

7. "Arthur"(1981)
Diminutive British comic Dudley Moore became Hollywood's unlikeliest leading man, thanks to his crowd-pleasing role as drunken millionaire-playboy Arthur Bach. His charm and comedic skill are immediately apparent as he tosses out a series of boozy one-liners and romances poor girl Liza Minnelli. But the droll, scene-stealing talents of John Gielgud as his butler/conscience Hobson, and Burt Bacharach's immensely catchy, Oscar-winning theme song played no small part in it's success. Please don't get this confused with it's 1988 sequel or the 2011 Russell Brandt remake.

8. "Gallipoli"(1981)
1981 was indeed a great year for Mel Gibson. Along with director Peter Weir, he rode the Australian New Wave all the way to major prominence in US cinema(his co-star Mark Lee wasn't as fortunate) and planted the seeds for the wild success that came later. The historical drama has become a Gibson calling card and it's very likely that he derived some inspiration from this dynamic reenactment of the disastrous battle of Gallipoli during World War I. Weir is faithful to real life events, but he emphasizes character over carnage and the resultant anti-war sentiment is effective.

9. "Body Heat"(1981)
William Hurt is a sleazy Florida lawyer locked in a passionate tryst with a local seductress(Kathleen Turner), who wants her rich husband(Richard Crenna) dead. Director Lawrence Kasdan brought a modern-day edge to this steamy update of the 1944 film noir "Double Endemnity", and Turner's scorching film debut propelled her to instant leading lady status. It's slightly jarring to see how hot she once was given her present state, and Mickey Rourke's brief appearance as a creepy arsonist is also a strong argument for self-preservation. Bleak, tragic, sensual. Put the kids to bed and enjoy.

10. "Blow Out"(1981)
John Travolta's last good role, before his career slid drastically in the '80s, came courtesy of Brian De Palma(they first met up in "Carrie") in this stylish thriller that's reminiscent of Francis Ford Coppola's "The Conversation". JT's talent and charm are on full display as a movie sound man embroiled in murder and a political conspiracy while Nancy Allen, Dennis Franz, and John Lithgow all deliver in supporting roles. A flop at the time of it's release, the film went on to pick up some enthusiastic fans in the afterlife of cable and home video(Quentin Tarantino has repeatedly cited it as a personal favorite).

Honorable Mentions- "Scanners"(1981) Heads explode in David Cronenberg's breakthrough. "Eyewitness"(1981) William Hurt and Sigourney Weaver solve a murder, fall in love. "Modern Romance"(1981) Albert Brooks gets over a break-up. "Fort Apache, The Bronx"(1981) Paul Newman is one good cop. "The Postman Always Rings Twice"(1981) Jack Nicholson plots murder with Jessica Lange. "Thief"(1981) James Caan lights up Michael Mann's directorial debut. "The Hand"(1981) Oliver Stone is here to stay. "Nighthawks"(1981) A bearded Sly Stallone hunts Rutger Hauer. "Outland"(1981) Sean Connery is the law on Jupiter. "Stripes"(1981) Bill Murray joins the Army.

"For Your Eyes Only"(1981) Roger Moore's fifth outing as 007. "The Great Muppet Caper"(1981) Kermit and company search for a stolen necklace in London. "Escape from New York"(1981) Snake Plissken was a memorable bad-ass. "Wolfen"(1981) Albert Finney vs. a killer werewolf. "Victory"(1981) Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine play soccer for John Huston. "Deadly Blessing"(1981) Wes Craven works with a bigger budget. "An American Werewolf in London"(1981) This John Landis horror comedy was a Make-Up milestone. "Southern Comfort"(1981) Walter Hill made manly movies. "My Dinner with Andre"(1981) Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory talk and talk and talk. And then they talk some more.

"Rollover"(1981) Jane Fonda makes out with Kris Kristofferson. "True Confessions"(1981) De Niro and Duvall in 1940s Los Angeles. "Mommie Dearest"(1981) Faye Dunaway's career-killing take on Joan Crawford doesn't deserve it's derision. "The Evil Dead"(1981) A 21 year old Sam Raimi made his name with this micro-budgeted cult classic. "The French Lieutenant's Woman"(1981) Meryl Streep was fast becoming the new gold standard. "Time Bandits"(1981) Go back in time with Terry Gilliam. "Das Boot"(1981) Critics loved Wolfgang Peterson's claustrophobic submarine thriller. "Absence of Malice"(1992) Sally Field and Paul Newman were a quality pair. "Atlantic City"(1981) Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon star in this acclaimed crime drama. "Buddy Buddy"(1981) The fourth pairing of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthua was the final film for the legendary Billy Wilder. "Pennies from Heaven"(1981) Steve Martin switched gears in this musical romance. "Sharkey's Machine"(1981) Burt Reynolds directs and stars in this brutal cop thriller. "Taps"(1981) Tom Cruise and Sean Penn premiered in this military school drama.

The Year in Review- 1987

   It was the year Gibson and Glover forged cinema's ultimate bromance. Bernardo Bertolucci invited us inside the Forbidden City while Michael Douglas corrupted Charlie Sheen AND narrowly escaped Glenn Close. Schwarzenegger fought an ugly alien, Kubrick did his version of Vietnam, and Costner and Connery did it the Chicago Way. Here are the ten best films in order for 1987.

1. "Lethal Weapon"(1987)
The shoot-'em-up era reached it's dual apex in the late '80s("Die Hard" dropped a year later) and it all started with Shane Black's pioneering screenplay and the potent pair pictured above. Mel Gibson's trademark intensity was on full display as reckless, suicidal cop Martin Riggs, who lives life on the ragged edge. A wild-eyed Gibson absolutely nailed this part with a combination of humanity, humor and physicality rarely seen before or since, and it should have garnered him a Best Actor nod. "Superman" director Richard Donner made sure we care just as much about his partner, the older, cautious Roger Murtaugh(Danny Glover), who very much wants to get home to his loving family every day in one piece. When your job is to bust up Gary Busey's big-time L.A. heroin smuggling ring, that's never a sure thing. The tone of the series lightened considerably in later installments, but the original remains a dark, gripping thriller and simply the finest example of the genre. No, it wasn't the first buddy cop flick. Just the best.

2. "Fatal Attraction"(1987)
It's incredibly rare for an adult thriller to earn critical respect, light up the box office and become a cultural phenomenon in the process. Well, that's exactly what Adrian Lyne's seminal shocker did. Glenn Close was robbed of the Best Actress Oscar(sorry, Cher) for scaring the pants back ON every married man in America as the lonely and unhinged Alex Forrest, while Michael Douglas found his niche as our deeply flawed protagonist. Dan Gallagher doesn't get off the hook, and you actually sympathize with Alex before her bunny-boiling descent, and that's what sets this film apart from other black-and-white entries in the stalker sub-genre. More than a quarter-century and a million airings on basic cable later, "Attraction" still won't be ignored.

3. "The Last Emperor"(1987)
The 1980s delivered SO many superior crowd-pleasers that history tends to overlook the 'serious' films that had the nerve to try and compete with the likes of E.T, Indiana Jones and Marty McFly. Bernardo Bertolucci's sprawling, three-hour epic is one such casualty, and not even the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Director could draw much of a crowd in an age of such unadulterated escapism. The Forbidden City in China is captured on film for the first time, and the 19,000 extras employed to reenact two year-old Puyi's ascent to the throne in 1908 is a wondrous sight. Political upheaval ended the reign of the child ruler, ultimately leading to a ten-year imprisonment for war crimes. A production this grand and accomplished should never just fade into the background, so rent it with "Ghandi" and enthrall friends and family with your pretentious film acumen.

4. "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles"(1987)
Director John Hughes built a reputation for his uncanny understanding of teenagers in "The Breakfast Club" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". However, his best work was his holiday collaboration with two middle-aged comedy greats. Only a nearsighted fool would place this hilarious and heartwarming Thanksgiving travelogue in the same category as cheap wannabes like "Tommy Boy" and "Due Date". Steve Martin was the most successful film comedian of this era not named Eddie Murphy, but "PT&A" really belongs to the late John Candy. His Del Griffith made me laugh AND cry and I suspect that this lovably boorish shower curtain ring salesman wasn't that much different from the gregarious funnyman in real life.

5. "Predator"(1987)
 Arnold Schwarzenegger heads up the manliest ensemble in movie history and secured his A-list status in this instant sci-fi action classic. John McTiernan's direction is tight and skillful, and his dread-locked alien antagonist, designed by Stan Winston, is one of the most recognizable monsters of all time, having racked up appearances in four more movies to date as well as tie-in novels, comic books and video games. None of that would've happened if he hadn't blown a hole through Jesse Ventura's chest and thrashed a mud-covered Arnie to the delight of the testosterone-loving masses. Welcome to the jungle.

6. "The Princess Bride"(1987)
There are many reasons why Rob Reiner's hip fairy tale has stood the test of time. As Peter Falk points out to Fred Savage at the outset, it has something for everybody- romance, sharp humor, grotesque creatures and swashbuckling heroics, while recent offspring like 2007's "Stardust" reminds us of just how difficult it is to mix all those ingredients. Cary Elwes and Robin Wright both should have been more famous after playing these star-crossed lovers, while Mandy Patinkin, Andre the Giant and Wallace Shaw helped make all those comparisons to "The Wizard of Oz" well-deserved. A whole generation fell as in love with this film as Wesley did when he met Buttercup and has never fallen out.

7. "Robocop"(1987)
Is 1987 the greatest year EVER for action movies? Hard to argue against all this evidence. Peter Weller made his mark on the genre as the half-man, half-cyborg crime-fighter protecting the streets of Detroit in the not-too-distant future from all sorts of vile scum. The steady stream of violence and mayhem is unapologetic and hardcore, but visionary director Paul Verhoeven breaks it up with unexpected doses of heart and social satire. It's a shame both sequels were so clunky and the 2014 remake probably won't resurrect the character, but Murphy's first outing is easily one of the most kick-ass films of it's kind.

8. "Wall Street"(1987)
Michael Douglas owned 1987. A few months after his fateful fling with Glenn Close, he permanently stepped out of his famous father Kirk's shadow in the greatest role of his career. With suspenders, slicked-back hair, and Oliver Stone's expert tutelage, his financial wizard corrupted Charlie Sheen's impressionable Bud Fox and an entire generation of genuine white-collar creeps. Gordon Gekko, and his oily charm and "greed is good" mantra, is an all-time villain, which is why the 2010 sequel and it's redemptive arc didn't work. Robert Richardson's roving camera and Stone's sensational screenplay(his father Lou was a broker) made "Wall Street" one of the Reagan-era's most rewatchable films.

9. "Full Metal Jacket"(1987)
The first forty-five minutes of Stanley Kubrick's blistering take on Vietnam is unforgettable, thanks to Vincent Donofrio's haunting Pvt. Pyle and R. Lee Ermey's vitriolic drill instructor(where was his Best Supporting Actor nod?). That's not to say that the second half doesn't also burrow it's way into your psyche, as the fabled filmmaker explores the mental toll of combat and the resulting desensitization, to earn favorable comparisons to "Platoon". Mathew Modine's Pvt. Joker may have been in a world of shit, but by the time the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black" is blaring through the end credits, you'll realize why the film world misses artists like Kubrick so much.

10(tie). "The Untouchables"(1987)
Director Brian DePalma had to put together a dream cast and tackle Prohibition in an attempt to live up to his insane epic known as "Scarface". Kevin Costner made his leading man breakthrough as legendary lawman Elliot Ness, Sean Connery transitioned into the role of cinema's elder statesman as his tough Irish mentor, Robert De Niro lends some of his old brilliance to the proceedings as notorious Chicago mob boss Al Capone, and a young Andy Garcia reports for duty, too. There's a generous amount of blood-shed(an '80s audience would accept nothing less) with a train station shoot-out among the many highlights. This is another sizzling smash from an underrated auteur at the top of his game.

10(tie). "Broadcast News"(1987)
TV titan James L. Brooks only directed six movies in his storied career, starting with his Oscar-collecting triumph "Terms of Endearment". This buoyant newsroom comedy is his OTHER sparkling '80s effort complete with multiple Oscar nominations. Holly Hunter is highly appealing as a frazzled producer and will leave you wondering why she didn't become an omnipotent leading lady(I think it was the accent). She's torn between William Hurt's handsome hotshot and the always-affable Albert Brooks(both in peak form) in the kind of smart, loquacious love triangle that you just don't see in major Hollywood releases anymore. Brooks fave Jack Nicholson appears briefly in a funny, unbilled role as an arrogant star anchor.

Honorable Mentions- "Dead of Winter"(1987) Mary Steenburgen stars in this little-seen chiller. "Radio Days"(1987) Woody Allen reenacts his childhood in the 1940s. "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors"(1987) The Freddy phenomenon rages on. "Some Kind of Wonderful"(1987) Amanda Jones. "Blind Date"(1987) Bruce Willis enters my life. "Evil Dead II"(1987) Another glorious gore-fest from Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. "Raising Arizona"(1987) Nicolas Cage kidnaps a baby for the Coen bros. "Angel Heart"(1987) Mickey Rourke dances with the devil. "Street Smart"(1987) Meet Morgan Freeman. "Beverly Hills Cop II"(1987) Axel F. is back for more laughs, gunfights, and huge box office. "Roxanne"(1987) Steve Martin has a big nose and a poetic soul. "The Witches of Eastwick"(1987) Jack Nicholson seduces Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer.

"Spaceballs"(1987) Mel Brooks spoofs "Star Wars". "Innerspace"(1987) Dennis Quaid is inside Martin Short's body. "Adventures in Babysitting"(1987) Elisabeth Shue was an '80s teen queen. "The Secret of My Success"(1987) Michael J. Fox climbs the corporate ladder. "The Living Daylights"(1987) Timothy Dalton does a grittier, tougher 007. "Stakeout"(1987) Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez spy on Madeline Stowe in this comic thriller. "Nadine"(1987) Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger bicker in 1950s Texas. "No Way Out"(1987) Kevin Costner vs. Gene Hackman. "The Big Easy"(1987) Dennis Quaid beds Ellen Barkin in New Orleans. "The Lost Boys"(1987) Joel Schumacher's horror comedy was an instant classic.

"Dirty Dancing"(1987) Patrick Swayze steals the heart of every chick in America. "La Bamba"(1987) Lou Diamond Philips peaks as Hispanic 1950s rock 'n' roller Richie Valens. "Three O'Clock High"(1987) Don't touch Buddy Revell. "Like Father Like Son"(1987) Dudley Moore and Kirk Cameron switch bodies. "Someone to Watch Over Me"(1987) Ridley Scott rolls on in this sleek thriller. "Baby Boom"(1987) Diane Keaton carries this family film favorite. "Less Than Zero"(1987) Robert Downey Jr. has a drug problem. "Three Men and a Baby"(1987) The year's biggest moneymaker, believe it or not. "Throw Momma From the Train"(1987) Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal swap murders.

"Moonstruck"(1987) Cher wins an Oscar. "Overboard"(1987) An amnesiac Goldie Hawn falls for Kurt Russell and his unruly brood. "Empire of the Sun"(1987) Steven Spielberg introduces us to a 13 year old Christian Bale. "Bad Taste"(1987) Peter Jackson's directorial debut was a micro-budgeted triumph. "Nuts"(1987) Barbra Streisand as a crazed call-girl. "Ironweed"(1987) Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep act up a storm as a homeless Depression-era couple. "September"(1987) Woody Allen is in a melancholy mood with Mia Farrow and Dianne Wiest. "Eddie Murphy Raw"(1987) The #1 stand-up film of all time. "Good Morning, Vietnam"(1987) Robin Williams is officially a movie star.