Best Films Of 1988
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- DirectorRon SheltonStarsKevin CostnerSusan SarandonTim RobbinsA fan who has an affair with one minor-league baseball player each season meets an up-and-coming pitcher and the experienced catcher assigned to him.This is actually my favorite sports film of all time. And Raging Bull really is the only other true contender for top spot in my mind. And I always say that my favorite sports film is this one because truly Raging Bull is more of a biopic than it truly is a sports film. The film is more about the man, whereas Bull Durham is essentially about the beautiful game of baseball first and foremost. In fact, it's about the religion of baseball, hahaha. 9/10
- DirectorDavid CronenbergStarsJeremy IronsGeneviève BujoldHeidi von PalleskeTwin gynecologists take full advantage of the fact that nobody can tell them apart, until their relationship begins to deteriorate over a woman.This is one of the great horror films of all time. Perhaps Cronenberg's best work! 8.5/10
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsBruce WillisAlan RickmanBonnie BedeliaA New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.I saw this in the theatre during it's original run. I was a young teenager and I still recall that night as if it was almost last night.
- DirectorAlan ParkerStarsGene HackmanWillem DafoeFrances McDormandTwo F.B.I. Agents with wildly different styles arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of some civil rights activists.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsJeff BridgesJoan AllenMartin LandauThe story of Preston Tucker, the maverick car designer and his ill-fated challenge to the auto industry with his revolutionary car concept.Underappreciated
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsMelanie GriffithHarrison FordSigourney WeaverWhen a secretary's idea is stolen by her boss, she seizes an opportunity to steal it back by pretending she has her boss' job.Such an underappreciated film by Mike Nichols. It was a hit to some degree and popular for sure but it seems as though many have actually forgotten just how good it is. 8.5/10
- DirectorJohn LandisStarsEddie MurphyPaul BatesGarcelle BeauvaisAn extremely pampered African prince travels to Queens, New York and goes undercover to find a wife that he can respect for her intelligence and strong will.Saw this in the theatre twice in it's original run actually. Such a classic really. Sexual chocolate!
- DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsDustin HoffmanTom CruiseValeria GolinoAfter a selfish L.A. yuppie learns his estranged father left a fortune to an autistic-savant brother in Ohio that he didn't know existed, he absconds with his brother and sets out across the country, hoping to gain a larger inheritance.
- DirectorRamón MenéndezStarsEdward James OlmosEstelle HarrisMark PhelanThe story of Jaime Escalante, a high school teacher who successfully inspired his dropout-prone students to learn calculus.
- DirectorDennis HopperStarsSean PennRobert DuvallMaria Conchita AlonsoAn experienced cop and his rookie partner patrol the streets of East Los Angeles while trying to keep the gang violence under control.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsWillem DafoeHarvey KeitelBarbara HersheyThe life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.Perhaps the most divisive film that Scorsese ever made. Many are not big on it. I find it be quite interesting actually. 8/10
- DirectorMartin BrestStarsRobert De NiroCharles GrodinYaphet KottoA bounty hunter pursues a former Mafia accountant who is also being chased by a rival bounty hunter, the F.B.I., and his old mob boss after jumping bail.A good comedy!
- DirectorAndrew SoltStarsJohn LennonYoko OnoPaul McCartneyA biography of the rock music star.
- DirectorRoger SpottiswoodeStarsSidney PoitierTom BerengerKirstie AlleyAn F.B.I. Agent teams up with a tracker to pursue a murderer after he vanishes into the mountains and infiltrates a hiking group.A very solid thriller
- DirectorPenny MarshallStarsTom HanksElizabeth PerkinsRobert LoggiaAfter wishing to be made big, a teenage boy wakes the next morning to find himself mysteriously in the body of an adult.
- DirectorJonathan KaplanStarsKelly McGillisJodie FosterBernie CoulsonAfter a young woman suffers a brutal gang rape in a bar one night, a prosecutor assists in bringing the perpetrators to justice, including the ones who encouraged and cheered on the attack.
- DirectorPhil JoanouStarsBonoThe EdgeAdam ClaytonA documentary of the Irish rock group U2 on their Fall 1987 tour of North America.
- DirectorBud S. SmithStarsAnthony Michael HallRobert Downey Jr.Paul GleasonJohnny's the top high-school football player and many colleges want him. His girlfriend, coach and best friend want him in the college, serving themselves most.Hated by many. Some have called it a wanna be John Hughes film. Sure, the film is very typical in ways and fairly predictable for the most part. Nonetheless I've always loved the little things about this film. There is so many little nuances of humor throughout. Uma is flat out gorgeous here, and both Paul Gleason and Robert Downey jr. are terrific. Downey, as he often did as a youngster, takes a pretty standard part and turns it completely on it's head. Jennifer Tilly's small role as Gleason's wife in the film is also a fairly funny bit. I imagine it's perhaps not really all that interesting of a film unless you grew up in the 80's as I did.
By the way, all of the DVD and streaming versions you can watch of this have 6 minutes cut out of the film. My ranking here is for the original release, which can now ONLY be seen on videotape. - DirectorStephen FrearsStarsGlenn CloseJohn MalkovichMichelle PfeifferA scheming widow and her manipulative ex-lover make a bet regarding the corruption of a recently married woman.
- DirectorPaul SchraderStarsNatasha RichardsonWilliam ForsytheVing RhamesIn the 1970s, Patricia Hearst is abducted by American revolutionaries, but eventually joins their cause instead.Schrader's film is a pretty interesting meditation on the whole SLA Patty Hearst tragedy. 7.5/10
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsEric BogosianEllen GreeneLeslie HopeA rude, contemptuous talk show host becomes overwhelmed by the hatred that surrounds his program just before it goes national.
- DirectorFrank OzStarsSteve MartinMichael CaineGlenne HeadlyTwo con men try to settle their rivalry by betting on who can swindle a young American heiress out of fifty thousand dollars first.
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsBob HoskinsChristopher LloydJoanna CassidyWhen a cartoon rabbit is accused of murder, he enlists the help of a burnt out private investigator to prove his innocence.
- DirectorHoward DeutchStarsDan AykroydJohn CandyStephanie FaracyA Chicago man and his family go camping with his obnoxious brother-in-law.
- DirectorPeter MarkleStarsGene HackmanDanny GloverJerry ReedDuring the Vietnam War, Colonel Hambleton's aircraft is shot down over enemy territory and a frantic rescue operation ensues.
- DirectorCharles CrichtonJohn CleeseStarsJohn CleeseJamie Lee CurtisKevin KlineIn London, four very different people team up on a jewel heist, then try to double-cross one another for the loot, complicated by their efforts to fool a very proper barrister.
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsBill MurrayKaren AllenJohn ForsytheA selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.
- DirectorIvan ReitmanStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerDanny DeVitoKelly PrestonA physically perfect but innocent man goes in search of his long-lost twin brother, who is short, a womanizer, and small-time crook.
- DirectorMichael AptedStarsSigourney WeaverBryan BrownJulie HarrisThe story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and later fought to protect them.
- DirectorBruce GowersRocco UrbisciStarsGeorge CarlinRobert N. AltmanLloyd Lindsay YoungGeorge Carlin changes his act by bringing politics into the act, but also talks about the People he can do without, Keeping People Alert, and Cars and Driving part 2.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsRoddy PiperKeith DavidMeg FosterThey influence our decisions without us knowing it. They numb our senses without us feeling it. They control our lives without us realizing it. They live.
- DirectorAlan MetterStarsRichard PryorBeverly ToddStacey DashArlo accepts what seems to him to be a dream promotion to Idaho. He soon discovers, however, that moving has its own share of problems.There are some super funny moments in this film. Just like I mentioned about Coming To America earlier on this list, I also saw this film twice in the theatre. I use to see so many movies back in those days at the local cinema or the one about 25 minutes drive too in the next city. Pryor and Quaid as Frank are just hilarious at times. Carvey also has some pretty funny moments.
- DirectorDavid ZuckerStarsLeslie NielsenPriscilla PresleyO.J. SimpsonIncompetent police Detective Frank Drebin must foil an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsHarrison FordBetty BuckleyEmmanuelle SeignerIn a hotel room in Paris, a doctor comes out of the shower and finds that his wife has disappeared. He soon finds himself caught up in a world of intrigue, espionage, gangsters, drugs and murder.While Frantic is certainly well worth a viewing, it is what I would call one of the lesser Polanski's. Some of you may have noticed I do really love a lot of his films. This one is good for sure, but far from his finest work in my view. 7/10
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsMatthew BroderickChristopher WalkenMatt MulhernA group of young recruits go through boot camp during the Second World War in Biloxi, Mississippi. From the play by Neil Simon.
- DirectorMichael LehmannStarsWinona RyderChristian SlaterShannen DohertyAt Westerburg High where cliques rule, jocks dominate and all the popular girls are named Heather, it's going to take a Veronica and mysterious new kid to give teen angst a body count.
- DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsMichelle PfeifferAlec BaldwinPaul LazarA mobster's wife hates her lifestyle, but gets a chance to change it when her husband is killed - if the Long Island mob and the FBI let her.
- DirectorGeorge SluizerStarsBernard-Pierre DonnadieuGene BervoetsJohanna ter SteegeRex and Saskia, a young couple in love, are on vacation. They stop at a busy service station and Saskia is abducted. After three years and no sign of Saskia, Rex begins receiving letters from the abductor.
- DirectorErnest ThompsonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Kiefer SutherlandBruce DernTwo friends living in a small town during the 1960s, run away to enjoy their freedom during the Vietnam War, thus disappointing the father of one of them. When they return to town, they realize the importance of family unity.
- DirectorSteven KampmannWilliam PorterStarsMark HarmonJodie FosterBlair BrownEx-baseball player Billy comes home to receive his childhood darling's ashes.
- DirectorChristopher CainStarsEmilio EstevezKiefer SutherlandLou Diamond PhillipsA group of young gunmen, led by Billy the Kid, become deputies to avenge the murder of the rancher who became their benefactor. But when Billy takes their authority too far, they become the hunted.
- DirectorHarold BeckerStarsJames WoodsSean YoungJohn KapelosA real estate developer who enjoyed short-lived success seeks to regain his edge by using cocaine, but takes himself to new lows as he gets lost in the downward spiral of drug addiction.
- DirectorCraig R. BaxleyStarsCarl WeathersCraig T. NelsonVanityVengeance drives a tough Detroit cop to stay on the trail of a power-hungry auto magnate who is systematically eliminating his competition.
- DirectorDon CoscarelliStarsJames Le GrosReggie BannisterAngus ScrimmMike, now released from a psychiatric hospital, meets with Reggie, and discover his dreams (the events of the original film) are real, and they both journey to find and stop the evil Tall Man from his grim work.
- DirectorJohn SaylesStarsJohn CusackClifton JamesJace AlexanderA dramatization of the Black Sox scandal when the underpaid Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series.While this isn't a bad film, it's actually quite good. I do subscribe to the notion that it is generally a little overrated by many. As a baseball film overall, there are many better. 6.5/10
- DirectorNicholas MeyerStarsPierce BrosnanSaeed JaffreyShashi KapoorFact-based account of a secret society of murderers, and of the man who exposed them in British India 1825.
- DirectorRichard BenjaminStarsDan AykroydKim BasingerJon LovitzA creature from another planet tries to seduce a shy Earth physicist to gain control over his researches. The result of this important mission much exceeded her expectations.
- DirectorNewt ArnoldStarsJean-Claude Van DammeDonald GibbLeah Ayres"Bloodsport" follows Frank Dux, an American martial artist serving in the military, who decides to leave the army to compete in a martial arts tournament in Hong Kong where fights to the death can occur.
- DirectorJames B. HarrisStarsJames WoodsLesley Ann WarrenCharles DurningAn obsessive, insubordinate homicide cop is convinced a serial killer is loose in the Hollywood area and disobeys orders in order to catch him.If you're a James Woods fan, I definitely suggest a viewing. 6.5/10
- DirectorRobert TowneStarsMel GibsonMichelle PfeifferKurt RussellA former L.A. drug dealer tries to go straight but his past and his underworld connections bring him into the focus of the DEA, the Mexican feds and the Mexican drug cartels.
- DirectorKen RussellStarsGlenda JacksonStratford JohnsNickolas GraceOn Guy Fawkes Day 1892m Oscar Wilde goes to a performance of his controversial, banned play 'Salome'. The 'theatre' is a brothel and the performers are prostitutes.
- DirectorMartin CampbellStarsGary OldmanKevin BaconTess HarperA Boston defense attorney gets his wealthy client off for murder, then suspects him of killing again.
- DirectorBob SwaimStarsRob LoweMeg TillyKim CattrallA recently orphaned heiress meets a young racing yacht captain in the Long Island Hamptons. He shows interest in her, but love may not be the reason.
- DirectorFred Olen RayStarsGunnar HansenLinnea QuigleyJohn Henry RichardsonA detective embarks on a mission to track down a woman in L.A.'s seedy nightclubs, only to come face-to-face with a blood-thirsty cult of lethally beautiful prostitutes. Is he the next victim of Hollywood's demented Chainsaw Hookers?