My Films
by TheSkipper | created - 25 Feb 2012 | updated - 22 Jan 2016 | PublicFilms and TV programs that I like and things I remember about them. This may never be finished.
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1. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
PG | 121 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.
Director: George Lucas | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Votes: 1,449,023 | Gross: $322.74M
Where to start. I first saw this, like most people my age, on TV. If I'm not mistaken, the premiere. That was ITV, Sunday the 24th October 1982 from 7pm till 9pm. I've researched this pointless information and retained it. I would have been 5. Like anyone who had a video in 1982, we taped it. I think I got to watch a bit before I went to bed but I'm sure I remember sneaking down early before I went to school to watch as much as I could before I went. It was like a window into another world as a child, a real one! From them on all my toys were Star Wars toys as were my friends. Star Wars WAS my childhood. It was everywhere and I loved and lived it. One of my biggest regrets is taping over my "original" copy even though I have some 5 versions of the film. Why? Because it was the only copy I had with the mono soundtrack. Why is that important? Because I know that version of the film so well, any out of place or different sounds or dialogue stick out like a sore thumb to me. Fortunately, I was able to construct my own DVD copy a few years ago. The special editions? Saw the first one in the cinema (Bromley Odeon, must of been one of the last times went there) and all I remember were people laughing and taking the pi**. "Obi-Wan is here - the force is with him" (laughter). I don't like or watch the S.E's. I understand why George Lucas did some of the stuff but it's not the same film to me. They were a gimmick to me in 1997 and they still are.
2. Ghostbusters (1984)
PG | 105 min | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Three parapsychologists forced out of their university funding set up shop as a unique ghost removal service in New York City, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.
Director: Ivan Reitman | Stars: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis
Votes: 449,722 | Gross: $238.63M
Saw this in the cinema when I was 7. I don't remember much other than how huge the Bromley Odeon seemed, everyone in audience jumping in unison when the library ghost lunged and how much I loved it. Only Star Wars a couple of years before had this much of an effect on me as a child. Rented it as soon as it came out, along with Gremlins, which IIRC we watched at my birthday party. I also remember having to "book" it as the video shop only had a few copies and write your name on a clipboard to reserve it. Fortunately, I only had to rent films once... On the DVD commentary, Harold Ramis quotes a review from the time saying "the whole film is like a perfectly told joke" and I think that sums it up for me.
3. E.T. (1982)
PG | 115 min | Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi
A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, Dee Wallace
Votes: 437,332 | Gross: $435.11M
I'm pretty sure we had this film even before it was in the cinema and I remember everyone watching our copy at various times. My friends, my friends parents, then some relatives, then some more relatives and so on. They all came to our house to watch it or we took it to them. All the grown ups cried. This was a huge film in it's day and I seriously doubt we'll ever see anything like it or the effect it had again. No other film takes me back to my childhood quite like it. Thankfully the original version is preserved on a nice remastered DVD and more recently Blu-Ray. Although, I still have that first copy and I'm quite nostaglic about it.
4. Ghostbusters II (1989)
PG | 108 min | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
The discovery of a massive river of ectoplasm and a resurgence of spectral activity allows the staff of Ghostbusters to revive the business.
Director: Ivan Reitman | Stars: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis
Votes: 224,640 | Gross: $112.49M
Saw this in the cinema twice as I knew it's be a long time (it was in those days) before it'd come to video. Probably my most anticipated cinema visit of all time. Bromley Odeon naturally. Once in the big screen and once in the small. I also remember very clearly all the laughter moments and there was a lot. IIRC I had the soundtrack before I saw the film and remember getting that (on cassette) in a shop whilst on holiday in Bridport. I think they had a big cardboard cut-out of the cover art, posters and I also remember it being the first time I'd seen lots of CD copies of anything.
5. Arthur (1981)
PG | 97 min | Comedy, Romance
Alcoholic billionaire playboy Arthur Bach must marry a woman he does not love, or he will be cut off from his $750,000,000 fortune. But when Arthur falls in love with a poor waitress, he must decide if he wants to choose love or money.
Director: Steve Gordon | Stars: Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli, John Gielgud, Geraldine Fitzgerald
Votes: 31,085 | Gross: $95.46M
This was one of many films I first saw through my dad. Although I vaguely remember seeing the very end at my aunties one Christmas, it was him that introduced me to it. I still think it's the perfect romantic comedy. From casting, location, wardrobe, photography, lighting to music, everything. We'll never see the like again. Un-PC? Not in my book, The remake? never have and never will.
6. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
Not Rated | 83 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
The Wolf Man tries to warn a dimwitted porter that Dracula wants his brain for Frankenstein monster's body.
Directors: Charles Barton, Walter Lantz | Stars: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi
Votes: 19,557 | Gross: $4.80M
Probably the first "horror" movie I saw. Not a bad start eh? All of the three classic Universal monsters in one picture and one of the great comedy duos of all time too to boot. They are so superb in this film, so completely satisfying it's perhaps both odd but at the same time unsurprising that I've never actively seeked out any other Abbott & Costello films. I've seen several over the years but while funny, this really is in a class of it's own. I have fairly clear memory of watching this with my Dad one sunny Saturday morning when I was perhaps 5 or 6. I'm also pretty sure I watched the scene in "McDougals House Of Horrors" from behind his armchair. It was all very creepy to me but I knew it was funny too. Of course it's a lot funnier now though. I watched this (along with Will Hay's "Windbag The Sailor") so many times as a kid (they were/are both on the same tape) that I even remember the commercials (which we thankfully didn't cut out) as well as the film. One of the original and for me, the quintessential horror comedy.
7. Windbag the Sailor (1936)
87 min | Comedy
A bragging sea captain's maritime experience actually extends to navigating a coal barge down inland waterways. His tall tales catch him out when he is coerced into commanding an ... See full summary »
Director: William Beaudine | Stars: Will Hay, Moore Marriott, Graham Moffatt, Norma Varden
Votes: 432
Will Hay is without doubt my favourite English comic actor of all time. Maybe even my favourite comic actor of all time. This was the first of his that I saw and may still be my personal favourite. Again it was my Dad that introduced me to him. I've never not found his films funny and they seem to get funnier the older I get. If pressed I (like most) prefer the films he did with Graham Moffatt and Moore Marriot but I still love the ones he made after the trio split up.
8. Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
R | 90 min | Comedy
At Adams College, a group of bullied outcasts and misfits resolve to fight back for their peace and self-respect.
Director: Jeff Kanew | Stars: Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Timothy Busfield, Andrew Cassese
Votes: 58,355 | Gross: $40.90M
Best college comedy of all time and one of my favourite comedies. It's better than Animal House. And for a huge John Belushi fan to say that, is almost heresy.
9. Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987)
PG-13 | 88 min | Comedy
The rising college nerds set out to a convention in Florida, but are not welcomed by the Alpha Beta representatives.
Director: Joe Roth | Stars: Robert Carradine, Curtis Armstrong, Larry B. Scott, Timothy Busfield
Votes: 15,386 | Gross: $30.06M
Underated sequel. I enjoy it nearly as much as the original. And I don't club this in with the two TV movies that followed it which so many other people seem to do.
10. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
PG | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
The Bandit is hired on to run a tractor-trailer full of beer over state lines, in hot pursuit by a pesky sheriff.
Director: Hal Needham | Stars: Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Mike Henry
Votes: 56,807 | Gross: $126.74M
"Redneck" car chase comedies have long been a staple of my film diet. Like much of this list, since childhood. For my money, Burt Reynolds had an untouchable run of these types of films throughout the latter part of the 70's to the early 80's. Wasn't it Frank Sinatra himself who said something like, "he's the guy all the women want to sleep with and the guys want to have beer with". High praise indeed. Watched this film along with the two Cannonball Run's endless with my friends. I even had a BMX in Black and Gold like the Bandit's Trans Am!
11. Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)
PG | 100 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
The Bandit goes on another cross-country run, transporting an elephant from Florida to Texas. And, once again, Sheriff Buford T. Justice is on his tail.
Director: Hal Needham | Stars: Burt Reynolds, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Dom DeLuise
Votes: 17,567 | Gross: $66.13M
Not as good as the first but has some great moments/lines.
12. Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983)
PG | 85 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
Big and Little Enos are opening a sea food restaurant. They bet Sheriff Buford T. Justice that he cannot drive from Miami to the Enos ranch in Texas in a given amount of time. If Buford loses he has to give up his badge.
Director: Dick Lowry | Stars: Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Paul Williams, Pat McCormick
Votes: 9,647 | Gross: $5.68M
(Ahem) I like this - quite a lot. I know it's bad but 1983 bad makes 2012 bad look like Citizen Kane. I'd love to see the original version if it still exists anywhere. It was pretty incredible to see the recently un-earthed trailer proving once and for all (unless they filmed the trailer before they started the film!) that Smokey Is (was) The Bandit.
13. The Cannonball Run (1981)
PG | 95 min | Action, Comedy, Sport
A wide variety of eccentric competitors participate in a wild and illegal cross-country road race. However, the eccentric entrants will do anything to win the road race, including low-down, dirty tricks.
Director: Hal Needham | Stars: Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, Dom DeLuise
Votes: 39,928 | Gross: $72.18M
They don't make um' like this anymore and they couldn't if they wanted too. I could never trust anyone who doesn't like this film.
14. Cannonball Run II (1984)
PG | 108 min | Action, Comedy
The original characters from The Cannonball Run (1981) race across the country once more in various cars and trucks.
Directors: Hal Needham, Ralph Bakshi | Stars: Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.
Votes: 17,424 | Gross: $28.08M
Probably watched this one more as a child than the original. Still great fun and if you don't get - you never will.
15. The Black Hole (1979)
PG | 98 min | Action, Sci-Fi
A research vessel finds a missing ship, commanded by a mysterious scientist, on the edge of a black hole.
Director: Gary Nelson | Stars: Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, Robert Forster, Joseph Bottoms
Votes: 27,964
Love this. Possibly the most un-Disney thing Disney ever made which is probably the reason I like it so much! The production design and score are beautiful. The acting and the plot sufficient. Thank gawd for the recent (and lonnnng overdue) release of the complete score! I actually watch this film more than Star Wars these days, a lot more. Apparently they're remaking this now too. I'll give it five minutes once it makes it to the smaller screen but I know I won't like it. Same as Tron. They're products of their time and should be left alone. If Hollywood can't come up with new ideas, which it obviously can't, tough titty. Leave my childhood alone. As for the "if you don't like it, don't watch it - it doesn't effect the original" arguement, I won't and in my view it does. It de-values. Taints the memory. When I think of he film Arthur for example, there's probably always going to be some little lingering thought of remake there too. Having said that I'm getting used to ignoring these abominations now. Even if I have too close my eyes cup my hands over my ears and go "la la la la I am not listening to Jeffery". Back to film, it's great, I love it.
16. Hey Good Lookin' (1982)
R | 76 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
An outrageous, affectionate look at coming of age in Eisenhower-era Brooklyn.
Director: Ralph Bakshi | Stars: Richard Romanus, David Proval, Jesse Welles, Tina Romanus
Votes: 1,278
Probably not a particularly good thing but I first saw this when I was about 13. Not that it's especially violent or rude. When viewed by todays standards it's probably pretty tame. I love most of Bakshi's films. The ones that aren't LOTR, Wizards and Fire and Ice (although the lead female character in that is smokin!) basically anything without Wizards, Warlocks, Trolls, Dragons ect in. That pretty much goes for all films in general. One of the things I like most about this film is the soundtrack. It even stood out to me in the late 80's when I first saw it. It eventually got released in 2006 and the guy who wrote and recorded it claims it was due in no small part to me. I'm proud of that odd little accomplishment.
17. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
PG | 115 min | Action, Adventure
In 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies
Votes: 1,036,550 | Gross: $248.16M
Like Star Wars, saw this on the TV premier. Still have tape. Unless I'm mistaken, The Black Hole was on the same night and I burnt my hand by picking up a recently extinguished sparkler by the wrong end. I then spent the rest of evening watching either this (or The Black Hole) with my hand in a fish bowl full of cold water. The fish wasn't in there BTW.
18. Being There (1979)
PG | 130 min | Comedy, Drama
After the death of his employer forces him out of the only home he's ever known, a simpleminded, sheltered gardener becomes an unlikely trusted advisor to a powerful tycoon and an insider in Washington politics.
Director: Hal Ashby | Stars: Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden
Votes: 77,623 | Gross: $30.18M
Another "Dad film". He used to talk about it whenever a Peter Sellers film came on. Seemingly it wasn't on TV for about 15 years because we didn't have a copy. As far as I know it was also unavailable to buy. I think we eventually taped it off Sky. I watched it and thought, hmm ok, not great. But within hours I wanted to watch it again and again and again. This is a very special film and I don't know of another one like it.
19. Gremlins (1984)
PG | 106 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
A young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.
Director: Joe Dante | Stars: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, John Louie
Votes: 247,699 | Gross: $148.17M
Rented this along with Ghostbusters and watched this at my birthday party. One friend was told he had to leave the room during the microwave scene. We then played hide and seek in a darkened house and were scared sh*tless by the shadow of one of our cats washing itself on the wall. The shadow that is.
20. Police Academy (1984)
R | 96 min | Comedy
The mayor declares that anyone can enroll in the police academy irrespective of their physical condition or education level, and many misfits descend on the academy, including a young troublemaker who's forced to apply or go to jail.
Director: Hugh Wilson | Stars: Steve Guttenberg, G.W. Bailey, Kim Cattrall, Bubba Smith
Votes: 137,340 | Gross: $81.20M
Blimey. Like the Cannonball Run's, I don't think I could ever trust someone who doesn't find this funny. And if it offends you, I don't even want to be in the same room as you. Is it un-PC? I suppose so but that thought never crosses my mind when watching it. It's just funny, very funny and one of the most quotable comedies of all time. The first couple of sequels are quite enjoyable (particularly Bobcat Goldthwait) but once they got to part 5 they were really out of steam and trying too hard to be more family friendly.
21. Poltergeist (1982)
PG | 114 min | Horror, Thriller
A family's home is haunted by a host of demonic ghosts.
Director: Tobe Hooper | Stars: JoBeth Williams, Heather O'Rourke, Craig T. Nelson, Beatrice Straight
Votes: 179,484 | Gross: $76.61M
Stumbled across this late one night towards the end of 80's. Scared the pajamas off of me. I see this as the "lost Speilberg film". We know the credits say directed by Tobe Hooper but from top to tail this looks, sounds and feels like a Speilberg film. Like E.T's nasty cousin.
22. Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
R | 93 min | Comedy, Drama
A Chicago advertising man must struggle to travel home from New York for Thanksgiving, with a lovable oaf of a shower-curtain-ring salesman as his only companion.
Director: John Hughes | Stars: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean
Votes: 160,162 | Gross: $49.53M
It's funny, considering it's stature now, I don't remember there being any hype about this when it came out. At the most I imagine, I must of seen a trailer on another rental VHS, liked the look of it and then either went and rented it or waited until it came out. Regardless, everyone I know instantly fell in love it.
23. Vacation (1983)
R | 98 min | Adventure, Comedy
The Griswold family's cross-country drive to the Walley World theme park proves to be much more arduous than they ever anticipated.
Director: Harold Ramis | Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Imogene Coca, Randy Quaid
Votes: 120,076 | Gross: $61.40M
24. Night Shift (1982)
R | 106 min | Comedy
A mild-mannered morgue attendant is assigned to the night shift, and his new coworker, along with his prostitute neighbor, convince him of running a prostitution ring out of the morgue.
Director: Ron Howard | Stars: Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton, Shelley Long, Gina Hecht
Votes: 17,937 | Gross: $23.60M
25. The Goonies (1985)
PG | 114 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate's long-lost treasure.
Director: Richard Donner | Stars: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman
Votes: 298,213 | Gross: $61.50M
There are several things that can take instantly back to happy childhood memories and the sound of Cyndi Lauper's voice is one of them. Although this never quite resonated with me as much as say, Ghostbusters or Gremlins, I still love it. Great score again. And like Poltergeist (although not to quite the same degree) this feels very much like a Spielberg film, which is no bad thing. Also Kerrie Green was hoooot.
26. Rocky (1976)
PG | 120 min | Drama, Sport
A small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.
Director: John G. Avildsen | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Votes: 628,153 | Gross: $117.24M
What can you say about Rocky that hasn't already been said. Having said that I could probably ramble endlessly about it. There's a simple beauty to this film and something I've related to in it's main character since childhood. This is archetype 70's cinema for me. Although Rocky was apparently much more the anti-hero that the decade was so famed for originally. It's also funny and whilst that's a trait that exists in all of the sequels (to varying degrees of success) it's not usually the first thing that pops into peoples heads when they think of Rocky. But one of the first things that pops into mine. The humour and the warmth, whilst not being it's most obvious attributes are what sets it apart and what, particularly in the latter's case it also came to lack more as the sequels went on. It's a wonderful and very special film.
27. Rocky II (1979)
PG | 119 min | Drama, Sport
Rocky struggles in family life after his bout with Apollo Creed, while the embarrassed champ insistently goads him to accept a challenge for a rematch.
Director: Sylvester Stallone | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Votes: 231,155
Strong sequel. I actually used to prefer this to the original. Mainly because the fight is probably more slickly executed and also because Rocky won. I didn't realise that really he "won" in the first film - without actually winning. Anyway, much of the humour and warmth is still retained here. Picking up directly where the first one left off (with a belting new theme tune) was a smart move. It's probably not quite as dark as the first but then Rocky's situation isn't so that's fitting.
28. Rocky III (1982)
PG | 99 min | Drama, Sport
Rocky faces the ultimate challenge from a powerful new contender, and must turn to a former rival to help regain his throne as the undisputed fighting champion.
Director: Sylvester Stallone | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Votes: 211,134 | Gross: $125.05M
29. Rocky IV (1985)
PG | 91 min | Drama, Sport
Rocky Balboa proudly holds the world heavyweight boxing championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago, a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union.
Director: Sylvester Stallone | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Votes: 226,322 | Gross: $127.87M
30. Rocky V (1990)
PG-13 | 104 min | Drama, Sport
Reluctantly retired from fighting, Rocky takes charge of Mickey's gym and agrees to train a young protégé who's hungry for success.
Director: John G. Avildsen | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Sage Stallone
Votes: 150,555 | Gross: $40.95M
31. Rocky Balboa (2006)
PG | 102 min | Action, Drama, Sport
Thirty years after the ring of the first bell, Rocky Balboa comes out of retirement and dons his gloves for his final fight against the reigning heavyweight champ Mason 'The Line' Dixon.
Director: Sylvester Stallone | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Tarver, Milo Ventimiglia, Burt Young
Votes: 231,410 | Gross: $70.27M
32. The Fog (1980)
R | 89 min | Horror, Thriller
An unearthly fog rolls into a small coastal town exactly 100 years after a ship mysteriously sank in its waters.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh, John Houseman
Votes: 82,945 | Gross: $21.38M
33. Halloween (1978)
R | 91 min | Horror, Thriller
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes
Votes: 306,671 | Gross: $47.00M
34. Duel (1971 TV Movie)
PG | 90 min | Action, Thriller
A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Dennis Weaver, Jacqueline Scott, Eddie Firestone, Lou Frizzell
Votes: 78,350
35. Jaws (1975)
PG | 124 min | Adventure, Mystery, Thriller
When a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary
Votes: 659,163 | Gross: $260.00M
36. Airport 1975 (1974)
PG | 107 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
A 747 in flight collides with a small plane, and is rendered pilotless. Somehow the control tower must get a pilot aboard so the jet can land.
Director: Jack Smight | Stars: Charlton Heston, Karen Black, George Kennedy, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
Votes: 11,854 | Gross: $47.29M
Again, another one from childhood. This used to be pretty unsettling experience for me and probably gave me the fear of flying that I still retain to this day. I can vividly recall being particularly freaked out by the scene's inside the cockpit after the collision. I could almost feel the cold air blowing in and the sharp edges of the torn metal. I enjoy it now on a whole other level. The cast list is hugely impressive and of a standard (like many of these films) that we will never see again. The aerial photography of that beautiful beast of a plane over the (Wasatch) mountains is gorgeous. This was also another film where the score stuck with me. The main theme being a particular favourite. I'll also freely admit, that I always get a great little euphoric moment when Murdock makes it onto the stricken airliner and Patroni exclaims, "YEAH!! (nods head) YEAH!". Cheesy? (I hate that word) I guess so but when I look at a film like this, I'm not looking for anything more than what it set out to offer. Some fun and some thrills. Both of which it delivers. I think it's also more self aware than people give it credit for. Pointing out the so-called un-PC nature of the some of dialogue is of course a piece of cake, if you're that way inclined. You can pick the whole thing to pieces if you really want to too but you're missing the point. This ain't Shakespeare.
37. Batman (1989)
PG-13 | 126 min | Action, Adventure
The Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being Jack Napier, a criminal who becomes the clownishly homicidal Joker.
Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl
Votes: 404,099 | Gross: $251.19M
38. Flight of the Navigator (1986)
PG | 90 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
In 1978, a boy travels eight years into the future and has an adventure with an intelligent, wisecracking alien ship.
Director: Randal Kleiser | Stars: Joey Cramer, Paul Reubens, Cliff De Young, Veronica Cartwright
Votes: 51,675 | Gross: $18.56M
The spaceship effects in this were cutting edge in 1986. I'm pretty sure I remember either a short documentary or an article being on the news about them at the time. Still looks fine today too. I still think this has a great premise. Fall in a ditch, knocked unconscious seemingly for a short time only to find you've been gone for 8 years. I also find the scene where David returns to what was his home to find it now has other occupants, strangely moving. I guess most of us can relate to the notion of "what happened to my life" at one time or another and I'm sure this plays a part in the films appeal to me.
39. Summer Rental (1985)
PG | 87 min | Comedy
An overworked air-traffic controller takes his family on a beach vacation but is soon beset by series of mishaps.
Director: Carl Reiner | Stars: John Candy, Richard Crenna, Rip Torn, Karen Austin
Votes: 18,360 | Gross: $24.69M
This is just such a "nice film". So light, airy and 80's. It's Vacation without the Lampoon cynicism and The Great Outdoors without the lame teenage love subplot. Nice Sylvestri score and a great (but sadly unreleased) track by Jimmy Buffett. Candy is wonderful as always, Rip Torn is fantastic and Kerrie Green was hooot.
40. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
R | 98 min | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Kids all over America want Silver Shamrock masks for Halloween. Doctor Daniel Challis seeks to uncover a plot by Silver Shamrock owner Conal Cochran.
Director: Tommy Lee Wallace | Stars: Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O'Herlihy, Michael Currie
Votes: 60,974 | Gross: $14.40M
Stumbled across this late one night in the early 90's, on BBC2 I think. Although not a John Carpenter film per-say (directed by Tommy Lee Wallace) this still feels and looks very much films like one of his early films, which is to it's credit. Dean Cundey' photography is as impeccable as always and it has another great Carpenter score, one of his best IMHO. This is another one of those "Black Sheep" films. Part of a series of films but almost entirely separate from the others. Apparently it's only now beginning to enjoy a better reputation than it had upon release, when most were asking "where's Michael Myers?". I'm not ashamed to say I liked it fine on my first viewing and continue too to this day.
41. Nothing Lasts Forever (1984)
PG | 82 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
An artist fails a test and is required to direct traffic in New York City's Holland Tunnel. He winds up falling in love with a beautiful woman, after he takes a trip to the moon on a Lunar Cruiser.
Director: Tom Schiller | Stars: Zach Galligan, Apollonia van Ravenstein, Lauren Tom, Sam Jaffe
Votes: 959
I've only recently "discovered" this film (Sept/Oct 2015). I believe I heard Zach Galligan mention it the Gremlins commentary. I had noted the title previously but decided to try and find a copy of it this time. And I've fallen absolutely in love with it. What a charming little masterpiece. Quirky, funny, sweet and oddly beautiful. Currently it also has an incredibly moreish quality for me and I will quite happily run it repeatedly. I really hope this gets a Blu-Ray release (or at least DVD) some day very soon. And seeing as it seems to of picked up more notoriety this year, after a single screen on TCM, it's more likely now than ever before. I will freely admit however that being part of the seemingly very few and select number that not only know about this film but have seen and loved it, only adds to it's appeal. Simply wonderful and such a treat to find an utter gem like this.
42. The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990)
R | 104 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A vulgar private detective is hired to find a missing groupie and is drawn into a mystery involving a series of murders tied to the music industry.
Director: Renny Harlin | Stars: Andrew Dice Clay, Lauren Holly, Wayne Newton, Priscilla Presley
Votes: 19,232 | Gross: $21.41M
43. A Christmas Dream (1984 TV Movie)
TV-G | 60 min | Family
In this NBC Christmas Special from 1984, Mr. T plays a street Santa Claus who meets a young boy, played by Emmanuel Lewis of TV's Webster, who doesn't share the spirit of Christmas. Mr. T ... See full summary »
Director: Sid Smith | Stars: Mr. T, Emmanuel Lewis, David Copperfield, Maureen McGovern
Votes: 38
44. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
R | 108 min | Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
When their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories forever.
Director: Michel Gondry | Stars: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Gerry Robert Byrne
Votes: 1,077,522 | Gross: $34.40M
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