Comments on: The Best Picture Expansion Project: 1988

By: Darryl

Darryl — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:16:36 +0000

I agree with the poster above who mentioned “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. The soundtrack featuring Grappelli was worth the price of admission.

By: Mark Blankenship

Mark Blankenship — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:23:22 +0000

Seriously, Ferretrick, do yourself a favor and see “Big Business.” It’s bad, but it’s deliciously bad.

And I never thought I’d have to think about Molly Ringwald’s swimming scene in “Fresh Horses” again… but there it is, clear as a bell in my mind.

By: ferretrick

ferretrick — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:19:21 +0000

No, I’ve actually never seen Big Business. No, don’t get up Mark. My gay card is in the mail.

I was referring to things like Arthur 2, Crocodile Dundee II, Fresh Horses….

By: Destiny

Destiny — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:08:53 +0000

Mark, I have to disagree with you on Mississippi Burning, I saw it for the first time a couple years ago and it is a fantastic film. I also think Tucker: A Man and His Dream deserved a nod as well as The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Pelle the Conquerer. Hopefully the new 10 nomination system will open the door to more foreign films and get those films on more screens nationwide.

By: Mark Blankenship

Mark Blankenship — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:13:30 +0000

Ferretrick, when you are talking about the bad movies released in 1988, I hope you are not referring to Big Business. That is all.

By: ferretrick

ferretrick — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:42:10 +0000

As you said, smart comedy is hard to pull off, and I have a lot of love for Midnight Run. A hilarious script and for my money DeNiro and Grodin’s comic chemistry is better than Gibson and Glover.

Working Girl is actually remembered (actually, it seems like less than five years ago, it was on constantly on some cable channels). I don’t think its a Best Pic nomination in a better year, but it had its place.

But, DAMN there were some bad movies this year. And, Dangerous Liaisons should have won best picture. By a wide margin.

By: Doug

Doug — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:07:10 +0000

You’re right, The Chocolate War is based on the young adult novel. And I typed up my list before I saw Will’s entry, so glad he and I both agreed on Die Hard.

By: Mark Blankenship

Mark Blankenship — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:07:29 +0000

@Will … Excellent point about “Die Hard,” actually. I saw it last year, and it still rocks my face. If we’re expanding the Best Picture category, then why not honor genre films that operate at the peak of their form? (Actually, I’ve always thought that should be the case, even when there were only five nominees.)

@Doug … Yes, Running on Empty! My eyes must have glossed over then when I was looking at the 1988 list, because otherwise, I would have at least given it a runner-up slot. Here’s to River Phoenix!

And what’s The Chocolate War? Is that based on a young adult book, or am I remembering something else?

By: Doug

Doug — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:00:55 +0000

My 10 for 1988 have been:

The Accidental Tourist
Bull Durham
Dangerous Liaisons
Die Hard
A Fish Called Wanda
Married to the Mob
Rain Man
Running on Empty
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Working Girl

My honorable mentions:
The Accused
Beetlejuice
Big
The Chocolate War
Crossing Delancey
Stand and Deliver

By: will

will — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:21:48 +0000

Wait a minute. 3 really important films missed your expanded list.

Die Hard – when was the last time you watched this? It still holds up as probably the best action movie of all time. It completely redefined that genre. How many movies are based off of its formula?

Akira – You might not have seen this Japanimation film about post apocalyptic Tokyo. The story is very cool (except the end) and the animation was about 10 years ahead of its time.

Stand and Deliver – Maybe not the best acting in the world, but an important true story about dedication and believing in yourself. Also, it’s Lou Diamond Phillips, man.