THE MOVIE LOVER

Did you know these lovelies have won Oscars? In no particular order

 

01

Harry and the Hendersons - (1987)

 

1988 - Best Makeup: Rick Baker

 

This was one of my favorite films as a child. I watched it again recently and didn’t realize how pro-environment it was. And that’s not meant in a bad way. The world can use more fun films like this. No CGI, all makeup, and costume. This film follows John Lithgow as a dad who accidentally runs over Bigfoot and does the logical thing, takes him home. They soon fall for the lovable 9ft teddy bear and protect him against the government, hunters and return him to his natural home in the forest. This film’s adorable, has a great lesson at the end and is perfect for the family. The makeup is amazing, so it's no surprise that it won the Oscar, but might not be one many people knew about.

 

 

02

Beetlejuice - (1988) 

 

 

1989 - Best Makeup: Ve Neill, Steve LaPorte, Robert Short

 

Everyone has seen this film. EVERYONE! IF you haven’t, what’s the matter with you? Do you not like fun? From makeup, set design, soundtrack, acting…ok, I could list all the elements of filmmaking to get to the point that this movie is damn near perfect. For the folks who haven’t had the privilege of seeing this film, it stars Alec Baldwin & Geena Davis as a deceased couple who have to deal not only with an odd family moving into their home, but also an obnoxious “bio-exorcist” who takes a liking to the new occupants daughter played by Winona Ryder. Micheal Keaton plays the title character Beetlejuice to perfection. This must, I mean MUST be added to your library. I mean, COME ON!

 

 

03

Death Becomes Her - (1992) 

 

1993 - Best Effects, Visual Effects: Ken Ralston, Doug Chiang, Douglas Smythe, Tom Woodruff Jr.

 

Siempre Viva, Live Forever

 

Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn on the ultimate quest for eternal youth, purchase this potion from the gorgeous Isabella Rosselini all the while fighting for the affection of one Bruce Willis. This movie is the bees knees. You have action, comedy, sex appeal, violence and minor gore. You can’t go wrong with this film. But it's not only all those things, it also has sneaky social commentary on our perfection for beauty and youth. Take note Kardashians!

 

 

04

Speed - ( 1994) 

 

1995 - Best Sound:  Gregg Landaker, Steve Maslow, Bob Beemer, David MacMillan, Sound Effects: Stephen Hunter Flick

 

Ok, I’m gonna make this declaration here and now, I love Keanu. All day, everyday Keanu. Now back to the movie. This two Oscar whammy stars Dennis Hopper as a crazed bomber who plants a bomb on a city bus. Keanu plays Jack Travern, the cocky cop who must stop said bus. A young Sandra Bullock (think its safe to say this movie blasted her career to the next level. see what happened there ) plays  spunky “wildcat” Annie who gets thrown into this action-packed scenario. The movie filled with actors whose name you don’t know, bu faces you do. Joe Morton, Alan Ruck, Glenn Plummer, Beth Grant, Richard Lineback, Carlos Carrasco. Seriously look them up, bet you know who they are. Next, lets add a name you do recognize Jeff Daniels as Keanu’s older, wiser partner. This movie has everything you need to make a perfect action flick. Hot stars, witty lines, and sexy stunts. Damn right it won an Oscar. It rules.

 

05

Innerspace - (1987)

 

 

1988, Best Effects, Visual Effects:  Dennis Muren, Bill George, Harley Jessup, Kenneth Smith

 

One of my favorite directors Joe Dante made this hilarious flick starring Martin Short in his prime, Dennis Quaid, and Meg Ryan ( who met on the set of this movie and of course had a very public marriage and divorce) and Henry Gibson, who I like to acknowledge any chance I get because he’s adorable. Martin Short is a bumbling employee who must save the life of the man he accidentally swallowed. Interested? Good, because this movie’s awesome. Dennis Quaid plays a Navy pilot who gets shrunk in a secret experiment and swallowed by Short. This movie is funny, smart and totally 80s. A must see! No movie has ever really ventured into Magic School Bus territory like this one did…except maybe Honey I Shrunk The Kids.

 

06

Men in Black - (1997) 

 

 

1998 – Best Makeup: Rick Baker, David LeRoy Anderson

 

Here come the Men in Black! Ha, now you have the song stuck in your head. And if you’re a 90s kid, the music video too. This movie’s a good time. Will Smith plays a man who sees something he should not see, going places he need not be. So naturally he’s recruited to join the Men in Black. Earth’s defenders against aliens. The cast is all-star: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Rip Torn, Tony Shalhoub, Vincent DiNofrio and Linda Florentino. It spawned two sequels, a dance craze and resurged America’s obsession with extraterrestrials. It’s silly, sometimes icky but you know what? Forget that Roswell crap, show love to the black suit, cause that’s the men in, that’s the men in…MEN IN BLACK

 

07

Sleepy Hollow- (1999) 

 

 

2000, Best Art Direction, Set Direction:  Rick Heinrichs art director, Peter Young set decorator

 

So many things with this film.

 

1. The short story by Washington Irving is amazing. Read it.

2. Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci ( does anyone else feel like they should be married and together forever) and Christopher Walken looking scary as a mofo.

 

Tim Burton was the perfect person to adapt this tale. The supporting stars are great, the color is gorgeous and it oozes British gothic. If you don’t know the story of Sleepy Hollow (making a conscience effort not to judge FYI) it’s a tale of scaredy cat Ichabod Crane and his investigation into the Headless Horsemen. Everything about this film is classic Burton, so if you don’t like him…you probably won’t dig this movie.

 

08

White Nights - (1985) 

 

 

1986 Best Music, Original Song “Say You, Say Me” by Lionel Richie

 

Have you ever seen Mikhail Baryshnikov dance? The man is beautiful. Have you ever seen Gregory Hines dance? The man is magical. So put beauty and magic together with co-stars Helen Mirren and Isabella Rossellini and you have an incredible movie.  [side note: Mirren and the director of this film Taylor Hackford later married]  So this movie is about a Russian dancer defected from the Soviet Union but is forced to return when his plane crashes. As punishment, he’s sent to Serbia to live with an American defector who is supposed to ‘keep an eye’ on him. They become friends and the American decides to help the Russian escape. If it sounds a tad on the serious side. It is, the subject matter is no joke. But don’t let that deter you. The music, dancing and acting in this film make it more than entertaining and enjoyable. And no it’s not a musical.

 

09

Shaft - (1971) 

 

1972 - Best Music, Original Song “Theme from Shaft” by Issac Hayes

 

Who’s the cat that won’t cop out, when there’s danger all about?

SHAFT

Can you dig it?

 

This movie…Richard Roundtree is amazing as title character John Shaft. Gordon Parks, yes the amazing, legendary photographer Gordon Parks directed this super successful movie that had two sequels and a remake with Samuel L. Jackson. Not to mention its massive influence on pop culture. Shaft is a no-nonsense street cop who rescues a mob boss’s daughter who was kidnapped. This is a gritty drama that takes place on the mean streets of New York City circa 1970s and let me tell you, from the looks of it. It wasn’t pretty. An iconic film that I think surpassed Blaxploitation to become just plain classic.

 

10

Butterflies are Free - (1972)  

 

1973 - Best Supporting Actress – Eileen Heckart

 

So first off, have you seen this movie? Mmmhmm, admit it, you haven’t. Well, guess what I’m gonna say. Watch it! What are you waiting for? Another early 70s New York film ( completely different than Shaft’s early 70s New York, which is a whole nother conversation) Goldie Hawn is at her best as a flower child who starts a relationship with her neighbor, the very sheltered, handsome and blind Don played by Edward Albert. His insanely, yet understandably overprotective mother ( Eileen Heckart) cannot let go of her little boy and with Goldie Hawn, he learns how to become his own man. It’s a beautiful story. Funny and sad at times, this movie will stay with you always as it should.