1985: A Special Year At The Cinema

It's hard to believe 1985 was nearly 30 years ago. I can remember it as vividly as yesterday. Many, many awesome movies were released that year. I look at the movies thus far released this year and in 1985 and I see such a huge difference I'm quality and originality. It seems like many of those 85 films were classics, trendsetters and must-haves.

Director-wise, it seemed Stephen Spielberg, Robert Zemekis and John Hughes were the big winners. Actor wise, that nod goes to Michael J. Fox,,Sylvester Stallone, and the "brat pack", including Emilio Estevez and Ally Sheedy. You had the classics such as Back to the Future (the highest grossing film of the year), and Teen Wolf, both starting Fox. You also had The Goonies, The Color Purple, and the two John Hughes's classics, The Breakfast Club and Weird Science.

Sequels were of course part of the year and seemed to be better then. Rocky IV came at an important time, during the US's Cold War with Russia. There was also Rambo (First Blood Part II), both movies starring Stallone..There were also sequels of horror tales Nightmare On Elm Street and Friday the 13th. Comedies such as Police Academy, National Lampoon's Vacation and Porkys also were given encores during this illustrious year.

Other movies of note that released were Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird,  St. Elmo's Fire, Mad Max, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Cocoon, Out Of Africa (which won Best Picture), Brewster's Millions, Commando, Krush Groove, and The Last Dragon.

It is without question this particular year raised the bar in cinema and really put actors, writers and directors on notice. This was also around the time movie rentals became popular, meaning you could rent or buy a movie on VHS and watch it over and over.

The times had changed, and nearly 30 years later, the industry evolves. It is watered down by lack of creativity, over saturation of acting jobs, and big name actors turning down major roles. Here's to 1985, one of the great years where actors truly loved to act and showed their passion well.

What was your favorite movie from 1985?  Did I omit a movie from this year that you enjoyed?

Should Babies Be Allowed At The Movies, Or Be Banned

The summer movie season is in full effect. This and the Christmas holidays are when people frequent the theaters the most.

We have all sat in a theater and at some point during the movie heard a loud and annoying "waaaaaaa!" coming from an infant or newborn child. Oftentimes this happens so much the usher has to ask the adult and the crying baby to leave. 

Now why even bring the screaming infant to begin with?  Was the movie that good that you couldn't wait or you didn't care about not having a sitter? You would rather spoil the movie for everyone else and make your baby miserable. That is simply inconsiderate.

The solution is simple: if you can't get a sitter, don't go. However,  here's a better question: should theaters allow babies in the first place? They already know that crying is inevitable. 

An age limit would be a fine line, although there are already some in effect. One prohibits children under the age of six to watch an R-rated movie even with an adult.  But should babies simply be banned from theaters? Sounds simple,  but it's not from a business perspective. 

Theaters are trying to make money, period. From the tickets to the snacks,  they want to bank. Perhaps some could have a daycare option for a fee/movie or a fee/month for frequent movie watchers. Many of the larger theater chains already have this option, in such cities such as Denver and St. Louis.  There are already  Fandango and MovieWatcher discount clubs.  An in-theater daycare could be a happy medium, and a potential cash cow.

Not trying to get off topic here,  but many businesses have daycares and nurserys now: churches,  gyms, and even some workplaces. Other movie theaters, especially tones such as Regal Cinemas and AMC should take this into serious consideration.  It has had its hits and misses at other places.

Otherwise, you would have to ban adults with babies from attending,  or any child under four. Again it's a sticky situation, but one that can be resolved.

The movies are too expensive as it is. People don't go to theaters in droves as they once did thanks to Netflix,  bootleggs, and the simple hassles such as crying babies and other loud people.

So if you're a parent, I would urge you to be considerate of the rest of us. And if you want to see the movie that bad, get a sitter or try and start a daycare for theaters. It is sticky but doable.

Do crying babies annoy you at the movies?  For parents: what age did you begin taking your child to the theater?

2014 Summer Movie Preview

The 2014 summer movie season officially started this past weekend with The Amazing Spiderman 2. I saw it and enjoyed it. Now I'm ready for what the remaining summer months has to offer: 

WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT:

The latest X-Men: Days Of Future Past, seems great,  as does Adam Sandler teaming with Drew Barrymore once again in Blended. Seth MacFarlane's spaghetti western A Million Ways To Die In The West should be really entertaining.  It seems to have a Blazing Saddles feel to it. Other movies I really want to see include 22 Jump Street,  The Purge Anarchy,  Expendables 3, the James Brown biopic, Guardians Of The Galaxy,  and Sin City: A Dame To Kill For.

WHAT I DON'T CARE FOR

I'm not really impressed with the latest Godzilla movie.  I believe they have overblown this franchise over the past few decades.  Transformers 4 will be much different with Mark Wahlberg as the lead in Shia LeBeauf. I may still see that one. I can't believe the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are again returning to the big screen.

SOME SUPRISES

I believe Think Like A Man Too could be entertaining and edgy. Neighbors will be a sleeper as a hilarious comedy.

Outside of these movies I mentioned,  everything else is a crapshoot.  The summertime is good for going to the movies and drive-ins, and I'm overall very happy as to what's in store.

What are some summer movies you have to see? Which ones do you not care for either?

Seven Dynamic Summer Movies of 2013

The 2013 summer movie season of 2013 is ending and a fine one it has been. Most every week there were movies, heralded and non heralded, that were noteworthy of seeing. Here are seven such movies that I enjoyed,plus some more that I would enjoy seeing at some point.

1. The Butler

Lee Daniels, director of 2009's "Precious" put together a masterpiece that is sure to guarantee Oscars. Forrest Whittaker portrayed the story of a black butler who served in the White House through seven presidencies. This is a must see for all ages, races and classes.

2. Man Of Steel

This is perhaps the best Superman movie since the Christopher Reeves series of the 70s and 80s. It has definitely set up a good series of future movies under a new and exciting storyline.

3. Fast Six

Just when you think you've had enough of the high speed chases, kills and cops, this movie keeps you wanting more, and adds more clarity to the entire series. Vin Diesel, The Rock,Paul Walker and the rest make an awesome action movie team.

4. Ironman 3

This movie kicked off the summer season and in fine fashion. It wrapped up the trilogy nicely, and we saw Tony Starks in a more humble and vulnerable state. Marvel simply knows how to crank out quality comic book movies

5. Hangover III

This movie didn't receive a lot of respect due to the success of Fast Six and the lackluster nature of Hangover II. Nevertheless, it was awesome. Many of the elements that made the first Hangover a classic were reprised, and again the Wolfpack provided the nonstop entertainment.

6. Grown Ups 2

Adam Sandler has found a powerful movie series and a comedic team, and he's staying with them. I went into this film with low expectations, but was very impressed. It was better than the first, and kept things fresh, minus Sandler's regular cast member, Rob Schneider. Will he return for Grown Ups 3?

7. The Internship

Another comedy that received low ratings but had big laughs. Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn returned to the big screen as two middle aged men around a bunch of college co-eds. The antics were original, hilarious and fresh.

Other movies I want to see:  World War Z (although I'm not big on zombie or doomsday flicks), Fruitvale Station, and The Wolverine