Amph Film Releases & Trends of a Decade Retrospective: The Nineties A-Z- The Year 1991 in Review

Discussion in 'Community' started by The2ndQuest, Apr 15, 2009.

Page 18 of 18
Moderators: Darth McClain, GrandAdmiralJello, JoinTheSchwarz, Katya Jade, Lowbacca_1977, MarcusP2, NYCitygurl, Rogue1-and-a-half, SuperWatto, The2ndQuest

  1. The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth

    Manager
    Member Since:
    Jan 27, 2000
    star 9
    1991

    Notable releases:

    D
    E
    F
    G

    T2Q Comments:

    -Delirious: I know I saw this one a couple times on video/cable when I was younger, but beyond recalling the general premise/concept (John Candy, a typewriter and him waking up in the fictional world of a soap opera he writes), I don't recall any specific impression of the film.

    -Don't tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead: I recall liking this one a bit. I still quote the delivery of "the dishes are done, man." to this day, heh.

    -Double Impact: One of the JCVD movies I have seen at some point, but, like Delierious, dont recall specifics beyond the two-JCVD premise. However, it will definitely be in a JCVD marathon that Expendables 2 has inspired me to have at some point in the near future.

    -Dutch: Also saw this one a few times when I was younger. Curious to see it again.

    -Ernest Scared Stupid: The last Ernest film after Goes to Camp, Saves Christmas & Goes to Jail that people actually remember (though not the last released theatrically, apparently). I recall this being a fun Halloween kids flick- and it has some appropriately creepy moments at times as well. However, liking Ernest is a prerequisite, obviously.

    -Father of the Bride: Pretty funny Steve Martin flick. Seen it a few times, but not for awhile.



    Movies I (probably) Want See
    -Dead Again
    -Defending Your Life
    -Dogfight
    -Drop Dead Fred (I understand it's bad)
    -Dutch (rewatch)
    -Final Approach
    -The Fisher King
    -Flight of the Intruder
    -Flirting
    -Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
    -Godzilla vs King Ghidorah
    -Guilty By Suspicion

    Overall Trends:

    Christina Applegate moving beyond Married With Children (at least somewhat- the show would still be on the air for 7 more seasons). The first attempt to end the Freddy Krueger franchise with a "final" movie. The rebooted Godzilla series carries forward. Father of the Bride would spawn a sequel as well..
    The2ndQuest, Oct 1, 2012 at 11:12 PM
    #426

  2. Ender_Sai Manager Emeritus

    Member Since:
    Feb 18, 2001
    star 8
    The Doors was absolutely terrible. Just... look, good production values etc but it's misleading to make a film about a man called Jim Morrison who sang in a band called the Doors when a person and band exist in real life with the same names and are nothing like your characters, Mr Stone!
    Ender_Sai, Oct 1, 2012 at 11:40 PM
    #427

  3. yankee8255 Force Ghost

    Member Since:
    May 31, 2005
    star 6
    Wait, an Oliver Stone movie about an historical figure that pretty much just makes the whole thing up? Can#t believe it. ]-}

    Also, Defending Your Life is brilliant.
    Last edited by yankee8255, Oct 2, 2012
    yankee8255, Oct 2, 2012 at 4:02 AM
    #428

  4. yankee8255 Force Ghost

    Member Since:
    May 31, 2005
    star 6
    ,
    yankee8255, Oct 2, 2012 at 4:03 AM
    #429

  5. The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth

    Manager
    Member Since:
    Jan 27, 2000
    star 9
    1991

    Notable releases:



    H
    I
    J
    K
    L





    T2Q Comments:

    -Hook: I still really like this movie. Don't care what anyone says. The cast. The music. And Rufio. Love it. :D

    Did I mention that score? It's arguably John Williams's best.

    -Hot Shots!: I recall the sequel more than anything else, but I do recall this series, alongside Loaded Weapon, Airplane and Naked Gun, as being the non-Mel brooks spoof films I enjoyed of the era.

    -King Ralph: Saw this on cable a lot. I recall liking it.


    Movies I (probably) Want See
    -The Hard Way
    -Highlander II: The Quickening
    -The Hitman
    -Hudson Hawk
    -The Indian Runner
    -L.A. Story
    -The Last Boy Scout
    -Life Stinks
    -The Linguini Incident
    -Little Man Tate
    -JFK
    -Kafka

    Overall Trends:

    Lotta action flicks in this grouping- two by Willis, at that (though he's had like, three times as many films in 2012, so I guess thats not a lot by his standards, heh). Oliver Stone seems to have been pretty active this year, as well.
    Last edited by The2ndQuest, Oct 3, 2012
    The2ndQuest, Oct 3, 2012 at 8:49 PM
    #430

  6. Juliet316 Force Ghost

    Member Since:
    Apr 27, 2005
    star 6
    Liked Hook, though I haven't seen it in awhile. I know I'm in the minority, but I loved Highlander 2, but then again, it had Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery and Michael Ironside.
    Juliet316, Oct 3, 2012 at 8:55 PM
    #431

  7. Todd the Jedi Jedi Grand Master

    Member Since:
    Oct 16, 2008
    star 4
    I agree on Hook. Still a great pleasure to watch.

    JFK's alright. Donald Sutherland's scene alone is worth a watch. Again, though, lots of exaggeration.
    Todd the Jedi, Oct 3, 2012 at 9:00 PM
    #432

  8. Rogue1-and-a-half Manager who is writing his masterpiece

    Manager
    Member Since:
    Nov 2, 2000
    star 7
    L.A. Story is probably Steve Martin's best movie. It's not only a great comedy, but also a really moving sort of fable about love. It's magnificent.
    Rogue1-and-a-half, Oct 4, 2012 at 10:52 AM
    #433

  9. The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth

    Manager
    Member Since:
    Jan 27, 2000
    star 9
    Yeah, that one in particular caught my eye, especially give the reviews. Not sure I had even heard of it before this.

    1991

    Notable releases:

    M
    N
    O
    P & Q

    T2Q Comments:

    -My Girl: Just remember it being a big deal with it being, effectively, Culkin's first post- Home Alone film and his first onscreen kiss. Don't recall liking the movie, but then, I was a kid- eww. ;)

    -The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear: I love it. I love it. ;)

    -Nothing But Trouble: I definitely saw this on cable a few times, gonna rewatch it at some point. I know it wasn't great but there's enough Dan Akroyd (not surprising since he wrote and directed it) to make it watchable.

    -Oscar: I know Stallone still thinks of this as a mistake, but I've seen it a few times and it still makes me laugh. Which is odd, given that it's done in the style of a film from an era whose works I'm generally not fond of (often for some of the reasons that I find Oscar amusing).

    -Problem Child 2: It's hard for me to recall specfics, but I liked this series as a kid.

    -Pure Luck: Again, another I'm fairly certain I saw on cable as a kid, but don't have specific impressions.

    Movies I (probably) Want See
    -McBain (if only because of The Simpsons)
    -Meet the Applegates (I'm sure I saw this as a kid, but didn't get it at all)
    -My Own Private Idaho
    -Naked Lunch
    -Necessary Roughness
    -New Jack City
    -Night on Earth
    -Nothing But Trouble
    -Once a Thief
    -Once Upon a Time in China
    -Only the Lonely
    -Out For Justice
    -The People Under the Stairs
    -The Perfect Weapon
    -Proof
    -Puppet Master II
    -Puppet Master III
    -Point Break
    -The Prince of Tides

    Overall Trends:

    On a personal level, my recollections of this batch are obviously pretty vague. Beyond me, though, Problem Child would get a third movie on TV, Once Upon a Time in China would start a series of it's own and it seems weird that Puppet Master III would hit DTV the same year as Puppet Master II does theatrically, but whatever. And, now having seen the poster for Point Break, Stark's quip in Avengers makes a heck of a lot more sense, ha.
    Last edited by The2ndQuest, Oct 10, 2012
    The2ndQuest, Oct 9, 2012 at 7:53 PM
    #434

  10. Champion of the Force Jedi Grand Master

    Member Since:
    Dec 27, 1999
    star 4
    The Man in the Moon - sweet coming of age story starring Witherspoon in her first ever role. I saw it again a couple of years ago and whilst does have a bit of a 'midday movie' vibe I still like it.

    Mediterraneo - saw this in Italian class in high school. Interesting (and amusing) film concerning a bunch of Italian soldiers that are sent to guard an island in WW2 and get stranded there following a naval battle in which their ship sinks. My class found it absolutely hilarious due to the somewhat blunt/to-the-point subtitles that were supplied. [face_laugh]

    My Girl - haven't seen in years. Culkin's character dying at the end was a sad moment, and I found Anna Chlumsky hot as a 12 year old. [face_love]

    The Naked Gun 2 1/2 - I enjoyed all the Naked Gun films, but it's been that long since I've seen them that I forget what plots went where specifically. I really should try them again.

    Problem Child 2 - from memory I think I liked the 1st one better, but this was still fun. Interestingly Amy Yasbeck (Ritter's potential love interest in this film) played Ritter's wife in the 1st film (so her role here is a complete 180) and they would later be married in real life.

    Point Break - never actually seen, but know of it by reputation with the infamous skydive which seems to get continually referenced (such as by Palpatine in the Robot Chicken 'Star Wars' specials - "Point Break bitches!!!")
    Champion of the Force, Oct 10, 2012 at 4:31 AM
    #435

  11. The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth

    Manager
    Member Since:
    Jan 27, 2000
    star 9
    1991

    Notable releases:

    R
    S
    T
    U & V
    W
    Y
    T2Q Comments:
    -Regarding Henry: I know I've seen parts of this movie, but I don't have any particular impressions other then Ford's character dealing with his recovery. I think I'd like to watch it again at some point, though, so I'll add it to my list below.

    -Return to the Blue Lagoon: I definitely saw this on cable as a kid, and the entire plot is familiar, but no impressions to form an opinion.

    -Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves: I enjoyed the heck out of this film as a kid (the lack of an accent thing never registered), and I still enjoy it. At the time it was taking something cheesy/kiddy like Robin Hood and making it cool again. Throw in the signature first person arrow shots, an insane Alan Rickman performance, plenty of fodder for a Mel Brooks spoof, a great score and a chance to buy repurposed Return of the Jedi toys and it's a win overall for me (though I'm fully aware some dislike the movie quite a bit).

    "**** me, he cleared it!"

    -The Rocketeer: A fun, serial-style adventure that never quite reaches the point of being a classic, but it does approach that precipice.

    -The Silence of the Lambs: Great movie. Legendary performance by Hopkins. Killer last line of dialogue.

    -Soapdish: Saw this several times on cable. I recall it being a fun little romp.

    -Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country: A fitting end to the classic Trek era and a nice epilogue to the 2/3/4 trilogy that forms it's core. I went into more depth in my review in my Trek thread (though that review's contents are currently truncated due to the board import issue).

    -Suburban Commando: This is a really fun sci-fi comedy, and easily the best film to star Hulk Hogan (I know that's not saying much). Fun fact: it was originally called Urban Commando and was going to star Danny DeVito and Schwarzenegger. After the two decided to make Twins instead, the setting was changed along with the cast.

    -Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze: This is both a good and bad Turtles film, depending on your view. The film is definitely intended to be closer to the original cartoon series than the original film was (the original film was much closer to the original comic instead), what with there being other mutant baddies, Super Shredder, etc. So, it tends to be a bit lighter in tone compared to the grittier feel of the original.

    That said, it's still very enjoyable (and it has David Warner, so what can you really complain about? ....besides the presence of Vanilla Ice and the lack of Casey Jones)..

    -Terminator 2: Judgement Day: Brilliant movie (especially the Special Edition cut)- and though it's hard for me to say it's the best (or even my favorite) Cameron film (it's a three way tie between this, Aliens and the Abyss SE) I can definitely say this movie was the most influential Cameron movie to me (possibly any movie, period). The existential observations and questions on the nature of humanity and the value of life, combined with a dash of the T-1000's precision, were a hugely influencing factor on my development as a person in mid-childhood.

    What's even more to it's credit is that it stands alone very well, despite being a sequel (not counting the Kyle Reese sequence in the SE cut). I didn't see T1 until at least a year (or more) after having watched T2 several times. It's really hard to say which viewing order is superior, as they both have their benefits.

    Still, everything is across the board excellent. The FX (which almost all still hold up, despite literally being the birth of Photoshop), the score (Brad Fidel, please come out of retirement!), the acting (even Arnold shows a great deal of range within the constrains of his ability and character), the plot, the stunts, the intensity, the humor, the emotion.

    The Special Edition cut was one of only three releases I made a point of obtaining in letterbox VHS releases (alongside The AByss: SE and the SW Trilogy)- finally being able to get access to some of the legendary material of that Ultimate Edition Laserdisc box set that was always taunting me on the shelf at the local video store.

    It also helped introduce me to the existence of movie trailers that have original content (in this case, footage shot early for an abandoned extended opening Future War sequence) with it's teaser trailer inclusion (though I recognized much of the footage from their reuse in the T2 Arcade Game). I think T2 is easily my most repurchased movie beyond the SW trilogy, having purchased the SE VHS boxset, the initial dual-layer DVD release (with it's occasionally amusing descriptive language track that keeps it in my collection), the Ultimate Edition DVD (the two disc/1-sided/dual-layer version, not the 1-disc/2-sided/dual layer version) set, the Extreme Edition DVD set and, eventually, I'll be adding the Skynet Edition BD as well.



    -Toy Soldiers: Die Hard clone in a rich school. Decent flick.

    -What About Bob?: Seen this as a kid, need to rewatch it as an adult as I feel I'd appreciate it much more.

    -White Fang: Saw it, no recollections though.

    -Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken: Saw it a couple times on cable. I remember a lot of HBO BTS content on the horse diving sequences.

    Movies I (probably) Want See
    -A Rage in Harlem
    -Raise the Red Lantern
    -Regarding Henry
    -Ricochet
    -Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
    -Rush
    -Shadows and Fog
    -Showdown in Little Tokyo
    -Slacker
    -Switch
    -The Taking of Beverly Hills
    -Thelma & Louise
    -Until the End of the World
    -What About Bob?

    Overall Trends:

    Rocketeer is probably what got Joe Johnston the gig to direct Captain America 20 years later. T2 would spawn a great TV series, a good 3D film, and 2 mediocre sequels.. but always seems to be the point that any alternate continuity looks back to as it's point of origin and reference.

    Silence of the Lambs would lead to numerous sequels, prequels and TV spinoffs/remakes. I don't think it'd be an understatement to say the film made Hopkins the name he'll continues to be (though, obviously, his talent helps a great deal there).

    Star Trek endures... though it's hard to say what ST6's specific enduring legacy is, beyond an episode of Voyager that retells events from the movie from the POV of Sulu and the Excelsior for Trek's 30th anniversary.

    Turtles would get 2 more sequels- a dull live action one and a good animated one, as well as a forgettable live action TV series. However, reboots and new series continue.

    Suburban Commando made Hogan a slightly more viable name for at least a couple more movies (moreso than No Holds Barred did, at the very least).

    Slacker, as I understand it, basically ushered in the modern wave of independent filmmaking of the early 90's, so we'll definitely be seeing that trend rise as we look at the next 2-4 years.
    Last edited by The2ndQuest, Nov 7, 2012
    The2ndQuest, Nov 7, 2012 at 4:50 PM
    #436

  12. The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth

    Manager
    Member Since:
    Jan 27, 2000
    star 9
    The year 1991 in review- what's worth seeing (once or several times?), what's worth keeping?

    Skimming back through the lists I posted, here's my personal selections (and, as always, I encourage folks to skim back through the lists and make their own):


    Worth Keeping: (aka: get the DVD!)
    -Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey
    -Hook
    -The Silence of the Lambs
    -Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
    -Terminator 2: Judgement Day

    Worth Seeing a Few Times: (aka: maybe get the DVD)
    -The Addams Family
    -Backdraft
    -Beauty and the Beast
    -City Slickers
    -The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear
    -Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
    -The Rocketeer
    -Suburban Commando
    -TMNT2: The Secret of the Ooze

    Worth Seeing Once: (aka: rent it or get it in the $5 bin at Best Buy or Walmart)
    -Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead
    -Hot Shots!
    -Ernest Scared Stupid
    -Father of the Bride
    -Oscar

    If It's on Cable: (aka: not completely awful, but no need to intentionally seek it out)
    -Delirious
    -King Ralph
    -Soapdish
    -Toy Soldiers


    List of Films I Still (Probably) Want To See:
    -Across the Tracks
    -Barton Fink
    -La Belle Noiseuse
    -Billy Bathgate
    -Boyz n the Hood
    -Bugsy
    -By the Sword
    -Cape Fear
    -City of Hope
    -Class Action
    -Closest Land
    -The Commitments
    -Company Business
    -Dead Again
    -Defending Your Life
    -Dogfight
    -Drop Dead Fred
    -Dutch
    -Final Approach
    -The Fisher King
    -Flight of the Intruder
    -Flirting
    -Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
    -Godzilla vs King Ghidorah
    -Guilty By Suspicion
    -The Hard Way
    -Highlander II: The Quickening
    -The Hitman
    -Hudson Hawk
    -The Indian Runner
    -L.A. Story
    -The Last Boy Scout
    -Life Stinks
    -The Linguini Incident
    -Little Man Tate
    -JFK
    -Kafka
    -McBain (if only because of The Simpsons)
    -Meet the Applegates (I'm sure I saw this as a kid, but didn't get it at all)
    -My Own Private Idaho
    -Naked Lunch
    -Necessary Roughness
    -New Jack City
    -Night on Earth
    -Nothing But Trouble
    -Once a Thief
    -Once Upon a Time in China
    -Only the Lonely
    -Out For Justice
    -The People Under the Stairs
    -The Perfect Weapon
    -Proof
    -Puppet Master II
    -Puppet Master III
    -Point Break
    -The Prince of Tides
    -A Rage in Harlem
    -Raise the Red Lantern
    -Regarding Henry
    -Ricochet
    -Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
    -Rush
    -Shadows and Fog
    -Showdown in Little Tokyo
    -Slacker
    -Switch
    -The Taking of Beverly Hills
    -Thelma & Louise
    -Until the End of the World
    -What About Bob?


    Next: 1992

    So, while my list remains long of things to see (or rewatch), and there were still vagaries when it came to recalling some films, there's definitely a rising familiarity to a number of titles.

    As far as overall trends, T2 kicked Arnold to a whole new level (although films like Total Recall kept him high before)- that level of stardom he'd ride out for the next 2-3 years.

    We're seeing some more Die Hard clones starting to float about, and I think The Naked Gun helped kick off a new wave of spoofs, such as Hot Shots!
    The2ndQuest, Nov 9, 2012 at 8:45 PM
    #437

  13. Frank T. Jedi Grand Master

    Member Since:
    Sep 2, 2012
    star 5
    Great thread! I'm slowly making my way throught the whole thing.

    1991-
    My favorite Jackie Chan film, Twin Dragons, was released although US release was years later.
    The Commitments is my favorite on your list of not seen.
    The Double Life of Veronique is one of my favorites of '91. It's a foreign film to us US viewers. French and Polish.
    Frank T., Nov 10, 2012 at 3:53 PM
    #438

  14. harpuah Force Ghost

    Member Since:
    Mar 12, 2005
    star 8
    I really hated the way lyrics to Doors songs were shoe horned in with the dialogue. Every time it happened, I cringed... so, so cheesy.
    harpuah, Nov 10, 2012 at 3:57 PM
    #439
    Ender_Sai likes this.

  15. The2ndQuest Tri-Mod With a Mouth

    Manager
    Member Since:
    Jan 27, 2000
    star 9
    Thanks, glad you're enjoying it. Just keep in mind, as you go through the older posts, that some of the longer updates will likely be truncated due to the board import issue regarding that.

    But, that usually just means you miss out on some of my babbling, not the actual title lists, so no huge loss ;).
    Last edited by The2ndQuest, Nov 10, 2012
    The2ndQuest, Nov 10, 2012 at 6:31 PM
    #440
Page 18 of 18
Moderators: Darth McClain, GrandAdmiralJello, JoinTheSchwarz, Katya Jade, Lowbacca_1977, MarcusP2, NYCitygurl, Rogue1-and-a-half, SuperWatto, The2ndQuest