What's in a Movie Year - 1989

Taking a look at the year 1989, picking my 10 favorite movies from that year in random order.
 

The Burbs
One of the best Tom Hanks movies nobody saw. At least, no one I know (besides my brother and parents of course, we watched it a lot). It’s funny, absurd and satirical. Dark humor, where Ray is spending his vacation days at home watching his new neighbors the Klopeks, who act weird and have strange noises coming from their house at night.
 

When Harry Met Sally
Harry and Sally are former college roommates but will never be friends because, according to Harry, friendship between men and women is impossible. Although the chemistry is obvious they maintain for years that nothing is wrong. Meg Ryan shines in her role as neurotic, somewhat naïve Sally. And Billy Crystal is the sarcastic and realistic Harry. One of the few romantic comedies I absolutely love.
 

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
In part 3 of Steven Spielberg’s successful series about the archeologist-adventurer, Indiana Jones once again comes into conflict with the Nazis, who believe they have discovered the location of the Holy Grail. This time his father joins him on the journey. This causes extra stress and a lot of merriment in this action/ adventure film. One of the best third-in-a-trilogy films.
 

Back to the Future II
The story of this second part of the “Back to the Future” trilogy begins seconds after part one ended. Marty McFly has to go back to the future, conjures up Doc Brown, because things seem to be going completely wrong there. To solve it, he will have to jump back and forth in time considerably. Great follow-up to one of the best time-travel movies ever made.
 

Dead Poet’s Society
Keating teaches English in 1959 at a posh boarding school for boys where iron discipline  reigns. That he wants to teach the students to think in an original and independent way, is not well-received by the staff and parents but makes him very popular with the students. A small group of boys take Keating’s lessons to heart, with tragic consequences. The message of the film is very skillfully conveyed by Robin Williams (who plays Keating), who thus showed that he could handle a serious role very well.
 

Born on the 4^th of July
Director Oliver Stone based his movie on the autobiography of Ron Kovic, who returned from combat mentally and physically broken and became active in the anti-war movement. Brave venture by Tom Cruise, who convinces as a naïve idealist who becomes deeply embittered and ends up as an energetic activist. A Tom Cruise movie that is not talked about enough.
 

Glory
During the American Civil War, the 54^th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry regiment fights the Confederates. The regiment consists of black and white volunteers, but is led by white officers. One of them, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, has his doubts about the expected discipline and employability of the black soldiers. Wonderful roles by Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington. Impressively detailed war film.
 

Field of Dreams
‘If you build it, he will come’. The level-headed farmer Ray Kinsella hears the words as a whisper. He doesn’t’ know where they come from, but he does know that he needs to build an entire baseball field on his cornfield. More mysterious developments follow. One of the many baseball films Kevin Costner has made, but also his best.
 

Do the Right Thing
Colorful, individualistic magnification of a multi-racial New York neighborhood, Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn full of explosive tension. In less than 24 hours, the residents, partly due to the summer heat, partly due to bigotry, are brought to a boiling point. The hatred is directed primarily at the Italian operators of a pizza joint. A film full of brutality, is definitely established Spike Lee’s reputation as a director without succumbing to commercial trends or easy thrills. Great piece of cinema, even if it won’t be to everyone’s taste.  
 

Uncle Buck
This movie is on her simply for sentimental and nostalgic reasons, since this has always been a family favorite. Father and mother Russell have to go away for a while and are looking in vain for a babysitter. They have no choice but to call Uncle Buck, the black sheep of the family. This corpulent, anything but conventional bachelor takes his job seriously, however, and it’s not long before he has trouble with daughter Tia and her boyfriend. John Candy manages to steal al our hearts as Uncle Buck.
 

What's in a Movie Year - 1996

Taking a look at the year 1996, picking my 10 favorite movies from that year in random order.
 

Fargo
Tragicomic masterpiece y Joel and Ethan Coen in which Jerry has his own wife kidnapped because he needs money for a business deal. The evil scheme faisl miserably due to, on the one hand, the botched work of the criminals and, on the other hand, the exceptional detective skills of the heavily pregnant police chief Marge. Probably my favorite Coen brother movie.  
 

That Thing You Do
It’s a lighthearted film that tells the story of the rise and fall of a pop group in the mid-1960s. under the name Oneders (later changed Wonders, because they always pronounce it as Oh-needers) they record their first song independently. Their song, That Thing You Do, becomes a hit and we see what it does with each band member. It’s a fast-paced story, with a fun setting and it’s a perfect feel-good film. Directorial debut by Tom Hanks, who also has a small role in it.
 

Matilda
Great adaptation of one of Roald Dahl’s children’s books. The six-year-old Matilda si not very loved by her parents and brother. And school director, Mrs. Trunchbull, isn’t a peach either. Fortunately there is her friend Lavender and teacher Miss Honey, who she gets help from. As well as from the paranormal force within herself. Directed by Danny DeVito, who also stars as Matilda’s father. The black comedy fits in seamlessly with writer Roald Dahl’s aversion to false sentiment and his humorous take on cartoonish powerful and mean adults.
 

Jerry Maguire
Tom Cruise plays a sports agent. He speaks his conscience and is subsequently fired. The only two who support him are accountant’s assistant Dorothy and football player Rod Tidwell, one of his clients. We follow Jerry’s trial and error in his new world of love and depth. Tom Cruise performance is formidable and a breakthrough role for both Renee Zellweger and Cuba Gooding Jr.
 

Trainspotting
Strong, original and fresh portrait of the life of a group of drug addicts in Edinburgh. The central character is Renton, who tries to kick the habit. That this is not easy is shown in a hilarious scene with the “filthiest toilet in Scotland”, without a doubt one of the most disgusting scenes in film history. Such funny moments are interspersed with shocking and sometimes deeply sad scenes. Ecellent acting, especially by Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle.
 

Primal Fear
When an archbishop in Chicago is murdered by and altar boy, lawyer Martin Vail is eager to take on the defense, because he likes cases that will generate a lot of media attention. But it’s a tough job: the stuttering defendant is a wimp, but was caught covered in blood. Thrilling courtroom thriller, with one of Richard Gere’s better roles and a chance for Edward Norton to showcase his talent. A movie with a great twist.
 

The Craft
“The Craft” beings as an average American teen movie: Sarah moves to Los Angeels and at her new school she experience all the problems of a newcomer. But then she meets three other girls who are outcasts. They bombard her as the fourth member of their coven of witches. “The Craft” might not be one of the best films of 1996, but it’s surely nostalgia for me and a movie I have revisited a lot. It’s a fun, pleasantly harsh horror film.  
 

Twelve Monkeys
After “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”, Terry Gilliam, the only American of the company, turned entirely to feature film. His films weren’t always successful, but always interesting. “Twelve Monkeys” is a bizarre future fantasy film in which humanity is forced to live underground after 99 percent of the population has been killed by a deadly virus. A ‘volunteer’ is sent back in time to investigate the origin of the virus.
 

The Cable Guy
Steven is heartbroken and in need of distraction. He asks Chip, the cable guy, to secretly add some extra channels to his connection for fifty dollars. Chip will fix it, but then he wants to be Steven’s friend. And Steven has little need of that, especially after he notices how tenaciously Chip tries to worm his way into his life. It’s one of Jim Carrey’s darker comedies, directed by Ben Stiller. Besides being funny, it’s also a bit scary at times, in a satirical way. Robert Ebert actually included the film on his list of the worst films of 1996. Well, it’s on my favorites list.
 

From Dusk Till Dawn
After his worldwide success with “Pulp Fiction” screenwriter/ director Quentin Tarantino was given the opportunity to film previously rejected scripts after all. “From Dusk Till Dawn” was one of them. Brothers Seth and Richie (George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino) think they can find peace in Mexico’s nightclub the Titty Twister after a bank robbery and a hostage situation. But it’s going to be another long night Critics saw “From Dusk Till Dawn” as an offer of weakness and slammed it for its lack of coherence, bad taste, misogyny and excessive violence (it surely isn’t for the faint of heart). I, for that matter, love it. And with me many others, making “From Dusk Till Dawn” a cult classic in the pulp, B-movie type of genre. 

What's in a Movie Year - 2009

Taking a look at the year 2009, picking my 10 favorite movies from that year in random order.
 

Zombieland
After zombies take over the world, a young man stays alive by meticulously following a number of self-described rules. For example, he always puts on his seatbelts, watches oyt for toilets and never plays the hero. When he meets a couple of other survivors, they decide to hang out together. Witty, ironic zombie film, worthwhile mainly because of well-written characters. Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin, for example, are fun as incisive sisters, Woody Harrelson is fantastic as a macho zombie defender.
 

(500) Days of Summer
Tom, trained as an architect, has a dull job writing texts for greeting cards, but his existence is brightened considerably by Summer, a girl from the office. The story of their relationship is not told chronologically, but in flashbacks and forwards. In this way, details in the film are given different meanings each time. A remarkable and original way to tell a story of ‘boy meets girl’. Good screenplay, excellent direction and particularly fine lead actors.
 

Fantastic Mr. Fox
When titular hero Mr. Fox learns Mrs. Fox is pregnant he must promise her to stop stealing. He keeps this promise for a while, but after a few years the wild beast in him resurfaces. Mr. Fox crawls out of his hole, goes to live above the ground in a hollow tree and pays nightly visits to the storehouse of the mean farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Fine stop-motion animated film from director Wes Anderson, who transformed Roald Dahl’s children’s book into a dryly comic ode to whimsy. Also perfect for adults of course. Favorite Anderson film.
 

Up
The young Carl Fredericksen wants to be  an adventurer, just like his idol Charles Muntz. He meets the like-minded Ellie, they courtship, marry, and solemnly promise each other to go to Latin American Paradise Falls someday. It is not until the age of 78 that Carl, now a widower, ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away. he is joined by a tenacious little boy scout. Wonderful, wityy, poetic animated film for young and old. The first few minutes in particular are brilliant (and if you don’t cry, you are not human).
 

Where the Wild Things Are
After an argument with his mother, nine-year-old Max runs away, climbs unto a sailboat and, after traveling across the ocean, ends up in a land populated by meter-high monsters. Film adaptation by director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Dave Eggers, of the famous children’s book by the same name, written by Maurice Sendak. The film is not made for a young audience, it is too subtle and melancholic for that, the emotions of adults and children are too strong. Well-played, sublimely designed, moving and compelling.
 
 

Inglourious Basterds
A group of touch Jewish-American soldier tries to kill as many Nazis as possible during WWII in occupied France. A cinema owner tries to make the best of it under the occupation. And a German officer hunts down Jews. Director and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino intertwined their stories into a clever scenario, which served as the basis for this powerful war film. The agonizing tension in “Inglourious Basterds” is interspersed with dark humor. Razor-sharp dialogues. Christoph Waltz is the star of the film as SS man Hans Landa.
 

Avatar
Private Jake is in a wheelchair. But then he gets an offer: he can serve as the driver of an avatar on the planet Pandora, his brain in his sleeping body then in control of a body grown from genetically engineered cells that looks, walks, runs and jumps just like the Na’vi that inhabit the planet. James Cameron’s groundbreaking use of 3D turned this otherwise average adventure film into and eye-opening and exhilarating spectacle. And the film shows again how mankind ruins everything that is beautiful.
 

Sherlock Holmes
Did Sit Arthur Conan Doyle base his penmanship in the late nineteenth century on himself, on Jesus, or simply on a fellow physician? Whatever the case, in the hands of director Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes became a cynical, anti-social, alcohol loving man with an unexpectedly refines sense of fighting and shooting techniques. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law play the duo Holmes and Watson with frivolous ease, touring filthy London in search of a criminal magician resurrected from the grave.
 

The Blind Side
True story: wealthy Leigh Anne Tuohy takes in a homeless, underprivileged young black man. This Michael Oher makes sure that Leigh Anne’s perfect but somewhat sterile family becomes a lot cozier. Moreover he actually grows into a promising American football player. It’s kind of a sweet feel-good film, but I love it.
 

Moon
Astronaut Sam Bell, after three years of soloing in the lunar helium extraction, finally sees homeward travel and family reunification approaching. Despite mild delusions, he seems to be crossing the finish line in health. Until he has an accident and wakes up in sickbay. Talking flight computer GERTY appeases the incident, but Sam knows: something is not right here. Ingenious screenplay by Nathan Parker and debutant director Duncan Jones makes for a disturbing, disorienting viewing experience in more ways than one. Sam Rockwell is terrific, and Kevin Spacey souffles GERTY 

What's in a Movie Year - 2012

Taking a look at the year 2012, picking my 10 favorite movies from that year in random order.
 

The Avengers
Spectacular and amusing superhero film, written and directed by Joss Whedon. In my opion, still the best Avengers film of the series. And a great start to the now epic franchise. 
 

The Cabin in the Woods
According to the clichés of the horror genre, five students go to an abandoned cabin in the woods to be slaughtered. But besides that, this inventive, often hilarious film goes its own way. Also from the mind of Joss Whedon, but directed by his friend Drew Goddard. Together they wrote the script, in a hotel room, in three days. It’s a unique horror film, that is not what you think it is.
 

Ted
Teddy bear Ted once came to life thanks to a Christmas wish from his owner John. Now, 25 years later, the duo is still inseparable, with a shared interest in beer and pulp TV. How many jokes can you make about a swearing and drinking teddybear? Well, quite a lot. And Seth MacFarlane (known for his animated series “Family Guy), does a good job with his directorial feature film debut. Some jokes about farts and dicks, but mostly intelligent and hilarious scenes, which are especially convincing thanks to the immaculate animation of the bear.
 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
At first sight it’s yet another high school movie, about the timid Charlie, a boy without friends. But then he meets the extravagant Patrick and Sam. A Brat Pack-like formula film that comes a quarter of a century late, drenched in nostalgia, but with a fine set of protagonists and a surprisingly vicious twist. Based on director Stephen Chbosky’s novel of the same name.
 

Argo
It really happened: in 1980 the CIA, in collaboration with Hollywood during the Iranian hostage crisis, produced a fake science fiction film that was supposed to be shot in Iran in order to liberate a group of Americans there. In his third film as director, Ben Affleck transforms history into an exciting, witty political thriller with tasteful feel-good elements. Affleck, himself in the leading role as a man with a plane, remains a somewhat flat actor but has only gathered strong opponents around him, such as Alan Arkin, John Goodman and Bryan Cranston. The convincing image of time contributes to the feeling that the truth has bot been violated too much.
 

Silver Linings Playbook
Pat is taken home by his mother after eight legally imposed months in an institution. Immediately it turns our that bipolar Pat is definitely not cured yet. Then he meets Tiffany, a young woman who is adrift after the sudden death of her husband. A vivid tragicomedy and feel-good film carried by a great cast, with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in front.
 

Zero Dark Thirty
Masterful thriller, and without a doubt the best film about the War on Terror. For 157 minutes, director Kathryn Bigelow reconstructs the manhunt for Osama Bin Laden in a contemplative style, from the chilling opening minutes in which a suspect is gruesomely tortured by the CIA to the monumental, nerve-wrecking final act in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Th suggestion that the torture was essential to locate Bin Laden led to furious protests, but in tone “Zero Dark Thirty” is far from propagandist.
 

Django Unchained
Director Quentin Tarantino had already focused on abused women and oppressed Jews, so now it was time for nineteenth-century American slaves. Freed slave Django wants to free his wife from the hands of a sadistic plantation owner with the help of a German bounty hunter. Thematically daring, brutal spaghetti westerns and it has been remarkably straightforward, with some brilliant scenes. Highlight is the supporting role of Samuel L. Jackson, as one of the most racist sob’s ever in movie history.
 

Moonrise Kingdom
Adolescents Sam and Suzy are outsiders in a small American Island communitu in 1965. When they flee together, the adults on the island panic. Director Wes Anderson wanted to capture the tenderness and ferocity of a first love in his seventh feature film. He does this in his unique way, with dry comedy, pointed dialogues, absurdist twists and a design that is meticulous down to the last detail. Charming, witty and heartwarming.
 

Bernie
Jack Black is at his most charming as Bernie. He is the local mortician in a small village in Texas. He is loved by everyone. this doesn’t change when, out of frustration, he kulls the hated widow he lives with in cold blood. Bizarre story, told as a light-hearted docudrama, is based on true events.

What's in a Movie year - 2006

Taking a look at the year 2006, picking my 10 favorite movies from that year in random order.
 

Casino Royale
James Bond takes on the evil underworld banker Le Chiffre at Casino Royale. Not in a firefight, but at the poker table. The producers of the film series have seized the opportunity of the 21^st Bond film to re-model and knead their unyielding hero. And with success, because I believe it’s the best Bond film to date. It’s less ironic, more serious, with more emotions and nuances. Daniel Craig was also a very good choice for the role, which he came to reprise four times.
 

Babel
A rich American couple is on vacation in North Africa when a couple of shepherd boys playing around with a gun do something unfortunate. The nanny of the Americans wants to got to her son’s wedding in Mexico, but cannot leave the children on their own. And the daughter of a Japanese tourist gets tangled up with herself. Clever mosaic film by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, that links the fate of people all over the world, with fascinating results. The film got seven Oscar nominations and I think this is a movie that a lot of people forget about. Which is a shame.
 

The Departed
With “The Departed” Martin Scorsese returns to his best, grim film from the seventies, such as “Mean Streets” and “Taxi Driver”. In modern-day Boston, agent Billy Costigan infiltrates the criminal Irish-American world. Mafia boss Frank Costello has an informant with the police. So, two moles, but who makes the first mistake? “The Departed” is a remake of the Hong Kong film hit “Infernal Affairs” and at the same time a rough portrait of contemporary America.
 

The Last King of Scotland
After graduating in the seventies, the Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan leaves for Uganda to work in a small clinic. Then he is approached by the charismatic and charming brand new president Idi Amin, who persuades him to become his personal physician, also because he seems to love Scotland enormously. A bond develops between the two, but gradually Nicholas gets to know the true nature of President Idi Amin. Powerful tour de force of Forest Whitaker, who makes a brilliant transformation. He quite rightly won an Oscar for it.
 

The Painted Veil
The marriage between the spoiled Kitty and the workaholic doctor Walter is not exactly happy. When Walter catches Kitty in the arms of someone else he makes a drastic decision. They go to a remote Cihnese village, to fight cholera, but also to teach Kitty a lesson. A beautiful adaptation of the novel written by M. Somerset Maugham. With great performances by Naomi Watts and Edward Norton.
 

V for Vendetta
In the future Great-Britain will be a dictatorship, the restriction of freedoms will be justified by the government by pointing out the danger of terrorism. The young woman Evey stumbles upon the masked V, the only one who seems to resist oppression. Evey is captured, tortured, bald and has to choose whether to take sides with the rebel. The Wachowskis, previously responsible for “The Matrix”, adapted Alan Moore’s graphic novel into a scenario. Moore’s political message was severely watered down, yet this is an intriguing film that still captured the message.
 

Little Miss Sunshine
A dysfunctional American family goes on a road trip in an old, yellow Volkswagen van. They are on their way to California. The sweet, seven-year-old daughter Olive has made it into the finals of the “Little Miss Sunshine” competition. It’s a sweet story, that will guarantee to put a smile on your face. A great ensemble cast in a heartwarming movie.
 

The Descent
A group of six young women go, to help one of them deal with a trauma, on an expedition in a cave system in a gloomy, dark, remote forest. Caving is a dangerous activity, but the dark, narrow spaces are the least of the girl’s  worries. Because hidden within the caves are some unknown creepy crawlers that have adapted to the darkness. This is one of the scariest movies, not only because of the critters, but also because of the constant claustrophobic atmosphere this film caries.
 

The Prestige
One evening in late nineteenth-century London a performance by illusionists Robert Angier and Alfred Borden goes horribly wrong. This is followed by a quarrel, bitterness and rivalry. From now on, the two are rivals a complex film by director Christopher Nolan in which the viewer, just like the magician’s audience, is constantly misled. Great performances by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as the two rivaling illusionists, and also a good supporting role by Michael Caine.
 

Pan’s Labyrinth
The eleven-year-old girl Ofelia moves to the house of her new stepfather, a high fascist army officer, with her very pregnant, sick mother in 1944. While he ruthlessly hunts down resistance fighters, she discovers a hidden, magical world, where she meets, among other things, a dragonfly with a human head, an enigmatic Faun n a labyrinth and a gigantic, evil path. It’s a gruesome and dark fairy tale for adults. It won Oscars for make-up, art direction and camera work, which is all obviously well-done.