80s Movie Review - Top Gun

Director: Tony Scott
Genre: Action/ Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 1986
Starring: Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, Kelly McGillis, Tom Skerritt, Val Kilmer, Michael Ironside, Tim Robbins, Meg Ryan,

Description: As students at the united States Navy’s elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot (Tom Cruise) learns a few things from a civilian instructor (Kelly McGillis) that are not taught in the classroom.

Review: Lt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell and his wingman and friend Lt. Nick ‘Goose’ Bradshaw are among the best fighter pilots in the Navy. Despite their reckless, dangerous behavior and failure to follow orders, they are sent to Top Gun: an elite school for the Navy’s best fighter pilot, who receive extra-heavy training here.

Maverick is also a great charmer, throwing all his charms into the fray the first night to get attention of an attractive lady. The next day she turns out to be the instructor Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Blackwood. Charlie is particularly interested in Maverick because he and Goose are the only ones who have been in contact with a Mig-28 in the air. But gradually, Charlie and Maverick fall in love with each other.

“Top Gun” is the epitome of a delightfully macho, cheesy eighties popcorn flick. A film that, many years later, isn’t as great as in the 80s. The film is impressive though because of two elements: the stunning flight scenes and the soundtrack.

When I first saw this movie, in the 90s probably, I was madly in love with Tom Cruise’s Maverick. Now, I realize that he is kind of a dick and that Val Kilmer’s character Iceman, who is portrayed as the antagonist, is absolutely right about Maverick. And the fact that Charlie is very clear with her statement of not dating students, she falls in love with Maverick fairly quick. They’ve only had like three conversations.

But that’s just me nitpicking. I still enjoy watching this film and this is pure 80s fun.

Rating: 3/ 5

80s Movie Review - When Harry Met Sally...

Director: Rob Reiner
Genre: Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 96 minutes
Year: 1989
Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby, Steven Ford, Lisa Jane Persky, Michelle Nicastro, Gretchen Palmer, Robert Alan Beuth, David Burdick, Joe Viviani, Harley Jane Kozak

Description: Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) have known each other for year, and are very good friends, but they fear sex would ruin their friendship.

Review: Harry and Sally meet for the first time when they travel to New York together. It doesn’t really click at first, but over the years they keep crossing paths and even become good friends. But Harry claims, during their first meeting, that men and women can’t be friends because one of them always ends up wanting to have sex with the other. Can Harry and Sally actually remain friends without sex being an issue?
“When Harry Met Sally” is one of the films that set the foundation for the modern romcom and one of the few in the genre that I can really appreciate and call a favorite. Because let’s be honest, most of them are sugar sweet and way too predictable. The film is famous for the scene in which Meg Ryan fakes an orgasm in a crowded restaurant and it’s one of the best scenes in a comedy, ever. Although it’s clearly a movie from the eighties, looking at the cloths and hair, the film is timeless and still holds up to date. “When Harry Met Sally” is a classic within the genre, it’s funny, romantic and has a big heart. Because the focus is on the comedy here, not the romance. And without absurd situations or sex jokes. It’s not sugar sweet, so it’s no your typical chick-flick. I can actually safely say that this is one of the few romantic comedies that men will also enjoy.
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are a great couple, they work well together and have great, believable chemistry. Even if you’re not a fan of romcom, this movie is a must-see. I have seen it over and over again and I generally dislike the genre, but this is actually one of my all-time favorite movies. It’s one of the best films made in the genre and it will always be.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 5: Anastasia

Director: Don Bluth, Gary Goldman
Genre: Animation/ Drama/ Musical/ Adventure
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 1997
Starring: Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Angela Lansbury, Christopher Lloyd, Hank Azaria, Kirsten Dunst

Description: The last surviving child of the Russian Royal Family joins two con men to reunite with her grandmother, the Dowager Empress, while the undead Rasputin seeks her death.

Review: The Romanov family flees during their royal celebration, when they are being cursed by counsel man Grigori Rasputin. Short before he predicts that the entire Romanov family will die within two week, the Russian revolution starts. The 8 year old Anastasia and her grandmother manage to escape, but get separated. Years later, Anastasia leaves an orphanage, with no memory of the past, trying to find out where to go.
The film is inspired by the real life story of the Romanov family and their missing daughter Anastasia. The animation is beautiful and the songs have depth. I really liked Anastasia as a character, but also Dimitri. The villain is a bit flat, we don’t really get to know much about him. Which makes him less scary than intended.
The story also has depth and the ending is not typically Disney. “Anastasia” is a overlooked and underrated Disney animation. One Disney princess they always forget about.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Battle: Sleepless in Seattle Vs. You've Got Mail

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan where the romantic couple in the 90’s, they did three movies together and is there someone who wants to see them pair up again (me, me, me!) ? I’ve chosen two of the movies to go head to head in this movie battle: “Sleepless in Seattle” Vs. “You’ve Got Mail”.

CAST

Sleepless in Seattle: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are a magical duo, they have perfect chemistry. Even if they are not in the same scene. It also has Bill Pullman and Rosie O’Donnell in it, but who cares.

You’ve Got Mail: Also Tom and Meg, but the other characters are also easy to forget about. For some reason I do remember Steve Zahn in it. And Jean Stapleton and Greg Kinnear.

STORY

Sleepless in Seattle: Annie is about to get married, but is missing something in her life. When she hears young Jonah on the radio, talking about his widowed father Sam, she falls in love. This is perfect material for the hopeless romantic who believe in true love.

You’ve Got Mail: This story isn’t timeless, although it’s about the internet. Technology grows so fast and when you watch this movie now, you think it’s really outdated. Kathleen and Joe both own a bookstore, she a little children’s bookstore, he a giant megastore. They can’t stand each other, but what they don’t know is that online they are e-mail friends. “Sleepless in Seattle” had letters and here it’s e-mail. Again great for the ones who think love will always find a way.

EFFECTS

Sleepless in Seattle: This movie isn’t about the effects. The movie is well filmed and told and it’s just one of the most romantic movies ever made.

You’ve Got Mail: Very similar to “Sleepless in Seattle”. It does show New York at its best, especially when it’s autumn. Like Meg Ryan’s character says: “Don’t you just love New York in the fall”?

WINNER

Surprise! Most people would go for the classic, but my heart goes out to “You’ve Got Mail”. For some reason I’ve always liked it more and I can watch it over and over again. And now I feel like rewatching it.

Best of... Meg Ryan

Whatever happened to Meg Ryan? I liked her, the queen of romantic comdies! So it's about time to go by all of her movies and choose her best ones.

"Top Gun"
Yes, Meg Ryan was in "Top Gun". This is really one of those 80's movies only women love, eventhough it's about fighterpilots and every boy wants to become one. Tom Cruise was just irresistible in this film.

"When Harry Met Sally"
This movie is so much fun, it's been too long since I saw it. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan have perfect chemistry, so much humor and off course that diner scene is historical.

"Joe Versus the Volcano"
The first collaboration between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It's my least favorite of the three, but still a great film.

"Sleepless in Seattle"
And then there's the second movie. So sweet... I just love Tom Hanks in this one.

"When a Man Loves a Woman"
This is actually one of my mom's favorite films. She likes Andy Garcia. It's a more serious role for Meg and she does a fantastic job. This is a movie about a man that truly loves his wife, no matter what. Even in the darker days of their mariage. It's all in the title.

"I.Q."
It's about Albert Einstein who wants to help a man get together with Einstein's niece. I have only seen it once, but thinking of it I want to see it again. It was a fun movie.

"Courage Under Fire"
Again a more serious role for Meg. This movie also stars Denzel Washington. That's always good. It's a strong drama.

"City of Angels"
Beautiful lovestory which brought along the best Alanis Morissette song "Uninvited".

"You've Got Mail"
You can say a lot about this film, criticize it all you want. I love this movie. Even if it's outdated now, with today's technology. I like it more then "Sleepless in Seattle". I must have seen this movie so many times, that I an actually quote from it. Call me an idiot, but "You've got Mail" is awesome!

Movie Tip #24 - When Harry met Sally...

Director: Rob Reiner

Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher

Description: Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) meet when she gives him a ride to New York after they both graduate from the University of Chicago. The film jumps through their lives as they both search for love, but fail, bumping into each other time and time again. Finally a close friendship blooms between them, and they both like having a friend of the opposite sex. But then they are confronted with the problem: "Can a man and a woman be friends, without sex getting in the way?"

Review: This is, without a doubt, one of the best romantic comedies ever. It has wonderfull quotes, coming from Crystal most of the time. And one memorable scene: when Sally fakes an orgasm in a crowded lunchroom. Classic! But it's Crystal at his best, because every single line that comes out of his mouth is hilarious! He's a funny guy. And Meg Ryan... those where her best times, when she did romantic comedies. Her serious films never became a big succes. So, for the ones that haven't seen it yet, don't waste time and go see this one!!!