Medea (1988)

Lars von Trier's adaptation of Carl Theodor Dreyer's play adaptation of the Greek tragedy of Medea. It is the tale of a Greek woman named Medea's shocking revenge that she takes on her warrior husband Jason who has left her to marry into royalty. To be honest, I was pretty lost by the films end. I had my own interpretations, which to an extent were right, about what had happened. Once I read up on the Greek myth it was based on I was able to appreciate its horribly depressing ending that leave so much unanswered much more. Von Trier's direction is what makes the film, the way he uses the scenery and atmosphere of his ancient setting creates both beautiful and haunting images. A scene where a horse is poisoned and as it is dying runs to the ocean while being followed by hundreds of birds is filmmaking beauty. Like so many of his films it is the way von Trier uses the last 20 or so minutes of the film to bring everything together and leave you with lingering thoughts and emotions. If any of you watch this be sure to read into what it is based on first, because going into it blind may confuse you or leave you with the wrong initial opinion.

Bad Taste (1987)

Before he showcased his visionary brilliance with The Lord of the Rings (2001-2004) Peter Jackson made his directorial debut with Bad Taste; a low-budget horror-comedy that is gory blast of fun. Set in Jackson's home country of New Zealand and also in the areas where he grew up. Much of the sound effects were added later with the weapons being made from supplies that Jackson and his crew could assemble together - the actors actually simulated the recoil for the guns (quite well if I may add). Many of the crew members played roles in the film, mostly as the aliens in their zombie-like human form. Learning about all the effort and talent that went into making this film is almost as fascinating as the actual film. The plot consists of an intergalactic fast food franchise coming to Earth and taking human form in order to harvest the earthlings to create the finest (and grossest) stew you will ever be made into. Up against these alien fast food workers is a group of the last remaining non-abducted humans who are militarily armed and ready to fight back.

Amadeus (1984)

Such passion, such  hatred, such pain. Those are the feelings that haunt Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), the protagonist and tortured hero of Amadeus. The film begins with a man (Salieri) screaming, he is begging for forgiveness for killing Mozart. When his servants enter the room they see him attempting to commit suicide by cutting his throat. Next you see Father Volger (Richard Frank) walking into a mental hospital and he meets Salieri in his room, at first Salieri wants nothing to do with the Father, but he quickly opens up and tells him his confession. He was just a man with one dream: To be able to dedicate his life to and make great music. As a child Salieri is plagued by his strict father who wants his to get into business. His father chokes and dies during a meal, an event that Salieri calls a "miracle", with his father dead he is taken to Vienna and able to fully dedicate himself to music. Next the films jumps to him being an adult, also he is a court composer for Holy Roman Emperor Joeseph II (Jeffrey Jones) which he is content with being. Next is the arrival of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce), a praised young composer who Salieri is a major admirer of. But when Salieri finds Mozart to immature and "vile" for his taste the loathing begins.

Labyrinth (1988)

Muppet puppeteer Jim Henson's second solo directional effort is his own distinct vision of a dream world that is visually stunning, but after awhile it becomes a mind-strainer that isn't nearly as mentally stimulating as it should be. Labyrinth is not a deep film, it is actually very innocent, it is the elaborate setting  that provides all of the depth. The plot is just a different take on the always popular theme of young children trying to leave their "terrible"  lives by escaping to a world of wonder and beauty. Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly) is a 15-years-old, she things the world is a harsh place so she lives in her own little world where she is a beautiful, beloved queen. Sarah hates he step-brother, Toby (Toby Froud), so to get rid of him she chants the sacred line "I wish the goblins would take you away...RIGHT NOW." And her wish is granded, Jareth King of the Goblins (David Bowie) takes Toby away and the only way she can get him back is if he solves the labyrinth and reaches his castle.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

If there is anything to remember John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China for, it is that this film caused Carpenter to finally return to doing independent films after his disappointing run in Hollywood. Escape from New York (1981) was his first big-budget project that also was one of his high points. I was disappointed by Escape from New York. While having Carpenter at his atmospheric best where he creates a fascinating,  and stunningly visionary, setting , as well as being successful and acquiring a dedicated following, it is plagued with a weak plot and sacrificing style well over any sort of substance. Then he moved on to his creature-feature,The Thing (1982), which is well directed, but gross-out visuals and his usual characterization problems caused problems. After The Thing, Carpenters originality disappeared and he resorted to glossy 80s-styled action flicks that have lost almost all of their appeal over the past two decades. With his obvious talents it is shocking to look back at how disappointing his time in Hollywood was. Now we have arrived at the film at hand that finally helped Carpenter come to his senses and return him to his ideal form.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

If you are a little kid, or one of those people who happen to be scared by clowns (everyone is a little freaked out by them)  than beware. What isn't terrifying about them? Those permanent smiles, masking make-up, weird outfits, and those god-forsaken laughs! I would never torture someone with having to endure the presence of a clown, but this film is an exception. Definitely worth a watch, Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a dumb-fun (with much emphasis on "dumb") ride that I enjoyed from start to finish. It (1990) -- the adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel of the same name --  is one of the only other well-known films that has tried out clowns for scares, but by taking a darker and more serious, and ultimately weaker and less entertaining, look at the creepiness of clowns. Killer Klowns is a mindless relief that has a blast with its outrageous idea, pure B-movie fun.

sex, lies, and videotape (1989)

Rating: 3.5/4

For a plot with so much tension Steven Soderbergh's vital indie film "sex, lies, and videotape" moves at a very slow, uninterrupted pace. Opening with timid housewife Anne Millaney (Andie MacDowell) telling her psychiatrist her fears and odd obsessions of the day. She does not think much of sex. Telling her psychiatrist, and trying to convince herself, that she would rather spend her time worrying about the real troubles of the world like starvation and the over supply of garbage than about such a minor part of life like sex. No matter how many times Anne convinces herself that sex in only a minor, unnecessary, part of life she still will not be able to avoid just how much of an impact sex alone with have on her life. At around the same moment Anne's lawyer husband John (Peter Gallagher) goes through a regular routine of ditching major clients to have an affair with Anne's sister, Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo).

Blue Velvet (1986)

Rating: 2/4

Visionary director David Lynch brings his dream-like imagery to the small town of Lumberton. Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLauchlan) returns home from college after his father suffers a stroke, on his way back from visiting his father in the hospital he discovers a severed ear near an abandoned cabin. He takes the ear to detective John Williams (George Dickerson) and he meets the detective's daughter, Sandy (Laura Dern). Sandy reveals details that she overheard he father  her father mentioning about a suspicious  women named Dorthy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini), who is a local club performer. What Jeffrey describes as youthful intrigue and a chance for a memorable experience the rest of us would call stupidity, thus beginning his journey through a shocking underworld with no abundance of sadism, rape, and gruesome murder.

Escape from New York (1981)

Rating: 2/4

Escape from New York is an 80s action-thriller that suffers from the usual action film conventions like having wooden one-dimensional characters and by trying to send a message, but not doing anything to enforce, or even determine, its message. I think it is safe to say that in order to get cheap pleasure out of a film it must be fun. Well, this film is not very fun, despite all it has going for it. Kurt Russell was an action movie superstar all throughout the 80s and John Carpenter had earned his spot as one of the more bankable directors. Along with that, it is set in barren, dystopian Manhattan, so the scenery is without a doubt worth checking out. A premise that includes nuclear war threats, soaring crime rates, saving the president, war with the Soviet Union, a giant maximum security prison, pretty much the entire idea of the film, is definitely going to attract attention and develop a dedicated, very American, following.

The Thing (1982)

Rating: 2/4

A creature-feature from one of the most popular sci-fi and horror movie directors of all time, John Carpenter, is something to get excited for. He has a strong talent for creating shocking, action-packed, patient scares with plenty of gore. Over the years he has become known for his visually strong and always fascinating sci-fi thrillers, which makes it very interesting to watch this film. Those talents are very raw in this film, they are in need of a very lengthy thawing. Die hard horror fans with appreciate this film for its interesting premise and dedication to its title creature. For the rest of us who require more than excessive gore and violent deaths will be disappointed at the overall direction that is taken.