The Seven Best Films of the 80's

7: Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Starring: Robert De Niro, James Woods and Joe Pesci

In Seven (or more) Words: An interminable and insuperable gangster film of the 80's. Once Upon a Time in America consumes not only your time, but your conscious, as the viewer is swathed in Leone's depiction of four gangsters in New York and the loyalty, or lack of, in criminality. The extended version of this film, due out in September of this year, runs at 256 minutes...  

6: Back to the Future (1985)
Starring: Michael J Fox, Lea Thompson and Christopher Lloyd
In Seven (or more) Words: 'The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?'... Doc Brown quotes ostensibly what everyone is thinking about the film itself; flashy, fun and fucking loud! Back to the Future is uproariously entertaining, with Michael J Fox slipping into the shoes of Marty McFly with such aplomb. Sorry Eric Stoltz, but this was the greatest recasting of all time.

5: Stand By Me (1986)
Starring: Will Wheaton, River Phoenix and Kiefer Sutherland
In Seven (or more) Words: Like with most motion pictures, Stephen King can be thanked for the story, adapted from his novella 'The Body'. Above all else, Stand By Me is about friendship, something that we can all relate to. King describes it as 'the best adaptation of any of his books to date'. He might be right.

4: Ran (1985)
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao and Jinpachi Nezu
In Seven (or more) Words: King Lear retold. Visually magnificent, the set-up of static cameras a key factor to this, Ran is a medieval masterpiece. 

3: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck and Mia Sara
In Seven (or more) Words: Marvellously entertaining, Ferris takes a day off school. With his girlfriend Sloane and best friend Cameron, they have a riot (at times), whilst trying to evade being sighted by the principal, Ed Rooney. A film to live by. 

2: Raging Bull (1980)
Starring: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci
In Seven (or more) Words: A cyclone of poweful punches and performances.

1: Die Hard (1988)
Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia
In Seven (or more) Words: Die Hard is blown up entertainment. At its crux, that's what it is. It is the finest action movie ever made, the finest Christmas movie ever made and once more, it is the finest movie the 80's offers. Everyone loves Die Hard!

Just Missed The Cut: The Shining.. Cinema Paradiso.. Blade Runner.. The Temple of Doom.. E.T... Do the Right Thing.

The Next Article Will Be.... The Seven Best David Lynch Films

The Seven Best Terrible Al Pacino Films

7: Dick Tracy (1990)
Starring: Warren Beatty, Madonna and Al Pacino
In Seven (or more) Words: In other words the Seven Worst Al Pacino Films? Pretty much. We begin with Dick Tracy, where Pacino chews scenery and spits out a grotesque creation worthy of the films comic-book composition. Marmite.

6: Gigli (2003)
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez and Al Pacino
In Seven (or more) Words: Don't mistake me, if Pacino had a greater role, this film would rival for the number one spot. As it is, Al cameos as a mob boss, which in all fairness is what he does best. Still, Gigli is much maligned and possibly a contender for the worst film of the 21st century.

5: Jack and Jill (2011)
Starring: Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes and Al Pacino
In Seven (or more) Words: I don't know why I watched this. Al Pacino plays himself for a few minutes, before realising that, for all the money in the world, appearing in an Adam Sandler vehicle just isn't worth it. Again, this would be topping the list if Pacino had more extensive screen time.

4: 88 Minutes (2007)
Starring: Al Pacino, Alicia Witt and Deborah Kara Unger
In Seven (or more) Words: Before I ramble on, I must clarify Al Pacino is one of my favourite actors, and has submitted some of the most unique and celebrated performances in cinematic history; The Godfather, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon and Scent of a Woman to name a few. Having said that, 88 Minutes is fucking diabolical. I doused my eyes with drops post film, but this did not liberate the mind from the '106 minutes' of footage I had just witnessed. And to think, Mr Pacino made three inferior movies.


3: Righteous Kill (2008)
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Curtis Jackson
In Seven (or more) Words: With Michael Mann's Heat, where a profusion of action was hurled at excited audience members, one understated scene stood out. It occured in a late night cafe and had two of the greatest screen actors conversing over a coffee. This was the first time we observed them on screen together. Thirteen years later, Jon Avnet, the man behind 88 Minutes, rekindled these two giants of cinema as two New York City Detectives. The Director hasn't made anything since. This film is probably the reason why.

2: Revolution (1985) 
Starring: Al Pacino, Donald Sutherland and Nastassja Kinski
In Seven (or more) Words: It took me a long time to get hold of this. With a cacophony of muddled accents and a convoluted narrative, Revolution was a misfire. The predatory attack of Pacino's performance from critics was unjust, due to it being a rarity at the time for him to act in such a misjudged movie. A flop yes. But the blame cannot be bequeathed solely to its star.

1: Stand Up Guys (2012)
Starring: Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin
In Seven (or more) Words: Generic. Just like my reviews I guess. Stand Up Guys cannons into first. Why? Watch it. It is abhorrently bad. It hurts to say that, due to my adoration for its three legendary stalwarts. Nonetheless, this is the worst Pacino has ever done. And the ending... dire.

My Next Article Will Be.... The Seven Best Films of the 80's

The Seven Best David Lean Films

7: Ryan's Daughter (1970)

Starring: Robert Mitchum, Trevor Howard and John Mills

In Seven (or more) Words: The thing about David Lean is, that he could unite excessive grandeur with depth in character. Roger Ebert noted that in this film, the acting capsized due to the perpetual scale employed on screen. Although Ryan's Daughter is massive in scope, I believe the likes of Robert Mitchum and Trevor Howard commensurate with the sublime scenery, constituting a finely balanced picture. 

6: Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Starring: Omar Sharif, Julie Christie and Geraldine Chaplin

In Seven (or more) Words: Lean's biggest foray into romance, in terms of the size of the picture, Doctor Zhivago dispatched Omar Sharif as more than a secondary character, combining chemistry and charisma opposite a stunning Julie Christie. Preferable to Boris Pasternak's original novel.

5: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Starring: William Holden, Alec Guinness and Sessue Hayakawa

In Seven (or more) Words: Runs a double narrative with William Holden and Alec Guinness positioned at both ends, although the denouement shunts them together in one of the most action heavy endings of 50's cinema. Palpable tension fixates the viewer, though the highlight is Alec Guinness, who received an Academy Award for Actor in a Leading Role, in realising outstanding bravery and conveying profound intentions as Colonel Nicholson. Lean was right to trust him.

4: Oliver Twist (1948)

Starring: Robert Newton, Alec Guinness and Kay Walsh

In Seven (or more) Words: Lean delved in Dickens twice, directing two incomparable book-to-screen adaptations. With Oliver Twist, Lean utilised Alex Guinness superbly, as the most dimensional Fagin to have appeared in a feature. The tangible Gothic aesthetic, previously seen in Great Expectations, is arguably the most constant of captivating visuals ever committed to cinema. Seek it out!    

3: Great Expectations (1946)

Starring: John Mills, Valerie Hobson and Alec Guinness

In Seven (or more) Words: I can only echo what I said about Oliver Twist. Except Great Expectations is ever so slightly superior. The emergence of Magwitch, and his dialogue with the boy Pip, is the greatest scene Lean ever filmed. In my opinion.

2: Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Starring: Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness and Anthony Quinn

In Seven (or more) Words: Off a smorgasbord of prodigious pictures, this is Lean at his biggest and boldest. Taking a punt on O'Toole as a relative newcomer was risky, but ranks as an extraordinary casting decision. At 3 hours and 38 minutes, the film is flawless. 

1: Brief Encounter (1945)

Starring: Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard

In Seven (or more) Words: Lean with his most beautiful achievement. It is a lovely film about love. Simple and graceful, the antipode of Showgirls, this is wonderful to watch. Superlatives aside, if you ever feel indecisive in love, seek this film out. Heavenly. 

My Next Article Will Be.... The Seven Best Terrible Al Pacino Films

The Seven Best Police Academy Films

7: Police Academy 3: Back In Training
Starring: Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith and David Graf
In Seven (or more) Words: It is a crowning achievement to be considered the least favourable Police Academy film. Many say the standard plunged when Steve Guttenberg jumped ship. I say otherwise. Police Academy 3 is alarmingly atrocious.

6: Police Academy 6: City Under Seige

Starring: Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow and George Gaynes

In Seven (or more) Words: When Police Academy burrowed into 'whodunnit' territory, the plot is outstandingly ridiculous, with even the saving grace of the series, Cmdt. Lassard, becoming tiresome. This is akin to a six year old penning an Agatha Christie novel.

5: Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol

Starring: Steve Guttenberg, Sharon Stone and David Spade

In Seven (or more) Words: Notable for an early screen presence of Sharon Stone, the original Police Academy grads reach grounds of maturity in instructing the 'citizens on patrol'. David Graf, as the gun obsessed Tackleberry, just about carries this particular venture out of the realms of completely awful. Still bad though.

4: Police Academy 7: Mission to Moscow

Starring: Michael Winslow, Leslie Easterbrook and Christopher Lee

In Seven (or more) Words: After a five year hiatus, breaking tradition with the annual promulgation of Police Academy movies, the seventh adventure is a watchable affair. The academy immigrates their ineptitude to Russia, with Christopher Lee, Claire Forlani and antagonist Ron Perlman awaiting them. 

3: Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment

Starring: Steve Guttenberg, Bobcat Goldthwait and George Gaynes

In Seven (or more) Words: The deranged incarnation of Zed McGlunk salvages some humour through his ticks and manic facial expressions. 

2: Police Academy

Starring: Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall and G.W. Bailey

In Seven (or more) Words: The most critically revered, as it should be being the original slice of pie, Police Academy doesn't make the top spot due to my reluctant adoration for a later flick. The script is laden with racist remarks, that one could never get away with now in a comical sense, though this opener still sounds out the rest of the series, with its introduction to the maddest mob of characters 80's cinema produced.

1: Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach

Starring: Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow and George Gaynes

In Seven (or more) Words: Hightower slays an alligator. The (sometimes) gentle giant and most beloved body of the series bequeaths the starring screen credit. For me, the charm overrides the crass, which is why the fuzz's trip to Miami ranks as my favourite.

The Next Article Will Be.... The Seven Best David Lean Films