1985 Top Movies

From Claude Lanzmann, starring Simon Srebnik, Michael Podchlebnik, Motke Zaïdl, Hanna Zaïdl
Rated Not Rated

Shoah is a nine-and-a-half-hour documentary film directed by Claude Lanzmann, which provides an in-depth examination of the Holocaust. Inspired by Lanzmann’s own experiences as a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust, the film is composed of a series of interviews with survivors, witnesses, and perpetrators. It features extensive footage of Auschwitz and Treblinka, as well as visits to other sites of Nazi genocide. The film serves as both an educational history lesson and a meditation on the nature of memory and the power of film to bear witness to the unspeakable horror of the Holocaust.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover
Rated PG

Back to the Future is a 1985 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis. It stars Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a high school student accidentally sent back in time to 1955, where he meets his future parents and becomes his mother's romantic interest. With the help of his friend, scientist Dr. Emmett Brown, Marty must find a way to return to his own time. Along the way, Marty and Doc run into a variety of problems, including Biff Tannen, a bully from the future, and Marty's father being framed for a crime he did not commit. The film was a major success, grossing over $381 million worldwide and receiving critical acclaim. It spawned two sequels, as well as an animated television series, several video games, and a theme park ride.

From Akira Kurosawa, starring Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryû
Rated R

Ran is an epic samurai drama directed by Akira Kurosawa, released in 1985. It is loosely based on William Shakespeare's King Lear and is set in 16th century Japan. The story follows a powerful warlord, Hidetora Ichimonji, who decides to divide his kingdom among his three sons, Taro, Jiro, and Saburo. Despite their protests, the sons reluctantly agree to their father’s plan. However, the unity of the kingdom is soon threatened when the two eldest sons, Taro and Jiro, form an alliance and plot against their youngest brother, Saburo, who is exiled from the kingdom. War ensues as the two eldest sons battle for control of the kingdom. In the end, Hidetora is left alone and broken, losing his sanity as he reflects on his actions. The movie serves as an exploration of power, greed, and the consequences of ambition.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond
Rated R

Brazil is a comic dystopian science fiction film directed by Terry Gilliam and written by Gilliam, Charles McKeown, and Tom Stoppard. The film stars Jonathan Pryce as a daydreaming and isolated low-level government employee, who finds himself caught in the monolithic bureaucratic system of the nation of Brazil. As he attempts to find a way out of the system, he falls in love with a woman who may or may not be real. The film also features Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Bob Hoskins, and Ian Holm in supporting roles. Brazil is a dark, surreal satire of bureaucracy, as it presents a world where conformity and efficiency is taken to the extreme, and all attempts at individuality are quickly squashed. The film's visual style is heavily influenced by German Expressionism and Film Noir, creating a unique and memorable atmosphere. It was nominated for two Academy Awards and received critical acclaim upon its release.

From Richard Donner, starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman
Rated PG

The Goonies is a classic 80’s adventure-comedy directed by Richard Donner. It follows a group of young misfits, dubbed the Goonies, as they attempt to save their homes from foreclosure. After finding an old treasure map, the group embarks on a quest to find the long-lost fortune of the pirate One-Eyed Willy in order to save their homes. Along the way, they encounter a family of criminals, a giant octopus, booby traps, and various other obstacles. Through grit, determination, and good old-fashioned teamwork, they eventually find the treasure and save their homes. Along the way, they learn important lessons about friendship and loyalty, and have a ton of fun doing it.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Avery
Rated PG-13

The Color Purple is a 1985 American period drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. It stars Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, an African-American woman in the American south during the 1930s and 1940s. Celie faces racism, sexism, and physical abuse from various characters, including her own family. Set against this backdrop, Celie struggles to find her own identity, love, and freedom. As she slowly finds her voice, her friendships with the women around her help her to make the most of her dire situation. The film also stars Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, and Margaret Avery.

From Woody Allen, starring Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello, Irving Metzman
Rated PG

The Purple Rose of Cairo is a 1985 romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen. It stars Mia Farrow as Cecilia, a lonely 1930s housewife who discovers a romance with a dashing actor, played by Jeff Daniels, who steps off the screen of her favorite movie and into her life. After Cecilia reveals her affair to her husband, she is ostracized by her small-town community. The film follows Cecilia's journey to find true love and acceptance in a world that doesn't understand her. The film earned two Academy Award nominations, for Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Score. It is considered one of Allen's most beloved films.

From Terry Zwigoff, starring Howard Armstrong, Ted Bogan, Yank Rachell, Ikey Robinson
Rated Not Rated

Louie Bluie is a 1985 documentary film directed by Terry Zwigoff about the life and music of blues musician Howard Armstrong. Armstrong had been a popular figure in the 1920s, when he was a member of the Tennessee Chocolate Drops. However, by the time of the film's release, he had been largely forgotten. The film follows Armstrong, now in his 70s, as he plays music with his old friends and reminisces about his life. Armstrong reminisces about his days as a successful musician, his encounters with legendary music figures such as Louis Armstrong and B.B. King, and his struggles to make a living as a musician in a changing landscape. The film also features interviews with Armstrong's friends and family and performances of his music, including his signature composition "Louie Bluie". The film is an uplifting and inspirational look at Armstrong's life, showing his resilience and dedication to his craft, and his love of music.

From Directors: Greta Schiller, Robert Rosenberg, starring Rita Mae Brown, Maua Adele Ajanaku, Red Jordan Arobateau, Ann Bannon
Rated Unrated

Before Stonewall is a 1984 documentary film directed by Greta Schiller and Robert Rosenberg. The film chronicles the history of the gay rights movement, beginning with the pre-Stonewall era of the 1950s and ending with the launch of the first Gay Pride parades in the early 1970s. It is told through interviews with survivors of the era, as well as archival footage and photographs. The film examines the struggles of LGBT people during the pre-Stonewall era, including the social stigma, police harassment, and lack of political and legal protection. It also highlights the people and events that led to the 1969 Stonewall Riots and the emergence of the gay liberation movement. The film won the Audience Award at the Berlin International Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

From Peter Masterson, starring Geraldine Page, John Heard, Carlin Glynn, Richard Bradford
Rated PG

From Peter Weir, starring Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas, Josef Sommer
Rated R

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Michael Moriarty, Carrie Snodgress, Sydney Penny
Rated R

From William Friedkin, starring William Petersen, Willem Dafoe, Jane Leeves, Cherise Bates
Rated R

From Andrey Konchalovskiy, starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay, Kyle T. Heffner
Rated R

From Peter Bogdanovich, starring Cher, Eric Stoltz, Sam Elliott, Estelle Getty
Rated PG-13

From Lawrence Kasdan, starring Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Kevin Costner, Danny Glover
Rated PG-13

From George A. Romero, starring Lori Cardille, Terry Alexander, Joseph Pilato, Jarlath Conroy
Rated Not Rated

From Sydney Pollack, starring Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Michael Kitchen
Rated PG

From Tom Holland, starring Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Roddy McDowall
Rated R

From Martha Coolidge, starring Val Kilmer, Stacy Peralta, Daniel Ades, Andres Aybar
Rated PG

From John Boorman, starring Powers Boothe, Meg Foster, Yara Vaneau, William Rodriguez
Rated R

From Richard Donner, starring Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Leo McKern
Rated PG-13

From Wolfgang Petersen, starring Dennis Quaid, Louis Gossett Jr., Brion James, Richard Marcus
Rated PG-13

From John Schlesinger, starring Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, Pat Hingle, Joyce Van Patten
Rated R

From Walter Murch, starring Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, Piper Laurie
Rated PG