Top Movies 1987

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D'Onofrio, Adam Baldwin
Rated R

Full Metal Jacket is a war film directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1987. The film follows a group of US Marines from their brutal boot camp training through their experiences in the Vietnam War. It stars Matthew Modine as Private "Joker" Davis, a Marine journalist assigned to cover the conflict. As the film progresses, Joker is forced to confront the harsh reality of war and the inhumanity of his fellow Marines. The film also explores themes of masculinity, conformity, and morality in a brutal and vivid portrayal of the Vietnam War. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Louis Malle, starring Gaspard Manesse, Raphael Fejtö, Francine Racette, Stanislas Carré de Malberg
Rated PG

Goodbye, Children is a 1987 French drama film directed by Louis Malle. The film is set in a Catholic boarding school in occupied France during World War II. The story focuses on two boys, Julien and Jean, who form a close bond as they both struggle to adjust to the harsh realities of the war and their new lives at the school. Julien is a self-declared atheist, while Jean is devoutly religious. The film follows the boys through their day-to-day lives in the school, as they experience bullying, friendship, and the harsh realities of war. Julien's older brother, Robert, is a member of the French Resistance and his presence in their lives forces them to confront the horrors of war. In the end, Julien and Jean must say a heartbreaking goodbye as the school is evacuated for safety reasons, leaving them to face an uncertain future. Goodbye, Children is a powerful and poignant exploration of the impact of war on the lives of children.

From Wim Wenders, starring Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Curt Bois
Rated PG-13

"Wings of Desire" is a 1987 fantasy-drama film directed by Wim Wenders and starring Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin and Otto Sander. The film tells the story of two angels, Damiel and Cassiel, who wander the streets of a divided Berlin and observe its inhabitants. As the story progresses, Damiel falls in love with a mortal woman and decides to become human in order to be with her. The film explores themes of love, mortality, faith, and longing in a visually stunning and poetic way. It won several awards, including the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prize and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director. It has continued to be critically acclaimed and is considered one of the best films of the 1980s.

From Rob Reiner, starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon
Rated PG

The Princess Bride is an iconic fairytale adventure comedy from the 1980s. Directed by Rob Reiner and based on the novel of the same name by William Goldman, the film tells the story of a young farmhand, Westley, and his quest to reunite with his beloved, the beautiful Buttercup. Along the way, he encounters a number of strange characters, including a giant, a prince, a six-fingered man, a master swordsman, and a kind-hearted giant. Through it all, Westley is aided by his faithful friends, including Inigo Montoya, a master swordsman seeking revenge, and Fezzik, a gentle giant. Together, they must battle the evil Prince Humperdinck and his forces in order to reach Buttercup and save her from a forced marriage. With its witty dialogue, hilarious antics, and memorable performances, The Princess Bride is an enduring classic.

From Brian De Palma, starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Charles Martin Smith
Rated R

The Untouchables is a 1987 American crime drama film directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Mamet. It follows the efforts of Treasury Agent Eliot Ness (played by Kevin Costner) to bring down the notorious American gangster Al Capone (Robert De Niro). The film also stars Sean Connery, Andy Garcia, Charles Martin Smith, and Richard Bradford. The film is set in 1930s Chicago, where Ness and his team of agents are trying to bring down Capone's empire. Ness has to battle the corruption that runs rampant through the city and the intimidation tactics of Capone's henchmen. With the help of an alcoholic accountant and a former Prohibition agent, Ness eventually succeeds in putting Capone in jail for tax evasion. The Untouchables is now considered to be one of the best gangster films ever made and has become an iconic film of the 1980s. It was the recipient of four Academy Award nominations and won one: Best Supporting Actor for Sean Connery. The film also won three Golden Globe Awards and was nominated for five other Academy Awards.

From John McTiernan, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, Elpidia Carrillo
Rated R

Predator is a 1987 science fiction action film directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, and Kevin Peter Hall. The story follows an elite team of commandos on a mission to rescue hostages in a Central American jungle. However, they quickly find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior, invisible to the naked eye and intent on hunting them for sport. As the team struggles to survive the dangerous jungle, they soon realize that the only way to defeat their unseen enemy is by working together. With intense action and suspense, Predator is a thrilling sci-fi classic that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers
Rated PG

Empire of the Sun is a 1987 coming-of-age war film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the 1984 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by J. G. Ballard. Set in Shanghai during World War II, the film stars Christian Bale as a young English boy struggling to survive the hardships of a Japanese internment camp. After his parents are separated from him in the chaos of war, the young boy must fend for himself in the unfamiliar and harsh environment of the internment camp. With the help of a friendly American (John Malkovich), he manages to survive and ultimately finds his way to freedom. The story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and the film is widely praised for its cinematography, visual effects and emotional power.

From Bernardo Bertolucci, starring John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole, Ruocheng Ying
Rated PG-13

The Last Emperor tells the story of the life of Puyi, the last emperor of China, and his journey through a tumultuous twentieth century. In the early 1900s, Puyi is a child emperor, living in the Forbidden City with an entourage of eunuchs and court ladies. His life is one of luxury and extravagance, but his reign is cut short by the fall of the Qing dynasty. He is forced to abdicate, and his world is changed forever. He is removed from the Forbidden City and sent to a Japanese prison camp during World War II, before being released and becoming a puppet leader for the Communist Party. He is then sent to a re-education camp, where he must learn to survive in the real world. Through this journey, Puyi discovers both the joys and sorrows of life and the true meaning of freedom.

From Sam Raimi, starring Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley DePaiva
Rated R

Evil Dead II is a 1987 horror-comedy directed by Sam Raimi. It is a sequel to the 1981 cult-classic, The Evil Dead. The film follows hero Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) as he is transported back in time to a cabin in the woods where he must battle the forces of the dead. With the help of a mysterious book and his chainsaw, Ash must fight off the undead and confront his own personal demons as he struggles to survive. Featuring inventive special effects, chaotic action sequences and hilariously dark humor, Evil Dead II is a classic of the horror-comedy genre.

From James Ivory, starring James Wilby, Rupert Graves, Hugh Grant, Denholm Elliott
Rated R

Maurice Hall (Hugh Grant) is a young, upper-class Englishman coming of age in the early 20th century. After falling in love with his childhood friend Clive Durham (Rupert Graves) at university, Maurice is forced to face the harsh realities of English society's attitudes towards homosexuality. Despite family pressure, Maurice refuses to deny his true identity and decides to pursue his love for Clive. With the help of his close friend Dr. Barry (Denholm Elliott), Maurice is determined to find a way to live authentically and in happiness. Along the way, he must contend with the expectations and constraints of his class, the judgment of society, and the danger of being discovered. With a powerful story of love and acceptance, Maurice affirms the beauty of being true to oneself.

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy, Ronny Cox
Rated R

RoboCop is a 1987 science fiction film directed by Paul Verhoeven about a policeman who is brutally murdered and then resurrected as a cyborg law enforcement officer known as RoboCop. Set in a crime-ridden future Detroit, the film follows Murphy, a police officer who is killed in the line of duty and resurrected by the mega-corporation OCP in the form of RoboCop, a cybernetic police officer. RoboCop is programmed to serve the public trust, protect the innocent, and uphold the law, and he quickly becomes an unstoppable force, taking on Detroit's most dangerous criminals. As RoboCop begins to unravel the truth behind his death, he soon finds himself in the middle of a fierce corporate power struggle that could have devastating consequences for the people of Detroit.

From Richard Donner, starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan
Rated R

Lethal Weapon is an action-packed classic from director Richard Donner. The movie follows LAPD detectives Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) as they take on a drug-smuggling crime syndicate led by a former Vietnam War buddy of Riggs'. With two mismatched cops on the case, the investigation quickly escalates into a full-blown war between the law enforcement and the criminals. Along the way, the two must overcome their differences and fight to stay alive, while uncovering the truth behind the corrupt organization. With a great cast and action-packed sequences, Lethal Weapon is an classic action-thriller that is still highly regarded today.

From John Hughes, starring Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean
Rated R

"Planes, Trains & Automobiles" is a 1987 comedy directed by John Hughes. The film follows Neal Page (Steve Martin), an uptight marketing executive on a business trip, and his unlikely travel companion, Del Griffith (John Candy), a loud-mouthed shower curtain ring salesman. After missing their flight, the two must find a way to get to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving. Along the way, the duo encounter a variety of obstacles, from a snowstorm to an obnoxious car rental agent. Despite their many misadventures, the film's comedic moments and heartwarming messages about friendship and perseverance make this an unforgettable holiday film.

From Richard Attenborough, starring Denzel Washington, Kevin Kline, Josette Simon, Wabei Siyolwe
Rated PG

From Percy Adlon, starring Marianne Sägebrecht, CCH Pounder, Jack Palance, Christine Kaufmann
Rated PG

From Woody Allen, starring Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest, Mike Starr, Paul Herman
Rated PG

From Oliver Stone, starring Charlie Sheen, Michael Douglas, Tamara Tunie, Franklin Cover
Rated R

From Barry Levinson, starring Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Tom. T. Tran, Chintara Sukapatana
Rated R

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, Trey Wilson, John Goodman
Rated PG-13

From Alan Parker, starring Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet, Charlotte Rampling
Rated X

From Joel Schumacher, starring Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest, Barnard Hughes
Rated R

From James L. Brooks, starring William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter, Robert Prosky
Rated R

From David Mamet, starring Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum, Lilia Skala
Rated R

From Norman Jewison, starring Cher, Nicolas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello
Rated PG

From Mel Brooks, starring Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman
Rated PG