Top Movies Of 1983

From Brian De Palma, starring Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Rated R

Scarface is a 1983 crime drama film directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone. The story follows Cuban refugee Tony Montana as he rises to the top of the criminal underworld in 1980s Miami. After arriving in Miami, Tony gains control of a drug cartel, becoming one of the most powerful gangsters in the city. Despite his success, Tony's unchecked ambition and reckless behavior leads him to violence and tragedy. The film stars Al Pacino, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Steven Bauer, and Robert Loggia.

From Richard Marquand, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi is a 1983 science fiction film directed by Richard Marquand and written by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas. The film is the third installment of the original Star Wars trilogy and the sixth installment of the Star Wars franchise overall. The film sees Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and their allies take on the Galactic Empire in a daring mission to save the galaxy. The mission sees them attempt to destroy the Death Star II and rescue Han Solo from the clutches of the villainous Jabba the Hutt. Along the way, Luke confronts his father Darth Vader and learns the true power of the Force. The film culminates with a climactic battle above the forest moon of Endor where the Rebel Alliance defeats the Galactic Empire.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Diahnne Abbott, Sandra Bernhard
Rated PG

The King of Comedy is a 1982 black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, and Sandra Bernhard. It follows struggling stand-up comedian Rupert Pupkin who attempts to achieve success in show business by stalking and kidnapping his idol, a late night talk show host. As Rupert's misguided attempts become increasingly desperate, he begins to lose touch with reality, and ultimately learns a harsh lesson about the consequences of his actions. The film is a darkly comedic exploration of celebrity worship, ambition, and the dangers of letting dreams become obsessions.

From Philip Kaufman, starring Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid
Rated PG

"The Right Stuff" is a 1983 biographical drama directed by Philip Kaufman and based on the non-fiction book by Tom Wolfe. Chronicling the early years of the U.S. Space Program, the film follows the original Mercury 7 astronauts and their families as they prepare for and participate in the first human space flights. The movie follows the astronauts from their selection process and training, through their historic flights and through their struggles as they become national heroes. The film focuses on the courage and bravery of the astronauts and their families as they face the unknown and uncertain dangers of space travel. With a strong ensemble cast featuring Sam Shepard, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid, and Scott Glenn, "The Right Stuff" is a thrilling and inspiring look at one of the greatest accomplishments of the 20th century.

From Directors: Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, starring John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones
Rated R

The Meaning of Life is a Monty Python comedy film released in 1983. The film is a series of sketches that explore the various perspectives on the meaning of life. The sketches include a man who finds himself stuck in a never-ending job interview, a parody of a publicity film for a luxury hotel, a man who is forced to eat an ever-growing amount of food, a group of Catholic school girls who sing a song about the various stages of life, and the finale, a musical number that celebrates the joys and difficulties of life. The film also includes a parody of a TV show on the meaning of life, and a series of absurdist sequences. The film pokes fun at religion, science, and pop culture, and is filled with absurdist humor.

From John Landis, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche
Rated R

Trading Places is a classic 1983 comedy directed by John Landis. The film follows the story of two wealthy men, Randolph and Mortimer Duke (played by Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche), who make a bet to see what would happen if their social statuses were reversed. As part of the bet, they manipulate the lives of two men, Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd), and Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy). Winthorpe is a commodities broker, whose life is destroyed when he is framed for a crime and loses his job. The Dukes give Valentine the job and all of the benefits that come with it, while Winthorpe is taken off the street and forced into a life of poverty. With the help of a prostitute named Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis), Winthorpe and Valentine team up to prove the Dukes wrong and win back their places in society. In the end, the two men succeed in exposing the Dukes' corrupt deeds and restoring their fortunes.

From James L. Brooks, starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito
Rated PG

From Robert Bresson, starring Christian Patey, Sylvie Van den Elsen, Michel Briguet, Vincent Risterucci
Rated Not Rated

From Harold Ramis, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Imogene Coca, Randy Quaid
Rated R

From Bill Forsyth, starring Burt Lancaster, Peter Riegert, Fulton Mackay, Denis Lawson
Rated PG

From Nagisa Ôshima, starring David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Takeshi Kitano
Rated R

From David Cronenberg, starring Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Herbert Lom
Rated R

From David Cronenberg, starring James Woods, Debbie Harry, Sonja Smits, Peter Dvorsky
Rated R

From Lawrence Kasdan, starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt
Rated R

From John Badham, starring Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy, John Wood, Dabney Coleman
Rated PG

From Mike Nichols, starring Meryl Streep, Kurt Russell, Cher, Craig T. Nelson
Rated R

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze
Rated PG

From Roger Spottiswoode, starring Nick Nolte, Ed Harris, Gene Hackman, Joanna Cassidy
Rated R

From Penelope Spheeris, starring Chris Pedersen, Bill Coyne, Jennifer Clay, Timothy O'Brien
Rated R

From Paul Brickman, starring Tom Cruise, Rebecca De Mornay, Joe Pantoliano, Richard Masur
Rated R

From Barbra Streisand, starring Barbra Streisand, Amy Irving, Mandy Patinkin, Nehemiah Persoff
Rated PG

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, Bradford Dillman
Rated R

From Tony Scott, starring Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, Susan Sarandon, Cliff De Young
Rated R

From John Glen, starring Roger Moore, Maud Adams, Louis Jourdan, Kristina Wayborn
Rated PG

From Richard Franklin, starring Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Meg Tilly, Robert Loggia
Rated R