reiher@ucla-cs.UUCP (01/14/85)
This week's Sunday LA Times Calendar section included a list of all of the
films which are currently planned to be released in 1985 in the US. I have
already posted the SF/fantasy films. This article includes the non- sf/
fantasy films which sounded particularly interesting to me. Posting the
full article is impossible, as there are about 250 films listed in it.
Not all of the films listed will be good, of course, and some of them may
not even be released.
The name of the releasing studio is in parenthesis at the end of each blurb.
Any comments I might have are in brackets. The rest of the material was
compiled by John Horn of the Times.
Winter
"Alamo Bay"
Director Louis Malle's story of a young woman (Amy Madigan) whose love
for a volatile Texas fisherman (Ed Harris) draws her into a deadly confrontation
between local shrimpers and Vietnamese refugees. (Tri-Star)
"The Breakfast Club"
An adolescent version of "The Big Chill" focussing on a group of five
high-school students who learn about themselves and each other when they
are brought together while serving detention. Written and directed by John
Hughes, with Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson,
and Emilio Estavez. (Universal)
"The Falcon and the Snowman"
Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn star in the true story of two affluent
youths who delivered classified material to the Russians and were
eventually captured by CIA and FBI agents. Directed by John Schlesinger.
[A preview showing is scheduled at UCLA in a couple of weeks, after which
I will probably post a review.] (Orion)
"Maria's Lovers"
Natassja Kinski is Maria; the men in her life include John Savage,
Keith Carradine, and Vincent Spano [and Robert Mitchum as her father].
Directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, the Russian emigre who directed "Siberiade".
[At UCLA next week; Konchalovsky may answer questions after the film.]
(Cannon)
"The Mean Season"
Kurt Russell stars as a reporter whose life is endangered when he
establishes a relationship with a killer while in pursuit of a story.
Co-stars Mariel Hemingway. Directed by Philip Borsos ("The Grey Fox").
(Orion)
"The Purple Rose of Cairo"
Woody Allen writes and directs - but does not appear in - the
story of a housewife (Mia Farrow) infatuated with a screen character
(Jeff Daniels). (Orion)
"The Ultimate Solution of Grace Quigley"
Katherine Hepburn stars in this black comedy about a wily woman
who sets up shop with a hit man (Nick Nolte) to help usher the elderly
out of their misery and into the hereafter. Directed by Anthony Harvey.
(Cannon)
"Witness"
Harrison Ford plays a tough Philadelphia police captain who
clashes with - and then falls for - a young Amish widow (Kelly McGillis)
when her son is the sole witness to a police slaying. Peter Weir directs.
(Paramount)
Spring
"After Hours"
Martin Scorsese directs a comedy about a young man (Griffin Dunne)
who is plunged into a night of bizarre adventures as he tries to get out of
the Soho district of Manhattan. Co-stars Rosanna Arquette and Teri Garr.
(Warner Bros.)
"The Aviator"
Chritopher Reeve stars as a tough pilot turned introvert by a
tragic accident, and Rosanna Arquette [a busy year for her; she has yet
another movie coming out later] is a rebellious teenager who inspires him
to unexpected resourcefulness when their plane crashes in the wilderness.
Directed by George Miller ("The Man From Snowy River"). (MGM/UA)
"Big Trouble"
The stars of "The In-Laws" are reunited in another comedy. Alan
Arkin plays an insurance salesman who inadvertently turns to crime in an
effort to finance his children's education, and Peter Falk is the swindler
who leads Arkin into the scam. Directed by John Cassavettes. (Columbia)
"The Hit"
Willie Parker (Terence Stamp) turned on his friends 10 years ago,
and now they have a contract out on his life. But Braddock (John Hurt),
a professional hit man, finds this is no ordinary elimination. [A good
but not great film I saw at last summer's Filmex, LA's film festival.
Good performances, but the ending doesn't live up to the film's promise.]
(Island Alive)
"Into the Night"
Paul Mazursky (producer) and John Landis (director) team for a story
of international intrigue set against the backdrop of nighttime Los Angeles.
With the eclectic cast of Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Pfeiffer, Richard
Farnsworth, Kathryn Harrold, Roger Vadim, Vera Miles, Dan Aykroyd, and
David Bowie (as an assassin), and a host of Hollywood filmmakers in cameo
appearences. (Universal)
"Mask"
Peter Bogdanovich's directorial return (after a four-year layoff)
centers on Rocky Dennis, an otherwise typical teen-ager whose face is so
congenitally disfigured it appears he's wearing a bizarre mask. Rocky is
befriended by the motercycle gang of which his mother (Cher) is a member
and falls in love with a blind girl. Based on a true story, with Sam Elliott
and Eric Stolz as Rocky. (Universal)
"O.C. and Stiggs"
Robert Altman directs this comedy about a pair of "problem" teen-agers
in pursuit of a most monstrous summer vacation. Stars Jane Curtin, Dennis
Hopper, and Martin Mull. [Except for the presence of Altman, this sounds
exactly like any of a couple of dozen other youth pictures coming out next
year. Altman, however, can be counted on for something unusual.] (MGM/UA)
"The Slugger's Wife"
Neil Simon writes about a struggling baseball player (Michael
O'Keefe) who hits a slump when his wife (Rebecca De Mornay) leaves him and
returns to her career as a rock singer. Hal Ashby directs. [Again, the
director is the most interesting thing about this film. Who would have
predicted that Hal Ashby would wind up doing Neil Simon films?] (Columbia)
Early Summer
"Brewster's Millions"
Richard Pryor is Monty Brewster and John Candy is his pal Spike.
Together, they are offerred the chance to spend $30 million in 30 days.
They are also offerred some unsolicited help. Walter Hill directs this
much-filmed story. [Apparently, this film is mostly already shot, as
the trailers are already in the theater and feature a lot of footage.
This is Walter Hill's first try at an all-out comedy. It should be
interesting to see what he does with it.] (Universal)
"Fletch"
Chevy Chase plays investigative reporter/sleuth I. M. Fletcher
who, while posing as a bum to research a story, is asked to murder a
successful businessman. Fletcher then sets out to find the real story.
Directed by Michael Ritchie. [Most of the publicity on this film features
an inserted dream/fantasy sequence of Chase playing for the LA Lakers.
The book was quite good.] (Universal)
"Insignificance"
A famous actress, a famous physicist, a famous ballplayer and
an infamous senator meet in New York in director Nicholas Roeg's story
of life, death, sex, and the universe ... relatively speaking. Stars
Gary Busey and Theresa Russell. [Guess which roles they play. Probably
the year's best bet for being either cancelled or having its release
postponed. Russell's films rarely get out on the first try.] (Island
Alive)
"King David"
Richard Gere [looking silly in braids] stars as Bruce Beresford
directs the story of the young shepherd boy destined to become the ruler
of the kingdom of Israel. (Paramount)
"Kiss of the Spider Woman"
William Hurt and Raul Julia star as two radically different men
who share a prison cell and develop a friendship as one of the cellmates
retells the stories of old movies. Co-stars Sonia Braga [What's she doing
in their cell?] Directed by Hector Babenco ("Pixote")
"Pale Rider"
Clint Eastwood is in the saddle (and the director's chair) in this
story of a bitter feud between prospectors and big-company miners during
the California Gold Rush. [I thought Clint would still be up in a cabin
with Jean Seberg, singing each other choruses of "They Call the Wind Maria".]
(Warner Bros.)
"Perfect"
John Travolta plays a reporter for Rolling Stone whose work takes
him into the world of fitness (where he meets aerobics instructor Jamie Lee
Curtis), drug dealing, and North Africa. Rolling Stone editor Jann Wenner
co-stars. Directed by James Bridges, who teamed with Travolta on "Urban
Cowboy" [About the only Travolta appearence which I found bearable.]
(Columbia)
"A View to Kill"
James Bond (the Roger Moore version) returns to the screen for
the 14th time. Among the cast of heros and villains are Christopher
Walken, Tanya Roberts, Grace Jones, and Patrick MacNee. Directed by
John Glen ("For Your Eyes Only" [far and away the best Bond movie since
Connery stopped doing them]). (MGM/UA)
Late Summer
"Agnes of God"
Norman Jewison directs Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft and Meg Tilly
in John Pielmier's adaptation of his long-running hit play. The story
centers on a young nun accused of murdering her illegitimate child and the
psychiatrist called in to evaluate her sanity. [A good bet that it's release
will be delayed until fall, as is usually the case with serious films.]
(Columbia)
"Flesh and Blood"
A romantic action-adventure set in the 16th century where a mercenary
soldier and a Renaissance man struggle over power, riches and a woman.
Featuring Rutger Hauer and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Directed by Paul Verhoeven
("The Fourth Man"). (Orion)
"Prizzi's Honor"
John Huston directs Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner in a story of
underworld romance. Based on Richard Condon's novel. (Fox)
"Silverado"
Lawrence Kasdan co-wrote, produces, and directs this Western with
Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Linda Hunt, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, and
Rosanna Arquette. [No, she has yet another film coming out this year.
Four films in one year is a lot, nowadays.] (Columbia)
"Year of the Dragon"
Michael Cimino's first film since the disastrous "Heaven's Gate"
stars Mickey Rourke as a respected police captain who finds himself at war
with his department, his wife and his best friend as he attempts to destroy
a powerful Chinatown syndicate. [Nothing made me more inclined to believe
conspiracy theories than the universal panning of "Heaven's Gate", which I
dicovered to be a very good film when I saw it for myself. I hope Cimino
does well with this film, as he took an incredible amount of undeserved
abuse for "Heaven's Gate", as some of the more honest critics are beginning
to admit.] (MGM/UA)
"Young Sherlock Holmes"
Asks the question: What if Sherlock Holmes and Watson began their
lasting friendship when introduced as roommates in prep school? [Well, they
didn't, and I'll bet all you Holmes fans out there are sputtering in
indignation. None the less, some talented people are involved, so maybe it
will turn out OK.] Directed by Barry Levinson ("The Natural"), produced by
Steven Spielberg. [Spielberg's production credits for this year outnumber
the total output of some studios. He's not releasing any films he directed
this year, however.] (Paramount)
Fall
"Black Moon Rising"
Four men attempt to recover a stolen car - and the treasure hidden
in it - from the impenetrable fortress of sophisticated theives. Written
by John Carpenter. (New World)
"Desert Bloom"
The story of a family living in Las Vegas seen through the eyes of
a 13-year-old in 1950 before the start of atomic testing. Stars Jon Voight,
JoBeth Williams, and Ellen Barkin. (Columbia)
"Eleni"
Kate Nelligan, John Malkovich, and Linda Hunt star in the film
adaptation of Nicholas Gage's true story of his mother's love and sacrifice
for her children during Greece's civil war in 1948. Peter Yates directs.
"Lady Jane"
Based on the life of Lady Jane Grey, who was crowned Queen of England
at the age of 16 and reigned for nine days in 1553. Directed by Trevor Nunn,
who staged "Cats" and "Nicholas Nickleby". (Paramount)
"Plenty"
Meryl Streep stars in this story of one woman's life from World War II
to the present. With John Gielgud, Ian McKellan, and Sting. Directed by
Fred Schepisi, based on the play by David Hare. (Fox)
"Revolution"
Hugh Hudson ("Greystoke") looks at the American revolution through
the eyes of a father and son. (Warner Bros.)
"Rocky IV"
The key question: will Sylvester Stallone win or lose the fight in
this third sequel? Written and directed by Stallone, as well. [Originally
I was planning to leave this one out, but I figured *someone* might care.]
(MGM/UA)
"Saving Grace"
Tom Conte is the reluctant Pope Leo XIV, who is inadvertently
locked out of the Vatican [this I gotta see] and travels incognito to a
poor country village where he helps the people rebuild their lives.
Directed by Robert M. Young ("The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez"). (Embassy)
"Target"
A father (Gene Hackman) must reveal his mysterious past to his
son (Matt Dillon) when his wife is kidnapped. Arthur Penn directs.
(Warner Bros.)
"Violets Are Blue"
Sissy Spacek stars as a photojournalist who returns to her home
town after 15 years to find that her first, only, and still love (Kevin
Kline) is not only married and has a son, but that time has also not
diminished his love for her. Directed by Spacek's husband, Jack Fisk
("Raggedy Man"). (Columbia)
"White Nights"
Taylor Hackford directs this story of two men: Gregory Hines,
who gives up politics for art, and Mikhail Baryshnikov, who gives up
art for politics. (Columbia)
Christmas
"A Chorus Line"
The long-awaited adaptation of Broadway's longest-running musical,
about a group of dancers auditioning for director Michael Douglas. Richard
Attenborough directs, Jeffrey Hornady ("Flashdance") choreographs.
[Attenborough performed the almost impossible by bringing it in under its
$16 million dollar budget. I am unsure if that budget includes the $5.5
million paid for the rights to it.] (Embassy)
"Jewel of the Nile"
Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner re-create their roles from
"Romancing the Stone" in this sequel. Directed by Lewis Teague ("Cujo").
(Fox)
"King Solomon's Mines"
A soldier of fortune searches through 1910 Africa for the treasures
of King Solomon's Mines. Along the way, his party must deal with white-
water rapids, tree-inhabiting natives [we all know how hard they are to deal
with], and the evil Dogati, who wants the treasure for himself. Stars Richard
Chamberlain. Based on the novel by H. Rider Haggard. (Cannon)
"Out of Africa"
Robert Redford and Meryl Streep star in a period story set in Africa
about a married writer who falls in love with a big game hunter. [Wouldn't
it be fun if Redford turned out to be the writer and Streep the big game
hunter? Now there's a movie I'd like to see.] Based in part on Isak
Dinesen's book. Directed by Sydney Pollack. (Universal)
"The Music Box"
Blake Edwards directs Ted Danson and Howie Mandel in this comic
tale of two friends, one a movie extra and the other a fast-food restaurant
employee, and their encounters with the Mafia, a fixed horse race, $10,000,
and an antique piano. A remake of the classic Laurel and Hardy short.
(Columbia)
"Pirates"
Roman Polanski directs this story of two shipwrecked rogues determined
to single-handedly capture a wealth-laden Spanish galleon. Stars Walter
Matthau. [A project Polanski wanted to make for years. I heard a story that
he called up Hollywood's best swordfight choreographer and asked him to
arrange the fights in the picture. The choreographer asked how many fights
there were to be. Polanski replied, "One. It starts at the beginning of the
picture and runs to the end." I'm a sucker for a good pirate movie.] (MGM/UA)
No Announced Release Date
"A Breed Apart"
Rutger Hauer [he's getting rather a workout this year, too], Powers
Boothe, and Kathleen Turner [also very busy] star in the story of a mountain
climber (Boothe) hired to obtain some rare bird eggs.
"The Lightship"
The crew of a lightship rescue three heavily armed men who are
desperate to escape US waters. Stars Robert Duvall. Directed by Jerzy
Skolimowski ("Moonlighting"). (Warner Bros.)
"Murphey's Romance"
Sally Field stars in a story of a single mother of a nine-year-old
son and her romance with Murphey (James Garner), the kindhearted but grey-
haired owner of the local drugstore. Directed by Martin Ritt. [Five will
get you ten that it's set in the South.] (Columbia)
Real Iffie stuff
"Hannah and Her Sisters"
New Woody Allen film stars Allen and Michael Caine.
"Two Jakes"
a sequel to "Chinatown", starring Jack Nicholson.
--
Peter Reiher
reiher@ucla-cs.arpa
{...ihnp4,ucbvax,sdcrdcf}!ucla-cs!reihergam@amdahl.UUCP (gam) (01/16/85)
> "O.C. and Stiggs" > Robert Altman directs this comedy about a pair of "problem" teen-agers > in pursuit of a most monstrous summer vacation. Stars Jane Curtin, Dennis > Hopper, and Martin Mull. [Except for the presence of Altman, this sounds > exactly like any of a couple of dozen other youth pictures coming out next > year. Altman, however, can be counted on for something unusual.] (MGM/UA) "OC and Stiggs" were the "writers" of a special National Lampoon issue about two years ago. Mainly it centered around these two guys' intense hatred for the "horribly deformed Schwab family", who happened to be the target of their many (sometimes dangerous!) pranks. With Altman directing, it promises to be a fun film. -- Gordon A. Moffett ...!{ihnp4,hplabs,sun}!amdahl!gam