Thursday List – Born Into Film:1989 – Luke Grima
The BORN INTO FILM series continues for another week with friend of FRC and real life mate of Scott, Luke Grima.
Luke Grima is a good friend of mine, now please do not hold that against him. He is a great writer and editor of the new and up and coming website ‘Wanna Go To The Movies?‘ so please check it out when you get a chance, also give him a follow on twitter @LGrima.
The ‘Born Into Film’ series of lists is the brainchild of Mike P Williams, staff writer here at FRC. The idea is simple -
List a group of films that were released on the year you were born that you would still like to watching today. No rules on list length, it is up to you. As a bonus, list 3 people or so that were born the same year as you that you admire, either because of their acting / directing / writing skills, or even just because they are hot.
The previous weeks can be found here…
Without further ado, here is Lukes entry…
1989! Bit of a mixed year really. The 80′s finally coming to end as we transition to the next decade but what was it like for films? Well it was sequels galore! But somewhat decent sequels none the less. So let me transport you back 22 years ago! Cue wavy screen-with-harp-music… *dulerdoo dulerdoo dulerdoo*
BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II
Marty McFly and Doc Brown return for the second instalment in one of my favourite film franchises ever. Back To The Future Part II might not be the best sequel among critics but I bloody love this film. It’s full of items that we all craved straight after! Hoverboard and power laced Nikes anyone!?
INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE
The third instalment and the last film in the trilogy (back then anyways). The Last Crusade is probably my favourite Indy sequel, mainly due to the genius inclusion of Sean Connery as Henry Jones. “Junior!”.
HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS
Honey I Shrunk The Kids was a firm favourite during my childhood, the sets were utterly awesome for the time and so were the effects. Directed by Joe Johnson who would then give us The Rocketeer and Captain America.
LETHAL WEAPON 2
Riggs and Murtaugh aren’t ‘too old for this shit’ just yet, in fact there still getting started! I love the Lethal Weapon series just as much as Die Hard. The introduction of Joe Pesci is a slice of comic genius, “Diplomatic immunity”
BILL AND TEDS EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
I watched this film hundreds of times when I was growing up, I found it hilarious and exciting at the same time. So much so I used to try to recreate the time traveling by going behind the living room door with the old corded telephone!
UNCLE BUCK
This film is a timeless classic. Probably one of the late great John Candy’s best. It’s funny and incredibly sweet. I remember the kitchen door swing smack had me in stitches that I would ALWAYS rewind to watch again and again on the old VHS tape.
GHOSTBUSTERS II
A lot don’t seem to like Ghostbusters II, granted in comparison to the first its a blob of slime but I think it’s still got that ‘buster charm and wit. Plus Bill Murray is still on top form.
PARENTHOOD
Ron Howard’s comedy/drama is seriously underrated. Another film I remember watching a fair few times. Had a great ensemble cast and some decent performances, but I will always remember it for that certain ‘bowel movement’ song…
THE ABYSS
I’m not a big James Cameron fan but strangely The Abyss is one of his films I have seen several times, more so than Terminator! I think I loved the deep-sea aquatic storyline, even if it is over 145 minutes!
TURNER & HOOCH
It’s a Tom Hanks film, ’nuff said right? You can’t go wrong with Turner & Hooch. A cop with a sidekick dog that slobbers and chews everything in sight!
Notable actresses born in ’89
Lilly Collins
Hayden Panettiere
Mia Wasikowska
Elizabeth Olsen
Notable actors born in ’89
Daniel Radcliffe
Anton Yelchin
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Nicholas Hoult
Did you enjoy Luke’s list? Do you want to do one? Comment below…
Scott Lawlor
Some great 80s comedy there, Luke! I particularly like BTTF and UNCLE BUCK
I also approve of Lily Collins being born, too.. Shame about who her dad is though =P
I got the feeling Scott chose the most eye-browed pic of Lily Collins though! Lol
What a fantastic list of films! I was 8 years old in 1989 so these movies really struck a chord with me. Some I discovered later but many of these were favourites as I was growing up. Very sad to see these beautiful actresses are officially far too young for me haha (like I didn’t know already!)
Very much so, late 80′s early 90s movies were my prime staple!
Nice list, some excellent films from my mid twenties..!
Mia Wasikowska and Hayden Panettiere got all the good looks that passed poor Luke by..
PS: I’d love to have a crack at this.
To be fair, there were only like 10-12 films liked during that year.
Great list Luke, mine probably would have been very similar, I think the eighties holds a certain nostalgia for many in their 20s. Most of these films were on tv fairly regularly when I was younger and they have become firm favourites beacuse of repeat viewings as a kid.
Yeah totally agree. I’d also say a lot of these were recorded from TV by my older sister. Good old VHS.
wow, that sounds like a legendary year on film!
Oooh, and love me some Hayden and Hoult…mmmmm…..
Hi, Tom and company:
Excellent choice and list for 1989!
Lots of films that came in and made their marks for years. Very comedy heavy, highlighted with additions to a few entertaining and profitable franchises. Also a year of introducing a lot of great future talent.
Toss in some experimental films, like ‘The Abyss’. Which Cameron made to test out the deep water Special Effects that were refined and colorized for greater effect in ‘T-2′.
Oops, I misread the article’s lead.
Sorry, Luke.
Tom Hanks was starting to come into his own as a recognized actor. Getting way from the silly and moving slowly to the serious.
Special effects were moving away from the tangible and physical and more towards computers.
As in, ‘Ghostbusters II’ and ‘The Abyss’. John Candy was busily sending solid punches while ‘Bill and Ted’ were just starting to get their licks in. And Spielberg and Hollywood copped the Crown Jewels with the team up of Sean Connery and Harrison Ford.
Steve Martin was still Steve Martin. Preparing himself, with age and wisdom for a shift to the Mamet written drama that is ‘The Spanish Prisoner’.
A very good year, all the way around!
Excellent reply Jack and very spot on! It was definitely a year for sic-fi themed films as well.
Great list – 1989 was definitely a fun year.
But depressing how young everyone is – would love to let loose on the mid-70s.
…I think this feature is crying out for a few older participants even though I love 80s cinema and all the choices so far.
Yup. The thirty-somethings need to fight back. Though the choices so far have been terrific.
Extremely fun!
Sorry my youthfulness depresses you
Lol
Ah, you’ll get over it. We all do
do not panic, I have a feeling us OLDIES will fight back over the coming weeks!!
This is a fascinating list of films because it is the year when I first took notice of going to the cinema. I remember seeing Back To The Future in the local cinema and being completely blown away by it. Good selection Luke!
Thanks Dan, I’d say at least of the list I would of loved to see in the Cinema. Specially Indiana Jones, BTTF2 and The Abyss.
Luckily I did see BTTF on the screen during its anniversary run.
I’ve only see the top three films on this list. Oops! I love these lists. I submitted mine so hopefully you’ll see it in the coming weeks.
You’ve not seen Lethal Weapon 2 or even Uncle Buck!? Wow. Uncle Buck is such a warm hearted classic and one of John Candy’s best.
LOVE ‘The Last Crusade’! That’s my fave of the Indy trilogy as well.
Y’know, seeing that photo of Lilly Collins and Daniel Radcliffe w/ their bushy eyebrows, I wonder what their kids would look like if they have babies, ahah. They might need a lawnmower to trim those!!
Crusade is my second favourite Indy after the first. I think Sean Connery was great. “JUNIOR!”
I’d imagine a Collins-Radcliffe love child would be like Harry from Harry & The Henderson…
Oh my God Elizabeth Olsen is my age? She looks so mature! Great list of movies, love Indiana Jones!
I was surprised myself, seems so much older but alas no, she’s OUR age! Still leaves me 100% of not snagging her though! Lol
Wow talk about a flash back, I was in my early teens in 1989 and remember seeing all those films. I take it you’re not a fan of Tim Burton’s Batman? It was huge that year, I can still remember all the TV clips and print promotions (this was years before the internet) Warner Bros. spent on that film and it paid off. Yeah I know I’m old.
My first Batman experience was Batman Forever. I know Burton’s ’89 was very huge but I rarely watch it even if its on TV. Just not a huge fan where as Forever was primed for my young age at the time.
Nice post Luke. Uncle Buck is indeed a timeless classic.
When I think of 1989 these three films also come to mind:
Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, John Woo’s The Killer, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid