Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)

Though it's full of over-the-top personalities -- a hypochondriac television writer, an ex-addict flitting from job to job, a happy husband who nonetheless cheats with his wife's sister, boozy, elderly ex-showbiz parents who can't stop recounting their glory days -- it's also grounded in realism. None of these people seem like fictions, just unsatisfied and unsure.

Even though I was frustrated at the messiness of these lives and annoyed with their dissatisfaction, it's still a hopeful film. Yes, it's worth it to pursue happiness because, every once in a while, we catch it.

A-

Thrashin' (1986)

Corey is a meathead who has two things going for him: his physique and his skateboard skillz. His friends -- aka the "Ramp Locals" -- run afoul of the L.A. group "The Daggers" when they come to town to participate in a pool competition and the gnarliest downhill board race THE L.A. MASSACRE. The Daggers take an instant dislike to Corey because he's a threat competition-wise and he's got eyes for Chrissy, who turns out to be the sister of Tommy Hook, leader of The Daggers.

The skating sequences makes this almost watchable. Almost.

D-

A Room with a View (1986)

Lucy and her chaperone are vacationing in Florence when Mr. Emerson and son George offer to trade rooms with them so that the women can enjoy the view. Unlike the other British travelers staying in the same hotel, the Emersons lead with joy and passion for all the world offers. Lucy, like the rest, isn't sure how to navigate such unexpected behavior, but can't help but get briefly swept up by George. Once back home, Lucy goes back to coloring within the lines again and gets engaged to the snobbish Cecil.

I started this at the end of the night, planning to just watch 30 minutes or so before turning in. But then, there I was, watching the credits and crying lovely happy tears.

B+

F/X (1986)

The feds have gangster DeFranco willing to testify but, in order to keep him alive 'til trial, they decide to fake his murder. Roland is well-known for handling movie special effects, so he's hired by the FBI to work his magic & soon finds out he wasn't told the entire plan.

Though it's a fun enough plot, there are a couple of major flaws. 1) Roland becomes a killing machine -- which is quite the lifestyle change -- in no time flat and 2) his assistant Andy might be the worst actor I've ever seen,  and I'm including the casts of my kids' elementary school Christmas plays in that assessment.

C+

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Although I've seen this at least 4 times, it'd been a couple of decades since the last time. Yep -- still funny and the soundtrack is brilliant.

B+

Manhunter (1986)

William Petersen's brooding know-it-all profiler goes after a family killer, chats up the imprisoned Hannibal Lektor (no, I don't have any idea why the spelling's different here than in Silence of the Lambs) and, generally, made made us giggle with all of his intense monologues.

The movie's not terrible, but the soundtrack truly is.

C+

Nine 1/2 Weeks (1986)

This is basically five musical montages with a domination-submission relationship serving as the "story" between numbers.

The flat-out terrible acting, over-dependence on the soundtrack, and just a general seediness made this one tough film to sit through.

F

True Stories (1986)

I love quirky. Makes me smile. This, however, veered from quirky to downright weird a few too many times for me. The fashion show, the dinner scene (which, despite the fact that I'm a fan of Spalding Gray monologues, bored me silly -- though I admit it was visually stunning), and the mere existence of Swoosie Kurtz's character went overboard -- while John Goodman's character, the lying woman, and walking through the mall (took me right back to my high school years: Jeans West, County Seat, and Kinney Shoes, baby!) were just right. I also really enjoyed several of the karaoke-ish numbers, especially "Wild Wild Night" (in the club), the one the 4-H Kids sang (but I forget what it was now) and "People Like Us" (Louis's Talent Show Song).

My absolute favorite scenes were the scenes in which Byrne was playing tour guide -- his deadpan just killed me: "They sell a lot of these, but I don't see anyone else wearing them"; "I have something to say about the difference between American and European cities, but I forgot what it is. I have it written down at home" (probably not accurate quotes -- but something like). I'd have loved an entire film of just him walking around commenting on what he saw and what was running through his head.

This is a true original, if not quite as good as it *could* have been. It almost hurts the film a bit to have several flashes of brilliance interrupted by boring stretches.

B

Sid and Nancy (1986)

Disjointed and loud mess of a movie. Made me ask,"if this is true, why was he famous…?" and "If this isn't true, who would make up such a boring story about self-centered losers?"

The end scene was confusing as hell for me as I knew nothing about these two before watching the film. I thought - OK....that's why he's not in prison for murder or assault...she survived and explained that she asked him to kill her. Gotcha. But NO. I read up on it after seeing the film and she died alright. Did the filmmakers assume that anyone who would watch this would know the story inside and out and recognize the end scene as fantasy?? Made me mad.

D

At Close Range (1986)

Let me just get this out of the way: why are all the guys in this movie wearing eyeliner? I don't get it...

Anyway -- this is a "based on a true story" movie so, of course, I looked up the true story. What I found out was that this film had terrifying source material, but the movie pulled punches far too many times. I didn't feel distraught at all...I mean, the thing that stood out to me weren't the crimes, it was the EYELINER ON THE ACTORS, for crying out loud.

And what was up with "he's an epileptic" being tacked on every time Strathairn was introduced? It seems the sole reason for this tidbit of repeated information was so that we could see one scene of him having a seizure in bed...alone. Um. Poignant?

C

The Morning After (1986)

Entertaining, but incredibly predictable, thriller. Dated in every way -- from style to score.

C+

Stand by Me (1986)

Just as good this time (my fourth viewing) as it was the first time I saw it. All four boys are terrific in their roles -- I was reminded anew what a treasure we lost when River Phoenix died.

A-

Legend (1986)

Wretched in every way. Just a complete muddle of stupid ideas and imagery.

F

Mona Lisa (1986)

Confusing ugly nightmare. And it was kind of seamy, too.

C-

Crimes of the Heart (1986)

Apparently, a mother's suicide can really screw kids up.

Duh.

C

Working Girls (1986)

What we see is a day in the life of a brothel working girl. This is no cartoonish whorehouse with supermodels in garter belts sucking poutily on their fingers while lounging suggestively on chaise lounges in a gaudy parlor. These are real-looking women at the workplace.

Nothing unusual happens today. Someone calls in sick, someone has to pick up an extra shift, someone new starts work, lunch is ordered, jokes are shared, co-workers talk about how much they hate their boss, just a normal day, just a normal job.

Only it's not a normal job. This is such an honest film, it blew me away. Prostitution isn't glamorized, nor is its depiction harsh enough to scare you straight. Good script, well worth seeing.

The drawback? Obvious amateurs in most of the roles. Sometimes the acting is wooden -- but it can be forgiven because everything else is anything but.

B-