Robert Wise’s “The Haunting” has its moments, but the endless, insufferable voiceover narration really detracts.
I definitely agree that “The Shining” should not make the list. The film is overlong and paced far too slowly and erratically to be really effective as a horror film. It has its moments, to be sure. But there are too many long stretches where nothing very interesting happens.
Like Pizzagrrl and mrm_in_wmc, I was astonished that there was no mention in the article of Rob Reiner’s “The Sure Thing” (1985), which is perhaps John Cusack’s greatest film. That film, along with “Better Off Dead,” released in that same year, represent the pinnacle of Cusack’s career for me. On the other hand, it doesn’t seem to me that he’s appeared in much of anything worth seeing since “Grosse Point Blank” and “Con-Air” in 1997. Mr. Schlichter, I think you’ve treated Cusack’s early teen comedies overly harshly here. But you’re quite right that he’s become insufferable in the last decade as a political activist and politically-minded dramatic actor.
Don't forget Creepshow, Death Wish II, Eating Raoul, and The Evil Dead!
The Incredibles and Spider-Man 2 were both 2004. But 2002 was still a really good year: 28 Days Later, The Bourne Identity, Catch Me If You Can, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Panic Room, Reign of Fire, Resident Evil, The Ring, Road to Perdition, Signs, Spider-Man, and We Were Soldiers.
Don't forget The Birds! And The Raven--Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, and Peter Lorre!
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai, All of Me, Beverly Hills Cop, Ghostbusters, Gremlins, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Once Upon A Time in America, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Romancing the Stone, Sixteen Candles, and The Terminator. Plus add A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott on TV. Yes, 1984 was a great year for movies!
Not necessarily. For example, the director’s cut of James Cameron’s “Aliens” is definitely superior to the original release version. Yet Cameron was compelled by the studio to make edits to the film for its theatrical run in order to conform to the shorter running time that the studio arbitrarily demanded. Still, directors’ cuts are quite often simply about making more money, as you say.
By the way Cam , that's Mr. Koboyashi.
"Director’s cuts are boring non-events"
I think that's probably a little too harsh. Still, I've seen enough directors' cuts myself to know that they're not necessarily any better than the original theatrical release. Some certainly are, but overall, directors' cuts are a real mixed bag.
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