Year of the Day: 1989

I have been putting this post off all day, not just because of legit work to do, but also because I couldn't believe how great 1989 was in terms of movies. Of course, the movies of the late 80s and early 90s resonate strongly with me as I watched so many of them when I was young. So, here's a jog down the memory lane of '89.

Batman
The recently revamped Batman movies have sort of overshadowed the original, but I think once the sting of Heath Ledger's death has passed, this movie will pull up even with Christopher Nolan's films. Michael Keaton was a dark horse choice for Batmna, and it paid off. Tim Burton helped America fall in love with a tormented hero. I think we were happy for the departure from the mild mannered Clark Kents of the superhero world. I feel like I've talked about Batman way too much on this blog, so I'll just leave you with this clip.


Lines to Quote:
-"Have you ever danced in the pale moonlight?"
-"You made me. Remember? You dropped me into that vat of chemicals. That wasn't easy to get over, and don't think that I didn't try."
-"As though we were made for each other... Beauty and the Beast. Of course, if anyone else calls you beast, I'll rip their lungs out."
-"Where does he get those wonderful toys?"


Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
It's a shame they went ahead and made the fourth Indiana Jones. I still haven't seen it, and probably never will after my dad and my uncle AJ both trashed it. But, who can't love the third installment. Indiana is not only joined by Sean Connery, but he also combats Nazis; the basis is pretty fool proof. It has always left me with the impression that I should choose wooden silverware when the opportunity arises.

Couldn't find a full scene, but here's a TV spot:


Lines to Quote:
-"Junior?!?!" "Don't call me that, please."
-"Nazis. I hate these guys."
-"Our situation has not improved."
-"You call this archaeology??"
-"You chose wisely."


Field of Dreams
If only Kevin Costner had thrown in the acting towel after this film, he might be regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation. If I ever encounter someone who cannot place the line, "If you build it, he will come," I know not to waste my time on them. There are certain movies people should know, and know well. Field of Dreams is one of them. Every viewing peels back another layer of this movie, even if you know exactly what path Ray takes. I also find that the end shot, with all the cars rolling up the driveway looks different--and more moving--every time.



Lines to Quote:
-"I'm going to beat you with a crowbar until you leave!" ... "You're a pacifist!" "...Shit."
-"At least he's not a book burner, you Nazi cow."
-"Where did all of these baseball players come from?"
-"Ease his pain." "Go the distance." (obviously)



Major League
1989 was a good year for baseball movies. I've seen Major League more times than is healthy, but there are worse things than being able to quote this movie from start to finish. In fact, I still feel some loyalty to the actual Cleveland Indians because of this movie, even if I am actually a Yankees fan. From the locker room antics to the awkward dinner scene where Jake makes his love for Lynn very clear, I have a hard time narrowing down my favorite part.

Also, my brother and I both confessed at one point that we thought keeping our hands flat like Willie Mays Hayes would make us run faster:


I was playing in the championship game in my kickball league this summer and as the pitcher took the mound, someone starting singing "Wild Thing." I mean, really, does it get any better than that? At a kickball game!


Wow, there is no shortage of great clips on Youtube, but I will try to prevent myself from pasting more than the two below:



Lines to Quote:
-"Hats for bats. Keep bats warm."
-"You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
-"You may run like Hayes, but you hit like shit."
-"Strike this motherfucker out."
-"Oh, what a bunch of bullshit! I have a much better body than she does!"
-"We should've gotten a live chicken."
-"I say fuck you, Jobu. I do it myself."


Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
Oh man. Where do I begin? And once I do begin, where do I end? This movie brings Christmas-morning-when-you're-six-years-old joy to my heart. Although the take away message that history is actually cool feels a little heavy handed, there's a lot more subtlety to the comedic dialogue between Bill, Ted and the historical figures. This is yet another movie that I can quote without even meaning to. In fact, during my trip to Russia, I quietly uttered "there were many steps and columns," to which Tucker was reduced to a fit of laughter. He then quoted the entire line from their history report, which is: "It looked like the cover of Led Zeppelin album 'Houses of the Holy.' We were there. There were many steps and columns. It was most tranquil." Granted, this must have been annoying to Katja, who probably hasn't seen it and could in now way benefit from our endless giggling over one line.

I think I mispronounced Socrates name for months because of this movie.

I can't decide which part is better: Genhgis Khan in the sports store or Mozart in the music store.


I love that Napoleon is a jerk, while giving the report too:


Lines to quote:
-"Nah, just have a minor Oedipal complex."
-"You killed Ted you medieval dickweed!!!"
-"seven minutes ago... we, your forefathers, were brought forth upon a most excellent adventure conceived by our new friends, Bill... and Ted. These two great gentlemen are dedicated to a proposition which was true in my time, just as it's true today. Be excellent to each other. And... PARTY ON, DUDES!"
-"Billy, you are dealing with the oddity of time travel with the greatest of ease."
-"Do you know where there are any personages of historical significance around here?"


There were a few other movies that I wanted to write about but didn't want to go on forever. I will mention them in passing: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, When Harry Met Sally, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and Turner & Hooch.