1988
Sky's recent HD revival of 80's 'classic' Cocktail has confirmed a couple of long-term suspicions:
- Yes, it is a hollow, ruthless example of 80's yuppyism gone mad, which would play in a nice Grindhouse double bill with the more worthy Wall Street.
- Some years are better that others - in all aspects. I've suspected for a while that 1988 is pretty low in the pile ....with Die Hard, Roger Rabbit, Midnight Run and Big being a few of the scant box office releases of note. Baron Munchausen, Arthur 2 or Coming To America might be more suitable films to sum up the year.
Musically the story isn't much different. Bon Jovi follwed up Slippery When Wet with New Jersey, Crosby Stills, Nash & Young briefly re-formed and Dylan released Down In The Groove (???!!). Daydream Nation was released, but Hip Hop was the big winner, with It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, Straight Outta Compton and By All Means Necessary hitting the shelves.
Rattle and Hum sums the year up perfectly. It's not rubbish, but it's not Joshua Tree, which came out in the far superior 1987, which also brought us The Untouchables, Full Metal Jacket, Good Morning Vietnam, Lethal Weapon, Robocop - not to mention The Lost Boys, Dogs In Space (one of my favourites) and of course, Wall Street.
1989's a favourite too ....might research that one next.
31st Mar 2008 - Tumblr