Movie Marathon: 1990-1993

Awakenings (1990) directed by Penny Marshall, starring Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner

A very touching story about a doctor thrown into a Brooklyn chronic treatment center, who discovers an immense empathy for his patients, who have fallen into comas after rare childhood illnesses. As he investigates their cases further, he discovers brief glimpses at consciousness, and realizes his patients are still aware, waiting to be awakened. Williams's bumbling doctor is an interesting character. He begins his career at the hospital with a clinical background- no work directly with patients. To say he is not a people-person is an understatement. He has, however, a great bounty of compassion, and his bond with Leonard, De Niro's character, is heart-warming.


The Silence of the Lambs (1991) directed by Jonathan Demme, starring Jodi Foster, Scott Glenn, Anthony Hopkins, Brooke Smith

My favorite suspense movie. Demme has a real flair in this movie, augmented by excellent performances. I love the camera shots, the point of view shots, especially during Starling's last scene with Lecter, are spooky. Foster and Hopkins have great interactions. Foster is vulnerable, yet very strong and determined. Hopkins is intelligent, inhuman, enthralling and superbely creepy. Based on one of my favorite books, and definitely the best of the three movies based on Hannibal Lector (I don't count Hannibal Rising).


Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) directed by Jon Avnet, starring Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, Jessica Tandy, Cicely Tyson, Chris O'Donnell

Very sweet movie. Not a gem of film-making per say. I liked the book the movie is based on, and like a lot of the actors, particularly Parker. Lots of cute little stories and turns of phrase that I quote sometimes.

Missy- What we really need is an assertiveness training course for Southern women. But that's a contradiction in terms. Especially you sweetie. You're living in the Dark Ages.

Evelyn- Face it, girls. I'm older and I have more insurance.

Ed Couch- What the hell's this?
Evelyn Couch- That's a low-cholestorol meal. Happy Valentine's.
Ed- Are you trying to kill me?
Evelyn- If I was gonna kill you I'd use my hands.


A League of Their Own (1992) directed by Penny Marshall, starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, Jon Lovitz, Bill Pullman, Rosie O'Donnell

Were there more chick-flicks in the early '90s or something? Anyway, I do like this movie, although I only watch it every once in a while, mostly because I'm not a big baseball fan. I used to not like this movie, because people would always ask me if I was named after Petty's character Kit Keller. I am named after Kit Carson, but that's neither here nor there.

Jimmy Dugan is probably one of my favortie characters, and the best thing about this movie. From "By the way, I loved you in the Wizard of Oz", to "There's no crying in baseball," his lines are classic. It doesn't even have to be a great line. After he has his second talk with Evelyn, during the last game of the World Series, I love the way he starts shaking with repressed rage.

Dottie Hensen- It just got too hard.
Jimmy- It's supossed to be hard. If it wasn't hard everybody would do it. The hard is what makes it great.

Stadium Announcer- Take me home momma and put me to bed. I have seen enough to know I have seen too much.

Umpire- Listen, yesterday that was a ball, tomorrow it might be a ball, but today it's a strike.


Jurassic Park (1993) directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Samuel L. Jackson, B.D. Wong, Wayne Night

Classic thriller movie. Although the dinosaurs look a little fake to me now. at the time they scared the shit out of me. Watching this movie again made me realize I actually had every line memorized, although some of it only truly makes sense to me now. Based on my favorite Michael Crichton novel. I also read that Tim Burton was orignally considered to direct. I like to try to imagine what that film would have been like.