443 of 1001 Albums: Happy Mondays' Bummed

I've been really wanting to hear some music like this from the 80's. It's got this electronic vibe that is something you will only hear in the 80's. This song has some great guitar riffs as well, and I like the upbeat tone of the songs as well. Happy Mondays also has a really great band name! Anyways, I ended enjoying and welcoming this album to listen to.

History: Released in 1988, the album would be met with generally good reviews and a sound that was a bit different than what others had known them for. The band added in more echoes and other sounds for a style of electronic that would inspire the future of Madchester genre. You'll hear a variety of genres meshed in from rock to funk on this album for a sound that really does bring something interesting for the ears.

442 of 1001 Albums: Dinosaur Jr.'s Bug

I often see that Dinosaur Jr. is playing in a nearby city, but yet I had never heard what the band sounded like before. Today they made an appearance on the list as I was reading through to see what was next, and I was finally going to give a listen. I can definitely see why they have a strong appeal to the Athens, Ga scene. They are very indie sounding. The songs are raw, but show case the talent of the band.

History: This album is from the alternative rock band, and is the third one. The band released this in 1988, and honestly it sounds so different from the sounds associated with the 80's. The band is getting in gear for more of the 90's sound I'm familiar with. The album has mostly positive reviews from critics as well. If you're not familiar, the album also falls under the category noise rock.

221 of 1001 Movies: Cinema Paradiso (1988)

About the first five minutes of this movie seemed to want to waste time on sharing all the awards it had won and been nominated for. There are three versions to choose from this. The director's cut at 174 minutes long, the original version at 155 minutes long, and the international/theatrical version at 124 minutes long. When I started watching the version I had it was the 124 minutes one, and the fact that the first few minutes were awards it won just seemed like a waste considering the length of the other two. Otherwise, in the tradition of Italian cinema they know how to make a powerful, character-driven, drama.

Summary: Salvatore is sent word by his mother that an old friend, Alfredo, has died. Salvatore hasn't visited the city he left where is family is though since he was a young man. As an older man he recalls how before becoming a filmmaker he befriended a projectionist who introduced him to his love of movies.  Now for the first time in almost 30 years he will be returning home to not only bury an old friend but hopefully to move on from lost love as well.

190 of 1001 Movies: Rain Man (1988)

One of the main reasons I will give Rain Man the rating I do is because it really does bring about some emotions. Otherwise though there felt something lacking about the depth in Barry Levinson's drama showing two brothers getting to know each other after years apart. There are a lot of moments where the movie pulls you in, and then it randomly occurs you to you that this almost feels like a movie trying to be feel good because it's so easy for it to. The performances in the movies are really good though, and Dustin Hoffman is brilliant. As someone who isn't a huge fan of many of Tom Cruise's work, I have to say that I forgot he was Tom Cruise while watching him in this movie as well.

Summary: Charlie Babbit's father has died, and when he discovers he wasn't left the fortune he is furious and rushes to where it can be found. When he gets there though he finds he has an autistic brother that he never knew about, Raymond. In the belief that he can exchange his brother for half the money, he drives away with Raymond in tow. What Charlie instead discovers is the relationship with his brother that he was deprived of.

181 of 1001 Movies: Bull Durham (1988)

Writing and directing, Ron Shelton, brings to life the baseball team of the Durham Bulls. With strong enough characters to keep me watching, it is a movie that I could enjoy at least that way, but for the person who isn't a baseball fans there are a lot of scenes with just baseball lingo and scenes that can drag, and it doesn't even get that magic interest that The Natural does for you. Kevin Costner and Susan Surandon have a lot of chemistry though, and that is what works about the movie, along with some humor from Tim Robbins.

Summary: Nuke is a new player on the scene, and a fan, Annie, usually picks one of the top players to have an affair with for each length of the season every year. This year though, Nuke is sent a mentor to help hone in his wild ways after the coach finds him in the locker room with a woman. Annie finds that she isn't falling for the man she chose to have an affair with though, but instead the man who was sent to mentor him through the season, Crash. It is further complicated by the fact that Crash has feelings for her as well.

177 of 1001 Movies: Die Hard (1988)

I guess after you make a flop like Rollerball your career goes away after that, as John McTiernan only made one movie since that one. Before that disaster though, he directed Die Hard. I've got to say I enjoyed it way more than I expected to. It is an action film that relies on a lot more action effects that seem natural since CGI wasn't overused in those days since it usually didn't look good. Instead real explosions, lots of stunts, fighting, and pretty colors highlight this film, and make it a definite action classic.

Summary: John McClane has traveled from New York where he has a job with the NYPD, to visit his wife and kids who have moved to California for her job. Her new job being at a distance, and him wanting to continue to reside in New York has caused some friction between the two.  He hopes they can reconcile on this visit though during Christmas. When he gets there though he doesn't get to chat with her long as the office is taken over by foreign terrorist, Hans Gruber, who is out to get the money there. Now the Christmas Party has been interrupted with violence and chaos, and John is the only hope that any of the hostages inside have of escaping the carnage.

369 of 1001 Albums: The Go-Betweens' 16 Lovers Lane

This Australian Indie Pop group released their sixth album in 1988. They show that indie pop has always been quite good. This would actually be the band's last album till 2000. That's not too shocking considering the band was crumbling by the time this album was released.The group though put out an album that should be well good enough for fans, and new listeners to enjoy for a while though.

The group also knows how to begin an album. "Love Goes On!" is a fun ballad that has so many turns in, it will keep you listening. It starts out better than it ends though, which is rare for a song to do. After this the band continues on a good streak with "Quiet Heart", which definitely seems like a more quiet, and romantic 80s ballad. It shows that there was still some good music coming out the year I was born, 1988.

93 of 1001 Movies: Akira (1988)

Anime fan or not, Akira is worth watching as the story involved is quite intriguing. The movie is a landmark movie for Japanese animation, and it utilizes a lot of cinematic vibes to make it fully interesting. The characters have a little build up to tie in the viewer to them, and you can't help but focusing on the animation as you watch. Katsushiro Otomo brings his work of Akira to light, and weaves in the social issues involving the government, and the tight bonds of friendships as well.

During a riot one night between protesters and the government Tetsuo finds himself fallen into a government project called Akira. Tetsuo disappears after his run so the government can keep an eye on the powers he's run into effects on him. Kaneda wants to help his friend especially after seeing him after he escaped the facility and seeing how much trouble he is in. He's going to have to go through sketchy politicians, a powerful military, and irresponsible scientists to help his friend if there is a chance though. Tetsuo's powers are growing though, and they are making him psycho putting everyone in danger.

87 of 1001 Movies: Big (1988)

To be honest I can't remember many movies I've seen with Tom Hanks. It's true, I'm still missing out on Forrest Gump, but no worries I will watch soon. Big was a great place to star though because it proves without a doubt that Tom Hanks is one of the most talented actors around. To capture the enthusiasm and simplicity of being a kid when you're not a kid is difficult. Yet the line has to be straddled of a  boy who is on the verge of being a teenager also, and while that isn't always captured as well it still is a cute movie from Penny Marshall with some moments that are hilarious but few.

Josh feels like most kids on the verge of being a teenager. He wants to do all these adult things, but his current size and age prohibit him from being able to do so. He wants to date the older girl, and ride the big rides at the fair, but that is at a loss until he comes across a machine at the fair that grants wishes. He cast his wish, and unexpectedly finds himself to be as he requested...big. As an adult though things start off a little difficult. His mom thinks he's an intruder, he doesn't have a job, and since being banned from his house he needs to find a place to live. With the help of his 12 year old friend they begin planning, and Josh finds himself growing up quicker than he imagined.