A lot happened in 1992. U.S. voters were introduced to Texas billionaire and presidential hopeful Ross Perot (plus Dana Carvey's inspired impression of him). Bill Clinton ultimately won. Euro Disney opened in France. The largest shopping mall, Minnesota's Mall of America, was constructed. Mike Tyson was convicted of raping Miss Black Rhode Island (Desiree Washington). Prince Charles and Princess Diana separated. The first Nicotene patch was introduced. Sinead O'Connor ripped up a photo of Pope John Paull II on SNL. Nick Jonas and Miley Cyrus were born (feel old yet?).
The big songs that year were Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" from The Bodyguard, Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" (a staple at all my grade school dances), and Mr. Big's "To Be With You." On TV, Johnny Carson retired and Jay Leno debuted as new host of The Tonight Show. The Cartoon Network was launched. The first Real World premiered on MTV. Also premiering that year? Melrose Place, Mad About You, and The Larry Sanders Show.
I saw a lot of movies in the theater in '92. Let's give a shout-out to these quality also-rans: The Bodyguard, Aladdin, Sneakers, Lethal Weapon 3, Sister Act, Batman Returns, Under Siege, White Men Can't Jump, Alien 3, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Crying Game, The Cutting Edge, Death Becomes Her, The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, Honeymoon in Vegas, Newsies, Last of the Mohicans, Muppet Christmas Carol, Patriot Games, School Ties, Singles, A River Runs Through It, Housesitter, Candyman, Far & Away, and, of course, Ladybugs! And here are your Essentials:
The "Bohemian Rhapsody" sequence is the most famous, but, not unlike the Austin Powers franchise, the first Wayne's World successfully broke free of the SNL curse thanks to Mike Myers, whose singular comedic sensibilities are in full effect here.Paul Verhoeven's sexy, trashy thriller took the Fatal Attraction template and went even further with it. Basic Instinct hit the pop cultural bullseye with several watercooler moments and made a star out of Sharon Stone, even though she spent the remainder of the decade trying (and failing) to emulate her success.This film adaptation of David Mamet's play succeeds in large part due to the script and the all-star cast that's been assembled. Alec Baldwin steals the show in his one brief scene, but Al Pacino and Jack Lemmon are just as deserving of the acclaim.One of Clint Eastwood's best. Yes, it won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1992, but deservedly so. Unforgiven is a slow, methodical western that never fails to impress despite its low-key simplicity. When people discuss the legal accuracy of movies set in the courtroom, My Cousin Vinny always gets mentioned as being one of the most accurate. That may be true, but it's also a clever, funny comedy, featuring fine performances from Joe Pesci and the Oscar-winning Marisa Tomei.
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Robert Altman's pitch-black comedy is chock full of Hollywood in-jokes and cool celebrity cameos. It's also very smart and literate, with an engaging murder mystery at its center. Easily my favorite Altman film. A must-see for any true movie fan.There's no crying in baseball, but Hanks' performance as manager Jimmy Dugan may have you fighting back tears from laughing so hard. This dramedy about the rivalry between two sisters, set amidst the development of the first professional female baseball league is a fine sports movie and a story worth telling.Quentin Tarantino burst onto the film scene with this confident, violent and comedic tale of seven strangers paired together for the "perfect" crime. Things don't go so perfectly. Ears are chopped off. And a brilliant director's career is ignited. Hoo-ah! Al Pacino won an Oscar and was accused of over-acting, but I think he's awesome as the blind, suicidal Lt. Col. Frank Slade. The relationship between him and Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell) is touching and deeply rewarding in the end. Famous for its tango scene, but there's so much more to it than just that. Until M:I-3 came around, A Few Good Men had easily occupied my all-time favorite movie slot for over a decade. Now, it's a solid No. 2. Aaron Sorkin's script is smart and quick on its feet. The performances by the all-star cast are fantastic, with Nicholson's being legendary. You want the truth? This movie rules.
1992 was a solid year for movies. Not that it's top 10 worthy, but Gladiator starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. is definitely a movie that I've seen at least 25 times. I also have very fond memories of standing up in the theater and cheering with my two younger brothers at the end of The Mighty Duck - not because it was over, but because the Ducks were victorious. Nice list, John. Keep it up.
Wow, I didn't realize 1992 was such a great movie year. Wayne's World is one my favorite movies of all time. I do think that the Mighty Ducks deserves to be up there. Quack, quack, quack, Mr. Ducksworth!
First, 1992 was a spectacular year for movies. I have a number that should make the list, but I am not sure that they are better than ties with ones already in the list. I would drop "A League of Their Own" and probably "Basic Instinct." And I would replace them with "Singles" and "El Mariachi." That still leaves me without room for "Sneakers," "Love Potion No. 9" or "Bad Lieutenant." If we're talking "essentials," for me (who moved to Seattle for a while after college and really got into the whole grunge thing) I don't think I can leave "Singles" off. If you've never seen it "Love Potion No. 9" is a second-rate comedy worth your time -- may be Sandra Bullock's best work. Warning: it is cheesy as hell. There's my two cents.
I'm a Chicago native, former Latin teacher, sometime singer, sometime cook, most of the time parent, not enough time writer, and too-much-time TV watcher.
1992 was a solid year for movies. Not that it's top 10 worthy, but Gladiator starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. is definitely a movie that I've seen at least 25 times. I also have very fond memories of standing up in the theater and cheering with my two younger brothers at the end of The Mighty Duck - not because it was over, but because the Ducks were victorious. Nice list, John. Keep it up.
Wow, I didn't realize 1992 was such a great movie year. Wayne's World is one my favorite movies of all time. I do think that the Mighty Ducks deserves to be up there. Quack, quack, quack, Mr. Ducksworth!
Yay! I'm glad I'm not the only one with a Mighty Ducks obsession. Anyone else love The Cutting Edge and Sister Act, too?
Jared loves The Cutting Edge. (And all sequels)
This does not surprise me, and we totes need to have a Cutting Edge marathon!!! SQUEEOMG!!1!
First, 1992 was a spectacular year for movies. I have a number that should make the list, but I am not sure that they are better than ties with ones already in the list. I would drop "A League of Their Own" and probably "Basic Instinct." And I would replace them with "Singles" and "El Mariachi." That still leaves me without room for "Sneakers," "Love Potion No. 9" or "Bad Lieutenant." If we're talking "essentials," for me (who moved to Seattle for a while after college and really got into the whole grunge thing) I don't think I can leave "Singles" off. If you've never seen it "Love Potion No. 9" is a second-rate comedy worth your time -- may be Sandra Bullock's best work. Warning: it is cheesy as hell. There's my two cents.
Man, there's a lot of Mighty Ducks love out there. Emilio!!!!!
I love Singles and Sneakers. If there were two more slots on the list, those would be there.
Jules - I didn't realize Sister Act was held in such high esteem by you.
I'm an enigma wrapped in a riddle wrapped in a mystery.