Eight great movies turning 30 this year
It was the year New Zealand hosted a memorable summer of cricket, Punch magazine published its final issue and Achy Breaky Heart topped the charts.
On screens, 1992 saw Shortland Street make its debut, O for Awesome entered the lexicon thanks to boxer David Tua’s appearance on Wheel of Fortune and Sinead O’Connor ripped up a photo of Pope John
Paul II on Saturday Night Live.
Meanwhile, Kiwi cinemagoers watched a mix of titles like Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Basic Instinct, Sister Act and Wayne’s World, and Peter Jackson delivered homegrown thrills with zombie-horror Braindead.
Inspired by Elisabeth Moss’
Apple TV+ series Shining Girls taking us back to those heady times, Stuff to Watch has come up with eight movies that are turning 30 this year (and where you can watch them).
Aladdin
(Disney+)
If not for Robin Williams’ vocal callisthenics as the genie, there would likely have been no Shrek or Toy Story. Disney had only just brought the animated musical back to life, and Aladdin was the first one sold as having a major movie star provide one of its voices. His mimicry proved the perfect complement to the genie’s shapeshifting abilities and provided plenty of inspiration for the animators.
The Bodyguard (Neon) Although better known for its songs, Mick Jackson’s movie is also a cracking romantic thriller, as Kevin Costner’s former secret serviceman struggles to keep awardwinning actress and musical superstar Rachel Marron (Whitney Houston) safe from a persistent stalker.
A Few Good Men (Neon, iTunes, YouTube, GooglePlay)
This legal drama is based on screenwriter Aaron Sorkin’s 1989 play. And, while the likes of Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon deliver memorable turns, it’s Sorkin’s words that have resonated through the years.
A League of Their Own
(Amazon Prime Video) Based on the true story of the first female professional baseball league. Geena Davis, Rosie O’Donnell and Madonna lead the lineup in this comedy drama, but it’s Tom Hanks who steals the show as the grizzled coach Jimmy Dugan.
Like Water For Chocolate
(Beamafilm) Laura Esquivel’s adaptation of her own novel about a young woman who discovers a talent and passion for cooking, offers plenty of delights.
Reservoir Dogs
(iTunes) A former video store clerk burst onto the scene with this crime drama about a group of diamond thieves whose planned heist of a jewellery store goes terribly wrong. But it was writer-director Quentin Tarantino who made a real mark, with his potent combination of pithy, witty dialogue and toe-tapping soundtrack.
Strictly Ballroom (iTunes) The Aussie charmer that introduced the world to the unique style of director Baz Luhrmann and gave former Dancing With the Stars NZ judge Paul Mercurio his first big break. He plays a maverick dancer who risks his career by setting out to succeed with an untested partner and an unusual routine.
Unforgiven
(iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube, Neon)
In one of the greatest westerns of the late-20th century, Clint Eastwood directs and stars in an Oscar-winning tale about a retired gunslinger who reluctantly takes on one last job. Also starring Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman and Richard Harris.