I honor of the 20th anniversary DVD release of ROBOCOP, I wrote a tribute to the films of 1987...

1987 was a banner year in film, featuring dozens of films I still love to see again and again to this day. Take a gander at these titles and see if you agree (in no particular order): ROBOCOP, PREDATOR, MOONSTRUCK, LETHAL WEAPON, THE RUNNING MAN, THE UNTOUCHABLES, FATAL ATTRACTION, BROADCAST NEWS, RAISING ARIZONA, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING, THREE MEN AND A BABY, HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS, THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, BEVERLY HILLS COP II, THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS, THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN, PLANES TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, GOOD MORNING VIETNAM, FULL METAL JACKET, THREE O'CLOCK HIGH, MADE IN HEAVEN, LESS THAN ZERO, THE LOST BOYS, OVER THE TOP (1987 winner, Guilty Pleasure of the Year), NO WAY OUT, ANGEL HEART, HELLRAISER, THE HIDDEN, WALL STREET, SUMMER SCHOOL, DIRTY DANCING, BLIND DATE, INNERSPACE, SPACEBALLS, MANNEQUIN (1987 runner-up, Guilty Pleasure of the Year), OVERBOARD, BABY BOOM, NEAR DARK, LA BAMBA, STAKEOUT, DRAGNET, ROXANNE, NADINE, and BARFLY -- all released in 1987.

Only 1995 carries near as many titles that I love, and no single year of the 21st century thus far comes close. Granted, many of the above titles aren't exactly great cinema, but they're all films I always thoroughly enjoy and always will. Looking back over these titles, it's easy to see how 1987 forever impacted my then young taste in film. Ironically, I detest the film that was awarded Best Picture in 1987 (THE LAST EMPEROR). Such is life, I guess. Here's to the films of 1987.

RoboCop WAS the best film of 1987.

I cannot wait for that 20th Anniversary release. Now I won't feel cheated for MGM making me buy two extra discs.

I totally agree with that assessment, even up against all those other titles.

It was the first film I ever saw so it's always going to have a special place in my heart. There's just scenes in there that no matter what always evoke this shit-eating grin across my face.

1. The very first time RoboCop walks through the station. I just love how Reid is in the middle of a sentence and the next sound you hear is his footsteps. Then who can forget the first time that gun is fired at the shooting targets only to be finished with the classic "Oh yeah. Go get 'em boy."

2. Robo's first night out is filled with so many classic scenes it's tough to pick a favorite, although it has to be "Your move, creep." "Madame you have suffered an emotional shock. I'll will notify a rape-crisis center."

3. The warehouse shootout, which is still one of my top five shootouts of all time. Words can't begin to describe how cool it is to watch Robo just walk through all the shotgun blasts and take out every villain in the room.

4. The very end. Just brilliant.

When I was younger, I used to love this film based on the sheer badassness of the character alone. Watching it again as I've matured a little, I see what a well written and terrific story it is. It's undoubtedly one of the best films ever made.

Wow, that list includes some of my all time favs. I dident know they all came out in 87, what a year for movies! We need another 87 guys, we really do.

Gotta love Robocop, Frank needs to write another one as good as the first. I think he's got enough clout to sit in the directors chair too.

Does the 20th just have the first film or is it all three?



Whats that coming out of her nose? Spaceballs?! Oh shit, there goes the planet.

I'd buy THAT for a dollar!!

Well, what can I say already that you guys haven't. Robocop is up there for me too. I love the score as well, sounds like striking anvils. Verhoeven's penchant for those twisted, social commentary commercials and newscasts (Nuke Em': The Game). The sound of Murphy's gun when he's at the shooting range, etc. Love it, period.

What kind of features are they gonna include with this new release? Looks like a double dip is in order.


'84 and '87 were great movie years for me for me.




Sidenote: IIRC, Frank's experiences with Robocop (don't know which one in particular, could've been one of the sequels) were what soured him to Hollywood for a very long time, up until Sin City.

Frank didn't write the first one, but the second and third which were complete shit. Personally, I hope he stays away from the character because even with his idea, I still didn't think it was right for Robo. He's a good writer, but I don't think he fits RoboCop. (A drug dealing kid who runs everything?! Come on.)

Basil Poledouris is probably my favorite composer, and the RoboCop score is why.

Basil Poledouris - RIP (not too long ago, iirc)

Oh yes.... "Robocop"... Some hours ago I stated that "Die Hard" was may favorite action movie of all time. Come to think of it - Verhoevens masterpiece might claim that position. At the very least, it's not only the movie I saw the most times, it was also the first VHS tape I ordered from abroad to get the original English version (I'm German). This marked the start of my movie collection, which later carried over to Laserdiscs (something practically no one even knew about in Europe) and DVDs. As of this time I own the original VHS tape, a Laserdisc of the theatrical cut, the Criterion Laserdisc with the "Unrated" Cut, the Criterion "Unrated" DVD and a Code 2 DVD which includes deleted scenes not found on the Criterion release.

Bought this the other day. This is the first film I ever saw, and to this day I cannot get enough of it.

The new DVD may be the best version of it available. The transfer is really great and the extras are terrific.

Bottom line, my favorite DVD of the year so far.