OK, this may take a few weeks to get through.
It definitely took us a few weeks (and then some) to put together.
Last year's Sneaks encompassed 362 titles. We thought that was a lot . This year we have managed to uncover 520 movies that are, for better or for worse, planned for release this year.
FOR THE RECORD - Imperfections
Los Angeles Times Sunday January 24, 1988 Home Edition Calendar Page 95 Calendar Desk 3 inches; 80 words Type of Material: Correction
Pat H. Broeske and David Pecchia report that they found some mistakes among the 500-plus entries in their epic "Sneaks '88" article last week.
For starters, Martin Brest is producing/directing--but not writing--"Midnight Run." The screenwriter is George Gallo.
Also, actress Dianne Hull's name was misspelled in the listing for "The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking." "Out of the Dark" and "Bulletproof" are both CineTel releases (as opposed to distribution pending).
And "Crystalstone," "Meatballs IV" and "Leprechaun" will be distributed by TMS Pictures.
Imperfections
Los Angeles Times Sunday January 31, 1988 Home Edition Calendar Page 95 Calendar Desk 2 inches; 56 words Type of Material: Correction
Irene Walzer of Trans World Entertainment was disappointed that two of her company's movies were somehow deprived of their proper listing spots in Calendar's recent "Sneaks '88" extravaganza. "Full Moon in Blue Water," starring Gene Hackman, Teri Garr and Burgess Meredith, was missing from the Labor Day through Christmas section, as was "Hardcover," starring Jenny Wright and Clayton Rohner.
That in itself does not necessarily mean that movies will be better than ever--or that there will be more movies than ever. But for movie fans among our readers, it means that there are going to be plenty of diversions.
Keep in mind that what follows across these many pages is subject to change. We've got synopses for movies that are not yet cast; even the directors may come and go. Plots may change, too. Then there are those listings that were based on cryptic sentences supplied by producers or studios that didn't want to "tell all" (or in some cases, not tell hardly anything) about their productions.
And then there are the release dates. Distributors anguish over such things . . . and anguish again. Which is why the release schedules listed here are especially subject to change.
Of course, we also have to realize that some of these films may never see the light of the silver screen. They'll be relegated to drive-in quadruple bills, or they'll be consigned to the video format.
At any rate, what follows are a few billion dollars worth of movies. Or some may not be worth anything.
FIRST OFF
Opening Tuesday
"Reno's Kids--87 Days + 11"--Documentary about Reno Taini, former California teacher of the year (in 1982), who now teaches "last chance" kids in Daly City, Calif. Whitney Blake (actress and mom of Meredith Baxter Birney) produces/directs/writes. (Goforit!)
Opening Friday
"Braddock: Missing in Action III"--Chuck Norris returns as the Vietnam vet who escaped from a VC POW camp and lived to make sequels about it. This time he aspires to rescue his wife Kim and their son, plus a lot of Amerasian kids. Chuck's brother Aaron directs. (Cannon)
"Five Corners"--Tony Bill directs/co-produces an ensemble piece set in 1964 Bronx. Strong-willed Jodie Foster heads the cast in a story of the consciousness of youth vs. the unfolding civil rights movement and the general turbulence of the '60s. There's urban romance, too. By "Moonstruck" screenwriter John Patrick Shanley. (Cineplex Odeon)
"Guys Who Never Learn"--Comedy based on a book by Joji Abe, about a man in prison for the 12th time. Director Azumi Morisaki. With Tatsuya Fuji and Hitoshi Ueki. (Shochiku)
"Promised Land"--Robert Redford exec produces this coming-of-age tale, developed at Sundance Institute, about high school classmates and a misguided outsider who gather for a final reunion a few years later. Written/directed by Michael Hoffman. With Jason Gedrick, Kiefer Sutherland, Meg Ryan and Tracy Pollan. (Vestron)
"The Telephone"--Whoopi Goldberg is Vashti Blue, talented but eccentric unemployed San Francisco actress who shares her apartment with a pet owl and a goldfish. Her big thrill: spending time on the phone, sometimes pretending to be different characters with different voices--and not always playing straight with those on the other end. Maybe she's not playing straight with herself, either, because she's gradually losing her link with reality. Rip Torn directs. Harry Nilsson and Terry Southern co-write. With cameos by Severn Darden, Elliott Gould, John Heard and Amy Wright. (New World)
"Welcome in Vienna"--Austrian director Axel Corti continues his trilogy, "Where to and Back," about an Austrian Jewish youth's struggle for survival and, later, his quest for his identity as a man. Shot in black-and-white, this episode (Part III) follows Freddy Wolff (Gabriel Brylli), now an American soldier, back to Austria as the war draws to a close and occupation begins. Georg Stefan Troller writes, based on his own experiences. This is Austria's entry for the best foreign-language film Academy Award. (Roxy)
January-February
"Above the Law"--Steven Seagal, a newcomer who's being touted as the next Eastwood-Norris-Stallone action hero, is a former 'Nam intelligence agent-turned-tough Chicago cop. Pam Grier, Sharon Stone and quintessential bad guy Henry Silva also star. Andrew Davis directs. (Warners)
"Absolution"--Richard Burton (yes, \o7 the \f7 Richard Burton) in a 1979 production that's been shelved in a legal snit. Playwright Anthony Shaffer ("Sleuth") scripts this suspense thriller set in the tense, claustrophobic confines of an English Roman Catholic boy's school. The late Burton is Father Goddard, a priest whose autocratic manner undermines his benevolence. Elliott Kastner co-produces, Anthony Page directs. (Trans World)
"Action Jackson"--Carl Weathers, having had ample time to recuperate from Ivan Drago's fatal blow in "Rocky IV," is back as unorthodox police Sgt. Jericho (Action) Jackson. Beautiful Vanity hangs tough by his side as he takes on corrupt and murderous auto tycoon Craig T. Nelson. Joel Silver produces, Craig Baxley directs. (Lorimar)
