Dad (1989)

Academy Awards, USA 1990

Nominee Oscar

Best Makeup Dick Smith Ken Diaz Greg Nelson

Universal Pictures
Directed by Gary David Goldberg
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Mill Creek)

Busy executive Ted Danson is called home when his eldery mother has a heart attack. He ends up instead taking care of his father while she recovers. His father is suffering from senility and struggles with even simple tasks, but gradually learns to take care of himself. All appears to be going well until he is diagnosed with cancer and ends up in the hospital. This sends him into some kind of psychologically-induced downward spiral. A change of doctors leads to a miraculous recovery and renewed appreciation of life. Soon, he is dressing outrageously and learning Japanese. However, it doesn't last and the cancer returns. Overplotted melodrama overcome by a tremendous performance by Jack Lemmon in one of his best roles, which is saying something given his stellar career. 

The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1943)

Academy Awards, USA 1945

Nominee Oscar

Best Writing, Original Screenplay Preston Sturges

Paramount Pictures
Directed by Preston Sturges
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(DVD, Paramount)

High-spirited, naive Betty Hutton sneaks out to dance with soldiers. She bumps her head and wakes up married, and pregnant, but cannot remember the name of her husband, who has long since disappeared. Her long-time admirer Eddie Bracken tries to help her out of the situation by marrying her under a false name and "borrowing" money from the bank where he works. However, it all falls apart when he signs his real name on the marriage license and is accused of bigamy and theft by the small minded townsfolk. He is redeemed when she gives birth to sextuplets, causing a media frenzy. The usual rapid-fire Sturges madness, but anticlimactic and a moral code that just does not add up.

The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987)

Island Pictures
Directed by Jack Clayton
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(DVD, Image Entertainment)

Maggie Smith is a lonely spinster who moves into a new Dublin boardinghouse. She falls in love with the brother of the owner, Bob Hoskins, recently relocated from New York City. He turns out to be not only a heel but a rapist. It takes her awhile to realize that maybe he doesn't love her. She spirals out of control leading to a religious crisis and hospitalization. Dreary Dublin scenery doesn't do much to enliven this overwrought drama. 

The Raggedy Rawney (1988)

Virgin Vision
Directed by Bob Hoskins
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(DVD, Image Entertainment)

A shell shocked new recruit attacks and partially blinds his commanding officer, then deserts into the nearby forest. He takes up with a group of gypsies, disgutising himself as a girl. His real identity (and gender) is soon discovered by the daughter of the gypsy leader. She gets pregnant, leading to misery for all. The blinded officer eventually shows up to get his revenge, leading to desperate measures by the gypsies. Unpleasant distraction by first time director Bob Hoskins, who apparently drew upon gypsy stories told to him by his grandmother.