Barry Levinson’s 1987 comedy “Good Morning, Vietnam” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 35 years ago today (Jan. 15, 1988).
Starring Robin Williams (in his first Oscar-nominated role), the film took over the top spot from “Three Men and a Baby” after expanding from three to 785 screens and remained number one for the next eight weeks, netting just shy of $124 million in North America and finishing its run as the fourth highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw “Good Morning, Vietnam” at the Town Center opening weekend with a full crowd and marveled at Williams' performance, one that would pave the way to three more Oscar-nominated roles in the next 10 years.
James Cameron’s Oscar-winning 1997 historical epic “Titanic” opened at the Mann Village in 70mm 25 years ago this weekend (Dec. 19, 1997).
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film opened at number one on over 2,600 screens and held the top spot for the next 14 weeks, increasing its theater count every seven days during that period while averaging an astonishing $30 million a week.
It would finish its juggernaut initial 41-week run in October of ‘98 with a domestic gross just shy of $601 million to become the then-highest-grossing film of all time. It also became the first film to gross over $1 billion worldwide.
“Titanic” garnered 14 Oscar nominations and went on to win 11, including Best Picture and Best Director for Cameron.
I saw “Titanic” at the Village opening weekend with a full crowd and remember waiting in a line that snaked around Westwood. I sat in the balcony and marveled at the theater before me. Sadly I haven’t returned since.
Sydney Pollack’s beloved, Oscar-winning 1982 comedy “Tootsie” opened at the Town Center 40 years ago today (Dec. 17, 1982).
Starring Dustin Hoffman, Teri Garr & Jessica Lange, the film opened at number one on 943 screens and held the top spot for the next 12 weeks, remaining in the top ten until mid-June of ‘83. It would gross over $177 million in North America (becoming Columbia Pictures’ biggest domestic hit ever at that time) & finish its run as the second highest-grossing film of 1982.
“Tootsie” was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture, but ultimately would just win one for Best Supporting Actress (Lange).
40 years later I still marvel at its great ensemble cast, script & direction and with no disrespect to Sir Ben Kingsley who won Best Actor for “Gandhi” that year, have always felt Hoffman deserved an Oscar for his performance.
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1977 classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” began a 42-week stint in 70mm at the Mann South Coast Plaza 45 years ago today (Dec. 14, 1977).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillion & Francois Truffaut, the film opened at number one, expanding to 270 screens nationwide after a month-long exclusive booking in LA & NY, and along with the debut of “Saturday Night Fever” dethroned “Star Wars” after months at the top spot.
I saw it at the SCP III (in the big theater) during those first few weeks of release as a 7-year-old and have been a fan of it & John Williams' unforgettable score ever since.
Rob Reiner’s Oscar-nominated 1992 adaptation of Aaron Sorkin’s “A Few Good Men” opened at the Big Newport 30 years ago today (Dec. 11, 1992).
Starring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore & Jack Nicholson, the military courtroom drama debuted at number one on nearly 2,000 screens and held the top or number-two spot for the next six weeks, grossing over $140 million in North America & finishing its run as the 5th highest-grossing film of 1992.
The 1982 comedies “The Toy” starring Richard Pryor & Jackie Gleason & “Airplane II: The Sequel” starring Robert Hays & Julie Hagerty both opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago today (Dec. 10, 1982).
Each film debuted on over 1,000 screens with high hopes for the holiday season but “The Toy” proved a bigger hit with audiences, finishing with a total domestic take of $47 million compared to $25 million for “Airplane II,” a far cry from the success of the 1980 original.
John Hughes' beloved 1987 holiday classic “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” opened at the Laguna Hills Mall Cinema 35 years ago this week (November 25, 1987).
Starring Steve Martin and John Candy, the film opened at number three (behind “Three Men and a Baby”) on over 1,100 screens and remained in the top ten through early January of ‘88, grossing just shy of $50 million in North America and finishing the year as the 21st highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw it here opening night on Thanksgiving Eve as a teenager and have made it a holiday tradition at my house for over 20 years.
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1977 classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind" opened at the Cinerama Dome 45 years ago this weekend (November 18, 1977).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillion & Francois Truffaut, the film opened on just two screens that first week (along with the Ziegfeld in NYC), grossing over $1 million the next month, before expanding to 270 screens nationwide on Dec. 14 & 16th and adding another 301 screens on Dec. 21.
Stopped by the now-shuttered Westpark this weekend and noted a For Lease sign (posted a pic) in the window, which would indicate The Irvine Company is looking to keep the current stand-alone structure as opposed to
demolishing it. Wish an indie chain like Regency would take it over.
Francis Ford Coppola’s Oscar-winning 1992 adaptation of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” opened at the Big Newport 30 years ago today (November 13, 1992).
Starring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder & Anthony Hopkins, the gothic thriller debuted at number on over 2,400 screens with nearly $31 million its opening weekend (a then November record), grossing just shy of $83 million in North America & finishing its domestic run as the 15th highest-grossing film of 1992.
My then-girlfriend & I caught the film on the big screen that first Saturday night (after attending a co-worker’s wedding) and remember being greeted with a line down to the street, a regular occurrence for event films opening weekend.
It appears the Woodbridge is once again “temporarily closed” as of today. Disconcerting at best since they just re-opened a month ago after a six-week renovation.
The 1992 action-thriller “Under Siege” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (October 9, 1992).
Starring Steven Seagal, Gary Busey & Tommy Lee Jones, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens and held the top spot for four straight weeks, remaining in the top ten through mid-December & finishing the year as the 13th highest-grossing film of ‘92 with a domestic gross just shy of $84 million.
It remains Seagal’s highest-grossing film to date and was a breakout hit for director Andrew Davis who went on to helm the Oscar-winning 1993 big-screen adaptation of “The Fugitive” starring Harrison Ford.
I caught “Under Siege” at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and have always found it to be an enjoyable action flick.
According to the AMC website, The Woodbridge is again open for business starting today with first showings kicking off at 6PM.
All five screens now feature AMC Signature Recliners & reserved seating. A quick look of the online layout shows one theater has 80 seats, three have 70 seats & one has 64 seats. Definitely a more intimate, pared-back set-up compared to its 240-seat average back in the day.
It also appears starting tomorrow weekend matinees will resume for all five films starting at 1PM.
With new amenities come higher prices, though: matinees before 4PM are now $11.09, children $8.99. Shows after 4 PM are $15.89, $12.89 for children. However, their website for this theater still carries the banner “Low Ticket Prices Starting at $5.49 (before 4 PM). Better fix that.
“House II: The Second Story” opened at the Woodbridge 35 years ago today (August 28, 1987).
Starring Arye Gross, Royal Dano & John Ratzenberger, the stand-alone sequel opened on over 1,000 screens but wasn’t exactly the sleeper hit its predecessor was the year before.
I saw it at the Woodbridge opening weekend and have always found it an amusing 90-minute diversion with a memorable performance by Dano as Gramps.
Just got an email from the Woodbridge Village Association: the Irvine Company is telling them the Woodbridge 5 reopening is currently scheduled for Sept. 9.
As the initial post regarding the Woodbridge’s summer renovation project has been deleted for some reason, I’ll provide an update: the Woodbridge has been closed since late July as AMC is installing reclining seats, updating restrooms and refreshing its concession stand to include a small bar.
According to the Woodbridge Village Assocation, the repairs were scheduled to be completed by August 25. However when I dropped by yesterday (Aug 25), the lobby was still full of workers & materials & the process appeared far from over.
Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning classic “Unforgiven” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (August 7, 1992).
Starring Eastwood, Morgan Freeman & Gene Hackman, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens & remained it the top ten through mid-September, ending its initial run with a gross over $75 million & finishing the year as the 11th highest-grossing film of 1992.
The film was re-released on over 500 screens in early March of ‘93 after it received nine Oscar nominations & added another 300 screens by early April after winning Best Picture, Director, Editing & Supporting Actor (Hackman) awards.
By the end of its “Oscar Run”, it had grossed another $25 million to finish with a total just north of $100 million.
Today the film is widely considered Eastwood’s best endeavor & one of the greatest Westerns ever made.
I saw it at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and while enjoying it, I admit to not initially calling it a “classic.” But my appreciation has grown for the film with multiple viewings over the last 30 years and today feel it should have won more Oscars, mainly Original Screenplay & Cinematography.
John Badham’s action-comedy “Stakeout” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 35 years ago this weekend (August 5, 1987).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Emilio Estevez & Madeline Stowe, the film opened at number two (behind “The Living Daylights”) on 951 screens and slowly saw its theater count grow the remainder of the summer as it took over the top spot the next weekend & held it for five straight weeks, ending its run just shy of $66 million, enough to finish as the 8th highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw it here opening weekend with a full crowd as a teenager & enjoyed it.
Barry Levinson’s 1987 comedy “Good Morning, Vietnam” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 35 years ago today (Jan. 15, 1988).
Starring Robin Williams (in his first Oscar-nominated role), the film took over the top spot from “Three Men and a Baby” after expanding from three to 785 screens and remained number one for the next eight weeks, netting just shy of $124 million in North America and finishing its run as the fourth highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw “Good Morning, Vietnam” at the Town Center opening weekend with a full crowd and marveled at Williams' performance, one that would pave the way to three more Oscar-nominated roles in the next 10 years.
James Cameron’s Oscar-winning 1997 historical epic “Titanic” opened at the Mann Village in 70mm 25 years ago this weekend (Dec. 19, 1997).
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film opened at number one on over 2,600 screens and held the top spot for the next 14 weeks, increasing its theater count every seven days during that period while averaging an astonishing $30 million a week.
It would finish its juggernaut initial 41-week run in October of ‘98 with a domestic gross just shy of $601 million to become the then-highest-grossing film of all time. It also became the first film to gross over $1 billion worldwide.
“Titanic” garnered 14 Oscar nominations and went on to win 11, including Best Picture and Best Director for Cameron.
I saw “Titanic” at the Village opening weekend with a full crowd and remember waiting in a line that snaked around Westwood. I sat in the balcony and marveled at the theater before me. Sadly I haven’t returned since.
davidcoppock: Just a big patch of green grass now.
Sydney Pollack’s beloved, Oscar-winning 1982 comedy “Tootsie” opened at the Town Center 40 years ago today (Dec. 17, 1982).
Starring Dustin Hoffman, Teri Garr & Jessica Lange, the film opened at number one on 943 screens and held the top spot for the next 12 weeks, remaining in the top ten until mid-June of ‘83. It would gross over $177 million in North America (becoming Columbia Pictures’ biggest domestic hit ever at that time) & finish its run as the second highest-grossing film of 1982.
“Tootsie” was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture, but ultimately would just win one for Best Supporting Actress (Lange).
40 years later I still marvel at its great ensemble cast, script & direction and with no disrespect to Sir Ben Kingsley who won Best Actor for “Gandhi” that year, have always felt Hoffman deserved an Oscar for his performance.
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1977 classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” began a 42-week stint in 70mm at the Mann South Coast Plaza 45 years ago today (Dec. 14, 1977).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillion & Francois Truffaut, the film opened at number one, expanding to 270 screens nationwide after a month-long exclusive booking in LA & NY, and along with the debut of “Saturday Night Fever” dethroned “Star Wars” after months at the top spot.
I saw it at the SCP III (in the big theater) during those first few weeks of release as a 7-year-old and have been a fan of it & John Williams' unforgettable score ever since.
Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning “Greed is Good” drama “Wall Street” opened at the Uni 35 years ago today (Dec. 11, 1987).
Rob Reiner’s Oscar-nominated 1992 adaptation of Aaron Sorkin’s “A Few Good Men” opened at the Big Newport 30 years ago today (Dec. 11, 1992).
Starring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore & Jack Nicholson, the military courtroom drama debuted at number one on nearly 2,000 screens and held the top or number-two spot for the next six weeks, grossing over $140 million in North America & finishing its run as the 5th highest-grossing film of 1992.
The 1982 comedies “The Toy” starring Richard Pryor & Jackie Gleason & “Airplane II: The Sequel” starring Robert Hays & Julie Hagerty both opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago today (Dec. 10, 1982).
Each film debuted on over 1,000 screens with high hopes for the holiday season but “The Toy” proved a bigger hit with audiences, finishing with a total domestic take of $47 million compared to $25 million for “Airplane II,” a far cry from the success of the 1980 original.
John Hughes' beloved 1987 holiday classic “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” opened at the Laguna Hills Mall Cinema 35 years ago this week (November 25, 1987).
Starring Steve Martin and John Candy, the film opened at number three (behind “Three Men and a Baby”) on over 1,100 screens and remained in the top ten through early January of ‘88, grossing just shy of $50 million in North America and finishing the year as the 21st highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw it here opening night on Thanksgiving Eve as a teenager and have made it a holiday tradition at my house for over 20 years.
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1977 classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind" opened at the Cinerama Dome 45 years ago this weekend (November 18, 1977).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillion & Francois Truffaut, the film opened on just two screens that first week (along with the Ziegfeld in NYC), grossing over $1 million the next month, before expanding to 270 screens nationwide on Dec. 14 & 16th and adding another 301 screens on Dec. 21.
Stopped by the now-shuttered Westpark this weekend and noted a For Lease sign (posted a pic) in the window, which would indicate The Irvine Company is looking to keep the current stand-alone structure as opposed to demolishing it. Wish an indie chain like Regency would take it over.
Francis Ford Coppola’s Oscar-winning 1992 adaptation of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” opened at the Big Newport 30 years ago today (November 13, 1992).
Starring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder & Anthony Hopkins, the gothic thriller debuted at number on over 2,400 screens with nearly $31 million its opening weekend (a then November record), grossing just shy of $83 million in North America & finishing its domestic run as the 15th highest-grossing film of 1992.
My then-girlfriend & I caught the film on the big screen that first Saturday night (after attending a co-worker’s wedding) and remember being greeted with a line down to the street, a regular occurrence for event films opening weekend.
Heard from the Woodridge Village Assocation that the temporary closure is only a plumbing issue and that the Woodbridge should re-open Monday.
It appears the Woodbridge is once again “temporarily closed” as of today. Disconcerting at best since they just re-opened a month ago after a six-week renovation.
The 1992 action-thriller “Under Siege” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (October 9, 1992).
Starring Steven Seagal, Gary Busey & Tommy Lee Jones, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens and held the top spot for four straight weeks, remaining in the top ten through mid-December & finishing the year as the 13th highest-grossing film of ‘92 with a domestic gross just shy of $84 million.
It remains Seagal’s highest-grossing film to date and was a breakout hit for director Andrew Davis who went on to helm the Oscar-winning 1993 big-screen adaptation of “The Fugitive” starring Harrison Ford.
I caught “Under Siege” at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and have always found it to be an enjoyable action flick.
According to the AMC website, The Woodbridge is again open for business starting today with first showings kicking off at 6PM.
All five screens now feature AMC Signature Recliners & reserved seating. A quick look of the online layout shows one theater has 80 seats, three have 70 seats & one has 64 seats. Definitely a more intimate, pared-back set-up compared to its 240-seat average back in the day.
It also appears starting tomorrow weekend matinees will resume for all five films starting at 1PM.
With new amenities come higher prices, though: matinees before 4PM are now $11.09, children $8.99. Shows after 4 PM are $15.89, $12.89 for children. However, their website for this theater still carries the banner “Low Ticket Prices Starting at $5.49 (before 4 PM). Better fix that.
“House II: The Second Story” opened at the Woodbridge 35 years ago today (August 28, 1987).
Starring Arye Gross, Royal Dano & John Ratzenberger, the stand-alone sequel opened on over 1,000 screens but wasn’t exactly the sleeper hit its predecessor was the year before.
I saw it at the Woodbridge opening weekend and have always found it an amusing 90-minute diversion with a memorable performance by Dano as Gramps.
Just got an email from the Woodbridge Village Association: the Irvine Company is telling them the Woodbridge 5 reopening is currently scheduled for Sept. 9.
As the initial post regarding the Woodbridge’s summer renovation project has been deleted for some reason, I’ll provide an update: the Woodbridge has been closed since late July as AMC is installing reclining seats, updating restrooms and refreshing its concession stand to include a small bar.
According to the Woodbridge Village Assocation, the repairs were scheduled to be completed by August 25. However when I dropped by yesterday (Aug 25), the lobby was still full of workers & materials & the process appeared far from over.
Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning classic “Unforgiven” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (August 7, 1992).
Starring Eastwood, Morgan Freeman & Gene Hackman, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens & remained it the top ten through mid-September, ending its initial run with a gross over $75 million & finishing the year as the 11th highest-grossing film of 1992.
The film was re-released on over 500 screens in early March of ‘93 after it received nine Oscar nominations & added another 300 screens by early April after winning Best Picture, Director, Editing & Supporting Actor (Hackman) awards.
By the end of its “Oscar Run”, it had grossed another $25 million to finish with a total just north of $100 million.
Today the film is widely considered Eastwood’s best endeavor & one of the greatest Westerns ever made.
I saw it at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and while enjoying it, I admit to not initially calling it a “classic.” But my appreciation has grown for the film with multiple viewings over the last 30 years and today feel it should have won more Oscars, mainly Original Screenplay & Cinematography.
John Badham’s action-comedy “Stakeout” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 35 years ago this weekend (August 5, 1987).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Emilio Estevez & Madeline Stowe, the film opened at number two (behind “The Living Daylights”) on 951 screens and slowly saw its theater count grow the remainder of the summer as it took over the top spot the next weekend & held it for five straight weeks, ending its run just shy of $66 million, enough to finish as the 8th highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw it here opening weekend with a full crowd as a teenager & enjoyed it.
Renovation photos posted.
1987’s “The Lost Boys” opened at the Saddleback 6 35 years ago today (July 31, 1987).
Who closes for renovations in the middle of summer? I guess when your opening at 4 pm & only using two of five screens it really doesn’t matter.
Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 sci-fi classic “RoboCop” opened at the Saddleback 6 35 years ago today (July 17, 1987).
I saw it here opening weekend with a full crowd as a teenager and loved it.