In deep space, the crew of the mining ship Nostromo investigates a suspected SOS signal being sent from a moon orbiting a nearby planet. Discovering a derelict ship on the moon's surface, Captain Dallas (Tom Skerritt), Kane (John Hurt) and Lambert (Veronica Cartwright) enter and come upon a chamber filled with large, forboding eggs. When Kane is suddenly attacked by a mysterious parasite that attaches itself to his face, Warrant Officer Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) initially refuses them re-entrance to the ship, siting quarantine protocol. But, Science Officer Ash (Ian Holm) disregards her order and lets them in. Directed by Ridley Scott. With Harry Dean Stanton and Yaphet Kotto. Categories: Action, Sci-Fi, Horror, Thriller, Drama. Year: 1979.
1979 in Alien
George (James Brolin) and Kathy (Margot Kidder) Lutz are newly married and couldn't be happier. Together with their three kids, they move into a huge Long Island house. They seem to have made a good life for themselves until strange things begin to happen inside their new home. After a series of disturbing accidents, they call upon the help of a family priest, who is helpless to combat the terrible spirit preying upon this once happy household. Directed by Stuart Rosenberg. With Rod Steiger, Don Stroud and Murray Hamilton. Categories: Cult Classics, Horror, Drama, Mystery, Thriller. Year: 1979.
1979 in The Amityville Horror
During the Vietnam War, Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen) is sent on a mission into Cambodia to assassinate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a renegade Green Beret who has installed himself as the god of a local tribe. As Willard travels up the river approaching his target, he is faced with the surreal, brutal realities of war and its effects on the minds of men. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. With Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford. Categories: Cult Classics, Action, War. Year: 1979.
1979 in Apocalypse Now
Chance (Peter Sellers) is a mentally handicapped gardener confined to the house of the old man who supported him all his life. When his benefactor dies, Chance is thrown out into the streets, knowing nothing except what he has heard on television. When an encounter on the street brings him together with Benjamin (Melvyn Douglas) and Eve Rand (Shirley MacLaine), Chance's simple-minded utterances become the basis for a move into serious politics. Directed by Hal Ashby. With Jack Warden and Richard A. Dysart. Categories: Politics, Drama, Comedy, Based on a Novel. Year: 1979.
1979 in Being There
Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood) leads a group of inmates in a daring jailbreak from the supposedly inescapable Alcatraz Prison. Using their own cunning and supplies found inside the prison walls, execute an intricate plan to gain their freedom. But, once they break free, they must still cross the cold, dangerous waters that surround the island. Directed by Don Siegel. With Fred Ward, Patrick McGoohan, Jack Thibeau, Roberts Blossom and Frank Ronzio. Categories: Drama, Thriller, Crime. Year: 1979.
1979 in Escape from Alcatraz
Raised in a poor black family, Navin Johnson (Steve Martin) is surprised when his mother finally reveals that he is white. After this momentous discovery, the loveable dimwit sets out on an adventure of hilarious self-discovery. His travels take him from rags to riches and back again, and in the end he realizes that all that matters is his true love (Bernadette Peters). Directed by Carl Reiner. With M. Emmet Walsh. Categories: Comedy. Year: 1979.
1979 in The Jerk
Coming home late from work yet again, Ted Kramer(Dustin Hoffman) is confronted by his wife Joanna (Meryl Streep). Unable to handle Ted's obsession with his career, Joanna has decided to find herself, and leaves him to care for their six-year-old son, Billy (Justin Henry). Faced with the task cooking and cleaning for the first time, Ted discovers the joy of being a full-time parent, until Joanna resurfaces and demands custody of Billy. Directed by Robert Benton. With Jane Alexander. Categories: Drama. Year: 1979.
1979 in Kramer vs. Kramer
Mad Max (Mel Gibson) is an Australian policeman in a shattered future where vicious biker gangs roam the highways creating havoc. When one of these gangs comes after Max and kills his family, he sets out for murderous vengeance. Directed by George Miller. Directed by George Miller. With Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley and Tim Burns. Categories: Cult Classics, Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure. Year: 1979.
1979 in Mad Max
Following his divorce, Isaac (Woody Allen) learns that his ex-wife, Jill (Meryl Streep), is living with another woman and writing a book about their failed marriage. While Isaac is dating Tracy (Mariel Hemingway), who is stil in high school, he meets and becomes attracted to Mary (Diane Keaton), his friend Yale's (Michael Murphy) mistress. Torn between his three lovers, Isaac tries to make sense of life and love in New York City. Directed by Woody Allen. With Anne Byrne Hoffman. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Romance. Year: 1979.
1979 in Manhattan
When an airplane carrying a US space shuttle on loan to the United Kingdom crashes in the Atlantic Ocean, James Bond (Roger Moore) is put on the case. Discovering that no evidence of the spacecraft is found in the wreckage, Bond sets out on a mission that will take him deep into space to stop the evil Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale). Directed by Lewis Gilbert. With Lois Chiles and Richard Kiel. Categories: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller, James Bond. Year: 1979.
1979 in Moonraker
Following his first bout with Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) struggles with family life after Adrian (Talia Shire) goes into a coma following the birth of their child. Meanwhile, the embarrassed champ hits the media circuit with the hope of forcing Rocky to accept a rematch. After a brief retirement, Rocky decides to accept Apollo's challenge and sets out to train for the fight of his life. Directed by Sylvester Stallone. With Burt Young, Burgess Meredith and Tony Burton. Categories: Action, Drama, Sports. Year: 1979.
1979 in Rocky II