Bill Thurman

The Last Picture Show -- Brilliant study of life in a small Texas town during the 1950s, and how characters' lives intertwine. The story, based on Larry McMurtry's novel, follows the exploits of two high school football stars. Oscars went to Ben Johnson and Chloris Leachman for sensitive performances.

In the Year 2889 -- A group of post A-war survivors, gathered together in a valley, are menaced by cannibalistic human mutants with telepathic powers. They argue and complain a lot, which doesn't really help their situation.

Oscar-nominated Ed Harris portrays a dejected Vietnam veteran whose trade as a shrimp fisherman is threatened when an influx of Vietnamese immigrants move into his small, bayside community. Tensions mount, finally erupting into a violent episode in which Harris battles not only the burgeoning immigrant community, but also his own emotionally scarred psyche as well.

Sissy Spacek stars in this bittersweet drama about a young mother, her two sons and the mysterious benefactor who touches them all. Frustrated by her dead-end job as a telephone operator and divorced from her drunken second husband (Sam Shepard), Nita finds comfort and understanding in the arms of a passing sailor (Eric Roberts). When he leaves, Nita resolves to pick up her boys and start a new life. But first she must confront backstabbing townspeople and the violent Triplett brothers (William Sanderson and Tracey Walker) in this suspense-tinged story of being scared, being alone, being in love and being strong enough to face the truth.