What happens when you combine a pair of Monty Python alums, an Academy Award-winning performance, and one of the funniest fantasy women of the 1980s? You get the classic comedy caper, A Fish Called Wanda.
It made us consider learning to speak Italian (or Russian) to pick up women and rethink calling anyone 'stupid', lest we're forced to apologize. The film is also available as a Two-Disc Collector's Edition containing several featurettes, deleted and alternate scenes, and a trivia track.
"Apes don't read philosophy."
"Yes they do, Otto. They just don't understand it."
It made us consider learning to speak Italian (or Russian) to pick up women and rethink calling anyone 'stupid', lest we're forced to apologize. The film is also available as a Two-Disc Collector's Edition containing several featurettes, deleted and alternate scenes, and a trivia track.
"Apes don't read philosophy."
"Yes they do, Otto. They just don't understand it."
The Airplane! (Don't Call Me Shirley! Edition) is a must-have for any fan of this high-flying cockpit classic. Featuring deleted scenes, cast interviews, a trivia track, and more, it still contains every classic moment of this all-star airborne comedy. Believe it or not, this was one of Leslie Nielsen's first comedy film roles!
"I just want to tell you both, good luck, we're all counting on you."
"I just want to tell you both, good luck, we're all counting on you."
Airplane! II: The Sequel is... the sequel... to Airplane! This time, the comedy breaks new barriers and heads off into space, with another all-star cast cracking jokes onboard the first lunar shuttle. William Shatner's over-the-top intensity is, as usual, perfectly delivered.
Looking to save shelf space (hey, who isn't)? Consider the Two-Disc Airplane!/Airplane! II The Sequel Combo Pack. Same two awesome movies (minus the added Special Features), one awesome DVD case.
"Rorschach, what've you got here?"
"Well, we've run these tests, sir."
"Thank you, Rorschach. What do you make of these, Captain?"
"That's a bird. That's a cow. That's a horse with a hat on it."
Looking to save shelf space (hey, who isn't)? Consider the Two-Disc Airplane!/Airplane! II The Sequel Combo Pack. Same two awesome movies (minus the added Special Features), one awesome DVD case.
"Rorschach, what've you got here?"
"Well, we've run these tests, sir."
"Thank you, Rorschach. What do you make of these, Captain?"
"That's a bird. That's a cow. That's a horse with a hat on it."
John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Meg Ryan join forces in Armed and Dangerous. When an ex-cop and an ex-lawyer get partnered as poorly-trained security guards, they get caught up in more trouble than they expected and rely on help from their instructor Meg Ryan (in one of her first starring roles).
"Mr. Kane, there are only two things that you have to remember. Never fall asleep where anyone can see you and make sure your name is very clearly marked on your lunch. "
"Mr. Kane, there are only two things that you have to remember. Never fall asleep where anyone can see you and make sure your name is very clearly marked on your lunch. "
Rodney Dangerfield headlines Back To School in this story of a super-rich business tycoon who goes back to college to prove a point about hard work to his son.
Dangerfield's personality shines and is perfectly complemented by a who's who supporting cast: the sultry Sally Kellerman, the irritating Brit Paxton Whitehead, Ned Beatty as the School's Dean Martin, prototypical '80s bad guy Billy Zabka, prototypical everyday '80s kid Keith Gordon, the early comedic chops of Robert Downey Jr., gruff but loveable Burt Young, gruff but well-meaning M. Emmet Walsh. Adrienne Barbeau and Sam Kinison even deliver memorable performances with minimal screentime.
"... Let's just say, they're widgets."
"What's a widget?"
"It's a fictional product. It doesn't matter."
Dangerfield's personality shines and is perfectly complemented by a who's who supporting cast: the sultry Sally Kellerman, the irritating Brit Paxton Whitehead, Ned Beatty as the School's Dean Martin, prototypical '80s bad guy Billy Zabka, prototypical everyday '80s kid Keith Gordon, the early comedic chops of Robert Downey Jr., gruff but loveable Burt Young, gruff but well-meaning M. Emmet Walsh. Adrienne Barbeau and Sam Kinison even deliver memorable performances with minimal screentime.
"... Let's just say, they're widgets."
"What's a widget?"
"It's a fictional product. It doesn't matter."
One of the most iconic trilogies in history (no pun intended), Back To The Future brings us into the crazy life of Marty McFly as he jumps into Doc Brown's DeLorean and travels back a few decades to cause some trouble, right some wrongs,
and maybe invent a new rock tune or two.
Back The The Future Part II brings the gang back together, this time actually giving us a look at the future, hoverboards and all, while Back To The Future Part III
takes us to the wild west for some classic cowboy action.
If your BTTF collection is almost complete, check out the Back To The Future 25th Anniversary Trilogy Set. The four disc collection includes each of the three films plus bonuses - Commentaries for each movie, plenty of deleted scenes and outtakes, and more.
"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads."
and maybe invent a new rock tune or two.
Back The The Future Part II brings the gang back together, this time actually giving us a look at the future, hoverboards and all, while Back To The Future Part III
takes us to the wild west for some classic cowboy action.
If your BTTF collection is almost complete, check out the Back To The Future 25th Anniversary Trilogy Set. The four disc collection includes each of the three films plus bonuses - Commentaries for each movie, plenty of deleted scenes and outtakes, and more.
"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads."
You know how they say old people and technology just don't mix? Like, don't give great-grandma a smartphone or it'll end up as a glorified hearing aid? Well Batteries Not Included reminded us that there are definitely some times when older folks and new-fangled gadgets can come together for simply awesome results.
The lovely Jessica Tandy and the charming Hume Cronyn star alongside the little Fix-its in this story about other-worldly machines that come to the aid of an elderly couple when a heartless company sends thugs to boot them from their home and business.
"Welcome to America!"
The lovely Jessica Tandy and the charming Hume Cronyn star alongside the little Fix-its in this story about other-worldly machines that come to the aid of an elderly couple when a heartless company sends thugs to boot them from their home and business.
"Welcome to America!"
Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy meets French girl. Boy and French girl fix Camaro. Boy skis down insane mountain. Boy is definitely not Better Off Dead.
Outstanding everyman John Cusack stars as Lane Meyer, a heartbroken young man looking to either regain the attention of his true love Beth or quit life all together. Things don't quite work out like he expects, fortunately, and he soon ends up involved with the foreign exchange student down the street while agreeing to challenge Beth's new love interest in a race down the infamous
K-12 slopes.
"Two dollars."
Outstanding everyman John Cusack stars as Lane Meyer, a heartbroken young man looking to either regain the attention of his true love Beth or quit life all together. Things don't quite work out like he expects, fortunately, and he soon ends up involved with the foreign exchange student down the street while agreeing to challenge Beth's new love interest in a race down the infamous
K-12 slopes.
"Two dollars."
When Axel Foley, a street smart cop from Detroit, finds himself chasing criminals in the heart of uptight Beverly Hills, he has to become a Beverly Hills Cop. Eddie Murphy brings razor-sharp wit to one of his most famous film roles. But most of all, he brings that laugh. That unmistakeable, Eddie-Foley-Axel-Murphy laugh. Maybe it's more of a loud chortle or even a guffaw. Whichever, you always know it when you hear it.
In this awesome Special Edition DVD, you can check out a featurette about the casting, watch interviews with the crew, and more. In Beverly Hills Cop 2, Axel, Rosewood, and Taggart are back looking to solve The Alphabet Crimes while facing off against Brigitte Nielsen. Beverly Hills Cop 3 brings Axel into the Wonder World theme park.
Who knew ferris wheels could be so dangerous?
Still haven't had enough Axel? Then grab Beverly Hills Cop - The Complete Line-up. This three-disc collection contains all three films, commentaries, deleted scenes, interviews, everything in one boxed set.
"... Tell him that Ramon went to the clinic today and I found out that I have, um, herpes simplex 10."
In this awesome Special Edition DVD, you can check out a featurette about the casting, watch interviews with the crew, and more. In Beverly Hills Cop 2, Axel, Rosewood, and Taggart are back looking to solve The Alphabet Crimes while facing off against Brigitte Nielsen. Beverly Hills Cop 3 brings Axel into the Wonder World theme park.
Who knew ferris wheels could be so dangerous?
Still haven't had enough Axel? Then grab Beverly Hills Cop - The Complete Line-up. This three-disc collection contains all three films, commentaries, deleted scenes, interviews, everything in one boxed set.
"... Tell him that Ramon went to the clinic today and I found out that I have, um, herpes simplex 10."
When 12-year old Josh gets a chance to make a wish on the super-creepy Zoltar Speaks machine, he only wants one thing... to be Big. Technically though, he wants to be a grown-up, but Grown-Ups won't come out in theaters for another 22 years, so, Big it is.
Wish granted. Overnight, he turns into Tom Hanks, a 12-year old in a 30-year old's body. Big Josh stumbles his way into getting a job, while still finding time to hang out with his still-12-year old best bud, and even inadvertently gets a grown-up girlfriend.
"You mean sleep over?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. But I get to be on top."
Wish granted. Overnight, he turns into Tom Hanks, a 12-year old in a 30-year old's body. Big Josh stumbles his way into getting a job, while still finding time to hang out with his still-12-year old best bud, and even inadvertently gets a grown-up girlfriend.
"You mean sleep over?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. But I get to be on top."
Pee-Wee Herman finally makes in onto the big screen in Tim Burton's directing debut, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. It's a story about a man-boy and his bike,
and the endless lengths he'll go to when it's stolen.
Pee-Wee travels cross-country and meets psychics, convicts, and bikers
all in the hope of getting back one of the coolest looking bicycles I've ever seen.
In the unconnected sequel, Big Top Pee-Wee, Pee-Wee's back on-screen, now as a farmer/chemist/inventor. When Mace and Midge Montana and the rest of
The Cabrini Circus show up on his farm, Pee-Wee falls for the
irresistible trapeze artist and wants to join the show.
But will the town locals force the circus to leave before he gets a chance? And we can't forget to mention Pee-Wee's sidekick Vance, the original talking pig. Babe, shmabe.
Looking for the ultimate two-fer? Pick up a copy of the two-disc Double Feature and get
both movies - Big Adventure and Big Top - in one package.
"Tell 'em Large Marge sent 'ya."
and the endless lengths he'll go to when it's stolen.
Pee-Wee travels cross-country and meets psychics, convicts, and bikers
all in the hope of getting back one of the coolest looking bicycles I've ever seen.
In the unconnected sequel, Big Top Pee-Wee, Pee-Wee's back on-screen, now as a farmer/chemist/inventor. When Mace and Midge Montana and the rest of
The Cabrini Circus show up on his farm, Pee-Wee falls for the
irresistible trapeze artist and wants to join the show.
But will the town locals force the circus to leave before he gets a chance? And we can't forget to mention Pee-Wee's sidekick Vance, the original talking pig. Babe, shmabe.
Looking for the ultimate two-fer? Pick up a copy of the two-disc Double Feature and get
both movies - Big Adventure and Big Top - in one package.
"Tell 'em Large Marge sent 'ya."
When we think of classic buddy pairs, a few usually come to mind immediately. Bert and Ernie, Batman and Robin, and the one and only Bill and Ted. In Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, we meet the guys for the first time. (Hehe. "Time.")
Desperately needing to pass their high school history test, Bill and Ted get help from their future selves (who were sent back in time via an awesome phone booth), and go on a time-jumping trip collecting historical figures - Billy the Kid, So-Crates, Abe Lincoln, and others - in order to put on a radical presentation
for the rest of San Dimas High School.
When we meet back with the guys in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, they're dead. No, that's not exactly a spoiler. They spend most of the movie trying to cheat death, and
The Grim Reaper himself, and find their way back to the land of the living.
More time travel funkiness is involved, of course. And evil robots.
If you're a superfan, be sure to check out Bill and Ted's Most Excellent Collection. In this monster three-disc set, you get both films plus an epic amount of extras including a making-of documentary, interviews with the screenwriters (who based Bill and Ted on their own lifelong friendship), a detailed air guitar tutorial
with instruction from a Nationally-ranked competitive air guitarist,
a full episode of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures cartoon,
and an interview with guitar legend Steve Vai.
"I am Bill S. Preston, Esquire."
"And I'm Ted Theodore Logan."
"And we're Wyld Stallyns."
Desperately needing to pass their high school history test, Bill and Ted get help from their future selves (who were sent back in time via an awesome phone booth), and go on a time-jumping trip collecting historical figures - Billy the Kid, So-Crates, Abe Lincoln, and others - in order to put on a radical presentation
for the rest of San Dimas High School.
When we meet back with the guys in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, they're dead. No, that's not exactly a spoiler. They spend most of the movie trying to cheat death, and
The Grim Reaper himself, and find their way back to the land of the living.
More time travel funkiness is involved, of course. And evil robots.
If you're a superfan, be sure to check out Bill and Ted's Most Excellent Collection. In this monster three-disc set, you get both films plus an epic amount of extras including a making-of documentary, interviews with the screenwriters (who based Bill and Ted on their own lifelong friendship), a detailed air guitar tutorial
with instruction from a Nationally-ranked competitive air guitarist,
a full episode of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures cartoon,
and an interview with guitar legend Steve Vai.
"I am Bill S. Preston, Esquire."
"And I'm Ted Theodore Logan."
"And we're Wyld Stallyns."
Okay, time out. This is personally one of my favorite films of all time. The music, the personalities, the story, the music; it just fires on all cylinders. The Blues Brothers was the first Saturday Night Live skit to get its own feature film, blazing the path
for Wayne's World, Superstar, and, unfortunately, even Night at the Roxbury.
Jake and Elwood hit the big screen as we watch them do whatever it takes to help The Penguin save the orphanage they grew up in. They travel around trying to get the band back together to play some gigs (with more than a few flash mob-style song sessions)
all while dodging the police and Jake's justifiably-psycho ex.
This 25th Anniversary Edition includes the director's cut of the film, behind the scenes info plus cast and crew interviews, a full tribute to John Belushi, and plenty more.
"Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips."
for Wayne's World, Superstar, and, unfortunately, even Night at the Roxbury.
Jake and Elwood hit the big screen as we watch them do whatever it takes to help The Penguin save the orphanage they grew up in. They travel around trying to get the band back together to play some gigs (with more than a few flash mob-style song sessions)
all while dodging the police and Jake's justifiably-psycho ex.
This 25th Anniversary Edition includes the director's cut of the film, behind the scenes info plus cast and crew interviews, a full tribute to John Belushi, and plenty more.
"Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips."
One of the most enduring films from "the brat pack", The Breakfast Club is one of the truly timeless films. As soon as you enter into high school and see the flick,
you just get it. It still resonates generation after generation.
Even if the jabs about Barry Manilow's wardrobe or talking about shop class might not hold up through the years, it's still one of the few movies that everybody can relate to in some way because, at our core, we do know that each
of us really is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal.
Be sure to pick up a copy of the special Flashback Edition which includes
a bunch of bonus features including insightful commentary from
Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson.
"A naked blonde walks into a bar with a poodle under one arm and
a two-foot salami under the other. She lays the poodle on the table.
The bartender says, 'I suppose you won't be needing a drink.'
The naked lady says..."
you just get it. It still resonates generation after generation.
Even if the jabs about Barry Manilow's wardrobe or talking about shop class might not hold up through the years, it's still one of the few movies that everybody can relate to in some way because, at our core, we do know that each
of us really is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal.
Be sure to pick up a copy of the special Flashback Edition which includes
a bunch of bonus features including insightful commentary from
Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson.
"A naked blonde walks into a bar with a poodle under one arm and
a two-foot salami under the other. She lays the poodle on the table.
The bartender says, 'I suppose you won't be needing a drink.'
The naked lady says..."
Here's a fun fact: Brewster's Millions is a remake of a 1945 film of the same name with essentially the same plot, and that was a film version of a novel from 1902 with the same name and, essentially, the same plot too. That's nuts.
To be honest though, I could never really wrap my head around the basic premise. Richard Pryor inherits some money, but he has to spend it all on useless stuff
before he inherits even more money. Sounds easy enough,
but apparently it's more complicated than that.
I think I need to rewatch it and maybe take some notes.
Regardless, John Candy brings his absolute A-game as Pryor's sidekick and best friend, and at times manages to even steal the spotlight in some scenes.
"Mr. Brewster and Mr. Nolan, you are charged with assault and battery,
resisting arrest, and destruction of private property.
How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?"
"Oh, guilty but with a real good excuse. You're gonna love it, really.
I think everyone here will."
To be honest though, I could never really wrap my head around the basic premise. Richard Pryor inherits some money, but he has to spend it all on useless stuff
before he inherits even more money. Sounds easy enough,
but apparently it's more complicated than that.
I think I need to rewatch it and maybe take some notes.
Regardless, John Candy brings his absolute A-game as Pryor's sidekick and best friend, and at times manages to even steal the spotlight in some scenes.
"Mr. Brewster and Mr. Nolan, you are charged with assault and battery,
resisting arrest, and destruction of private property.
How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?"
"Oh, guilty but with a real good excuse. You're gonna love it, really.
I think everyone here will."
We all understand that this is not a movie about golf, right? Even if you don't like golf, even if you hate watching golf on tv, even if you agree that golf just barely registers as an actual sport, you know why Caddyshack is an amazing movie.
The entire cast of characters is top notch. Carl Spackler, legendary. Judge Smails, awesome "villain". Ty Webb and Al Czervik, great role models.
Danny Noonan, classic underdog. Lacey Underall, 'nuff said.
Caddyshack 2, however, now that's quite a different story. They tried, oh dear, how they tried. And it worked, kinda-sorta-almost, in its own special way. But if we're being honest, it's pretty much a cast of second stringers trying their best to emulate what was already spectacularly done in the original. Close, but no cigar.
"The Zen philosopher Basho once wrote, 'A flute with no holes is not a flute,
and a doughnut with no hole is a danish.' He was a funny guy."
The entire cast of characters is top notch. Carl Spackler, legendary. Judge Smails, awesome "villain". Ty Webb and Al Czervik, great role models.
Danny Noonan, classic underdog. Lacey Underall, 'nuff said.
Caddyshack 2, however, now that's quite a different story. They tried, oh dear, how they tried. And it worked, kinda-sorta-almost, in its own special way. But if we're being honest, it's pretty much a cast of second stringers trying their best to emulate what was already spectacularly done in the original. Close, but no cigar.
"The Zen philosopher Basho once wrote, 'A flute with no holes is not a flute,
and a doughnut with no hole is a danish.' He was a funny guy."
