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Our movie guy, James Finnegan’s selections are especially for dads this week…
This week’s selection is based around the Dads – and granddads – for the weekend that is in it.
It is a selection based on ‘Guys on Tour’, and as we all know, what happens on tour, stays on tour…unless they make a film of it!
Incidentally, all these films spawned sequels, none of which, in my opinion, live up to the originals, and are best avoided.
First up is a true cult classic, The Blues Brothers. I was surprised, or indeed traumatised, to realise it is now 40 years since its release.
The late John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd play ‘Joliet’ Jake and Elwood Blues who are on a “mission from God” to save the orphanage in which they were brought up from closure.
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They are going to do this by getting their R&B band back together, and arranging a concert to raise $5,000.
This includes, as you would imagine, run ins with Neo Nazis, Country and Western Singers, a homicidal mystery woman and all the while being chased by the police.
Directed by John Landis and written by Landis and Aykroyd, this also includes one of the most memorable soundtracks ever with performances from the likes of Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin.
Next is a film that includes a personal favourite performance, City Slickers. Mitch (Billy Crystal), Phil (Daniel Stern) and Ed (Bruno Kirby) are three guys facing their individual mid life crises including turning forty, unhappy marriages, or, indeed, younger brides, by doing things such as taking part in the Pamplona Bull Race.
So when the three decide to take part in a two-week cattle drive from New Mexico to Colorado, they little realise that the challenges will change them, especially when they have to deal with Curly, the Trail Boss. This is the aforementioned exceptional performance by the Oscar-winning Jack Palance.
Directed by Ron Underwood, and featuring a brilliant supporting cast full of familiar character actors, this is a film that can be enjoyed by all the family.
The final film this week is The Hangover. Doug is getting married, so naturally, his stag party is going to be a weekend in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The group includes Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) and future brother in law Alan (Zach Galifianakis).
They start the evening with a few drinks. They wake up next morning with no memory of the night before, with Doug missing, Stu missing a tooth, their hotel suite destroyed, a tiger in the bathroom, a chicken in the living room and a baby in the closet. So far, so usual, you might think!
The story continues with their attempt to find Doug by retracing their steps. They come across an eclectic cast of characters and the humour comes in the situations in which they find themselves rather than the dialogue. This one is perhaps not so suitable for the smallies! Enjoy and Stay Safe!
