I Love the 80's has released another bevy of must-have films. These aren't the end-all be-all perfect editions of films that are loaded with extras ... These are the DVDs you put in your basket while you are in the check out line. You don't have to give much thought (or much money) and you know you've made the right decision. And as an added bonus, most have a CD with songs by a-ha, Echo & the Bunnymen, INXS and more. Here's a handful of selections from the new, available titles. Coming to America Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones
Movie: Is Eddie Murphy the biggest star from the 80's? I know it's hard to think about now, with his less than stellar movie choices over the past 15 years. But just think about what Murphy did in the 80's. "Saturday Night Live," Delirious, 48 Hours, Beverly Hills Cop, and my personal favorite Coming to America. YES! In the face! There are simply too many quotable moments to this movie. Sure, this film led to one actor putting on way too much make-up for a variety of characters, but you can't fault the original for all the awful imitations.
Murphy stars as Prince Akeem, a man who doesn't brush his own teeth. And he sets out to find true love in Queens, New York. That's it. There isn't any more plot to explain or oversell. All that needs to be said is, Coming to America is one of the funniest films of the 1980s.
Extras: Theatrical Trailer
Final Score: 9/10 by Jeff Bayer
The Naked Gun: From the Files of the Police Squad Starring: Leslie Nelson, Priscilla Presley, O.J. Simpson
Movie: Instead of saying it's one of the funniest ... I'm going to just put it out there ... Here goes ... Naked Gun is the funniest film of the 80's. Following Frank Drebbin and the rest of the Police Squad is something I could do time after time. Plus, now you have the unintentional comedy of O.J. Simpson as Norberg and a Presley, and a Kahn ... what more could you ask for?
I was simply giddy when the sequel came out, and I was polite to Naked Gun: 33 and a 1/3 when it opened. That's completely and utterly due to the comedic brilliance of the original. It smells like raw sewage, and I love it.
Extras: Group Commentary by David Zucker, Robert Weiss, Peter Tilden Theatrical Trailer
Final Score: 10/10 by Mike Hales
Top Secret! Starring: Val Kilmer, Lucy Gutteridge
Movie: Every time there is another Meet the Spartans or Epic Movie you should just watch this film. We've all seen Airplane! a million times over, but Top Secret! tends to get forgotten. And it's just an extra treat to see a young Val Kilmer leading the way. And I could sit and marvel at the scene filmed in reverse with Peter Cushing.
Extras: Group Commentary by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, Jon Davison, Hunt Lowry and Fred Rubin Four Alternative Scenes Storyboards Theatrical Trailer
Final Score: 7/10 by Jeff Bayer
Cheech & Chong - Still Smokin Starring: Cheech Marin, Thomas Chong
Movie: Of course they are still smokin. This film is an odd almost documentary concert scene that will almost have you feeling like you're tripping. Look, I know they were the ONLY ones making pot films, and there are some laugh out loud moments. But it's just so slow. I need some pep with my comedies ... or maybe I just need to take something to slow me down. The classic Ralph and Herbie makes an appearance at the end of the film to delight diehards. You'll have to decide on your own if E.T. The Extra Testical stands up to the test of time.
Extras: Theatrical Trailer
Final Score: 5/10 by Jeff Bayer
Flashdance
Movie: The quintessential story of a girl with a dream, in Flashdance Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) may be the hardest working person ever. She's a welder by day and a stripper by night. But not just any kind of exotic dancer, she's a stripper like Laurie Anderson is a pop star. Alex uses her love of dance to create avant-garde art strip shows which totally impresses her boss/nude dance aficionado Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri). Did I mention she also has an awesome loft and a hardcore pitbull? And she makes off the shoulder sweatshirts cool? So yes, Alex exudes awesomeness. But she has a dream, Alex wants to become a ballerina. Without any help from her rich, connected boyfriend.
Can you tell I love Alex? She can work like one of the guys and hang with the chicks. Sexy and tough, she keeps her romantic relationship with Nick on her terms, and when he oversteps the line she's not afraid to go bat-shit crazy on him. Somehow screenwriters Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct, Showgirls) and director Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction, Unfaithful) found a happy place between tawdriness and female empowerment where greatness could happen. I haven't even gotten to the soundtrack, which is probably the best ever to come from a non-musical. Seriously, one of the best movies ever.
Extras:
Final Score: 10/10 by Megan Lehar
Complete List --
· THE ACCUSED · AMERICAN DREAMER · BLACK RAIN · CHEECH & CHONG STILL SMOKIN · CLUE · COMING TO AMERICA · DRAGONSLAYER · EDDIE MURPHY RAW · FLASHDANCE · GALLIPOLI · GOLDEN CHILD · HARLEM NIGHTS · HEARTBURN · THE HUNTER · LADY JANE · MOMMIE DEAREST · NAKED GUN: FROM THE FILES OF POLICE SQUAD! · AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN · ORDINARY PEOPLE · THE PRESIDIO · RAGTIME · SHIRLEY VALENTINE · STAYING ALIVE · SUMMER RENTAL · TOP SECRET! · TRADING PLACES · TUCKER: THE MAN AND HIS DREAM · U2: RATTLE AND HUM · THE UNTOUCHABLES · YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES