Canadian Bacon: Remembering John Candy 30 Years Later

Canadian Bacon may have been the only narrative feature directed by Michael Moore but it was the final film to star John Candy. No Canadians were harmed in the making of the film. I decided to watch the film to mark the thirtieth anniversary of Candy’s passing. Honestly, it was either this or Wagon’s East, which also starred the late Richard Lewis. In any event, Canadian Bacon was available to stream through Hoopla without commercial…

"Canadian Bacon: Remembering John Candy 30 Years Later"

Little Shop of Horrors: The Director’s Cut

Little Shop of Horrors: The Director’s Cut replaces the theatrical ending by restoring musical’s original ending to the film. Before The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin, both Howard Ashman and Alan Menken adapted a 1960 film, Little Shop of Horrors, as an off-Broadway musical. Roger Corman did the original film as a joke. It would go on to grow a cult following. The musical is proof that one can turn a bad…

"Little Shop of Horrors: The Director’s Cut"

National Lampoon’s Vacation Arrives on 4K Ultra HD

The road trip comedy looks pristine as ever now that National Lampoon’s Vacation is taking the “Holiday Road” to 4K Ultra HD. The film’s arrival on 4K UHD comes as the comedy is about to mark its 40th anniversary. Obviously, the studio has another reason to give it the upgrade: Warner Bros.’ 100th anniversary. As Warner Bros. celebrates every story, they could have at least included some sort of 40th anniversary marking somewhere on the…

"National Lampoon’s Vacation Arrives on 4K Ultra HD"

Planes, Trains and Automobiles Arrives On 4K Ultra HD

Since its release in 1987, Planes, Trains and Automobiles has become a Thanksgiving tradition for families across the United States. In celebration of its 35th anniversary, the classic Thanksgiving staple, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, is now on 4K Ultra HD. Writing about the film has certainly become something of a Thanksgiving tradition around here. Or at least, it probably feels this way because of my initial review in 2018, a Thanksgiving essentials piece in 2019,…

"Planes, Trains and Automobiles Arrives On 4K Ultra HD"

Planes, Trains and Automobiles Gets A SteelBook

Since its release in 1987, Planes, Trains and Automobiles has become a Thanksgiving tradition for families across the United States. Starting today, fans can also bring home the classic Thanksgiving staple, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, in a Limited Edition Blu-ray Steelbook. Advertising executive Neal Page (Steve Martin) wants to return home to Chicago.  He’s all set to get on a cab only to see it stolen out in front of his eyes by traveling salesman…

"Planes, Trains and Automobiles Gets A SteelBook"

Stripes Celebrated 40 Years In June

Stripes, which marked its 40th anniversary in June, recently got an upgrade in the recent Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Vol 2. John Winger (Bill Murray) turns to enlisting in the army after losing his job, girlfriend, and apartment in the single span of one day. He’s a slacker so it’s no surprise to see Anita leave him. Best friend Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis), who teaches English as a second language, joins him in…

"Stripes Celebrated 40 Years In June"

Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 2

Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 2, a limited edition set, brings six films home for the first time on 4K Ultra HD. This limited edition set features Anatomy of a Murder, Oliver!, Taxi Driver, Stripes, Sense and Sensibility, and The Social Network. The set comes with an 80-page hardbound book in the history and impact of the films. In addition, there are over 30 new hours of new and archival special features. A…

"Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Volume 2"

Spaceballs: Mel Brooks Spoof Arrives on 4K UHD

Spaceballs finally reaches ludicrous speed with today’s Kino Lorber release of a new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray of the classic Mel Brooks spoof. The celebrated Star Wars spoof hits 4K with a number of bonus features. Unless noted, all bonus features appear on the Blu-ray disc and not the 4k UHD disc. What follows is my film review from the 32nd anniversary: Planet Spaceball–led by the inept President Skroob (Mel Brooks)–is out of clean air…

"Spaceballs: Mel Brooks Spoof Arrives on 4K UHD"

John Hughes 5-Movie Collection Now on Blu-ray

The John Hughes 5-Movie Collection is now available on Blu-ray from Paramount Home Entertainment–two titles arriving for the first time. Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles have previously been released on Blu-ray.  Both Some Kind of Wonderful and She’s Having A Baby are making their first appearance on Blu-ray. In addition to the Blu-ray, the five films will also be made available as a digital copy. Both Pretty in…

"John Hughes 5-Movie Collection Now on Blu-ray"

Wild and Crazy Guys: A Must-Own Comedy Book

Nick de Semlyen’s Wild and Crazy Guys: How the Comedy Mavericks of the ’80s Changed Hollywood Forever is a must-own for comedy fans. When one thinks of the greatest comedies of the 1980s, you can’t help but think of sketch comedy series such as Saturday Night Live and SCTV.  These two series gave rise to some of the greatest comedy films and in some instances, some of the best comedy duos of all-time. This book…

"Wild and Crazy Guys: A Must-Own Comedy Book"