Movie #337 - The Karate Kid

The Karate Kid
1984 - Rated PG - 2 hr 6 min
Director: John G. Avildsen
Starring: Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, Randee Heller, William Zabka

Even though it operates within a pretty strict plot formula, this movie is a classic for a reason.  A classic underdog story, a teen triumphs over his enemy by relying on himself.  Whether it's a ski race, a boxing match, or a karate tournament, this kind of story always inspires and empowers.  And this one staked it's claim on the hearts of many teenage boys decades ago.

Besides, who doesn't want their own Mr. Miyagi in their life?

Ralph Macchio is adorably hopeless when he first moves to California. And Elisabeth Shue is just plain smitten, which I can understand.  The two make a good pair, believable as they struggle to find common ground and deal with their feelings.  Classic teen romance.

Enter big jerk ex-boyfriend and Macchio's life is now a living hell. Thank God the building maintenance guy knows karate and needs his deck sanded, or Macchio would be up a creek.  It's fun to watch the training -- possibly the best part about this movie -- and the transformation Macchio undergoes.

Daniel-san is the kind of guy we can all get behind and relate to as well.  This works on every level and it's fun to revisit after all this time.

Movie #250 - Hamlet 2

Hamlet 2
2008 - Rated R - 1 hr 32 min
Director: Andrew Flemins
Starring: Steve Coogan, Elisabeth Shue, Catherine Keener, Joseph Julian Soria, Skylar Astin, Phoebe Strole, David Arquette, Amy Poehler, Melonie Diaz

Oh my God, I love this movie so much.  It's one part Waiting for Guffman and one part Napoleon Dynamite all grown up.  Awkward and lame high school drama director tackles his inner demons by rewriting Hamlet with a happy ending? Done.

The kids in this movie are also fantastic.  Epiphany's racist, Rand's in the closet, and Octavio's a secret genius, mistaken for a troubled, "ethnic" youth.  As they work together despite their differences, and their director's life falls apart, and the school bans the show, you're never in doubt that the show will go on.  It's just funny to watch how they'll get there. 

Maybe I love this movie because I'm a theater person. But I'm pretty sure it's hillarious even if you don't know which direction stage left is.

Movie #48 - Back to the Future Part III

Back to the Future Part III
Universal Pictures
1990 - Rated PG - 1 hr 48 min
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen, Thomas F. Wilson, Lea Thompson, Elisabeth Shue

Alright, I'm going to come right out and say it. They weren't ready to kill the series, so they decided to screw with time some more. Now it's Doc's turn to start causing trouble... I mean, he does deserve it. And apparently, a little something-something from Mary Steenburgen.

That's not to say that I don't like this movie... actually, as a kid, I thought this one was the most fun. It's good to see that Marty isn't selfish with his time traveling pursuits and will step up and help Doc save his life and his love. He really is a good guy. And Doc is still a crackpot.

Anyway, enjoy the little Irish accents on Lea Thompson and Michael J Fox in this one. I was pretty impressed, actually. Mad Dog Tannen is clearly Biff in disguise. I wouldn't put it past that old bastard to follow them to 1855. He was a really big jerk, you guys. It could happen.

So Part III might not be necessary to the overall story arc of this series, but it does make a nice, neat package. Three movies always seems to be the magic number and this is a worthy addition to the movie wall. It's not necessary but it really is fun. Just enjoy this whole series. And if you can, I really recommend watching them in order, back to back. The consistencies are even more meaningful this way.

Movie #47 - Back to the Future Part II

Back to the Future Part II
Universal Pictures
1989 - Rated PG - 1 hr 48 min
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson, Elisabeth Shue

Oh, Biff! How much trouble can one cranky old man really cause? His character is a real jerk, but he's the kind of jerk we all love to hate. Cuz didn't we all know a Biff of our very own back in high school? His name wasn't likely Biff, but you catch my drift.

Anyway, watching these back to back is something I've never done. We pick up seamlessly where we left off (four calendar years after, four cinema seconds later). Except we've now added Elisabeth Shue! Hello, Elisabeth! We all know how much I love her, and her babysitting dramas. Anyway, now she's a knocked-out girlfriend in a time machine who ends up meeting her older self and passing out! Now that's plot, folks.

Again, Zemeckis and company are sticking steadfastly to their own rules as they travel ahead to go back-back, to fix ahead and then ahead-ahead. You still with me? On paper, this movie makes your head sping. In practice, you can actually follow it.

That right there is an achievement.

So we get everything sorted out. Biff is again repressed, Dad is again alive, Marty still has his hot wheels and of course, he gets the girl. Until! Oh no! Doc! Doc goes back to the past, and Western Union has been waiting for Marty. Thank God for Western Union (how much add money did they give Spielberg for this anyway?)

Enter cheesy-ass Western preview. And they're making a Part III! I've heard Mike talk about this "cool preview" and how psyched he was to see it in the theater. I think you have to truly be 8 to think it's cool.

On to the promised Part III!

Movie #16 - Adventures in Babysitting

Adventures in Babysitting
Touchstone Pictures
1987 - Rated PG - 1 hr 42 min
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Elisabeth Shue, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp, Maia Brewton

Oh, Elisabeth Shue! I love love loooove this movie, and it's one of the few that still hold up after 20 years. Outrageous 80's hair and fashion aside, this movie is a great one.

Rent alum Anthony Rapp plays the annoying teenage neighbor, which is just hysterical. During the scene where they get trapped and stage and sing the blues, you can kinda hear Mark in there somewhere... And did anyone else know that the mechanic/Thor guy is Vincent D'Onofrio? Seriously!

This movie also has the best "singing in her bedroom" opening ever filmed, just sayin'.

If you haven't watched this one recently, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how much fun it still is... even as a grown up. This movie was another unopened one, after a year sitting on that shelf. See? Movies like this are the reason I'm doing this project.