Chicago Is In Good Hands... "Running Scared"

Running Scared (1986)
Rated R for violence and language and nudity

Starring Billy Crystal, Gregory Hines, Joe Pantoliano, Dan Hedaya, Jimmy Smits

Directed by Peter Hyams

The Story:

Detectives Ray (Hines) and Danny (Crystal) are two of Chicago's finest.  However, when the duo are almost killed, their Captan (Hedaya) orders them to take a vacation.  A trip to the Florida Keys convinces them that perhaps it's simply time to retire and open a bar.  As they go to finish up their tour on the force, the two become very conservative in their behavior, and that could prove costly as they attempt to take down local drug kingpin Julio Gonzales (Smits).

Long live the Buddy Cop film!

Although this film takes a different slant on the buddy cop genre.

Instead of the duo being oil and water, Ray and Danny are like an old married couple.

They can complete each other's sentences, know what one another is thinking...

In other words, best friends on and off the force.

Hines and Crystal's chemistry serves the duo well, allowing both to take on the air of serious action stars while maintaining their sense of humor and general likeability.

The supporting cast is great.

Hedaya makes a wonderful beaten down head of detectives an Pantoliano is perfectly cast as two bit villain Snake.

Some great dialogue, pretty fun action sequences, and you'll find this is one of the underrated action comedies of the mid-80s.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I own it, and I love it.

Celebrate Friday By Doing The Truffle Shuffle! "The Goonies"

The Goonies (1985)
Rated PG for Language and Sheer Awesomeness

Starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Jonathan Ke Quan, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, Anne Ramsey

Directed by Richard Donner

The Goonies: Mikey (Astin), Chunk (Cohen), Mouth (Feldman)and Data (Quan) are facing the end of their stay in Astoria Oregon.  The bank is foreclosing on their houses to create a  big money making deal and there is no room for these houses.  But when they discover a treasure map, the boys embark on one last mission: to uncover the lost pirate treasure of One-Eyed Willie.  However, when they cross paths with the dangerous Fratelli family, they may lose more than just their homes if they aren't careful.

I Think This Review Will Go Well!

There are very few movies I would classify as "Perfect" or "As Close to Perfect As You Can Get".

The Goonies makes either of those lists, all day, every day.

A well-written story by Steven Spielberg and Chris Columbus, it was helmed by Richard Donner who I have mentioned often that he is one of my favorite directors of all time.

It's not just one of the best 80s movies of that generation, it can stand toe to toe with the best of any decade.

Hard to believe it's going on 30 years old.

The great thing about The Goonies, and what helps make it timeless?

Before There Was Twerking...

It's a wonderful thrill ride/coming of age/fun/adventure story that is great for kids, and kids of all ages. 

When those kids grow up and have their own kids, they introduce them to the magic of this movie, and the bond between family and movie grows stronger with each passing viewing.

Or at least, that's what's happened in our household.

There are scenes that are burned indelibly into the pop culture consciousness...

The Truffle Shuffle?

Chunk's blender confession?

Data's pinchers of peril?

Heck, Mouth's "You're Ruining My Joke" gag gets used around the house all the time whenever someone stomps on someone Else's punchline.

Still A Better Pirate Movie Than Anything With Johnny Depp In It.

Any plot holes you can find within the movie are minor and don't detract or distract from the film.

Heck, about the only thing I would like to see is the octopus scene that was mentioned at the end but apparently removed from the film.

If you have never seen it, run, don't walk to your nearest capability to view this film.

If it's been awhile, dust it off and play it again, especially if you have any kids now and they've never had the privilege of seeing the movie.

It is currently streamable if you are an Amazon Prime member.


Final Grade: A+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I own it and it gets watched at least once a year, if not more than that. :)