Detective Dick Japowski dusts off the VCR and investigates some VHS cold cases.
My Blue Heaven (1990)
Trailers: Rad, Rocky V, Going Under, White Hunter, Blackheart.
Rick Moranis plays an F.B.I agent who is tasked with keeping Steve Martin's mobster safe until he testifies. Easier said then done though, with this low life refusing to lie low.
Its a slim story and serves more as a comedic showcase for the two always watchable leads.
Rewatch: 3.5 Doughnuts
Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991)
A vicious drug lord meets his match when he goes up against Dolph Lundgren's Champ and his new partner Brandon Lee.
There's a moment in this movie where Lee compliments Champ on having the biggest penis he has ever seen. We never see it. But it's the balls that impress me, with this and other movies like this of the time.
Kung-pokery fun of the highest order.
First watch: 3.5 Doughnuts
Brewster's Millions (1985)
Richard Pryor has just 30 days in which to spend 30 million dollars. If he succeeds he'll get 300 million. If he fails nada! The only catch, he can't tell anyone what he's doing and he can't own anything at the end of the month. Phew sounds stressful!
I remember in primary school writing about this being the highlight of my weekend, and it's still good but it slows down in the middle then ends abruptly and caused me heavy anxiety! The child me probably had cola cubes to deal with this!
Rewatch: 3 Doughnuts
Congo (1995)
Trailers: The Indiana Jones trilogy, Mission Impossible
Your typical ragtag bunch of qualifieds head to the Congo, not to dance however but to rescue.. And diamonds.
I wasn't bananas for this on its initial release, hoping for a monkey Jurassic park and still feel ape-athy towards it.
A hammy and rather dull 90s blockbuster.
Rewatch: 2 Doughnuts
Teen Agent .a.k.a If Looks Could Kill (1991)
Trailers: JFK, Curly Sue, Company Business, Delirious, Rover Dangerfield, Mannequin: On the Move.
Mistaken identity sees an American high school student on a European trip caught up in a world of espionage. Cue fun gadgets , smart mouths and implausibly lavish set pieces! A fun highly rented favourite from my childhood.
Rewatch: 3 Doughnuts
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)
Trailers: The Addams Family, Rock-a-doodle
The far from bogus sequel that sees Bill and Ted go to hell and heaven, play twister with Death, battle evil us's, build good us's and jam out to Kiss! There's lots going on in this most radically fun sequel and you can't help but get swept up in the party.
Rewatch: 4 Doughnuts
National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)
Trailers: A Nightmare on Elm Street 2, The Colour Purple, Club Paradise.
After winning big on "Pig in a poke" the Griswold's are off on an all expenses paid European dream holiday. Cue Lyndsey Buckingham!
I've always loved this goofy comedy and it's cultural stereotypes (which I had to explain to my oldest who watched for the first time!) Littered with fun cameos and lederhosen. This still holds up.
Rewatch: 3.5 Doughnuts
Japowski jr: 4 Doughnuts
The Man in the White Suit (1951)
Classic Ealing comedy that sees Alec Guinness as an underappreciated factory worker who comes up with a fantastic formula that keeps clothes clean from dirt and grime.
Classing up my VCR with ner a dick or fart gag in sight, this is gentle comedy of the most charming and like the rest of Ealing's output needs to be viewed..and not only with your grandparents!
Rewatch:. 4.5 Doughnuts
Were you a witness to any of these VHS cold cases? Make your statement below?