AIRPLANE! (1980)

Featuring: Robert Hays; Julie Hagerty

Directors: Jim Abrahams; David Zucker; Jerry Zucker

Chances are that if you google 'funniest movie ever made' you'll find this one under the top ten. Directing trio Abrahams and the two Zucker brothers are of course known for making wacky movies like Ruthless People in 1986 with Bette Midler and Danny DeVito, the Naked Gun trilogy from the late '80s - early '90s with Leslie Nielsen and the Scary Movie series from this century. But it was Airplane! that put them on the Hollywood map.

As this is a spoof on the many aviation related disaster films (all the Airport derivatives) that were so popular during the 1970's there is not much of a story to speak of. Not that it really matters anyway. After all it is not so much in the dialogue but what is happening around the characters as well as in the background of every scene that makes this move so funny.

And then there is the cast. With serious actors like Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges and Robert Stack able to hold their pose while everything around them fall to pieces is simply hilarious. Add to the mix famous names like basketballer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and singer Ethel Merman and you have a recipe for side splitting laughter all the way - right through to the end of the end-credits!

'Shirley' one of the funniest flicks I ever saw and for that I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0ADatJm4Ns

 One of the most famous scenes from this movie...

     

STAR WARS - EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983)

Featuring: Mark Hamill; Harrison Ford; Carrie Fisher

Director: Richard Marquand

As is often the case with many good things the birth of the Star Wars phenomenon was not an easy one. After his initial success with American Graffiti in 1973 budding filmmaker, George Lucas, wanted to make an epic sci-fi movie. First he tried to obtain the rights to Flash Gordon but when that failed, he decided to create his own space adventure taking place in some distant galaxy. But none of the major studios seemed to be interested. Fortunately at the time 20th Century Fox was looking for something a bit different. So they decided to take up the gamble... and boy, did it pay off big time!

The destruction of the Death Star in Episode V left the Empire vulnerable. And while the Emperor himself decides to join Darth Vader in personally overseeing the construction of a new one, the rebels see this as an excellent opportunity to launch an attack at the very heart of the enemy. But before the battle can commence, Luke (Mark Hamill) and Lea (Carrie Fisher) must first rescue Han Solo (Harrison Ford) from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt...

This final episode neatly wraps up the entire saga, including answers to the questions that arose from the original trilogy. The recently released Episodes VII - The Force Awakens (2015) and VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) both of which I've seen, as well as the yet to be released Episode IX is an entire different kettle of fish. With actually very little in common with the 'original' six episodes, it is rather Star Wars for a 'new generation' if you will.

Be that as it may, I rate Return Of The Jedi 4 out of 5 stars as well.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYD_xxY5wEI

The final scene as it appears in the digitally remastered 2008 version of Return Of The Jedi

 

STAR WARS - EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)

Featuring: Mark Hamill; Harrison Ford; Carrie Fisher

Director: Irvin Kershner

As we approach Oscar season 2018 it is well worth noting that this first sequel to the original Star Wars film was nominated for a further four Academy Awards of which it won two at the 1981 ceremony.

When the rebel's base on the planet Hoth is finally traced and attacked by Empire forces under the command of Lord Darth Vader, they are forced to flee. While Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Lea (Carrie Fisher) make their escape to the cloud city on planet Bespin, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) makes his way to the swamps of another planet in search of the mysterious Jedi Master Yoda in his quest to become a Jedi warrior. But when he senses that the princess is in peril, he interrupts his training to go to her rescue, little realizing that he is walking right into a trap set by the very same evil Lord Vader.

The action in this movie is even more hectic than it was in Episode IV. So if you plan on watching it (again?) prepare yourself for yet another roller coaster ride of fun and mayhem.

Again, it is worth 4 out of 5 stars in my book.

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xESiohGGP7g

 Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader crossing swords...or rather light sabres

STAR WARS - EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE (1977)

Featuring: Mark Hamill; Carrie Fisher; Harrison Ford

Director: George Lucas

This, of course, is where it all started; the "original" Star Wars film. It was also the start of one of the biggest movie franchises ever - over $4 billion worth so far!

The story begins with the galaxy in turmoil. The old republic is no more and in its place an evil empire is in power. The only remnants of the peoples once loyal to the republic is a rebel force operating from a secret planet somewhere in the galaxy. In its attempts to quell the rebellion, the current rulers developed a space station/weapon, called the Death Star, able to destroy entire planets with only one blast of its death ray. And in charge of all this is none other than one lord Darth Vader. Then, just before being captured, princess Lea (Carrie Fisher) - by now a young woman as well one of the rebel leaders - manages to get a message off to Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guiness) - who is hiding out on some other remote planet somewhere in the galaxy - to come to her and the rebels' aid. And it just so happens that her long lost twin brother, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) finds himself on this very same planet. 

When you watch this film in the sequence it is now intended, you realize just how far the film industry has come over the years. Compared to Episodes 1 to 3, the special effects in this movie look almost amateurish. But ignoring that you quickly realize what all the fuss was about when it was first released some forty years ago. And, while listening to that magnificent score by John Williams, you can really appreciate why it won seven Oscars way back in 1978. This is truly a masterpiece and one of the great classics of its era. 

I humbly rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ734NWnAHA

Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford

 Alec Guiness as the original Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker with 3CPO in the background

STAR WARS - EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH (2005)

Featuring: Ewan McGregor; Hayden Christensen; Natalie Portman

Director: George Lucas

One of the main reasons George Lucas gives for creating the Star Wars prequel trilogy was to explain where Luke Skywalker, Princess Lea and especially Darth Vader come from. This, in turn, was inspired by the famous "Luke, I'm your father" scene from the original Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi (1983).

Anikin (Hayden Christensen) is delighted when Padmé (Natalie Portman) tells him she is pregnant with their baby. But then he starts having foreboding dreams of her dying whilst giving birth. And of course he would do anything in order to prevent that from happening. So when he learns the dark side of the Force can give him the power to restore life from death, nothing can stand in his way from acquiring just that.

Episode 3 therefore neatly sets the scene for the start of Episode 4 (the original Star Wars: A New Hope). In essence what we see in this movie is the birth of both Luke and Lea as well as that of Darth Vader.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UnjrG_N8hU

 

The very fiery end to Episode 3...