Hold Up

Avatar

In 2009, James Cameron brought us the first of what is to be 5 movies about greedy humans and nature loving Na’Vi as they battle for unobtanium on the planet Pandora.  To call Avatar a passion project for Cameron might be an understatement, as he began development in 1994, pre-production on the beings and language in 2005, a script in 2006, and finally releasing the film after 15 years of thought and planning.  Avatar broke every box office record there was, hitting $1 Billion in only 19 days of international release, and $2 Billion after 72 days.  While you let that sink in, Avatar also received fairly positive reviews and several Oscar nominations as well, winning three for art direction, cinematography and visual effects.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent visit Pandora and hang out with the Na’Vi and see if they can assimilate themselves into the tribe and peacefully enjoy all that nature has to offer, or if the urge for unobtanium and working legs is too strong and the world is torn apart with savage and reckless abandon, leaving their avatars and souls as empty husks.

The Fast and the Furious

In 2001, the world was blessed with Director Rob Cohen’s vision of a world full of street racing, undercover police work, and heists.  The Fast and the Furious was in fact a dream project of Paul Walker, and by all accounts was a mash-up of Days of Thunder and Donnie Brasco.  Vin Diesel was brought on to add another recognizable face, and a franchise was born.  With 8 movies currently in the library and two more expected by 2021, any lack of critical acclaim is more than made up for in profits, as the franchise is reported to have returned $5 Bil on a $1 Bil investment.  But does the first of many hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and guest Brent discuss this box office superpower and see if the fast cars, fast women, and risky heists are worth the price of admission, or if their cover is blown while imposter syndrome sets in and they cause a 10-car pileup of disastrous lines, acting, and stupidity.

Alien

In 1979, Ridley Scott introduced the world to Sigourney Weaver and the first in what was to be several movies centred around the creature simply known as Alien. While met with some critical skepticism initially, this Giger designed horror/sci-fi flick won the academy award for visual effects and has received more and more praise as time went on.  No less than 8 movies are attributed as sequels or spin-offs, and video games, merchandise, novels and comics speak to the Alien phenomenon and its success.  But does the film that started it all hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent wake from cryo-sleep and see if Alien is still a chest bursting suspenseful good time, or if this movie goes the way of the Nostromo and self-destructs with it’s overbearing mother and crew, leaving a crazy cat lady and her cat as the only survivors, drifting towards inevitable sequels.

The Breakfast Club

In 1985, possibly the most well-known John Hughes movie The Breakfast Club hit the big screen.  Though it was released at the same time as Beverly Hills Cop and Witness, The Breakfast Club still became a huge financial success, as it was shot in one location for just $1 million dollars and took in $51 million worldwide.  Many still consider this film to be the quintessential 80’s film and an accurate portrayal of teenagers.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and guest Amy travel back in time to the 80’s and see if the brain, athlete, basket case, princess and criminal make a weekend detention seem like an eternity, or if they are able to dance, joke, and love their way to freedom from Principal Vernon’s tyranny.

Christmas Vacation

In 1989, John Hughes wrote one of his last best movies in Christmas Vacation.  Following up Vacation and European Vacation, Christmas Vacation locked the Griswolds down in their Chicago suburban home for the holidays.  Facing off against Back to the Future 2, this movie had staying power and grossed over $70 million in theatres while receiving fairly positive reviews.  While any slapstick comedy can be subject to critical scorn, Christmas Vacation is still considered to be one of the best Christmas movies ever made, thanks to Chevy Chase and the talented cast.  But 30 years later, does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin, and guest Brent revisit this holiday classic and see if the magic of Christmas is still alive and well with the Griswolds, or if a Jelly of the Month Club membership is the best this movie has to offer.

Love Actually

In 2003, director Richard Curtis explored how love connects us all together with the star-studded cast of Love Actually.  Received well in Britain, Love Actually was not so warmly received in North America, with critics being torn over the charming holiday romance told over 10 distinct but intertwined stories.  The run time certainly did not do this movie any favours, but with crowds ever hungry for new and relatable Christmas movies, the box office take for Love Actually was an impressive $250 Million.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and guest star/local comedian Amy revisit this 15-year-old story and see if love is actually still felt in their fingers and toes, or if time got the better of this epic romantic comedy and love is actually not around this movie at all.

Gremlins

In 1984, the worlds of fantasy and campy horror combined when Chris Columbus write, Joe Dante Directed, and Steven Spielberg attached his name to the Christmas favorite, Gremlins.  This successful film polarized critics and fans alike due to its violence, causing the new rating of PG-13 to be created.  Love it or hate it, Gremlins spawned a sequel, video games, and enough merchandise to make Mel Brooks and Yogurt jealous.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin, and special guest star Tim from Instagrams @mr.mrs.moviereviewer as they reminisce over this cult classic and see if Gizmo can save the day with his cuteness, or if Stripe and the Gremlins break all the rules and take over the world.

Die Hard

In 1988, John McTiernan followed up his action-packed blockbuster Predator with a less sci-fi, but just as action packed Christmas Classic Die Hard.  Bruce Willis successfully moved from prime-time television to the big screen, drastically going from romantic comedy Blind Date to act as a New York cop fighting terrorists at Nakatomi Plaza.  Met with mixed reviews from critics and a decent box office take, this movie now ranks highly with fans and critics alike as an all-time best Christmas movie, which is odd considering the non-stop action.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and first-time viewer Josh look at the movie floor by floor and see if Die Hard blows the roof off the building with some awesome action and Christmas cheer, or if the terrorists overcome inconvenient timing, ever confident FBI guys, and a rogue cop to disappear with the negotiable bearer bonds to sit on a beach earning 20%, and forever soiling our memories of this Christmas classic.

The Fifth Element

In 1997, Luc Besson made the highest budget movie outside of Hollywood with The Fifth Element.  Landing major talent such as Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Ian Holm, Chris Tucker and Gary Oldman, this movie took chances by creating both an original and ambitious story.  This polarized critics, with some appreciating the campiness of this sci-fi adventure, and others feeling the story was too disjointed to please American audiences.  As time went on, The Fifth Element has enjoyed a cult status and to many is a staple of science figure action films that straddles a line between risky and over the top.  But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent blast off with Korben Dallas and Leeloo to see if the super green universe is worth saving from pure evil, or if Zorg and his cronies close the deal with Mr. Shadow and destroy the universe and our hopes for a solid movie with it.

Credit where credit is definitely due to Linda Huber for the great image of Leeloo, amazing work and it really tied our poster together.

Rush Hour

In 1998, Brett Ratner teamed up with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker to bring us the buddy cop, east meets west, fish out of water blockbuster Rush Hour.  While this flick has nothing to do with rush hour traffic, it was welcomed with open arms into the buddy cop action comedy genre and made nearly $250 million in the box office.  What this film lacked in plot, it made up for in action, as many of the fight scenes were performed without the use of stunt doubles.  But 20 years later, does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and guest Brent listen to the words that are coming out of this movie's mouth and find that the movie is lost in translation while it swings and misses at Juntao, or if Carter and Lee can successfully team up to talk smack, dance, disarm, fight, and ultimately save the little girl from meeting an explosive end.