The Karate Kid

I was so young and impressionable when I first saw this film, that mean't I, along with a generation of similarly aged kids (and a few adults I imagine) grew up with a television, karate schooling...I know kung-fu? No, I know Crane kick...or did...it gets more difficult the older and weightier you get.

So, for the people that refused to see it, lived in a country without TV in the 1980's or were too young and have subsequently seen the remake (I haven't...I just can't)...here's the plot;

Teenage boy (Ralph Macchio) and mum move towns, kid is annoyed. Boy meets sensei (Pat Morita-karate master) who works as the apartment supervisor and starts to take unorthodox lessons. Boy meets girl (Elizabeth Shue). Boy gets into fight with karate bullies and enters a tournament to show em all how it's done...brilliant!

Gross: $90,815,558

Fun Fact: Three direct sequels, two with Ralph Macchio, one with Hilary Swank as the female karate kid and the new remake, with the legend, Jackie Chan and Will Smith's son...I forget or simply don't care what his name is. Pat got the nomination for Best supporting Actor for the Academy Awards.

Hell Night

This 1981 film follows the events of one night at a college fraternity.

Four pledges, two male, two female (yes, that means hanky panky) are challenged to spend the night in an abandoned mansion. That'd be fine, if it weren't for the stories...turns out the previous owner went mad and killed his entire family...thing is, when the police arrived, there was a body missing, he may (you know he is) still be there...muha ha haaaaaaaa!

It's a pretty bad film folks. Really. There's a couple of bits, as there are in most films, but in general it's one of those films best enjoyed when drunk.

Fun Fact: The Exorcist's Linda Blair is where the budget went for this film...sadly, she's awful, as is told by her 1981 nomination for the Golden Raspberry Award-Worst Actress.

The Fly

Be afraid, be very afraid!

This 1980's classic b-movie adaption is one of those few films that takes an established classic and adds it's own cult marker in its re-telling.

A scientist (not mad yet), meets a reporter and convinces her to document his progress in perfecting his teleportation 'pods'. In doing so, Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis become romantically entangled, leading to an odd relationship and a real need for frequent showers.

Cronenberg and Goldblum are an ideal mesh, a disturbed mind and an eccentic performer, that combined to create a guey, gloppy mess...and I love it!

Budget: $15,000,000

Gross: $60,629,159
Fun Fact: The sequel to this remake starred Eric Stoltz and a rather interestingly re-arranged labrador dog...not bad for a sequel, but not in the same category as The Fly.