BLUES BROTHERS 2000 (1998)

Directed By: John Landis
Written By: John Landis and Dan Aykroyd 
Cinematography: David Herrington 
Editor: Dale Beldin

Cast: Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, Joe Morton, Nia Peeples, J Evan Bonifant, Frank Oz, Darrell Hammond, B.B. King, Junior Wells, Aretha Franklin, Matt Murphy, Erykah Badu, Johnny Lang, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Eric Clapton, Steve Lawrence, John Popper, Sam Moore, Paul Shaffer, Clarence Clemmons, Issac Hayes, Bo Diddley

Elwood, the now lone “Blues Brother” finally released from prison, is once again enlisted by Sister Mary Stigmata in her latest crusade to raise funds for a children’s hospital. Once again hitting the road to re-unite the band and win the big prize at the New Orleans Battle of the Bands, Elwood is pursued cross-country by the cops, led by Cabel the Curtis’ son (and Elwood’s step-brother), the Russian Mafia, and a militia group. On his new “mission from God” Elwood enlists the help of a young orphan, and a strip club bartender.


I remember when I went to a screening of THE BLUES BROTHERS for a yearly Special festival that played at RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL. That was part of the movie street festival in years past. Where they would screen classic films as a double feature for one week. They showed a special message from Dan Aykroyd on this film’s set and to be prepared for another classic.

I was excited when the Film came out. It, unfortunately, fell Very short.

Watching a documentary on the artists or their performances would be more entertaining than unfortunately watching this film. 

How the mighty have fallen, this film feels strictly like a cash-in on the original and franchise.

All the things the first film does brilliantly. This film either repeats badly or just doesn’t know what to do with it. Even more disappointing is that the original film’s director came back to direct the film. Director John Landis 

This is why the films only have good scenes other than the Musical performances. Are the car chase scenes and even there the film seems to go over the top and ruins a good thing 

As the story is very thin and badly put together to the point it drags along and comes across as an afterthought.

Dan Aykroyd’s Character is just so unresponsive to most things. It doesn’t make his character interesting or entertaining and desperately needs to bounce off of someone. Even when there are two others who try. Leaving the audience just witnessing acts with no rhyme Or reason. Things just seem to happen and characters just seem to change magically all of a sudden. 

Joe Morton’s character for instance and John Goodman go through a total character change due to wardrobe changes. 

John Goodman is wasted as he has very little reason to be there and is given very little to actually do.

Truly the performance scenes Are the film’s only Saving grace. This is why most of the cast is made up of them performing and relegated to cameos.

Some are returning from the first film and others seem more who were more popular at the time and maybe missed being in the first film. As this film is mainly mostly a retread of the first film.

The film is way too long, and the jokes don’t work and never would. Unlike the musical scenes, the humor seems odd to base, like it was hilarious when conceiving but didn’t play well at all. 

If you must watch it. This is the Rare film where I say feel free to fast forward to the performances. If anything it reminds you of how good the original film was and how this film deserves its Legacy.

It is one of those projects that was good in theory but should have been shelved. It comes across as an almost kid-friendly Version of the first film.

Grade: D

LOVE, GILDA (2018)

Directed By: Lisa D’Apolito  


With: Gilda Radner, Martin Short, Laraine Newman, Paul Shaffer, Bill Hader, Chevy Chase, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Poehler, Lorne Michaels, Maya Rudolph 

In her own words, comedienne Gilda Radner looks back and reflects on her life and career. Weaving together recently discovered audiotapes, interviews with her friends, rare home movies and diaries read by modern day comediennes, LOVE Gilda offers a unique window into the honest and whimsical world of a beloved performer whose greatest role was sharing her story. 



There is nothing wrong with the film as it gives a pretty full portrait of actress/comedienne Gilda Radner’s slice and careers us by excerpts from her journals and other personal writings and a bunch of colleagues and family are interviewed as well as footage from her performances and personal home movies.

There is no sadness except when You know the end is coming and the documentary more shows highlights from her life and the sadder stuff while mentioned is given short shrift.

Though rather than have that be a mark against it. Sometimes it seems if a documentary is more of a happy affair it is though more real Or white-washed when it might be that while we all have troubles and problems in life they don’t have to be marketed or shown to be more real. Just as in Life some people’s lives are more focused on the positive while acknowledging the tougher aspects. It doesn’t need to necessarily focus on it. Unless it is information that has to be mentioned to get a fuller picture.

As it seems in Gilda’s life her happiness cake from entertaining others around her and Her audiences. The film seems to try to showcase and celebrate that aspect of her and focus on that.

The documentary uncovers a few things, Some might not have known as well as giving important collaborators of her life like writer Alan swivel a chance to reminisce and for one me Who is a fan of his a chance to finally see him in the flesh so to speak on the screen

If you are a fan the film doesn’t reveal anything you might not already know but allows for more personal insight from her.

By the end, you wish the film felt more full, but then you realize how little time we had with Gilda before she was gone. She had a lasting career but it was brief and has a spectacular beginning that defined her but never got a chance to get beyond that to a greater work. Considering how many she inspired and entertained we realize just like her family and friends she and we were robbed of her presence way too soon and it leaves a lasting impression but also leaves a hole of sorts. She never got to get the recognition not the best of her never really got a chance to come through.

Though what she left behind was wonderful

Grade: B