Production Company(ies)
United Artists Lions Gate Films, Industrial Development Corporation, of South Africa
 
Distributor
20th Century Fox
 
Release Type

 
Filming Location(s)
Lake View Medical Center – 11600 Eldridge Avenue, Lake View Terrace, Los Angeles, California, USA
 
MPAA / Certificate
PG
 
Year of Release
1984
 

 
Genre(s)
Sci-fi
 
Keyword(s)
sci-fi, Buckaroo Banzai, Hong Kong Cavaliers, red aliens, black aliens, John Whorfin, Emilio Lizardo, Overthruster, Earth, Neil Canton, W.D Richter, Earl Mac Rauch, PG, Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum, Christopher Lloyd, Lewis Smith, Richard Corliss, Geoff Andrew, Variety Staff, Vincent Canby, Marjorie Baumgarten, Joel E Siegel, Jason Shawhan, Matt Brunson, Mike Massie, directed by W.D Richter, written by Earl Mac Rauch, produced by Neil Canton and W.D Richter, reviewed by Richard Corliss, Geoff Andrew, Variety Staff, Vincent Canby, Marjorie Baumgarten, Joel E Siegel, Jason Shawhan, Matt Brunson, Mike Massie, PG rating, 20th Century Fox, Surround sound, Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, Stereo
 

Cast & Crew

Peter Weller

John Lithgow

Ellen Barkin

Jeff Goldblum

Christopher Lloyd

Buckaroo Banzai

Doctor Emilio Lizardo

Lord John Whorfin

Penny Priddy

New Jersey

Peter Weller – Buckaroo Banzai
John Lithgow – Doctor Emilio Lizardo, Lord John Whorfin
Ellen Barkin – Penny Priddy
Jeff Goldblum – New Jersey
Christopher Lloyd – John Bigboote
Lewis Smith – Perfect Tommy

 

W.D. Richter

Earl Mac Rauch

Neil Canton

W.D. Richter

Director

Writer

Producer

Producer

Producer

Director(s)
W.D. Richter
 
Writer(s)
Earl Mac Rauch
 
Producer(s)
Neil Canton, W.D. Richter

 

Film Festivals

 
Awards & Nominations
5 nominations
 
Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Richard Corliss

Geoff Andrew

Variety Staff

Vincent Canby

Marjorie Baumgarten

TIME Magazine

Time Out

Variety

New York Times

Austin Chronicle

THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI ACROSS THE EIGHTH DIMENSION
 All Critics (42) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (28) | Rotten (14)
 A state-of-the-art spaceship flying at the speed of light without narrative coordinates, Buckaroo Banzai is the very oddest good movie in many a full moon.
 
 August 20, 2008
 
 Richard Corliss
 TIME Magazine
 TOP CRITIC
 Richter’s comic genre hybrid comes complete with its own mythology, and team of established superheroes, and is curiously appealing.
 
 August 16, 2007
 
 Geoff Andrew
 Time Out
 TOP CRITIC
 It violates every rule of storytelling and narrative structure in creating a self-contained world of its own.
 
 June 5, 2007
 
 Variety Staff
 Variety
 TOP CRITIC
 Buckaroo Banzai may well turn out to be a pilot film for other theatrical features, though this one would be hard to top for pure, nutty fun.
 
 May 20, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/5
 
 Vincent Canby
 New York Times
 TOP CRITIC
 Wonderfully fun, albeit markedly chaotic and incoherent.
 
 March 10, 2003
 
 Marjorie Baumgarten
 Austin Chronicle
 TOP CRITIC
 The movie makes such large demands on one’s powers of concentration and yet, when all of its threads have been followed and its oddities assimilated, all one is left with is a junk construction.
 
 May 2, 2022
 
 Joel E. Siegel
 Washington City Paper
 Dense and complex, this beloved 1984 cult film hits the ground running with its text-based prelude and just doesn’t stop, never making an expected choice or pausing to hold the viewer’s figurative hand.
 
 September 8, 2021
 
 Jason Shawhan
 Nashville Scene
 It’s easy to see the appeal, what with its loopy characters, its loopy plot, and its loopy dialogue — it’s just a shame there’s not more lurking underneath all that surface quirk.
 
 August 29, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
 
 Matt Brunson
 Film Frenzy
 The story is so incredibly bizarre – a mix of pulpy adventure, British-infused science-fiction zaniness, comic book character designs, dry humor, and awkward romance.
 
 August 31, 2020 | Rating: 2/10
 
 Mike Massie
 Gone With The Twins
 This is a chaotic, notably unfunny science-fiction spoof.
 
 January 5, 2018
 
 Richard Freedman
 Newhouse News Service
 Just how much one will be able to jibe with Buckaroo Banzai will hinge on whether or not you’re willing to buy into the movie’s unabashed lunacy.
 
 February 28, 2017
 
 Austin Trunick
 Under the Radar
 A one-film franchise that never was, too daft and marvelous to expand any further.
 
 August 11, 2014 | Rating: A
 
 Rob Vaux
 Mania.com…

 

Plot
Brain surgeon, rock musician, adventurer Buckaroo Banzai is a modern renaissance man and has made scientific history. He perfected the Oscillation Overthruster, which allows him to travel through solid matter by using the eighth dimension. But when his sworn enemy Dr. Emilio Lizardo devises a plot to steal the device and bring an evil army back to destroy Earth, Buckaroo goes cranium to cranium with the madman in a battle that could spell doom for the universe. Along with his crime-fighting team, the Hong Kong Cavaliers, Buckaroo must stop the evil alien invaders from the eighth dimension who are planning to conquer our dimension. He is helped by Penny Pretty, the long-lost twin sister of his late wife, and some good extra-dimensional beings who look and talk like they are from Jamaica.
 
Trivia

 
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features an impressive cast including Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum, and Christopher Lloyd.
 

 
W.D.-Richter.jpg

 
Production Company(ies)
Nero-Film AG,
 
Distributor
NA
 
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
 
Filming Location(s)
Greystone Park & Mansion – 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA
 
MPAA / Certificate
PG
 
Year of Release
1984
 

 
Genre(s)
Comedy
 
Keyword(s)
starring Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Victoria Tennant, Madolyn Smith Osborne, Richard Libertini, Dana Elcar, Peggy Feury, Selma Diamond, Eric Christmas, Gailard Sartain, Neva Patterson, Michael Ensign, Jason Bernard, Nan Martin, Basil Hoffman, David Byrd, Kenneth Kimmins, John Cromwell, Phil Rubenstein, directed by Carl Reiner, written by Phil Alden Robinson, produced by Stephen Friedman, comedy, body-swap, high-concept, farce, box office performance, budget, PG rating, reviewed by Tim Pulleine, Geoff Brown, Nigel Andrews, Richard Corliss, Variety Staff, Chris Peachment, Dennis Schwartz, John Bemrose, David Nusair, Scot Haller, David Sterritt, Rob Vaux, reviewed by 41 critics, 85% Tomatometer, 67% audience score
 

Cast & Crew

Steve Martin

Roger Cobb

Lily Tomlin

Edwina Cutwater

Victoria Tennant

Roger Cobb

Edwina Cutwater

Terry Hoskins

Peggy Schuyler

Prahka Lasa

Steve Martin – Roger Cobb
Lily Tomlin – Edwina Cutwater
Victoria Tennant – Terry Hoskins
Madolyn Smith Osborne – Peggy Schuyler
Richard Libertini – Prahka Lasa
Dana Elcar – Burton Schuyler

 

Carl Reiner

Phil Alden Robinson

Stephen Friedman

Director

Writer

Producer

Producer

Producer

Director(s)
Carl Reiner
 
Writer(s)
Phil Alden Robinson
 
Producer(s)
Stephen Friedman

 

Film Festivals

 
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 2 nominations
 
Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Tim Pulleine

Geoff Brown

Nigel Andrews

Richard Corliss

Variety Staff

Guardian

Times (UK)

Financial Times

TIME Magazine

Variety

ALL OF ME
 All Critics (41) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (35) | Rotten (6)
 Once the body-snare joke is under way, however, invention tends to flag and much of the ensuing humour explores the realms of fairly obvious smut — brightly enough managed, though, if yon have a weakness for that.
 
 January 22, 2020
 
 Tim Pulleine
 Guardian
 TOP CRITIC
 At first the film is content to play the situation for raucous laughs, trading on the embarrassment of two sexes sharing the same body. But, once the parties start experiencing finer feelings, the film finally becomes too awkward for comfort.
 
 January 22, 2020
 
 Geoff Brown
 Times (UK)
 TOP CRITIC
 Most of the film is about as funny as falling off a cliff while trying to solve a crossword puzzle.
 
 January 22, 2020
 
 Nigel Andrews
 Financial Times
 TOP CRITIC
 Martin vaults to the top of the class with his brazen, precise performance. This one goes in the time capsule.
 
 February 2, 2009
 
 Richard Corliss
 TIME Magazine
 TOP CRITIC
 Patently ridiculous, but acceptable because of the charm of the characters.
 
 February 2, 2009
 
 Variety Staff
 Variety
 TOP CRITIC
 Martin is his usual combination of flat cynicism and crazed childishness, indulging in some inspired Jerry Lewis-like clowning with his arms and legs hopelessly out of synch.
 
 June 24, 2006
 
 Chris Peachment
 Time Out
 TOP CRITIC
 An absurd fantasy comedy, based on a dumb premise.
 
 August 3, 2020 | Rating: C
 
 Dennis Schwartz
 Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
 Martin is hilarious as the man who has to cope with a suddenly split identity.
 
 January 23, 2020
 
 John Bemrose
 Maclean’s Magazine
 …a decidedly out-there premise that’s employed to watchable yet far-from-memorable effect by filmmaker Carl Reiner…
 
 August 26, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4
 
 David Nusair
 Reel Film Reviews
 All of Me shows a fine appreciation for the little weirdnesses of life, and with comedies in short supply, it may provide the best shenanigans of the season.
 
 March 9, 2015
 
 Scot Haller
 People Magazine
 It’s a ridiculous story, and the screenplay stuffs it with low jokes and bathroom humor. Yet a number of scenes are sly as well as silly, and director Carl Reiner knows when to inject a little pathos for a change of pace.
 
 March 9, 2015
 
 David Sterritt
 Christian Science Monitor
 His manic thrashing actually hides a very measured and deliberate performance. We can see the twin halves of his body struggling to work in sync, turning a simple walk to the bathroom into a piece of comedic gold.
 
 October 24, 2014 | Rating: A
 
 Rob Vaux
 Mania.com…

 

Plot
Having just turned thirty-eight, Angeleno Roger Cobb is at a crossroads in his life. From a humble background, he is competent at his job as a lawyer at Burton Schuyler’s prestigious firm, but is unsatisfied working on behalf of rich people and the problems of the one percent. Although he would rather eke out a life as a musician if he could, he would be more satisfied as a lawyer if he made partner and got better cases. While Roger always bringing his dog Bix to the office does not instill much confidence for Burton in Roger as partner material, Roger seriously dating Burton’s daughter, Peggy Schuyler, may give him a path to partner, especially if he and Peggy get married. In the latest of those unsatisfying work tasks, he is asked by extremely wealthy client, single Edwina Cutwater, to make a change to her will. Edwina, a selfish middle aged woman who has never done a nice thing in her life, has always been sickly, and as such has not really enjoyed what life she has had despite her wealth. On her deathbed, Edwina now wants to deed her entire estate to Terry Hoskins, the beautiful adult daughter of her stableman, Fred Hoskins. The reason: Edwina plans to use the services of Tibetan swami Prahka Lasa to transfer her soul into Terry’s body, Terry, in putting her wild past behind her, agreeing for her own soul to float into the ethers. In being in Terry’s healthy body, Edwina, after her own body has given out, wants to enjoy what her money has not been able to buy for herself. Little does Edwina know that even if Terry did believe in the the swami’s powers, Terry has no intention of giving up her body to Edwina, Terry planning to live the high life with Edwina’s money after Edwina’s death. Even after Edwina does die, she and Roger become more connected in body and soul, they, while needing to adjust to their time together, may get a better perspective of their respective lives.
 
Trivia

 
Goofs / Tidbits
“Martin is hilarious as the man who has to cope with a suddenly split identity.” – Dennis Schwartz, Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
 

 
Carl-Reiner.jpg

 
Production Company(ies)
Alien
 
Distributor
IFC Films
 
Release Type
Theatrical
 
Filming Location(s)

 
MPAA / Certificate

 
Year of Release
1984
 

 
Genre(s)
Sci-fi
 
Keyword(s)
starring Joe Morton, Daryl Edwards, Steve James, Leonard Jackson, Bill Cobbs, directed by John Sayles, written by John Sayles, sci-fi, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Paul Attanasio, Dave Kehr, Roger Ebert, produced by Peggy Rajski, Maggie Renzi, MPAA rating R, New York City, Harlem, alien, escaped slave, fixing machines, agents, social commentary, racial prejudice, slavery, Messiah-like, low-budget, John Sayles, MacArthur Fellows grant, metaphor, silent lead character, camerawork, action scene, independent film, 1984, A-Train Films, IFC Films, Stereo
 

Cast & Crew

Joe Morton

Daryl Edwards

Steve James

Leonard Jackson

Bill Cobbs

The Brother

Fly

Odell

Smokey

Walter

Joe Morton – The Brother
Daryl Edwards – Fly
Steve James – Odell
Leonard Jackson – Smokey
Bill Cobbs – Walter
Maggie Renzi – Noreen
Director – John Sayles
Producers – Peggy Rajski, Maggie Renzi
Writer – John Sayles
Production Company – A-Train Films
Distributor – IFC Films
Sound Mix – Stereo

 

John Sayles

John Sayles

Peggy Rajski

Maggie Renzi

Director

Writer

Producer

Producer

Producer

Director(s)
John Sayles
 
Writer(s)
John Sayles
 
Producer(s)
Peggy Rajski, Maggie Renzi

 

Film Festivals

 
Awards & Nominations
NA
 
Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Paul Attanasio

Dave Kehr

Geoff Andrew

Roger Ebert

Vincent Canby

Washington Post

Chicago Reader

Time Out

Chicago Sun-Times

New York Times

THE BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET
 All Critics (28) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (3)
 Sayles is no storyteller; despite the verve of its language, “The Brother From Another Planet” eventually sags of its own weight.
 
 January 4, 2018
 
 Paul Attanasio
 Washington Post
 TOP CRITIC
 The two different ends require shifts in point of view that are beyond Sayles’s talent as a visual storyteller, and the film does not cohere.
 
 June 4, 2007
 
 Dave Kehr
 Chicago Reader
 TOP CRITIC
 Central to the film’s deft balancing act between shaggy dog humour and something just a little more serious is Morton’s expressive performance as the alien, though the rest of the cast also plays admirably.
 
 June 24, 2006
 
 Geoff Andrew
 Time Out
 TOP CRITIC
 The movie finds countless opportunities for humorous scenes, most of them with a quiet little bite, a way of causing us to look at our society.
 
 October 23, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4
 
 Roger Ebert
 Chicago Sun-Times
 TOP CRITIC
 It’s a nice, unsurprising shaggy-dog story that goes on far too long.
 
 August 30, 2004 | Rating: 3/5
 
 Vincent Canby
 New York Times
 TOP CRITIC
 …this one, something of a B-ish sci-fi dramadey, provides laughs as it provokes.
 
 August 7, 2020 | Rating: 3/4
 
 Tom Meek
 Cambridge Day
 [A] charmingly low-tech sci-fi indie.
 
 February 18, 2020
 
 M.V. Moorhead
 Phoenix Magazine
 …nearly topples over from the weight of its social commentary.
 
 May 19, 2017 | Rating: 3/4
 
 Josh Larsen
 LarsenOnFilm
 April 6, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
 
 Cole Smithey
 ColeSmithey.com
 Quirky urban spaceman comedy, that’s only moderately funny and observant.
 
 December 31, 2007 | Rating: B-
 
 Dennis Schwartz
 Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
 A talk-heavy script about racial prejudice and other ills through the eyes of a mute black alien, terrifically played by John Sayles’ regular Joe Morton.
 
 May 7, 2006 | Rating: 3/4
 
 Emanuel Levy
 EmanuelLevy.Com
 December 9, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
 
 Jon Niccum
 Lawrence Journal-World…

 

Plot
An escaped alien slave lands in New York City and tries to adapt to life on the streets of Harlem while being pursued by agents from his home planet in “The Brother From Another Planet.”
 
Trivia

 
Goofs / Tidbits
“The Brother” is played by Joe Morton, who delivers an expressive performance despite being mute throughout the film.
 

 
John-Sayles.jpg

 
Production Company(ies)

 
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
 
Release Type
Theatrical
 
Filming Location(s)
First Avenue Club – 29 N. 7th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
 
MPAA / Certificate
R
 
Year of Release
1984
 

 
Genre(s)
Musical/Drama
 
Keyword(s)
starring Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, Jerome Benton, Clarence Williams III, Olga Karlatos, directed by Albert Magnoli, written by Albert Magnoli, William Blinn, Musical, Drama, Romance, R, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Eric Deggans, Duane Byrge, Gary Arnold, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Cynthia Kirk, Dave Kehr, Sean Collier, Josh Larsen, Pat Gowens, Justin Brown, Brandon Collins, produced by Robert Cavallo, Steven Fargnoli, Joseph Ruffalo, MPAA rating, Minneapolis, The Revolution, club scene, rocky relationship, Morris looks to steal the Kid’s spotlight, Apollonia’s captivating singing, Prince’s singular charisma, classic songs, soundtrack, Purple Rain
 

Cast & Crew

Prince

Apollonia Kotero

Morris Day

Jerome Benton

Clarence Williams III

Prince

Apollonia

Morris

Jerome

Father

Prince – The Kid
Apollonia Kotero – Apollonia
Morris Day – Morris
Jerome Benton – Jerome
Clarence Williams III – Father
Olga Karlatos – Mother

 

Albert Magnoli

Albert Magnoli

Robert Cavallo

Steven Fargnoli

Joseph Ruffalo

Director

Writer

Producer

Producer

Producer

Director(s)
Albert Magnoli
 
Writer(s)
Albert Magnoli, William Blinn
 
Producer(s)
Robert Cavallo, Steven Fargnoli, Joseph Ruffalo

 

Film Festivals

 
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
7 wins & 4 nominations total
 
Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Eric Deggans

Duane Byrge

Gary Arnold

Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

Cynthia Kirk

NPR

Hollywood Reporter

Washington Post

sbs.com.au

Variety

PURPLE RAIN
 All Critics (56) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (39) | Rotten (17)
 Purple Rain became a generational manifesto, while providing the largest megaphone yet for one of the greatest geniuses in pop music.
 
 November 28, 2019
 
 Eric Deggans
 NPR
 TOP CRITIC
 Even those who aren’t Prince fans are likely to be captivated by its energy, enamored with its simple, often poignant storyline.
 
 August 7, 2018
 
 Duane Byrge
 Hollywood Reporter
 TOP CRITIC
 Catharsis on the cheap; there’s no reason to accept the pretense that the hero has suffered much and changed for the better unless you’re predisposed to get swoony over Prince himself.
 
 April 23, 2018
 
 Gary Arnold
 Washington Post
 TOP CRITIC
 The film is a love letter to collaboration, to passion, and to the power of music: this is Prince’s legacy, brought to life nowhere more memorably than in Purple Rain.
 
 May 11, 2017 | Rating: 5/5
 
 Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
 sbs.com.au
 TOP CRITIC
 Rock star Prince makes an impressive feature film debut in Purple Rain, a rousing contemporary addition to the classic backstage musical genre.
 
 April 21, 2016
 
 Cynthia Kirk
 Variety
 TOP CRITIC
 Prince’s 1984 movie debut seems more like his deification, with an aggressively stupid plot line that serves only to set him up as a paragon of artistic integrity, sexual prowess, and superhuman sensitivity.
 
 April 21, 2016
 
 Dave Kehr
 Chicago Reader
 TOP CRITIC
 Not much about Purple Rain should work – and yet everything does.
 
 September 28, 2020 | Rating: 9/10
 
 Sean Collier
 Box Office Prophets
 Transcendent music can cover a multitude of sins…
 
 March 26, 2020 | Rating: 2.5/4
 
 Josh Larsen
 LarsenOnFilm
 Perhaps the grossly simplistic and unsubtle misogyny in young people’s movies and videos is less damaging than polished acting would be.
 
 August 21, 2019
 
 Pat Gowens
 Sojourner
 The performances and score take it to another level, and as absurd as he is, Morris Day is, in a way, the glue holding this thing together…
 
 July 15, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
 
 Justin Brown
 Medium Popcorn
 The live performances are dope…even The Time! However, the treatment of women was a bit abysmal, though at the time it was acceptable…the movie itself is entertaining.
 
 July 15, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
 
 Brandon Collins
 Medium Popcorn
 At once atrocious and awesome, featuring musical performances so sublime you instantly forgive that the rest is so ridiculous.
 
 May 30, 2019
 
 Sean Burns
 The ARTery…

 

Plot
A Minneapolis musician on the rise with his band, the Revolution, navigates the club scene and a rocky relationship with a captivating singer, Apollonia, while trying to avoid making the same mistakes as his truculent father and competing with another musician, Morris, who looks to steal his spotlight and his girl in Purple Rain.
 
Trivia

 
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t have anything goofy or funny or odd to say about Purple Rain, but it does mention that Prince makes an impressive feature film debut in the movie.
 

 
Albert-Magnoli.jpg

 
Production Company(ies)
Zentropa Entertainments, Film i Väst Zentropa International, Sweden
 
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
 
Release Type

 
Filming Location(s)

 
MPAA / Certificate
R
 
Year of Release
1984
 

 
Genre(s)
Drama/Romance
 
Keyword(s)
starring Franka Potente, Benno Fürmann, Joachim Król, Marita Breuer, Jürgen Tarrach, Lars Rudolph, directed by Tom Tykwer, written by Tom Tykwer, Drama, Romance, R rating, Sony Pictures Classics, Stefan Arndt, Maria Köpf, $871.1K box office, reviewed by Janice Page, Roger Moore, Susan Stark, Marc Savlov, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Rita Kempley, Stacie Hougland, Jason Gorber, David Nusair, Joe Mader, Brian Mckay, Marty Mapes, fairy tale, love, fate, accident, obsession, destiny, German, Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo, Scope (2.35:1)
 

Cast & Crew

Franka Potente

Benno Fürmann

Joachim Król

Marita Breuer

Jürgen Tarrach

Sissi

Bodo Riemer

Walter Riemer

Sissi’s Mother

Schmatt

Franka Potente – Sissi
Benno Fürmann – Bodo Riemer
Joachim Król – Walter Riemer
Marita Breuer – Sissi’s Mother
Jürgen Tarrach – Schmatt
Lars Rudolph – Steini

 

Tom Tykwer

Tom Tykwer

Stefan Arndt

Maria Köpf

Director

Writer

Producer

Producer

Producer

Director(s)
Tom Tykwer
 
Writer(s)
Tom Tykwer
 
Producer(s)
Stefan Arndt, Maria Köpf

 

Film Festivals

 
Awards & Nominations
NA
 
Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Janice Page

Roger Moore

Susan Stark

Marc Savlov

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Boston Globe

Orlando Sentinel

Detroit News

Austin Chronicle

Entertainment Weekly

THE PRINCESS AND THE WARRIOR
 All Critics (83) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (52) | Rotten (31)
 November 24, 2011 | Rating: 2/4
 
 Janice Page
 Boston Globe
 TOP CRITIC
 This is bravura filmmaking and a movie not to be missed.
 
 September 28, 2001
 
 Roger Moore
 Orlando Sentinel
 TOP CRITIC
 Often fascinating but bizarre and, ultimately, unsatisfying.
 
 August 24, 2001
 
 Susan Stark
 Detroit News
 TOP CRITIC
 It’s just over two hours long but feels like much more.
 
 July 23, 2001 | Rating: 2.5/5
 
 Marc Savlov
 Austin Chronicle
 TOP CRITIC
 Every person’s behavior, Tykwer demonstrates with a flourish, is ultimately a matter of chance.
 
 July 16, 2001 | Rating: B
 
 Lisa Schwarzbaum
 Entertainment Weekly
 TOP CRITIC
 Mesmerizing fable of frozen grief and stubborn love.
 
 July 13, 2001
 
 Rita Kempley
 Washington Post
 TOP CRITIC
 November 20, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
 
 Stacie Hougland
 Hollywood.com
 How do you follow up with one of the most kinetic films ever made? The obvious answer would be to slow things down, take a more introspective and less visceral approach. In short, do something different.
 
 June 21, 2007 | Rating: B+
 
 Jason Gorber
 Film Scouts
 …a film that’s gorgeous to look at, but completely hollow and devoid of compelling characters.
 
 August 1, 2003 | Rating: 2/4
 
 David Nusair
 Reel Film Reviews
 May 14, 2003 | Rating: 3/4
 
 Joe Mader
 Palo Alto Weekly
 Potente proves her versatility as an actress here with a much more subdued character, but is still capable of delivering powerhouse emotional scenes
 
 March 19, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
 
 Brian Mckay
 eFilmCritic.com
 August 21, 2002 | Rating: 3.5/4
 
 Marty Mapes
 Movie Habit…

 

Plot
The mighty warrior, Kain, crosses the barren wastelands of the planet Ura, where two arch enemies, Zeg and the evil degenerate Balcaz, fight incessantly for control of the village’s only well. Kain sees his opportunity and announces that his sword is for hire…but his eyes stay clearly on the beautiful captive sorceress Naja, and his newly awakened purpose.
 
Trivia

 
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for The Princess and the Warrior.
 

 
Tom-Tykwer.jpg

 
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures, Act III Act III Communications,
 
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo
 
Release Type
Theatrical
 
Filming Location(s)
Blood Alley, Gastown, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
 
MPAA / Certificate
PG
 
Year of Release
1984
 

 
Genre(s)
Fantasy/Adventure
 
Keyword(s)
starring Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach, Moses Gunn, Patricia Hayes, Sydney Bromley, directed by Wolfgang Petersen, written by Wolfgang Petersen, Herman Weigel, Fantasy, Adventure, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Ian Nathan, Variety Staff, Dave Kehr, Verina Glaessner, Roger Ebert, Vincent Canby, Tim Brayton, James Croot, Sezín Koehler, Christopher Lloyd, Sarah Boslaugh, produced by Bernd Eichinger, Dieter Geissler, PG, The NeverEnding Story, Bastian, Atreyu, The Childlike Empress, Cairon, Urgl, Engywook, Warner Home Vídeo, Surround
 

Cast & Crew

Barret Oliver

Noah Hathaway

Tami Stronach

Moses Gunn

Patricia Hayes

Bastian

Atreyu

The Childlike Empress

Cairon

Urgl

Barret Oliver – Bastian
Noah Hathaway – Atreyu
Tami Stronach – The Childlike Empress
Moses Gunn – Cairon
Patricia Hayes – Urgl
Sydney Bromley – Engywook

 

Wolfgang Petersen

Wolfgang Petersen

Bernd Eichinger

Dieter Geissler

Director

Writer

Producer

Producer

Producer

Director(s)
Wolfgang Petersen
 
Writer(s)
Wolfgang Petersen, Herman Weigel
 
Producer(s)
Bernd Eichinger, Dieter Geissler

 

Film Festivals

 
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 7 nominations
 
Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Ian Nathan

Variety Staff

Dave Kehr

Verina Glaessner

Roger Ebert

Empire Magazine

Variety

Chicago Reader

Time Out

Chicago Sun-Times

THE NEVERENDING STORY
 All Critics (43) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (35) | Rotten (8)
 This was sweet and charming at the time but now it just lacks either the comedy or sophistication of kids’ fantasy film that we’ve all become accustomed to.
 
 November 26, 2012 | Rating: 2/5
 
 Ian Nathan
 Empire Magazine
 TOP CRITIC
 A marvelously realized flight of pure fantasy.
 
 November 26, 2012
 
 Variety Staff
 Variety
 TOP CRITIC
 Despite the sophistication of the source material, the film isn’t particularly successful.
 
 November 26, 2012
 
 Dave Kehr
 Chicago Reader
 TOP CRITIC
 A fairytale of the very best kind.
 
 January 26, 2006
 
 Verina Glaessner
 Time Out
 TOP CRITIC
 The world of this movie looks like a very particular place, and the art direction involved a lot of imagination.
 
 October 23, 2004 | Rating: 3/4
 
 Roger Ebert
 Chicago Sun-Times
 TOP CRITIC
 The Neverending Story may have cost a mint to produce, but the result is bargain-basement.
 
 August 30, 2004
 
 Vincent Canby
 New York Times
 TOP CRITIC
 It’s got a sharp edge that fantasy movies rarely have.
 
 May 17, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
 
 Tim Brayton
 Alternate Ending
 What’s not in question is how this fantastic oddity stays with all those who have seen it, long, long after the credits roll…
 
 February 15, 2022
 
 James Croot
 Stuff.co.nz
 The film has an almost overwhelming number of messages. From colonization and dispossession of land to the apathy of adulthood as well as the power of new beginnings
 
 May 24, 2020 | Rating: 5/5
 
 Sezín Koehler
 Black Girl Nerds
 Though its foibles and failings haven’t improved with age, The NeverEnding Story emerges in retrospect as a more ambitious children’s movie than given credit.
 
 March 11, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
 
 Christopher Lloyd
 The Film Yap
 …takes viewers back to a pre-CGI era when fantastic beasts and amazing worlds were created on screen using puppets and models.
 
 July 9, 2018 | Rating: 6/10
 
 Sarah Boslaugh
 TheArtsStl
 Carries with it a healthy amount of menace, and intensity, but it’s also a remarkable adventure.
 
 August 31, 2016
 
 Felix Vasquez Jr.
 Cinema Crazed…

 

Plot
Bastian is a young boy who lives a dreary life being tormented by school bullies. On one such occasion he escapes into a book shop where the old proprieter reveals an ancient story-book to him, which he is warned can be dangerous. Shortly after, he “borrows” the book and begins to read it in the school attic where he is drawn into the mythical land of Fantasia, which desperately needs a hero to save it from destruction.
 
Trivia

 
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for The NeverEnding Story.
 

 
Wolfgang-Petersen.jpg

 
Production Company(ies)
Norma Productions, Curtleigh Productions, Hecht-Hill-Lancaster Productions,
 
Distributor
NA
 
Release Type
Theatrical
 
Filming Location(s)
Catalina Park Inn – 309 E. 1st Street, Tucson, Arizona, USA
 
MPAA / Certificate
R
 
Year of Release
1984
 

 
Genre(s)
Comedy
 
Keyword(s)
starring Anthony Edwards, Robert Carradine, Ted McGinley, Timothy Busfield, Andrew Cassese, Curtis Armstrong, directed by Jeff Kanew, written by David Obst, Jeff Buhai, Miguel Tejada-Flores, Steve Zacharias, Tim Metcalfe, produced by Ted Field, Peter Samuelson, David Obst, Peter Bart, comedy, R rating, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Duane Byrge, Rita Kempley, Variety Staff, Don Peretta, Lawrence Van Gelder, Marjorie Baumgarten, David Sterritt, Animal House vein, slobs-vs.-snobs subgenre, college students, freshmen, dormitory, Alpha Betas, fraternity house, gym, run-down house, humiliation, revenge
 

Cast & Crew

Robert Carradine

Anthony Edwards

Ted McGinley

Timothy Busfield

Andrew Cassese

Lewis Skolnick

Gilbert Lowell

Stan Gable

Arnold Poindexter

Harold Wormser

Robert Carradine – Lewis Skolnick
Anthony Edwards – Gilbert Lowell
Ted McGinley – Stan Gable
Timothy Busfield – Arnold Poindexter
Andrew Cassese – Harold Wormser
Curtis Armstrong – Dudley “Booger” Dawson

 

Jeff Kanew

David Obst

Ted Field

Peter Samuelson

David Obst

Director

Writer

Producer

Producer

Producer

Director(s)
Jeff Kanew
 
Writer(s)
David Obst, Jeff Buhai, Miguel Tejada-Flores, Steve Zacharias, Tim Metcalfe
 
Producer(s)
Ted Field, Peter Samuelson, David Obst, Peter Bart

 

Film Festivals

 
Awards & Nominations
NA
 
Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Duane Byrge

Rita Kempley

Variety Staff

Don Peretta

Lawrence Van Gelder

Hollywood Reporter

Washington Post

Variety

Time Out

New York Times

REVENGE OF THE NERDS
 All Critics (41) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (29) | Rotten (12)
 While much is in the Animal House vein and quite funny, several tasteless episodes mar the film.
 
 July 20, 2017
 
 Duane Byrge
 Hollywood Reporter
 TOP CRITIC
 If you’ve seen Porky’s, Animal House, D.C. Cab, or Police Academy, you’ve seen Nerds. And if you liked the prototypes, you’ll like the latest of the genre, low humor and all — belching, mooning, panty raids, peeping at girls and booger jokes.
 
 October 2, 2015
 
 Rita Kempley
 Washington Post
 TOP CRITIC
 Simple-minded romp about a group of freshmen outcasts doesn’t qualify for the dean’s list, but Revenge of the Nerds shows more than enough smarts to deserve passing grades.
 
 March 26, 2009
 
 Variety Staff
 Variety
 TOP CRITIC
 The only worthy successor to Animal House.
 
 February 9, 2006
 
 Don Peretta
 Time Out
 TOP CRITIC
 Revenge of the Nerds doesn’t do much for movies or nerds.
 
 May 17, 2004
 
 Lawrence Van Gelder
 New York Times
 TOP CRITIC
 The real secret of this movie’s success lies in the charm of its leading men.
 
 March 10, 2003
 
 Marjorie Baumgarten
 Austin Chronicle
 TOP CRITIC
 The underlying intelligence of director Jeff Kanew glimmers through at times, and is reflected in a couple of nice performances.
 
 October 2, 2015
 
 David Sterritt
 Christian Science Monitor
 There is a theory that every Hollywood star has a turkey or two in their closet, so today, step forward Anthony Edwards, star of the hit TV series ER.
 
 October 2, 2015 | Rating: 1/5
 
 John Ferguson
 Radio Times
 It’s one of the great unfathomable mysteries of Hollywood that this unspeakably awful comedy was successful enough to spawn no less than three (count ’em) sequels.
 
 October 2, 2015
 
 Film4 Staff
 Film4
 Even as a summer throwaway, this college comedy about nerds, those born-to-be-victimized souls, is pitifully thin.
 
 October 2, 2015
 
 People Staff
 People Magazine
 It’s clear, too, that the movie’s almost complete dearth of laughs plays a significant role in its downfall…
 
 October 24, 2014 | Rating: 2/4
 
 David Nusair
 Reel Film Reviews
 The kind of movie you saw on video when it was still forbidden fruit and loved it, only to find it much uglier with the rose-colored glasses removed.
 
 July 22, 2014 | Rating: D
 
 Rob Vaux
 Mania.com…

 

Plot
When lovable nerds Gilbert and Lewis embark on their freshman year at Adams College, little do they realize the dangers that await them. They are beset by taunting from the jocks of Alpha Beta fraternity, which only worsens when the jocks accidentally burn down their house and toss the freshmen out of the freshmen dorm. To make matters more problematic, Lewis develops a crush on pretty Betty Childs, popular sorority sister and quarterback’s girlfriend. Joined by the aptly named Booger and the violin-playing Poindexter, the nerds soon realize they must form their own fraternity in self-defense. Soon the tables are turned as the nerds employ high-tech warfare against the jocks…. but can they really succeed and make a difference?
 
Trivia

 
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny comment about the film Revenge of the Nerds on Fresh Kernels.
 

 
Jeff-Kanew.jpg

 
Production Company(ies)
Société Nouvelle Pathé Cinéma
 
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
 
Release Type
Theatrical
 
Filming Location(s)
Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
 
MPAA / Certificate
PG
 
Year of Release
1984
 

 
Genre(s)
Comedy/Music
 
Keyword(s)
starring Val Kilmer, Lucy Gutteridge, Christopher Villiers, Omar Sharif, Peter Cushing, Jeremy Kemp, Michael Gough, directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, written by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, comedy, music, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Kathleen Carroll, Tom Setzer, Laurie Horn, Kevin Thomas, Gene Siskel, Jay Boyar, David Nusair, James Croot, Patrick Taggart, Allan Ulrich, Karl Vick, Adrian Turner, PG rating, Paramount Pictures, Dolby, Surround, Flat (1.85:1), Nick Rivers, Hillary Flammond, Nigel aka The Torch, Resistance Leader, Agent Cedric, Sven Jorgensen, the Sweden Bookstore Owner, Resistance Member, General Streck, German High Command, Elvis musicals, spy movies, underground resistance movement, Dr Paul, naval mine, East Germany, American singer, music festival, captured scientist, coercing, new naval mine, rescue mission, caught up in espionage intrigues, parody, satire, musical numbers
 

Cast & Crew

Val Kilmer

Lucy Gutteridge

Christopher Villiers

Omar Sharif

Peter Cushing

Nick Rivers

Hillary Flammond

Nigel aka The Torch

Resistance Leader

Agent Cedric

Val Kilmer – Nick Rivers
Lucy Gutteridge – Hillary Flammond
Christopher Villiers – Nigel aka The Torch, Resistance Leader
Omar Sharif – Agent Cedric
Peter Cushing – Sven Jorgensen, the Sweden Bookstore Owner, Resistance Member
Jeremy Kemp – General Streck, German High Command

 

Jim Abrahams

Jim Abrahams

Hunt Lowry

Jon Davison

Director

Writer

Producer

Producer

Producer

Director(s)
Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
 
Writer(s)
Jim Abrahams, David Zucker
 
Producer(s)
Hunt Lowry, Jon Davison

 

Film Festivals
Cannes
 
Awards & Nominations
NA
 
Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Kathleen Carroll

Tom Setzer

Laurie Horn

Kevin Thomas

Gene Siskel

New York Daily News

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

Miami Herald

Los Angeles Times

Chicago Tribune

TOP SECRET!
 All Critics (50) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (12)
 Although there is no question that this free-swinging spoof… runs out of steam, it is a wonderfully flaky example of what Hollywood has to offer in this traditionally silly summer season.
 
 April 20, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
 
 Kathleen Carroll
 New York Daily News
 TOP CRITIC
 If you’re in the mood for some frequently inspired silliness (and have been weakened by the heat) you’ll no doubt find something to laugh at in this movie.
 
 April 20, 2021 | Rating: 2/4
 
 Tom Setzer
 Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com
 TOP CRITIC
 The jokes leave you tickled, but never build to a comic crescendo.
 
 April 20, 2021 | Rating: 2/4
 
 Laurie Horn
 Miami Herald
 TOP CRITIC
 The result is a non-stop barrage of gags, many of them inspired and hilarious themselves but scattershot in effect because the premise isn’t sturdy or coherent enough to hold them together.
 
 April 20, 2021
 
 Kevin Thomas
 Los Angeles Times
 TOP CRITIC
 Not even half as funny as “Airplane!’ but still… a lot more clever than most movie comedies made today.
 
 April 20, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
 
 Gene Siskel
 Chicago Tribune
 TOP CRITIC
 It’s amusing enough in a Mad magazine sort of way to be worth a look.
 
 April 20, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
 
 Jay Boyar
 Orlando Sentinel
 TOP CRITIC
 …a hit-and-miss comedy that benefits from its stirring performances and smattering of hilarious set-pieces…
 
 July 5, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/4
 
 David Nusair
 Reel Film Reviews
 Along with his megawatt grin and pitch-perfect singing, which covers a range of musical genres, this was the moment that we saw a movie star born.
 
 June 27, 2022
 
 James Croot
 Stuff.co.nz
 It’s no classic, but Top Secret is funny, good-natured, and – with one exception early on involving a marital aid – clean.
 
 April 20, 2021
 
 Patrick Taggart
 Austin American-Statesman
 Abrahams-Zucker-Zucker scatter the jokes the way farmers scatter corn around a chicken house. They’re shameless.
 
 April 20, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
 
 Allan Ulrich
 San Francisco Examiner
 Insouciance runs so deep in the film it extends clear down to the structure, which must be ingenious to support the film as nimbly as it does, but which appears to be ad hoc.
 
 April 20, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
 
 Karl Vick
 Tampa Bay Times
 Not as funny as it should be, but entertaining enough.
 
 April 20, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
 
 Adrian Turner
 Radio Times…

 

Plot
This time Zucker and Abrahams are spoofing, most notably, Elvis films and WWII spy movies. Val Kilmer stars as Nick Rivers, a handsome American 50s-style rock and roll singer. While performing in East Germany, he falls in love with a beautiful heroine and becomes involved with the French Resistance.
 
Trivia

 
Goofs / Tidbits
Val Kilmer stars in Top Secret! in his first major film role and also showcases his singing abilities.
 

 
Jim-Abrahams.jpg

 
Production Company(ies)
Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures,
 
Distributor
MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Universal Pictures
 
Release Type
Theatrical
 
Filming Location(s)
3022 Payne Street, Evanston, Illinois, USA
 
MPAA / Certificate
PG
 
Year of Release
1984
 

 
Genre(s)
Comedy
 
Keyword(s)
starring Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Michael Schoeffling, Paul Dooley, Justin Henry, Gedde Watanabe, directed by John Hughes, written by John Hughes, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Neil Jillett, Kevin Maher, Variety Staff, Dave Kehr, Derek Adams, Roger Ebert, Kathy Fennessy, Mike Massie, Felix Vasquez Jr., Gena Radcliffe, Jennifer Lind-Westbrook, PG, coming-of-age, soundtrack, ensemble cast, character study, 1980s, teen movie, high school, crush, romance, birthday, family, wedding, angst, popular, nerdy, love interest, racial insensitivity, Stray Cats, Long Duk Dong, Farmer Ted, Jim Baker, Mike Baker, The Geek, Chastity, American Pie, Republican convention, gross jokes, compassion, respect, hang-ups, maturation, adolescence, awkwardness, self-esteem, misadventures, grounded, effective, thematic depth, histrionics, theatrical, overblown, unevenly developed, ensemble character piece, expository depth, chemistry, human aspects, maturity, thoughtful, snappy dialogue, clever humor, comic set piece, coming-of-age classic, debut, legend of the genre
 

Cast & Crew

Molly Ringwald

Anthony Michael Hall

Michael Schoeffling

Paul Dooley

Justin Henry

Samantha Baker

Farmer Ted

The Geek’

Jake Ryan

Jim Baker

Molly Ringwald – Samantha Baker
Anthony Michael Hall – Farmer Ted, ‘The Geek’
Michael Schoeffling – Jake Ryan
Paul Dooley – Jim Baker
Justin Henry – Mike Baker
Gedde Watanabe – Long Duk Dong

 

John Hughes

John Hughes

Hilton A. Green

Director

Writer

Producer

Producer

Producer

Director(s)
John Hughes
 
Writer(s)
John Hughes
 
Producer(s)
Hilton A. Green

 

Film Festivals

 
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 1 nomination
 
Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Neil Jillett

Kevin Maher

Variety Staff

Dave Kehr

Derek Adams

The Age

Times

Variety

Chicago Reader

Time Out

SIXTEEN CANDLES
 All Critics (43) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (35) | Rotten (8)
 Its Middle American cast of plastic females and self-regarding males look and behave like delegates to a Republican convention. The slight plot is strung out on a series of gross jokes.
 
 May 3, 2022
 
 Neil Jillett
 The Age (Australia)
 TOP CRITIC
 Watch with compassion.
 
 July 22, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
 
 Kevin Maher
 Times (UK)
 TOP CRITIC
 There’s also a darkly handsome high school heartbreak kid (Michael Schoeffling), a merciful brisk pace, some quick humor (visual and verbal), and a solid music track.
 
 July 18, 2007
 
 Variety Staff
 Variety
 TOP CRITIC
 As the girl, Molly Ringwald is natural and appealing, but she’s lost in a world of blunt, vicious caricatures.
 
 July 18, 2007
 
 Dave Kehr
 Chicago Reader
 TOP CRITIC
 Sly humour and an appreciative ear for the demotic improv of teenage chat completes an attractive package.
 
 June 24, 2006
 
 Derek Adams
 Time Out
 TOP CRITIC
 A sweet and funny movie about two of the worst things that can happen to a girl on her sixteenth birthday.
 
 October 23, 2004 | Rating: 3/4
 
 Roger Ebert
 Chicago Sun-Times
 TOP CRITIC
 Sixteen Candles is a genuinely funny film with plenty of throwaway gags that betray Hughes’ Lampoon origins.
 
 October 26, 2020 | Rating: 3/4
 
 Kathy Fennessy
 Seattle Film Blog
 At times it’s laugh-out-loud funny, highlighting the awkwardness of adolescence through alternations of clumsiness, low self-esteem, and misadventures of maturation.
 
 September 7, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
 
 Mike Massie
 Gone With The Twins
 Meandering and kind of dull and doesn’t quite manage to be as sweet as its romantic final scene.
 
 July 30, 2020
 
 Felix Vasquez Jr.
 Cinema Crazed
 To try to explain Sixteen Candles as a person who was there for it in first run today is to helplessly shrug and say, ‘I don’t know, man, it was a different time.’
 
 January 18, 2020
 
 Gena Radcliffe
 The Spool
 Sixteen Candles is a genuinely funny and touching coming-of-age story.
 
 July 4, 2019
 
 Jennifer Lind-Westbrook
 Culturess
 High school is high school no matter what the date, and Hughes ensures that the constancies of that age remain unchanged.
 
 May 5, 2014 | Rating: A-
 
 Rob Vaux
 Mania.com…

 

Plot
Samantha’s life is going downhill fast. The sixteen-year-old has a crush on the most popular boy in school, and the geekiest boy in school has a crush on her. Her sister’s getting married, and with all the excitement the rest of her family forgets her birthday! Add all this to a pair of horrendously embarrassing grandparents, a foreign exchange student named Long Duk Dong, and we have the makings of a hilarious journey into young womanhood.
 
Trivia

 
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film Sixteen Candles on Fresh Kernels.
 

 
John-Hughes.jpg

 
Production Company(ies)
Cranium Entertainment, Idiot Savant Pictures, Particular Crowd
 
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
 
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
 
Filming Location(s)
Golf ‘N’ Stuff – 10555 Firestone Blvd., Norwalk, California, USA
 
MPAA / Certificate
PG
 
Year of Release
1984
 

 
Genre(s)
Drama
 
Keyword(s)
starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, Randee Heller, Martin Kove, William Zabka, directed by John G Avildsen, written by Robert Mark Kamen, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Richard Schickel, Variety Staff, Geoff Andrew, Caroline Westbrook, Steven D Greydanus, Roger Ebert, PG, Columbia Pictures, produced by Jerry Weintraub, Karate Kid, martial arts, Cobra Kai, bullies, Mr Miyagi, compassionate karate, Johnny Lawrence, Ali Mills, John Kreese, Lucille Larusso, sound mix, Surround
 

Cast & Crew

Ralph Macchio

Pat Morita

Elisabeth Shue

Randee Heller

Martin Kove

Daniel LaRusso

Mr. Kesuke Miyagi

Ali Mills

Lucille Larusso

John Kreese

Ralph Macchio – Daniel LaRusso
Pat Morita – Mr. Kesuke Miyagi
Elisabeth Shue – Ali Mills
Randee Heller – Lucille Larusso
Martin Kove – John Kreese
William Zabka – Johnny Lawrence

 

John G. Avildsen

Robert Mark Kamen

Jerry Weintraub

Director

Writer

Producer

Producer

Producer

Director(s)
John G. Avildsen
 
Writer(s)
Robert Mark Kamen
 
Producer(s)
Jerry Weintraub

 

Film Festivals

 
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
2 wins & 3 nominations total
 
Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Richard Schickel

Variety Staff

Geoff Andrew

Caroline Westbrook

Steven D. Greydanus

TIME Magazine

Variety

Time Out

Empire Magazine

Decent Films

THE KARATE KID
 All Critics (44) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (39) | Rotten (5)
 This film’s art consists entirely of hiding the cynicism of its calculations under an agreeably modest and disarming manner.
 
 August 1, 2008
 
 Richard Schickel
 TIME Magazine
 TOP CRITIC
 Morita is simply terrific, bringing the appropriate authority and wisdom to the part.
 
 March 21, 2007
 
 Variety Staff
 Variety
 TOP CRITIC
 A surprise summer hit in the States, this is another film-making-by-numbers exercise in teenage wish-fulfilment.
 
 June 24, 2006
 
 Geoff Andrew
 Time Out
 TOP CRITIC
 While this may be as soppy and predictable as they come, it still reminds you why you used to enjoy ’80s teen flicks so much in the first place.
 
 November 3, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
 
 Caroline Westbrook
 Empire Magazine
 TOP CRITIC
 Formulaic, manipulative, hokey — and thoroughly rousing… the film’s sincerity and poignance have a way of steamrolling over gaps in plausibility and logic.
 
 October 10, 2005 | Rating: B+
 
 Steven D. Greydanus
 Decent Films
 TOP CRITIC
 An exciting, sweet-tempered, heart-warming story with one of the most interesting friendships in a long time.
 
 October 23, 2004 | Rating: 4/4
 
 Roger Ebert
 Chicago Sun-Times
 TOP CRITIC
 The characters are unforgettable, the dialogue is clever, and although some of the sequences are predictable, the film never loses heart.
 
 September 6, 2020 | Rating: 9/10
 
 Mike Massie
 Gone With The Twins
 . . .The adventures of this vengeful boy only inspires indifference. . .[Full Review in Spanish]
 
 August 30, 2017
 
 Diego Galán
 El Pais (Spain)
 Macchio rises above the trite script to deliver a sympathetic and believable performance. Morita is equally good value and look out, too, for Elisabeth Shue in an early role.
 
 July 30, 2013 | Rating: 3/5
 
 John Ferguson
 Radio Times
 Upbeat, sentimental and predictable tale, but the acting of Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita (who was Oscar-nominated) is good and their friendship charming.
 
 April 5, 2011 | Rating: B
 
 Emanuel Levy
 EmanuelLevy.Com
 Predictable yet satisfying…
 
 June 25, 2010 | Rating: 2.5/4
 
 David Nusair
 Reel Film Reviews
 Avildsen crafted an inspired movie with the perfect mix of 80’s bravado and 70’s artistic integrity.
 
 June 12, 2010 | Rating: 3/4
 
 Jordan Hiller
 Bangitout.com…

 

Plot
Daniel and his mother move from New Jersey to California. She has a wonderful new job, but Daniel quickly discovers that a dark haired Italian boy with a Jersey accent doesn’t fit into the blond surfer crowd. Daniel manages to talk his way out of some fights, but he is finally cornered by several who belong to the same karate school. As Daniel is passing out from the beating he sees Miyagi, the elderly gardener leaps into the fray and save him by outfighting half a dozen teenagers. Miyagi and Daniel soon find out the real motivator behind the boys’ violent attitude in the form of their karate teacher. Miyagi promises to teach Daniel karate and arranges a fight at the all-valley tournament some months off. When his training begins, Daniel doesn’t understand what he is being shown. Miyagi seems more interested in having Daniel paint fences and wax cars than teaching him Karate.
 
Trivia

 
Goofs / Tidbits
Ralph Macchio delivers a sympathetic and believable performance as Daniel LaRusso.
 

 
John-G.-Avildsen.jpg