“Hey, Cameron. You realize if we played by the rules right now we’d be in gym?”
Thirty years ago, Ronald Reagan was president, Tom Cruise was flying high in Top Gun, gas cost 92 cents a gallon, Radio Shack was beginning to market “mobile” phones …
… and Ferris Bueller took a day off of school.
Life moves pretty fast, and so does the opportunity to see John Hughes’ classic teen comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on the silver screen! Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies are presenting the inimitable Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on more than 650 movie screens nationwide on Sunday, May 15, and Wednesday, May 18 only.
In the meantime, welcome back to 1986 … SAVE FERRIS!
Still as hilariously irresistible as the day it was released in 1986, FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF returns to cinemas for two days only this May, just in time for its 30th anniversary.
Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) present John Hughes’ venerated comedy as part of the TCM Big Screen Classicsseries. Audiences can take the day off to join Ferris, Sloane and Cameron in more than 650 theaters nationwide for two screenings each day: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time.
Adding even more fun to the 30th anniversary celebration, the event includes special interviews with John Hughes and other cast members about the movie, and TCM host Ben Mankiewicz will present all-new commentary forFERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF both before and after the feature.
Matthew Broderick stars as a delightfully charming high school student who, with his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) and best bud Cameron (Alan Ruck), ditches school to enjoy one perfect day as a kid with no responsibilities. The beloved comedy about Ferris’ wild adventures in the Windy City during a single, glorious day off continues to be enjoyed, quoted and revered 30 years after its theatrical debut.
While you wait for this special event, enjoy the next title in Fathom’s TCM Big Screen Classics series with Marlon Brando’s incendiary performance in “On the Waterfront” in theaters this April 24 and 27.
In more than 650 select movie theaters nationwide. Tickets are available online at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of participating theaters, click on the “Theater Locations” tab.
Sunday, May 15, 2016 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time
Fathom Events and TCM bring the classics back to theaters in their year-long TCM Big Screen Classics series, showcasing a different title each month. In May, an irrepressible high-schooler skips school and enters cinema history in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the 1986 John Hughes classic starring Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones, Jennifer Grey and Edie McClurg.
Economics Teacher: Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?
Simone: Um, he’s sick. My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it’s pretty serious.
Economics Teacher: Thank you, Simone.
Simone: No problem whatsoever.
Award-winning actor Matthew Broderick is starring in a clever fourth-quarter Super Bowl commercial to promote the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V. “Matthew’s Day Off,” directed by Todd Phillips (TheHangover, Due Date, Old School), stars Broderick playing himself while drawing on his well-known coming-of-age character that the CR-V target audience grew up watching.
Hidden in the commercial are dozens of “Easter eggs” reflective of the original film. Fans are encouraged to watch the spot closely to see how many references they can find. For example, an iconic vest that was worn in the original movie is visible in a department store window that appears briefly. To comment on the “Easter eggs,” viewers can go to http://www.facebook.com/hondacrv. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #dayoff online when talking about Honda’s Super Bowl commercial.
With the release of EASY A not more than a week away, we here at WAMG thought that we would have a little fun with one of the topics in the film… 80’s movies. You know ’em, you love ’em, you’ve seen them a million times on your television set, and you know ’em by heart. These are our quintessential 80’s flicks…
HONORABLE MENTION: TEEN WOLF
Many movie fans seem to forget that Michael J. Fox had two box office hits in 1985. While BACK TO THE FUTURE is an enduring classic , we shouldn’t overlook the success of the more modestly budgeted, TEEN WOLF. In it Michaels’ character Scott Howard has some similarities to Marty McFly. He’s an average high school student who pines for the better life( with the queen of the drama club and his lackluster basketball team). One day Scott discovers that his journey to puberty comes with a bonus: he’s a werewolf. His family curse is explained to him by his dear old dad (played by F TROOP’s James Hampton). Scott soon learns that this curse may not be such a bad thing. He becomes a hoops phenom and leads the team to a winning season while taking the lead in the school play opposite his dream girl. But all’s not roses(or in this case dog biscuits) for Scott as his aggressive wolf side starts to take over. Thanks to Michael J. Fox’s charming performance, TEEN WOLF inspired a sequel( TEEN WOLF, TOO with a furry Jason Bateman) ,a Saturday morning cartoon show, and established him as one of the 1980’s great teen movie stars.
HONORABLE MENTION: FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH
Oh, Sean Penn… You made Spicoli one of our favorite slackers! It has everything an essential 80’s movie needs: Drugs, the valley speaking airhead, the surfer, horrible teachers, and rock and roll. It deals with a could of heavier issues, but lightens the mood up again with some serious laughs! I wish I would have gone to Ridgemont High!
10. THE KARATE KID
The Karate Kid – starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita – is one of those movies that you either care nothing about or absolutely love. There’s not really anything in between and I happen to fall into the latter category. Obviously, I could start out by saying that the director was no other than John G. Avildsen (yeah, the guy that directed Rocky…) and I wouldn’t have to say much more. But there is so much more. This is a story about friendship, honor, coming of age, and beating the odds. It had us cheering for the underdog and gave us iconic pop culture catch-phrases such as “wax on, wax off” and “sweep the leg.” There were several sequels including one with future 2-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank as “the girl karate kid”, but none ever quite lived up to the original. And not for nothin’, but the remake with Jaden “I’m only in a movie because will smith is my dad” Smith was an unnecessary abomination with Jackie Chan as a ridiculous disgrace to the legacy of Mr. Miyagi. We’ll just pretend that never happened.
So, for all you Karate Kid purists like myself, here’s a little treat. Look for many of the original Cobra Kai members from the film, as well as Johnny and Daniel-son. Enjoy!
09. SIXTEEN CANDLES
“Chronologically you’re 16 today. Physically you’re still 15.” Is Samantha Baker’s (Molly Ringwald) opening line bemoaning her breast size. And that one dry observation is just the beginning of Samantha’s hellish 16th birthday in SIXTEEN CANDLES, the debut feature from that king of the teen movies John Hughes. SIXTEEN CANDLES was very special for the simple reason that John Hughes showed other filmmakers of the day what a teen movie could be all about. Instead of an orgy of sex, booze and all night partying, films starring teenagers could be about real people. Young people with problems of their own. Fears. Insecurities. And a healthy dollop of angst. SIXTEEN CANDLES took all of those qualities and made a surprisingly fun film out of it. Even at the start of his career, John Hughes made a film that was buoyant, brimming with confidence, and delightfully dotty. It was everything an 80’s teen film should be.
08. FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF
“The question isn’t what are we going to do, the question is what aren’t we going to do?”
Even at the ripe old age of 100, Matthew Broderick will still be seen by fans primarily as the rebellious, iconic high school hero Ferris Bueller. John Hughes’ classic 80’s comedy opus FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF is a film that captures the mind of the graduating teen, the varying degrees and fear, excitement and resignation to the inevitable post-high school life and dullness and slow death. Being the incurable optimist, Bueller takes his neurotic best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) and his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) on a wild adventure into downtown Chicago, while thwarting Principal Rooney’s efforts to bust Bueller for playing hookie by any means. FERRIS BUELLER is a timeless classic, burned deep into the psyche of every child of the 80’s and guaranteed to continue influencing teenagers for generations to come.
07. WEIRD SCIENCE
With a hip title song from Oingo Boingo …
and Robert Downey, Jr.’s hilarious turn as Ian…
…WEIRD SCIENCE is one of those John Hughes 80’s comedies that’s become a cult favorite. The film also has a young Bill Paxton as Chet… pain-in-the-ass older brother of Wyatt who constantly made to suffer at the hands of this menace. It’s only when Lisa (Kelly LeBrock), fantasy creation of two teenage goofballs – Wyatt and Gary, turns Chet into a farting, green, grotesque creature, that he must humble himself and apologize to Wyatt for years of abuse.
It’s so off-the-wall, goofy that WEIRD SCIENCE is a definite addition to any movie geeks essential 80’s collection!
06. THE BREAKFAST CLUB
Five kids, all with differing hang-ups, all from differing back grounds, are sentenced to Saturday morning detention at Shermer High School in THE BREAKFAST CLUB. Of all the teen films of the 80’s, few can match THE BREAKFAST CLUB for vibrancy and simplicity of worth. Written by John Hughes in just a couple of weeks, the film has five young actors in one locale, that is driven by dialogue, and for better or worse, managed to tap into the zeitgeist of a whole generation of teenagers. There is something totally engaging watching the nerd, the weirdo, the princess, the jock and the rebel poke fun at each other to only then pick apart their respective defenses. THE BREAKFAST CLUB also contains a fine ensemble cast that infuses a sense of reality in the script. Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson and Anthony Michael Hall are particularly memorable, while only Emilio Estevez embarrasses himself with his excruciating dance sequence. Iconic for many, and resonating to even more, who would have thought such a simple picture could have such lasting appeal?
05. THE GOONIES
Quite essentially one of the staples of the Amblin Entertainment films – Yeah, I know E.T. is the logo, but keep with me. Amblin Entertainment was founded by Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall and in the early to mid 80’s was recognized as bringing high quality family entertainment. What is interesting is prior to THE GOONIES, Amblin Entertainment released GREMLINS. As it has been said before, if both THE GOONIES and GREMLINS were made today, they would have been rated PG-13 because of the subject matter. Luckily, THE GOONIES wasn’t PG-13 because the rating was so new and probably squeezed past it because Spielberg actually semi-created the PG-13 rating.
THE GOONIES is a fun family cinematic treasure hunt as a group of childhood misfits seek the hidden loot of Chester Copperpot. If you haven’t seen this, it must be purchased for your movie geek soul to be redeemed.
04. THE LOST BOYS
Filmgoers in 1987 might’ve thought they were going to see another fantasy adventure involving Peter Pan’s pals. However these lost boys do not stay forever young by living in Neverland :they are vampires. The films begins with the arrival of newly single mom, Lucy Emerson(Dianne Wiest) and her sons Michael(Jason Patric) and Sam(Corey Haim) to her fathers home in Santa Carla, CA(the murder capitol of the world). The boys soon encounter a group of leather clad toughs lead by David(played memorably by a spike haired Kiefer Sutherland). While Michael pursues his attraction to the lady of the gang, Star(Jami Gertz), Sam goes to the local comic book shop and meets the Frog brothers(Jamison Newlander and Corey Feldman) who explain to Sam why David and his gang only prowl at night. Soon Michael is deceived by David and falls victim to the vampire curse. Can he be saved by Sam and the Frog brothers? Will Star be rescued from David and his crew. And what about Lucy’s new romance with her boss, Max? Joel Schumacher’s film offers many unexpected twists and injects a lot of fresh young blood into the big screen Vampire genre. Plus, it’s one of the first pairings of the two Coreys! That alone qualifies LOST BOYS as an 80’s movie classic!
03. SAY ANYTHING
“She’s gone. She gave me a pen. I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen.”
SAY ANYTHING certainly isn’t John Cusack’s first film, having built his foundation on 80’s classics such as 16 CANDLES, BETTER OFF DEAD and ONE CRAZY SUMMER, but it is the film that made him a star. Likewise, it’s the film that first propelled writer/director Cameron Crowe into Hollywood’s good graces. Lloyd Dobler (Cusack) is a hopeless romantic, an underachieving kickboxing recent graduate who is determined to date the beautiful, intelligent Diane Court, played by Ione Skye. Despite her father’s strong objections, Lloyd will do anything to win her heart before she leaves on a scholarship to England.
02. STAND BY ME
STAND BY ME is a favorite film of mine from the 80’s. What could be better than spending time with Gordo, Chris, Teddy and Vern as they have their last weekend of summer, of grade school? The film brought back vivid memories of friends and events from my own summer of being 12. Who doesn’t remember going off to Junior High School? Would my friends stay the same? Would I? STAND BY ME is a great movie because it evokes those memories of being 12, especially how innocent we all were and how perfect the world seemed. How you could sit around with best friends and discuss matters of the world, at least from a 12 year old perspective? The last line of the movie says it so well,” I never had any friends later on, like the ones I had when I was twelve…Jesus… does anyone?” I love this movie because it brings my twelve year self back to mind. It is always good to remember.
01. BACK TO THE FUTURE
BACK TO THE FUTURE is one of the most iconic films of the 80’s and the majority of it takes place prior to the decade. How did the film become such a staple of the decade? Because it was that damn good. It was entertaining. Produced by Steven Spielberg – sort of a big deal, read THE GOONIES description – working from a script from St. Louis’ own Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis with the latter directing, BACK TO THE FUTURE is a film that embellishes on the dream of change. It answers the what if’s while fusing itself into pop references and music history. BACK TO THE FUTURE is a timeless tale that still stands up – 80’s clothing style aside – today. Parents, to quote Marty McFly – “…but your kids are going to love it.”
I’m sort of recycling this a bit, borrowing the idea and news from Cinematical, but it got me to thinking. So, first I’ll pass on the general thinking here… the bit about FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF being remade isn’t a fact, or even a rumor, but rather a concept brought up during an interview by Cinematical with Matthew Broderick, who said “It would be fine” when asked how he would feel about someone remaking the 1980’s classic.
As for MANNEQUIN, this I am disturbed to say, is apparently actually happening. Courtesy of Cinematical, Gladden Entertainment wants to remake the 1987 film, which originally starred Andrew McCarthy as a sex-obsessed department store employee who fantasizes about a window mannequin coming to life. Played by Kim Cattrall (SEX IN THE CITY), the mannequin turns out to be a reincarnated Egyptian princess. Gladden Entertainment is hoping to give the story a more contemporary appeal with a hip, young cast… a la The Twilight Saga, maybe?
With the FAME remake behind us, the FOOTLOOSE remake coming out this year and the RED DAWN remake rapidly approaching, it seems we’ve entered a new era of recycled 80’s stories. It’s all coming full-circle, but is it too much too soon? Personally, I think so. You’ve got to give a movie to run it’s full course. It used to be, we wouldn’t see films remade for at least a good 20-30 years, and even then it was far less common than it is today. I’m only 31 years old and still vividly remember movies like FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF like I just saw them yesterday. So, it’s strange to find these films being remade already. Now, I don’t have children, but many from my generation do… but, how many of these kids are even old enough to watch these remakes AND be able to appreciate the originals?
It’s my opinion that a film should at least skip a generation before being remade, in order to be respectfully accepted. In these examples, it’s not been enough time. Anyone who has seen the originals is likely not interested in seeing the remakes and those old enough to see the remakes are likely clueless about the originals. Therefor, there’s a disconnect between the source material and the new material. Give parents of my generation a chance to pass our classics from our childhood down properly, then consider remaking them for future audiences, when the new generations is old enough to approach the material respectfully and with some knowledge.
So, you’ve heard my two cents on the subject. What are your thoughts? Is it too much too soon? Are we robbing a generation from being able to appreciate our classics by spoon-feeding them the watered-down remakes before they’re even exposed to the original material? Chime in and make yourselves heard. We want to know how our readers feel about this.
“… You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Good advice. Sadly, Hollywood lost one of it’s seminal scribes last week in John Hughes, screenwriter and director of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Breakfast Club, and several other classics of ’80’s cinema.
I have a confession to make, however. I never considered myself a big fan of John Hughes. Perhaps because I was still so young in the ’80’s, I missed the Hughes-mania. I had yet to start kindegarten when Ferris Bueller was taking his ninth sick day of the semester. I had about three candles on my birthday cake when Samantha was lamenting her forgotten Sixteen.
And to make matters worse, I’ve had a minor bone to pick with Hughes for quite some time. I finally saw The Breakfast Club in high school, in the late ’90’s, and I remember being very upset: as Brian Johnson, aka the Geek, reads their final essay, we see the Rebel get the Princess, the Jock get the newly-beautified Freak, and who does the Geek get? The PAPER. As a self-proclaimed geek, then and now, I feel a bit slighted. Hughes spends the whole movie breaking down stereotypes, only to reinforce this one at the final moment?
I know what you’re thinking: SACRILEGE! BLASPHEMY! HERESY! Well, put down the ropes and the torches and hear me out.
Despite my few misgivings, the simple truth is this: John Hughes owned the ’80’s and early ’90’s. He was to movies what Rick Springfield and Rick Astley were to music. He defined the term “teen comedy”. The Brat Pack can thank him for their entire careers. His collaborations with John Candy (Uncle Buck, The Great Outdoors, and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles) were some of the best of Candy’s career. Or how about his more family-oriented fare, such as the Home Alone or Beethoven franchises? Or, the National Lampoon’s Vacation series?
An entire generation grew up adoring his characters. The rebels all wanted to be John Bender, the class clowns idolized Ferris Bueller, and the princesses could choose from a host of Molly Ringwald incarnations. Very rarely can you say that one person’s style sums up an entire decade, but Hughes was just that: the cinematic epitome of the “Me” Decade. Love him or hate him, the movie world will never forget him. RIP, John Hughes.
Filmmaker John Hughes died at the age of 59 today in New York. Hughes suffered a heart attack while talking his morning walk. He was visiting family in Manhattan at the time.John Hughes is survived by his wife of 39 years Nancy, his two sons John and James and four grandchildren.
John Hughes was darn near that of a filmmaking God to movie geeks, and just teenagers in general, of my generation. Hughes’ films defined our generation, putting our lives up on the big screen. Hughes was a Chicago-based filmmaker, so he had a special place in the hearts of us in the Midwest as well.
Hughes’ films included an extensive laundry list of extremely popular hits that remain favorite for today’s generations as well, standing strong against the test of time. Some of these films include SIXTEEN CANDLES, THE BREAKFAST CLUB, WEIRD SCIENCE and FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. Later on, he would make more adult-oriented films that still offered a similar sense of humor, such as PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, SHE’S HAVING A BABY and UNCLE BUCK.
Hughes was also a very successful writer, with two of his most popular works being National Lampoon’s VACATION and HOME ALONE, which held the box office record for many years. Hughes’ last writing to hit the big screen was DRILLBIT TAYLOR (2008). He will truly be missed by those of us who remember the 80’s all too well and I encourage any younger generations who are not familiar with his work to rush out and discover why his movies are so loved. I promise, you will not be disappointed!
