Directors
John Hughes Uncle Buck
Howard Deutch The Great Outdoors
David Steinberg Going Berserk
DVD Release Date: September 18, 2007
Rating: Uncle Buck & The Great Outdoors are PG; Going Berserk is rated R
Running Time: 276 Minutes on 2 discs
The Movies
John Candy Buck Russell
Jean Louisa Kelly Tia Russell
Gaby Hoffmann Maizy Russell
Macauley Culkin Miles Russell
The Russell kids have come into a bit of a problem as their parents have been called off to an emergency with the kids’ grandfather having a heart attack. Instead of simply leaving Tia, who is the oldest, in charge, their bumbling Uncle Buck is called in the middle of the night to come and take care of the children. Certainly not accustomed to watching children, Buck is always willing to help family no matter what the circumstances may be.
Buck may have gotten more then he bargained for when he turned into a babysitter, because he’s never dealt with kids like this. Young Maizy isn’t much of a problem as she pretty much follows along with what she is told. The middle child Miles is alright too but he seems to be way too smart for an eight year old. It is Tia who seems to cause the most problems for Buck as she is in high school and doing her best to rebel in any way that will get under her Uncle Buck’s skin. He’s never had any kids of his own, but he’ll use every ounce of power and compassion in him to be the best parent he can be.
Uncle Buck is one of those films that truly stands the tests of time and can be watched by anyone of any age at any time. There are the predictable moments with Buck breaking things and Tia just not wanting to listen which results in the hilarious moments like Buck picking her up his hoopty-mobile. The interaction between Macauley Culkin and John Candy is rib-cracking funny and who on earth can possibly forget the giant pancake? A film that will be just as enjoyable thirty years from now as it is today, Uncle Buck may not be the best film in the world, but it always makes for a fun evening.
John Candy Chet Ripley
Dan Aykroyd Roman Craig
Stephanie Faracy Connie Ripley
Annette Bening Kate Craig
Chris Young Buck Ripley
Chet Ripley and his family had it all figured out. Pack up everything and head to the great wild wilderness where they could spend their vacation in peace and quiet. They could live in luxury with a great rented cabin and rough it only if they wanted to. Everything was perfect. That is until his brother-in-law Roman Craig shows up with his snobby family and decides to make himself at home. Not welcomed of course, but not able to turn away family, Chet decides to let them stay.
From there things only get worse as no matter what kind of easy-going family adventure Chet has in mind for his family, Roman steps in to take matters into his own hands. If Chet wants to get a pontoon boat for some easy sailing, Roman rents a jet boat. Chet would love to have a cookout with some hot dogs, but Roman knows what they are made of so he picks up some lobster tails. It’s a back and forth battle that makes for some hilarious moments and even a visit from the bald-headed bear.
Another comedy classic from John Candy, The Great Outdoors pairs him up with Dan Aykroyd who can only be classified as another comedy genius. The two of them have such chemistry on screen that even when they are bickering; it makes for some of the funniest moments you’ll ever witness. It’s a film that has unforgettable moments you’ll remember years from now like what hot dogs are made of, the talking raccoons, and the Ol’ 96er. Don’t forget, the gristle and fat is included.
John Candy John Bourgignon
Joe Flaherty Chick Leff
Eugene Levy Sal DiPasquale
SCTV was one of my favorite television shows back in the mid-eighties as I watched reruns because my birth came right in the middle of its original run. Much like Saturday Night Live, many of the actors that appeared on the show would often appear in films together since the chemistry was already there. Going Berserk is one of those films and if you ever watched SCTV, then you are sure to recognize a lot of the same faces.
John Bourgignon is a limousine driver that also is a drummer whenever he gets a chance. Life is going pretty well for him, especially after he finds the love of his life Nancy. Nancy is the daughter of congressman Ed Reese who is running for President and also trying to clean up the country. One of his first actions is to try and get rid of a religious cult run by leader Sun Yi.
Sun Yi and his followers are of course against Reese and will do anything they can to keep their cult alive, even if it means killing the congressman. But in order to keep their noses clean, they come up with the idea to get someone to do the murder for them and it happens to be John. After a lot of brainwashing, John is on his way to kill the congressman even if he will soon be his future father-in-law.
Going Berserk does get quite confusing at times, but so did SCTV, and that was the fun in all of it. Everything is meant to be so incredibly absurd that you don’t want to believe it is happening but can’t help laughing at it. There are some extreme situations here and stuff that will have you scratching your head, but the fun times don’t stop from opening credits to end credits.
The Video
The films are shown in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen format and they certainly are showing their age. Everything can be seen clearly, but the fading colors and overall drab look shows through. It’s odd but Going Berserk looks the best of the three and it is oldest one.
The Audio
The films are heard in Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Sound and it is all that’s needed for films like this. Nothing really big to hear except for the music, dialogue, and occasional bear roar.
Special Features
Trailers – Two trailers for The Great Outdoors
The Inside Pulse
Considering all but Going Berserk are already available on DVD, this may not be a set you really need to look into getting. Sure the films are great but there are no special features and if you’ve seen them all and only like one or two of them, then you might as well get them separately. I love John Candy films and could watch these over and over again, but since they put them into a set, it would have been nice to have at least a couple commentaries included. Buying separate or as a set you’re not going to lose much cash since they can all be gotten for under twenty bucks anyway. And I do believe this is the only way to get Going Berserk so choose wisely. I really wish Planes, Trains, & Automobiles or Hot To Trot had been included instead.
John Candy Comedy Favorites Collection |
|
