Blue City

I seem to say this a lot but Blue City really is a very under rated Brat Pack movie. Judd Nelson plays Billy Turner, a guy who returns to his home town to find out his dad, the mayor of Blue City, has been killed. From there it’s about Billy trying to find answers and not being afraid to do anything to get them.

Ally Sheedy’s character isn’t exactly very complex. She plays the love interest and does so as well as can be expected. It is a slightly different role for Sheedy in that she’s edgier than in previous roles and more of a bad girl.

Blue City was based on the 1947 novel of the same name by Ross MacDonald. When I say based I mean it in the loosest possible sense. I think that is part of the reason the film was so poorly received. Fans of the novel were expecting something more than just a watered down Beverly Hills Cop. The movie was probably aimed at more of a teen audience and an awful lot of the storyline was changed as a result.

Blue City was very poorly received by critics upon release, and was nominated for a host of awards at the 7th Golden Raspberry Awards.

This movie was never going to win any awards, positive ones anyway, but I still enjoyed it for the most part. I think as long as you aren’t a fan of the book and you are a fan of the Brat Pack, you’ll enjoy Blue City.

Brat Pack Rating
I’d give Blue City a solid if unspectacular Brat Pack rating of 6 out of 10.

Characters
Billy Turner – Played by Judd Nelson

Annie Rayford – Played by Ally Sheedy

Joey Rayford – Played by CSI’s David Caruso

Starring
Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy.

Trivia
Look out for a young David Caruso.

Blue City Links

Blue City @ IMDB

Blue City @ Rotten Tomatoes

Betsy’s Wedding

Betsy’s Wedding was written and directed by Alan Alda, he also played one of the starring roles. While this movie is by no means an all time classic, it does have a large number of fans as the amount of five star reviews on Amazon show.

The movie follows Betsy, daughter of Alda’s character Eddie, during the build up to her wedding and all the trials and tribulations that go along with it. Molly Ringwald plays the role of Betsy alongside fellow Brat Pack member Ally Sheedy as her sister Connie.

The most interesting part of Betsy’s Wedding is probably the relationship between LaPaglia and Sheedy’s characters, Stevie and Connie. Stevie is a second generation gangster who falls for Connie who is a cop.

There cast is packed with notable stars other than the Brat Packers including Joe Pesci, Anthony LaPaglia, Nip Tuck’s Dylan Walsh and even a cameo appearance from Samuel L. Jackson.

Personally, I think this is one of the weaker films from the Brat Pack genre. The characters have potential but the script never really gets out of first gear. It’s worth a watch if you’ve never seen it but it’s no Breakfast Club, in fact, it’s not even an Oxford Blues!

Characters
Eddie Hopper – Played by Alan Alda, the father of the bride.

Betsy Hopper – Molly Ringwald’s character, the bride!

Connie Hopper – Ally Sheedy’s role, she plays Betsy’s sister as well as being a cop who gets involved with gangster Stevie.

Stevie Dee – Played by Anthony LaPaglia. Stevie is a gangster who falls for Connie.

Starring
Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy.

Trivia
Betsy’s Wedding was inspired by Alan Alda’s daughter’s wedding.

Betsy’s Wedding Links
Buy Betsy’s Wedding

Betsy’s Wedding @ IMDB

Betsy’s Wedding @ Rotten Tomatoes

Oxford Blues

Oxford Blues is the story of Nick Di Angelo, played by Rob Lowe. Nick has a major thing for Lady Victoria Wingate and is working in a Las Vegas casino to earn enough money to pursue her to Oxford. Nick believes he can win her over if he gets a place at Oxford University and join their rowing team.

Nick spends the night with a wealthy older woman while working at the casino and she gives him enough money to get to Oxford. When he arrives he meets another American in Rona, played by Ally Sheedy.

It isn’t long before Nick finds Lady Victoria but she is already involved with the star of the rowing team, Colin Gilchrist Fisher. Nick and Colin soon build up a fierce rivalry that only gets stronger until the climax of the film.

Oxford Blues was never going to win any Oscars but it’s a fun movie and would hold special interest for anyone that’s attended Oxford University or likes rowing!

Characters
Nick Di Angelo – The lead character played by Rob Lowe. Nick is trying to get into Oxford University to chase the woman of his dreams Lady Victoria Wingate.

Rona – Another American at Oxford, Ally Sheedy character becomes friends with Nick but she wants more.

Lady Victoria Wingate – The object of Nick’s affection, she does her best to resist his advances.

Colin Gilchrist Fisher – Played by Julian Sands who you may recognise if you are a 24 fan. Colin is the star of the rowing team and takes an instant dislike to Nick.

Geordie Nevitts – Nick’s trusty room mate and friend.

Starring
Rob Lowe and Ally Sheedy

Trivia
Lady Victoria’s character was loosely based on Princess Stephanie of Monaco.

Star Cary Elwes’ brother, Cassian Elwes, served as Producer on this film.

Oxford Blues Links
Buy Oxford Blues

Oxford Blues @ IMDB

Oxford Blue @ Rotten Tomatoes

Emilio Estevez on Two and a Half Men

Brat Pack star Emilio Estevez is to make a guest appearance alongside his brother Charlie Sheen on hit show Two and a Half Men. Estevez will reportedly play one of Charlie’s (Sheen’s character) old drinking buddies.

Their father, Martin Sheen has also made an appearance on the show in the past.

“My dad did the show a couple of years ago,” Charlie Sheen said. “So it was only a matter of time until someone of my brother’s talent could also come and play in our sandbox.”

Estevez has moved behind the camera in recent years, directing episodes of Cold Case and CSI New York as well as his hit movie Bobby.

There is no scheduled air date for the episode as yet.

Let us know your thoughts on Emilio’s guest role in Two and a Half Men.

About Last Night

About Last Night is one of the lesser known Brat Pack movies but still did quite well at the Box Office. It’s a romantic comedy with some drama thrown in for good measure.

It features Danny (Rob Lowe) and Bernie (James Belushi) as two single men living in Chicago. Danny meets Debbie (Demi Moore) at a bar and after a one night stand the pair start a relationship. The film follows the ups and downs of the couple trying to make things work and the effect the relationship has on their friends.

Whilst it may not be the most amazing movie of all time, About Last Night is a good character piece. It shows the difficulties young people face when settling down and is a bit deeper than some of the other Brat Pack pictures.

Characters

Danny Martin – Loves Debbie but is scared to commit.
Debbie Sullivan – Is willing to settle down with Danny but is struggles to make it work.
Bernie – Danny’s buddy who isn’t as stupid as he seems.
Joan – Debbie’s pal with the hard front who wants to protect her friend.

Starring
Rob Lowe and Demi Moore.

Trivia
A section of the movie that wasn’t used turned up on an episode of Friends.

Debbie’s friend Pat is played by Will and Grace star Megan Mullally.

About Last Night Links

Buy About Last Night

About Last Night @ IMDB

About Last Night @ Rotten Tomatoes

Robert Downey Jr

Robert John Downey Jr. was born in Greenwich Village, New York City at 1.10 pm. He’s the son of underground filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. His first part in a movie was in his father’s Pound, where 5-year-old Downey played a puppy. When he was 20 years old, he joined Saturday Night Live for one season. After that, he went to Hollywood.

In 1987, he got the leading role in director James Toback’s film The Pick-Up Artist, where he was up against Molly Ringwald. The same year, he played drug addict Julian Wells in the movie Less Than Zero. In 1992 he played Charlie Chaplin in Sir Richard Attenborough’s film Chaplin (1992). For that astonishing performance, he received an Oscar nomination for best actor which he unfortunately did not win.

In the year 2000, he got to guest star in comedy series Ally McBeal, where he portrayed the attorney Larry Paul who became Ally’s love interest. For that performance he won the Golden Globe for best supporting actor in a comedy series.

Robert married Deborah Falconer in April 1992 but they have recently divorced (April 2004). He has had many well documented drug problems but has now been clean for the past few years and is back in some big Hollywood productions after a few years in the wilderness.

2008’s Iron Man was a huge hit with both moviegoers and critics. Downey Jr’s performance was nothing short of remarkable and he is already signed up to star in the sequel. Robert is also starring in the forthcoming Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes project.

Robert Downey Jr Quotes
“I know very little about acting. I’m just an incredibly gifted faker.”

“With a terrible script you hustle and try to make it better. But with a good script it can be trouble because you rest on your laurels, so to speak, you think it’s going to translate easily.”

Robert Downey Jr Links
Downey Unlimited – Robert Downey Jr fan site.

Robert Downey Jr Music – Robert’s official music site.

Class

One of the very first Brat Pack movies and not just your run of the mill high school fare. Class is an often over looked film that deserves more attention for its well written script and good character development.

Rob Lowe plays wealthy student Skip and McCarthy is his shy room mate Jonathan. Skip thinks Jonathan could do with some help where the ladies are concerned so sends him to a sleazy bar in the city. Little does Skip know, the woman Jonathan gets to grips with is Skip’s Mom!

The pair have a brief fling but once Ellen (Skip’s Mom) finds out how old Jonathan really is, she end the relationship.

Everything would have been fine, had it not been for Skip inviting Jonathan to his place for Christmas.

Characters
Skip – A well to do, popular and confident student at the Vernon Academy.

Jonathan – Skip’s shy room mate who falls for Skip’s Mom.

Ellen – The good looking older woman who also happens to be Skip’s Mom!

Starring; Rob Lowe and Andrew McCarthy.

Trivia

Rob Lowe apparently threatened to quit the movie if he wasn’t allowed to appear naked in a certain scene.

Alan Ruck has a very small role, blink and you’ll miss him.

Class Links
Buy Class

Class @ IMDB

Class @ Rotten Tomatoes

Weird Science

Yet another John Hughes classic, Weird Science made every teenage boy’s fantasy a reality, create your own real life dream girl from the comfort of your own bedroom!

Wyatt and Gary are two awkward American high school teenagers who are struggling with girls and the popular crowd. On top of this they have Wyatt’s bully of a brother Chet making their lives a misery.

While watching Frankenstein one night, they come up with the idea to create their own perfect woman! Using their computer, magazine cut outs, some jump leads and a Barbie doll, Wyatt and Gary get to work. Thanks to some strange weather conditions and a power surge, up pops the stunning Lisa!

With Lisa’s help, the boys turn from a couple of geeks into popular Ferrari driving teens who can suddenly pick up girls with relative ease.

The usual John Hughes party ensues with a few twists and turns before the climax involving their families and some strange men on bikes!

Trivia
The actor who played Wyatt somewhat turned his backing on Hollywood and is now a high level graduate assistant in the English department of a Texas University.

One of the kids from the mall scene in Weird Science, Cliff, was also one of Anthony Michael Hall’s sidekicks in Sixteen Candles.

Starring
Anthony Michael Hall

Weird Science Links
Buy Weird Science

Weird Science @ IMDB

Weird Science @ Rotten Tomatoes

Sixteen Candles

Written and Directed by John Hughes, Sixteen Candles is considered to be the first Brat Pack movie.

Molly Ringwald plays Sam Baker a teen girl on her sixteen birthday (hence the sixteen candles!) who is in a bad place. Her family have forgotten her birthday because her sister Ginny is getting married the following day. Sam also has to deal with her huge crush on school hunk Jake Ryan.

A school dance follows as well as a house party before an apology from her father for forgetting her big day. Along the way we meet Farmer Ted and the hilarious Long Duk Dong.

This builds up to the climax of Ginny’s wedding and a surprise visit for Sam.

Characters
Samantha Baker – The girl whose 16th birthday isn’t going to plan. Will anything go right for our heroine?!

Jake Ryan – The hot guy of the film and the object of Sam’s affection, does he feel the same?

Farmer Ted/The Geek – The Geek is just that and is obsessed with getting San into bed to win a bet.

Starring; Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall.

Trivia

Molly Ringwald also starred with Anthony Michael Hall in The Breakfast Club. The pair dated for a brief time.

Anthony Michael Hall is listed as ‘The Geek’ in the credits but his actual name is never revealed during the movie, although he calls himself Farmer Ted.

John Hughes has a small cameo in one of the church scenes where Sam goes to get her sister’s veil but blink and you’ll miss him!

Sixteen Candles Links
Buy Sixteen Candles

Sixteen Candles @ IMDB

Sixteen Candles @ Rotten Tomatoes

Pretty In Pink

Another 80’s classic written by John Hughes and starring Molly Ringwald, Pretty In Pink was the definitive teenage love story of the 80’s.

Molly Ringwald plays Andie, a modern girl from a poor family who falls for Andrew McCarthy’s character Blane. Blane is from a different world to Andie due to his wealthy upbringing. Their friends struggle to accept their relationship because they are all from different social circles. Blane’s best friend Steff does all he can to scupper their bond.

Andie’s mother left her and her father years ago and Andie has since struggled to make her dad get a job. Her two best friends Duckie and Iona help her deal with all the dramas. What Andie doesn’t realise is that Duckie is madly in love with her.

Pretty In Pink is not as good as Hughes’ other movies of the same era such as The Breakfast Club and Some Kind Of Wonderful but it still goes down as a classic.

Characters
Andie – Fashion conscious, new wave girl struggling with money and relationships.

Duckie – Andie’s ever faithful friend who is also madly in love with her.

Blane – A rich guy but also a good guy, has his sights set on Andie.

Steff – Balne’s best friend who is rotten to the core! Doesn’t want Blane getting involved with the poor crowd.

Starring; Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy.

Trivia

Duckie and Andie originally ended up together but Hughes was put under pressure to change the ending by the studio. Ringwald also felt the ending with Duckie wasn’t right and said she felt he was more like a brother but did have chemistry with McCartney’s character Blane.

Michael J Fox was originally offered the part of Duckie.

Andrew McCarthy had to wear a wig when the ending of the film was re-shot because he had shaved his head for another role.

Pretty In Pink Links
Buy Pretty In Pink

Pretty In Pink @ IMDB

Pretty In Pink @ Rotten Tomatoes

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