35 years of Summer Blockbusters - May 27

May 27, 2005 - Five years ago two films opened in the wake of the final chapter of the Star Wars saga:

First up was Dreamworks animated comedy Madagascar. This unlikely story of animals that escape from the Central park Zoo and end up in the wilds of Madagascar was huge hit. Mostly because the stars Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer, Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith stay true to the characters as they deliver the comedic lines of this band of misfit outcasts. The movie was also helped by a bunch of psychotic penguins and slightly more insane lemurs.The film was a huge hit and spawned a sequel and some TV specials. At The Movie House rating *** stars

Also opening was Adam Sandler's remake of the 1974 dark comedy The Longest Yard. Sandler's version replaced the grit and dark humor of the original, with juvenile gags more suited to his talents. The film was a hit and Sandler's biggest opening to date. Burt Reynolds returned, but rather than playing the lead, this time he plays the coach. To give you an idea how things have changed, look at the poster for the original film starring Burt Reynolds. At The Movie House rating ** stars

May 27, 1994 - Sixteen years ago, arriving in a storm of media hype, the live action version of 

The Flintstone's opened. The film was perfectly cast with John Goodman in the lead as Fred Flintstone, Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma, Rosie O'Donnell as Betty and Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble. It took 32 writers to assemble the convoluted plot, but the story doesn't matter, what matter's is the authentic recreation of the world of Bedrock. The film was a hit and the cast returned for a sequel.

May 27, 1977 - Thirty-three years ago Smokey And The Bandit opened. This film starred Burt Reynolds in his most successful role, as the bandit and Jackie Gleason as Smokey. made at the height of the CB-radio craze the movie tells the story of bootleggers running beer from Texas to Georgia. The movie is essentially one long car chase with Jerry Reed and Sally Field along for the ride. The film is great fun and hugely popular. It was the second highest grossing film of 1977. Star Wars was #1.