The Blues Brothers - 1980

Director: John Landis

Writers: Dan Akroyd & John Landis

Starring: Dan Akroyd, John Belushi, a bunch of blues musicians

"Are you police?"

"No, ma'am, we're musicians."

In this film, Akroyd and Belushi play Elwood and Jake Blues, respectively, two brothers who coincidentally were once part of a blues band. Upon Jake's release from jail, the two learn that the orphanage they grew up in owes some back taxes, and will be closing down soon. The two embark on the oft-repeated "mission from God" to reunite the band in order to raise money for the orphanage. Carrie Fisher's character also appears randomly and tries to kill our heroes for no apparent reason (until the last twenty or so minutes of the film).

Blues Brothers' first big action scene has Jake and Elwood evading some cops by DRIVING THROUGH A MALL. After this scene, the Mysterious Woman (Fisher's character is never named) shoots at Jake with an RPG. The climax involves the brothers being pursued by a country band in an RV, a bunch of "Illinois Nazis," countless Chicago police (most of who get into very nasty wrecks), and even a significant military force (complete with tank). This kind of wild action, along with the stellar musical performances (James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Cab Calloway), make this film a definite must-see (despite my personal distaste for the irony of "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love"). I don't know how I got through so much of life without it.