Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)

The band is getting back together, save for John Belushi who passed away in 1982 and was the beating heart and soul of it. This 18 years too late sequel isn't great, but it's a lot better than I appraised it back when it was first released. Of course, it suffers from the deficit of Jake Blues, who is the main impetus for "getting the band back together" in this sequel, while John Goodman more or less fills the role of Elwood's new sidekick. The years have been kind to this film, as it's aged much better than my memory of it. It mostly serves as tribute to Belushi and all those who have fallen since, including many performers who are featured here. This film is more musical performance than actual plot, but it's frequently entertaining and just weird enough to command my attention.

3 Bluesmobiles out of 5

The Blues Brothers (1980)

One of the most successful movies based on a Saturday Night Live musical sketch featured John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake and Elwood Blues. Recently paroled, and looking to get back in good graces, they're on a mission from God to prevent the foreclosure of the Catholic orphanage where they were raised, all the while being on the run from cops, neo-Nazis, a country band and a mystery woman out for blood. The music is great, the spirit is anarchic, and it's just a fun time for all involved. Contains some of the most expensive action sequences ever filmed, not to mention fabulous cameos from legendary music performers. This is a time capsule worth uncovering.

5 police chases out of 5