The Rutles: All You Need is Cash (1978)

Long before Spinal Tap, there were The Rutles, a parody of The Beatles created by Eric Idle and Neil Innes. Seamlessly blending archival footage with newly filmed sequences, this mockumentary chronicles the rise and fall of the Prefab Four from Rutland. It benefits from knowing the history of The Beatles because it follows the details so closely and the music pastiches capture that era perfectly. There are times it hinges so closely on authenticity, you miss the joke entirely because it's not being played for laughs. It maintains a bit of that Monty Python rhythm, while Eric Idle plays a number of roles throughout.

3½ tight trousers out of 5

Animal House (1978)

AKA: National Lampoon's Animal House

Before Porky's and Revenge of the Nerds, there was the outrageous fraternity comedy known as Animal House, the first film produced by National Lampoon. Taking place in 1962, it follows the exploits of a troublemaking fraternity who challenges the authority of the dean and the competing frat house. The result is pure unadulterated anarchy and cements it the best college comedy of its time. Of particular note is John Belushi as Bluto, who steals every scene that he's in. It's crass and tasteless in a way that movies don't have the guts to be anymore. A product of its time for sure, but one that is immensely revisitable.

5 food fights! 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