Back to School (1986)

This is one of those flicks that when it's on television, you gotta watch it...if only to give Rodney and the 80s the RESPECT they deserve. Yes, Rodney plays the exact same character as he played in Caddyshack, but it's hilarious so who gives a shit? The strange thing about this movie is that Rodney plays a rich asshole, who, in most movies, would be the antagonist, but in this movie he's a rich asshole you love. Only Dangerfield could pull that off.

This movie has a lot going for it. Let's do the list:

1) It's got Robert Downey "Iron Man" Jr. playing a blue-haired emo radical in a bit part...pretty hilarious considering he's playing second fiddle to a kid with a Jew fro who would never, ever be heard from again.

2) It's got Burt Young of Rocky fame (Uncle Pauly) playing Rodney's strongarm limo driver / body guard. He growls, beats the shit out of college students, and crumbles a metal napkin holder with his bare hand....awesome...

3) It's got one of the most famous assholes of the 80s in the guy who played Johney in Karate Kid playing...well, an asshole. "Sweep the leg, Johney! Sweep the leg!"

4) It's got Sam Kinison stealing the whole damn movie with his insane history teacher bit SCREAMING in Rodney Dangerfield's face. Great stuff...

5) And finally, a treat for all the English nerds out there (Me!), you've got Kurt Vonnegut in a cameo as himself. The best part is he writes the paper on himself for Melon and the English teacher reads it and says, "Whoever wrote this doesn't know the first thing about Kurt Vonnegut!" Hilaaaaaarious!

This is what the 80s was all about. Cheesy movies that were enjoyable to watch...much unlike the dogshit squeezed out into the theaters nowadays. The movie works because Rodney Dangerfield is totally likable and hilarious. Where have all the likable comedians gone?

Oh well...now you'll have to excuse me while I go practice my TRIPLE LINDY!

Why It's Awesome: A rich guy goes to college to convince his son not to drop out...sounds dumb...except the rich guy is RODNEY DANGERFIELD! Awesome...

Best Quote:

Melon: We were doomed from the start. I'm an Earth sign. She's a water sign. Together we made mud.