The Blues Brothers, The Blues Brothers (1980)
What started out as a Saturday Night Live routine pulled off the successful leap to the big screen. Jake and Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, respectively) are on a “mission from God,” and it involves a lot of music. Backed by legendary musicians and armed with a setlist packed with blues, soul, R&B, and rock and roll classics, they tear through The Blues Brothers like a musical wrecking ball. With their black suits, skinny ties and sunglasses, they have a confidence that’s astounding. Their performances are funny and soulful, whether they’re playing to a crowded theater or turning a shopping mall into a demolition zone. A sequel, Blues Brothers 2000, would try to recreate the magic of the first, but without Belushi it’s impossible. “It is clear, especially in this film, that [Belushi] has a unique comedy touch and a rare musical talent,” writes DirkH.