Back To School (Extra-Curricular Edition)
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Features
• AC-3
• Color
• Dolby
• Dubbed
• DVD-Video
• Special Edition
• Subtitled
• Widescreen
• NTSC
In Theaters : 13 June, 1986
DVD Release : 14 August, 2007 |
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Back To School (Extra-Curricular Edition) description
In the mid-1980s, standup comic Rodney Dangerfield underwent a renewed wave of popularity, finding a surprisingly enthusiastic baby-boomer audience. What else to do but make a movie that shows off Dangerfield's alternately knowing and boorish humor? This may not be on the AFI list of great films, but it delivers laughs aplenty in its story of a rough-edged tycoon who made his fortune in clothes for the stout and tall and decides to attend college in order to be closer to his son (Keith Gordon). There's not much plot, but lots of room for Dangerfield's one-line riffs. The goggle-eyed comic veteran displays surprising charm, enough to make his romance with professor Sally Kellerman believable. Look for cameos by late comedian Sam Kinison and author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. --Marshall Fine |
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Back To School (Extra-Curricular Edition) Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥
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One of Rodney Dangerfield's finest films - but be sure you're getting the Extra-Curricular Edition!
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Back To School is directed by Alan Metter. The film stars Rodney Dangerfield, Sally Kellerman, Burt Young, Keith Gordon, Robert Downey Jr., Paxton Whitehead, Sam Kinison, Terry Farrell, M. Emmet Walsh, Adrienne Barbeau, William Zabka, and Ned Beatty. Danny Elfman contributes the film's musical score.
Back To School is the story of Thornton Melon (Dangerfield), a man who got rich when he opened a chain of clothing stores that catered to larger people - appropriately called "Tall And Fat" stores. His son Jason (Gordon) is attending school, but doesn't fit in, and plans to drop out. It doesn't help things any that Jason's best friend (Downey) is the weirdest kid on campus. Following Thornton's divorcing his second wife, he and his long-time friend and chauffeur (Young) decide to pay the school a visit. To discourage his son from dropping out, he enrolls with him - but it quickly becomes clear Thornton is more interested in the part aspect of campus life than the classes.
Easily one of the best film's of Rodney Dangerfield's career. With a combination of great actors and characters, humor that never wears out its welcome, and a fun storyline that works better than you'd think, it's a great film from start to finish.
I shouldn't have to tell you that Rodney Dangerfield is great in the film. His character here is certainly one of his most memorable, serving up his traditional one-liners. His character here is a man who has incredible wealth, but quickly discovers having a lot of money and partying endlessly won't get him through school, like he intended to show his son to begin with. Easily one of the best characters Dangerfield has ever portrayed.
While it's Dangerfield that steals the show, his co-stars are also impressive. Amongst the supporting cast are Burt Young (Rocky series) as the strong, mostly-silent chauffer, Keith Gordon (Jaws 2, Christine) as the son struggling to fit in and complete school, Sally Kellerman as the teacher turned love interest, Ned Beatty (Superman, The Toy) as the school's dean, Robert Downey Jr. as the eccentric friend, and even Sam Kinison in an all-too-brief role as a loudmouthed history teacher. Every member of the cast is well selected for their respective part.
There are a number of classic scenes in the film, all of which contribute to its greatness. A lavish party with Melon's soon-to-be ex-wife, a comical stunt to kill the registration lines in the college, a bar room brawl, a party with Oingo Boingo playing.... The list goes on!
Music for the film was composed by Danny Elfman, probably best known for being the composer on a number of Tim Burton's films. He's also a member of Oingo Boingo, and has a cameo in his band in the film, during the party scene. The score isn't your typical over-the-top Elfman music, but it works just fine for the film.
The film was released on DVD twice. The first release was a horrid one, lacking extras of any kind. But the Extra-Curricular Edition fixes all these issues. In addition to improved sound and picture quality, there are a ton of new featurettes. Among them are "remembering" featurettes for Rodney Dangerfield and Kurt Vonnegut (who as a cameo in the film), as well as a making-of look at the film, and photos and TV spots. Most of these features aren't too lengthy, but they make for a massive improvement over the old DVD. Again, make sure you're getting the Extra-Curricular Edition!
Great movie, enough said. Rodney Dangerfield at his best.
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Back To School (Extra-Curricular Edition) dvd movie.