The Latch Key Kids, Home Alone (2024)

29/06/2024

“Yeah…You Gonna Make It All 220?”

We Will Miss You Ron - I Mean Mr. Richardson 😞

#1987

22/04/2024

As many of you know have called home…well forever 🏠

Barry Levinson is one of Baltimore’s most beloved sons and director our final picture of #1987 released on Christmas Day🎄 it would be considered one of his greatest films 🎥

“Good Morning Vietnam” would post 198th out of 226 not bad for a limited released for 6 days

Of course the film would end up being #3 for domestic box office in #1988 following only “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” & “Coming To America”

“Good Morning Vietnam” would get to show us the versatility of Robin Williams a versatility so many of his peers had hinted at 🎭 - he would earn his first of four nominations

The story of Adrian Cronauer approached the Vietnam experience from a far different place than most Vietnam pictures

The audience related to Williams and his portrayal drew us in, almost making it comfortable to be there - until it clearly wasn’t

The music and supporting cast compliment Williams, Levinson, and Mitch Markowitz’ script

It’s as charming and as confronting as ever all these years later - punctuated by the passing of several of its key actors 😞

What A Christmas Present 🎁 For Our Final Film Of #87

And Of Course…

🎶 What A Wonderful World 🎶

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of The Latch Key Kids Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

14/04/2024

As we discussed in Season 2 “Ready For Primetime Players” Eddie Murphy blew out the model of player turned mega Hollywood Superstar

By #1987 Eddie was quite literally on top of the world as we also highlighted with “Beverly Hills Cop 2” which would ultimately take the top box office spot (domestically) for the year

However those of us who remember Eddie’s rise always think of his stand up first in #1983 with “Delirious” and then with one of our final entries for this season “Raw”

“Raw” is different as it came to us from a completely different place than “Delirious”

This was a movie version of a concert held in NYC it received a wide release in theaters vs the release of “Delirious” and it would break every record for a stand up performance including highest grossing of all time at over $55 million - a record that still stands almost 40 years later

And it would be the last we see of Eddie Murphy on a stand up stage….for now

The content is salacious for one it holds the “F—k Count” record of 223 times the word was used - surpassing “Scarface” and also still a record

It is just unrelenting in its veracity and it’s so far from the wokeness of today it’s hard to conceive anything like it would be attempted and it hasn’t…

We’ve seen great comedy specials and stand up superstars - there is only one Eddie Murphy and “Raw” is the final chapter we have for his stand up comedy (which many will say is his best talent)

It is both enticing and somewhat scary to think he would return one day to the stage - there have been rumored conversations that a new stand up special is in fact in the near future….

God could this world handle it?

certainly is right there with it - we fought the boomers to be allowed to even watch it and as stated todays generation have no idea what would be in store for them - especially having grown up with Donkey 🫏 😂

We dare to dream for another installment - until then…remember

“IT WASN’T ME!”

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon!

#1987

03/04/2024

And here we go AGAIN!!!

One Part Amazing Stories
Two Parts
1/2 Cup Spielberg
A Pinch Of

“*batteries not included”

Originally supposed to be a part of “Amazing Stories” the greatest TV show of its age…but alas NO..

Spielberg said this must be a movie 🎥

And when St. Steven says it must be a movie..a movie it becomes

Brad Bird would write the screenplay (his 1st) ✍️

Matthew Robbins (of “Dragonslyer”) would direct 🎥

Spielberg would Executive Produce 🎞️

Even James “Freakin” Horner would score 🎶

Cutest couple EVER Jessica Tandy & Hume Cronyn would star ⭐️

I’m just going to go watch it right now again - if you haven’t you should be ashamed - just kidding - no I’m not 🤓

Perfect for Christmas #87 and any other day of your life 😊

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of The Latch Key Kids Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

31/03/2024

Happiest Of Easter’s!!!

Even In Latch Key Land We Have Our Traditions

Find Your Rainbows 🌈 ❤️

27/03/2024

Wow is this movie good or is this movie GREAT…we like the latter 🏆

The last full week of releases in #1987 has already given us classics good and bad yet Oscar was definitely in the picture for our next film…

James L. Brooks’ “Broadcast News”

The film was a monster hit well into the awards season banking over $60 million on a $15 million budget

Everyone was nominated by and nobody won - Thanks to earlier entries see “Moonstruck” & “The Last Emperor”

There is something soooooo mid about this film as the era of was gaining steam yet their was still another few years before the Gulf War and literally broadcast news was where we got most of our stories…

Peter Jennings

Tom Brokow

Nightline 😂

So the backdrop of the newsroom is so enticing and very nostalgic now

Of course the level of performances here are extraordinary

Holly Hunter
William Hurt
Albert Brooks
Joan Cusack

And of course one more time in #87 - JACK!

Brooks did it ALL - wrote it, produced it, directed it

Brooks was coming off his monster tear jerker “Terms of Endearment” which he swept all three awards for in #1983

Oh he was also starting a little TV show this year - 😂 - he has won a total of 23 from TV work

This film is exceptional in so many ways and in the era of 24 hour news - disinformation - news talent being thought of as more important than the news itself - it may hold up better than any movie we have revisited

You could argue it’s a perfect movie in many ways as it ties up so nicely at the end and all three leads are equally good

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

26/03/2024

While “Leonard Part 6” May Have Been One Of The Worst - This One Was One Of The Best…

“Overboard” is well….simply Golden 🌟

If you asked this young lad in #1987 who he had a crush on….the answer was and still is

She’s just a treasure always has been and one could make the argument that “Overboard” is her best picture - really any answer is right

Of course the real chemistry 🧪 of the film is between Goldie and Kurt Russell and the age old premise of amnesia and class struggles

We will also note that this may be the greatest miniature golf ⛳️ movie ever made to boot - We dare you to find a better example in cinema 🎦

The film was directed by Gary Marshall and it marked the start of his most successful run of films that would include both “Pretty Woman” & “A League of Their Own”

However as much as we like it the film did not wow at the box office - at $26 million it barely made its $22 million budget back - it would make its mark in rentals and cable

The film was scored by the great Alan Silvestri and we get the awesome as well!

The film has become a certified must watch cult classic - it has been remade (lamely) more than once - there is even an Egyptian remake 🔺

We ❤️the original because we love all things Goldie and it’s never a bad time to watch or rewatch a stone cold CLASSIC!

Once again brought to you by #1987

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

25/03/2024

So this next one is a classic….classic in terms of hands down thought of as one of the worst movies ever made - in any year 😂

One Word - “QUELISH!!”

TWO WORDS - “MELTED BUTTER” 🧈 🦞

Yes…

“Leonard Part 6”

No there were not 5 before or ANY after

Bill Cosby was like everyone’s Dad in #1987 - ourselves included

We won’t go into what’s up with Cos these days…

In #87 we were there and even at 11 we were 💯 that this film was so bad it was AWESOME 😎

We won’t try to defend anything other than it was a good time watching something so bad

Leave it to #1987 to produce the BEST of the Worst 🚮

It’s a strong 2.2 on IMDB 🥸😝

So Like Eddie Murphy Would Say…

“Have A Coke 🥤 And A Smile 😀 And….” You Know The Rest

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

24/03/2024

There were NINE movies released the weekend of December 18th #1987

So unheard of these days 😂

What a way to literally flamethrow the final week before Christmas 🎄 37 years ago!

This next one…an argument could be made was the best - even the best of #1987 as it would be up for every award from

Norman Jewison’s “Moonstruck” would just charm the hell out of everyone and give us five of the years BEST performances

(of course!)
Nicolas Cage
Vincent Gardenia
Olympia Dukakis
Danny Aiello

The film was written by John Patrick Shanley - he would win the Oscar for Best Screenplay

The film officially was released in December but went wide in January - it would make over $115 million on a scant $15 million dollar budget 💰

In addition to Shanley’s win - Moonstruck would win both Olympia Dukakis and Cher Oscar gold as well

The real star ⭐️ in our opinion is Cage - Nicholas Cage would put a visceral stamp on acting 🎭 with the role of Ronny and it would forecast an intensity and talent we continue to enjoy to this very day!

This film is a love ❤️ letter to so many things…The it’s an absolute masterpiece 🖼️

We also get one of the most wonderful soundtracks lead by the immortal

It is essential to any understanding of great cinema and possibly Jewison’s greatest film which is saying something as he is one of film’s greatest directors ✨

If you haven’t seen it Holy 💩 - SNAP OUT OF IT!!!!!

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

23/03/2024

Ironweed” had so much promise 💭

The 1983 novel 📕 would win the Pulitzer
In 1984 the novel’s option was picked up
David Lynch was set to direct

Ultimately it just didn’t come together…

The pairing of Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep had been tried a year earlier in #86 with the Nora Ephron written and Mike Nichols directed “Heartburn” 🔥

“Heartburn” was a big success so the pairing of Jack & Meryl in a highly dramatic tale of homelessness and addiction during the Great Depression seemed like a no brainer 🧠

The pair both received Oscar nominations from but the film was a huge disappointment making just a fraction of its $26 million budget

One note…Jack was paid 2x as much as Meryl ($5 million vs $2.5 million 💴)

The film was beset with issues from clashes between actors (Jack) and director - producers and producers - even real life car accidents because of movie props

was supposed to compose the music but didn’t - it’s freaking mess of a movie

Probably the best part of this movie…the amazing

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of The Latch Key Kids Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

18/03/2024

Out of all the movies released in December #1987 this next one would rank highest in box office gross

“Throw Mama From The Train” 🚂

The film was one of the darkest comedies we’d ever seen and at 11-12 years old having loved all three main actors for different reasons and roles it’s somewhat surprising it ranked 36th

The film released by the legend Orion Pictures and directed by Danny DeVito banked a very respectable $30 million plus…the film was made for just $14 million

The reviews were not great - it didn’t feel great leaving the movie and it hasn’t necessarily made friends over the decades since its release - there is no cult following

This is the conundrum of #87 - what people liked and didn’t like - what made money and what didn’t

One thing it shows you is that both Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal were king 👑 makers for movies - if you could get one or both of them the movie would be made

DeVito would make “Twins” the very next year with and strike a deal for residuals that would change the industry forever 💰

Crystal (who was in an #87 classic already with “The Princess Bride”) would go on to solidify his A-List status with “When Harry Met Sally” and the “City Slickers” franchise - among others

Throw Mama would garner Anne Ramsey a nomination for Best Supporting Actress from and interestingly the film’s cinematographer was none other than Barry Sonnenfeld

Oh and even makes a cameo 😂

It’s worth the rewatch 🍿

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of The Latch Key Kids Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

16/03/2024

“Greed Is Good” 💴

By #87 had only directed 4 films - he had written some of the decade’s most iconic scripts - in #1986 “Platoon” changed everything

“Platoon” would win Stone a Best Director Oscar and would also win Best Picture from

“Wall Street” would be Stone’s first film after the Oscar win and it would again star

would join Charlie Sheen in the lead role of Gordon Gekko a role that would earn him the Academy Award for best actor

Stone was told not to hire Douglas - studio executives wanted Warren Beatty or Richard Gere - in fact Stone was told Michael Douglas “couldn’t act”

For Sheen it would be another chance to work with Stone - however - Stone had seriously considered Tom Cruise for the role of Bud Fox

Darryl Hannah would play the role of Darien - a role Stone subsequently said she was wrong for - there was also conflict with Sean Young who played Gekko’s wife Kate

Martin Sheen (Charlie’s father) would play the father of Bud Fox

Despite the myriad of casting concerns the film was a hit across the board posting over $40 million on a $16 million budget and the film would define the as the decade of insatiable corporate greed

You gotta love the music 🎶 especially ⭐️

The film would spawn a reasonable sequel many years later but it didn’t live up to the original

“Blue Horseshoe ❤️ Anacott Steele” and we of course ❤️ “Wall Street”

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of The Latch Key Kids Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

15/03/2024

When asked the question - “What Film Have You Watched The Most?”

Steven Spielberg always answers “Lawrence Of Arabia”

That film was directed by David Lean and David Lean was supposed to direct our next film “Empire of the Sun”

Spielberg secretly wanted to direct it and when Lean chose to pass he got his wish and took over from “The Bridge Over The River Kwai” director

Of course one of the reasons we love #1987 was it was right in the middle of the age of Spielberg

Indiana Jones
ET
Gremlins
Goonies
The Color Purple
Back to the Future
Amazing Stories
Always
Poltergeist
Twilight Zone

The was Spielberg’s - Full Stop

“Empire of The Sun” fell squarely in the midst of that golden era and in many ways could be argued is the least celebrated of Spielberg’s films - it gets a bit lost

It’s a masterpiece 🖼️

From casting an 12 year old Christian Bale 🦇 to shooting in Shanghai to the airplane ✈️ scenes which utilized actual P-51 Mustangs restored from WW2

John Williams 🎶

The film would give a glimpse into Spielberg’s future WW2 films as it predated the more well known epics Spielberg would create a decade later with “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan”

The film was about the loss of innocence it was about coming of age within a war that seemed it was never going to end - it was inspired by Spielberg’s own father

Typical this 💎 would help cap off 1987 and be the only official Spielberg effort that year - in fact Spielberg would actually take 1988 off - this was the only film 🎥 we got and we ❤️ it

“THE CADILLAC OF THE SKIES!!!”

Man if you haven’t seen this film in a while or ever before - this weekend is your chance!

PS - Is That ? Yeah It Is!

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of The Latch Key Kids Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

11/03/2024

While “Beverly Hills Cop II” would be ranked #1 in domestic box office for #1987 (technically “Crocodile Dundee” 🐊 would make more but was released in ‘86) this next film would go on to gross more Worldwide - say it like

“Three Men And A Baby” just works….worked then…works now

And we ALL know why….

We have discussed this on many occasions…

Guttenberg owned #87 - it was his year and we just happened to be along for the ride

However without question this was his greatest film of the year

Magnum PI
Sam Malone
Carey Mahoney

Oh Yeah - Spock Directed The Movie 🚀

How could it go wrong - we even had Urban Legends claim there were dead bodies in the corner

The movie holds up and it’s vibe is quintessentially #1987

Yes there would be underwhelming sequels - that just proves our point

The stars - The film - The sets - The dead kid in the corner ☠️

Just remember that all your physical media collections aspire to match Pete Mitchell’s library of 📼 Knicks games 🏀

Go enjoy one of the best #87 had to offer and on the same weekend as “Planes, Trains, And Automobiles” - We Were Royalty 🫅 👸🏼

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of The Latch Key Kids Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

11/03/2024

What A Night For Chris Nolan And Oppenheimer 🏆

10/03/2024

As many of you know and as many of you don’t know dedicated an entire episode to our next film from #1987

Our Post Below From November 2022 Celebrating Our Favorite Movie Of #87 - It’s Perfect Any Day Of Any Year - A Monumental Achievement ❤️

35 Years Ago This Week The Single Greatest Thanksgiving Movie Premiered

Planes ✈️ , Trains 🚆 , And Automobiles 🚗

Staring & John Candy and conceived and brought to the screen by John Hughes the film would prove to be a career milestone for all three

We hear at wish everyone in Latch Key Nation and beyond a VERY Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

And Our Present 🎁 To All Of You….A Special Edition Episode Of Course!

Be on the look out for The Latch Key Kids Present My Favorite Year - 1987 Special Edition - Planes, Trains, And Automobiles dropping this holiday weekend 🦃

All episodes now available on or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave a comment!

#1987

09/03/2024

So the 39th highest grossing film of #1987 was a re-release…

You guessed it 3rd re-release of the year….

“Cinderella”

Earlier in the year both “Snow White” and “The Aristcats” were rereleased and both cracked the top 70

In fact “Snow White” was the 18th highest grossing film of the year 60 years after its release - crazy town

“Cinderella” would post 39th - remarkable 🎃

We were in a very weird time for - they were struggling with new material and the tried and true re-release was good business

Nobody knew that in a very short time, less than two years, the whole animation world would be turned upside down by a mermaid 🧜‍♀️

In fact if you are interested…check out “Waking Sleeping Beauty” a tremendous documentary about this moment in Disney history

Classic Disney is chapter and verse for us at - the argument could be made that this film marked the high water mark for the studio while it was run by its founder Walt Disney who after “Cinderella” would focus the last 15 years of his life on building a small project 😂 called and 🏰

It’s a classic pure and simple and arriving in theaters it was a way for older kids to revisit their childhoods without losing the magic 🪄

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of The Latch Key Kids Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

08/03/2024

As in most homes of your parents always had that one singer - albums 💿 - cassette tapes 📼 - 8 Tracks

Mom ❤️ 🎶

So when “Nuts” dropped 😂 on 11/20 there was interest throughout the house 🏡

The movie was actually pretty nuts 🤪 to even get started…

The play it was based on wasn’t really well received in NYC but was in LA - the original director Mark Rydell walked off the set (2nd time Rydell walked off a Streisand movie - the first being “A Star Is Born” 🎤 ⭐️)

Then balked at joining the cast as he wanted to do Barry Levinson’s “Tin Men” which we reviewed earlier in our look at #1987

Dustin Hoffman, Paul Newman, Al Pacino, and Marlon Brando were all considered but Babs said NOPE - We will wait for Richard 👑

The film is a biting legal drama of the and it showcases Streisand’s immense acting ability which somehow seems to surprise you each and every time - it’s a performance we respect and one I remember seeing as a young person and being captivated by

In addition to both Babs and Hooper 🦈

Holy 💩 does it have a BIG cast of legends 🌟

Karl Malden (Final Role)
Eli Wallach
Maureen Stapleton
Leslie Nielsen (Last Dramatic Role)
James Whitmore
Robert Webber (Final Role)

Much like the play - some really liked the film while others were Luke warm at best…

Take It To Court 👩‍⚖️ And You Decide!

We respect TF out of this film and think it has aged very well 🍷

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of The Latch Key Kids Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

07/03/2024

If there was one thing the #80’s did well it was horror/thriller book to movie adaptations and this one may have been the best of #1987

V.C. Andrews “Flowers In The Attic” was a jacked up mind F—k from jump street 🌹

The book 📚 and film 🎥 gained instant and I mean instant classic status and scared the 💩 out of boys and girls - young and old!

They sold this book at 7/11 - 😂 - imagine buying a book today at 7/11 - yeah in #87 you could and that book was Flowers In The MF Attic 🏠

The film was just as jacked up and of course had to have who was one those girls for us boys - 💨 🔥

The film actually cracked the top 75 - respectful for a film released this late in the year and with so much controversy

To this very day it just creeps you out beyond belief and the crazy thing is most of the really controversial scenes never even made it into the Final Cut

Pass by a Victorian house with an attic window and tell me you don’t do a double take

Classic and brought to you by 1987!

Be on the lookout for the newest episode of The Latch Key Kids Season Three “My Favorite Year -1987” coming out soon where we will revisit the classics from a classic year

All episodes now available on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for listening and be sure to rate us ⭐️ and leave us a comment!

#1987

The Latch Key Kids

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