E

Easy Money(1983)

Rated - R

95 Minutes

Directed by James Signorelli (SNL)

Budget - Peanuts

Box Office - $29,309,766

People know Rodney from Caddyshack(1980), Back To School(1986), and (for the tragically sheltered) Ladybugs(1992).  For me, the film that most clearly highlights his talents is Easy Money.  Here's why:

1.  This was the 1st movie that I can remember where they made a clip of the film to be used directly as a music video on MTV.  It was a sign of the times, generationally defining.  And, it was fantastic.  I totally reminded me of Connie's wedding reception in "The Godfather" and Frankie Five Angels at Anthony's 1st Communion in "Godfather: Part II".  You know, except that it's in Rodney's back yard in Jersey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXNwxkHcD0A


2.  It has a personal life moment for me.  At my brother's wedding, they employed a lifelong friend's father to take the wedding pictures.  It was a kind gesture, and I'm sure that they got a bargain.  But, I had never seen Mr. Ikenberry go more than 10 seconds without a Virginia Slim in his lips, and this was in a historical church with no AC.  It was 700 degrees.  Oh, and my young cousin, the ring bearer was uncooperative with the photo taking process.  I think he was like 3.  I thought, for sure, that Mr. Ikenberry was going to take the Lord's name in vain, in church, in front of a kid.  In fact, I was hoping that was what was going to happen.  And, all that I could think of was this scene:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-982oTKR0M

3.  Julio spawns an iconic Anthrax hit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwWrajIdHII

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiHdr4rWG98

And for the record, Nicky Cerone may be Pesci's best role.  That's a tough call...

For those who are interested, here's Ebert's 1983 review.  He liked it, but not as much as I did...

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/easy-money-1983


Runner-up: Excalibur(1981)

Reasons that it's a Frank Movie:

1.  First film for Gabriel Byrne.  There will be several more appearances on the list for Gabriel, but this was the one that started it all, as Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur.  Here's a great scene - keep in mind that his enemy's queen is Katrine Boorman, the director's daughter - who does a graphic sex scene immediately after this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YOL-Cm5RmQ

 

 

2.  First film for Liam Neeson.  Yep.  The ultimate action star of the 2010's got his start in the same film as Gabriel Byrne.  The cast also includes Helen Mirren and Patrick Stewart.  I shit you not.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipSZn5qcJds

Honorable Mentions:  Escape From New York (1981), Empire Records (1995), Elf (2003)