I've Totally Seen That Movie Before

Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) Director:  Richard Donner Writers:  Jeffrey Boam (screenplay), Shane Black (story), Warren Murphy (story) Cast:  Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Joss Ackland, Derrick O'Connor, Patsy Kensit, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Steve Kahan, Jenette Goldstein, Dean Norris, Nestor Serrano Synopsis: LPAD odd couple Riggs (Gibson) and Murtaugh (Glover) are back as they investigate a drug-smuggling ring operated by corrupt South African diplomat Arjen Rudd (Ackland). However, despite the growing evidence against Rudd and his cronies, Riggs and Murtaugh are powerless to arrest him due to his diplomatic credentials. The pair are assigned to protect Leo Getz (Pesci), a witness turning state's evidence against the drug smugglers. When Riggs and Murtaugh start getting too close to the operation, Rudd sends his top lieutenant, Vorstedt (O'Connor) to put an end to the cops meddling. Violence ensues. First Impressions: I saw this film in my teens, not long after I sa...

Lethal Weapon (1987) Director: Richard Donner Writer:  Shane Black Cast:  Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe Synopsis: The apparent murder of a young prostitute brings together LAPD detectives Roger Murtaugh (Glover), an aging veteran and family man, and Martin Riggs (Gibson), a suicidal hot shot grieving over the recent death of his wife. During their investigation, Murtaugh and Riggs uncover a massive heroin smuggling operation run by Peter McAllister (Ryan), a former Army general who commanded a special forces unit during Vietnam. As the investigation proceeds, it becomes personal, and the two mismatched detectives must learn to trust each other as they wage war against McAllister and his Lieutenant, Mr. Joshua (Busey). First Impressions: I was 11 years old when this movie came out, so naturally, I didn't see it in theaters due to its well-earned R-rating. Like many action movies of the era, I ended up seeing this on V...

The Living Daylights (1987) Director: John Glen Writers:  Richard Maibaum, Michael G. Wilson Cast:  Timothy Dalton, Maryam d'Abo, Jeoron Krabbe, Joe Don Baker, John Rhys-Davies, Ark Malik, Andreas Wisniewski, Thomas Wheatley, Desmond Llewelyn, Robert Brown, Caroline Bliss Synopsis: After organizing the defection of Georgi Koskov (Krabbe), a top KGB General, James Bond (Dalton) is sent to investigate a supposed Soviet plot to kill British and American agents. Once Koskov is recaptured by the KGB, Bond must get to the bottom of the Russian plot, while at the same time tracking down Koskov. Bond soon uncovers a secret smuggling operation in Afghanistan, which could have dire repercussions for the Mujaheddin, Afghani guerrillas fighting against the Soviet occupation of their homeland. First Impressions:  I was 11 years old and my family was moving across the country. While spending a few days in Toronto, my parents wanted to see a movie and this was the one the picked. I was ...