Product Description: During his time at SNL original cast member John Belushi created some of the most memorable characters in television history. One of the most brilliant comedic performers of all time Belushi's rebellious presence and intensity changed the face of comedy forever. From classic original characters like the Blues Brothers King Bee and Samurai Warrior to incomparable impressions of Joe Cocker Marlon Brando Elizabeth Taylor and more you can experience the best of Belushi for years to come. Plus enjoy extra bonus material including interviews from SNL's original cast and writers and never before seen footage as well as the very first SNL sketch of all time.System Requirements: Running Time 93 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 031398167976 Manufacturer No: 16797
Amazon.com: John Belushi could say more with an eyebrow than most performers can with their entire body. Yet he wasn't a minimalist. Far from it, he could go over the top in a way that’s never been surpassed. Spanning 1975-1979, this collection includes his bemused Beethoven, who speaks through his fingers rather than his mouth--until he morphs into Ray Charles. On the opposite side of the spectrum, there's "Samurai Delicatessen," in which his Toshiro Mifune-styled chef grunts and slices with abandon, or those "Weekend Update" commentaries, where he implodes at the end of a deranged tirade. Then there's his nimble-footed "Joliet" Jake Blues and the poignant "Don't Look Back in Anger," in which an aged Belushi visits the graves of his cast mates. In these skits, spoofs, and musical performances, he’s joined by the likes of Buck Henry, Elliot Gould, and, naturally, the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
A new slapstick comedian is born. One of the wonders of the original five year run of Saturday Night Live was how it served as a launching pad for so many entertainers. Clearly, John Belushi was one of these. His performances in The Blues Brothers and Animal House, to name his two biggest hits during that period, were classics that go beyond the slapstick moniker.
This little gem, SNL - Best of John Belushi, is best described as "a taste of Belushi" (John, not Jim). As a regular on SNL those first five years, he developed characters and comedic performances that still are popular today (the Blues Brothers). Others went splat (the Bee Band). His athleticism, facial expressions, and attention to detail (note the Joe Cocker spoof/imitation) were his strengths.
This collection has some favorites... his imitations of rocker Joe Cocker, actress Elizabeth Taylor (the portly version), the Hulk, and his appearances on the SNL news program. This collection also contains the piece of him as an old man visiting the graves of his former SNL colleagues. Ironically, he was the first to die.
This DVD is a great bargain as a sampler. If you like what you see, start collecting the complete SNL seasons (seasons 1 and 2 are out at the time of this review).
Young fan Im only 16 and me not knowing the original SNL to well, I find this DVD great. Iv become a big Belushi fan, he was a genieus that died so young. I read other of the coments and saying that they should have put more skits on the DVD and I agree Iv downloaded some clips off limewire and I love it, he was great. SNL should do what they did for Will Ferrell make volumes Belushi is 20x better then Ferrel and desierves more Best of DVD's
Quality Stuff, But... I simply didn't laugh out loud (except for "Little Chocolate Donuts.") Everyone should RENT this, but must OWN "The Blues Brothers." Belushi on SNL was monumental in establishing some out-there American humor, but this collection has nothing on Monty Python. I think early SNL was more about the excitement of being a late-night show with funny people rather than actually being chock full of 'knock-you-outta-your seat' laughs. I see this more as a blueprint for what he did in 'Blues Brothers'--every single nuance he gave in that movie was sheer brilliance--rather than itself being the definitive John Belushi.
Belushi still rocks the DVD is sadly too short, but gives us a worthwhile reminder of John Belushi's most excellent talent.
Please give us COMPLETE rather than BEST Yes, this is a funny DVD and John Belushi really was an amazing character with both comic antics (eye brows!), mannerisms (H & L BROCK Tax Consultant with reason#3, "We lie for you...) and musical performances (Joe Cocker!!!!). However, consumers want the COMPLETE skits rather than what someone judges to be the BEST skits. Even if all seasons of SNL are released, the COMPLETE skits would sell as many of his comedic performances touched so many people in different ways. One Flew Over the Hornets Nest...... butter, butter with Raquel Welch as the infamous Nurse.
Anything Goes Trivia
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