41 Comments

One of my favorite lines:

“There’s a lot of blind spots in a snowplow.”

I’ve driven a truck with a snowplow and I know.

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That was a great line! And I love that they reinvented that classic chase scene with a snow plow.

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We loved the latest BH Cop movie. We missed the Axil laugh tho which Murphy stated it was an acting choice. The gal who played the daughter was lacking acting chops. I don’t even remember BH Cop 3.

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Great point about the laugh. I miss that, too! Maybe he thought it made Axel too much of a carefree youngster. And you're right, the casting could've been better on his daughter.

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Enjoyed Axel F, especially the daughter being a strong, successful, kick ass woman despite the lack of a biological father figure in her formative years. We don't have to become a product of our environment, we can choose to rise above, vote 💙 so we can have choices.

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Well said!

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Great analysis, Michael. My wife and I were similarly pleasantly surprised by how in the course of the movie “I do everything my way” Foley showed increasing vulnerability and insight into his shortcomings as an absent father.

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Thanks Paul!

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Jul 25Liked by Michael Estrin

I'm not gonna see this movie, but Harold Faltermeyer's "Axel F" is easily one of the best songs from the 80s, and one of the best instrumental pop songs ever made, no kidding.

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Totally agree with your take on Harold Faltermeyer's "Axel F." His work on the Fletch soundtrack is also excellent. Are skipping this movie because you're not a fan of the franchise, not a fan of sequels, not a fan of Netflix? What's the deal? I've got to know.

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Jul 25Liked by Michael Estrin

I think it's at least two things:

1. I've been bitterly disappointed by nostalgia plays like this in the past

2. I wasn't super into Beverly Hills Cop when I was a kid

I think the combo makes it less appealing than, say, Beetlejuice 2: Sequeljuice, although I'm not sure whether I'd see a sequel to Trading Places, which I loved. Probably not.

Check out Fletch 2's soundtrack! It's truly excellent, and some of Harold F's best work.

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I feel this. And I absolutely don't want a sequel to Trading Places. The nod to the Dukes in Coming to America was great, and it was all I needed.

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I did enjoy the new Coming to America, but it just wasn't in the same category as the original. What a classic!

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Jul 26Liked by Michael Estrin

And now I want to watch it!

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Jul 26Liked by Michael Estrin

1. I saw "Beverly Hills Cop" the night it opened. I thought it was ok, nowhere near as good as 48 Hours or Trading Places. I was surprised that it became such a big hit. So I guess I hate fun!

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That's OK! Trading Places is my favorite film. We named our dog Mortimer Duke, if that gives you an idea. And 48 Hours is dope!

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Jul 26Liked by Michael Estrin

BTW, I used to have a dog named Navin Johnson.

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Jul 26Liked by Michael Estrin

TP is a masterpiece. Its funny though, it is a product of its time. My wife and I watched it recently, and she said "Is every woman in this movie going to take her top off? Jamie Leigh isn't is...oh! There she goes."

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Nice!

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Yeah, I think there was a rule in the 80s that a comedy couldn't be legally released without boobs

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I hadn't considered watching this but now I shall!

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Great recommendation, thank you for this. I was 11 for the first Beverly Hills Cop and loved it. Yeah, the sequels weren't as good but I love Eddie Murphy so much I might restart my Netflix account to see him again. My parents were absolute shambles at parenting, but I'm grateful they exposed me to so much comedy when I was a kid-- Eddie Murphy, Cheech&Chong, Richard Pryor, Carlin...good times. Did I turn out okay? No. But I still love stand-up.

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I'll say this... you're parents had good taste in comedy.

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Jul 25Liked by Michael Estrin

My dad took me to inappropriate films, too. I don’t recommend seeing Boogie Nights with your dad!

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Haha! No, that's awkward AF.

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Jul 25Liked by Michael Estrin

I enjoyed BHC as a kid, especially the soundtrack. I often quote the banana in the tailpipe dialogue. And I loved Bronson Pinchot’s scene. I don’t remember the sequels.

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Jul 25Liked by Michael Estrin

The first one was outstanding. “There’s a new sheriff in town, and his name is Reggie Hammond. Ya’ll be cool.”

The first time I saw Eddie was live on SNL. Yes, I am old. Gumbo, Mr. Robinson neighborhood and his his James Brown imitation “Ooh, the hot tub!”

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I think you're referencing another Eddie Murphy classic: 48 Hours. That movie rules! Also, his James Brown bit was amazing. I still watch that one on youtube.

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Jul 25Liked by Michael Estrin

You are right! Both movies blend together in my mind.

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Love the hot tub sketch!

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Jul 25Liked by Michael Estrin

Absolutely a BHC fan!

Haven’t seen Axel F. I am so clueless I didn’t know it was out

They made a third one? I guess sometimes having your head in the sand is a blessing

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Avoid number three, watch the one on Netflix.

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1. Big fan. 2. Have not seen it and don't intend to watch. Not a fan of sequels that arrive decades later and also Netflix original content always disappoints. 3. Never seen it, and surely better for it.

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Netflix original films usually disappoint me. That said, Eddie has done two good films with them. This one and Dolemite is my name.

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Great article! My husband and I watched Axel F and loved it! Loved how they preserved the original soundtrack as well! I liked the parent-child plot as well. Afterwards we went back and watched the original - so great!

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Thanks Joanna! But please tell me you didn't go back and watch Beverly Hills Cop 3. That's two hours of my life I'll never get back.

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I've never seen Beverly Hills Cop 3 - I forgot it even existed until now!

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That's for the best. Avoid it. Trust me.

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So, Beverly Hills Cop included that geeky dude from Fast Times at Ridgmont High, right?

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