Cast and Crew: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd (Actor & Writer), Cab Calloway, James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Candy, Carrie Fisher, John Landis (Writer & Director)

What It’s About: Just out of prison, Joliet Jake Blues is picked up by his brother, Elwood.  Visiting the orphanage where they grew up, they learn that it faces dire financial straits; an inability to pay the coming due property taxes.  So begins the Blues brothers mission from God; to raise the money to save the orphanage.

To accomplish this, the Blues brothers set out to reunite their rhythm & blues band.  Along their journey, they face opposition from a variety of characters; a country music band from whom they steal a gig, the state police, a group of neo Nazis, and the most dangerous of all, a jilted ex-lover.  Undeterred, the Blues Brothers maintain their cool, finally reaching a sold out one night only concert, where they play a short set to a wild standing ovation, and then race off toward the tax assessors office with many of their adversaries in pursuit.

Why Watch It Today?: It’s getting to be that time of year when property taxes are due, and, if my research was accurate, today is the day when they are due in Cook County, Illinois.  The Blues Brothers is an entertaining movie that stands the test of time, with quality music, humor, great quotes, and a car chase through the great city of Chicago.

Elwood : It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses.

Jake : Hit it.