1941

"If there's one thing I can't stand seeing, it's Americans fighting Americans." One of the dumbest movies I've ever seen, 1941 isn't really a bad movie; it's just really, really stupid. Granted, it is quite funny, with lots of slapstick humor throughout. Starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Ned Beatty, Robert Stack, Bobby Di Cicco, and Toshiro Mifune, 1941 is undoubtedly one of Steven Spielberg's most bizarre creations. Set in the immediate aftermath of Pearl Harbor, the citizens of California are thrown into a state of panic by the threat of Japanese air raids (and even possible invasion). The fact that a Japanese submarine, commanded by Mifune, is in the area (and headed for Hollywood!) does not help matters. Bobby Di Cicco plays the role of local slacker Wally Stephens, who dreams of hooking up with beautiful rich girl Betty Douglas (Dianne Kay). Her father, Ward Douglas (Beatty), does not like Wally (to say the least).
John Belushi takes on the role of Captain "Wild" Bill Kelso, an inept P-40 Tomahawk pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Fellow "Saturday Night Live" performer Aykroyd plays Motor Sergeant Frank Tree, the commander of a U.S. Army M3 Grant tank, and Robert Stack plays the role of Major General Joseph Stilwell. If none of this seems to make sense, don't worry: everything will be cleared up if you watch the movie.
1941 also stars Christopher Lee (as a Nazi adviser on the Japanese sub), John Candy, Kelly Ward, Mickey Rourke, and Warren Oates, with James Caan, Samuel Fuller, and Susan Backlinie making cameos (Caan is uncredited, while Backlinie spoofs her role in Spielberg's earlier film Jaws). John Williams provided this goofy film with an excellent score (which is said to be Spielberg's favorite one of all time).
Don't forget to ask for Babs!

Rating:2/4
Trivia: Spielberg initially wanted either John Wayne or Charlton Heston to play Stilwell. Both declined, as they felt the film was disrespectful to veterans (with Wayne actually calling Spielberg on the telephone to ask him not to make the film!)