Tuesday rolls around with clear skies, clear lakes, and clear highways.  Along the long stretches Smokey can be found chasing the Bandit... and adventure follows close behind. After his uncle passes away, Bandit finds himself helping a beautiful widow keep their carnival afloat. But all is not as it seems with this carnival.  It hides a secret... a shiny, glittery secret that others would kill to keep for themselves... " Bandit: Bandit's Silver Angel " sees the 1990's TV movie series based on the original "Smokey and the Bandit" films come to a close.  And to be honest, it wasn't a bad send-off for the series. Brian Bloom once again brings a pleasant charm and playfulness to the character of Bandit.  While Donald O'Connor didn't get a lot of screen time, he brought quite a bit of humour to his character as Uncle Cyrus, and gave a solid impression that he's one of the few characters that could easily outwit Bandit.  Traci Lords in the role o...

Tuesday arrives in roar of a fast engine, and sirens as I hit the road again in pursuit of that iconic outlaw, Bandit... On his way to open the Coca-Cola 600, a chance encounter with a mob boss's girlfriend sends Bandit on a detour involving a tour bus of nudists... And some nuns... And an Elvis impersonator... " Bandit: Beauty and the Bandit " is a silly movie- but one that harkened back to the rather silly antics of Burt Reynolds in the original movies (and it's spiritual relative, " The Cannonball Run ").  The story, while not engrossing, certainly was capable of pulling several chuckles and smiles from me. Brian Bloom, brought his usual charm and lighthearted sense of wit to the role of Bandit again.  Kathy Ireland was a big name back in the 1990's as a supermodel- but not so much as an actress.  I'd have to guess that the franchise was trying to use her name as a draw for audiences. The best thing that connected this installment of the franchise...

  We are back on the highway again, keeping the flashing lights of Smokey's car in the rearview mirror, and adventure on the horizon as we bring you the fifth installment of the " Smokey and the Bandit " franchise. An imposter has stolen Bandit's rig and a prototype car he was hired to deliver.  Using everything at his disposal, he has to chase down this rogue and get the car back. All, while avoiding "Smokey"... " Bandit: Bandit, Bandit " is the second made for TV movie in the franchise.  You can tell that the TV movies were meant to be a TV series, as the opening credits look exactly like the one from " Bandit: Bandit Goes Country ", and looks very TV series-ish.  I mentioned in my review of " Bandit: Bandit Goes Country " that it had a weird " 90210 "/" Dukes of Hazzard " vibe to it.  Well... imagine my surprise and amusement when "Smokey" (in the form of Sheriff Enright) is revealed to be played...

  It's Tuesday, and the sound of the big rig horn, and revving of the Trans-Am pulls me out onto the highway into the sights of ol' Smokey once more... Bandit is on his way to his hometown, when he winds up rescuing singer Mel Tillis from a situation, and agrees to get him to his next gig.  Soon, old loves and rivalries, old town traditions and feuds, a bootleg operation, and big wooden bear bring Bandit more trouble than old Smokey ever could... There is a lot happening in the fourth installment of the "Smokey and the Bandit" franchise.  The multiple plot threads are distributed in a nice, quick pace without leaving your head spinning- and is even a little entertaining at times.  But it comes across as a bit of a weird " 90210 "/" Dukes of Hazzard " hybrid that didn't fully work out. The character of "Bandit" isn't the one we all know and love... unless you decide in your head that this TV movie is actually a prequel of sorts.  S...

  It's Tuesday once more, and the Bandit's on the run again... or is he? All you need to know about the plot is that it's the same as the first and second movies.  Person A has to deliver Item 1, while trying to avoid Person B.  This time, it's Sheriff Buford T. Justice delivering a giant plastic fish while keeping the Bandit from stealing it. You read that right: a giant plastic fish. A... giant... PLASTIC... fish. Oh, and the Bandit isn't actually the Bandit.  It's the Snowman playing the Bandit. Because Burt Reynolds was smart and didn't really want much to do with this movie. The jokes are much the same.  The stunts are much the same.  The characters are much the same. Too much the same actually. Jackie Gleason and Jerry Reed put in great performances though.  Since Jerry Reed was originally supposed to play the Bandit in the original (before they got Reynolds), it was kind of neat to see what his version would've been like. But their performances-...

  Tuesday has rolled around, which means it's time to hit the road, and outrun Smokey again... I'm not going to write a synopsis for " Smokey and the Bandit II ", since it's essentially a rehash of the first movie's plot... the only difference is the item being delivered is an elephant instead of beer. The characters aren't any different either, except that The Bandit isn't as charming or likable as he was in the first movie.  The acting is no different either- though the addition of Dom DeLuise isn't enough to save this film. " Smokey and the Bandit II " lacked the originality, charm, and sense of fun of the original.  It didn't really need to be made... and shouldn't have been made, to be honest.  I'm going to have to put it in " The Ugly ".

  The past few franchises that I've reviewed haven't exactly been what could be called "light entertainment", so I've decided to visit a one that's a lot more lighthearted and not too heavy. " Smokey and the Bandit ". I can hear you saying, "Wait- two movies does not a franchise make!".  I'd absolutely agree.  But since there are in fact SEVEN movies in this series, it can be considered a franchise. Yes... seven.  So, let's hit the pavement and put the pedal to the metal. While assisting to transport beer illegally across the country (as part of a bet no less), Bo comes across Carrie in a wedding dress stranded on the side of the road.  Giving her a ride, he doesn't suspect that she's being pursued by the local Sheriff... a man that'd pursue his target across the country if it meant maintaining his honor and authority ... This is a cheerful and fun "outlaw cowboy" type of movie that is great for just sitting, r...