John Hughes: 5 Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

John Hughes: 5 Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 26, 2021

A few more titles from the John Hughes filmography finally make their way to Blu-ray in Paramount’s “John Hughes: 5 Movie Collection,” which pairs previously issued titles (“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Pretty in Pink,” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”) with 1987’s “Some Kind of Wonderful” and 1988’s “She’s Having a Baby.”

Click here for a review of Some Kind of Wonderful

Click here for a review of She's Having a Baby

Click here for a review of Ferris Bueller's Day Off (written by Martin Liebman)

Click here for a review of Pretty in Pink (written by Martin Liebman)

Click here for a review of Planes, Trains and Automobiles (written by Martin Liebman)

John Hughes: 5 Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

See above for reviews.

John Hughes: 5 Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

See above for reviews.

John Hughes: 5 Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Some Kind of Wonderful

• Commentary features director Howard Deutch and actress Lea Thompson.

• "Back to Wonderful" (6:46, HD) is a 2021 interview with Howard Deutch, who details his initial involvement in "Some Kind of Wonderful," reteaming with writer/producer John Hughes after their success with "Pretty in Pink." Unable to figure out casting, the director accepted advice from Brian De Palma to leave the production, angering Hughes. However, when work with a different helmer (Martha Coolidge) wasn't panning out, Deutch was brought back. The interviewee shares brief thought on his actors, with obvious attention on Lea Thompson, whom he would go on to marry in 1989. Deutch examines the "kiss that kills" scene, and remarks on the cult longevity of the feature.

• "The Making of 'Some Kind of Wonderful'" (7:46, SD) is a 2006 featurette that focuses on the performances in the film, collecting interviews with Howard Deutch and actors Lea Thompson, Eric Stoltz, and Mary Stuart Masterson. Thompson freely admits she took the job to pull herself out of the "Howard the Duck" debacle, responding to the dramatic evolution of the script. Candor is appreciated when discussing Stoltz and his specific way of working, which caused conflict on the set, keeping Deutch on edge when trying to connect to his lead. Some brief thoughts on the picture's message are provided from an older interview with John Hughes.

• "Meet the Cast of 'Some Kind of Wonderful'" (13:27, SD) is an appreciation piece featuring interviews (collected from 1986 and 2006) from Deutch, Hughes, and actors Stoltz, Thompson, Masterson, John Ashton, Maddie Corman, Molly Hagan, and Chynna Phillips. Character and acting choices are examined, along with casting stories, with Corman sharing an absolutely heart-wrenching tale about her hiring.

• Interview (10:50, SD) is a 1986 interview with John Hughes, conducted by Kevin Bacon. Hughes explains his fascination with the economic structure of high school life and his time working with young actors, helping him to tap into intimate feelings. Character relatability in "Some Kind of Wonderful" is examined as well. Hughes closes with his personal history, learning more about his power as a writer, jumping from magazine employment to the movies, eventually gaining control of his scripts via direction.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

She's Having a Baby

• Interview (24:10, SD) with John Hughes is an extended, rough cut chat about his career in 1986, where he was working on "She's Having a Baby" and "Some Kind of Wonderful" at the same time. While most of the conversation is found in final form on the "Some Kind of Wonderful" Blu-ray, bits and pieces of new information are found here, with Hughes detailing his quest to find universal themes and experiences for "She's Having a Baby," his hope for humor in the film, and his shaping of the soundtrack. There's nothing extensive here, but the interviewee does share his thoughts on autobiographical additions to his screenplays, and there's a little bit revealed about his next directorial endeavor, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:14, HD) is included.

John Hughes: 5 Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While "Pretty in Pink" was recently handed a 4K scan to impress the Hughes fanbase, "She's Having a Baby" and "Some Kind of Wonderful" only offer aged viewing experiences, creating disappointment after such a long wait to see these gems on Blu-ray. Extras are interesting, combining DVD supplements with some new offerings, but the potential of newly remastered Hughes in HD is unfortunately not met with this set.