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In honor of the joining of two great movies in "Karate Kid: Legends," which came out on May 30th, 2025, we're looking at the two films that gave us the new film! First up, directed by John G. Avildsen, 1984's "The Karate Kid" introduced audiences to the story that would become an enduring franchise. Fifteen-year-old Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and his mother, Lucille (Randee Heller) have left their home in New Jersey and moved across the country to Los Angeles. After getting invited to a beach party by another teen who lives in the same apartment, Daniel meets Ali Millis (Elisabeth Shue) and the attraction is immediate. Unfortunately, her ex-boyfriend Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) arrives and takes exception to Daniel's interest in Ali and beats him up. Meanwhile, back at his apartment, Daniel meets the handyman Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), who sees the young man struggling and teaches him the art of Bonsai. After Daniel exacts some minor revenge on Johnny and his pack, they beat Daniel unconscious, but Mr. Miyagi intervenes and sends the bullies packing. The next day, after attempting to forge peace with the sensei of the Cobra Kai dojo, John Kreese (Martin Kove), Mr. Miyagi agrees that Daniel and the bullies will settle their differences in the upcoming karate tournament. But will Daniel be ready to face the forces of Cobra Kai in time for the competition?

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Our second Jersey film features the performance that won Michael Keaton his role as Tim Burton's Batman! Directed by Glenn Gordon Caron, 1988's "Clean and Sober" was the first non-comedic role for Keaton and featured a cast of great supporting players as welL! The story follows sleazy high-end real estate man Darly Poynter (Keaton) who awakes from a drug-fueled bender only to find that his romantic partner from the previous evening is non-responsive in his bed. After he calls an ambulance, the police immediately begin questioning him about what drugs were involved in the previous evening's festivities. Added to that, he has embezzled $90,000 from his employer and lost it all in an ill-timed real estate investment. After hearing an ad on the radio, Darly heads to a drug rehabilitation center as a way of hiding from anyone who might want to talk to him further. There he meets drug rehabilitation counselor Craig (Morgan Freeman), who doesn't fall for Daryl's hype or con for perhaps the first time in his adult life. He also finds himself attracted to fellow patients Iris (Claudia Christian) and Charlie Standers (Kathy Baker). After trying, and failing, to find a sponsor at a local AA meeting, he meets Richard Dirks (M. Emmet Walsh), who volunteers to be Daryl's sponsor against Daryl's protestations. But the road back is difficult and strewn with dangers and temptations. The film also stars Tate Donovan, Luca Bercovici, and Brian Benben. Plus, the gents reveal which film, and its "re-make," provide for the next pairing!

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The great state of New Jersey is the focus of our next pairing, starting with a film about, arguably, it's most famous city! In 1980's "Atlantic City," director Louis Malle tells the story of two struggling individuals living in "the Las Vegas of the East." Lou (Burt Lancaster) is a former mob strongman, still protecting Grace (Kate Reid), a woman he was assigned to look after some 40 years earlier. Their relationship is strained and Grace is ungrateful, but Lou finds solace in watching his next-door neighbor, Sally (Susan Sarandon) through their respective kitchen windows. Sally works at a seafood restaurant in one of the Atlantic City casinos and is taking classes to become a dealer. When her husband estranged husband Dave (Robert Joy) and her sister Chrissie (Hollis McLaren), who is pregnant with Dave's baby, show up, Sally finds she can't turn them away. Dave and Chrissie, however, make her life miserable, especially when it becomes apparent that Dave is on the run from someone and has stolen a large amount of druges. As these characters' stories begin to blur and intertwine, the true effect of living in this particular city starts to reveal itself in ways no one wished for or saw coming.

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The second time travel film takes us in a radically different direction story-wise. In 2012's "Looper," directed by Rian Johnson, we learn that sometime in the future, time travel is realized. Unfortunately, it's used exclusively by organized crime to dispose of bodies in the past where they'll never be found. Those who are stationed in the past to kill the mob's victims are called "Loopers." After learning about the culture of Loopers, we also learn about what it means to have your loop "closed," i.e. being told to terminate your future self, after which you are allowed to retire, given a small fortune, and released to live out the rest of your life however you wish, knowing you will be killed at a certain future date and time. But what happens when a Looper decides they don't want to be retired? Looper Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) receives orders to kill his future self, Old Joe (Bruce Willis). Old Joe, however, is in love with his soulmate and doesn't want to lose her, so he figures out a plan to take down the psychopath terminating Loopers and tries to convince Joe to join him for it. Unfortunately, the boss of the Looper, Abe (Jeff Daniels) has a responsibility to see that all closed loops actually happen, setting up a confrontation that doesn't end up going as you expect it to. Lots of turns and twists usually make a great time travel story, and this one is no exception! Also starring Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, Noah Segan, and Piper Perabo! Plus, the trio reveal which two films focusing on the dangers of alcohol make up the next two pairings!

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