Today, for Tony’s Timeless Thursdays™, we’re going deeper than ever — exploring the full cinematic legacy of Indiana Jones, the novels, the comics, the games, the TV show, the mythology, the influence, and the spirit of a man who became the gold standard for adventure storytelling. So grab your hat. Grab your whip. Adventure is calling.

For those of us who grew up in the late 90s, The Mummy (1999) wasn’t just a blockbuster — it was lightning in a bottle. It had everything: breathtaking visuals, ancient mysteries, spine-tingling horror, laugh-out-loud humor, and two leads whose chemistry still glows brighter than a scarab gem in the desert sun. Brendan Fraser as the charming, wisecracking adventurer Rick O’Connell, and Rachel Weisz as the brilliant and bold librarian-turned-archaeologist Evelyn Carnahan, gave

A film that dared to be both scary and silly, heartfelt and horrifying, funny and fearless — The Monster Squad took the classic Universal Monsters we grew up fearing and gave them to a new generation of believers. Written by Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, The Nice Guys) and Fred Dekker (Night of the Creeps), and directed by Dekker himself, this wasn’t just a horror movie. It was a cinematic love letter to the monster movies of the 1930s and 1940s — to kids who loved them.

Selene wasn’t just another action heroine. She was vengeance made flesh — a warrior haunted by betrayal, driven by love, and caught between two ancient races at war. The Underworld universe — and the unforgettable character of Selene — was created by Kevin Grevioux, Len Wiseman, and Daniel K. McBride. Together, they reimagined the vampire and werewolf mythos, blending Gothic horror, cyberpunk visuals, and tragic romance into something new.

The late Stan Lee once said, “The success of Blade opened the door for all the Marvel films that followed. It showed Hollywood that our stories could work on the big screen.” Without Blade, there would be no X-Men (2000). No Spider-Man (2002). No Iron Man (2008) and no Avengers (2012). Blade was the spark that lit the fire.

From Laurie Strode’s trembling courage in Halloween (1978) to Sidney Prescott’s fierce self-awareness in Scream, and now to Shanika (The Blackening), Dana (Cabin in the Woods), Selena (28 Days Later), and Michonne (The Walking Dead), the Final Girl has become a reflection of society itself — evolving, expanding, and diversifying across generations. So tonight, we’re turning down the lights, queuing up the VHS tapes, and celebrating the women who ran, fought, and won — the Fin

June 8, 1984. That’s when four unlikely heroes strapped proton packs to their backs, drove around New York City in a converted Cadillac ambulance, and made cinematic history. Ghostbusters hit the big screen, and the world hasn’t been the same since. It had everything: comedy, horror, science fiction, heart, and some of the most quotable lines ever written. Harold Ramis. Dan Aykroyd. Bill Murray. Ernie Hudson. Four men with undeniable chemistry who built a legacy that’s lasted

In the decades since, this trilogy has given us unforgettable characters, incredible performances, an animated series, a groundbreaking theme park ride, a Broadway musical, and even a Hollywood “what if” — the alternate reality where Eric Stoltz, not Michael J. Fox, played Marty McFly.

At its heart, The Karate Kid has always been more than about karate. It’s about mentorship, resilience, discipline, and learning to find balance in life. With each installment, the story evolved — sometimes leaning into melodrama, sometimes reinventing itself for new audiences — but always staying rooted in the universal truth Mr. Miyagi taught: “Karate here [points to head]. Karate here [points to heart]. Karate never here [points to fist].”

Transformers wasn’t just a cartoon, and it wasn’t just a toy line. It was a cultural phenomenon. It was Saturday mornings spent glued to the TV, it was long afternoons with toys scattered across the floor as Autobots and Decepticons clashed in epic battles only a child’s imagination could script, and it was the kind of storytelling that mixed action, humor, heartbreak, and heroism in ways that stuck with us forever.

New Jack City gave us one of the most unforgettable villains in cinematic history with Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown, introduced us to a new side of Ice-T, gave Chris Rock his first breakout role, and showcased the directorial vision of Mario Van Peebles. This movie wasn’t just another crime drama — it was a cultural event.

What some people forget is that Mork didn’t even start on Mork & Mindy. He first showed up on an episode of Happy Days in 1978 called My Favorite Orkan. It was supposed to be just a silly one-off episode — an alien trying to take Richie Cunningham back to Ork and Fonzie fighting him off. But then Robin Williams walked in and turned that simple idea into something magical. The audience went crazy for him. ABC knew they had something special, so they gave him his own show.

When you think of timeless heroes who transcended the screen and became cultural icons, few figures stand as tall and as radiant as Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman. Long before the explosion of superhero films and endless cinematic universes, Carter donned the golden tiara, bullet-deflecting bracelets, and red, white, and blue costume to show the world what it truly meant to be a warrior of truth, justice, and compassion.

In the summer of 1982, director Steven Spielberg delivered a heartfelt masterpiece that redefined what a family science fiction film could be. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial wasn’t about alien invasions or galactic wars — it was about love, empathy, and the connection between two beings from different worlds. It was about looking up at the stars and realizing that maybe, just maybe, someone out there might be looking back with kindness.

In 1988, comedy royalty collided with cinematic excellence in a film that not only redefined Black comedy but also left an indelible crown-shaped imprint on pop culture: Coming to America. Directed by John Landis, written by Eddie Murphy and David Sheffield, and produced by Paramount Pictures, this fish-out-of-water fairy tale about an African prince searching for love in Queens, New York, continues to resonate across generations.

One of the most unique and enduring figures from the 1980s and 90s was the denim-clad, rubber-faced everyman known as Ernest P. Worrell. Known for his catchphrase "KnowhutImean, Vern?" and his hilarious facial contortions, Ernest became a household name thanks to his zany antics, endless optimism, and the unparalleled talent of the man who brought him to life: Jim Varney.

Short for Alien Life Form, ALF crashed into American living rooms on September 22, 1986, when NBC debuted the story of Gordon Shumway, a wisecracking extraterrestrial from the planet Melmac, who crash-lands in the garage of the suburban Tanner family. What followed was four seasons (and one haunting TV movie) of jokes, heart, and pop culture domination that made ALF one of the most beloved and bizarre characters of the decade.

Premiering Saturday, September 7, 1985, this syndicated sitcom told the story of an average suburban family—except for one little twist: their daughter wasn’t a girl at all. She was a Voice Input Child Identicant (V.I.C.I.). A robot. Named Vicki. This week on Tony’s Timeless Thursdays™, we pull back the shag carpet, rewire the VHS memories, and revisit a show that was ahead of its time, behind in budget, and exactly what the 1980s needed.

This week on Tony’s Timeless Thursdays™, I lift my pen in honor of a movie that has only grown more magical with time. I revisit Superman: The Movie in all its glory, wonder, and verisimilitude—and I reflect on the hope that tomorrow, when I take my seat for James Gunn’s new Superman (releasing Friday, July 11, 2025), I will once again feel the rush of joy that only the Man of Steel can bring.

uffy the Vampire Slayer, which premiered in 1997 and concluded in 2003, was one of those rare, seismic works of art that didn't just entertain—it evolved, challenged, and empowered. This week on Tony’s Timeless Thursdays™, we honor its enduring impact, especially as its legendary star, Sarah Michelle Gellar, receives her long-overdue Hollywood Walk of Fame star—announced Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Gellar is among the 35 new honorees chosen this year, cementing her place in ente