S is for Sanrda Bullock

Women love her because she's down to earth and funny.  Men lover her because she's beautiful.  Basically, everyone loves Sandra Bullock.

In celebration of Sandy (and because I CAN'T WAIT to see her new movie with Melissa McCarthy this summer) I'm giving y'all my list of her best films -according to me, obviously.  In no particular order, here they are:

Speed

First time I saw Miss Bullock in a movie, and she had me captivated.  It can't be easy to star in a film that has you on a bus for the majority and still be interesting, but she pulled it off. 

Miss Congeniality

I thought she was hilarious in this film.  Rude, dirty, mannish FBI agent-turned beauty pageant contender.  Awesome.  Michael Caine is also a plus as pageant trainer Victor Melling. (Plus Benjamin Bratt is HOT.)

Love Potion No. 9

Although this was one of her first films, I didn't see it until I was in my late teens (circa 2000ish).  I LOVED it.  Sandy showed off a bit of her comedic talent, and Tate Donovan was adorable.  Can't beat this kind of cheese.

The Net

This is one of her not-so-well-known movies, but it's on my list of all time favorites.  Think back to the time before computers were in every home, and most people had never even heard of the internet.  It's suspenseful conspiracy theory stuff.  Greatness.

The Proposal

I love Sandra Bullock.  I LOVE Ryan Reynolds.  Put them together in a rom-com and add Betty White, and I'm there.  There wasn't anything I didn't like about this movie. 

Two Weeks Notice

First time I saw this one, thought it was just okay.  Watched it again, and it got better.  By the fifth or sixth time, it was one of my favorites.  Hugh Grant's sarcasm mixed in with Sandra's makes for great comedy.  Heather Burns is an entertaining supporting role (you'll remember her from Miss Congeniality). Oh, and I love to hate Alicia Witt's character June. 

The Blind Side

I didn't think I'd like this movie, but I was pleasantly surprised.  Sandra definitely deserved the Oscar she won for this one.  Tim McGraw was another surprise in this one.

Hope Floats

Sandra as the scorned wife forced to move home to momma's house with smart aleck kid and readjust to smalltown life.  How could you not like that storyline?  Plus, Harry Connick, Jr.  Aahhhhhhhh.

Honorable Mentions:

Murder By Numbers, Crash, 28 Days and While You Were Sleeping

R is for Rescue

We're getting a puppy.

It's something Hubs and I have discussed on and off over the past year or so, and while we're both animal lovers, we wanted to wait until we felt the girls were old enough to handle having a dog (ie: not torment and/or kill it).  About a month ago our oldest started asking for a dog every few days.  The asking then turned to begging.  Hubs and I talked about it, then decided to think about it for a few days.  I went on Petfinder to see if there were any sheltered animals in our area that seemed to be a good match for our family.  Of course, after looking at the poor little things, lonely and in need of a home, I had to have a dog.  I used my skills in persuasion to convince Hubs that there are so many animals in need of a home, and all kids need a dog, and he and I both had dogs as children...needless to say, after a day or two he caved.

I found two puppies at a shelter near us, so I emailed the contact to inquire about the status of the dogs.  In the meantime a friend of mine shared a photo on Facebook of a puppy a friend of hers was fostering until it could be adopted.  When I saw the picture, I knew she was meant for us. I immediately messaged the woman and asked her about the puppy.  After a week of texting and phone calls, Hubs, the girls and I went to meet the foster and the puppy this afternoon.

The foster lady is such a nice woman, and she has SIX dogs, one cat, a horse and a chicken!  I don't know how she manages, but she seems to do so nicely.  The dogs were all friendly, and the girls had a fantastic time playing with them.  Our puppy, Sophie, was a bit timid at first, but after about five minutes she was over it.  She was jumping up to lick us, letting us pet her and play with her.  She's a precious, sweet little dog and we all just fell in love with her.

So it's been decided that Sophie will become a part of our family as soon as she's spayed next week.  We are so excited.  We can't wait to bring her home! I had to go straight to Pet Smart and spend way too much money on everything I thought Sophie might need (as well as some extra stuff).  When we got home I went online and ordered Sofie's personalized dog tag.

We're ready for you, Sophie!

Q is for Quotes

"Hasta la vista, baby."  

I know we've all found an occasion to use this famous quote from the Governator (well, anyone over 20, for sure).  Life is full of opportunities to insert a favorite line from a film, song or brilliant mind.  Some of my most favorite quotes are from our Founding Fathers.  I love the way people spoke in the old days, with passion and fluidity.  

Here are some of my favorite (and probably overused) quotes from various sources, and be forewarned- there's a bunch of 'em!


"I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific." ~Lily Tomlin

"Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers; and once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it." ~Bill Cosby

"The Lord loves a workin' man; don't trust whitey; see a doctor and get rid of it." ~Steve Martin as Navin (The Jerk)

"Faith is a gift from God, but it's also a responsibility.  It's not enough to have it. You've got to live it out, even when times are tough." ~Drew Brees

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on." ~Robert Frost

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." ~Albert Einstein

"It's amazing the clarity that comes with psychotic jealousy." ~Rupert Everett as George (My Best Friend's Wedding)

"Are you crying? There's no crying! THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL! No crying!" ~Tom Hanks as Jimmy (A League of Their Own)

"I do the very best I know - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end." ~Abraham Lincoln

"I don't condone fascism. Or any -ism, for that matter.  -Isms, in my opinion, are not good." ~Matthew Broderick as Ferris (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

"Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit." ~Bill Cosby

"Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it." ~P.J. O'Rourke

"In case I don't see ya: good afternoon, good evening and good night." ~Jim Carrey as Truman (The Truman Show)

"You're not getting jiggy with some boy, I don't care how dope his ride is. Momma didn't raise no fool." ~Larry Miller as Walter (10 Things I Hate About You)

"We must all hang together, or, assuredly, we shall all hang separately." ~Benjamin Franklin

"A hickie from Kenickie's like a Hallmark card." ~Jeff Conway as Kenickie (Grease)

"You can't handle the truth!" ~Jack Nicholson as Col. Jessup (A Few Good Men)

"I'm your Huckleberry." ~Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday (Tombstone)

"I'm telling you the devil gypped me for a hamburger!" ~Brendan Fraser as Elliot (Bedazzled)


"Mama Cass. Ham sandwich." ~Mike Myers as Austin (Austin Powers)

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" ~Patrick Henry

"Yo, my brethren. What up with thee?" ~Jim Carrey as Bruce (Bruce Almighty)

"You are too twisted for color TV!" ~Shirley Maclaine as Ouiser (Steel Magnolias)

"Hello, Clarice." ~Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal (Silence of the Lambs)

"You're gonna need a bigger boat." ~Roy Scheider as Martin (Jaws)

"It's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care." ~Ron Livingston as Peter (Office Space)

"Who knows where thoughts come from? They just appear." ~Rory Cochrane as Lucas (Empire Records)

"Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns." ~Paul Gleason as Richard (The Breakfast Club)

P is for Propaganda

Propaganda was initially employed as an effort to raise public health awareness and for various other attempts to influence the public to support one cause or another. It soon became a tool of war, as governments used detailed images and persuasive words to urge citizens to do their part to aid war efforts.  During World War II, the Allies spent a considerable amount of time using propaganda to promote enlistment, war bonds, rationing, "victory" gardens, safe sex and patriotism on the home fronts.  

These are some of the best, most creative and/or witty propaganda I've come across in my time as a History major:

And this is not propaganda, but I saw it in a WWII class a few months ago, and I LOVE it:

Cheers!

O

O is for obstacle. Opposition. Oppression. Objection. Offense.

What happened yesterday in Boston has plagued me.  My first reaction was shock and disbelief.  Then anger, followed by extreme sadness and frustration.  Why does this keep happening?  Why are people being attacked in movie theaters, malls, churches, schools, and now on city streets during marathons?  People's entire lives are drastically altered for no apparent reason.  Families losing loved ones, people losing life and limb. People losing all sense of security.  We aren't safe anywhere, anymore.

While thinking this current crisis over again and again, I came to the realization that my little "Breaking News" app on my phone goes off all day long about bombings in places in the middle east.  Cafes, schools, buses, restaurants, weddings - bombings on a daily basis, killing dozens at a time in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Pakistan and other middle eastern areas.  "7 killed, dozens wounded in blast at school," "19 confirmed dead in car bomb explosion," "bomb attack in restaurant leaves 16 dead, 27 wounded."  Those are the headlines I see almost every day as I scroll through news topics.  I rarely even stop to consider those stories, other than to shake my head at the state of some nations and give thanks to God for allowing me to be an American citizen.

What Americans and citizens of other "safe" countries are starting to realize is that we are seeing an increase in attacks like this.  Massive shootings, bombings, acts of terrorism committed by our own people in our own backyards.  After the Newtown shooting my husband and I seriously debated homeschooling our children because the thought of sending them back to school had us gripped in fear while government officials repeatedly assured us that the schools were the safest place for children to be (tell that to the parents in Newtown).  Luckily we had two weeks of Christmas break to think it over, absorb the tragedy and let our doubts and fears subside.

The thing that I think is a major contributor to this increasing violence is that we have been desensitized to this type of violence.  I'm not knocking the gaming or film industries, but if we're being completely honest, games and movies have grown increasingly violent and graphic over the past two decades.  Even television shows portray horrific scenes of death and violence on regular occasions.  We've been slowly numbed to the images of terror.  Our media is a prime example of the numbing:  in yesterday's news coverage, photographers at the scene were leaning over the railings, taking shots of the victims instead of HELPING those injured.  I wanted to scream at them "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" They were doing everything they could to get the most gruesome shot.   If you google "Boston marathon bombing" there is an unedited photo of one injured man being carried, and both of his legs are missing below the knee.  That photo should never have been taken, especially a full shot of the man's injuries.  Where's the respect for the victims?  Where's the respect for their families? If I had my legs blown off (or some other equally horrifying injury), the last thing in the world I would want would be for my children to see or have access to images of it.  I think we can imagine the injuries without seeing graphic photos of them.  Now, if they're getting a shot of people going above and beyond to help someone, or of rescue workers running toward the carnage while others are running away, I'm okay with that.  We should celebrate heroes and people who help others.  Just edit the photo to not include the severed limbs, alright?

With the increasing - and increasingly large and devastating in scale - attacks here on American soil, what concerns me the most is knowing that there are a growing number of radicals living here who are adamantly opposed to some governmental action, law, a certain group of people, government itself or are just crazy,  who have access to knowledge, information and weapons that enable them to carry out massive acts of terror and violence in their quest to educate the world or teach someone a lesson. I'm not saying ban guns, because I believe firmly in our rights as American citizens, and if I want to own a gun then by God I'll own a gun.  It's just upsetting to know the violence is increasing and there really is very little we can do about it.  

O is for overcome.

Despite the horror that was inflicted upon so many people yesterday and in the previous attacks on innocent lives.  Despite the knowledge that it really can happen to anyone, anywhere.  Despite the fact that we just don't know when or where the next attack will happen (and we can all assume there will be another one eventually).   Despite all of that, we are resilient.  We were resilient after September 11, 2001 when people all across the country donated money, blood, supplies, firetrucks and themselves to aid the rescue effort.  We were resilient when we saw people suffering after the Oklahoma City bombing, Columbine High shooting, and Aurora theater shooting when we sent prayers, support, and financial aid to victims and victims' families. We ARE resilient.  We will come together as a nation and lift up the people of Boston as they deal with the tragedy that occurred there yesterday.  We will offer our prayers, our love, our encouragement and any other help we can provide.

We do this, I believe, because the same feeling of unity that formed this nation over two hundred years ago is reignited whenever one of our own suffers a great loss.  The passion that led men and women to fight valiantly for our independence is fueled when we see our fellow Americans hurting.  We have overcome, and we will overcome.  We will hold Boston's hand, give it a squeeze and assure them that they're not alone.

Prayers for Boston.

N is for Nerds

Movie nerds, that is.  If we were talking real-life nerds, I'd spend most of this post talking about Hubs.  (He's a major Star Wars/Star Trek nerd.  For reals.)  I adore films that have an endearing, can't-help-but-love-'em nerd (or group of nerds).  They give you somebody to rally behind and root for, or someone to laugh at, or someone to relate to, depending on who you are.  Personally, I believe we all have a little bit of nerd in us. Today I'm tipping my hat to my 20 most favorite film nerds, in no particular order:

Ned Gold (17 Again)

Played by the talented but fairly unheard of Thomas Lennon.  

He played Star Wars/Lord of the Rings obsessed  like nobody's business.  

Favorite Quote: "Are you now or have you ever been a Norse god, vampire or time-traveling cyborg?"

Ronald Miller (Can't Buy Me Love)

Patrick Dempsey before he was McDreamy.

Who doesn't love a geeky guy who convinces the most popular girl in school to pretend she's dating him?

Favorite Quote: "Cools, Nerds, your side, my side, man it's all bull. It's hard enough just trying to be yourself."

Lambda Lambda Lambda (Revenge of the Nerds)

Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Timothy Busfield, Curtis Armstrong and other brilliantly-cast guys playing the ultimate nerd collection.

Their act at the talent show is nerd-tastic.  I love it!

Favorite Quote: "Just join us, 'cause, uh, no one's gonna really be free until nerd persecution ends."

Ichabod Crane (Sleepy Hollow)

The genius, ridiculously talented Johnny Depp.

I love him, even when he plays weirdos (or probably more so when he plays weirdos)

Favorite Quote: "Kill it! No, no! Stun it!"

Josie Geller (Never Been Kissed)

Delightfully awkward Drew Barrymore.

You just feel SO bad for her that you can't help but be thrilled when she gets the (super hot) guy.

Favorite Quote: "Yes, you are a guy. Quite a guy. Oh my. Hey, that rhymes! Yikes. Bikes!"

Jim Levenstein (American Pie)

Nobody does humiliation like Jason Biggs.

This poor guy's life was nothing but a collection of really, really awkward moments. 

Favorite Quote: "I kind of super-glued myself to... uh... myself."

Hermoine Granger (Harry Potter)

Insufferable know-it-all, Emma Watson.

She was precious, even if she started out as super obnoxious.

Favorite Quote: " Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon..."

Anthony Michael Hall (Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Sweet Sixteen)

I didn't pick just one of his characters because this guy was the epitome of nerd in the 80s.

Also, he basically played the same character in all three films. 

Favorite Quote: "Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club."

Randy Meeks (Scream 1 & 2)

Jamie Kennedy

Ultimate movie nerd.  This guy knew his horror films - and their rules.  Randy is the guy I would have been best friends with in high school, if only so we could quote movies together. 

Favorite Quote: "If you were the only suspect in a senseless bloodbath, would you be standing in the horror section?"

Dr. Egon Spengler (Ghostbusters)

Super-talented writer/actor Harold Ramis.

He co-wrote Ghostbusters and other films.  Born to play nerdy. 

My favorite line from Ghostbusters was his: "Why worry? Each of us is wearing an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back." 

David Levinson (Independence Day)

The brilliant Jeff Goldblum, saver of Earth.

For years I had a total crush on Jeff for both this role and his character Ian in Jurassic Park.

Favorite Quote: "Forget the fat lady! You're obsessed with fat lady!"

Dr. Frankenstein (Young Frankenstein)

One of Gene Wilder's best roles. 

Crazy, oddball scientist in a Mel Brooks film.  What else do you need? 

Favorite Quote: "Hearts and kidneys are tinker toys!"

Data (The Goonies)

Ke Huy Quan

Data and his gadgets saved the day more than once.

Favorite Quote: "It's a booby trap!"

Doc Emmett Brown (Back to the Future)

The awesome Christopher Lloyd (hello, Uncle Fester?!)

He plays a great goofball scientist.

Favorite Quote: "Well, there are plenty worse places to be than the Old West. I could've ended up in the Dark Ages. They probably would have burned me at the stake as a heretic or something."

Cameron Frye (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

Alan Ruck

Perfectly cast as best pal and sidekick to Matthew Broderick's Ferris. 

Favorite Quote:  "When Cameron was in Egypt's land....let my Cameron go."

Andy Stitzer (40 Year Old Virgin)

The hilarious Steve Carell

Another one of those "oh-my-gosh-he's-so-awkward" characters you just feel SO bad for.

Favorite Quote: "Kelly Clarkson!"

Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones)

Yes, indeedy, Mr. Harrison Ford.

Being a nerd is totally fine when you're also a sexy adventurer with a whip.

Favorite Quote: "Nazis.  I hate these guys."

Benjamin Gates (National Treasure)

Nicholas Cage

I'm 99.9% sure it's the history buff in me, but I totally have a crush on Cage's Ben Gates. 

Favorite Quote: "A toast? Yeah.  To high treason.  That's what these men were committing when they signed the Declaration.  Had we lost the war, they would have been hanged, beheaded, drawn and quartered, and - Oh! Oh, my personal favorite: had their entrails cut out and burned!"

Edward Nygma (Batman Forever)

One of my favorite comedic guys, Jim Carrey.

Nobody plays obsessive nerd-turned-villain like Jim.

Favorite Quote: "Caffeine'll kill ya!" 

Hooper (Jaws)

Richard Dreyfuss

I like a nerd who's not afraid to get his hands dirty and kill a giant, terrifying shark. 

Favorite Quote: "Haha.  They're all gonna die."

M is for Musicals

Who doesn't love musicals? Folks dancing around, singing about everything.  It's greatness.  Unless you're Madonna and the musical is Evita.  I'd rather tear my eyes and eardrums out with forks than watch that crap again.  The first musical I ever saw live was "The Wedding Singer", based on the film of the same name starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.  It's one of my favorite Sandler movies, mostly because of the soundtrack.

Although The Wedding Singer isn't actually categorized a musical (most usually contain some singing and dancing by the actors), it is one of the best music-oriented films ever, right up there with Empire Records, Dazed & Confused and Almost Famous.

In honor of this most fantastical genre, here are my top-ten favorite musicals!


10. Wizard of Oz

Everyone with a television has seen Dorothy and company fight the wicked witch at least once.  (Remember being a kid and looking for the man hanging himself in the forest?)

Young Dorothy is caught in a tornado that carries her to the land of Oz, where she hooks up with scarecrow, tin man and cowardly lion to search for the great and powerful Oz.  The wizard is the only one who can send Dorothy home, but along the way she has to fight the wicked witch, who's pissed because Dorothy dropped a house on her sister.  Much singing and dancing is ensues along the way.  Throw in some munchkins and flying monkeys and you have yourself musical.

It wasn't until my late teen years that I realized the parallels between Oz and Dorothy's real life.  This story is really much more psychological than originally thought, which is one of the things I love about it.

If I only had a brain.....


9. Chicago

Chicago is one of the best musicals in regards to plot and music.  The film stars Richard Gere (one of the sexiest men alive), Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones, but Queen Latifah and John C. Reilly are scene stealers throughout much of the film.

Aspiring singer Roxie Hart's affair with a smooth-talking furniture salesman ends in murder, and Roxie finds herself on murderess row alongside a plethora of women with anger management issues, including jazz singer Velma Kelly.  Enter Billy Flynn, smooth-talking lawyer.  Kelly and Hart fight for Flynn's attention, which in turn gets the attention of the press.

The film has great song and dance numbers galore, and a plus is Gere singing and dancing in his skivvies.  Rawr.


8. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

 Poor Charlie Bucket lives with his mom and grandparents in a tiny little hovel, working a paper route to help feed his family.  News of a worldwide contest  breaks out, with five lucky children winning access to the local factory of candy-maker Willy Wonka (portrayed brilliantly by Gene Wilder).  Charlie finds a golden ticket along with spoiled brat Veruca Salt, German boy Augustus Gloop, gum chewing Violet Beauregard and television-obsessed Mike TeeVee.  As they tour the factory with eccentric Wonka, they learn life lessons and are disqualified one by one for various offenses. (Am I the only one who missed the symbolism for the deadly sins until my mid-twenties?)

If this movie contained only one scene, and it was of Veruca Salt in the goose room, I'd still love this movie.  The film is visually impressive, as well as witty and fun.  A few songs are a little trippy (especially on the boat ride), but still good. 

Even as an adult, whenever I watch this movie, I feel an overwhelming desire to move into a candy factory.

7. The Sound of Music

Julie Andrews, I adore you.   Young nun Maria just can't seem to get into the swing of things at the convent, what with her daily frolicking through fields of wildflowers and singing about the hills being alive.  Fed up, the nuns suggest Maria go work as a governess (aka nanny) at the home of Captain Georg Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) and his seven children.  Through patience and charm, Maria wins the affection of the children, and eventually, Captain Von Trapp.

This film is full of beautifully written, fantastic musical numbers, and the children are all adorable.  Plummer is also pretty charming as the grumpy, softy-at-heart Von Trapp.  And who doesn't love Julie Andrews?


6. Grease

(Note: I know I just wrote about this film a few days ago, but I can't NOT include Grease in the musicals post!)
It's 1958 and music rules for this mega-hit starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

Rydell High School is all about being cool, and the leaders are gang the T-Birds and their girls, the Pink Ladies.  Danny Zuko, one of the head guys, runs into his summer love Sandy after her family moves from Australia.  Danny hurts Sandy's feelings by trying to be cool in front of his pals, then realizes his mistake and pursues her.  Heartbreak, singing and dancing ensues as Danny tries to re-win Sandy's affections.

Great music and a young John Travolta in tight clothes.  Win.  This movie also provides one of my most favorite movie quotes:  "A hickie from Kenickie is like a Hallmark card."  Love it.


5. Mary Poppins

Every kid loves this movie.  Even if Dick Van Dyke weren't so completely swoon-worthy back then, this film would still be great thanks to Julie Andrews.

Spoiled rich kids Jane and Michael have gone through every nanny in town, frustrating grumpy banker father Mr. Banks and women's rights activist mother Mrs. Banks.  The kids make a list of the qualities they wish for in a nanny, which Mr. Banks promptly rips up and throws in the fireplace.  Magically, the list flies into the air, repairs itself and lands in the hands of Mary Poppins.

Miss Poppins takes over as nanny - after much confusing of Mr. Banks - and takes the children on wonderful adventures with chimney sweep and street performer Bert (played by Van Dyke).   There's a little bit of animation mixed in with this live-action musical, but you get so wrapped up in the story that you almost forget to notice it.


4. White Christmas

 I didn't see this 1954 jewel until I met Hubs.  This film is his favorite musical, and his second-favorite Christmas movie, after Christmas Vacation (of course).

Singing post-war buddies Bob and Phil meet charming singing/dancing sisters Betty and Judy at a nightclub.  After Bob becomes smitten with Betty, boys follow girls to an inn in Vermont.  The inn is deserted, but after realizing the owner is Bob and Phil's old army general, the four stay to help the inn get business.

An entire show production, romance, communication mix-ups, a pretend engagement and a Christmas show all unfold amid great music and wintry backdrops.


3. Cry-Baby

One of the best John Waters films (my other favorite is actually number one on this list), Cry-Baby stars a young - and devilishly handsome - Johnny Depp.  Along with Depp are Ricki Lake,  Iggy Pop, Tracy Lord and Amy Locane.

Drape Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker has the hots for square Allison Vernon-Williams, much to the dismay of her wealthy grandmother and boyfriend Milton.   Cry-Baby's friends take Allison in and show her how to be a bad girl.  After a night of singing together, the drapes are attacked by the squares, sending Cry-Baby to a juvenile detention center and Allison back into the arms of Milton.  The drape crew plan hijinks to get Cry-Baby out of jail so he can win Allison's affections once again.

As with any John Waters film, this movie is hilarious and dirty.  The music is comical and wonderfully entertaining.


2. Little Shop of Horrors

Pitiful Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis) lives a sad and pathetic life, staying in the basement of the flower shop where he works.  One day Seymour is plant shopping and happens upon a strange-looking plant, which turns out to be an alien.  He brings the plant back to the shop and names it Audrey II, after the abused blonde he works with and has a crush on.

Seymour learns that Audrey II prefers blood to water and sunlight, so he feeds it accordingly and it grows into a massive plant.  Business booms, and Seymour is suddenly famous.  Audrey II keeps getting more demanding, making it hard for Seymour to make a move on the now-interested Audrey.  A confrontation with Audrey's dentist boyfriend (played by Steve Martin) ends in murder, and Seymour finds himself on the brink of destruction.

The songs are ridiculous, but fun.  Steve Martin and Rick Moranis, while not the best singers, are delightful and amusing to watch.  Bonus: Bill Murray as a pain-obsessed dental patient of Martin.  Win.


1. Hairspray (1988 version)

 This film by John Waters is not just the best (in my opinion) musical ever made, it's one of the best movies ever made, as well.    Cast includes a young Ricki Lake, Jerry Stiller and Divine.

Tracy Turnblad loves to dance, and she knows she's good at it despite her large size.  After attending a hop hosted by Corny Collins, Tracy is invited to be on The Corny Collins Show, which features teens dancing to the newest music.  Although her homebody mother (a hideous Divine) is against it, she gains support from her jokester father (Stiller) and joins the show.  She falls for hottie Link Larkin and becomes the enemy of the show's self-proclaimed star Amber von Tussle.

While race issues are the backdrop to this film, great music and old-school dancing take center stage.


Honorable mentions:  Annie,  Auntie Mame and The Rocky Horror Picture Show