Movie Delight Monday

That's right.

This devil of a day has returned for vengeance.


Unbeknownst to manic Monday, we have an antidote to her hellish ways. Yes, indeedy, it's time for


MOVIE DELIGHT MONDAY!

I know, you're ecstatic.


In accordance with my rebellion, I have popped myself a bag of movie butter popcorn (it's so good!), and will now share with you one of my most favorite 80s gems:

Just One of the Guys

The first time I ever saw this movie, I thought Joyce Hyser was quite possibly the coolest chick on the planet. Not only was she brave enough to chop off her hair, but she also went into the BOYS' BATHROOM! Eww. (Think 12-year-old mentality.)


Summary: hot chick Terry wants to be a writer, but her sexist journalist teacher chooses a boy over her for a piece to be published in local paper. Anger provokes hot chick to cut off hair, dress like a boy and attend a separate school in order to have her piece published. Uncomfortable situations and hilarity ensue.


Lead Hyser isn't the greatest actress, but you'll get surprising pleasure from watching shy guy Rick ("male" Terry's only friend) morph into confident cutie throughout the film. His sarcasm is pretty entertaining as well. Another one to watch is Terry's little brother Buddy. He's the average horny teenage virgin, only witty.


WARNING TO PARENTS: Adult language, content and one scene of nudity.


Movie treat: Character Greg Tolan is none other than badass Johnny Lawrence of The Karate Kid films.

That's all for today, kids!

Happy Monday. Heh.

Movie Delight Monday: They're better than you think they are!

I always share precious gems with you guys, but today I want to promote a few films from the 80s and 90s that have no street cred but are awesome in their own rights.  I'm talking about the movies you rarely admit to liking, but secretly love.  You know what I'm talking about!

Mannequin:  On the Move

Yeah, the first one was great.  Yeah Kim Cattrall and Andrew McCarthy are awesome, blahbety blah blah.  Personally, I prefer the sequel.  Kristy Swanson and William Ragsdale are so freakin' cute as Jessie and Jason, and Meshach Taylor is much funnier this time around.

Back in medieval times, Jessie is planning to run away with Prince William, her true love.  His mother, the Queen, gets evil sorceror guy to put a spell on a necklace to turn Jessie into a mannequin for 1,000 years - or until she finds a new true love.  Flash to present-day 1980s, and Jason is a decendant of Prince William who just got a job at a mall.  As luck would have it, Jessie the mannequin is being transported to that same mall on a tour.  Jason removes the necklace and - voila! - Jessie the mannequin is now Jessie the real girl.  She immediately falls in love with Jason, and of course he thinks he's going crazy.  Jason's coworker Hollywood Montrose (Taylor) is the only one who believes him.  The evil sorceror's great-great-great-great-whatever-grandson is also after Jessie, and hilarity ensues.  Seriously, it's great.

Granted, the storyline is total cheese, but that's the basis of it's appeal.  Who doesn't like some outlandish fairytale-turned-modern-day romance?

Hiding Out

Most people know Jon Cryer as either "that guy from Charlie Sheen's show" or as Duckie from Pretty in Pink.  I, however, was first introduced to this adorable dweeb in little-known Hiding Out.

Cryer plays Wall Street broker Andrew who, after having to go into hiding from the mob, pretends to be a high school student at his younger cousin's school.  Then unknown Annabeth Gish also stars, along with Keith Coogan.  Andrew's alter-ego Maxwell Hauser accidentally ends up as the most popular guy in school and gains the attention of beautiful Ryan (Gish). Andrew goes back and forth from terrified guy to king of the school.  It's a really fun movie to watch!

 Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead

I've personally caught several friends with copies of this dvd after having previously heard them deny ever even watching it.  I've also heard multiple people quote this film without realizing it's a giveaway of their guilty pleasure.  ("I'm on top of that, Rose!")

Sue Ellen (Christina Applegate) is psyched that her mom is going to Australia for the entire summer - leaving Sue Ellen to a summer of sun and fun, parent-free.  Unfortunately the day mom leaves Sue Ellen and her four younger siblings find out mom hired a - gulp - BABYSITTER.  Sue Ellen is pissed, but mom feels it's necessary.  Enter sweet old lady, who seems like a pushover....until mom is gone.  Suddenly sweet old lady turns into evil old lady with a whistle.  Sue Ellen decides to tell the old broad how things are going to be, only to find she had died.

Instead of calling mom - or the police - they kids decide to take the body to a funeral home, then just take care of themselves for the summer.  Unfortunately they forgot to get the money mom left them out of evil old lady's pocket before they dropped her off at the funeral home.  Sue Ellen is forced to get a job to support everyone.  So much for a sun-filled summer of fun...

and it only gets better.



If you've been unfortunate enough to never have watched these, please rent them now.  I know Netflix will have them.  They have everything.

Do you have any favorites that you think should get more credit?  Please let me know, and I'll be sure to watch them! I might even cover them in a Movie Delight Monday post!

Movie Delight Monday - Tom Hanks Edition

"There's no crying in baseball!"

One of my favorite lines from any movie.  Ever.

Tom Hanks is the epitome of great actor.  He can do it all - drama, comedy, suspense, thriller.  I've never seen a movie of his that I didn't like.  A few months ago I put up a video on here of Tom doing the dance from Big, which is an excellent example of one of the reasons I like him so much.  He's so exhuberant and forceful and RIGHT THERE in your face.  I love it.  With the assumption that y'all love him as much as I do, I'm going to share my most favorite films of this totally awesome dude. 

Big

Young Joshua finds an ancient fortune telling machine at a fair, makes a wish to be big and BAM - he's big.  Tom Hanks was amazing playing a twelve-year-old stuck in a grown man's body.  He was so believable.  Everyone's favorite scene is the big piano scene, but mine is in the stairwell at school when Josh is trying to prove to Billy that he's really Josh, so he does the little handshake song/dance.  Love it.

A League of Their Own

This movie has been a favorite of mine since it came out in 1992.  With a cast like Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell, who wouldn't love it?  Former pro baseball star Jimmy Dugan is drinking his retirement away, and while the men are all away at war, the baseball bigwigs decide to start a women's league.  Dugan is basically forced to coach, and on his team are the constantly bickering Dottie (Davis) and Kit (Lori Petty), loudmouth Doris (O'Donnell) and sexy party girl Mae (Madonna).  As the girls all come together and start winning games, Dugan starts paying attention.  He and Dottie butt heads a bit since she had taken over leadership while Dugan initially refused to take an active part in coaching.  The two eventually form a friendship, and we follow the team through the season. 

There are an abundance of one-liners in this film that crack me up no matter how many times I watch it.  A surprisingly funny character is Marla Hooch (Megan Cavanagh), the shy, really not pretty, really good player.

The Money Pit

Although this film came out in the 80s, I didn't see it until about five years ago after a friend had quoted it several times.  I figured, Tom Hanks, Shelly Long. Can't be bad.  I loved it!  Walter and Anna, after taking their relationship to the next level (and after Anna's rich boyfriend comes back to take over his apartment) and buy a "fixer upper."  From first glance the house seems to only have a few small problems.  Once the papers are signed and they move in, however, the house starts to fall apart - literally - piece by piece. 

The best scene is when Walter falls through the floor but is caught by the rug and ends up stuck in the hole for hours.  When Anna comes home, he shouts for her but when she's standing in the doorway she can't see him in the floor because a chair is blocking her view.  He keeps yelling, she keeps looking.  It's really a simple scene, but Hanks is hilarious. 

That Thing You Do!

I think even if I weren't a music lover, I'd still love this film (although the soundtrack is awesome.)  Many people don't care for this one at all, though I've never been given a specific reason why.   

Guy Patterson is stuck:  he's a grown man (20s), fought in the war, came home and started working for his father's appliance store.  He's dating a hottie (Charlise Theron) who is as superficial as you can get.  He's acquainted with some former classmates who have a band, although they haven't decided on a name yet.  Guy used to be a drummer for a band, but it had broken up.  This band, made up of Jimmy (Jonathan Schaech) the lead singer, Lenny (Steve Zahn) the guitar and backup vocals, Chad (Giovanni Ribsi) the drummer and the bass player (Ethan Embry - his character was given no name other than T.B. Player), along with Jimmy's girlfriend Faye (Liv Tyler), not in the band but always around. 

The day before a big talent show, Chad falls and breaks his arm, leaving the band without a drummer.  They ask Guy to help, and while practicing they come up with the name The One-ders.  The song they're planning to play is a ballad, but when he starts to play, Guy decides to pick up the tempo.  The song is "That Thing You Do" and it becomes an instant hit, catapulting the band to fame.  Enter Mr. White (Hanks), agent for Playtone Records.  White coaches the guys on how to look and act like stars, and leads them through the craze that follows. 

Zahn has the best lines in this film.  They're hilarious and sarcastic, and he delivers them perfectly. 

Forrest Gump

I know I was a Hanks fan early on, because for my 10th birthday instead of asking my mom for makeup or other 10-year-old fare, I asked for Forrest Gump.  On VHS.  I remember it exactly:  I was having my first ever boy-girl party, and I opened those presents eagerly, saving Mom's for last.  When I got to it, it was a medium-sized box, obviously too large to be a movie.  I unwrapped it dejectedly, opened the box and was shocked to see Forrest Gump nestled inside.  She bought it!  I made everyone stop what they were doing, and essentially put the party on hold, until we had all sat down and watched it.

If you've never seen this film, you either hate Tom Hanks or have been living under a rock.  Forrest (Hanks), from a very young age, was different from everyone else.  He walked funny, so he had to wear braces on his legs.  "Them was my magic shoes. Momma said they'd take me anywhere."  Only one person was his true friend, and that was pretty little Jenny from down the road. 

I love how Forrest, as a grown man, sits on a bench at the bus stop, just telling his story to anyone who comes along.  His story is funny, compelling, sad, embarrassing and romantic, all at the same time.  The supporting cast is excellent as well, with Robin Wright as Jenny,  Sally Fields as Momma (Mrs. Gump), Gary Sinise as Lt. Dan and Mykelti Williamson as Bubba.  It's a fairly long film, but you're captivated for the entirety of it, so you don't really care.  Hanks definitely deserved the Oscar he won for this role.

Hon. Mentions: You've Got Mail, The Green Mile, Saving Private Ryan, Toy Story and Sleepless in Seattle

 Did I miss any of your favorite Hanks films?

Movie Delight Monday: Christmas Edition #2

If you haven't completely immersed yourself in Christmas by now, you're either not a Christmas celebrator or you're a scrooge.  If you're like me, you've already watched every single Christmas movie you own at least three times.  Now that we have kids, we tend to watch the cartoons more than anything else, but I'm attempting to ease them into White Christmas and a few other grownup films.  Unfortunately Christmas Vacation can't be watched until the kiddos are in bed.  Language, among other things. 

I love ABC Family this time of year because they make so many cute little Christmas movies.  (We all know I love all things cheese.)

To continue the sharing of my most favorite Christmas films, I've picked four of the best for today.  Ready?  Alrighty then.

The Santa Clause

Tim Allen cracks me up as sarcastic Scott Clavin.  Also, Charlie's ex-wife's husband Neil (played by the awesome Judge Reinhold) is hilariously dimwitted.

Neil: "Scott, what was the last thing you and Charlie did before you went to bed Christmas Eve?" 

Scott: "We shared a bowl of sugar, did some shots of brown liqour, played with my shotguns, field-dressed a cat, looked for women..."

Rudolph the Red-Nosed  Reindeer

I don't know anyone who doesn't love this classic.  Hermey the elf is my favorite character. 

 "I want to be a dentist!"

Home Alone

You know, Macaulay Culkin - back before he spent all of that time with Michael Jackson....

I'm not making accusations, but COME ON.

"Keep the change, you filthy animal."

Scrooged

This comedy is a classic in its own right.  Bill Murray as the scrooge Frank Kross, with one of the best ghosts in the history of ghosts - Carol Kane - as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

"Niagara Falls, Franky Angel."

Next Monday will be the last Christmas Edition of Movie Delight Monday.  I plan to cover at least five more.  Let me know what your favorites are!  I'll cover some suggestions, I promise!

The little lights aren't twinkling, Clark.

Hey guys.  I'm back.  I've really missed writing on my blog and following my blogging buds, keeping up with you guys.   I am trying to get back into the swing of things, so bear with me.  Thanks to those of you who have stuck with me. 

I'm sharing a post from last year with you to get the ball rolling,  and will (hopefully) soon have some new stuff for you!  Cheers!





Well y'all, it is officially the most wonderful time of the year:

CHRISTMAS.

This is - by far - my most favorite time of year.  All of the Christmas specials on television, Christmas music playing endlessly on radio stations, those people dressed like Santa with bells outside Walmart.  The tree, the lights, the window decals.  The PRESENTS.  Ah, Christmas, I think I love you. 

Not to mention - and those of you who are not people of faith, don't get angry - the celebration of the birth of my Lord, Jesus Christ.  I am a Christian, and as such believe completely in the birth of Jesus to Mary, coming to earth in the form of man to later be sacrificed so that we all could be saved.  Some of my readers are athiest or of different faiths, and that's cool.  I think it's great that we can all be blogging buds and accept each other's similarities AND differences without offending each other.  So yay for bloggerhood.  (I hereby claim the rights to the word "bloggerhood."  All use of the word will be credited to me, Jess. Please and thank you.)

So anyhoo, for Movie Delight Mondays this month I will share my most favorite Christmas movies in all of their fantabulousness. I'll pick three or four each week since there are only four weeks in December and I obviously have more than four favorites.  Now that I think of it, we should petition Congress to make December eight weeks instead of four.  We could do away with August.  I mean, really, what's good in August?  Nothing.  Who's with me?!

Okay, I've rambled enough.  For today I'm going to share my three MOST favorite Christmas movies, simply because I love them so much and don't feel like waiting until the week of Christmas to write about them.  I won't be giving actual reviews because I'm assuming that we've all seen these movies at least once in our lives.  Here we go.....

Christmas Vacation

If you've never watched this movie starring Chevy Chase as the hilarious Clark Griswold, Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie and a plethora of other awesomely funny talents, then it is my suggestion you either watch it immediately or be flogged.  (I don't really even know what that means, but I hear it's bad. I'm assuming it's similar to being tarred and feathered.)

I spend ALL year waiting for Thanksgiving day, just so I can start watching this movie.  As a rule I do not watch it at all from January 1st until Thanksgiving Day.  It makes for a very exciting Turkey Day!

White Christmas

I actually didn't watch this musical until 2006 when hubs brought it home one night.  He had found it at the store and went on and on about how he couldn't believe he'd never bought it before because it's just the best Christmas movie EVER.....all the while I'm staring at him, confused, because we both know Christmas Vacation is the best Christmas movie EVER.   After a brief explanation of who Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby were I caved and agreed to watch it - especially after the realization that this is the movie Clark was referring to in Christmas Vacation.  LOVED IT.  This is such a classic, wholesome, good-natured, fun musical, and Danny Kaye is really funny.  I even developed a small crush on him. 

Even if you aren't a huge fan of musicals, it's still a pretty good watch.  Check it out!

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Toddler.  Kid.  Preteen.  Teenager.  Young adult.  Adult.  Old folk.  Doesn't matter what age you are, this movie rocks.  Every year I find myself wishing the film was just a little bit longer.  Thirty minutes of Grinch and Max just isn't enough.  P.S.  When in Home Alone 2 Tim Curry grins and then a shot of the Grinch flashes looking almost exactly the same....awesome!

The Jim Carrey version is just okay, which surprised me because I LOVE Jim Carrey.  Can't beat the original.  Sorry, Jim.

Check back next Monday for another group of my favorite Christmas films!  Comment and share yours, or blog about them, too!

Movie Delight Monday

I can't believe it's November.  Thanksgiving is in two and a half weeks, and Christmas is only four weeks after that! AHHH! 

I love fall, and especially all of the holidays crammed back to back, but I feel like I don't have time to prepare and decorate properly.  The good thing is, though, that starting on Thanksgiving Day, I can watch Christmas Vacation every day until Christmas! (It's a tradition,and yes, we watch it every single day between Thanksgiving and Christmas.)

Now that October is over, we can move away from the horror movie genre (yay!) and back to classic favorites of mine.  Today I'm sharing what is one of the best movies EVER, and also my favorite role Val Kilmer has played.  Yes indeedy, I'm talking about

 

Interesting Note:  Today is actually the anniversary of the death of the famous Doc Holliday. 

Aside from the awesomeness of Kilmer as Doc Holliday (I'm your huckleberry), the rest of the cast is really talented and the story plays out suspensfully and dramatically.  I can't praise this film enough to do it justice.

We start out with Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell), retiring from years of being a devoted and legendary peace officer, moving to the town of Tombstone, Arizona, along with his wife Mattie, bothers Virgil (Sam Elliott) and Morgan (Bill Paxton) and their wives. 

Tombstone is a bustling mining town with great potential.  Wyatt's good friend Doc Holliday happens to be in Tombstone as well, so their friendship picks back up with Wyatt becoming concerned as Doc's failing health becomes more evident.

A new theatre troup has also just arrived in town, sparking a flurry of excitement among the townsfolk.  Unfortunately, the outskirts of Tombstone are beging tormented by a gang called the Cowboys, and as they make their way into Tombstone, the local law enforcement begins a campaign to convince Wyatt to join the fight.    

Wyatt is loyal to his wife, but she's slowly becoming addicted to laudanum, and he's caught the eye of the beautiful actress who came into town with the theatre troup. 

Wyatt and his brothers attempt to start a gambling business and salon, and all is well until one of the Cowboys kills the local sheriff, prompting Wyatt's brother Virgil to sign on as new sheriff.  The outlawing of guns in the town leads to the gunfight at the O.K. Corral - one of the best scenes of the movie, and considerably the best-ever recreation of the event - which ends in death and rage on the part of the Cowboys.  A revenge ambush results in more death, which prompts Wyatt to join the fight against the Cowboys, and he's determined to end it once and for all.

If you're looking for a good film, Tombstone has it all:  romance, comedy, gunfights, cowboys, drama and Val Kilmer.  Excellence. 

Movie Delight Monday - Halloween Edition

Alas, only six more days remain until one of the most fun holidays ever - HALLOWEEN.

 

I was racking my brain trying to think of the best movie for today, but I didn't just want to go with the obvious, super-popular films.  Instead, I'm going to give y'all the horror/suspense films that are hilariously scary (ie:  freaky movies that contain great comic relief).  The Scream trilogy, for example, would be considered "hilariously scary" thanks to Matthew Lillard, Jamie Kennedy and Parker Posey. 



The following are movies that are freaky with some much-appreciated comic relief OR just ridiculously funny, with a bit of scary built in:

13 Ghosts

I first came to really appreciate Matthew Lillard in the first Scream. 

He's so funny I forgot to be scared - for a while, at least - during this movie. 

   

House on Haunted Hill

When it comes to remakes, obviously I'm partial to the originals.  Kris Kattan in this

version, however, is fabulous.  He plays paranoid better than anyone else I've ever seen.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Aside from the all of the other hilarity that goes on in this film, I have only two words: 

Paul Reubens.  The scene where he's slayed is HILARIOUS. 

American Psycho

You'd have to read the novel to fully understand how funny it is. 

 Bateman's thoughts, which cannot properly be portrayed on film, are so abnormal

 and funny that you almost feel sorry for him and can understand his need to kill people.

Tremors

Everyone knows this is one of the best nonsensical "horror" movies ever made,

but I still love it.  Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward's constant bickering cracks me up.

What are some of the movies you find hilariously scary?

Movie Delight Monday

Halloween is only two weekends away, which means the next two Movie Delight Mondays will feature horror movies!

Last Monday I chose the Scream Trilogy, and the week before that was Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Today I'm going with a little-known but TERRIFYING film. My older cousins made me watch it once when I was in second or third grade, and it still scares me to this day.  So, it might not actually be all that terrifying, but I'm too chicken to watch it again and find out!

The film I'm referring to is:

Editor's Note:  Again, since this movie terrified me so badly, I have not watched it since that first time, nearly twenty years ago.  As such, this review is based on extremely vivid memories and the help of IMBD for names and a few details.

The film starts out with a family, consisting of a snobbish father, his hateful new wife and his daughter, Judy finding themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere as a storm is moving in.  Judy is a small girl who is quite timid and not too fond of her new stepmother. 

The family realizes they are near a large mansion, so they seek shelter there.  An elderly couple lives in the mansion, and soon another stranded motorist, Randy, arrives with two punk, Madonna-looking chicks he picked up along the way.  The couple invites them all to stay until the storm passes. 

It becomes evident nearly immediately that the old couple is extremely odd, and they reveal that they make dolls and puppets. 

As they all retire to bed for the evening, we learn more about the stranded people, and that all but Randy and Judy are evil, mean or theiving people.  Of course, all bad people must be punished....

The dolls begin coming to life and killing off the people who need punishing.  In grotesque, freaky and horrifying manners they all start to bite the dust, one by one.   We learn more about the old couple and why the dolls are killing everyone, but the information doesn't stop the murders. 

The movie ends with the suggestion of a sequel, as most horror movies do.

If you're brave (which I'm not), below you can watch the original trailer for the film.

Watch it if you dare!

Movie Delight Monday

Happy Monday, y'all!  Hope your weeks start out in fantabulous fashion. 

Since we're well into October, I feel that it's necessary for my Movie Delight Mondays to consist of thriller/horror films.  First, let me inform y'all that I'm the biggest chicken that ever lived.  Seriously, I can't watch scary movies.  I love them, but they freak me out to such an extent that it's hardly worth putting myself through it.  Let me be clear:  I will watch horror movies this month because it's necessary.  However, due to my watching said films, I'll be checking closets, behind shower curtains and the backseat of my car for weeks after this month is over with.

That being said, today I'm covering one of my all-time favorites in the horror movie genre.  I think I can better handle this trilogy because it's sort of.... almost.... kinda like a spoof.  It started out with the intention of  being the horror film that made fun of horror films, but turned into a series of films with a cult following - and a fourth installment in the works.  That's right, I'm talking about

The Scream Trilogy

The first film starts out with the awesome Drew Barrymore sporting an awful platinum-blonde wig, in the stereotypical girl-alone-at-night situation.  Creepy guys calls, starts a conversation, then proceeds to scare the bejeezus out of generic pretty girl.  Just when you think she'll be saved - nope, dead girl hanging from tree. 

The opening scene is more of a mood-setter than anything.  You're aware the film is going to be full of horror movie no-nos, but also a bit scary. 

After this, we're introduced to our main character, Sidney (played by the somewhat-annoying but still lovable Neve Campbell).  Poor Sidney's mother was murdered one year ago, supposedly by Cotton Weary.  Suddenly two students are murdered, bringing attention back on Sidney's mother. Dad has to go out of town (of course), so she's going to be home alone - GASP! - for a few days.  Not to worry, though, because her creepy boyfriend Billy (Skeet Ulrich) had an affection for crawling into her bedroom window at night and pressuring her to have sex.

Sidney is surrounded by Billy and her friends, slutty Tatum (Rose McGowan), her boyfriend Stu (Matthew Lillard, who I LOVE in this film) and film fanatic Randy (Jamie Kennedy).  Randy is the one who's always making references to films, explaining the "rules" to both the characters and the viewers of the film.  Also on hand are Tatum's older brother Dewey (David Arquette), the inept deputy who wants to be a hero, and reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox-Arquette) who's just trying to get to Sidney for a story.

The killer begins stalking Sidney via phone, and suddenly she's under attack by a crazed killer donning a Halloween costume/ghost mask. More people start to die (obviously), most of which have broken a rule of the horror genre.  The film reaches a climax at a house party, full of underage kids drinking and watching Halloween while Randy explains the rules in detail. 

 Eventually the killer is revealed and everyone is shocked by who it is.  Battle royale between killer and Sidney ensues, and the film ends with creepy alternative music playing as police cars arrive on the scene of the mass murders.   

Scream 2 starts out by catching us up with the survivors from the first film.  Sidney and Randy are in college, and slowly moving on with their lives.  Sidney has gotten over her boyfriend issues and is dating a hunky frat boy, Derek (Jerry O'Connell).                      

                            

Cotton Weary, who had been originally charged with Sidney's mother's murder, is out of prison now, and wants to cash in on his personal suffering. Gale has written a story about the Woodsboro murders, which has been turned into a film.  The film promotes a craze, and Dewey joins Sidney at school for fear that she'll need protection.  He's right, because suddenly it seems like a copycat killer is on the loose, and he's after Sidney.  

I like the second installment because it makes use of the college setting to massacre ditzy blonde sorority girls and address the issue of Greek partying in excess.  (If you party, you die.)  Some interesting characters meet unfortunate ends in this film, but it's still a good one.

Scream 3 takes place in California.  Yet another installment of the "Stab" movies is being made, and a series of murders bring up Sidney's mother.  Sidney, who's been in hiding since the nightmare of college, decides to got to Hollywood to find out more about her mother.  Of course, as soon as she hits the movie lot, the killer is after her.  Gale and Dewey join Sidney, and Cotton Weary also shows up in the film, if only for a short time.

Parker Posey plays Jennifer, who will be playing Gale Weathers in Stab 3, and thus begins following Gale around in an effort to learn more about her for acting purposes.  After realizing cast members of the film are being killed in order they are supposed to die in the script, it's decided that Jennifer is the next victim.  Together Sidney, Gale, Dewey and Detective Kincaid (played by the totally hot Patrick Dempsey) set out to find out who the killer is before another murder takes place, and help Sidney solve the mystery of her mother as well.  

Yet again, it's a constant ball of confusion over whodunit, because just when you think you know who the killer is, that person is murdered. 

I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen the films yet, so I won't say who the killers are in any of the films, or what the mystery of Sidney's mother turned out to be.   I will say, though, that if you've never taken the time to watch these films, DO IT NOW.  They're all great!

Also, on a totally awesome side note, a fourth installment of the Scream series just wrapped filming last month, with original stars Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courteney Cox-Arquette returning.  Joining them are some younger stars such as Emma Roberts and Hayden Panetierre.  Both Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven have supposedly signed on for a three-part series, since originally the Scream movies were intended to be only a trilogy.   I'm so excited about this film, and can't wait to see it (release date is set for April 2011)!

Movie Delight Monday

Happy Monday, y'all. 

Last week I was having a case of the Mondays, and bailed on my usual Movie Delight Monday.  However, today I'm determined to have a good day, which means we're back on schedule.

Today's selection is one of the most unusual films I've covered, but one of the biggest as far as cult followings go:

The first time I saw this movie I was maybe seven or eight, and it scared the bejeezus out of me.   I mean seriously, if these guys

don't scare a child, then I'd be concerned about their mental health.

So, the film stars a handful of mostly unknowns with the exception of the unfailingly grumpy John Vernon, who plays Chief Curtis Mooney.

Story goes like this:  two young horny kids are getting their cuddle on one night when they see what first appears to be a comet.  Closer inspection reveals a circus tent full of frightening clowns intent on taking everyone captive, turning them into human cotton candy balls, sticking straws in them and sucking their blood out.

I know.

They have quite a few tricks up their sleeves, like shadow puppet talents that can actually kill people and popcorn that turns into freakishly scary mini clown head things. 

CREEPY.

The clowns begin terrorizing the town, killing residents by the handful, all the while Chief Mooney is ignoring cries for help.  (Don't worry, he gets his due.)  Horny couple and deputy Dave are the only ones who can stop the killer klowns, so they take their friends' ice cream truck (again, I know) and begin their counter-attack.

I won't give you details, but it all ends in massive amounts of ice cream toppings. 

If all this post has done is make you thoroughly confused, check out the original trailer below. 



Movie Delight Monday

Last night I was thinking about how excited I am for November to get here so I can start covering my favorite Christmas movies.  I LOVE CHRISTMAS.

Until then, I'll just have to share my other faves, like today's MOVIE DELIGHT MONDAY pick:

I saw this film for the first time as a senior in high school.  My best bud Tiff kept raving about it, and since I loved Gene Wilder so much (still do) I figured I'd give it a shot.  Loved it!

The incomparable Wilder plays scientist Frederick Frankenstein (who repeatedly insists that his name is pronounced Froderick Fronkensteen), a respected professor at a university and somewhat happily-engaged to prissy Elizabeth (played by one of my favorites, Madeline Kahn).  His grandfather dies, leaving his estate to his grandson, who is embarrassed of the studies and rumors about granddad's experiments with rejuvenating dead tissues.

Dr. Frankenstein goes to see about his inheritance and meets his new assistant Inga (played by an entertaining Teri Garr), helper Igor (pronounced "Eyegore" and played by hilarious Marty Feldman) and the head servant at the castle, Frau Blucher (pronounced "Blewher" played by Cloris Leachman).  

After discovering his grandfather's laboratory and journals, Dr. Frankenstein becomes obsessed with completing the experiment himself.   

The film is full of fabulous one-liners and innuendos.  Many people are put off because of the film being in black and white, but after about 15 minutes of watching you forget all about it. 

This is a must-see for anyone who's a Mel Brooks or Gene Wilder fan. If you're a fan of both, you'll find this film to be doubly awesome.

*Note:  You'll be happy to recognize the late, great Peter Boyle as the monster!*

Movie Delight Monday

Howdo everyone, hope your week started off fabulous.  It's Monday, which means it's

MOVIE DELIGHT MONDAY.

Whoopteedoo. 

Today's post is going to be short and sweet since I have four exams this week and don't really have time to dillydally on what a certain unnamed person of authority in my life refers to as a "gigantic waste of time."  Heh. 

What I am going to do, though, is suggest to y'all a few old school (though not necessarily really old) movies starring one of the funniest men ever:  Robin Williams. 

I've added clips from the films as reviews, since I'm lazy and what's better than movie trailers?  Not much, I'll tell ya. 

Good Morning, Vietnam


The Birdcage


Mrs. Doubtfire


If you haven't seen one of these, go watch it immediately.  If you've seen them all, watch 'em again!

That's all. 

Later!

Totally Rad Like, For Sure 90s Week: Day Two- The Movies

Since today is typically Movie Delight Monday, for Day Two of my

I'll be covering the best movies of the 90s.   

Since it would be IMPOSSIBLE to list all of the great movies that came out of the 90s (because there's a bunch of 'em), and because I could never narrow down my absolute favorite film of each genre, I've decided to give you the best-selling movie from each genre during the 90s.  I know for most of us older folks, when we think of the 90s we're actually thinking EARLY 90s, but by rule I had to include movies all the way up to 1999.  This is according to box office sales and has nothing to do with my opinion.

Best Action Film: 

Independence Day

This is one of my personal favorite movies from the 90s, mostly because I love Jeff Goldblum and partly because I enjoy Will Smith, Randy Quaid and Bill Pullman. 

Best Adventure Film:

Jurassic Park

Again, Goldblum is fabulous (the 90s were a good decade for him), and who didn't love seeing dinosaurs for REAL?  Best quote from this film:

"God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs."........ "Dinosaurs eat man. Woman inherits the earth."

Best Animated Film:

The Lion King

I remember the first time I saw this film, and I was blown away by the sheer greatness of not only the characters, but the music also.  Still one of my favorite Disney movies, and one of my daughters' favorites, too.

Best Comedy Film:

Mrs. Doubtfire

One of my favorite movies, Robin Williams is genius in this film.  The scene with the gay brother and his boyfriend making the costume is the best scene in the movie.

Best Historical Drama:

Titanic

Yeah, it was a good movie.  No, it wasn't worthy of the ridiculous hooplah that came along with it.  And no, it definitely did not need to be three exhausting hours long.  (This was back when I thought Leo was a hottie though, so I have seen it entirely too many times.)

Best Romantic Drama:

Forrest Gump

One of Tom Hanks' most acclaimed roles, and one of my favorites of his (next to Big, The Money Pit and A League of Their Own).  Another really long movie, but this one you don't get tired of halfway through. 

Best Family Movie (not an actual genre, I know):

Home Alone

This movie is great.  I watch it every year from Thanksgiving to Christmas (along with Christmas Vacation and How The Grinch Stole Christmas).  My oldest daughter just discovered this one, and loves it already. 

Best Horror Movie:

Scream

I. Love. This. Movie.  I love all three of the movies, and can't wait for the fourth one to come out.  I think this was a beyond-brilliant idea, and it forever changed the way horror movies were made (and spoofed).  Also, Matthew Lillard was great in this film.   

Best Sci-Fi Movie:

Men In Black

This one surprised me.  Yeah, it's mildly entertaining on a holiday when there's nothing else to do and you're flipping through the channels looking for something anything to watch.  Other than that, I'm not really a huge fan.  Yes, I like Will Smith, yes I like Tommy Lee Jones and yes they have some humorous banter in the film.  Still, the movie was mediocre.  Plus, that ridiculous song gets stuck in your head and won't go away for HOURS.

Best Thriller:

The Sixth Sense

This one was one of those where at the end you went, "WHAT?!" and then the next time you watch it you catch all of the obvious hints that Bruce Willis is dead.  Haley Joel Osment is a super-talented actor and this movie showed it.  Not one of my favorite films, but still a pretty good storyline. 

I've decided to include an honorary genre: Best Film that started new fashion trends, slang and became a generation movie.  There's really only one movie that fits the bill, and I'm sure you know which film I'm talking about:

CLUELESS

 You can't think of the 90s without this movie coming to mind.  I LOVE it. 

What are your faves?

Be sure to check in tomorrow for Day Three of Totally Rad Like, For Sure 90s Week:  The Music!