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!

Totally Rad Like, For Sure 90s Week: Day One - The Dancing

That's right, people.  This is THE week to read my blog.  Why, you ask?  Well, I'll tell you.  It's

I know, I'm so excited!

Every day this week I will cover something from the 90s - fashion, music, movies, fads, etc.  Friday will be the GRAND FINALE (and no, I'm not giving any hints), after which I will be MIA for the weekend because the hubs and I are going on a belated anniversary weekend getaway to Destin, Florida. 

So, let's get on with the week dedicated to all things 90s...

Day One:  The Dance Moves

There were some awesome dance moves to come about during the 90s, and a few that were really awful.  Either way, we've all done these dances at least once.  I'm including video clips (when available) from YouTube just in case you've forgotten how the dances go.


The Dip

This dance was banned from all school dances when I was in Jr. High, mostly because it violated the "12-inches between dancers" rule. 

Macarena

Aahhhhh.  I know we all know this dance.  I did this dance so much in the early 90s that it's ingrained permanently into my brain.  My favorite EVER example of this dance is Dr. Evil in Austin Powers doing it.  "Taka taka taka taka aaahhh!" 


Tootsie Roll

Still one of my favorite jams to dance to (I call it bustin' a g-sag, but that's me).  I love hearing, "The butterfly, uh-oh that's old, let me see that tootsie roll!"


Running Man (aka the MC Hammer)

I could NEVER do that sideways jig thing he did.  Wasn't happening.  I did want some pants like that though. 


This last one, although it isn't an actual dance, I LOVE, and still break it out every once in a while.

The Carlton



Now go clear a space and do all of these dances again, because you know you want to!

Be sure to check in tomorrow for another totally rad, like, for sure, 90s post!

I heart LSU Football

It's the most wonderful time of the year:

FOOTBALL SEASON

More specifically, COLLEGE football season.  Wohoo!  I love the Saints, but it's not even remotely close to the love and affection I feel for my Tigers.

This about sums it up:


I'm so excited and distracted that it would be pointless to attempt to write a specific post today. 

Besides, you don't need to be on the computer right now anyway.  You should be watching ESPN or, more specifically, ABC at 7pm central time tonight.  That's what I'll be doing. 

GEAUX TIGERS!  Rawr.

Fantabulous Friday

First off:

He's still got it!

That was in honor of THE END OF THE WEEK.  We made it! It's Fantabulous Friday, baby! Wohoo!

For today's totally fantabulous subject, I have decided to share with y'all my favorite spoof movies of all time.  Some of them might not technically be classified as spoofs, but trust me, they are.  I know these things...

So, here they are:

Best cop spoof:

The Naked Gun

I know many of y'all would say, "Nuh-uh, Police Academy is the best spoof movie!"  However, you would be mistaken.  The Police Academy movies are specifically comedy genre.  What's the difference?  I really don't know.  I'm just a huge Leslie Nielsen fan.  Plus, you can watch OJ back before he went psycho killer on us.  (Yes, I'm aware he was found not guilty.  My mother still maintains that he was framed.  Haha.)

BEST Star Wars spoof:

Spaceballs

We all know Mel Brooks is the KING of spoof.  I mean, really, the man's a genius. 

Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis, John Candy, Bill Pullman, Joan Rivers, Dick Van Patten - you can't beat a cast like that!  Even (sometimes especially) hardcore Star Wars fans love this film.  I wish they'd make a sequel....with the same cast, of course (and honor John Candy somehow or other in a humorous way).




Best Robin Hood spoof:

Men in Tights

Mel Brooks combined the talent of Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis, Tracy Ullman, Dick Van Patton (again), Dave Chappelle.....how could he go wrong?  This movie is hilarious, from the one-liners to the dance numbers.







Best Horror Spoof:

Scream

This movie is one of my all-time favorites.  I'm a big 'ol chicken, so making fun of scary movies is sort of my revenge for these films scaring me nearly to death all the time.  Mocking the "rules" of horror films (and later the sequels) was done in such a manner that I can appreciate it, and even laugh now when watching real horror movies. Plus, I LOVED Matthew Lillard. 





Best Literary Classic Spoof:

Young Frankenstein


Another Brooks film, this time starring the man, the myth, the legend: Gene Wilder. Seriously, the man should have a town named after him.  Also in the film is Teri Garr, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn and Peter Boyle.   The cast and ridiculous storyline make for excellent spoof.





Best Spy Spoof:

Austin Powers


Yeah, baby!  Honestly, I'm partial to the second installment, but the first one started it all.   The film turned super spy into man-whore with psychedelic views on everything (I loved the innuendos and name jokes). Mike Myers is comedic genius, and I'm hoping to see another Austin movie in the near future....





Best History Spoof:

History of the World


Yet again, Brooks (they might as well change the genre from "spoof" to "Brooks method").  There's really no way to explain this film -actually two, because there's a Part II - other than to say it's the history of the world, only really, really funny. Brooks' favored actors appear throughout the film, so keep your eyes open. 





Best movie no one realizes was a spoof (of romance movies):

The Princess Bride


I know!  If you asked ten people whether or not Princess Bride is a spoof, 9 of them will say no.  This film, starring Robin Wright and Cary Elwes, was intended to poke fun at the overly sappy and dramatic romance films that were being made en masse during the 80s.  One of the various taglines used was a pretty good giveaway:  "A classic fairy tale, with swordplay, giants, an evil prince, a beautiful princess, and yes, some kissing (as read by a kindly grandfather)."  Surprisingly it became such a hit without needed the spoof title that eventually everyone just forgot. 



Best documentary spoof:

Best in Show

This movie is one of the move hilarious movies ever made.  IF you like this kind of humor (which some people don't, although I'm not sure why).  The hubs doesn't find this film funny.  I maintain that he's lying, because otherwise I'd have to file for divorce. 

The cast of this film is a plethora of talent:  Jane Lynch, Parker Posey, Jennifer Coolidge,  Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara,  Christopher Guest are just a few.   These people: yuppie couple, white trash couple, redneck, gay couple, rich woman and female dog trainer - all head to a national dog show.  In the format of a documentary, the individuals are interviewed as they plan and prepare their dogs for the show and then we follow them all to the show and throughout.  It's HILARIOUS.  The opening scene is Parker Posey and her husband (the yuppie couple) in therapy with their weimaraner. The dog is distraught because she saw them having sex.  THE DOG IS IN THERAPY.  

I can't do enough promoting of this film.  If you haven't seen it, go watch it NOW. 


Best TV show spoof:

The Brady Bunch Movie


Have to include this movie, if only because it's totally awesome.  It's so ridiculously stupid that you can't help but love it.  Shelly Long (who I LOVE), Gary Cole, Michael McKean and Christine Taylor (Mrs. Ben Stiller) are four of the major players as Mr. and Mrs. Brady, Larry Dittmeyer and Marcia.  There's even cameos by Florence Henderson (original Mrs. Brady) and Ann B. Davis (original Alice).



Did I miss any FANTABULOUS spoof movies?  If so, let me know! 

And y'all have an awesome Labor Day weekend!

Passing on the reading gene

I love to read; I always have. I remember being a wee little one, even before kindergarten, sitting on the laps of my grandparents while they read books to me.    My most dominant memories from both second and third grade are of my teachers reading books to us young pupils. 

My mother has always been an avid reader, and fortunately she passed that love on to myself and my sister.  During summer breaks we used to trade books every other day.  We read just about every young adult fiction series there was:  we started out with The Babysitter's Club and Goosebumps, then moved on to Fear Street, Sweet Valley High (followed by SVU), Love Stories, Christopher Pike's Chain Letter books, etc. 

Eventually, as I got older, my tastes matured and I began to delve into deeper subject matter, but these series established a love of reading in me, and I hope my daughters will one day look back and have the same sense of affection for similar book series.  Of course, it all starts with the "baby" books....

These are some of my most treasured books from early childhood that I have already purchased in the hopes that my girls will love them as much as me:

The first book I remember being read to me.

As a first grader, I thought this was the funniest book in the world.

I don't know anyone who doesn't remember this one fondly.

My third grade teacher read this to my class on the first day of

school, and we begged for it every day for the rest of the year. 

I always thought Alexander was being a sissy.

I loved this little bear, and I thought it was amazing when they made a movie version of the book.

I wanted to go there, so badly.

The hubs isn't much of a reader, but his parents read him all of the Dr. Seuss books, which he still loves (and Mimi hopes our girls will love also).

What were your favorite books as a child/young adult?

TOTALLY AWESOME 100TH POST CELEBRATION

Wohoo!

Yes indeedy. This is my

Not the 99th, not the 101st. Nope, it's the Big Daddy of milestones in the blogging world, the big

Not sure what the weird stain on the one is....let's not think about that.

Okay, got that out of my system. It won't happen again, I promise.

Today is also coincidentally my three-year anniversary with the hubs.

I'm not going to get all sappy here because who wants to read that, honestly? I will say, though, that I am married to a wonderful man who is my best friend and a great father as well. Happy 3 years hun! LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE!

Now, I told you guys that this post will be ALL ABOUT ME. So I'm going to tell y'all as much as I can about me in as little space as possible. A mini-autobiography, if you will. (I don't want you guys to be here all day, so some details will be omitted, obviously. If I miss something that you're just determined to know about me, ask me and maybe I'll tell you.

So are we ready? Yes?

Okay. Here we go....

May 1984. Cutest baby ever.

Lots of cousins. Small town. Church. Sunday dinners at Mawmaw & Pawpaw's. Lots of moving back and forth between Louisiana and Tennessee.

Me and sis still super-cute.

'Rents part ways. Step-parents and more siblings follow. Teacher's pet. Singer. Elvis impersonator (the Jr. High kids knew me as "that first grader who does Elvis." No lie). Jr. High - Baskeball and softball player. Gifted art. National Jr. Honor Society.

High school ROCKED.

Lots of school spirit. BOYS. More teacher's pet business. Football games enthusiast (we were undefeated District Champs senior year!). Spanish Club. Student Government Association. Singer in a Christian youth band. Drama team.

LOTS of hanging out at Starbucks and the lakefront with my friends. Greatness.

COLLEGE.

Got my first cell phone. (Yes, I'm that old). MORE BOYS. Slacker. Class-skipper. General waste of time and money for two years.

LET'S TAKE A BREAK AND MOVE TO TENNESSEE FOR A YEAR.

New friends (awesome people). Telemarketing job (don't hate me). New boyfriends (losers). Quality time with Dad & TN fam. Great experience.


Move BACK to Louisiana.


Katrina.

6 (SIX!!) weeks without power. UGH.

Lots of working (attorney's office) and going out with friends (karaoke, bonfire parties and the likes). Losers and more losers. Then, finally...

I...........I'm so in love with you.....whatever you want to do.....is alright with MEEeeeeeeeEEEE. 'Cause YOOUUUUUUU make me feel so brand newwwwwww.

Ahem.

Fireworks. Foot-poppin' kiss. All that jazz.

Lots of late nights, cuddling and general goodness. Eventual Christmas Eve morning proposal. Wedding date set for September 1, 2007.....

May 2007 - SURPRISE! - we're pregnant. (Well, I'M pregnant, but you get it.)

September 1, 2007

Best. Day. Ever. Honeymoon. Planning for baby. Planning for baby. Planning.....

January 14, 2008

Baby Girl #1

9lb 11.7 oz

21 inches long

Spent one week in NICU where the nurses gave her the nickname "Chunky Monkey."




April 2008 - SURPRISE - we're pregnant AGAIN!

Learn to be parents. Plan for another baby. Get better at being parents. Plan for baby.

December 16, 2008

Baby Girl #2

7lb 14oz

19 inches long

"Tinkerbell"





Get our own place (FINALLY). Adjust to being parents of two. Life's grand. Our kids are the light of our lives.

And, of course, y'all know that I recently started back at school after a six-year hiatus. Wohoo.

So, life story completed, I'll give a few little extra tidbits for your entertainment:

LOVES - LSU football, the Saints, 80s movies, humor, art, photography, family, roadtrips, walking on the beach at night, the mountains, history, writing, singing, music, Glee, crawfish, double entendres, the sound of rivers, thunder and rain, puppy breath, flip flops, Christmas, rocking chairs, lazy days, riddles and word puzzles, pad thai, concerts, theater, reading, coffee, my iPhone, sarcasm, corny jokes and pickup lines, tshirts, jeans, Robert Frost, Egyptian cotton, parades, sleeping in, learning and hanging out on my grandparents' front porch, the color pink.

HATES - bridges, extreme heights, spiders, ROACHES, Jon & Kate, the octomom, pretentiousness, liars, severe weather, screaming music, traffic, socks, wrestling, Oprah, dust, ignorance, Speidi, yellow traffic lights, vienna sausages and spam, the dark, Michael Myers, 'isms, hypocrisy, that Borat guy and Michael Vick.

Alrighty, that should about cover it.


Now, on to the

Yay! First, thanks everyone who submitted a story. They were all greatly entertaining, and hubs and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them all! You guys are awesome, and it's so cool to have blogging pals and readers who ACTUALLY READ what I post. I love every comment I get. Basically, you guys rock. So thank you.

So, after reading every funny/awful date story submission, the hubs and I debated, then he thought about it...

and thought about it.....

and thought some more....

He's actually a very deep thinker.

FINALLY he made a decision. So, the MOST AWESOME First Date Story Winner is.....

SERENA from I Left My Heart In London....

Wohoo! Yay! Yippy doo! Congrats to you!

Serena submitted the best - or, rather, WORST - first date story, as per hubs' definite and final decision.

Email me at jessicabparnell@hotmail.com to let me know which 80s tee you'd like, in what size, and also your mailing address and I'll get that right out to ya! Yay for 100th Post Celebratory Giveaway Extravaganzas!

Here's our Most Awesome Winner's First Date Story:


My first year in London. This guy from work keeps asking me out. I keep refusing because of some unfinished business I have (or thought I had) with the boyfriend back in Italy. A couple of months later I cave, and take up his offer to go for coffee on a Sunday afternoon. The guy had always been super nice to me, and he seemed like a genuine and serious guy in general.

Boy, was I wrong!?!

We meet up near my underground station. I take three steps towards him to greet him, he grabs ahold of me, pulls me close and gives me a full blown kiss on the lips. I'm like - OKAY!?? I thought you were shy!!!

But it doesn't stop there. We approach the zebra lines to cross the street, and while we are standing and waiting at the traffic lights he leans over and slides his hand down my back and right into my pants and panties. I turn around shocked and glare at him, biting my lips not to scream and make a scene. Trying to remain calm and be polite, I ask him what's up with the embarassing gropefest, and he says he hasn't been on a date in a long time and doesn't know how to control the excitement. I tell him we are just going to have a chat over coffee anyway, so nothing to be excited about, and that if he doesn't behave I'll just turn around and leave. He begs me to stay, he almost shouts to the point that people on the way stop to look at us and give me concerned looks. We get to Starbucks and we order our coffees and cakes. I sit down on the mini-couch, and he sits down next to me...just a couple inches too close for comfort. The cakes arrive. I take a bite of mine and he picks up a piece of his in his hands..only to go and drop it not down but INSIDE my top. Next thing I know his hand is down my tshirt and his fingers are insinuating themselves inside my bra. Why of course, he's JUST TRYING TO TAKE OUT THAT PIECE OF CAKE HE'S *ACCIDENTALLY* DROPPED DOWN THERE!

I'm angry and outraged, and needless to say our date ends right that second. It freaks me out so much I almost put out a warning about the pervert at the office. Just, eewwww!

So much for trusting seemingly nice guys!

That's all, folks!