Fun Fun

This is in no way movie related (at least I haven't figured a way to make it so) but I cannot stop watching these videos. They maybe try to tell a story, but what that story is, eludes me. I do however, find these wildly entertaining. Enjoy the musical stylings of Fun Fun, '80s italodisco mega stars.

VHS Cover of the Day: Roller Boogie (1979)

Ultraman Monsters Dance to MJ

Yeah I don't know, but it's awesome.

via monster brains

Movie themes made awkward

Ok, I hope the rest of the campers don't kill me for this, BUT I just have a huge soft spot for all things '80s and terrible and awesome, like this clip. Movie themes from two of my childhood favorites, The NeverEnding Story and Goonies as performed by Kids Incorporated. I love how that first kid over emotes the whole thing, it's uber talent showy. They don't make 'em like they used to! Singing "Goonies 'R' Good Enough" is Martika, who went on to have a few '80s hits later on, including "Toy Soldiers," great song! And keep an eye for 10-year old Fergie in the blue jumper. She's much better here than in last night's Music Awards or whatever event that was.

I remembered Kids Incorporated fondly, but watching clips on youtube, I don't recognize anything other than the intro. Anyone else watch this? It looks terrible! What was I thinking?! Bitching logo though...



I was thinking I might post the soundtracks to each film, but this might be better, and more interesting for others, a collection of remixes for each song! Who doesn't love a remix, right? Here we have a bunch of "Goonies 'R' Good Enough" mixes along with the original b-side, "What a Thrill." Thanks to Vinnie Rattolle for compiling the "Good Enough" mixes. Check out his site for many other Goonies goodies among other amazing shares. Also included with Limahl's "The NeverEnding Story" remixes is the rare French version of the song with additional vocals by Ann Calvert. I don't know who that is and I don't why I told you. And i don't really know how to pronounce "Limahl."

Cyndi Lauper - Goonies 'R' Good Enough Mixes

Limahl - The NeverEnding Story Mixes

Rooftops (1989)

Without any sort of lingering doubt, it’s easy to recognize the impact of Robert Wise’s career in Hollywood. The guy practically invented/reinvigorated genres in the golden days of cinema, with films like The Sound of Music , Star Trek: The Motion Picture, The Andromeda Strain, West Side Story, The Day the Earth Stood Still and even lesser known classics like I Want to Live!, The Set Up and Odds Against Tomorrow. Wise even edited Citizen Kane!

So what the hell happened here? In 1989, after a 10 year hiatus from directing, Wise emerged with Rooftops, his final film. And comparatively, his worst. It’s no Uwe Boll piece, but based on his credits, this is waaaaay out of place.

Here's what goes down: homeless New York kids live on rooftops and engage in “combat,” a fighting/dance/thing. T, the main dude, is the best in combat, and his buddy Squeak crosses some drug dealers. Squeak gets killed, T and his buds struggle to regain their neighborhood. The plot pretty formulaic. In all reality, the movie is almost insulting with what homeless kids actually go through. But cinematically, it's great, cheesy ‘80s and it gets better with multiple viewings! Jason Gedrick from Iron Eagle, Troy Beyer and DAYYYUUUMMMM GINA! aka Tisha Campbell all star in this epic skyline melodrama. It’s totally ridiculous, totally awesome and even endearing in how naive it is.



So far this is unavailable on DVD, and it’s probably better that way. I firmly believe that the only reason it’s watchable is because it remains on VHS. It has potential to become a bargain bin DVD hit, I’m sure, but that would spoil it.

6 Reasons To Love Teen Witch!

Teen Witch is a masterpiece of cinema, pure and simple. Now you may be asking, "Well, if this film is so great how come he doesn't list 10 reasons or 20 reasons?" Ok, hot shot, I'll tell you why. YES. I could go on and on about how great the choreography is or how influential the fashion has been, but I don't want to give you a heart attack due to extreme excitement. In a sense, I am saving your life with this list. Don't mention it. Here we go...

6. Zelda Rubinstein plays Madame Serena. You may know her as the cute, raspy voiced psychic from Poltergeist...or as the little freaky lady in your nightmares.

5. The film was originally pitched as a "female Teen Wolf". Can you imagine? "It didn't pass me by Dad, it landed on my tits!"

4. The film has been magically transformed into a comedy musical, Teen Witch Live!, currently running at LA's famous Groundlings Theater. Yes, seriously. Let's go!

3. Dan Gauthier (Brad) takes his shirt off. I'm shvitzing!

2. Louise's teacher Mr. Weaver, real name Shelley Berman, also plays Larry David's loveable, pot smoking dad on Curb Your Enthusiasm. I doubt he wouldve landed that role had he not acted his heart out in this film.

1. The rap battle between Polly and Rhet is the single greatest 2 minutes in movie history:



TOP THAT!
(OR go rent THAT on Netflix.)

Breakin' (1984)

Breakin' is one of THE most educational movies ever made. Watch the trailer, then we'll talk.

See what I mean? Pretty incredible right? For me, this was my introduction to hip hop culture and Ice-T wearing spiked bracelets. It also taught me that, despite the fact that I'm white, I too can have a street dancing nickname like Special K and fall in love with a guy named Ozone. It even taught me magic:

But I must say, the most important lesson that this film teaches is that dancing truly can bring people together and the lack of breakdancing leads to violence. Case in point: this scene featuring Jean Claude Van Damme and his lazy-eyed future kickboxing enemy Michel Qissi (Tong Po):


Netflix it

Buy it

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1981)

Starring a super-young and super-hot Diane Lane, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains is a tale of teen angst and conformity. It's a punk rock movie in more ways than one. Not only does it feature members of the Sex Pistols but it is also considered to have been a major influence in the Riot Grrl movement of the 80s and 90s. It never actually made it to theaters but it did have a good run on USA's Night Flight and other late-night programs. Yes it is really bad, especially with dialogue and pacing, but fun nonetheless. Until recently it wasn't available on DVD, but thanks to the hard work of two, the support of thousands and this thing called the internet, it finally became available in September.Check out the story behind the movie, as told by two folks who helped to get it released:

Part 1:

Part 2:


Buy it here.

The Apple (1980)

The Apple is all about mind control and discovering the dark side of the music industry (crazy!). It takes place in futuristic 1994 where everything looks strangely like the 70s and bad dance numbers have taken over the world. Not too far off, actually. However, a less prophetic moment can be heard in the trailer when the narrator exclaims, "The Apple is success!" See, as you may have guessed, the movie didn't do so well at the box office, with critics, or with anyone who is not blind or deaf.

Buy it here.