Stack the Memory to the Sky - Sniper Twins/Computer Friends

Get your geek on with some phat beats.

Dude Knows That Song Backwards

Takes about half the video before you'll see (and hear) what he's really up to, but it's pretty cool (hint: he's not singing opera).

Flashback Friday (Sunday Edition): Fox NBA

Knickerbocker please!

Saved By Zero, Dead By Tomorrow

As the five of you who read my blog know (okay, it's really more like three), I have an intense loathing of Toyota's "Saved By Zero" commercial, particularly the Fixx knockoff version of the song they use.

While I've been joined in my distaste by thousands if not millions of others, it turns out the commercial won't just make you a little ill, it will actually kill you.



Via BuzzFeed

Top 10 80s High School Movies - Part Deux

Welcome to the tepidly anticipated Top 5 of the Top 15 80s High School Movies (that didn't involve John Hughes). After counting down 15-6 in Part 1, we're ready for the cream of the 80s secondary school movie crop.

5. Say Anything (1989)
The next time you watch (or at least see an commercial for) some version of "mixed martial arts"/cagefighting/"extreme fighting," think how close Lloyd Dobler was with his "kickboxing, sport of the future" prediction. To think we all laughed. And then we got a little verklempt as Lloyd hoisted his stereo ...


4. Footloose (1984)
Loosely based on a true story about a small town in rural Oklahoma, Kevin Bacon dances his way into the hearts of Lori Singer and an entire town.

A few other facts I learned during my extensive research (okay, I looked on Wikipedia): the aforementioned Madonna auditioned for Lori Singer's part. And this was an early role for Sara Jessica Parker. From a small town girl named "Rusty" to a neurotic writer looking for "love" in Manhattan. Quite a journey.

Alas, I was saddened to learn that in 2010 we'll see a "Footloose" remake featuring the director (Kenny Ortega) and star (Zac Efron) of "High School Musical." Sigh.

Here are the original crazy kids dancing up a storm at their much-anticipated prom ...


3. Back to the Future (1985)
I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that when I first heard the plot for "Back to the Future," I thought it would be terrible, something to do with the oedipal issues I think. Of course I was wrong, and BTF went on to become 1985's #1 movie, spawning two inferior though entertaining sequels. Though BTF2 and 3 did feature the delightful Elisabeth Shue, always a plus in my book (though not enough to get "Adventures In Babysitting" included in this list).

Enjoy the trailer for the complete series' DVDs, then make like a tree ... and get out of here.


2. Risky Business (1983)
Tom Cruise is back for his third appearance. Given that he was a huge star and "high school age" (somewhat broadly defined) during the early 80s, that shouldn't be too surprising. And should you have forgotten his iconic 80s "Old Time Rock n' Roll" scene, you can relive it as part of a new ad campaign for the newest version of Guitar Hero. And while inauthentic, I will watch Heidi Klum over Tom Cruise 10 times out of 10. But maybe that's just me. You can catch Tom in all his sweat-socked, lip-synching glory as part of this trailer ...


1. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Dude, we're at numero uno! Saying Jeff Spicoli is one of the most memorable movie characters of not just the 80s, but all time is no overstatement. His quotes alone ("There's no birthday party for me here!") would put this movie on the list. But you also got Hamilton, Damone, Mr. Hand, and the red bikini-ed bliss that was Phoebe Cates.

A few years ago, I was part of a TV commercial shoot at Van Nuys High, one of the locations for Fast Times, and I felt as though I was walking on hallowed 80s ground. I just should have been walking in black and white checked Vans.

Now let's celebrate with some Spicoli, played by none other than the first Mr. Madonna (Warning: some gnarly language).

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

Top 10 80s High School Movies (that didn't involve John Hughes)

Welcome to the Subjectiville Cineplex! Any time you do one these lists, it's always a matter of personal opinion--much like 95% of the content on the Web. By first narrowing it down to "high school movies," i.e., movies that either take place in high school and/or whose main characters are high school age., I figured I wouldn't have to get into the "best" movies of the decade. So you won't find "Raging Bull" or "The Killing Fields" here, fine films though they may have been. And we're also not talking the decade's "biggest" movies, so no "Die Hard" or "Beverly Hills Cop" or "Indiana Jones" either. And sadly, no "Breakin'" (though "Breakin' 2: Electric Bugaloo" was definitely in the running).

Why no John Hughes? Well, it wouldn't be fair to the other movies. Dude had that decade locked up. Of course there is the triumvirate: "Sixteen Candles," "Breakfast Club," and "Pretty In Pink" ... but then you also have "Weird Science" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." That's to say nothing of the "non high school" movies like "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,""She's Having A Baby," and "Uncle Buck."

Oh yeah, I've also made this "Top 10" list into a "Top 15." That "Top 10" thing is just to please the gods of Google SEO. So grab your $8 popcorn and $9 Coke and let's get going ...

15. Vision Quest (1985)
Starting off with a coming of age movie about a high school wrestler in Spokane is a little obscure, I'll grant you. But this one gets extra 80s points for not just having a couple of Madonna songs in it ("Crazy For You" and "Gambler"), but actually having a young Madonna perform those songs in the movie (hard as it may be for our younger readers to believe, she didn't always look like an emaciated goblin). Beyond Madonna, it also featured Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino, and Forrest Whittaker. Mr. Modine also wins the prize as oldest actor to portray a high school kid in a movie on this list, as he was 26.

And here they (or most of them) are:


14. Valley Girl (1983)
While only featuring one "star," Nicolas Cage (who in 1983 actually wasn't, in fact this was his second movie, his first appears further up this list), this is another movie I'm giving 80s bonus points to, for tapping into the "Valley Girl" fad of the early 80s. Moon Unit Zappa anyone? Fer sure, fer sure.


13. Heathers (1989)
This black comedy didn't really have an 80s sensibility (hey, it's Arbitrary Definitions Day, send someone a card!), but it squeaked in to the tail end of the decade, and it did star 80s staples Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, and a pre-90210 Shannen Doherty. Plus, though a box office failure when it debuted, it did become a bit of a cult classic, and Entertainment Weekly placed it at #5 on their "50 Best High School Movies" list (the aforementioned "Breakfast Club" was #1).

Here are the crazy young kids (Ms. Ryder and Mr. Slater) meeting for the first time (warning: some "R" language) ...


12. Can't Buy Me Love (1987)
Long, long before he was turning women into puddles of desire as Dr. McDreamy, Patrick Dempsey played a very nerdy high school schmo who had to resort to extortion to date a cheerleader. But it really was sweeter than that sounds. It also features a classic "slow clap" scene, part of this informative montage. You'll also want to checkout the full trailer ...


11. The Lost Boys (1987)
As I write this, teenage girls across the nation are positively giddy with anticipation for the first "Twilight" movie. But of course it won't be the first teen vampire movie. Actually, I'm not sure "The Lost Boys" was either, but I don't feel like doing the research, so let's say it is.

It starred a pre-24 Keifer Sutherland, Jami Gerz (Rowrrrr!), Jason Patric, and, even more frightening than the movie itself, that two-headed scourge of the 80s, the Coreys (Haim and Feldman).


10. All The Right Moves (1983)
When you look at Tom Cruise now, its a bit hard to imagine him as Stefen Djordjovic, a feisty high school football player from a rundown steel town in Western Pennsylvania. But Tom managed to pull it off 25 years (!) ago. Leah Thompson was the girl that loved him, and Craig T. Nelson was the hard-nosed coach in a ridiculous hat who didn't like Tom's attitude one bit. Actually, I suppose it was Stefen's attitude he didn't like. But having met a number of people from Western PA, I can't imagine he would have cared much for Mr. Cruise either.

Let's take a trip back in time to the grimy glory of Ampipe ...


9. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
Some would certainly argue that the good natured, dim witted Ted Logan was the role Keanu Reeves was born to play. Some would also argue that Ted and Bill's characters owe a lot to one Jeff Spicoli, a noted surfer/stoner from earlier in the decade (foreshadowing alert!).

I invite you to watch this most excellent trailer and party on, dude.


8. Dead Poets Society (1989)
This is more like a "80s Hoity-Toity Prep School" movie, but I suppose the kids were high-school age (at least in the movie), so it qualifies. And it is a fine film, with Robin Williams in full wacky/wise mode. Along with Mr. Williams and Ethan Hawke, the film also starred Robert Sean Leonard Scott in what was definitely the peak of his career, at least until he appeared on House, MD.

Here's Mork learnin' the fellas about "carpe diem," which, as you likely know, means "seize the diem."


7. The Outsiders (1983)
This movie is probably known for its incredible cast: Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio, and C. Thomas Howell. All greasers brought together by Francis Ford Coppola to fight those nasty "socs" (as in "socials").

Here are many of them talking a bit about the movie many years later, most of whom are wearing bizarre mike/headset thingees. I'm guessing it was for a commentary track for the re-release of the DVD. Tom Cruise was apparently off somewhere being nuts.


6. The Karate Kid (1984)
Right after he made "The Outsiders," Ralph Macchio rolled into the junkyard/dojo of Mr. Miyagi. I can't say why I love this movie so much, but it likely has to do with Elisabeth Shue, in her first major movie role. And who can forget "Wax on, wax off"? Or "Sweep the leg!"

As an aside, I was driving to a film shoot at a golf course in Encino, outside Los Angeles, and I said to the other people I was driving with: "Hey, remember how in The Karate Kid Ali was from Encino, and all her friends looked down on Daniel because he was from Reseda?" Of course, as happens to me quite often, they just looked at me like I was insane.

Anyway, here's the climactic final battle between Daniel-san and the Cobra Kai thug played by the legendary Billy Zabka.


Coming soon: the Top 5 ...

Turn Your Car Into The Ultimate Killing Machine

With the stock market in free fall, can a post-Apocolyptic Mad Maxian world be far behind? Well, probably. But just in case, be prepared.

Flashback Friday: Spiders on Drugs

I definitely remember the "Hinterland Who's Who" films from my days as a young lad growing up on the hinterlands of the Canadian prairies. Though I don't seem to remember this particular episode ...

Warning: the video features a couple of bad words and "adult themes" (plus of course the scenes of arachnid drug use).

Decision 2008: General Zod Is Not Pleased

Uh-oh. General Zod is unhappy with Tuesday's election results. And now Earth shall pay. Unless Obama names Zod to a cabinet post. Or at least an ambassadorship.

Kung Fu Clown Commercial ... or Klown Kommercial

Not sure how I missed this one from a couple of years ago, but pretty cool. And funny. And not creepy, which is a refreshing change for the clown genre.

Why?

I'll be ordering this right after I pick up the director's cut of Howard the Duck.