Category Archives: Nostalgia

In with the Old: The Mighty Ducks

Posted in In with the Old, Movies, Nostalgia, Sweet Streams by

Recently, I found myself with some time on my hands and saw that all three of the Mighty Ducks films were on Netflix and thought, “Eh, why not?” I am an adult, therefore, giving me the ability to choose to spend my day watching stupid kids movies. I had a lot of thoughts while watching and thought I would share them with all of you.

MD

Pretty sure that this movie gave me a misconception about the 1970’s. I thought they were a very hazy time… Actually, maybe it wasn’t too much of a misconception.

MD1

Sometimes I think that Disney is a little too heavy-handed in pointing out that someone is a bad boy. Beer! Loud music! Sassing cops!

MD2

Am I too logical in thinking that this prank wouldn’t work on someone driving by? A passerby, sure, but someone driving by is going to come to a screeching halt to stop in the middle of the street and steal a purse? Maybe I’ve seen too many Russian traffic cams of truckers saving kittens.

md4
md3

I’m glad that at least the closed captioning gave credit where credit was due. Also, I posit that a kids sports movie cannot exist without the snarky trash talker (see also: Ham from The Sandlot, Tanner Boyle from The Bad News Bears, etc.)

md5

Seriously, inquiring minds would like to know, is that a phone?

md6

FART JOKE!

md7
Gordon Bombay. Possibly the best name in film history. Also, the best shoulder pads in the biz.

md8

Bombay, you know how movies work, right? Of course, it had to be the Hawks.

md9

Pretty sure that my brother and I were incapable of going to hockey games between the years of 1993-present (?) without saying this.

md10

Ah, the good old days when teenage boys had to make do with issues of Sports Illustrated.

md11

You know it’s a 90’s movie when the menacing gang is on roller blades.

md12

Hans is the Yoda of this movie. So wise. So sage.

md13

Little baby Joshua Jackson!

md14

Oh, movie, I don’t need you to tell me when Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch is playing.

md15

Do I need to call Social Services on this 22 year old movie?

md16

Again, this movie is really delivering on the 90’s awesomeness. Roller blading through the mall?!

md17

The movie the made quacking a haunting battle cry to all 90’s kids.

md18

It’s so convenient that the entire team is in this one Chemistry class, despite the fact that some of them look like they are 5 years apart in age.

md19

Gordon, stop quacking!

md20

Don’t we all, Banks. Let the rich kid play, Ducks! The cake-eater has two more movies to do.

md21

This has to be either the weakest net ever or this puck just defied the laws of physics, right?

md22

What publication is this that has front page headlines about a Minnesota Pee-Wee hockey team?

md23

Haha hijinks. Even as a kid, I thought Emilio laughed weird.

md24

Yeah, go for it, Bombay. She will never be able to resist you in that Cosby sweater. What woman could?

md25

Does Disney have a contractual stipulation that there must be a contrived romance that nobody watching the movie will really care about and that won’t last into the sequel?

md26

Again, what is this “Hockey Publication” and where did they get these pictures of these pee-wee hockey coaches? I would really like to see a Newsroom like TV show about this paper.

md27

What kind of douchebag father isn’t going to root for his son’s team? I don’t care how rich your friends are.

md28

Aw, Banks. You took the stick out of your butt. Presh. See you in MD2!

md29

Um, Bombay, you need to win. Haven’t you seen a Disney sports movie?

md30

You just know that they were so stoked on this shot. “Aw man, this is going to look so cool.”

md31

I cannot believe this worked. I’m supposed to believe that these kids who are growing up on the ice have never seen someone do a scratch spin?

md32

Flying V! Ducks fly together!

md33

Bombay, you are not helping the “Coach’s Pet” taunts that he has been getting. Also, what exactly has Charlie done to elicit this confidence? Other than let you bone his mom.

md34

QUACK, QUACK, QUACK! Now THAT’S how you end a Disney sports movie.md35 Wah-wah, Hawks. It’s because you didn’t have a humorous yet cool chant and, most importantly, because you weren’t having fun out there.md36 Hold the phone. Bombay is leaving his lucrative law career to possibly be a minor league hockey player? At his age?

md37

It must really suck for Charlie that he is the only one of these kids with a present parent. She really cramps his style.

Who wants to go watch this movie on Netflix now?  Sorry if I spoiled it for you.

– Ellen

Whitney’s Birthday Ode To Ellen: 2014!

Posted in Fangirl Poetry, Movies, Nostalgia, TV by

August 13, it’s safe to say,

Is bigger than Rex Manning Day

GroupDance USE THIS ONE

In terms of Joy and Jubilation,

It’s a birthday craze that is saaa-weeping the nation

And who’s the cause of all this racket?

It’s ELLEN, who just reached another age bracket!

the-emmy-nominations-are-in-breaking-bad-scandal-game-of-thrones-and-more-find-out-if-your-faves-are-in-the-running-here

In the “Hottie” department, she’s a repeat offender

And can make even the slickest good guys surrender.

chris-pratt-predict-jurassic-park-4-role

She’s a brainy broad, with lots in her head,

Just let her regale you with all that she’s read.

tumblr_llyvikLD041qbxo7ao1_500

She’s fast with a grin and quick with a joke

A girl you could take out for pig-in-a-poke.

tumblr_mh1lscpX501rstq9ro3_r2_500

If your taste is a gal with all the right moves

Then you’ll look no further once you’ve seen how she grooves

doubledutch

Forget that I-G-G-Y, cause Ellen’s twice as Dance-y

And it’s easy to see that she’s three times as Fancy

giphy

She’s a certified babe, from her shoes to her hair,

When she walks down the street, people stop and they stare.

tumblr_n4gsiv4ufM1qirafjo1_500_zps4ea6c186

She’s funny and sassy like a Lady Nick Miller

But, you’ve been warned, she’s a stone-cold Killer

bustergif2

She can be a bit quirky, nothing too odd

And I’m sure you won’t care once you’ve checked out her bod

giphy (2)

It must be rough, being so super-fine

Er day dealing with boys that pine

tumblr_m3hakh8m4Y1rnnyy9o1_500

But she deals with the stress in her own special way,

“Is this wi-fi Organic?” as Drunk Uncle would say.

9-justin-bieber-retirement-snl-drunk

And her far-away cousin, whose love won’t erode

Sat down at a laptop and wrote her this Ode

giphy (3)

I hope you enjoyed this digital toast,

‘Cause I’ve poured all my love into this dumb little post

tumblr_mz3o69sUoj1r80huro1_250

Happy Birthday, you Boob Punch

–Whitney

Grade A, Choice Picks: Top Reasons I Have the COOLEST Mom Out There

Posted in Choice Picks, Movies, Music, Nostalgia, TV by

Look, look, look.  I know that everyone is going on about how great their moms are and I believe you, I really do.  My mom is pretty great, too, but let’s look at the reasons I have the COOLEST mom out there.

beastie-boys10.  She rocks her Beastie Boys CD pretty hard.

9. She sponsors our annual family dance party by outfitting us in our threads (Christmas jammies).

8. She gave me my wry, snarky sense of humor that I get to employ on this blog!

7. She is tech savvy!  I have yet get a phone call asking her how to work her iPhone/iPad/laptop/email, etc.  Now, Dad on the other hand…

6. She once had a dream where she made out with Adam Sandler in her dad’s Cadillac.  (Sorry, Mom.  The world needed to know).

adam sandle

5. While most moms were into easy listening (Kenny G, Celine Dion, etc.), my mom scoffed at that music!  We were rocking out to Tom Petty, Queen, Van Halen, Blondie, Madonna, U2, INXS, and Alanis, among others.

4. As a four year old, were you headbanging a la Wayne’s World to “Bohemian Rhapsody”? Were you laughing at jokes on Mystery Science Theater that you didn’t get? Was your favorite music video “Centerfold” by the J. Geils Band? (We mainly loved it because of that gif below)  Were you and your brother running around the house quoting Saturday Night Live on the regular?   Well, I was.  And that’s pretty cool, Mom.

centerfold

3. She gets me.  Probably because she created me.  Whether we are singing at the top of our lungs on road trips, having phone conversations about our TV shows, or going to see the latest superhero movie together (so that we can ogle the men), we are always having a good time.

2. She laughs. A LOT.  Mainly at her own jokes, but I am pretty sure that no one makes her laugh more than her own kids.

1. My mom goes to Comic Con with me every year.  BOOM!  The ultimate proof that my mom is the coolest.

There you have it.  Don’t I have the coolest mom?  I sure think so.

– Ellen

mom

Totally Rad Pop Culture Items from My Childhood That I Wish I Still Had

Posted in Books, Choice Picks, Movies, Music, Nostalgia, TV by

Life is full of regrets, everyone knows that.  The following are my life’s biggest.

bsc1) Babysitters Club T-Shirt – This was so rare and awesome that even the internet couldn’t help me find it again.  Back in 1994, little Ellen loved her Scholastic book order catalogs.  Many of them featured a special offer at the back where you could join the Baby-Sitters Club Fan Club.  So exclusive.  So VIP.  I begged my mom for months and finally, she caved.  Among the membership benefits was the coolest t-shirt you have ever seen.  It was bright and colorful with hip phrases like “Best Friends Forever” and “Mary-Ann + Logan”, but worst of all, it was big enough on me back then that I could still totally rock it to this day.  Sigh.  This one hurts the most.

Dtv_romancin2) DTV Romancin’ VHS Recording – Back in the late 80s to early 90s, Disney Channel tried to cash in on the MTV cash cow and make music videos to popular songs using clips from their cartoons.  These music videos would often appear between their cartoons and sometimes they would air specials.  My favorite of these specials was DTV Romancin’ (also aired as DTV Valentines).  It had Chip and Dale dancing to Madonna, the cast of Bambi wooing to Lionel Richie’s “Hello”, and just about every clip of a phone from a Disney cartoon played with “I Just Called to Say I Love You”.  Needless to say, I wore this VHS out.

902103) 90210 Blow Dryer – I was far too young to care about this 90210 blow dryer, but I felt like the coolest 1st grader on the black when I would (attempt to) blow dry my hair with this beauty.  It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t a very good blow dryer, it only mattered that it was aqua green and purple and was emblazoned with that zip code.  In my head, it was the blow dryer that Kelly, Brenda, and Donna used.

full house4) Full House Michelle Scrapbook – Have you ever wanted to look at pictures of episodes of Full House?  Then have I got the book for you!  This book has it all.  Michelle gives all the dirt, like how Uncle Joey is so silly!  And how Uncle Jesse is so cool!  Did you know that DJ loves Steve?  Or that Stephanie thinks you are so “rude”?  (Mainly I wish I still had this one so that I could marvel at how obsessed I was with this stupid book).

beauty5) Handheld Beauty and the Beast Game – I blame this game for making me so easily addicted to games on my iPhone.  I was never great at your Nintendos and your Playstations, but even I could handle three buttons.  Dodge left, dodge right, and of course, “MAGIC”!  The premise was pretty basic, because those three buttons won’t allow for much.  At first you hide from the beast, but then you kiss him and then you hide from Gaston so that you can get to the beast and kiss him and finally, you escape the mob led by Gaston so that you can get to the beast and kiss him so that he becomes the “handsome” prince.  It’s a wonder that I ended up with even a shred of feminist sensibilities.

$T2eC16J,!)sE9swm(vm4BS!TdnQu5w~~60_356) Spice Girls Pin – When I was in fifth grade, one of my friends got this set of five pins that spelled out SPICE.  We divvied up the pins, each girl getting the pin with the Spice Girl that they most embodied.  See that “P” with Ginger? That was all mine.  Somehow, as a 10 year old, I was Ginger Spice.  Probably because I had the closest thing resembling red hair, was terrible at sports, and hated Posh.

little mermaid7) Little Mermaid Sheets – At the age of 3, I was so hard core about The Little Mermaid that it was a bit ridiculous.  I had the entire soundtrack memorized before I had seen the movie.  When I finally DID see the movie, I stood on my seat and sang along with the whole thing.  I mainly wish that I still had these sheets because I still have a twin bed and would SO sleep on these bad boys.

giga8) 101 Dalmatians Giga Pet – I was very explicit with Santa.  I am a Giga Pet girl and NOT a Tamagotchi girl.  Also, don’t even think about getting me a cat.  Apparently, this led Santa to a 101 Dalmatians Giga Pet because it was the same Christmas that the live action movie came out, and I was more than happy to receive my little demanding dalmatian.

photo9) Minnie paraphernalia – This girl had a lot of Minnie Mouse paraphernalia.  It is unclear as to whether this was due to an obsession on my part or on my mother’s part, who was buying all of it.  Either way, I loved Minnie Mouse and demanded to see her almost immediately upon my first arrival at Disneyland.  The item I most wish I still had that I cannot find is this tubular neon school folder, but I am pretty sure I wore it to tatters.

disney afternoon10) Disney Afternoon soundtrack tape – I loved Disney afternoon, but what kid in the early 90s with Disney Channel didn’t?  And almost more than the cartoons themselves, I loved the theme songs, mainly because of this cassette tape.  I may or may not have most of these downloaded to my iTunes.  And I may or may not bust them out on a regular basis.  And I may or may not be able to still do the breakdown on the Tale Spin theme song.  “Spin it, let’s begin it, bear and grin it when you’re in it, you can win it in a minute when you spin it, spin it, spin it. So spin it.  Tale Spin!”

What item from your childhood are you most upset that your mom talked you into throwing out?

– Ellen

Fangirly Investigates: Is There Anything That Will Make Me Feel Older Than 90’s Nostalgia?

Posted in Fangirly Investigates, Movies, Nostalgia by

In short: No.  With the exception of the recent 00’s Buzzfeed lists that I have seen.

I suppose the recent rash of 90’s nostalgia makes sense.  After all, it was about 10 years ago that 80’s nostalgia was in full swing and boy, did I ever rock some 80’s music and clothes in high school. It only seems fair that the 90’s have their turn.

Really all this nostalgia for the 90’s makes me feel old because it is the first decade that I actually remember, having been born in 1987. But I have decided to just embrace nostalgia and not get down on how old I am getting (AHH!) and enjoy videos like the one below that sends up one of my fav movies from the 90’s.  Like, whatever.

– Ellen 

Grade A, Choice Picks: Top Christmas Songs

Posted in Choice Picks, Music, Nostalgia by

I should add a big huge fat note that these are MY favorite Christmas songs and not what I consider to be the greatest of all time.  Also, you are going to notice from my list that I have a very specific type of Christmas music that I prefer: female Jazz vocalists.  What can I say?  I know what I like.

beatles-paul-hol6343559410. “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time” – Paul McCartney: Back in my hometown, there is a radio that played Christmas music beginning earlier and earlier each year (i’m sure a lot of you can relate).  This was my main discovery from that radio station.  This is partly a nostalgic pick because a friend on my high school carpool and I would get really excited when it came on. Probably because it is one of a kind and wasn’t Michael Bolton singing some song that has been recorded a million times.  They played a lot of that kind of stuff.

9.  “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” – Julie London: This one has been recorded a few times but I dare you to find one that is, well, sexier.  This recording and her voice really makes you believe that she has got some love to keep her warm, if you know what I’m sayin’.

8.  “The Christmas Waltz” – Nancy Wilson: It should be noted that when I was about 13, my dad got these Christmas CDs called Ultra Lounge Christmas Cocktails and I became obsessed.  Most of the songs on this list come from those CDs and I am ever grateful to them for discoveries like Ms. Nancy Wilson.  This is a great, not overly played Christmas song and my favorite version of it.

music-never-CLICK7.  “Little Saint Nick” – The Beach Boys: I had the Beach Boys Christmas album on a cassette tape when I was about 7, so you can just imagine little Ellen bumping this on her Boombox.  Yeah, this one is definitely a nostalgic pick.

6. “Sleigh Ride” – Ella Fitzgerald:  Remember what I said about my preference for jazzy female vocalists?  Well, it doesn’t get much better than Ella.  She just makes every Christmas song… cooler.  I highly recommend her Christmas album.  I mean, it’s called Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas.  What’s not to like?

Meet Me in St_ Louis MO JG5.  “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Judy Garland: This one falls under the “Classic Christmas” category, and of course, the original Judy Garland version from Meet Me in St. Louis is the best.

4. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” – Nancy Wilson: Now, you may argue with me that this is not a real Christmas song because it is about New Year’s Eve, right?  Wrong.  The whole premise of the song is the singer is asking early to get a leg up on the competition.  While the recent Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt video is pretty good because I am sucker for some ukulele, Nancy Wilson’s version still reigns supreme in my book.

Mariah+Carey+All+I+Want3.  “All I Want For Christmas” – Mariah Carey:  The newest song on the list and the only Christmas recording from the past 20 years that should be on this list.  This song is fabulous, everyone knows it.  It is only bettered by the fact that it is featured so prominently in one of my favorite movies of all time, Love Actually.

2. “The Man with the Bag” – Kay Starr: I love this song!  Another one that I probably like more because it is not played non-stop throughout the course of the Christmas season, but also it is fun, jazzy and has a great vocal.  Favorite line has to be “Everybody’s waitn’, they’re all congregatin'”

nat1. “The Christmas Song” – Nat King Cole:  This one had to be number one.  I know that it is number one on a lot of these lists, but it is for good reason.  There are few songs that make you really feel like it is Christmas, but this one always delivers.  I can’t help but get that warm, happy feeling and be transported to a some big cozy chair in front of a glowing Christmas tree and warm fireplace.  Can you?

 

What do you think? Do you disagree with my list?  Guess what? I don’t care if you do.  But let me know some of your favorites regardless.  If you didn’t already see them, check out my favorite Christmas movies, TV episodes, and specials.

– Ellen

Top Five Things I Miss About the 2000’s

Posted in Nostalgia by

It’s the year 2013, and you know what that means: the 21st century is officially a teenager! This is pretty fitting because if I had to pick three words to describe my year so far they would probably be awkward, surly, and pubescent. And while the 2010’s have been a thrill, this millennial has been reminiscing about  all the things that made the 2000’s so hecka awesome.

sGbIU2cBTNutBApXJFMS_Myspace5) Myspace- If myspace.com were a person, it would be that super popular but kinda gross guy that you hung out with in high school, who you recently bumped into at your 5 year reunion and, what a surprise, he’s got more ink than a Laserjet printer and he’s still pursuing his rap career in spite of all his trouble with hepatitis. Luckily, you’re with Facebook now, and the two of you are very happy together.  Uggs

4) Ugg Boots- This one is on us. I mean, the manufacturer actually named these boots after the noise you make when you see old people making out or when you step in something gross. Or the noise you make when you realize that you spent years of your life wearing glorified Moon Boots. Ugg, indeed.

3) Razor Scooters- guys, I came so close to doing a 180 one time. SO CLOSE.

2) SNL–

ewan_mcgregor-tuxedo1) Ewan McGregor- What do you get when you combine a 12 year old Whitney, printable iron-0ns, and way too much free time? A bunch of pillow cases with this guys face on them. No shame.

-Whitney (Mrs. Ewan McGregor) 

 

TV Obituaries: RIP 30 Rock

Posted in Nostalgia, TV, TV Obituaries by

tumblr_lh1v4vON2w1qewawmI’ve been trying really hard to be bitter about the end of 30 Rock, the show that basically shaped Ellen and me as adults and perpetual weirdoes, but I can’t. The truth is, NBC had no reason to pick up Tina Fey’s beloved brainchild after that initial 12 episode run seven years ago, but they did. They took a chance on 30 Rock, and now all they have to show for it is a truck-load of Emmys, insane critical and commercial success, and the gratitude of this humble nerd.

I love this show more than I can express without bursting into tears/hysterical laughter. Liz Lemon wasn’t like any other female character on television at the time. She was weird and obsessive and30-Rock-30-rock-32196024-620-444 cool and smart, and for the first time my thirteen year old self saw someone on TV worth looking up to.

My fondest 30 Rock memory happened during my high school years. It was one of those glorious weekends when my parents decided to take their adorable act on the road, leaving me to experience the world of independent living for a few days. Glorious, that is, until the sun went down and the house started making weird noises (did the fridge always sound like that?) and I suddenly regretted watching quite so much Law and Order: SVU. In an attempt to stave off the panic I could feel building in my teenage tummy, I started flipping though our DVR in search of something entertaining enough to take my mind off the rising crime rates in my hometown but innocuous enough to help me fall asleep. Pretty soon I stumbled upon “Black Tie”, the Black-Tie-1x12-30-rock-14679186-853-48030 Rock episode where Liz and Jack attend a birthday bash for a fantastically inbred Austrian prince played by the one and only Paul Reubens. Pretty soon I was so involved in their misadventures I completely forgot to worry about being murdered in my sleep. Mostly.

So thank you 30 Rock. Thanks for being the coolest, funniest, most bizarre show on TV. Thanks for giving Ellen and me a reason to hang out on Thursday nights. My one parting request? Get Jack McBrayer a new show. Mama needs her weekly dose of apple-faced goon.

-Whitney

In with the Old: Heart and Souls

Posted in In with the Old, Movies, Nostalgia by

Heart20and20SoulsOnce upon a Sundance Film Festival, I happened upon one Robert Downey Jr.  This was pre-Iron Man and pre-his comeback.  The crowd was clamoring around him, whispering about his priors and calling out to him.  Struggling to get his attention, I yelled out the first thing that came to my mind.

“I loved you in Heart and Souls!”

He stopped trying to escape the masses, turned to me, and said, “I don’t get that one too often.”

He then proceeded to his Black SUV, but I will always remember that as the time that RDJ and I bonded.

The important thing about that story is that I wasn’t lying when I said that.  It came from the heart.  No matter how big he gets, to me he’ll always be that guy strolling down the streets of San Francisco singing “Walk Like a Man” with his ghost pals.

This movie was my jam when I was a kid.  I got it on DVD for Christmas this year and I was anxious to see if it would hold up, but it delivered in spades.  I have yet to determine whether that is purely based on nostalgic reasons, but whatever, it warmed the cockles of my heart and isn’t that what matters?

The basic plot of Heart of Souls  centers on RDJ’s character, Thomas, who was born near a bus crash and as a result was granted/cursed with the four “guardian angels” of the victims.  With the mounting child psychologists and calls home, the angels decide to watch him in silence.  However, when Thomas is a grown man they are told that they were supposed to be using him as vessle to settle their unfinished business.  They are given a little extra time to do so, but Thomas does not take seeing his former “imaginary friends” very well.  Crazy hijinks and tender moments ensue.

While much of my love for this movie probably stems from those memories of watching this in my family’s basement and dancing along with Thomas and the gang, I still feel like I can say it’s a good movie.  Not a great movie, but a good one.

After that resounding recommendation, have I sold you?  Did anyone connect to this movie on a visceral level as a 7 year old?

–Ellen

Fangirly Exposed: Billie Piper (Again!)

Posted in Fangirly Exposed!, Music, Nostalgia, Web Bytes by

Billie-Piper-Girlfriend-137625What makes an artist? Some say it’s creativity, or passion, or talent. Personally, and I apologize if this sounds pretentious, I feel that a true artist dances around in midriff tops and leather pants to catchy 90’s chart toppers. Call me fastidious, but that’s just my opinion. And few people fit that definition better than Billie Piper, the brilliant teen-pop-idol-turned-serious-actress. I could present you with well-planned arguments to support my case, but if Billie’s music has taught me anything, it’s that style is WAY more important than substance. So without further ado, I present you with three of my favorite Billie Piper music videos.
-Whitney

In With the Old: Clue

Posted in In with the Old, Movies, Nostalgia by

Tell me if we were  the only kids who did this:  Whenever I visited my cousins (or visa versa) growing up we would always do this thing when we watched movies together.  Either prior to starting the movie or at the very beginning, we would pick a character to “be”, so if someone is a character who later gets slapped, we’d say things like, “That looks like that would hurt”.  Or if someone’s character is somewhat risque, we would call each other “naughty” or “a bad girl”.  Keep in mind that we were young and innocent, so our vocabulary of more scathing remarks was limited.

Our favorite movie to watch together had to be Clue because we watched it close to every time that we visited each other.   My cousins and I would fight over who got to be Ms. Scarlet or even Yvette the maid, because we were impressionable little girls growing up believing that it was more desirable to be the more attractive option.  However, as we grew older and wiser, I believe that our choices became more informed.  There’s only so many options in that movie, so one of us would still end up being Ms. Scarlet, but instead we were fighting over Mrs. White because we had begun to recognize the comedic genius of Madeline Khan (“it-it- the f – it -flam – flames. Flames, on the side of my face, breathing-breathl- heaving breaths. Heaving breaths… Heathing…”  Best.  Ever).

As I have matured, it dawns on me that this is one of those perfect movies to grow up watching.  The slapstick will be funny to all ages.  But as you get older, you begin to understand more of the zippy one-liners and “adult” humor that went over your head as a child.  It also occurs to me that when watching movies you loved as a child, it is difficult to re-visit them without being biased and tell your grown-up colleagues that they are truly as great as you remember them.  Now, I fully believe that Clue is as great as 9-year old me thought that it was because I still get the same enjoyment out of it that I did back then.  The performances here are genius and I pick up on new jokes that I had either never previously heard or “gotten”.

I just love this movie and it warms the cockles of my heart every time I watch it.

Did/do you love Clue, too?  If you do, did you know that Psych is doing a reunion episode for it’s 100th episode?  Yeah.  You could say I’m excited about that.  If you have some free time, check out the video I found of someone’s top 25 moments of the movie. (SPOILERS!)

-Ellen

Grade A, Choice Picks: Top 5 Movie Quotes I Never Want to Hear Again

Posted in Choice Picks, Movies, Nostalgia, TV by

We here at Fangirly love nothing better than a good movie quote. In fact, many of our conversations consist of nothing but movie quotes. There are some famous lines, however, that are way past their prime. Here, for your viewing pleasure, is a comprehensive list of all the quotes I think should really call it a day.

1) “Run, Forest Run!”– This is just lazy quoting, guys. I have no idea why people insist on shouting this at the top of their lungs every time someone near them breaks into a run or even a light jog, but it’s over people. You’ve taken a perfectly good line, from a perfectly good movie, and ruined it! I hope you’re proud.


2) “I got a fever… and the only prescription… is more cowbell”- I take partial responsibility for this one. Between the ages of 12 and 17 I said this quote so often and with such a pathetic excuse for a Christopher Walken impression that people began to suspect I had a problem. A problem that even more cowbell couldn’t cure. So sorry world. I apologize for my part in ruining one of the funniest sketches in SNL history. I wish I could say it won’t happen again, but…


3) Anything from Napoleon Dynamite– Listen, nobody loved this movie more than I did when it first hit theaters. But I think we can all agree that this movie had a shelf life that ran out about five years ago. It was a great movie that reminded us all just how funny moon boots and hip hop dance routines could be, but this has gone on way, way too long. Let me put this another way: if one more person says to me “Your mom goes to college”, I will in no way be responsible for my actions.


4) “You complete me”- I think what bugs me isn’t the quote itself, but the fact that nobody is ever sincere when they say it. Hey man, if I complete you, why not just say it sans the sarcastic douchery? Seriously, make a lady’s day.

5) “The Master would not approve!”- This quote really won’t mean anything for those who did not grow up watching Mystery Science Theater 3000, because this line happens to come from the classic Manos:  The Hands of Fate episode. And while I love this episode more than words can express, I feel like I can’t get though any kind of family function without someone putting this one out there. Don’t misunderstand me; I’m not calling for an all-out ban. Let’s just put it on the shelf for a while, and only pull it out for special occasions. Like fine china, or a Michael Buble CD.
So there you have it folks, my top 5 most overused movie quotes. Do you agree? Disagree? Either way, feel free to go bananas in our comment section!
-Whitney

Web Bytes: FOD’s “First Kiss” with Rachel Leigh Cook!

Posted in Nostalgia, Web, Web Bytes by

If you checked in yesterday, you know that I love She’s All That.  I watched all of her filmography, especially The Babysitter’s Club and Josie and the Pussycats (her crowning achievements), and with the exception of that time where she ruined everything on Psych,  she’s A-OK in my book.

So it was pretty cool to see her in the Funny or Die video and then to see that it was actually pretty funny.  And with Chad Michael Murray of all people!  (I never jumped the CMM train).

Check out the video, it’s pretty decent.

First Kiss with Rachael Leigh Cook & Chad Michael Murray
-Ellen

In with the Old: She’s All That

Posted in In with the Old, Movies, Nostalgia by

I believe that there comes a movie in every young girl’s life where she finds that one film that takes her into adolescence.  That one movie that makes her feel like a cool teenager rather than a little kid.  For me, that movie was 1999’s She’s All That.

Conditions were perfect: I was 12 going on 13 when I first saw this movie.  Old enough to get some of this movie’s humor (pubes on pizza?!  The laughs never stop), but young enough to overlook some of it’s imperfections.  Imagine my disappointment when I found that there are not groups of people who break out into choreographed numbers at the school dances!  It is for this and no other reason that I never went to one.  Also, I had to face the hard truth that Usher’s voice would NOT be coming over my school’s PA system giving the morning announcements.   Thanks, but NO thanks, high school.

And luckily, as a spectacled youth with a mother who was sure to tell me that girls in glasses can still be cute, I was wise enough to question why sticking glasses on Rachel Leigh Cook automatically made her a social leper.  Maybe it was the overalls?

Despite all these faults that I was a little less aware of then, I still love/loved this movie.  My love for this movie mainly stems from having watched it at least 50 times between the years 1999 and 2001.  While you may be thinking that I am exaggerating with that exorbitant number, I can assure you that I am not.  To this day, I can still quote along with the whole movie.  You may be wondering why I nearly wore out my VHS copy of this movie, but really, do you even have to ask?

My 12-year old heart beat so hard for my beloved FPJ.  In fact, while trying to find a picture of Zach Syler for this post,  I realized that the search results were all pictures I had printed and slathered on my walls.  Or they were the featured pictures in the  paperback Freddie Prinze Jr. biography that I begged my mom to buy me at my school’s book sale.

While FPJ and I have grown apart (mainly because he is giving me little to work with these days), any time I watch She’s All That  I still revert to that prepubescent 12 year old swooning in front of the TV.  Who doesn’t want to go back to that every once in a while?

-Ellen

Grade A, Choice Picks: High School Movies

Posted in Choice Picks, Movies, Nostalgia by

September is here and for a lot of you, school is back in session. Some of you are gearing up for the year by doing some back to school shopping or getting a leg up by starting that midterm essay as soon as possible, but if you are anything like us, you only asked yourself one question: What movies should I watch to get psyched for a new school year? You know we’ve always got your back here at Fangirly, we came up with a list of our top 5 high school movies

Continue reading →

In with the Old: Empire Records

Posted in In with the Old, Movies, Nostalgia by

Empire Records has ruined all of my summer part-time job experiences. You think I’m kidding? Imagine my horror, when I showed up for my first day of work at Don Pedro’s Family Mexican Restaurant, to find that my boss was NOT a curmudgeonly but lovable ex-drummer, no one had ever shaved their head in the bathroom sink, and I had no veto rights in regards to music choices. My co-workers actually did turn out to be a rag-tag group of misfits, but not in a cool way. It’s ok, though. The fact that my summer joe-jobs never play out like a cult comedy only furthers my appreciation for this awesome, awesome movie.

It’s hard to pin down what exactly makes this film so friggin’ spectacular. It might be snappy dialogue, the awesome cast, or maybe the killer soundtrack, packed with all the 90’s alt-rock a lady could wish for. Or, more likely, it’s because this movie is so weirdly polarizing; either you love it or you hate it, and simply by loving it I get to be part of an exclusive club. (If that sounds snobbish, remember that this is a club that worships a movie about a bunch of losers working in a record store). And someday, I may have to move past this juvenile obsession I have with Empire Records. I may have to learn to appreciate Wes Anderson movies and try really hard to get into The Killing. But for now, I’m gonna stick with what I know.
Damn the man, save the Empire!

-Whitney

Welcome to Fangirly!

Posted in Agree to Disagree, Anglophiles Anonymous, Choice Picks, Crush of the Week, Fangirly Exposed!, Fanmanly, In with the Old, MBK, Movies, Music, Nostalgia, Sweet Streams, TV by

The day has finally come, the moment that only we have been waiting for, the launch of our new website, fangirly.com! We really have been excited to start and judging from some of the stuff that we have planned the fun is just beginning.

Like our tagline suggests, we consider ourselves to be fairly intelligent, discerning human beings, but you stick us in front of TV screen, movie screen, iPod/Pad screen, really any screen, and something strange happens. We lose all sense of how rational people behave. We squeal, laugh hysterically, sob, and do this weird thing that only select members of our family do, rub our hands together out of excitement.

We wanted to give you a little taste of the fun that is to come, so here are some of the features we will be doing here at Fangirly:

Sweet Streams: Do you ever sit down in front of your Netflix account and wonder what you should watch next? “Sweet Streams” will be our recommendations for what you should be streaming to your myriad of devices.

Grade A, Choice Picks: We’re going to give you our top picks for a variety of categories. Curious as to our top food fight scenes?  Top movies based on SNL skits? Top TV bromances? We are going to rank whatever our little hearts desire, because it gives us a false sense of superiority.  Join us, won’t you?

Fangirly Exposed!: Look we all have things that we are embarrassed to like, guilty pleasures, if you will. We are going to do the smart thing and announce ours on the internet!

Fanmanly: While we here at Fangirly enjoy our fair share of romance and polka dots and… other girly stuff, we still like to get down and dirty with the boys. (Insert innuendo of choice here). “Fanmanly” is our look at shows, movies, etc. that leave us feeling just a little more hardcore.

Anglohphiles Anonymous: Whether it be the accents, the dry wit, or the general regal air, we love the Brits and their entertainment (at least everything that makes it across the pond).  Check out picks for the finest that the UK has to offer.

Agree to Disagree: Let it be said that we agree on a lot, but there are also some things on which we will never see eye to eye.  Enjoy as Ellen wins every argument (No, Ellen didn’t write this).

In with the Old: Remember the day when movies and TV shows weren’t all spinoffs, sequels, remakes, and re-imaginings? Us, too! With this feature we hope to remind the future generations that we  were once able to come up with novel concepts.  Because we believe the children are our future.

Marry, Boff, Kill:  We once spent an entire camping trip playing this game, arguing over our choices, and disowning each other for killing certain people.  Now we are bringing the game to you guys so you can relish in watching us argue over (never going to happen) hypothetical situations.

Fangirly Crush of the Week: Pretty self-explanatory, but our spotlight on who is rocking our world.  At least for that week.

We have a lot planned and we are really excited to start.  Hopefully you will find the time to stop by and see what we are up to!  – by Ellen and Whitney