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Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
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TODAY
Thursday, April 18
Fuel
miss ellen / March 8, 2005 10:22 AM
well, then, i see a theme:
girls just want to have fun!
early SJP & helen hunt; chicago setting; catholic school girls!?
we tracked down an old VHS copy at blockbuster last year & it lived up to the memories ;)
Kelly / March 8, 2005 10:25 AM
Urban Cowboy. Nothin' like a good 'ol wife beatin' , bull ridin', trailer livin', romance to make your heart melt.
katie / March 8, 2005 10:26 AM
I love Joe Dirt. and Saving Silverman. it's truly pathetic.
MC High Life / March 8, 2005 10:30 AM
XXX. I could watch that movie all day long.
Michael / March 8, 2005 10:35 AM
Keeping with the Patrick Swayze theme--Roadhouse...definitely Roadhouse. Joe Dirt is a good call too.
Andrew / March 8, 2005 10:45 AM
The Warriors and Meatballs. Never get tired of'em.
(By the way, I totally stole this question from this Ask.MetaFilter thread.)
monkey / March 8, 2005 11:02 AM
My mom took me to see The 3 Amigos when I was a kid. We were the only ones in the theatre laughing our a$$es off. Also, The Last Dragon was dope!
"Am I the meanest
Am I the prettiest
Am I the baddest, mo-fo, low-down, around this town?"
Sho'nuff!
Naz / March 8, 2005 11:03 AM
Holy crap - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. My sister used to watch that all the time when we were kids. It also featured a very very young Shannon Doherty.
I have to admit - I tend to watch really cheesy horror style films. I mean, I went to see Freddy vs. Jason and Alien vs. Predator!
And, keeping with the Patrick Swayze theme, one of my favourite movies ever, with Keanu Reeves, Lori Petty and Gary Busey is the surfers-cum-robbers action flick, Point Break.
"Bodhi, you're going down."
Tim / March 8, 2005 11:19 AM
Joe Versus The Volcano
Thurston / March 8, 2005 11:20 AM
There are several terrible movies that I love:
1) Lambada: The Forbidden Dance
2) Armed & Dangerous
3) The 'Burbs
4) Dirty Work
5) Pootie Tang
Mike / March 8, 2005 11:27 AM
David Bowie as Catherine Deneuve's vampire lover who cannot die but can grow weak and frail and must be put in the attic with previous vampire lovers in a coffin. All the while, a young Susan Sarandon becomes enchanted with Deneuve and soon becomes the new vampire lover.
It's all really low on dialogue, opting instead for a cheesy/surreal 80's feeling, with lots of white background sets and hot Sarandon-on-Deneuve-vampire action!
jen / March 8, 2005 11:32 AM
i can't believe i'm owning up to this, but "xanadu" with olivia newton john and gene kelly. gotta love the soundtrack done by ELO.
salty / March 8, 2005 11:36 AM
Desperately Seeking Susan
- My all time fave. And I don't even like Madonna. It fuels my obsession with NYC in the '80s. I love the lighting of the night scenes, and the music of the Magic Club band. And the cool diner where Roseanna Arquette and Aidan Quinn (try to) have b-fast, with Marshall Crenshaw playing over the radio.
Pump Up the Volume
- This really is a crappy film, and a little "younger" that I like movies to be, but the music in it is what I was listening to back then. (Was Not Was!) And, c'mon, pirate radio! How can you not like it? ;-)
Cinnamon / March 8, 2005 11:40 AM
So I Married An Axe Murderer
Saw it almost everyday for an entire quarter while in college and still laughed at all the same jokes.
Michael / March 8, 2005 11:42 AM
Oh...how could I forget The Three Amigos? Love that film! And Andrew...I almost considered adding The Warriors, but then I figured most people (guys anyway) really liked it.
Nicole / March 8, 2005 12:14 PM
She was a thief
You've got to belief
She stole my heart and my cat.
Ditto on the So I Married an Axe Murderer.
Phineas / March 8, 2005 12:24 PM
Remember 'Hudson Hawk"?
Remember how everyone hated 'Hudson Hawk'?
Those people are fools.
Nuxrs / March 8, 2005 12:25 PM
Fire Down Below: Steven Segal, Kris Kristofferson as an environmental terrorist, and the woman from CSI as his Appalachian sweetiepie....
Keidra / March 8, 2005 12:25 PM
The Transporter. I think it's bad action movie making on a near-genius level. Everyone else I know thinks it's just bad.
Joseph J. Finn / March 8, 2005 12:26 PM
Next of Kin, a strangely good movie, even if it does have Patrick Swayze doing a horrible Appalachian accent. But the cast is nice and weird: Helen Hunt, Ben Stiller, Andreas Katsulas, Bill Paxton, Adam Baldwin and Liam Neeson, along with a host of character actors. Great use of Chciago locations, too.
Joseph J. Finn / March 8, 2005 12:26 PM
Sheesh - I can't believe I misspelled Chicago.
Maggie / March 8, 2005 12:30 PM
Vision Quest - starring Matthew Modine and Linda Fiorentino, and Center Stage, starring, um, some people from the American Ballet COmpany who couldn't act.
Brenda / March 8, 2005 12:35 PM
Earth Girls are Easy. Don't ask me why, because I just don't know.
Marbles / March 8, 2005 12:58 PM
I've made many a good friend sit through screenings, at home and in the theater, of Bob Altman's Popeye. They usually take it in good humor, that is until I start singing along...
Whaaat, who doesn't like Pootie Tang?
Grant Gryska / March 8, 2005 1:01 PM
Death Race 2000...with flying colors
Grant Gryska / March 8, 2005 1:02 PM
oh yeah, and D.A.R.Y.L.
tony / March 8, 2005 1:43 PM
I'll add my vote to "Three Amigos," "The Last Dragon," and "So I Married an Axe Murderer," and toss in "Adventures in Babysitting." THOR!
daruma / March 8, 2005 1:48 PM
I'll leave my girlfriend's answer for her: "Better Off Dead."
"I want my two dollars!"
mark / March 8, 2005 1:59 PM
on deadly ground, steven segal,michael caine
spirit lifting little tale of a bad ass eco-warrior fighting the mean ol' polluting coporate megalomaniac
saw it in prague with an inordinate number of czech youth in fatigues who pelted me with boos and nuts when my laughter couldnt be contained at that steaming pile of monkey stuff
mark
Emerson Dameron / March 8, 2005 2:09 PM
In spite of the rancid acting, unbelievably shitty production values and vacant ideology, I'd take Rudy Ray Moore's films over Martin Scorcese's seven days a week. Actually, it might be *because* of the rancid acting, unbelievably shitty production... I'm always most inspired by thrilling, hilarious art I could've made myself, wacked out on horse tranqs.
Jason / March 8, 2005 2:29 PM
Houseguest starring the very underrated Sinbad and Phil Hartman. Does everyone think it's horrible? I have no idea. I only know one other person who has seen it.
It's hilarious.
daruma / March 8, 2005 2:42 PM
More dancing movies:
Breakin'
BeatStreet
Breakin' 2 Electric Bugaloo
Fil / March 8, 2005 2:47 PM
Uncle Buck & White Chicks! Those films make me wee wee my panties!
Rose / March 8, 2005 3:07 PM
license to drive was one
dead poets society was two and
pump the volume was 3
" stay hard harry "
Alex / March 8, 2005 3:08 PM
Just One of the Guys
Shining Through
Swept Away
3Some
and that Christina Applegate classic, "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter is Dead"
Eamon / March 8, 2005 3:17 PM
(37signals generated a similar discussion awhile back. This was my response, and I'm sticking to it.)
...Raul Julia, Ming-Na Wen, Simon Callow, and Roshan Seth, plus Andrew Bryniarski, Grand Bush, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Kylie freaking Minogue.
What cinematic triumph was this? 1994's second greatest knockout smash-- after George Foreman's triumph as oldest heavyweight champion ever-- Street Fighter: The Movie. Truly inspired casting, plus the greatest hero-villain exchange ever in the history of celluloid:
Chun Li : My father saved his village at the cost of his own life. You had him shot as you ran away. A hero at a thousand paces!
Bison : I'm sorry... I don't remember any of it.
Chun Li : You don't remember?
Bison : For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day of your life. But for me... it was Tuesday.
amyc / March 8, 2005 3:17 PM
I can quote every line of dialogue from "Sixteen Candles." That movie is insipid and racist and appalls my moral sensibilities. But Molly Ringwald's pillowy lips and the kick-ass 80s new wave soundtrack make everything OK.
"Dong! Dong! Where is Grandpa's automobile?"
"Automobile??? Lake! Big lake!"
waleeta / March 8, 2005 3:18 PM
I second, third, and fourth Phineas.
Hudson Hawk is underestimated comic genius.
anne / March 8, 2005 3:25 PM
(I second so many of these movies, it's really not good)
And, as well on the David Bowie front: Labyrinth.
Singing, muppets, and Goblin King David Bowie in tights (while singing to muppets).
bensch / March 8, 2005 3:44 PM
The Pope of Greenwich Village starring Mickey Rourke and Eric Roberts.
Includes such classic lines as: "Whaddya need that fancy suit for Charlie? You ain't got no job to wear it to", and my favorite, "Charlie!!! They took my thumb!!!"
Tim / March 8, 2005 3:45 PM
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
dan / March 8, 2005 3:47 PM
"Top Secret"
Bombed at the box office, and critically panned at the time.
It's the best thing Val Kilmer's ever done (it edges out "Real Genius", I think).
Mike / March 8, 2005 3:48 PM
The Hunger, Labyrinth...etc.
Can we just get it out in the open and say that any David Bowie vehicle was terrible, but for some reason they're all kind of interesting.
That goes double-time for The Man Who Fell to Earth. Terrible movie. Can't not watch.
Overwrought Mind / March 8, 2005 3:49 PM
-Two Weeks Notice
-Win a Date with Tad Hamilton
-Coneheads
Among many others I can't think of at the moment...
erica / March 8, 2005 3:51 PM
Clue
Edward Scissorhands
Ed Wood
Girl, Interrupted
Rocky Horror Picture Show (some people I know HATE this movie and of course some people love it -- it's really a bipolar movie in a lot of ways)
The Big Lebowski
Rock and Roll High School (w/the Ramones -- it's just so cheesy)
I get sucked into Bridges of Madison County -- that's totally sad, I know -- and Fried Green Tomatoes -- and Crybaby.
Crybaby is a terrible movie, I admit, but something about the rockabilly rebels draws me in every time it's on -- even on my honeymoon in Maui I watched it for a few minutes. I love that Ed from Northern Exposure plays a badass greaser. I love Traci Lords' character, too. I guess I watch it for the costumes and subculture references.
I loved (and own) French Kiss with Meg "ducklips" Ryan and Kevin Cline, too.
craftymonkey / March 8, 2005 3:51 PM
Ooh, Labyrinth made me think of another fantasy flick:
circa 1985 with demons and unicorns and magic and Tom Cruise.
Minnie / March 8, 2005 3:52 PM
*Midnight Madness!
*Girls Just Want to Have Fun
*The 5th Element
*Citizen Kane (just kidding)
Tim / March 8, 2005 3:55 PM
"I speak Spanish to God, French to women, English to men, and Japanese to my horse."
-- Buckaroo Banzai
Tim / March 8, 2005 4:14 PM
"My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement."
--Joe Versus the Volcano
dan / March 8, 2005 4:23 PM
"Nick, I've tried everything: the embassy, the German government, the consulate. I even talked to the U.N. ambassador. It's no use, I just can't bring my wife to orgasm."
--Top Secret!
heather / March 8, 2005 4:27 PM
oh my god. Top Secret. seriously. such a fun movie.
and: Sixteen Candles
also: The Breakfast Club
yes, I grew up in the 80's. so?
Jeremy Berghorst / March 8, 2005 4:28 PM
B.A.P.S.!!! ohmigod the grief i've gotten for loving that movie :) Plus the Masters of the Universe movie from the '80s and Whos That Girl.
Oh, and Mr. Boogidy!
Anthony / March 8, 2005 4:46 PM
I, Robot
The Day After Tomorrow
Alice / March 8, 2005 5:20 PM
Mitch: Did you know there's a guy living in our closet?
Chris: You've seen him too?
Mitch: Who is he?
Chris: Hollyfeld.
Mitch: Why does he keep going into our closet?
Chris: Why do you keep going into our closet?
Mitch: To get my clothes, but that's not why he goes in there.
Chris: Of course not, he's twice your size. Your clothes would never fit him.
--Real Genius
Real Genius is one of my favorite movies of all time. Totally have it memorized.
Kris / March 8, 2005 5:46 PM
I could second a lot of these movies, particularly So I Married an Axe Murderer, which is one of the all-time most quotable movies ever. I'm on the Weekly World News Garth Brooks Juice Diet.
Also, I've mentioned here before (because it was filmed in Chicago) my unhealthy love for the utterly indefensible Dolly Parton vehicle Straight Talk. It's so wrong, and I don't want to be right.
And—somehow this is even more embarrassing—do you remember Someone Like You? Formulaic romantic comedy, Ashley Judd, Hugh Jackman, utter trash? But I will watch that thing every time it comes on HBO, which for a while there was several times a week, and enjoy it all the same.
christian / March 8, 2005 6:09 PM
Just a few.
-Pump Up the Volume: "An idea is like a dirty thought in a nice clean mind. A dirty thought is like a virus, it can kill all the good thoughts."
-So I Married An Axe Murderer
-Kuffs: "I got women to do, places to see!"
"Why are we doing so much running? Aren't we all going to be in cars?"
-Better Off Dead and One Crazy Summer
-Top Secret: "There is sauerkraut in my lederhosen."
"Skeetin' U.S.A."
-Space balls "What's the matter Colonel Sandurz? Chicken?"
Leelah / March 8, 2005 6:24 PM
I have the worst taste in movies ever.
Do people think John Hughes' movies are bad?! I even like the really bad one where Eric Stoltz is the "artist". And "Better off Dead" is awesome, too. What about "Valley Girl"? Is that one bad?
The best bad movie is Norm MacDonald's "Dirty Work". Ridiculous.
jgs / March 8, 2005 6:24 PM
The Emperor's New Groove:
Totally offputting in concept, a disney cartoon with david spade as a wisecracking llama. eartha kitt voicing the villianess
totally awesome in execution as a warner brothers romp.
leelah / March 8, 2005 6:25 PM
I have the worst taste in movies ever.
Do people think John Hughes' movies are bad?! I even like the really bad one where Eric Stoltz is the "artist". And "Better off Dead" is awesome, too. What about "Valley Girl"? Is that one bad?
The best bad movie is Norm MacDonald's "Dirty Work". Ridiculous.
Leelah / March 8, 2005 6:26 PM
Damn it, I posted twice!
Michael / March 8, 2005 7:55 PM
I have to agree that John Hughes' movies are not bad, but rather they are classics, and so is Dead Poets Society.
Now Leprechaun...there's a movie so bad that it's good!
steven / March 8, 2005 8:18 PM
Mine would have to be Titanic. Saw it in the theater 5 times. I'll never get those 20 hours back, but you know what? I don't care.
"Jack??? Rose!! Jack?!??! Rose!!!!! Jack!! Oh, Jack!!!"
Leelah / March 8, 2005 8:57 PM
How could I forget Evil Dead 3?
Esther / March 8, 2005 9:32 PM
Meet Joe Black
Brandy / March 8, 2005 10:21 PM
Phanton of the Paradise.
eep / March 8, 2005 10:23 PM
Dude. This list could go on forever for me. But I'll just pick one. Starship Troopers, baby.
"Shoot a nuke down a bug hole, you got a lot of dead bugs."
Awesome.
Dawson / March 8, 2005 10:28 PM
Return To Oz
daruma / March 8, 2005 10:53 PM
Tapeheads
Wayne's World
And that movie with Eric Stoltz as an artist? "Some Kind of Wonderful," which does NOT belong on this list, as it's the BEST movie ever.
Mike-TS / March 8, 2005 11:32 PM
Fast & the Furious
- yeah, every five minutes you want to yell "b.s., no way that can happen", but watch it for what it is like I do, pure adrenalin escapism, quit trying to understand it or compare the action scenes and scenarios to reality, and it's joy in buckets.
Some Kind of Wonderful? No movie that gives you a chance to look at the ultimate 80's cutie-pie Leah Thompson can be all bad.
And is it so really wrong for a guy to have watched Edward Scissorhands and come out of the movie liking it?
josh / March 9, 2005 12:24 AM
big ups on death race 2000.
also, every john carpenter movie.
www.stallonezone.com/062100deathrace.htm
ian / March 9, 2005 12:37 AM
*Night at the Roxybury (everyone may be sick of them but me)
*Willow (brownies are not that annoying)
*Booty Call (Vivica A. Fox)
*And pretty much everything starring Rob Schneider
Shasta MacNasty / March 9, 2005 8:32 AM
The Warriors
Dolamite
Coffee
And pretty much every other black exploitation movie.
Beat Street
Breakin' (GAWD! It's awful but still fun)
Marked for Death--and anything else with Steven Segal
Michael / March 9, 2005 9:04 AM
They Live
Roddy Piper: I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubblegum!
Angela / March 9, 2005 9:40 AM
You know that all these movies are going to start going on rotation at 1056 now, right after they stop playing "Be Somebody" by Mr. T, right?
My guiltiest movie obsession right now is The Notebook. I read the book, waited 6 months, then watched the movie. It's made me a sap for the past week.
Wendy / March 9, 2005 9:44 AM
While I knew to stay the hell away from the book, I'm a total sucker for the movie version of The Bridges of Madison County.
I'm not sure if I want to know how I can watch the scenes where Meryl Streep is all panting after Clint Eastwood, and sometimes they give each other these horny looks that sort of frighten me, but by the end of the movie I am weeping snotty tears. Go figure.
joe / March 9, 2005 9:54 AM
Pootie Tang
I will never understand why everyone walked out of the theater, i mean its chris rock, bob costas and even david cross. its a classic.
mark / March 9, 2005 10:09 AM
that there cabin fever was so bad that i was enthralled, especially that karate autistic kid, somebody wrote that...wow
galaxina....nuff said
Mo / March 9, 2005 10:31 AM
Big Trouble in Little China
You know what Jack Burton always says at a time like this...
Kurt Russell plus John Carpenter =genius!
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baby / March 8, 2005 10:19 AM
easy. dirty dancing!! really, though, any cheeseball sort of movie about dancing.