The mysterious Mr. Hughes

The legacy of the godfather of the 80s -- John Hughes -- is examined closely in an article this week in the Los Angeles Times.

Hughes is back in the news because the new Owen Wilson flick "Drillbit Taylor" is based on a story that Hughes wrote back in the '80s. And even though Hughes' name reportedly doesn't appear in the credits, it was enough of a "return" to draw the industry's attention.

Click here to read the LA Times article in full. Here are some of the highlights:

• Hughes left Hollywood in 1995. He's living in seclusion with his family in either Chicago or Wisconsin, depending on who you believe.
• He grants no interviews and has no agent. Even fellow directors and writers who try to look him up while in Chicago discover he can't be found. The only actor who's met with him in recent years: Vince Vaughn during the filming of his movie "The Break Up."
• There's no consensus on why Hughes quit the movie business. The Times says, "It's possible that the filmmaker, who gave studio executives headaches when he was riding high, simply grew tired of the messy business of making movies and chose to pursue a simpler life."

With teen movies once again abusing the pre-Hughes formula of breast shots and fart jokes, wouldn't this seem like a good time for his return?

Modern-day 'Breakfast Club' gets thumbs-up

A script for a new movie called "Bumped" is being billed as "The Breakfast Club" of today's generation.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the story revolves around five "twenty-somethings" -- from different cliques, of course -- who find themselves thrown together when they're bumped from an airline flight out of Chicago.

(Nice touch keeping the Chi-town angle in there. Somewhere, John Hughes is smiling -- and scratching off Lotto tickets.)

Just like our beloved "Breakfast Club," the strangers eventually find common ground and befriend each other during the long layover. The diverse characters including a musician, a flirt and a corporate go-getter.

No actors have signed onto the project yet, but Bridget Johnson and Anna Mastro are on board to produce and direct, according to the Reporter.

FIVE FORGOTTEN LINES FROM THE BREAKFAST CLUB:

5. "Were you truly disgusted with what I did with my lipstick?"

4. "Screws fall out all the time, the world is an imperfect place."

3. "Do you think I'd speak for you? I don't even know your language."

2. "I don't screw to get respect. That's the difference between you and me."

1. "We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all."

Live Chat: 'Here's to successful fertilization'

Are you ready to laugh, cry and swear off the opposite sex? You better be, because our latest podcast is now ready for an unofficial debut.

The subject: the great 1988 John Hughes semi-autobiographical flick "She's Having A Baby."

Click here to download it. It's not on iTunes yet, so you'll have to use the this link.

Among the topics that are discussed:

• Is this John Hughes' best flick of the 80s? Or possibly just his most under-rated one?
• OK, so maybe it's not his best flick. But is this the best soundtrack?
• Which co-star steals all the best lines -- Alec Baldwin, John Ashton, maybe even the great Dennis Dugan as Kevin Bacon's  disgruntled mentor at the ad firm?

As always, I'm here and free to chat as you listen to the show. Gotta love Saturday chats. Hit me with whatever topic you like. Meanwhile, the obligatory list.

TOP 5 MEMORABLE LINES FROM SHE'S HAVING A BABY:

5. "College is like high school with ashtrays."

4. "He's plenty old and people don't mature anymore. They stay jackasses all their lives."

3. "You're quite the barbecue chef, Jake."

2. "How do you feel about alcoholics?" ...  "Um, I like alcoholics?"

1. "You BURNED the dog!"

'Do I have to talk dirty to you?'

Stuck in the 80s co-host Sean Daly is a proud, new father today -- which makes me feel a little like Uncle Buck.

Truth be told, I hated "Uncle Buck" when I saw it in the theaters back in 1989. I was a graduating senior in college, and I'd just been turned down for a job for quite possibly the 50th time in two weeks. So the idea of the always-happy ending of a John Hughes movie wasn't what I needed. (Though certainly I could empathize with the jobless John Candy.)

Of course, nowadays I recognize it as perhaps the last great flick from the master filmmaker himself. And actually, I look forward to the day I can babysit Daly's older daughter, smoke cigars in his house and threaten the lives of her boyfriends. Ah, good times.

So take time out to read the official announcement of Sean's still-unnamed offspring, and enjoy today's top 5 list.

TOP FIVE MEMORABLE LINES FROM UNCLE BUCK:

5. "Ever hear of a ritual killing? Ah, heh heh heh heh heh."

4. "Marcie Dahlgren-Frost. Dahlgren is my maiden name, Frost is my married name. I'm single again, but I never bothered to remove the Frost. And I get compliments on the hyphen."

3. "How would you like to spend the next several nights wondering if your crazy, out-of-work, bum uncle will shave your head while you sleep?"

2. "Hey, Mom. Next time you take off in the middle of the night, why don't you hire a murderer to watch the house?"

1. "Do I have to talk dirty to you? Come on! Open up for daddy! I'm gonna shove a load into you! Here we go! Come on, it's nice and easy. Aaah! Come on, here we go! Ah! Take that! Take that!"

A very merry 80s Christmas poem

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the web
Not a 80s star was stirring -- their careers nearly dead.
The police reports were searched and looked at with care,
In hopes that Boy George or George Michael would be there.

The punk-rockers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While bruises from slam-dancing showed on their heads.
And mamma with her Stoli, and I with Bacardi,
Had just punished our livers with a long winter's party.

When on one of the blogs there arose such a clatter,
I awoke from my stupor to see what was the matter.
Away to the computer I flew like a flash,
Nearly stepping on last night's cigar and a bowl full of ash.

Past the photos of breasts, of celebrities with blow.
Taken by the paparazzi who stoop so very low.
When, what to my bloodshot eyes should appear,
But rumors of a reunion, after so many years.

A bespectacled director, so full of the muse,
I knew in a moment it must be John Hughes.
More rapid than eagles his co-stars they came,
And he whistled, and berated, and called them by name!

"Now Molly! now, Rob Lowe! now, Judd and Ally!
On, Demi! On, Emilio! On Andrew McCarthy!
Quit your TV shows! Stop the Broadway!
It's back to Hollywood right away!"

And then, like an echo, I heard from afar
The infamous movie lines from those 80s stars.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Mr. Hughes came with a bound.

He was dressed in a trenchcoat, from his head to his foot,
His Chicago Cubs t-shirt tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of scripts he had flung on his back,
And he looked like an agent or celebrity hack.

His eyes -- how they glared! Face pale as a bone.
He must have read my old blog item on "Home Alone!"
His droll little mouth -- lips straight as a ruler,
Oh god, he knows of that sequel to "Ferris Bueller!"

A typewriter and blank pages he held tight in his hands,
An iPod blared only music from old New Wave bands.
He had a long face and no trace of a gut,
He's no Santa afterall, he's just in a rut!

He was surly and short, a right cranky old elf,
But I asked for an autograph, in spite of myself!
A rolling of his eyes and a dip of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had plenty to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Finishing a script, then calling me a jerk.
And laying his middle finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his limo, told his driver 'Find a pub!'
And away they all drove like the end of Breakfast Club.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas 80s fans, and to all a good-night!"

Going sweet on Sixteen Candles

Rarely do you find a weekly magazine that panders to the 80s nation, but this week a small door in the space-time continuum opened. Entertainment Weekly has a dead-on fun piece comparing 80s classics "Pretty in Pink" with "Sixteen Candles." (Click here to read it.)

Writer Dalton Ross makes the argument -- and a damn fine one -- that "Sixteen Candles" is the superior teen flick.  And he doesn't just fling around a couple cute movie quotes and shut the door. Ross breaks down every angle in true Stuck in the 80s fashion. For example:

Farmer Ted (Anthony Michael Hall) vs. Duckie (Jon Cryer): Duckie is a sympathetic character, he writes, but "[Hall] is responsible for no less than a hundred classic moments," from charging to see panties, hijacking the prom queen to his mastery of making a martini.

Jake Ryan vs. Blane: Andrew McCarthy's Blane "has no backbone, dresses lame, and has an even lamer haircut." Meanwhile Jake Ryan (played by the sadly retired Michael Schoeffling) is everything a girl should want. "Even I have a bit of a man crush on the dude," Ross gushes.

Thompson Twins vs. OMD: Here, I think Ross goes too far, proclaiming "If You Were Here" by the Twins as the superior movie-ending music. Bah! "If You Leave" is one of the true classic tunes of the 80s movie soundtracks (easily tied for first with "Don't You Forget About Me" from Breakfast Club.)

But Ross's heart is in the right place. Now, if he'll just go on the record proclaiming "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" as the ultimate John Hughes movie, we're all set.

Movie madness Which was the better movie? Pretty in Pink (Come on, Duckie and OMD rule!) Sixteen Candles (Farmer Ted and Long Duk Dong make the difference ... "Oh, sexy girlfriend!")

'Oohh, sexy girlfriend!'

Why is it we find all the cool toys years after we could have really used them? First, it was the AC/DC action figures. Now, it's the Sixteen Candles talking key-chain. Dare I say classic?

I'm not the only one who thinks it's cool. This very item is selling on eBay right now. The latest bid: $26! (For an item that began in the auction for $5.)

According to the seller, the key-chain has a handful of phrases from "Farmer Ted" (Anthony Michael Hall) and one from "Long Duk Dong" (Gedde Watanabe):

• "Take those ridiculous things off!"
• "This information cannot leave this room. OK? It would devastate my reputation as a dude."
• "I've never bagged a babe. I'm not a stud."
• "Chill."
• "Can I borrow your underpants for 10 minutes?"
• "Oohh, sexy girlfriend"

If a key-chain isn't your style, how about a Sixteen Candles talking pen? It has the same phrases, but it's a little cheaper. (Right now, it sells for about $7.)

Some more John Hughes souvenirs on eBay:

• "I'm in the math club" t-shirt from The Breakfast Club.
• "Leisure Rules" poster from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. (Click for podcast)
• Mary Stuart Masterson photo from Some Kind of Wonderful. (Click for podcast)

Hey, Hollywood ... Try these next!

It's nearly the middle of summer -- Fourth of July weekend is upon us -- and so our minds turn to the multiplexes across America, wondering: Where are the sequels that we REALLY want to see?

Bruce Willis has his latest version of Die Hard out, and Times film critic Steve Persall says it's a throwback classic in his review. But isn't that really a Christmas season movie? What we need are some good ole fashioned sequels to '80s classics. I'm one step ahead of you.

TOP 10 MOVIES FROM THE '80s THAT NEED A SEQUEL:

10. Fast Times at Ridgemont High: I know 1984's "The Wild Life" was sequel of sorts, but don't you want to know what became of Jeff Spicoli after 25 years? I'm guessing he's the shop teacher and runs the David Lee Roth page on MySpace. "People on 'ludes should not drive."

9. Beverly Hills Cop: It's had two sorry sequels. But the original is the single source of power for the once-proud Eddie Murphy. And after "Norbit" and "Pluto Nash," I think it's time for Eddie to return to his roots. "Is this the gentleman who ruined the buffet at the Harrow club this morning?"

8. Caddyshack: Please, somebody do something to remove the taste in our mouths after "Caddyshack 2." Bring back Kenny Loggins for the title song. And let's find out what happened to "Danny" (Michael O'Keefe). But please keep Bill Murray's brother (Brian Doyle-Murray) running the caddyshack. "Pick up that blood!"

7. Valley Girl: A Nic Cage film that doesn't involve explosions? Yeah, think waaay back to the 80s. My guess is that even Deborah Foreman ("Julie") would come out of hiding to reprise her greatest role."Yeah, but Tommy can be such a dork, ya know? Like he's got the bod, but his brains are bad news."

6. The Breakfast Club: Answer the question once and for all -- what happens to the kids when they return to school on Monday? I'm hoping that writing a sequel is the real reason that director John Hughes has been laying low for so long. "We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all."

5. Sixteen Candles: From all reports, a sequel to this classic almost did happen. But to truly find out what happened to Samantha (Molly Ringwald) and her dreamy boyfriend, you'll have to rescue Michael Schoeffling ("Jake") from his job making furniture in Pennsylvania. (Sadly, I'm not joking.) "Would you stop feeling sorry for yourself? It's bad for your complexion."

4. Victory: The ultimate soccer/war/escape movie of the '80s. The only one in fact. I figure Sylvester Stallone can return -- Rambo style -- to free to rest of his fellow POW's (and maybe organize a camp softball team to play against the Soviet national team for when the war is over). "This frigging game is ruining my life."

3. War Games: I figure "David Lightman" (Matthew Broderick) could be running a huge software company these days, fighting the Justice Department over its business practices, hanging about rock stars and being named Time Magazine's man of the year. Nah, too unrealistic. " Is it a game... or is it real?"

2. Better Off Dead: One of the most underrated movies of the 80s can become the most overhyped sequel of our times, thanks to the star power of John Cusack. But unless they bring back Diane Franklin ("Monique"), Dan Schneider ("Ricky") and Curtis Armstrong ("Charles"), we're all better off dead. "Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn."

1. Blade Runner: I was screaming for a sequel before the credits even rolled on the original flick. Do Deckard and Rachael live happily ever after? Plus, Rutger Hauer and Sean Young could use the work. "I need ya, Deck. This is a bad one, the worst yet. I need the old blade runner, I need your magic."

Hey, special thanks to IMDB.com for linking to this post. Here are some other similar lists:

• Best kissing scenes from 80s movies
• Best patriotic movies of the 80s
• Top 20 guys movies
• Top 10 mob movies from the 80s

Casual Sex with Lea Thompson!

Lea Thompson is 47 years old today! That means time is running out for me and her to ditch our spouses and flee to the Florida Keys where we'll spend the rest of lives swinging in hammocks, drinking Red Stripe beer and watching her old movies on DVD.

That's a fairly tall order, since she's married to Some Kind of Wonderful director Howard Deutch, and I'm married to Jennifer Jason Leigh. But Jennifer and Howie will understand. I mean, true love cannot be denied, right?

TOP 5 LEA THOMPSON MOVIES FROM THE '80s:
5. Space Camp (1986): "In space, anything is possible."
4. Casual Sex? (1988): "It was the early eighties, and sex was still a good way to meet new people."
3. Red Dawn (1984): "I'll never love anybody again!"
2. Back to the Future (1985): "That is your name, isn't it? Calvin Klein? It's written all over your underwear."
1. Some Kind of Wonderful (1987): "I'd rather be with someone for the wrong reasons then alone for the right."

(Now, I know a lot of people are going to scream and say, 'Where's 'All The Right Moves?' And you're right, great flick! But I can't stand to watch her and Tom Cruise naked together, especially after that falling out Tom and I had over Nicole. So I'm sticking with Space Camp for the No. 5 spot.)

'Game over, man! Game over!'

Bill Paxton turns 52 on Thursday. Are you kidding me? Paxton looks like he's been about 42 years old since about the third grade.

While he may be best remembered for roles in Twister (1996), True Lies (1995) and Apollo 13 (1994), don't forget that he had some truly classic performances in the '80s. In fact, I dare say some of his most quotable lines are all-80s.

I'll also go on the record and say his role as "Chet Donnelly" in Weird Science is perhaps the best supporting acting job in any John Hughes flick. (Yeah, better than "Duckie Dale" in Pretty in Pink.)

TOP 5 BILL PAXTON LINES FROM THE '80s:

• Streets of Fire (1984): "Let's see the color of your money."
• Near Dark (1987): " Howdy. I'm gonna separate your head from your shoulders. Hope you don't mind none."
• Lords of Discipline (1983): "You're gonna be my little piggy-bank."
• Aliens (1986): "Game over, man! Game over!"
• Weird Science (1984): "You're stewed, buttwad!"

King and queen of the 80s

If there's ever a national holiday for 80s fans, I imagine it'd be today. February 18 is the birthday for Molly Ringwald (39) and John Hughes (57). (Also Matt Dillon and John Travolta for that matter.)

Hughes and Ringwald have always had a mystical relationship to say the least. Molly starred in three of Hughes' films: Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. And if he'd had his way, she'd also have appeared in Some Kind of Wonderful (Lea Thompson got the role instead.)

In 1986, Molly interviewed John for an article in Seventeen Magazine. Reading the interview, you get the feeling that you're listening to two best friends talk. Or even a husband and wife. And while nobody has ever implied that their relationship was anything more than a professional one, fans of their work have to envy that type of special connection.

Will their mutual respect eventually lead to another project together? Molly told the Stuck in the 80s podcast back in December that she'd love to work with John again. But in the meantime, she continues to tour with the Broadway production of Sweet Charity while Hughes wraps up production on Drillbit Taylor, a movie he's credited with co-writing. Fans must continue to wait -- patiently.

Guilty pleasures: Kelly Lynch

She appeared in two of the 80s most derided flicks -- Roadhouse and Cocktail -- before turning her reputation around in Drugstore Cowboy. And she even had a co-starring role in one of John Hughes' last directing efforts, Curly Sue.

And like the films she acted in, Kelly Lynch -- who turns 48 today -- is one of the 80s truest guilty pleasures. The Minneapolis-born, former model was reportedly discovered on an elevator, which might explain her career's ups and downs. She appears in eight movies in the 80s, but probably was first recognized as the bikini-clad, morally ambiguous wife of "Douglas Couglin" (Bryan Brown) in "Cocktail" (1988). Her next appearance -- opposite Matt Dillon in 1989's "Drugstore Cowboy" -- won her a nomination for an American Independent Spirit award.

But her role as Dr. Elizabeth Clay, the love interest of Patrick Swayze, in 1989's campy "Roadhouse" has to be her signature 80s role. The film itself is an icon among B-movies of the era with critics evenly divided as fans or foes. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times  called Roadhouse "the kind of movie that leaves reality so far behind that you have to accept it on its own  terms. Was it intended as a parody? I have no idea, but I laughed more during this movie than during any of the so-called comedies I saw during the same week."

As for Lynch's performance, the Washington Post review at the time summed it up this way: "Though cast as a doctor, Lynch can't work up the brainpower to change expressions -- her features move in glacial time." Ouch.

Want to talk about lack of brainpower? Lynch passed up the leading role in Basic Instinct, leaving Sharon Stone to make an entire career out of crossing and uncrossing her legs.

Lynch is still acting today, with steady work on cable's "The L Word" and two films in the hopper for 2007.

Top 5 favorite Kelly Lynch lines:
5. "Do you always carry your medical record around with you?" (Roadhouse)
4. "Sometimes complications are interesting." (Homegrown)
3. "So I'm supposed to sleep with the same man day in and day out for the rest of my life?" (Cocktail)
2. "Bob's like a rabbit, in and out and no nonsense." (Drugstore Cowboy)
1. "Never send a man to do a woman's job." (Charlie's Angels)

[Sources: IMDB.com, Askmen.com]

The World According to Watts

Remember the 1987 flick Some Kind of Wonderful? Chances are it's just a fading memory, but it shouldn't be! It was one of the best (and was definitely the last) of John Hughes' teenage movies of the 80s. Plus, it has the best John Hughes villain AND best kissing scene of any 80s flick. And it's the subject of this week's Stuck in the 80s podcast. Click here to listen or click here to subscribe to the entire series for free on iTunes.

Highlights of this week's show:

• Marvel at co-host Sean's ability to recall the name of the director of any 80s movie.
• Discover the real reason why co-host Cathy lusts after Eric Stoltz.
• Pity the job that I had cutting and pasting the entire show together after having a brief mental breakdown three minutes into the episode.

So it's a better movie than it is a podcast. That's OK. Even Bono writes a crappy song now and then. But ask any real fan of the movie and they'll confirm this: The real genius of the movie is the wisdom dispensed by the character "Watts" -- played by the lovely Mary Stuart Masterson. And so, we give you...

The World According to Watts:

• "It's better to swallow pride than blood."
• "It must be a drag to be a slave to the male sex drive."
• "Don't go mistaking paradise for a pair of long legs."
• "You break his heart, I break your face."
• "You're losing it. And when it's lost, all you are is a loser."

You want more advice? Then download the show. Otherwise, Watts says she'll shove a drumstick up your nose.

Hitch a ride with these remakes

The remake of The Hitcher is now in theaters. It's a remake of the 1986 movie starring Rutger Hauer, Jennifer Jason Leigh and C. Thomas Howell. And it begs the question: Of all the 80s flicks to remake, why this one?

It's not the best thriller of the 80s. It's not the best movie by Hauer, Howell or Leigh. (Those would be Blade Runner, Soul Man and Fast Times at Ridgemont High). It wasn't a very original plot or story idea. Is Hollywood really that desperate?

If so, here's a half dozen 80s movies to remake:

Friday the 13th (1980): Great story, lousy special effects and cheesy acting. Hey, bring back Kevin Bacon for the movie. But this time, let him star as "Jason." [Click for podcast]

Last American Virgin (1982): This movie was nearly forgotten because it came out the same summer as Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Keep the great soundtrack and find out if Diane Franklin has a daughter who can take over her role. (Did you know this movie is actually a remake of a 1978 Israeli movie called Eskimo Limon?)

Repo Man (1984): This cult classic featuring Emilio Estevez, Harry Dean Stanton and a great punk rock soundtrack is ripe for a remake. (Both Estevez and Stanton -- who still look pretty much the same today -- could use the gig.)

All The Right Moves (1983): Craig T. Nelson developed his role as "Coach" in this high school football movie, which starred Tom Cruise, Chris Penn and Lea Thompson. Sadly, we lost Penn in 2006. And sadly, Cruise lost his sanity in 2006. Move the team from Pennsylvania to Florida and start over.

Class Reunion (1982): The first writing credits for a guy named John Hughes. Only D-list actors in this campy flick about a mental patient who terrorizes his high school's 10-year reunion. Notable line? "Hey, Walter, listen, you're making a big deal out of nothing. You're not unique you know. Everyone in class had sex with your sister." Jeesh, sign Hughes back up, let him take a whack at that dialog again and make his triumphant return to Hollywood's front lines.

Tron (1982): It can be improved ... we have the technology. Can you imagine how much better this movie would be today with computer animation and the infinite story lines associated with the Internet? Hollywood seems oblivious. To them I say: "End of line."

The Great 80s Kiss-Off

OK, so my argument that Some Kind of Wonderful's Hardy Jenns is the Best John Hughes Villain has been universally defeated by the 80s Nation. I'm not going to take defeat lightly.

Today's argument: The kissing scene between Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Keith (Eric Stoltz) in the same movie is the hottest make-out scene of any 80s flick. Right? ("And we're gonna destroy Lincoln tonight ... alllriiiiight?")

You want a list, don't you? OK...

Top 5 Make-Out Scenes in 80s Movies:

5. THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987)
The participants: Wesley (Cary Elwes) and Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn)
The location: Outside Prince Humperdinck's castle
Music: "Happy Ending" (Mark Knopfler)
Why it's not No. 1: Any make-out scene narrated by Peter Falk isn't going to win.

4. RISKY BUSINESS (1983)
The participants: Joel (Tom Cruise) and Lana (Rebecca De Mornay)
The location: Joel's living room (and staircase ... and bedroom...)
Music: "Lana" (Tangerine Dream)
Why it's not No. 1: Joel had to pay for it. Ouch.

3. VALLEY GIRL (1983)
The participants: Randy (Nicolas Cage) and Julie (Deborah Foreman)
The location: Backseat of Fred's car.
Music: "Time To Win" (Gary Myrick & The Figures)
Why it's not No. 1: The atmosphere ... Fred chases Stacey around the car while Randy tries to convince Julie he isn't a stalker. Otherwise, it has "Let's make punk rock babies" written all over it.

2. SAY ANYTHING (1989)
The participants: Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) and Diane (Ione Skye)
The location: In the rain
Music: "In Your Eyes" (Peter Gabriel)
Why it's not No. 1: You can see the whole "You're going to dump me and give me a pen, aren't you?" in Lloyd's face. You need a stopwatch to measure the time from kiss to kiss-off here. Ione, you wench!

1. SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL (1986)
The participants: Watts and Keith
The location: Gas station garage where Keith works
Music: "She Loves Me" (Stephen Duffy)
Why it's No. 1: Spontaneity. Longevity. Music that's -- dare I say? -- classic. Pardon the Journey pun, but lots of lovin', touchin' and feelin'. Throw in the whole "Whoa, I'm suddenly making out with my tomboy best friend who's really a smokin' hot drummer vixen" factor, and dinner is served.

OK, what's your opinion? Am I right or am I right? What other classic 80s scenes do you think belong on the list?

[Thanks to: Filmsite.org, IMDB.com, Somekindofwonderful.org]

Wretched hives of scum and villainy

John Hughes' movies have several trademarks that attract a loyal audience: Great soundtracks, teen characters who act more like adults, actors who feel like the girl or boy next door, and deliciously evil villains that we love to hate.

Who's your favorite villain from a John Hughes movie? There are several from which choose. Leave a comment and we'll share them on our upcoming podcast on "Some Kind of Wonderful," which has my personal pick for best villain. Tune into the podcast to find out why.

STEFF
Movie: Pretty in Pink (1986)
Actor: James Spader
Also a villain in: Less Than Zero, Mannequin, Baby Boom.
Signature line: "The girl was, is and will always be nada."
Biggest crime: Trying to sabotage Blane's relationship with Andie; spitting blood in the school hallway.

HARDY JENNS
Movie: Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Actor: Craig Sheffer
Also a villain in: I can't think of any.
Signature line: "That's Hardy Jenns ... with TWO 'n's"
Biggest crime: Turning everyone against his ex-girlfriend, Amanda Jones; setting up Eric Stoltz to get beat up; breaking into the girls' locker room.

ED ROONEY
Movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Actor: Jeffrey Jones
Also a villain in: Who's Harry Crumb?
Signature line: "So THAT's how it is in their family."
Biggest crime: Breaking into the Bueller household; feeding Ferris' flowers to the family dog.

RICHARD VERNON
Movie: The Breakfast Club (1985)
Actor: Paul Gleason
Also a villain in: Trading Places, Johnny Be Good.
Signature line: "You think he's funny? You think this is cute? You think he's "bitchin," is that it? Let me tell you something. Look at him - he's a bum. You want to see something funny? You go visit John Bender in five years. You'll see how goddamned funny he is."
Biggest crime: Sentencing Bender to endless detentions.

CHET
Movie: Weird Science (1985)
Actor: Bill Paxton 
Also a villain in: Nothing I can think of.
Signature line: "How 'bout a nice greasy pork sandwich served in a dirty ashtray?"
Biggest crime: Blackmailing his little brother for his college money.

RON RICHARDSON
Movie: Mr. Mom (1983)
Actor: Martin Mull
Also a villain in: Take This Job and Shove It
Signature line: "Are you gonna make it all 220?"
Biggest crime: Trying to seduce Michael Keaton's wife.

DAVIS McDONALD
Movie: She's Having a Baby (1988)
Actor: Alec Baldwin
Also a villain in: Married to the Mob, Working Girl, Great Balls of Fire
Signature line: "You're the only one I ever loved."
Biggest crime: Trying to break up Kevin Bacon's marriage.

So who's your favorite villain? Leave a comment with your vote.

[Sources: IMDB.com, John Hughes Files]

Thirsty for more holiday flicks?

Here's a holiday movie that was released too late to make our list of Top 20 Holiday Movies of the 80s: Home Alone. The 1990 movie was written by John Hughes, but directed by Chris Columbus, who went on to direct the first two Harry Potter movies. (His best directing work of the 80s? The much underrated 1987 flick Adventures in Babysitting.)

If you're a fan of Home Alone, then here's some good news: A new special edition DVD has just been released. The "Family Fun" edition includes audio commentaries by Columbus and Macaulay Culkin, several behind-the-scene featurettes and more footage of "Angels With Filthy Souls," the fictional gangster movie that Culkin uses to spook the burglars.

I'm not a huge fan of the Home Alone franchise or Culkin's, so I'll pass on this offering. I thought the original movie, admittedly clever at times, has been tainted by Culkin's off-screen antics and watered down by the inexcusable pair of sequels that followed. Short of the Jaws and Friday the 13th movies, it's hard to imagine a more painful set of follow-up movies. However, a top 5 list seems appropriate.

Top 5 quotes from Home Alone:
5. "You bomb me with one more can, kid, and I'll snap off your cajones and boil them in motor oil! "
4. "How can you give Kris Kringle a parking ticket on Christmas Eve? What's next, rabies shots for the Easter Bunny?"
3. "No clothes on anybody? Sickening."
2. "This house is so full of people it makes me sick. When I grow up and get married, I'm living alone."
1. "You guys give up yet? Or are you thirsty for more?"

A friendly chat with Molly Ringwald

Stuck in the 80s scored a dream interview this week -- a nice chat with Molly Ringwald. Click here to download the podcast or click here to subscribe for free via iTunes.

Ringwald is touring the country right now as the leading lady of Sweet Charity, a Broadway musical that first debuted about 40 years ago. So to help me with the interview, I recruited the help of St. Pete Times theater critic John Fleming. (Plus, I knew John -- unlike me -- wouldn't melt into a helpless puddle on the floor upon hearing Molly's voice.)

Sweet Charity plays here in Tampa Bay, Fla., from Jan. 2-7 at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall, so we were able to talk to Ringwald for a short interview in advance of the show.

During our time together, she talked about the challenges of her first nationwide tour, the task of converting a teen queen film career to a stage career and her desire to work again with 80s director/writer John Hughes.

For those 80s fans out there who are hoping for a ton of insight about her films during our favorite decade, I should warn you that the interview is more about what she's doing now. Like many stars from the 80s, she'd prefer to focus on her work today. But we think you'll still get a kick hearing her talk about her career, her love of "16 Candles" -- and desire to make a sequel -- as well as her current singing and dancing duties.

Enjoy the podcast.

Flying first-class through the 80s

The latest Stuck in the 80s podcast is online. Click here to listen or click here to subscribe for free via iTunes.

This week's topic: The epic holiday travel flick Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Times pop critic Sean Daly says it's the best movie by writer/producer/director John Hughes as well as Steve Martin's best film. Tune into the podcast to hear his reasons why.

Other podcast highlights:

• Sean's comic retelling of a flight home from Vegas next to a man covered in Taco Bell droppings.
• Steve's tale of the worst-ever Thanksgiving with a psychotic college girlfriend.
• A Top 10 list of lines from the movie.
• Plenty of trivia and hard-to-believe facts about the movie.
• Cathy's story about her days as a flight attendant-turned-porn star. (Or something close to that.)

Leave us a comment if you enjoyed the show. If you didn't, go leave a comment at Sean's blog. He's much better at taking criticism than I am.

That's Mr. Nelson to you

He's known by many names: Bender, Alex Newbary ... even Nick Peretti or Jack Richmond to fans of the 90s. All signature characters by Judd Nelson, who turns 47 years old today.

Best known as John Bender in The Breakfast Club, Nelson's career has had its peaks (St. Elmo's Fire) and its valleys (Blue City). He won over a new generation of fans in the 90s and beyond with roles on TV's Suddenly Susan (with fellow 80s star Brooke Shields) and the 2001 flick Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, cast by writer/director Kevin Smith -- a big-time fan of Nelson and his 80s films.

These days, Nelson is still hard at work as an actor, with parts in several TV movies and stage productions in the works. His latest work is Netherbeast Incorporated, a vampire comedy/horror flick set in Corporate America, co-starring Darrell Hammond, Jason Mewes, Robert Wagner and Dave Foley. It's due out in 2007.

In an interview last year on themanroom.com website, Nelson explained the myth behind his 1980s Brat Pack image. "We got lumped together as a generation of actors as if we were hanging out together. I was living in New York at the time and I seldom travel three thousand miles to have a beer with someone."

We'd travel three thousand miles to have a beer with you, Judd.

Top 5 Judd Nelson lines:
5. "That's Mr. A--hole to you." (St. Elmo's Fire)
4. "Is this one of those black things?" (New Jack City)
3. "Bea Arthur?... Outstanding." (Airheads)
2. "Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?" (The Breakfast Club)
1. "Demented and sad, but social." (The Breakfast Club)

Spending Thanksgiving with John and Steve

Does your Thanksgiving feel a little incomplete? Maybe you forgot the basics: Enjoying a classic flick from the 80s with the ultimate holiday feel. I'm talking about Steve Martin, John Candy and Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Some say this 1987 flick was John Hughes' true masterpiece. It's certainly his best "grown-up" film. But does it beat out Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller? Steve Martin reportedly has said it's his favorite film starring himself. (No, Steve ... Parenthood was slightly better.) Ah, leave the debate for the day after Thanksgiving. For now just enjoy this film for what it's worth.

First a little trivia to whet your appetite:

• Though primarily known as a Steve Martin-John Candy flick, it also features appearances by 80s favorites Kevin Bacon, Lyman Ward (Ferris' dad), Ben Stein and Michael McKean.
• There are multiple references to Hughes' next film -- She's Having a Baby -- sprinkled through the film (it's playing on the TV in the motel room for one).
• The film got an R-rating for a 60-second-long F-word tirade by Martin at the rental car counter. During that span, he uses the word 18 times.
• John Hughes shot more than twice the footage of most movies at that time. A 3-hour version of the movie actually exists, though the director has said it would take tons of editing and production to get it ready for viewing.

Top 5 printable quotes from Plains, Trains and Automobiles:
5. "Larry Bird doesn't do as much ball-handling in one night as you do in an hour!"
4. "If they told you wolverines would make good house pets, would you believe them?"
3. "St. Louis to Chi-town is booked tighter than Tom Thumb's ass."
2. "If I wanted a joke, I'd follow you into the john and watch you take a leak. Now are you gonna help me or are you gonna stand there like a slab of meat with mittens?"
1. "Those aren't pillows!"

Review: Pretty in Pink special edition

May I admire "Pretty in Pink" again today? John Hughes fans ... the official Stuck in the 80s verdict is in: The new "Everything's Duckie Edition" DVD is definitely worth your time.

This new edition DVD-only version of Pretty in Pink was released on the film's 20th anniversary and it contains several gems, including an audio commentary by director Howard Deutch (remember, Hughes only wrote and produced it) and a half dozen featurettes about the making of the film. Most of the stars are shown in interviews from 1986 and today. (They've all aged remarkably gracefully.)

The real treasure though is a feature on the original ending of the flick. And here's the controversy too. The movie was supposed to end with Andie (Molly Ringwald) and Duckie (Jon Cryer) together at the dance, dancing alone in a spotlight dance -- with no reconciliation with Blane (Andrew McCarthy). Test audiences though objected, so the ending was rewritten and re-shot to show Andie and Blane together.

No, the entire original ending isn't included on the DVD -- mainly because it's still sorta there ... in pieces. The new ending is more "addition" than subtraction. Are you confused? Then go rent or buy the movie. What's amusing is that only Andrew McCarthy thought the original ending was stupid. Most hardcore Hughes fans I know would prefer the original ending.

Other factoids you'll learn in this edition:

• John Hughes invents his own "teen language" for his movies, so that they don't appear dated when people watch them 20 years later.
• Deutch disagreed with Hughes on much of the music for Pretty in Pink (though he later admits Hughes was right all along).
• Everyone thought James Spader ("Steff") was an obnoxious jerk during his audition. No one wanted him to get the part until they realized -- hey, that's exactly the kind of person who should play Steff.
• Andrew and Molly had a date arranged during the making of the movie, but Andrew stood her up.

He stood her up? I nearly fell off the couch when I heard that. But I ran over and rubbed my Molly Ringwald action figure instead for good mojo.

If you already own the movie on DVD, is it worth buying the new one? I'm going to go out on a limb and say yes. (Just give the old version to a younger sibling.) The Duckman would approve.

Tom Cruise is fired. Now what?

Tom Cruise's career has officially jumped the couch. Paramount Pictures has decided to end its longtime relationship with Cruise's production company after the star's recent bizarre behavior. We're shocked ... SHOCKED!

And very, very happy. Hollywood -- I almost love you again. And since you seem open to suggestion, here are a couple more...

Top 5 Ways to Fix The Movie Industry:

5. Sever your ties with some more overrated phonies -- Arnold Schwarzenegger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Hayden Christensen, Harrison Ford, Nicole Kidman and Keanu Reeves.

4. No more musicians or athletes in leading roles in any more movies. Call this the Madonna/Shaquille O'Neal Rule.

3. We've had enough movies about cops, fire-fighters, lawyers and dance schools. New rule: Anyone pitching a movie about one of those topics is locked in a closet with a rabid wolverine. After an hour, if they still want to pitch it, let's talk.

2. Bring back the entire cast of St. Elmo's Fire for a sequel -- with the exception of Andrew McCarthy and Demi Moore. (Have the screenwriters write a side-plot in which they were both eaten by grizzly bears 5 years ago.)

1. Find the writer of a successful blog about the 80s, and offer this deserving person a seven-figure deal to write a touching yet hilarious movie about his 20-year class reunion. Budget enough money to lure John Cusack for the lead role. Bring back John Hughes to direct and choose the music - with the stipulation that the movie can't have his stereotypical and improbable happy ending. Because no class reunion has a happy ending. Sit back and rake in the cash.

Pretty in Pink -- best movie of the 80s?

Our Stuck in the 80s podcast show on the 1986 masterpiece Pretty in Pink is now online. Click here to download it. Or click here to subscribe to the whole series of podcasts for free on iTunes.

In the show, the hosts debate whether it's actually the best teen film of the 80s. At the very least, it certainly sports one of the best soundtracks of the 80s, so prepare yourself for plenty of music, including one song that wasn't included on the soundtrack. (Gotta love the Rave-Ups.)

Other trivia you'll discover while listening:
-- Find out which two actors turned down the role of Duckie, before the character landed on the lap of Jon Cryer, who turned it into one of his best acting pieces ever.
-- Hear the exciting news about the original ending of the movie ... soon to be available for the first time.
-- Discover the answer to the nearly-impossible "name that 80s tune" challenge and try the latest challenge. You could win Cathy's car! (Or more likely a hat and pen.)
-- Special bonus for 80s addicts: Click here to download Pretty in Pink wallpaper for your computer monitor. (Yeah, I did it. I'm hopeless.)

(Don't forget: We need your vote for the annual Podcast Awards. Click here for the nomination form. Nominate us for whatever categories you like. We're throwing a kegger for all our fans if we win.)

Ideal boyfriend: Jake Ryan or Lloyd Dobbler?

It's the heavyweight title fight of the decade -- only the decade was 20 years ago. Two characters that evenly divide legions of American females who grew up dreaming that one or the other was their perfect boyfriend. But who really wins out if we force the ladies to choose?

In this corner, from the mighty city of Seattle, Washington, wearing a trench coat and Phish t-shirt .... Lloyd Dobbler! And in this corner, from fictional Shermer, Illinois, wearing a sweater vest and hiking boots ... Jake Ryan!

Let's go to the stats:

Movies:
Lloyd: Say Anything (1989) features sensitive Lloyd, directed by the soon-to-be famous Cameron Crowe. It would be Cusack's last teen movie.
Jake: Sixteen Candles (1984) offers Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling), who can score any chick in Shermer High. Directed by the ultimate 80s director, John Hughes. Schoeffling had only one big movie left in him after this -- Vision Quest. (Sadly, no one considers his "Kuch" character as the ideal boyfriend.)
Advantage: Even


Significant other:
Lloyd: Completely devoted to Diane Court, played by Ione Sky -- easily the sexiest female character of the 80s. Any decade really.
Jake: Ditches the prom queen for Samantha Baker, played by Molly Ringwald, who hasn't quite reached her prime at this point.
Advantage: Lloyd

Fashion:
Lloyd: T-shirts, baggy Army pants and a trench coat. Perfect for a night out with the guys at the Gas N' Sip. But a fixer-upper project for potential girlfriends.
Jake: There's a reason Schoeffling was a male model before and after this movie -- he looks good in anything. But sticking to preppy outfits is a smart move.
Advantage: Jake

Signature line:
Lloyd: "Maybe I didn't really know you. Maybe you were just a mirage. Maybe the world is full of food and sex and spectacle and we're all just hurling towards an apocalypse, in which case it's not your fault."
Jake: "Happy Birthday, Samantha. Make a wish."
Advantage: Even again -- it just depends on whether you like your men talky or not.

So there you go. There's no clear winner when you stack them up against each other. So, ladies, you're going to have to go with your heart.

Pick a winner and tell us why: Is it Jake or Lloyd that wins your love as perfec