We still believe in Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald this week turns the big "Four-Oh my god the 80s are aging too fast."

I doubt she's spending her 40th the same way I spent mine back in July: Gambling away all the mortgage money at the craps table at the Bellagio. But she can blow on my dice anytime.

Rather than drone on and on about her importance to the very fiber of my existence, let me allow Molly the opportunity to teach us her sagely wisdom.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW IN LIFE, YOU CAN LEARN FROM MOLLY RINGWALD:

• "Us loners got to stick together." (Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone)
• "I loathe the bus. There has to be a more dignified mode of transportation." (Sixteen Candles)
• "When you don't have anything, you don't have anything to lose. Right?" (Sixteen Candles)
• "Academic clubs aren't the same as other kinds of clubs." (Breakfast Club)
• "If somebody doesn't believe in me, I can't believe in them." (Pretty in Pink)
• "When you're pregnant, sometimes you get hemorrhoids, okay?" (For Keeps)
• "You don't want me, I'm used, I'm worn out, I'm bad goods, you can't trust me." (Fresh Horses)

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

Memorable wedding lines from the '80s

Wedding movies of the '80s aren't exactly epic. (No, you can't count "General Hospital's" Luke and Laura for today's topic.) All told, there are more than 30 movies during the decade that involve a wedding ceremony as a significant part of the plot, but try to pick great quotes from these movies and you'll end up with dialog drier than the bridal cake.

For the truly great quotes, you have to leave the '80s altogether. The Graduate in 1967 ("Are we getting married tomorrow?") and 1994's Four Weddings and a Funeral ("Marriage is just a way of getting out of an embarrassing pause in conversation.") come to mind. And the greatest 80s wedding movie of all -- The Wedding Singer -- wasn't filmed until 1998!

But since June is running out, and the brides are getting antsy, it's time to pick the best wedding moments from our favorite decade.

TOP 5 WEDDING LINES FROM '80s MOVIES:

5. Sixteen Candles (1984): Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall. "I can't believe it. You make someone a bridesmaid and they s--t all over you."

4. Haunted Honeymoon (1986): Gilda Radner, Gene Wilder. "This is gonna be some wedding. A loony for a husband, and Peter Pan for his wife."

3. Diner (1982): Steve Guttenberg, Daniel Stern. "We all know most marriages depend on a firm grasp of football trivia."

2. When Harry Met Sally (1989): Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan. "All I'm saying is that somewhere out there is the man you are supposed to marry. And if you don't get him first, somebody else will, and you'll have to spend the rest of your life knowing that somebody else is married to your husband "

1. Flash Gordon (1980): Sam Jones, Max von Sydow.

Priest: "Do you, Ming the Merciless, Ruler of the Universe, take this Earthling Dale Arden, to be your Empress of the Hour?"
Ming: "Of the hour, yes."
Priest: "Do you promise to use her as you will?"
Ming: "Certainly!"
Priest: "Not to blast her into space? ... Uh, until such time as you grow weary of her."
The Emperor Ming: "I do."

It's a nice day for a white wedding

It's June, so those are either wedding bells I hear in the air constantly or I need to cut down on the Wild Turkey shots.

Since it's been a while since we all put together a "best-of" list as a group, here's a good list idea: What were the best movies featuring weddings in the 80s?

A quick search of my usual secret resources reveals at least 30 movies in the 80s that had weddings as a significant part of the film. Here are just a couple to loosen your brain cells:

Excalibur (1981): King Arthur and Guenevere tie the knot. But that dope Lancelot has to act like a love-sick puppy and bring down the kingdom.

Bachelor Party (1984): Only in the movies does nice-guy Tom Hanks marry a sexy but whacked-out Tawny Kitaen.

Easy Money (1983): Taylor Negron and Jennifer Jason Leigh make an odd couple in what could be Rodney Dangerfield's best 80s movie.

For Keeps? (1988): Molly Ringwald gets pregnant then marries in this flick. But you have decide: Is Sixteen Candles also a wedding flick? I say yes.

Coming to America (1988): One of Eddie Murphy's finest moments. Featuring the always loveable James Earl Jones: "So you see, my son, there is a very fine line between love and nausea."

Leave a comment with your favorite wedding movies of the 80s (or your least favorite) and we'll have the official list online before the month is over.

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.

Hoping for a Ringwald reunion

The Stuck in the 80s e-mail box bulges with a wide array of letters each day. Fans from around the world drop us notes to give us feedback on shows, ideas for new episodes ... and to say that co-host Sean Daly actually does have body hair (and they have the photos to prove it.)

Shortly after our interview with Molly Ringwald, we received a very unusual one from a Sharla Van Ringwald: "My relationship to Molly as I've been told is that I am a 3rd cousin to her on my Dad's side of the family. Yes, my last name is Ringwald. Born and Breed!!"

Thus ends my theory that Molly was a clinical lab love child of John Hughes and Shirley MacLaine.

Today, Ms. Ringwald (photo right) is married and lives in El Reno, Oklahoma. Here's a quick Q&A with her...

Stuck in the 80s: Wow. A relative! Got any great stories about opening obnoxious Christmas presents with Molly and the rest of the Ringwald clan?

Sharla: "I myself have never got to meet Molly.  She was in my hometown during the late 80's early 90's doing a movie and stayed at my Uncle Dale's home.  All of my aunts, uncles and cousins got to meet her.  I was away at college in Indiana at the time and couldn't make it home.  They found her extremely polite and were utterly fascinated with her."

Stuck in the 80s: When did you find out you were related? Please tell me it wasn't on an episode of The Montel Williams Show.

Sharla: "I have known my entire life of my relation to Molly.  My father, Archie Wilson Ringwald, always made such a big deal of it.  Of all the cousins in my family, everyone, thought that I had a strong resemblance to her.  My reaction was of interest in what she did for a living.  I always remember that my dad was always pushing for me to take acting lessons and to do something along the same line as Molly.  I'm not shy by any means in public, but just didn't have that type of interests back then."

Stuck in the 80s: OK, so as someone who'd rather watch a movie than act in one, which of her movies do you think was her best?

Sharla: "I would have to say that one of my favorite movies of her's was "16 Candles." I don't have any siblings but I can relate to being that age and at the time some of my older cousins were getting married and I was kind of left out of everything. But overall, I don't think that Molly has ever done a poor quality movie. I have enjoyed all of them."

Stuck in the 80s: We passed along a note from you to Molly while she was in town here, performing in the touring Broadway production of Sweet Charity. If you two manage to get in touch and hang out sometime, what would you talk about?

Sharla: "I would love to know what interests she has -- like what she does in her free time.  I would enjoy hearing about all the traveling that she has done.  I think there is only a few years difference in our ages, so surely we would have some things in common."

"Back in the 80s, people thought it was cool that I was related to her. Nowadays I don't say much about it, but when I do people always want to know if I have met her. Unfortunately I have never been lucky enough to meet her. I always have hope though!"

Molly is 'Sweet' indeed

The Stuck in the 80s gang is back from our latest on-location podcast show: Opening night for Sweet Charity, starring Molly Ringwald, here in Clearwater, Fla. Click here to download the show, or click here to subscribe to the whole series for free on iTunes. (Click here to hear our interview with Molly a few weeks ago.)

Ringwald really shines in the touring Broadway production, from the moment she skips onto the stage all the way until her last confident strut. For fans of her 80s films who can't imagine her vocal talents, I'm here to set the record straight: She can flat-out sing. Her opening number -- "You Should See Yourself" -- sets any doubts aside. Co-host Cathy and I were stunned at how well she sounded. Could it be that the stage -- and not the big screen -- was her true calling?

Check out the podcast to hear the opinions of other Molly Ringwald fans, who were out in force at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Tuesday night. And listen for the expert review of St. Pete Times theater critic John Fleming, who visits with us at the end of the show. (Or click here to read his full review.)

Sweet Charity plays Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall through Jan. 7. The production hits a few more Florida cities before tackling the rest of the Southeast this winter. Check the production's website for exact dates.

Have a question for Molly Ringwald?

She's an 80s movie icon. The girl next door. A teenage crush for a generation of males. And yeah, she should have ended up with Duckie instead of Blane in Pretty in Pink!

Molly Ringwald is coming to the Tampa Bay area next week with the traveling Broadway production of Sweet Charity, which plays Jan. 2-7 at Ruth Eckerd Hall. (Click here to see a preview of the production from Youtube.com.)

We talked to her a month ago about her current role in the stage production. (Click here to listen to the podcast). On Jan. 2, the Stuck in the 80s crew is scheduled to interview Molly in person.

This time, we want to let her fans ask the questions.

So drop us a comment with a question you'd like us to ask Molly. We'll pick the best ones and ask them to her during our short visit next Tuesday afternoon. Then tune into that week's podcast to hear her answers. We'll also have reactions from the crowd from opening night.

No marriage proposals allowed. (Because I was already planning that.)

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.

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.)

Candles blown out on teen movie sequel?

It's been a while now since the last rumors circulated of a sequel for 16 Candles. Last we heard, a TV movie -- 32 Candles -- was planned to update fans on the lives of Samantha Baker, Jake Ryan, Farmer Ted and Long Duk Dong.

The 1984 flick starred Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall (along with smaller parts played by John and Joan Cusack). Speculation centered that USA Network, which airs Hall's Dead Zone series, was poised to produce and air the sequel. However, none of the original cast has commented on the project in years now. It's probably safe to say the project is dead for good.

Director/writer John Hughes has largely avoided sequels to movies produced during his glory days, the exceptions being Home Alone and Beethoven. The two writers originally attached to the sequel -- Keith Merryman and David A. Newman -- are now working on a sequel to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

Speaking of Ringwald, the former teen queen returns to TV for a guest role in "Medium." The NBC series stars Patricia Arquette. Ringwald, who started her career in TV in 1979 as a cast member of Facts of Life, last appeared on TV in 2002. The show airs May 1.

So are we all happy that there won't be a 32 Candles? If you had to make a sequel to a John Hughes teen flick, which one would you choose?