Jill’s Top 10 Cheesy, Silly Old-School Movies

Yesterday, I mentioned how I longed to spend the dreary day at home in comfy clothes, watching cheesy old movies. 

Confession: I’ve actually been wanting to do that for a while now.  In fact, I’ve been thinking a lot lately of the movies I loved to watch when I was a kid – I’m talking late ‘80s/early ‘90s.  Many of them were probably movies I shouldn’t have been watching at such a young  age, but I loved ‘em.   And the sillier the better!!

There was nothing I loved more back then than going down to St-Laurent’s store to rent a movie – and oftentimes, I’d rent the same one over and over.  I also had another great resource in my friend Stacy.  When we were kids, she always had the best suggestions for movies – and usually had them on video for me to borrow!

I thought I’d compile a list of some of my favourites for you today.  But before I get started, I wanted to make a clarification.  As you go through my list, you might think I’ve forgotten hits from the late ‘80s or early ‘9os such as Dirty Dancing or Top Gun or Pretty Woman – and here’s why they didn’t make my list:  because I actually consider them really awesome movies that have withstood the test of time, even though they might be a little dated now.

The ones on my list?  They are ridiculously dated, chock-full of cheese, and yet, still make me grin from ear to ear.  And yes.  I’d like to be at home right now, with a bowl of macaroni, tomato soup and cheez whiz (fave lunch as a kid), watching them all.  My very own childhood-fave-movie-marathon!!  Somebody get me my VCR!!!!

Let the trip down memory lane begin.  Here we go, in no particular order…

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985) – starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, and Lee Montgomery 

This was the first flick I recall loving that wasn’t animated and didn’t come from Disney.  It had everything a little girl could hope for: great music, lots of dancing, and a very handsome young leading man (first crush was Chachi…second was this guy).  I hadn’t seen it – or even thought of it – in a very, very long time.  But a few years ago, I stumbled across it on Amazon, bought it on DVD, and was instantly transported back to my youth.  I didn’t even realize that Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt were the stars!

Overboard (1987) – starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell

I can’t remember where I was introduced to this one (Stace?  Was it one of yours?) – but I do remember it being a riot!!  Goldie plays a rich bitch who falls overboard off her yacht and ends up in a little hick town suffering from amnesia.  Kurt plays a widower/carpenter who was slighted by Goldie, and upon seeing her as a “Jane Doe” on the news, decides to seek revenge and claim her as his wife, and puts her in charge of his unruly children.  All kinds of hijinx ensue, of course!  I haven’t seen it in ages, but recently saved it to my Amazon wishlist.  I’m looking forward to watching it again someday soon!

Look Who’s Talking (1989) – starring John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, and the voice of Bruce Willis

This was definitely one I used to borrow from Stacy on VHS, and I now own the DVD – and I’m not ashamed to say I watch it once or twice a year!  I had a huge crush on Travolta as a kid, and I have to say, for it’s time, the whole talking baby bit was pretty clever – especially with Bruce Willis doing the all the baby wise-cracking!

Weekend at Bernie’s (1989) – starring Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman

This one’s just about as crazy as you can get – and that’s saying a lot for the cornball comedies of the late ‘80s!  It’s a convoluted plot that’s hard to explain, but let’s just say two young businessmen are invited to their boss’ beach house for the weekend.  However, once they arrive, they discover he’s been murdered.  They spend the weekend partying with Bernie’s neighbours and running from hitmen and the mafia… all while pretending Bernie’s still kickin’.  I really don’t know why I’m explaining it, though.  You’ve all seen it.  Admit it.  And you loved it too.

Harry and the Hendersons (1987) – starring John Lithgow and Melinda Dillon

Confession:  I’m a bit of a Big Foot nut.  For as long as I can remember, I’ve been intrigued by “Sasquatch lore”.  If I see anything on TV about it, I’m sucked in.  I once did a public speaking assignment in elementary school on Big Foot.  Sometimes, I just google Big Foot to see what I can find.  So really…no surprise that this one was one of my favourites to borrow from Stace back in the day, right?  I was destined to love a movie that has a family bring home Big Foot to live with them!!

Son-In-Law (1993) – starring Pauly Shore and Carla Gugino

I wouldn’t be a child of the ‘80s/’90s if I didn’t have a soft spot for Pauly Shore, right?  Right?!?!  OK, so maybe he was an acquired taste. ;)  I’d actually say that Bio-Dome was my favourite from Pauly, but it didn’t come along until later on in the ‘90s.  This one definitely falls into that category of supreme cheesiness, and slightly inappropriate for a 10-year-old to be watching it… but oh, did I watch it.  Over and over and over again!

Adventures in Babysitting (1987) – starring Elisabeth Shue

I actually used to be a little bit scared of this one – I mean, this poor baby-sitter and the kids she’s minding end up in some pretty crazy, nail-biting situations, all in one night!  But they used to show it on TV all.the.time. – and I never missed it.  Another one that now sits in my DVD collection, and I swear I’m not ashamed!

Wayne’s World (1992) – starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey

Alright, so maybe this one could still be considered an early-90s “classic” – along the same lines of Ace Ventura, Pet Detective – but I’m including it on my cheesy list anyways.  I don’t know how many catch phrases it spawned - “Sha-wing!”, anybody? – and it was one of those movies that I rented pretty much every single weekend for a whole year.  My dad would take us down to St. Laurent’s, and I’d pick Wayne’s World, and he’d roll his eyes, and demand why I wanted to watch the same dumb movie over and over.  I really don’t know why, but I loved it.  I guess, in a way, I even subconsciously named my blog after this movie… Sh’yeah!!!

Major League (1989) – starring Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Wesley Snipes, and Rene Russo

I grew up with a younger brother who loved sports movies – thus, my youth was filled with movies like the Mighty Ducks flicks, The Sandlot, and Rookie of the Year.  And, of course, Major League.  It doesn’t quite fall into the “kids movie” category – I’m thinking it must’ve been my older sister that introduced us to this one! - but we watched it.  A lot.  Annnnd I might’ve had a little crush on Charlie Sheen as Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn.  I didn’t realize just how dated it was until I picked it up on DVD last year.  And oozing with cheese…just the way I like it.

Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead (1991) – starring Christina Applegate

This one’s gotta be one of my all-time favourites.  I watch it often.  It was one I used to borrow from Stacy on VHS, and now have in my DVD collection.  It stars Christina Applegate as the eldest of five siblings, who are left under an ancient baby-sitter’s care while their mother travels to Australia for the summer.  The kids fear they won’t have any summer fun, but their vacation just might be salvaged when “the old hag” drops dead…as long as they can keep the secret from their mother!  And once again… hijinx ensue…  It’s barrel of fun, I tell ya!

So, my fellow children of the late-‘80s and early-‘90s… What did I miss?  What cheeseball faves make your lists??  I’m sure I’ve forgotten some, so please do share! :)  And if you’re a child from another era – what movies transport you back to your youth?

Let the movie marathons begin!!!