The Mind of Edie

Lorax Statue Stolen From Dr. Seuss' Garden, Family Hopes For Its Return

10 More Thursdays - 80s Movies

This has been the most difficult list to make yet. My initial list had 37 entries that I painstakingly cut down to the prescribed 10. What surprises me about the results is that there are no John Hughes movies and that many movies I often quote did not make the cut. I have lots of ideas for future 80s movie themed lists in the future, though, so stay tuned!

10. The Last Starfighter
Cheesy? Yes. Funny? yes. Fantastic? Absolutely.

9. Real Genius
I thought this is what college would be like. I am both relieved & disappointed that I was wrong. Oh, 80s Val Kilmer, what happened to you?

8. Girls Just Want to Have Fun
It still upsets me that a generic, non-Cyndi Lauper version of the song is used, but this gem can not be beat. I like to think that Sarah Jessica Parker & Helen Hunt are secretly bff’s that get together every Saturday to watch reruns of DTV!

7. Red Dawn
End of Cold War anti-communism rhetoric at its finest. Watching it today, I’m kind of surprised there’s not a “Sponsored by the NRA” label given the pro-gun comments. Still a movie I think of often though as post-zombie apocalypse plans are discussed. WOLVERINES!

6. Legend of Billie Jean
FAIR IS FAIR! Plus, awesome theme song by Pat Benatar. Can someone please tell me if Christian Slater & Helen Slater are related in real life or if it is just an odd coincidence they starred in this together? I have been curious since I first saw the movie.

5. The Lost Boys
The 2 Corey’s and vampires…movie perfection…except for the noodles/worms and rice/maggots scene.

4. The Neverending Story
I debated between this movie and The Princess Bride for a good deal of time. In the end, The Neverending Story won because it inspires the imagination in a way that no other movie I’ve seen has. Every time I watch it, I am swept away to a dream world of Luck Dragons, quests and wishes.

3. Goonies
Hey, you guys! I love puzzles, and the thought of a group of friends going on a treasure hunt just sounds like fun…minus the danger & crazy criminals chasing them.

2. Lucas
Oh, 80s Charlie Sheen, what happened to you? The angst of high school and wanting to fit in is perfectly captured in this nerd loves nerd, nerd loves new girl, new girl loves football player, cheerleader loves same football player movie. Confused? Watch the choir scene, the looks/glares passed from person to person explains it all.

1. Space Camp
“Whip me, beat me, take away my charge cards, NASA’s talking!!!” “Jinx! Max!” “We are about to land in the Red Zone….wwaaahhhh No Survivors!” This future all-star cast (and that one guy from Revenge of the Nerds) made the completely implausible story of 5 kids being accidentally launched into space into a somewhat predictable thrill ride that I love!

Top 10 Tuesday - 80s Movies

Today’s list is from Ed Wirthwein. Ed is a former boss, great friend and go-to resource for 80s knowledge!

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This is truly an honor to write for Edie’s blog. I mean to get to add my thoughts on pop culture to one of our nation’s expert on is truly a highlight for me. Ok, l have listed my top 10 favorite movies from the 80’s. This was harder than I thought. I found a site that lists all of the movies from the 80’s and wrote down the movies that I really love (and still do). I came up with 60 movies. I narrowed it down to a list of 23.

Here are the 13 that didn’t make my top 10
Weird Science, Just One of the Guys, License to Drive, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Purple Rain, Red Dawn, Valley Girl, Bachelor Party, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Can’t Buy Me Love and Night Shift.

So here is my Top 10 favorite 80’s movies…

10. Uncle Buck
My favorite John Candy movie. Uncle Buck was my role model for when I became an uncle. I always wanted to make those HUGE pancakes.

9. Summer School
Maybe Mark Harmon’s best job as an actor and Kirstie Alley was still HOT. I always wish I had a teacher that cool and who could forget Dave and Chainsaw.

8. Trading Places
This is my favorite Christmas movie. We have to watch this every year during the holidays. Eddie Murphy was awesome and still funny in the movie.

7. Vision Quest
“You’re a bleeder and I like blood” This is typically underdog/coming of age movie but when I hear Red Rider’s “Lunatic Fringe” I always get fired up!

6. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Should be higher I know. In the 80’s I wish I was as cool and could get out of trouble like Ferris. Don’t forget about the Charlie Sheen cameo in the flick. WINNING!!”

5. Caddy Shack
Maybe one of the best sports movies ever. Every time I golf I always have to quote this movie “Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac… It’s in the hole! It’s in the hole! It’s in the hole!” Classic.

4. Blues Brothers
One of my favorite musicals. The car crash scene at the end of this movie is still after 30 year is still the best.

3. 16 Candles
I always wanted to be like Jake Ryan but I was more of The Geek.

2. Back to the Future
This movie is a classic in my books. Who wouldn’t want to go back in time? My favorite part is Marty playing “Johnny B Good” at the dance.

1. Top Gun
Maverick, Goose, Ice Man, and Viper..come on! Name a cooler movie in the 80’s. Man, from them in training, Goose dying, Maverick getting back up there and shooting down those MIG’s! Tell me you didn’t want to sign up and fly jets after that.

Well there it is. I hope you had a totally tubular time reading this. So put your Vans on and go watch some MTV….wait, they don’t play music any more do they????

Question of the Day: Transformers

Do you think Transformers ever need new tires? Can they get a flat?

10 months ago

Question of the Day

Has seeing a politically or religiously motivated billboard ever changed your mind about an issue? Have you ever seen a sign then thought, “Gee, all my beliefs have been wrong. Thank goodness for that sign”?

10 months ago

10 More Thursday - 80s One Hit Wonders

I am a child of the 80s…I was 3 when the decade started and in my early teen years when it ended. (Yes, if you’re really annoying, do the math, and figure out my age.) However, when I look back on the 80s, it seems most of the bands then were One Hit Wonders. Sure, there are a few exceptions — Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, a few hair bands, but for many 80s groups, I know one, maybe 2 songs. Is this because I was a kid and only knew the ones my older cousins were listening to? Perhaps. I like to think it was a time of innocence before the reality craze when hard work, perseverance, and a little luck were all it took to have 5 minutes of fame based on talent. With all this being said, here is my list of Top 10 One Hit Wonders of the 80s. (I guess this rambling was to say that if I list someone that wasn’t a One Hit Wonder, I apologize…and please let me know their other songs, because I would probably love them!)

10. Melt With You - Modern English

Would probably have been higher on the list if commercials hadn’t ruined it for me.

9. 867-5309 - Tommy Tutone

If I ever have the chance to have this phone number, I’m taking it…who care about prank calls?

8. 99 Luft Balloons - Nena

A song about the end of the world? Yes, please.

7. Rock On - Michael Damian

Michael was Danny Romalatti on the Young & the Restless. There was no way I was not going to love this song! Rock on!

6. Martika - Toy Soldiers

I love sad songs and this is one of the saddest.

5. Let the Music Play - Shannon

Please let this one play all day long. Special shout out to Jordin Sparks for finding this one hit wonder to sample!

4. Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil

I had no idea there was a political message to this song as a kid. I just loved the music.

3. Mickey - Toni Basil

Who doesn’t attempt their best cheerleader voice & sing along when they hear this gem?

2. Take on Me - A-Ha

Again…greatest music video ever & a fun song!

1. Walking on Sunshine - Katrina & the Waves

One Hit Wonders or not…this is my all time favorite song! I dare you to have a bad day after listening to it! Just try it! Really…I dare you….

Top 10 Tuesdays - 80s One Hit Wonders

Today’s list is from my cousin, Jason Sudderth. Jason is an all-around pop culture aficionado, especially for 1980s nostalgia and anything sci-fi!

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Ok…this list is based on my taste in 80’s music, so don’t shoot me if I didn’t get your favorite one hit wonder here! I also included a list of honorable mentions. There are also a couple that are probably pushing the term “one hit wonder”, as they had other songs that fared well on the charts.
10. The Captain Of Her Heart – Double
9. Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood
8. One Night In Bangkok – Murray Head
7. Nite And Day – Al B. Sure
6. Der Kommisar – After the Fire
5. Cleanin’ Up The Town – Bus Boys
4. Take On Me – A-ha
3. Wait – White Lion
2. Let’s Go All The Way – Sly Fox
1. Something About You – Level 42

Honorable mention:

True – Spandau Ballet
Perfect Way – Scritti Politti
Tarzan Boy – Baltimora
Heartbeat – Don Johnson (No comments about my singing of said song!)
What I am – Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians
Turning Japanese – The Vapors
Tainted Love – Soft Cell
Whip It – Devo
Too Shy – Kajagoogoo
Voices Carry – Til Tuesday

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Thanks, Jason! This is a fantastic list!

10 More Thursdays - Music Videos

On Tuesday, Morgan submitted an amazing list of her Top 10 Music Videos. Today, it is my turn! You may see a few repeats from Tuesday, but who am I to argue with great taste?

10. Weapon of Choice - Fatboy Slim

If you know of another video with a dancing Christopher Walken, I may have to edit my list!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ7z57qrZU8&ob=av2n

9. The Red Strokes - Garth Brooks

It’s a shame they ruined so many pianos, but how did they get the mud to flow like that?

(Video is not on youtube…found a few by searching, but they did not seem like good sites.)

8. Hey Ya - Outkast

I’ve realized as I made this list, that I love retro-feeling videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWgvGjAhvIw&ob=av2e

7. Groove is in the Heart - Dee Lite

Green screen at it’s finest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4D1HSL7P98

6. Goodbye Earl - Dixie Chicks

Celebrity cameos? Check. Dancing zombies? Check.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw7gNf_9njs&ob=av2e

5. Here it Goes Again - Ok Go

If you haven’t seen this video, you must be living under a rock. I’ve read it was all shot in one take. If it wasn’t, they have an amazing editor!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA&ob=av3e

4. Buddy Holly - Weezer

I loved Happy Days reruns when I was a kid, and Weezer chose some of the best moments to use in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kemivUKb4f4&ob=av2e

3. Don’t Look Back - She & Him

Remember what I said about retro videos? I loved the “home of the future” cartoons when I was a kid. It’s fun, kitschy and colorful, what’s not too love?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyE5Va8kGEA&ob=av2e

2, Opposites Attract - Paula Abdul

MC Skat Cat may be the coolest dancing cat ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xweiQukBM_k&ob=av2e

1. Take on Me - A-Ha

Yes, I know most people think the music video and the 80s belong to Michael Jackson, but what A-Ha was able to do in this video was AMAZING at that time…heck, it’s AMAZING by today’s standards!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914&ob=av2e

There you go — my top 10 music videos…what’s on your list?

Top 10 Tuesdays - Music Videos

Today’s list of Top 10 Music Videos comes to us from Morgan Roberts. Morgan is my fellow pop-culture junkie on the lower level of the Union. If you ever need someone to debate the hidden meaning of Black Swan (or if there is a hidden meaning), then Morgan is the person to find!

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10. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
This was the first introduction of what was going to be known as a music video. Though elementary in the fact the Freddie Mercury and crew basically just played the song on a soundstage, this video would be used for many years during live concert due to the complexity of the song. And the iconic image of Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor singing is one commonly associated with this amazing band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ

9. Walkie Talkie Man by Steriogram
I cannot understand a single word this guy is saying. However, this music video has the best use of yarn ever. It’s unique and was probably painful/time consuming to make. The person that came up with the concept of this music video deserves a creativity award. There have been many forms of special effects in music videos of the time, but I have never seen guitars, drums, film, soundboards, and, yes, even body parts made of yarn before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7UvbwCjXUk

8. Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand
Different. That’s one word that pretty much sums up this music video. The bands a little odd too so you shouldn’t expect anything less from this Scottish band. The look is unlike many of the music videos premiering in the part of the millennium. When music was still heavily plagued by mindless pop songs, showy music videos, “Take Me Out” went crisp and simple in look with awesome special effects.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijk4j-r7qPA

7. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
This music video accurately captured the grunge mentality: chaos, down with the establishment. Given that this was an anthem for many in the early 1990s, the music video adequately captures the mood without something flashy. Why would it be? Kurt Cobain wasn’t into a show and more into letting the lyrics of his songs speak for themselves. And what’s better than a mosh pit in a high school gym? Nothing. Nirvana is legend and so is this music video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg

6. Single Ladies by Beyonce
Now, c’mon, Beyonce has it going on. “Single Ladies” is one of those music videos that shows that some crazy story that no one understands isn’t necessary to make a hit. On the contrary, it demonstrated a dance that rivals “Thriller” as an internet sensation. Yes, even Joe Jonas attempted the iconic dance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m1EFMoRFvY

5. 1234 by Fiest
This is simple yet magical. The choreography is jaw dropping. It always amazes me how something as simple as dancing around in a warehouse can be a cooler music video than anything Lady Gaga or Katy Perry does. But Fiest’s “1234” proves that adding a little color to some dancing makes a great music video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABYnqp-bxvg

4. Buddy Holly by Weezer
Spike Jonze put this nerdy band in one of the coolest television shows ever: Happy Days. For someone who wanted to marry The Fonz, this was a God-sent music video. But not only did it include a beloved childhood TV show, it was a breath of fresh air from the same mundane music videos of the early 1990s. It was pure genius.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kemivUKb4f4

3. Here It Goes Again by OK Go
Choreography at it’s absolute finest. It’s a simple equation. Four band members plus eight treadmills equals instant music video classic. It isn’t flashy. It doesn’t include random effects. It just includes choreography that middle-aged mothers try at the gym all the time (okay, that might not be true, but it would be pretty awesome).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA

2. Thriller by Michael Jackson
Okay, call me a communist but I’m not a huge Michael Jackson fan. However, there’s no denying how awesome his 1983 music video is. Choreography played a huge part in this 14 minute masterpiece. Though the song and music video is almost three decades old, it still is classic thus solidifying – in some sense – Jackson’s King of Pop status.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA

1. Take On Me by A-Ha
By today’s standards, CGI could have made this music video in no time. But given that this was made in 1985, this music video paved the way for the one seen on YouTube today. It was pure genius they way they seamlessly went from cartoon and live action. No one can deny, it was one amazing music video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914

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Thanks, Morgan! My list of Top 10 Music Videos will be posted on Thursday…and we’ll finally find out if great minds think alike! :)