Retro 80's Movies Reviewed by The Drama Queen: U.H.F.

Hi there! Drama Queen here.  In an effort to better understand my 80's obsessed (and forever quoting!) parents, I thought it might be fun to spend a chunk of my summer watching some of their favorite movies from the 80's. Not only do I get to spend some quality fun time with them (and contrary to popular teenage attitudes, I actually do like to spend time with them, because my parents are...what's the 80's phrase? Oh yeah...Totally Awesome!), but I also get to witness some good and bad 80's movies and see first hand where some of the things Mom and Dad constantly say/quote actually come from...

Today, we travel to the wonderful world of 1989 amidst the offices and hallways of Channel U62...

U.H.F. (1989)

There are only three words to sum up this hilarious movie:

Weird. Al. Yankovic.

Yessssss!

Weird Al proves himself the king of skit, spoof and everything in between. I grew up to a ton of Yankovic material...DVD's of The Weird Al Show, all of his song parodies, and I even got to see him live in concert rocking out with his trusty accordion! We even made a video for Papa Bear's 40th birthday to Weird Al's song, Albuquerque (it's his favorite Weird Al song - the video was awesome, by the way). I am well versed in Weird Al-dom. My parents didn't raise no fool...

The fact that he had made a movie completely blew my teenage mind! Don't get me wrong - I adore the man! It's just that when Mom told me that he pretty much owned the movie, I was shocked. Movie? Bring it on! All in all, I loved the film. It is guaranteed to make anyone laugh until the tears come! The character of George Newman was, of course, my favorite character. Being the comedic genius Weird Al is, how could he not play my favorite character?

This scene is just pure hilarity! It's what they should show under the definition of hilarity in the dictionary...  Yes, this shows cruelty to animals. And yes, I am very against that...in real life. But c'mon...flying poodles? Epic much?!

I "got" most, if not all of the 80's references in the movie too. And who wants to drink from the fire hose??? I do! I do! Did I mention the both my parents have a Spatula City tee shirt?? Yeah, they're kinda cool like that.

Drama Queen Rating:  4


Wicked Chef says:
Quintessential family movie. Our family, anyway. And yes - we do actually have Spatula City tee shirts. U.H.F. is slapstick, goofball comedy at its finest 97 minutes. So many great scenes, so many fantastic quotes, and best of all, Weird Al.  We beyond-love Weird Al. This is the only thing that I like Michael Richards or Fran Drescher in. When life gets too serious, it's time to watch this movie. In the wise words of George Newman: You gotta grab life by the lips and yank as hard as you can! 


So here is a crazy good recipe for a crazy good movie!!

"Porktater" Cheese Sliders

1 package of soft dinner rolls
1 small bag of frozen shredded hash browns
Spicy brown mustard (optional)
16-20 slices of your favorite cheese
8-10 thin pork cutlets, cut in half (should give you 16-20 "mini" cutlets)
Flour, seasoned with salt, pepper and cayenne (for dredging)
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup hot sauce
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter

Prepare the hash browns according to package directions.

While the hash browns are cooking:  Melt the butter into the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. While that is working its magic, add the hot sauce to the bowl with the beaten egg. The seasoned flour for dredging should be in another separate bowl, but I'm sure you figured that out already.

Dip the cutlets into the egg mixture, then dredge in flour. Place cutlets in pan and cook about 3-4 minutes per side.  Cook in batches if necessary. Remove cutlets and keep warm.

To assemble your Porktater Cheese Sliders:  Cut each dinner roll in half horizontally to serve as the bun. On top of the bottom half of the roll, spread mustard if using and top with a mini cutlet. Top the cutlet with hash browns to cover. Top hash browns with your favorite cheese. I used American, but not because it's my favorite...it's what I had on hand. In this concoction, it wasn't half bad.  Top the slider with the top part of the roll and you're all set for your Porktater experience.

Retro 80's Movies Reviewed by The Drama Queen: Ghostbusters / Ghostbusters 2

Hi there! Drama Queen here.  In an effort to better understand my 80's obsessed (and forever quoting!) parents, I thought it might be fun to spend a chunk of my summer watching some of their favorite movies from the 80's. Not only do I get to spend some quality fun time with them (and contrary to popular teenage attitudes, I actually do like to spend time with them, because my parents are...what's the 80's phrase? Oh yeah...Totally Awesome!), but I also get to witness some good and bad 80's movies and see first hand where some of the things Mom and Dad constantly say/quote actually come from...

Remember the rating system?

Today I'll review Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters 2 (1989) in one ghost bustin' post.

Let me preface by letting you know something about my family. We love ghost stuff. Paranormal things are a part of daily life around here. Heck, Mom and Dad even have their own paranormal investigation team - S.P.I.R.I.T.  They take ghosts and the paranormal seriously, but that's not to say that they don't thoroughly enjoy the comedic end of it.  If a movie, television show, or book has to do with the paranormal, be it serious or funny, our whole family gets into it.  Ghostbusters is high on Mom and Dad's list of favorite movies. Needless to say, I already had a pretty good idea of what the whole Ghostbusters thing was all about.

Ghostbusters is an fun blend of special effects and comedy, featuring a hilarious deadpan performance from Bill Murray (who I love!). Whoever thought of having evil's final manifestation take the form of a 100-ft. marshmallow deserves eternal gratitude. I had a good giggle watching Ghostbusters, and I recommend checking it out for an evening of turn-your-brain-off entertainment.In this installment, I loved the character of Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) because I just like strong female leads.

Watch my favorite scene here! I loved this tidbit as it is really cheesy acting at it's finest.  I am a theatre student and am surrounded daily by actors and actresses who aren't even half that cheesy.  I am also partial to the scene where Ray (Dan Ackroyd) says, "Symmetrical book stacking. Just like the Philadelphia mass turbulence of 1947." To which Peter (Murray) replies, "You're right! No human being would stack books like this."  I loved this scene just because of the obvious factor made it all the more hilarious.  Bill Murray rocks. And I love when Ray says, "Listen...do you smell something?" My family and I say that every now and then when we hear something...classic.

Drama Queen Rating:  5

Ghostbusters 2 is good enough to put most post-millennial comedy to shame. It is almost as witty and sharp as the first film and it only suffers slightly from the oh-so-inevitable repetitions. Young kids will find the oozing slime and ghostly apparitions (Hello, Slimer!) to their liking, while the adults will enjoy the clever dialog, and of course, Mr. Murray.  In this film, my favorite character was Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) because the writers finally gave him his own meaty storyline within the story.  The randomness of the Twinkie scene is hilarious!

After watching Ghostbusters 2, I finally understand the "It is Vigo!" that Mom and Dad say all the time...and now... so do Little Lawyer and I.  I think in the 24 hours following the watching of this scene, the four of us must have said this line at least 30 times, cracking up each and every time because it just kept getting funnier.

Drama Queen Rating:  3

Wicked Chef says:
I love, love, LOVE Bill Murray. If a movie has Bill Murray in it...that's all I need to know to see it and enjoy it. Ghostbusters still holds up today more than any other comedy I can think of. I still find myself laughing out loud every time I see it. It is one of those movies that when you run across it while flipping channels, you simply have to watch it.  Ghostbusters 2... not so much. Although it was funny, sequels are very, very rarely ever as great as the first. I did enjoy it, but not quite so much as the first one.  In some cases, I think sequels should be against the law, but not necessarily for this series.  Peter MacNicol was hilarious as Dr. Janosz Poha. Drama Queen has heard Papa Bear and I say "It is Vigo!!" about a million times in her lifetime. It just never gets old...

I think I will put Vigo's words of wisdom on my tombstone... "Death is but a doorway...time is but a window. I'll be back."  That'll freak the crap out of a lot of people!



Here is a great quick and easy snack to enjoy while watching Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2:

Fried Ravioli with Jalapeno Cheddar Dip

1 package of fresh ravioli (like Butoni*), any variety you like
Oil for frying
Heluva Good Jalapeno Cheddar Dip* (or any dip your prefer)

Pour enough oil into a frying pan to reach a depth of about 1 inch. Heat over medium heat until temperature reaches 325.

When the oil is hot, fry the ravioli in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried ravioli to paper towels to drain.

Sprinkle with salt and serve with dip.

Warning: These are highly, highly addictive snacks. Consider yourself warned. Don't blame me.

*I recommend using Butoni Three Cheese Ravioletti. They fry up quick and if you slightly burn them, it's okay! They taste like Ritz Bits when on the burned side.  I love the Heluva Good dips and could drink the jalapeno cheddar with a straw - it's that good.  I recommend these simply because I use and like them, not because I was asked to by anyone or compensated in any way.

Retro 80's Movies Reviewed by The Drama Queen: Uncle Buck

Hi there! Drama Queen here.  In an effort to better understand my 80's obsessed (and forever quoting!) parents, I thought it might be fun to spend a chunk of my summer watching some of their favorite movies from the 80's. Not only do I get to spend some quality fun time with them (and contrary to popular teenage attitudes, I actually do like to spend time with them, because my parents are...what's the 80's phrase? Oh yeah...Totally Awesome!), but I also get to witness some good and bad 80's movies and see first hand where some of the things Mom and Dad constantly say/quote actually come from...

Let's begin our most excellent adventure!

Papa Bear gave me my very own 'Rating System' to use for the movies I watch in addition to reviewing them:

 

I'll rate and review each movie and Wicked Chef or Papa Bear might make a few comments here and there too...

So, let's begin with the 1989 film, Uncle Buck...

 

Drama Queen Rating:  4    

I loved this charming, hilarious and delightful movie! Uncle Buck is the story of a jobless, irresponsible and single uncle called upon to take care of his two nieces and one nephew.  This movie had me cracking up and laughing out loud from the moment I started watching it! I loved the point of the story, as well as the amount of heart.  This movie sweetly proves that family always comes through in the end - no matter what. John Candy has now become one of the most treasured actors in my book. Sadly, I learned he is no longer with us...and that is a very sad thing.                                                                                                                                                                        

I would have to say that my favorite character in the film was Tia Russell, played by Jean Louisa Kelly. I liked watching her mature through the story. It was easier to connect to her character because I'm going through the same trials and tribulations of adolescence as we speak.

                                                                                                                         

I was particularly fond of this scene because it's great to see someone (and yes, I am aware this was only an actor talking) "bashing" the school system. The system is always trying to control the kids and make them way too serious for their age(s).  My favorite line/quote from the movie was when Tia says to Buck, "Have a bad day today? It hurts when someone screws with your life, doesn't it?" because that is so, so true! I also enjoyed the tone in Miles' voice (Macaulay Culkin) when he sees Buck cooking breakfast and turns to Tia and says, "Holy smokes! He's cooking our garbage!"

Wicked Chef Says:

John Candy is one of my all-time favorite character actors ever.  Uncle Buck is the uncle I wish I had growing up. Wait a sec - I think I married an Uncle Buck!! Lucky me! This is my favorite Candy movie (outside of Planes, Trains & Automobiles, of course) and I picked this one for Drama Queen based on this, as well as the storyline. I was hoping she would identify with the character of Tia and see some of herself in that and come away with the "Family is King" message that she ultimately did. Not that my precious DQ is anything remotely like Tia, mind you...but she does have her 'teen angst' moments!

In keeping with the Uncle Buck spirit of this post, here is a recipe for one of the best pancake breakfasts ever!! Although not quite as large as the pancakes that Buck makes for the kids, these are just as filling!!

Cheesecake Pancake Stack with Cherry Sauce

For the pancakes:

2 eggs

1-1/2 cup milk

4 Tbsp melted butter

2 cups all purpose flour

2 Tbsp sugar

6 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla

2 tsp cinnamon

For the cheesecake filling:

(Warning: make this several hours ahead for proper chill time!)

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup heavy whipping cream

For the topping:

Whipped cream

One 21 ounce can of cherry pie filling

Prepare the cheesecake filling first:  With electric mixer, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl down and beat in the vanilla.  In a separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. Gradually fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.  Cover and chill for several hours.

Prepare pancake batter:  In large bowl, whisk egg until fluffy.  Whisk in milk and melted butter until combined.  Add the dry ingredients and mix well. Let batter rest for 5-10 minutes.  Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium high. Spray with non-stick spray or grease with a little butter.  The griddle or pan is hot enough when water droplets 'dance' around the pan.  Pour about 1/4 cup worth of batter onto surface and let cook. When bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake and begin to break, turn over and cook a minute or so more.

Heat pie filling in a small saucepan over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes. Keep warm on low until ready to serve.

To assemble:  Place one pancake on plate. Top with (about a 1/4 inch high) layer of cream cheese filling. Top with another pancake. Top with another thin layer of cheesecake filling. Add whipped cream and warm cherry pie filling.

If a fork were made of gold, would it still be considered silverware?

...

I love it when my kids take an honest-to-goodness interest in what I like. It makes me happy. It thrills me to no end when they ask me how to do something (hopefully that I know how to do...), when they actually want my advice with a problem, or when they just want to sit next to me, hug me, or tell me about their day. These are the moments I live for.

Yes, I want them to be independent and have interests of their own! But nothing compares to that special, private, in-the-know inside joke we share because of time spent doing something together. It literally makes my heart sing. Granted, my heart only sings 80's pop music - which my kids absolutely love, by the way - but it sings, nevertheless.

So when they say "Mom, can I help you with dinner?" my heart goes into overdrive and does a medley of the best of the 80's...and yes, 'Jessie's Girl' is (always) in there. Why? Because Rick Springfield rocks, that's why. Don't pretend you haven't sung it in the shower either. Besides, who couldn't love the only song known to mankind with the word 'moot' in it? It's an English major's dream...not to mention the man is damn easy on the eyes...

Drama Queen wanted to cook dinner the other night. By herself. Cue Oingo Boingo's Dead Man's Party...

Turns out, she had a really great day at school and some really exciting things had happened to her and she wanted to talk about it all.  So as I instructed her on how to make what was for dinner that night, which happened to be Shrimp Fritters, she told me bits and pieces about what happened to her that day. She even brought out her iPod and I listened while she sang (which I love to listen to her do).  Her latest favorite is the 'In The Heights' soundtrack from the Broadway production. We saw it in Orlando in March as one of her birthday presents/bribe.*

*I call it a bribe simply because I told her a month or so before her birthday that I would get tickets to the show if she agreed to have a full eye exam and get glasses if she needed them.  Dangling theatre tickets to her current favorite musical in front of her was a sure bet that she would overcome her (irrational) fear of air being puffed into her eyes or drops being put in her eyes and just get it done. She is deathly afraid of doctors, needles, and foreign items in her eyes, ears and throat. When she was younger, she was a barrel of freakin' monkeys at the pediatrician... Oh, and the rite of passage getting your child to upgrade from a bath to a shower? I still haven't recovered from that trauma.  On a side note, she did get glasses and looks absolutely smashing in them.

Sneaky? Uh huh. Underhanded? Certainly. Wrong? Hell, no! She got what she wanted and I got what I wanted and everyone is happy. Works for me...and I shall continue to do so as long as it remains beneficial to both parties involved in said bribe. Let Doctor Spock put that in his pipe and smoke it...

Drama Queen did all the prep work herself and even took my basic sauce for the fritters to a different level. She added a few ingredients (when I wasn't looking!) and the results were wonderful. She was so proud of herself, too. Her face was so completely lit up throughout dinner that I believe we may have suffered third degree burns. I love to see her that happy! Cue ABC's The Look of Love...

But her biggest accomplishment...the one where she should get the key to the city...was the fact that Little Lawyer ate every bite.  I repeat:  Ate. Every. Bite.  Unless she is eating something covered with chocolate, caramel, whipped cream and sprinkles, or unless her meal comes with a toy - she never, ever finishes everything on her plate. In her nine years of life (eight and a half if you count from when she started eating real food), I think I may have accomplished this miracle of miracles....maybe ten times?

Drama Queen knocks it outta the park on her first attempt...what the?

At this point, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I hate to cry, so I'll just laugh and go with it.

Dinner that night was amazing. Drama Queen and I hung out in the kitchen, I taught her a few cooking techniques, we laughed, talked, sang and had a fantastic time. Little Lawyer consumed her entire meal. Triumph! How could it get any better? Really? Cue Andrew Lloyd Webber's Any Dream Will Do...

A knock at the door from Publishers Clearing House with a huge check? No....

A phone call from a lawyer of a long-lost filthy rich and now deceased relative leaving me their vast fortune? Nah...

A letter in the mail from Food Network offering me a dream job and the authority to fire Sandra Lee? Nope...

Drama Queen told me she has a...a...a boyfriend.

Dum Dum DUMMMMMM!!!

Sigh...

Cue Aerosmith's Get A Grip...



                                             SHRIMP FRITTERS WITH SESAME LIME SAUCE

You'll need:

1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, tails removed
1 egg, beaten
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 to 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
3 tsp of your favorite seafood seasoning blend
2 limes
1/3 cup mayonaisse
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp dark sesame oil
1 tsp garlic powder
Baby spinach (or any greens you prefer)

Do something like this:

Coarsely chop the shrimp, and try not to pop too many in your mouth while performing this task or there won't be any left and you'll just have fritters. I always have this problem, so I usually buy extra shrimp to compensate.  Grab a big mixing bowl and add the chopped shrimp, beaten egg, green onions, flour and 2 tsp of the seafood seasoning (I use either Old Bay, which I almost always have, or Weber Grill Creations Mango Lime Seafood Seasoning). Stir it all together and check the consistency before adding any breadcrumbs.  You're looking for the mixture to lightly hold together while it cooks, so start with the 1/4 cup and go from there. I know you've heard it before, and I will always repeat it because it is so true: you can always add, but you can't take it back out!!  When you reach the consistency you're looking for, let the mixture chill in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes while you make the sauce.

For the sauce, zest and juice both limes into a medium sized bowl. This is particularly hilarious if you let your kids do this part! Then add the mayo, the remaining tsp of seasoning, honey, sesame oil and garlic powder and whisk! Ta Da! You have sauce!

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat - that's number 8 on the dial to me. Add about 1/4 cup of oil (your choice - for this I prefer veggie oil). When oil is heated (which I test by a toothpick tip in the center of the pan. If it starts to bubble around the toothpick, you are good to go), drop mixture by 1/3 cup portions into the oil and flatten slightly with a spatula. Cook about 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until you get that golden color we all dream about on fried food. Drain fritters on a paper towel and keep warm if frying in batches.

Serve fritters nestled in a bed of baby spinach (or greens of choice).  You can serve the sauce on the side, or if you are a sauceaholic like me, drizzle the sauce over the top. Hey, they are shrimp and they were born to swim in something, right? If you are really like me, you'll have some extra limes on hand that you can cut into wedges and serve alongside, because you thought to yourself while standing over the bin of limes at the grocery store that two little limes look so lonely in the produce bag, and they're so tiny...why not throw in 5 or 6 more? Yeah, me too.