favorite movie #80 - halloween edition: little shop of horrors

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #80 - Little Shop of Horrors (1986) - I like the original B&W Roger Corman film too, with Jack Nicholson's wonderfully masochistic dental patient, but this is the one to see over and over again. Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and Levi Stubbs as the voice of Audrey II are all amazing. Even though director Frank Oz wanted the "darker" ending that was in the Off-Broadway show, the originally released "happy" ending is still pretty ambiguous. The movie doesn't shy away from its sleazy Skid Row locations, S&M romance between Audrey and Doctor Scrivello (Steve Martin), or this version's patient who is in love with pain (Bill Murray). The scene is set by Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon (Tichina Arnold, Michelle Weeks, and Tisha Campbell) and the songs are great, too, especially: "Prologue: Little Shop of Horrors", "Skid Row (Downtown)", "Some Fun Now", "Dentist!", "Feed Me (Git It)", and Ellen Greene steals the show with "Suddenly, Seymour" and "Somewhere That's Green".

happy birthday frank oz

Not only is Frank Oz the puppeteer and voice of Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Cookie Monster, Bert, and Grover, but he has directed some of my favorite comic films. And of course he is the man behind Jedi Master Yoda. Sounds like it's time for a Frank Oz film fest, but which one to watch first?

Little Shop of Horrors is a hoot, with Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene an adorable couple, Audrey II as a very impressive space alien plant, and Steve Martin as a particularly creepy dentist.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels pits Steve Martin vs. Michael Caine as con men on the French Riviera, with a lovely Glenne Headley giving them both a run for her money.

Steve Martin and Michael Caine strike a pose

Bill Murray shows his support for his doctor, Richard Dreyfuss

What About Bob? may be Bill Murray's best film, as he unloads all of his neuroses on his shrink Richard Dreyfuss's doorstep, with of course, hilarious results.

Housesitter pairs Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn in a romance that is part comedy, part duel.

In and Out, is another funny funny film, featuring Kevin Kline as Howard Brackett's a high school English teacher who is outed by a former student at the Oscars played by Matt Dillon. Joan Cusack is amazing as Kline's fiancee and Tom Selleck is wonderful as a self-centered entertainment reporter who wants to get the scoop of Howard's coming-out party.

Joan Cusack and Kevin Kine watch the Oscars

Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy in Hollywood

Martin heads the cast again in Bowfinger, a wicked Hollywood farce that also stars Eddie Murphy in one of his best comic performances.

Although I love all of the films listed above I may have to start with Death at a Funeral, which I haven't yet seen. I've seen the pretty funny remake with Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence and Peter Dinklage, but Oz's film is set in England and it also features Dinklage. Maybe a double feature with Bowfinger ...