Random 90s Movie Review #12: How Stella Got Her Groove Back

Wrapping up June's chick flick movies with this:

How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)

A few months ago I read this book along with with Waiting to Exhale and Getting to Happy. Naturally, I spent the entire two hours of this movie comparing it to the book and wondering, "Why?? Why did they do that?" During the times when I was able to put those thoughts aside and just enjoy the movie for what it is, I found it to be decent enough. Although watching it today is kinda sad, when you think about how this was based on real events in Terry McMillan's life that didn't turn out so great (you know, like marrying a younger man you met in Jamaica that later came out of the closet and caused you to go through a terrible divorce..). But if you want to spend a nostalgic evening with your gal pals eating cheesecake and watching movies, I'd say put this on the list.

Why you should watch this movie: You like Taye Diggs shower scenes

Why you shouldn't watch this movie: You're devoted to the book and can't handle a different adaption of the story

I Heart the Nineties rating: One snap up

Random 90s Movie Review #11: While You Were Sleeping

Chick Flick Month trudges on with our third review:

While You Were Sleeping, from 1995. And boy, I tell you it sure is 90s. Think of any romantic comedy from the early 90s and this one will definitely share some characteristics with it. First, it's set in a big city. There's a big emphasis on family. The coma guy is well into adulthood, yet has a sister still living at home (for some reason it was always important to have that younger sibling). And naturally, there are many misunderstandings that could have easily been cleared up within a matter of seconds. Throw in a botched wedding at a hospital, and you've got yourself a hit!

Why you should watch this movie: I found it to be pretty watchable. It's got just the right amount of sappiness without going overboard. Casting was good; the grandma was the mom from Mary Poppins! Peter Gallagher is also a hunk, but maybe that's just my opinion.

Why you shouldn't watch this movie: There are a few cringe-worthy moments where you'll want to scream, "Just tell them the truth already!"

I Heart the Nineties Rating: One snap up

Fashion Friday #6

Let's take a moment and recognize Barbie for all her contributions to the fashion world. In the 90s she was truly an inspiration, convincing me to wear every neon color in one outfit, use Dep gel on my hair, and wear t-shirts with giant screen printed stuff.

I still think these particular outfits look pretty fly...

source

It's a Party in a Can!

Commercials could be pretty good in the 90s :)

The Day the Juice Got Loose

Can you believe it's been twenty years to the day since O.J. Simpson's low-speed chase in the Bronco? Actually, it does feel like that was forever ago, to me at least. So much can change in two decades. In 1994, we were all glued to our tvs to watch news reporters give us the "juicy" details (get it? juicy? the "Juice"?). Of course the internet existed, but for the vast majority of us I don't think we spent much time looking up details of the homicides, trial, etc. online. I'll go out on a limb and say that hadn't occurred to most of us. We just stuck with the tv coverage.

I just watched the 30 for 30 film about June 17, 1994, which covered O.J. as well as other sports events like the NY Rangers celebrating their Stanley Cup win. The director mentioned that it was a turning point at that time, where suddenly everyone became celebrity-obsessed and reality shows took off. The general public would rather watch O.J. in the Bronco over anything else. Which probably explains the weird memorabilia that popped up at the time.

In finale, I'll leave you with this tidbit about myself. While the murder trial was going on, my cousin and I came up with nicknames for ourselves and for my brother. The nicknames were a combination of a TLC member, a person associated with the trial, and an NBA player. I was Chili Kato Jordan :)

Remember These??

While doing research for something completely amazing and blog-related (and secret for now), I happened upon some foods I used to love. Yes, we've all seen lists of 90s foods that have since been discontinued, so I realize I'm not breaking new ground here. These are just a few of my personal favorites that I mourn for.

I'll start with the ones I always remembered.. the ones never forgotten:

Taco-flavored ranch dressing from Hidden Valley. Was this stuff even good? I have a feeling it was one of those marketing gimmicks that sucked me in and made me love it regardless of the product's taste. It must not have been around very long either, because I would reminisce about it with my marching band carpool buddies in high school.

Cookies n Creme Twix. You could also buy these in a box of singles. But who wants to eat just one single bar? That's just crazy.

And now for a food I completely forgot about for the last 20 years: Pop Qwiz popcorn! 

I'm just gonna come right out and say it.. this stuff was stupid. It was colored popcorn, and the color in the bag would be a mystery until it was popped. And there was no special flavoring involved, just straight up microwave butter popcorn. This commercial might get you so excited that you'd want to run out and buy some though! Haha. If you have any long-lost foods that you still dream of, let me know in the comments!

Random 90s Movie Review #10: The Pallbearer

Chick flick month continues with..

..1996's The Pallbearer, starring our main man David Schwimmer. I had never seen this one before, and was very much convinced that it was a comedy. Like, a laugh out loud kind of comedy. I was also assuming the worst, because it has a lot of bad reviews floating around on the net. Neither of those turned out to be particularly true, though. While there are certainly smile-inducing parts (David Schwimmer/Tom is requested to bring wine to a wedding shower.. he brings wine in a box with a bow on top), it's more serious and reminded me of something more along the lines of Reality Bites. It's about 20-somethings dealing with life. And Michael Rapaport's there!

Why you should watch this movie: You need to find an appropriate way to end the fling you started with your deceased classmate's mother (hint: don't do it by mailing back her charm bracelet with a bad poem).

Why you shouldn't watch this movie: If sitcom-esque misunderstandings snowballing out of control make you want to hide under a blanket, steer clear of this one.

I Heart the Nineties rating: One snap up

Beverly Hills, 90210 Trading Cards #18: The Pet Set

This card is totally cute. 'Nuff said.

Random 90s Movie Review #9: I Love You, I Love You Not

June's movie reviews will have a theme: chick flicks. With that being said, this is going to be a tough month for me to get through. If you feel the same, my apologies, but we can suffer through it for the sake of remembering the 90s!

So to kick things off, our first review of the month is I Love You, I Love You Not from 1996.

Its tagline is "An Unforgettable Journey of Discovery", but the odds are not in its favor that I'll remember even watching this one a year from now. The only reason I had it queued up to watch was because it stars Claire Danes, Jude Law and James Van Der Beek.

Basically what happens is that Claire Danes plays Daisy, a current-day prep school student, as well as Daisy's grandmother in flashback scenes of Nazi Germany. Daisy is Jewish, which causes her to be victimized by pranks at school; she's also super into reading, wants to live with her grandmother and falls in love with Jude Law's character, who turns out to be a huge jerk and dumps her out of peer pressure.

The film was based on a play and it ended up still being staged like one, with awkward dialogue and scenes that just don't work. If you want to watch better movies about this subject/time period, try The Book Thief.

Why you should watch this movie: Just for the last two or three minutes before the credits start. Seriously the worst movie ending I've ever seen!

Why you shouldn't watch this movie: You'd rather not experience the uncomfortableness of watching Claire Danes make out with a mirror.

I Heart the Nineties rating: Zero snaps.. this should have been way better than it was. Maybe the play was good?

An Ode to the Raps of Left Eye

Who else could wear a condom on their face so fashionably?

Who else ends up having caused an accidental house mansion fire from retaliation?

Who else can rap so awesomely about drug problems?

Lisa is all that and then some. If you're not familiar with "Waterfalls", it is a must-listen. And then you must memorize her rap. She may have passed on too soon, but at least she left this behind. You go, girl!