Dreamgirls Reefer Madness West Side Story Forrest Gump That Thing You Do! Empire Records Almost Famous Cry Baby Spiceworld School of Rock Hairspray Grease Little Shop of Horrors Sister Act Chicago Hocus Pocus Hair Bugsy Malone The Little Mermaid Moulin Rouge!
Dreamgirls, 2006 Genre: Drama Musical Director: Bill Condon Jamie Foxx as Curtis Taylor, Jr Based upon Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr. Curtis is a slick Cadillac dealer-turned-record executive who founds the Rainbow Records label and shows ruthless ambition in his quest to make his black artists household names with white audiences. At first romantically involved with Effie, Curtis takes a professional and personal interest in Deena after appointing her lead singer of the Dreams in Effie’s place. Beyoncé Knowles as Deena Jones Based upon Motown star Diana Ross, Deena is a very shy young woman who becomes a star after Curtis makes her lead singer of the Dreams. This, as well as her romantic involvement and later marriage to Curtis, draw Effie’s ire, though Deena realizes over time she is a puppet for her controlling husband. Eddie Murphy as James “Thunder” Early Inspired by R&B/soul singers such as James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and Marvin Gaye, is a raucous performer on the Rainbow label whom Curtis attempts to repackage as a pop-friendly balladeer. Jimmy’s star fades as the Dreams’ star rises, and he falls into drugs and an adulterous affair with Dreams member Lorrell. Jennifer Hudson as Effie White Inspired by Supremes member Florence Ballard and soul singers Etta James and Aretha Franklin, the plussized Effie is a talented yet temperamental singer who suffers when Curtis, the man she loves, replaces her as lead singer of the Dreams and his love interest, and later drops her altogether. With the help of Jimmy’s old manager Marty, Effie attempts to resurrect her career a decade later, while raising her daughter Magic, the offspring of her union with Curtis. Anika Noni Rose as Lorrell Robinson Inspired by Supremes member Mary Wilson is a good-natured background singer with the Dreams who falls deeply in love with the married Jimmy Early and becomes his mistress. Danny Glover as Marty Madison Keith Robinson as C.C. White Sharon Leal as Michelle Morris Hinton Battle as Wayne Plot Detroit, the early 1960s. Curtis Taylor, Jr., a car salesman, breaks into the music business with big dreams. He signs a trio of young women, the Dreamettes, gets them a job backing an R&B performer, James “Thunder” Early, establishes his own record label and starts wheeling and dealing. When Early flames out, Curtis makes the Dreamettes into headliners as the Dreams, but not before demoting their hefty big-voiced lead singer, Effie White, and putting the softer-voiced looker, Deena Jones, in front. Soon after, he fires Effie, sends her into a life of proud poverty, and takes Deena and the Dreams to the top. How long can Curtis stay there, and will Effie ever get her due? Most Memorable Song ‘And I am Telling You’
Reefer Madness, 2005 Genre: Comedy Musical Director: Andy Fickman Kristen Bell as Mary Lane Neve Campbell as Miss Poppy Christian Campbell as James Fenimore “Jimmy” Harper Alan Cumming as Lecturer / Moloch the Goat-Man / FDR Ana Gasteyer as Mae Coleman John Kassir as Ralph Wiley / Uncle Sam Amy Spanger as Sally DeBanis / Statue of Liberty Robert Torti as Jesus Steven Weber as Jack Stone / George Washington Abraham Jedidiah as Dead Old Man Christine Lakin as Joan of Arc John Mann as Satan Plot This film tells the tale of the Harper Affair, in which young Jimmy Harper finds his life of promise turn into a life of debauchery and murder thanks to the new drug menace marijuana. Along the way he receives help from his girlfriend Mary and Jesus himself, but always finds himself in the arms of the Reefer Man and the rest of the denizens of the Reefer Den. Most Memorable Song ‘Romeo and Juliet’
West Side Story, 1961 Genre: Drama Musical Director: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise Natalie Wood (Marni Nixon, singing) as Maria Nunez Richard Beymer (Jimmy Bryant, singing) as Tony Wycek Russ Tamblyn as Riff Lorton Rita Moreno (Betty Wand, singing) as Anita George Chakiris as Bernardo Nunez Simon Oakland as Lieutenant Schrank Ned Glass as Doc William Bramley as Officer Krupke Plot Westside story is the award winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliette. The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs- the white Jets led by Riff and the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding. But when Riff’s best friend (and former Jet) Tony and Bernardo’s younger sister Maria meet at a dance, no one can do anything to stop their love. Maria and Tony begin meeting in secret, planning to run away. Then the Skarks and Jets plan a rumble under the highway - whoever wins gains control of the streets. Maria sends Tony to stop it, hoping it can end the violence. It goes terribly wrong, and before the lovers know what’s happened, tragedy strikes and doesn’t stop until the climactic and heartbreaking ending. Most Memorable Song ‘Tonight’ ‘Somewhere’
Forrest Gump, 1994 Genre: Comedy Drama Director: Robert Zemeckis Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump Though at an early age his school principal determines young Forrest possesses an IQ of 75, he has endearing character and devotion to his loved ones and duties, which brings him into many life-changing situations. Along the way, he encounters many historical figures and events throughout his life. Robin Wright as Jenny Curran Gump’s childhood friend who enters his life at various times in adulthood, eventually becoming mother to his son and later marrying Gump. Jenny is a survivor of child sexual abuse, which results in her struggles with selfdestructive behavior throughout much of her life. She eventually sorts herself out and becomes a waitress in Savannah, Georgia where she lives in an apartment with her son, Forrest Jr. She dies from an unknown virus. Gary Sinise as Lieutenant Dan Taylor Gump and Bubba’s commanding officer during the Vietnam War, who comes from a long line of soldiers with a dubious history of dying in combat. After losing his legs in an ambush and being rescued against his will by Forrest, he falls into a deep depression. He later serves as Forrest’s first mate at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, gives most of the orders, and regains his will to live and ultimately forgives Forrest for his actions in Vietnam and thanks him for saving his life. By the end of the film, he is engaged to be married and is sporting “magic legs” – titanium alloy prosthetics which allow him to walk again. Mykelti Williamson as Benjamin Buford “Bubba” Blue Bubba is Gump’s friend whom he meets upon joining the Army. Bubba was originally supposed to be the senior partner in the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, but, due to his death in the line of duty in Vietnam, his commanding officer Lieutenant Dan Taylor took his place. The company posthumously carried this name. Sally Field as Mrs. Gump Haley Joel Osment as Forrest Gump, Jr. Plot Forrest Gump is a simple man with a low IQ but good intentions. He is running through childhood with his best and only friend Jenny. His ‘mama’ teaches him the ways of life and leaves him to choose his destiny. Forrest joins the army for service in Vietnam, finding new friends called Dan and Bubba, he wins medals, creates a famous shrimp fishing fleet, inspires people to jog, starts a ping-pong craze, create the smiley, write bumper stickers and songs, donating to people and meeting the president several times. However this is all irrelevant to Forrest who can only think of his childhood sweetheart Jenny. Who has messed up her life. Although in the end all he wants to prove is that anyone can love anyone. Most Memorable Song ‘Fortunate Son’ Creedence Clearwater Revival
That Thing You Do! 1996 Genre: Comedy Drama Director: Tom Hanks Tom Everett Scott as Guy “Shades” Patterson Johnathon Schaech as James “Jimmy” Mattingly II Tom Hanks as Mr. White Steve Zahn as Leonard “Lenny” Haise Ethan Embry as The Bass Player Liv Tyler as Faye Dolan Charlize Theron as Tina Powers Bill Cobbs as Del Paxton Giovanni Ribisi as Chad Obba Babatundé as Lamarr Plot Recounts a fable of a pop rock band formed a year after the Beatles took America by storm in early 1964. Jazz aficionado Guy Patterson, unhappily toiling in the family appliance store, is recruited into the band the Oneders (later renamed the Wonders) after regular drummer Chad breaks his arm. After Guy injects a four/four rock beat into lead singer Jimmy’s ballad, the song’s undeniable pop power flings the Wonders into a brief whirlwind of success, telling the tale of many American bands who attempted to grab the brass ring of rock and roll in the wake of the British Invasion. Most Memorable Song ‘That Thing You Do!’
Empire Records, 1995 Genre: Comedy Director: Allan Moyle Anthony LaPaglia as Joe Reaves Maxwell Caulfield as Rex Manning Debi Mazar as Jane Renée Zellweger as Gina Rory Cochrane as Lucas Johnny Whitworth as A.J. Robin Tunney as Debra Ethan Embry as Mark Coyote Shivers as Berko Brendan Sexton as Warren Liv Tyler as Corey Mason Plot A day in the life of the employees of Empire Records. Except this is a day where everything comes to a head for a number of them facing personal crises - can they pull through together? And more importantly, can they keep their record store independent and not swallowed up by corporate greed? Most Memorable Song ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ The Buggles
Almost Famous, 2000 Genre: Drama Director: Cameron Crowe Billy Crudup as Russell Hammond Frances McDormand as Elaine Miller Kate Hudson as Penny Lane Jason Lee as Jeff Bebe Patrick Fugit as William Miller Michael Angarano as Young William Zooey Deschanel as Anita Miller Anna Paquin as Polexia Aphrodisia Fairuza Balk as Sapphire Noah Taylor as Dick Roswell John Fedevich as Ed Vallencourt Mark Kozelek as Larry Fellows Philip Seymour Hoffman as Lester Bangs Liz Stauber as Leslie Hammond Jimmy Fallon as Dennis Hope Plot William Miller is a 15 year old kid, hired by Rolling Stone magazine to tour with, and write about Stillwater, an up and coming rock band. This wonderfully witty coming of age film follows William as he falls face first to confront life, love, and lingo. Most Memorable Song ‘Tiny Dancer’ Elton John
Cry Baby, 1990 Genre: Comedy Director: John Waters Johnny Depp as Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker Amy Locane as Allison Vernon-Williams Polly Bergen as Mrs. Vernon-Williams Susan Tyrrell as Ramona Rickettes Iggy Pop as Belvedere Rickettes Ricki Lake as Pepper Walker Traci Lords as Wanda Woodward Kim McGuire as Mona Malnorowski/Hatchet-Face Darren E. Burrows as Milton Hackett Kim Webb as Lenora Frigid Stephen Mailer as Baldwin Plot “Drape” Wade Walker, also known as Cry-Baby for his ability to shed a single tear, falls head over heels for square Allison Vernon-Williams who, incidentally, is tired of being good. Most Memorable Song ‘Sh Boom’
Spiceworld, 1997 Genre: Comedy Director: Bob Spiers Victoria Beckham as Victoria/Posh Spice Melanie Brown as Mel B/Scary Spice Emma Bunton as Emma/Baby Spice Melanie Chisholm as Mel C/Sporty Spice Geri Halliwell as Geri/Ginger Spice Richard E. Grant as Clifford Claire Rushbrook as Deborah Roger Moore as The Chief Naoko Mori as Nicola Barry Humphries as Kevin McMaxford Richard O’Brien as Damien Alan Cumming as Piers Cuthbertson-Smyth Michael Barrymore as Mr. Step Meat Loaf as Dennis Plot Climb aboard the double decker Spice Bus and get ready for a madcap musical adventure with the sexy phenomenons of pop - the Spice Girls. An encounter with extra-terrestrials, a night in a haunted castle, and a moment of truth in a maternity ward are just a few of the escapades the endeavored upon as the Girls gear up for their first live concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Most Memorable Song ‘Spice Up Your Life’
School of Rock, 2003 Genre: Comedy Director: Richard Linklater Jack Black as Dewey Finn Joan Cusack as Rosalie “Roz” Mullins Mike White as Ned Schneebly Sarah Silverman as Patty Di Marco Joey Gaydos Jr. as Zack Mooneyham Miranda Cosgrove as Summer Hathaway Kevin Clark as Freddy Jones Rebecca Brown as Katie Robert Tsai as Lawrence Maryam Hassan as Tomika Caitlin Hale as Marta Aleisha Allen as Alicia Brian Falduto as Billy Plot Down and out rock star Dewey Finn gets fired from his band, and he faces a mountain of debts and depression. He takes a job as a 4th grade substitute teacher at an uptight private school where his attitude and hijinx have a powerful effect on his students. He also meets Zack, a 10-year-old guitar prodigy, who could help Dewey win a “battle of the bands” competition, which would solve his financial problems and put him back in the spotlight. Most Memorable Song ‘School of Rock’
Hairspray, 2007 Genre: Comedy Director: Adam Shankman Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Edna Turnblad John Travolta as Edna Turnblad Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma Von Tussle Christopher Walken as Wilbur Turnblad Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton James Marsden as Corny Collins Queen Latifah as “Motormouth” Maybelle Brittany Snow as Amber Von Tussle Zac Efron as Link Larkin Elijah Kelley as Seaweed J. Stubbs Allison Janney as Prudy Pingleton Plot Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teenager with all the right moves, is obsessed with the Corny Collins Show. Every day after school, she and her best friend Penny run home to watch the show and drool over the hot Link Larkin, much to Tracy’s mother Edna’s dismay. After one of the stars of the show leaves, Corny Collins holds auditions to see who will be the next person on the Corny Collins show. With all of the help of her friend Seaweed, Tracy makes it on the show, angering the evil dance queen Amber Von Tussle and her mother Velma. Tracy then decides that it’s not fair that the black kids can only dance on the Corny Collins Show once a month, and with the help of Seaweed, Link, Penny, Motormouth Maybelle, her father and Edna, she’s going to integrate the show.....without denting her ‘do! Most Memorable Song ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’
Grease, 1978 Genre: Comedy Romance Director: Randal Kleiser John Travolta as Danny Zuko Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsson The T-Birds: Jeff Conaway as Kenickie Barry Pearl as Doody Michael Tucci as Sonny Kelly Ward as Putzie The Pink Ladies: Stockard Channing as Betty Rizzo Didi Conn as Frenchy Jamie Donnelly as Jan Dinah Manoff as Marty Maraschino Plot A musical about teens in love in the 50’s! It’s California, 1959 and greaser Danny Zuko and Australian Sandy Olsson are in love. They spend time at the beach, but when they go back to school, what either of them don’t know is that they both now attend Rydell High. Danny’s the leader of the T-Birds, a group of black-jacket greasers while Sandy hangs with the Pink Ladies, a group of pink-wearing girls led by Rizzo. When they clash at Rydell’s first pep rally, Danny isn’t the same Danny at the beach. They try to be like each other so they can be together. Most Memorable Song ‘Summer Nights’
Little Shop of Horrors, 1986 Genre: Comedy Director: Frank Oz Rick Moranis as Seymour Krelborn The initially good-hearted protagonist; a nerdy florist who loves “strange and interesting” plants. Ellen Greene as Audrey A sweet, quiet, ditsy and insecure coworker; the object of Seymour’s affections, but dating the sadistic Orin Scrivello. Vincent Gardenia as Mr. Mushnik The grouchy, penny-pinching owner of Mushnik’s Flower Shop. Steve Martin as Orin Scrivello, DDS An abusive and sadistic dentist, and Audrey’s boyfriend. Levi Stubbs as the voice of Audrey II An evil and profane flytrap-like extraterrestrial plant with plans to take over the world. Audrey II serves as the primary antagonist of the film. Tichina Arnold, Michelle Weeks, and Tisha Campbell as Crystal, Ronette, and Chiffon James Belushi as Patrick Martin John Candy as Wink Wilkinson Christopher Guest as The First Customer Bill Murray as Arthur Denton Plot Seymour Krelborn is a nerdy orphan working at Mushnik’s, a flower shop in urban Skid Row. He harbors a crush on fellow co-worker Audrey Fulquard, and is berated by Mr. Mushnik daily. One day as Seymour is seeking a new mysterious plant, he finds a very mysterious unidentified plant which he calls Audrey II. The plant seems to have a craving for blood and soon begins to sing for his supper. Soon enough, Seymour feeds Audrey’s sadistic dentist boyfriend to the plant and later, Mushnik for witnessing the death of Audrey’s ex. Will Audrey II take over the world or will Seymour and Audrey defeat it? Most Memorable Song ‘Feed Me’
Sister Act, 1992 Genre: Comedy Crime Director: Emile Ardolino Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence Maggie Smith as Reverend Mother Kathy Najimy as Sister Mary Patrick Wendy Makkena as Sister Mary Robert Mary Wickes as Sister Mary Lazarus Rose Parenti as Sister Alma Harvey Keitel as Vince LaRocca Bill Nunn as Lt. Eddie Souther Joseph Maheras as Monsignor O’Hara Plot Sister Act is about a Reno lounge singer named Deloris Van Carter who witnesses her mobster boyfriend killing an employer. She is then hidden in a convent under a witness protection program. She soon makes friends with the nuns especially Sister Mary Robert, Sister Mary Lazuras and Sister Mary Patrick. After the Mother Superior catches Deloris going out to a bar in the night time followed by Mary Robert and Mary Patrick she orders her to join the church choir. Only to find her coaching the choir and turning them into swingin’ singin’ sisters. The choir proves to be a big success with the surrounding neighborhood, but will Deloris’ boyfriend track her down. Most Memorable Song ‘My Guy (My God)’
Chicago, 2002 Genre: Crime Comedy Director: Rob Marshall Renée Zellweger as Roxanne “Roxie” Hart A housewife who aspires to be a vaudevillian. Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly A showgirl who is arrested for the murders of her husband and her sister. Richard Gere as Billy Flynn A treacherous, smooth-talking lawyer who turns his clients into celebrities to gain public support for them. Queen Latifah as Matron “Mama” Morton The corrupt matron of the Cook County Jail. John C. Reilly as Amos Hart Roxie’s naïve, simple-minded, but devoted husband. Christine Baranski as Mary Sunshine Taye Diggs as The Bandleader Lucy Liu as Kitty Baxter Dominic West as Frederick “Fred” Casely Plot Murderesses Velma Kelly (a chanteuse and tease who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together) and Roxie Hart (who killed her boyfriend when she discovered he wasn’t going to make her a star) find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago. Most Memorable Song ‘All That Jazz’
Hocus Pocus, 1993 Genre: Comedy Director: Kenny Ortega Bette Midler as Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson The leader of the Sanderson sisters and the main antagonist. She is the eldest and is highly sensitive to people calling her ugly and has a very short temper. Generally the most intelligent of the three sisters, however she is prone to being melodramatic. She has the power of electrokinesis. Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson The middle witch sister and second of the secondary antagonists. Often complimenting and comforting Winnie, Mary constantly seeks Winnie’s approval. She has the ability to sniff out the presence of children and has a tendency to bark in a Curly Howard-like fashion. She is the most observant of the three. Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson The youngest witch sister and one of the secondary antagonists. She uses a siren-like ability to lure children to the Sanderson home. She sings a song called “Come Little Children” to lure the children to the home, to suck their lives to become younger. She is not particularly intelligent and she is often prancing around and goofing off. She is the most beautiful of the three which makes her have the tendency to attract boys and flirt with them. Omri Katz as Max Dennison Thora Birch as Dani Dennison Vinessa Shaw as Allison Sean Murray as Thackery Binx Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson Charles Rocket as Dave Dennison Stephanie Faracy as Jenny Dennison Garry Marshall as The Devil Plot More than 300 years ago, 3 witches were sentenced to die in Salem, Massachusetts and a boy was turned into a cat (a black cat, naturally). Now it’s Halloween, and the witches are back. This time, they’ve got their eyes on immortal life and have turned their wrath on trick-or-treaters and it’s up to the 300-year-old cat to save the day. Most Memorable Song ‘I Put A Spell on You’
Hair, 1979 Genre: Comedy Drama Director: Milos Forman John Savage as Claude Hooper Bukowski Treat Williams as George Berger Beverly D’Angelo as Sheila Franklin Don Dacus as Woof Daschund Annie Golden as Jeannie Ryan Dorsey Wright as LaFayette “Hud” Johnson Nell Carter as Ain’t Got No / White Boys Cheryl Barnes as Hud’s fiancée Richard Bright as Fenton Ellen Foley as Black Boys Charlotte Rae as Lady in Pink Laurie Beechman as Black Boys Nicholas Ray as The General Michael Jeter as Sheldon Plot his movie, based on the cult Broadway musical of the 60s, tells a story about Claude, a young man from Oklahoma who comes to New York City. There he strikes up a friendship with a group of hippies, led by Berger, and falls in love with Sheila, a girl from a rich family. However, their happiness is short because Claude must go to the Vietnam war. Most Memorable Song ‘I Got Life’
Bugsy Malone, 1976 Genre: Comedy Crime Director: Alan Parker Scott Baio as Bugsy Malone Florrie Dugger as Blousey Brown John Cassisi as Fat Sam Jodie Foster as Tallulah Martin Lev as Dandy Dan Paul Murphy as Leroy Smith Albin Humpty Jenkins as Fizzy Sheridan Russell as Knuckles Plot A gangster movie where all the gangsters are children. Instead of real bullets they use “splurge guns” that cover the victim in cream. The story tells of the rise of “Bugsy Malone” and the battle for power between “Fat Sam” and “Dandy Dan”. Most Memorable Song ‘Fat Sam’s Grand Slam’
The Little Mermaid, 1989 Genre: Animation Director: Ron Clements, John Musker Princess Ariel, voiced by Jodi Benson Prince Eric, voiced by Christopher Daniel Barnes Ursula, voiced by Pat Carroll Sebastian, voiced by Samuel E. Wright Flounder, voiced by Jason Marin King Triton, voiced by Kenneth Mars Scuttle, voiced by Buddy Hackett Plot Loosely based upon the story by Hans Christian Andersen. Ariel, youngest daughter of King Triton, is dissatisfied with life in the sea. She longs to be with the humans above the surface, and is often caught in arguments with her father over those “barbaric fish-eaters”. She goes to meet Ursula, the Sea Witch, to strike a deal, but Ursula has bigger plans for this mermaid and her father. Most Memorable Song ‘Under the Sea’
Moulin Rouge! 2001 Genre: Drama Romance Director: Baz Luhrmann Ewan McGregor as Christian Nicole Kidman as Satine Jim Broadbent as Harold Zidler Richard Roxburgh as The Duke of Monroth John Leguizamo as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Jacek Koman as The Narcoleptic Argentinean Caroline O’Connor as Nini Legs-in-the-Air Garry McDonald as The Doctor Keith Robinson as Le Pétomane Natalie Mendoza as China Doll David Wenham as Audrey Kiruna Stamell as La Petite Princesse Deobia Oparei as Le Chocolat Kylie Minogue as The Green Fairy Plot The year is 1899, and Christian, a young English writer, has come to Paris to follow the Bohemian revolution taking hold of the city’s drug and prostitute infested underworld. And nowhere is the thrill of the underworld more alive than at the Moulin Rouge, a night club where the rich and poor men alike come to be entertained by the dancers, but things take a wicked turn for Christian as he starts a deadly love affair with the star courtesan of the club, Satine. But her affections are also coveted by the club’s patron: the Duke. A dangerous love triangle ensues as Satine and Christian attempt to fight all odds to stay together but a force that not even love can conquer is taking its toll on Satine. Most Memorable Song ‘Your Song’