+1 Brain of Randomness

No, I'm not some hipster spouting off with "Oh, you wouldn't know them."  If you're reading this blog, there's a good chance you have seen a lot of these, but I think they're under-appreciated, and deserving of attention.  And if you haven't seen them, I heartily recommend you do so!

There will be a lot of these posts.  This is just the tip of the iceberg.  Ok... that sounds a bit "hipster-ish."

1. Tape Heads - John Cusack and Tim Robbins star.  They get fired from jobs as security guards and strike out into the music video industry.  When they accidentally dub the last song recorded by the hit band Blender Children over a funeral montage, they hit it big overnight.

This film is chock full of wonderful surreal humor and brilliant little moments that stick with you.  Of special note are the video they do for Rosco's Chicken and Waffles, the spontaneous summoning of ninja weapons during a catfight, and the sobriety test.  If you're a fan of either of these two actor's comedic work, go see it!

2. LA Story - Steve Martin is a weatherman in LA who's car breaks down by a highway sign that begins giving him advice about his love life.

Truly one of my favorite movies of all time.  I could watch this one over and over.  I am in awe of all the little touches that happen again and again in this movie.  It is soaked through and through with hidden and obvious Shakespeare references, but in the context of Los Angeles lifestyle.  The cast is amazing from Sarah Jessica Parker (long before Sex in the City) and Marilu Henner to the cameos of Patrick Stewart, Woody Harrelson, and Rick Moranis (as the gravedigger.)  In keeping with the surreal comedy theme from Tape Heads above, this one has a million of them as well, and you will likely not catch them all the first time through, so watch it again!

3. Dazed and Confused - Teens celebrate the end of the school year in 1976.

I'm sure more people have seen this one than others on my list, but I really love this one so I want to make sure.  The cast is amazing including Ben Affleck and Matthew McConaughey before they hit it big, as well as Parker Posey, Milla Jovavich, and Rory Cochrane (pre CSI Miami.)  It's a good mix of "coming of age" teen comedies with hazing and pot smoking, and good enough writing to make you feel what the kids are going through.

It's late, so I'm going to leave it at three for now.  There will be more!