nostalgia necessities: NICKTOONS on NETFLIX

Any excuse to revisit the 1990s is totally welcome to me, so when I noticed that the Instant Watch feature on Netflix was rife with complete seasons of my former favorite shows from yesteryear on Nickelodeon, I jumped at the opportunity to see them from my now-adult eyes. Considering how much I shake my head at children’s programming of today – having caught an unfortunate snippet of Hannah Montana and that damn Suite Life show – I thought it only fair I take a gander at my own tendencies as a youngster. I seem to recall a lot more creativity and worthwhile storylines back when Nickelodeon’s cartoon lineup was all the rage. To my relief, I’ve not been entirely off-base.

I remembered very quickly that some of my favorite shows in the animation block throughout the decade were the most strange. Namely, The Angry Beavers (wow, what an unfortunate name in retrospect) and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters. The former telling the story of two wisecracking beaver brothers forced to live together despite their obvious personality differences, and the latter following the antics of a trio of young monster students learning the ropes of scaring. Seeing it now, with a lot of these shows, I’m noticing there isn’t this inherent need to please an adult audience that you’ll likely find in most animated film efforts, if not on television (for evidence, see anything Pixar has made). But the nice thing about these two series in particular is that there is something beyond the physical humor at face value – some amusing writing and some amazing creativity.

Now, beyond my two faves from the nostalgic trip back, some other gems I rewatched were Hey Arnold!, Rugrats, and Rocko’s Modern Life. Though my attachment to these wasn’t quite as strong, I found, of the five I reviewed, that Hey Arnold! had the most appeal to a multi-generational audience. And while I remember fondly finding everything Rugrats and Rocko highly amusing as a grade-schooler, the humor doesn’t entirely translate now. Still, it’s tough to put a price on sentimentality.

**So what animated fare did you eat up as a child? Does it irreparably harm your memories to rewatch them as an adult?

nostalgia necessities: SISTER ACT (1992)

Though it may not have gone down in history as one of the greatest films (but then again, what of any of these entries has?), but I find it hard to believe that really anyone who’s seen Sister Act couldn’t find something totally redeemable about the movie. It’s a goofy musical comedy to be sure, but never before has there been such a great showcase for star Whoopi Goldberg (except for maybe The Color Purple) and for senior actresses (particularly Mary Wickes) this side of the The Golden Girls. And a killer Motown-infused soundtrack sure doesn’t hurt. From the first performance of “Hail Holy Queen” to the gracious stripped down (well sort of) version of “I Will Follow Him,” Deloris and the girls are clearly a reincarnation of The Ronettes in habits.

But Sister Act is more than just the impeccable facial comedic stylings of Goldberg and the rambunctious soundtrack; it’s the moments of clarity brought on by the fish-out-of-water lounge singer at its core that provide the true memorable nostalgia moments. For example, who could possibly deride the tutelage between Sister Mary Clarence and Sister Mary Robert – from the weak first steps as a confidence-lacking young nun to the lead belter in the ensemble, that first lick in “Hail Holy Queen” is enough to make your hair stand up on end. And then there’s Whoopi’s defrosting of ice queen mother superior, played with typical dignity by Maggie Smith. Their relationship is the truest one in the movie; Smith’s character is the epitome of old-school thought, and yet she bestows the truest form of new-school all-encompassing acceptance of the bunch by film’s end.

No perhaps I’m going overboard with my holier-than-thou praise of this lighthearted comedy, but I find it difficult to find a more representative musical comedy from the 1990s that was so universally adored. Whatever you may think of Whoopi Goldberg as an actress, she has to be one of the most enjoyable and likable performers of her generation. Deloris van Cartier is a perfect fit for her, and every viewer can tell she knows it.

Memorable Moment: I’ve already given this one away, but how wonderful is that first performance. Just watch Maggie’s mortified face and Sister Mary Robert’s nerves melt away. Pure genius.

nostalgia necessities: HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS (1989)

Try to think of a more thrilling unique adventure movie of the late ’80s than Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. What other flick boasted the ability to transport its audience into a microscopic territory where blades of grass were endless water slides, ants were giant pets, and Oreo cookies were 30-feet-tall dessert buffets? Thanks in part to 1980s screen star Rick Moranis (what is it about ’80s actors disappearing the second 1990 hit?) and his endless nerdiness, the movie follows geeky scientist and inventor Wayne Szalinski and his family as his shrink ray inadvertently succeeds (despite his many inventing blunders) in turning his children and the more rough-and-tumble neighbor kids into microscopic flecks. And thanks to the creativity of the writers and the crew, the movie takes to a virtual wonderland in the Szalinski’s own backyard. I mean, what child didn’t want to be shrunk down and wander around on the lawn after this movie came out?

The question has to be begged in this situation, what ever happened to those kids? Other than some guest spots on various TV shows, the most famous of the foursome is arguably Jared Rushton (Ron Thompson), who managed roles as Goldie Hawn’s trouble-making stepchild in Overboard and as Tom Hanks’ best buddy in Big. And since none of the parents went on to much following this movie – Rick Moranis already had his Ghostbusters fame and I suppose Kristine Sutherland took the side role of Buffy’s mom on Buffy the Vampire Slayer – it sort of serves as an ’80s snapshot that never really moved from the Szalinski’s uber-dangerous backyard.

But lastly, let us not forget the hysterical cartoon short that played before the movie (which to me is an essential offshoot), the Roger Rabbit vehicle “Tummy Trouble,” in which Roger is stuck watching Baby Herman in a series of misfortunes. Perhaps the best part, though, is once the “director” cries cut, and Baby Herman transforms into his actual self – the grisly child actor with the potty-mouthed, cigar-smoking voice of a 60-year-old mobster. Love it.

Memorable Moment: The kids are bushed from a long trek across the lawn and take refuge in a discarded Lego (product placement?) for the night. Yet another thing I wanted to somehow try.

nostalgia necessities: THE SECRET OF NIMH (1982)

First thing’s first — how many kids grew up with the Don Bluth semi-dark, semi-sweet classic The Secret of NIMH on constant rotation? Assuming not many hands are being raised at this point, let me be the first to tell you that it’s one of the best animated films I’ve ever seen, and it certainly didn’t get its due (perhaps overshadowed by the biggest family movie of all time being released the same year). Thanks to a complex and adult story-line from the novel by Robert C. O’Brien and the family-movie flavor of talking and personified animal, the result is a great mixture. And let’s be honest, we all miss 2D, hand-drawn animation, and this one is a beautiful-looking one to revisit.

Following the adventures of Mrs. Brisby, the widowed mother field mouse of four, our heroine has little time to find a way to move her ailing, bed-ridden son from the path of the farmer’s plow. But thanks to her late husband’s mysterious connections with an organization called NIMH, the “assistance” of a bumbling crow named Jeremy (voiced with typical tenacity by Dom DeLuise), the wise old rat Nicodemus, and her own adventurous ways, she goes on a quest to have her tiny house moved from the potential destruction. Just like it sounds, the movie is exciting, endearing, and a rousing ode to the courage of a mother’s heart and the strength she calls on to rescue her loved ones.

Now, I am a firm believer in the notion that Don Bluth is responsible for some of the best and most lasting non-Disney animated efforts out there. Dream Works Animation can try to claim that position, but thanks to Secret of NIMH and other efforts (namely, The Land Before Time, the American Tail movies, and Anastasia), Bluth’s got the market cornered on endearing, yet riveting, family adventure films. It’s truly a pity that 2000’s flop Titan A.E. basically ended his career. So take this opportunity, whether you are familiar with the film or not, to either experience or revisit The Secret of NIMH. It has all the elements of a great live-action blockbuster in a gorgeous, intelligent, hand-drawn package.

Memorable Moment: Reactions may differ from person to person, but the at-last reveal of Nicodemus is dramatic and effective. (Though, it apparently scared some of my peers as children.) One thing can basically be at a consensus, though: the owl was and is still terrifying every time you watch it.

nostalgia necessities: THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE (1986)

Judging by its relatively quick descent into obscurity after 1986 had lapsed, The Great Mouse Detective is one of those oft-forgotten movies that I just can’t get out of my head. Thanks to repeat viewings growing up (and the magic of home viewing), this one is on regular rotation in my DVD collection. And why shouldn’t it be? It has an exciting and at times surprisingly scary storyline, it features some stellar voice acting (thank you very much, Vincent Price!), and it includes a score from the great Henry Mancini (not to mention a catchy ditty from Melissa Manchester that – confession – I know all the words to).

What continues to surprise me each time I watch this flick, though, is how lasting some of the terrifying moments are. I mean, that creepy bat popping out of the baby bassinet is enough to cause significant scarring, but there’s also the eerie dolls in the toy store scene, the jarring music that accompanies each scene that includes the faux-queen robot (yeesh!), and the transformation of Ratigan from “world’s greatest criminal mind” to full-on street rat. But thanks to a goofy drunk scene with Dawson and a couple of silly Disney musical numbers, the dark and light factors balance each other out. (Although the band of Basil-lovers – adults, mind you – I recently watched it with seemed fairly on edge throughout the entire movie.)

So, to Ratigan! Though he may be a slimy, contemptible sewer rat (a moniker that my brother and I used to throw around at each other in honor of this very movie), he was a charming adversary to the able, if snooty, hero Basil of Baker Street. Probably overshadowed by its New York-loving follower, Oliver and Company, The Great Mouse Detective is a surprisingly strong ode to the British way of life. From the big-time importance of Big Ben to the distinguished mouse queen to the traditional Sherlock Holmesian attitude throughout (and is it always raining in London?) it’s a delightful British romp.

Memorable Scene: Reminiscent of another childhood mainstay, the board game Mouse Trap, Basil and Dawson manage their way out of Ratigan’s diabolical torture device through sheer cunning. Love it!

nostalgia necessities: AN AMERICAN TAIL: FIEVEL GOES WEST (1991)

Proof that Disney doesn’t have a monopoly on fun, energetic, musical, nostalgia-worthy pictures, An American Tail: Fievel Goes West is a joyous and oftentimes hilarious ride from the Bronx to Green River, Wyoming. First thing’s first — I haven’t seen the first American Tail movie. I, like everyone else, have of course heard the anthem “Somewhere Out There” countless times, but I’ve never seen the 1986 original. What I do know, though, is that this sequel features a stellar voice cast — Dom DeLuise (hysterical!), John Cleese (despicable!), and, you heard right, Jimmy Stewart as Sheriff Wylie Burp. And aside from featuring a few surprisingly great musical numbers (Cathy Cavadini is lovely on the vocals for both “Dreams to Dream” and “The Girl I Left Behind”), this movie is somehow still funny to me as an adult.

Chalk it up to my now-ability to appreciate the fact that James Stewart is in this sort of movie (and that it’s his last film performance) and that DeLuise’s character Tiger delivers some pretty gut-busting lines throughout the movie — the “How… do you do?,” the barking lessons, and, of course, the Lazy Eye. And then there’s the strange occurrence of Amy Irving playing the New Yawkese seductress Miss Kitty, while her recent ex-husband Steven Spielberg produces. Gotta love behind-the-scenes awkwardness!

So say what you will about most non-Disney animated efforts, but Universal did us a service with this one. It’s a fun and adventurous western tale with a noble and lovable hero, an endearing and sweet-voiced chanteuse, a silly and laugh-peddling feline sidekick, and a distinguished and heartwarming turn from a classic actor who still had it. It’s too bad the studio didn’t cash in on potential for more “American tails,” since after this one, it was relegated to the direct-to-video cemetery with fellow excellent non-Disney fare like The Land Before Time. But hopefully we can all remember Fievel fondly as the aspiring cowboy who saved the mice from becoming mouseburgers.

Memorable Scene: When Tiger first encounters Chula the spider, his response is pretty entertaining. Thanks again, Dom DeLuise.

nostalgia necessities: MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND (1996)

The ’70s had The Muppet Movie, the ’80s had The Muppets Take Manhattan, and the ’90s were thoroughly blessed with the delightfully silly and still genuinely funny Muppet Treasure Island. Following Jim Henson‘s famous characters through Robert Louis Stevenson‘s classic, Kermit is Captain Smollett, Miss Piggy is Benjamina Gunn, and Fozzie is Squire Trelawney (and Mr. Bimbo). And they’re joined by famous Brits Jennifer Saunders as hefty innkeeper Mrs. Bluveridge, Billy Connolly as the ill-fated Billy Bones, and Tim Curry as the dastardly ship cook Long John Silver. Not to mention the duo miraculous duo of The Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat as, what else, themselves. I seem to recall them fondly in the original 19th Century literary classic.

What makes this Muppet outing still enjoyable more than 10 years later (can you believe that?!) isn’t just that I remembered many of the words to “(We’ve Got) Cabin Fever” or that Fozzie the Bear is even more hilarious with a silly wig than without. It’s the fact that watching it makes me wonder why on earth children today aren’t still enjoying a Muppet movie every couple of years. Sure, the last couple weren’t huge box office behemoths, but I find it hard to believe that someone can find more merit in something like a millionth Shrek sequel or a thrown-together Alvin and the Chipmunks bastardized piece of crap. But I digress. The point is that the Muppets were not only fairly wholesome, but (thanks to Statler and Waldorf in particular) they brought an ageless comedy to the table. I mean, any episode of The Muppet Show is still just as funny to me as an adult as it was when I was growing up.

So with their zany antics and liberal plot alterations, what the Muppets did with Treasure Island was one happy trip. They took an otherwise dull string of adaptations of the novel and jazzed it up with a few musical numbers, some colorful puppets with ridiculous voices, and a few pop culture references for the parents. Yo-ho, indeed.

Memorable Scene: The boys – Jim Hawkins, Gonzo, and Rizzo – have their first encounter with Trelawney (a.k.a. Fozzie) and Frank Oz’s voice work alone is entertainment enough for an entire movie.

nostalgia necessities: THE GOONIES (1985)

Typical of my generation, nothing quite says childhood like a repeat viewing of The Goonies. And from the moment Chunk (Jeff Cohen) inadvertently slams that milkshake against the window of the arcade and shouts out an expletive, I’m hooked all over again. But before I get too far, I have a confession to make. Though I have since become an avid fan of the movie (much like every person I speak to that was born before 1990), the first time I saw it, it absolutely terrified me. I’m talking, Michael Jackson “Thriller” video terrifying (yeah, I saw it by accident as a youngster and never recovered). Luckily, once I’d actually seen it the whole way through, I recovered and have lived to watch it several hundred times since. And apparently even to this day, the movie is a laugh riot.

Now call me crazy, but my second favorite Goonie (I skip first since it seems like a requirement that Chunk be No. 1) is… Martha Plimpton. All right, so Sean Astin and Josh Brolin have since become two of my favorite actors thanks to Return of the King and No Country for Old Men, respectively, but it was Plimpton’s no-nonsense nerd girl that I most identified with. And I believe that’s what The Goonies was all about – a prototype child for every viewer to relate to (let’s just hope you didn’t relate to Troy). Thanks to her work in Music from Another Room, a Jude Law/Gretchen Mol-starrer that is otherwise fairly unimpressive, she has proven to me that she can still be hysterical. (Fast forward to the jelly donut scene in the movie, and you’ll agree wholeheartedly.)

So though my two favorite Goonies have fallen into relatively behind-the-scenes careers since 1985, the later careers of Astin and Brolin have really shone. Brolin should’ve gotten a nod for No Country and Astin should’ve won outright for Return of the King. And though neither actually, occurred (but both of them were nominated for other work), it is important to note that the only other major cast member in the film that has since managed an Oscar nomination is none other than Anne Ramsey (the focal point of my initial terror with the movie) for Throw Momma from the Train. Here’s hoping Plimpton can be added to that list sometime in the future. Use this woman for some comedy work!

Memorable Scene: I’m going to have to go with the part where Chunk confesses to everything, prompted by threat of a hand puree in the diner’s blender.

nostalgia necessities: MRS. DOUBTFIRE (1993)

Not since Lemmon and Matthau had cross-dressing been quite so entertaining as 1993’s Mrs. Doubtfire.  The 1990s hero of comedy Robin Williams will almost certainly be remembered most for dressing up as a hideous but endearing European granny with a quick wit and a mean soccer kick.  Now, though the movie borders on pandering to the cliched and the melodramatic, the lasting impression it has is clear — whatever schlock Williams pumps out in this new millennium, he can still be remembered fondly as the funniest female impersonator of this generation.  Upon a review of this film, it became clear to me that the underlying message that it is sending is one that I don’t recall from early viewings of it.  Speaking to the virtually new generation of children growing up with divorced parents, it not only brought humor to the predicament, but also, particularly in the last ten minutes, gave hope to the youngsters that they would at some point achieve normalcy — although, it may take a month of deceit and gender identity crises.  With a healthy combination of an undeniably adorable pre-Matilda Mara Wilson and an admirable second-fiddle performance from Sally Field, Mrs. Doubtfire can still be considered an iconic feat for the 1990s.

Memorable Scene:  Mrs. Doubtfire and Stu (a young Pierce Brosnan) grab for some dentures that have carelessly fallen into a glass of “stiff chardonnay.”  “Carpe dentum.  Seize the teeth.”

nostalgia necessities: THE SANDLOT (1993)

There is one thing to be said for ABC Family.  No, I’m not talking about Secret Life of the American Teenager, though it DOES provide plentiful laughs for its viewers.  It is instead its occasional stumbling upon a great early 90s nostalgic shout-out to my childhood.  Today’s edition?  1993’s The Sandlot.  Idolized by anyone born in the 1980s (and quite possibly their parents as well), who could forget the ragtag team of bad news bears that battled “the beast,” puked from too much chew at the Fourth of July carnival, and wet their pants every time anyone talked about The Great Bambi… ahem… I mean, The Great Bambino.  While this generation’s inclination is to break out into song and dance on cafeteria tables and listen to the warbling of a self-proclaimed pop star with an identity crisis, I recall the days when it was much more

appealing to build elaborate erector sets to retrieve slobbered-upon baseballs from the clutches of a legendary gargantuan pooch.  Though most of the youngsters in the film went on to hardly anything but playing soccer with a goat, you’d be pleased to know that Tom “Smalls” Guiry managed to at least make his way onto Mystic River, which just so happened to be playing simultaneously over on AMC.  And then there was the out-of-reach vixen and lifeguard pin-up Wendy Peffercorn, which was, much to my surprise, played by a young Marley Shelton.  The effects of The Sandlot have certainly transferred seamlessly into my adult life, as “You’re killing me Smalls!” is a response to a less-than-stellar situation that every twentysomething I encounter will surely relate to.

Memorable Scene: The potty-mouthed exchange of pleasantries that ensued when the rival team showed up.  Buffalo-butt breath, indeed.