Sixteen Candles

      Easily a contender for the funniest film of the 1980's, "Sixteen Candles" made household names of John Hughes and Molly Ringwald and easily went on to become one of the most popular and well-loved comedies of the decade.

      "Sixteen Candles" tells the tale of angst-ridden Samantha, memorably played by Molly Ringwald in an iconic performance.  Sam is celebrating her 16th birthday, but her older sister is getting married. In all the ruckus of the impending wedding, it seems Sam's birthday is over-looked.

     Samantha is hopelessly in love with dreamboat Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling), who doesn't know she exists and instead dates the most beautiful (and bitchy) girl in school.  The horrors of being a teen in the 80's.  To make matters worse, she has the Geek to contend with- a nerdy stalker deliciously played by Anthony Michael-Hall, who relentlessly tries to get in her pants.  It's another iconic performance.

     "Sixteen Candles" is chock full of familiar faces- too many to name.  (Although Joan Cusack is a personal favorite...)  The jokes come in a constant barrage,  and the pacing never dulls for a second.  It's truly a riotous comedy that has entered the annals of pop culture.  Say the lines "What's happening, hotstuff?", "They fucking forgot my birthday..." or " Frank, she's gotten her boobies..." at a party and someone will know what you're talking about.

     This is one of the ultimate 80's teen classics, and one of John Hughe's finest moments on film.  If you were born in the early 70's as I was, then you loved this movie and watched it a thousand times on HBO.  "Sixteen Candles", although a wonderful time capsule of the early 80's, still plays quite fresh today.  I think it ages better and better as the years go by- I find it more inspired and hilarious each time I watch it again. It's also very well-written.

      This movie was what the 80's were all about, and I know of quite a few tweens today who literally obsess over any movie starring Molly Ringwald.  Or any of the Brat Pack, for that matter.  It's 100% enjoyable, and an undeniably rad classic of the 80's.