“Rushmore”

Jason Schwartzman in “Rushmore” (Touchstone, 1998)

“Rushmore” (Touchstone, 1998). A one-of-a-kind coming-of-age comedy. Jason Schwartzman plays Max Fisher, Rushmore Academy’s most involved yet worst student. When he and Mr. Blume (brilliantly played by the great Bill Murray), who is a parent of two of his classmates, both fall in love with the Academy’s first grade teacher, the fallout forces Max to rethink his life. If you haven’t seen a Wes Anderson film before, this is an excellent place to start. Definitely a film for grown ups, but really good stuff. Also stars Olivia Williams and Seymour Cassel. Written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson. Directed by Wes Anderson. “I saved Latin. What did you ever do?”

“Top Secret!”

Val Kilmer in ‘Top Secret!” (Paramount, 1984)

“Top Secret!” (Paramount, 1984). More juvenile (and really funny) humor from the team that brought us “Airplane!” This time, they spoof Elvis movies, spy movies and every other film genre in between. Val Kilmer, in his film debut, plays a very Elvis Presley-like character named Nick Rivers, a wildly-popular American rock ‘n’ roll singer who gets caught up in an espionage plot during a goodwill tour behind the Iron Curtain. While it’s difficult to top the film’s opening sequence, the silly absurdity carries on throughout the picture (make sure to notice the Swedish bookstore scene with Peter Cushing that was filmed backwards, not to mention the underwater fight scene at the end of the film). Also stars Lucy Gutteridge, Jeremy Kemp and Omar Sharif. Written and directed by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker (also written by Martyn Burke). “Latrine!”

“Sister Act”

Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena and Whoopi Goldberg in “Sister Act” (Touchstone 1992)

“Sister Act” (Touchstone, 1992). A clever Whoopi Goldberg vehicle about a nightclub singer named Deloris who, after witnessing a violent crime committed by her mobster boyfriend, is hidden in a convent to protect her before her court date. During her stay, Deloris turns the convent’s dreadful choir into a rockin’ girl group, much to the chagrin of the mother superior. Irreverent and really funny. Also stars Kathy Najimy, Mary Wickes, Harvey Keitel and the great Maggie Smith. Written by “Joseph Howard” (a pseudonym for the many writers that worked on the film, including Paul Rudnick, Nancy Meyers, and Carrie Fisher). Directed by Emile Ardolino. “Bless you.”

“Road to Morocco”

Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in “Road to Morocco” (Paramount, 1942)

“Road to Morocco” (Paramount, 1942). Third of the seven Bob Hope and Bing Crosby “Road” pictures. This time, the duo are shipwrecked, land in the Moroccan desert, and get caught up in a plot with warring Arabian tribes. Bing sings, Bob cracks jokes, and they both vie for the heart of the beautiful Dorothy Lamour. Also stars Anthony Quinn. Written by Frank Butler and Don Hartman. Directed by David Butler. Check out the title song sung by Bob Hope and Bing Crosby here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_w3UG6C_Mo. “This is the screwiest picture I was ever in. ”