If you're like me, you know people who hate musicals. Having characters break into song at the drop of a dime, complete with awesome dance choreography, is just too much for some people. Take my brother, for instance. Had he been in the room with me when I watched La La Land we would not have made it past the opening number. He would've groaned and said "Please, turn this shit off. I can't take this." However, even he has to admit that, occasionally, having a character break into song unexpectedly can add to a film. And that's where our wonderful host for Thursday Movie Picks, the wonderful Wanderer at Wandering Through the Shelves, has taken us. Not only are we talking about movies where characters break into song, but those that do so without even being musicals. I think I've got some.
Coming to America
(1988)
I'm sure I've picked this movie a Thursday or two already, but so what. It's damn near impossible for me to turn down a chance to praise this movie. The qualifying scene finds Eddie Murphy's Prince Hakeem coming home from a date with Lisa. If you weren't sure he was destined to be with her, there's no doubt after he wakes up the entire neighborhood with his rendition of Jackie Wilson's To Be Loved.
House Party
(1990)
Real-life 80s and 90s rap duo Kid-N-Play star as a pair of high school friends who throw the titular party because Play's parents are out of town. Not the most original premise, but they make it work in this 'hood classic. The film is music heavy, because it's a party, but it's not a musical. However, there is that one scene - the one where the two friends are a bit at odds with each other and wind up having a freestyle rap battle. Before you go getting your panties in a bunch and saying that doesn't qualify, what they actually did was perform a song from the soundtrack.
Best Man Holiday
(2013)
This sequel to 1999's The Best Man finds us sharing a Christmas holiday with a group of reunited friends. There's love, laughs, and potentially, a tragedy. It gets sentimental, at times, but is still a really solid sequel. The most memorable part of the movie is when the gentlemen decide to entertain their ladies with a lip-sync performance of New Edition's "Can You Stand the Rain." Okay, it's not technically breaking into song, but you know what rules are made for.
I've only seen The Best Man Holiday and I absolutely loved that scene. The movie was nice too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great scene. Glad you enjoyed the movie.
DeleteI've seen your first two picks, but not Best Man Holiday. And rap battles definitely count.
ReplyDeleteThat is a fun scene in Coming to America which is without question one of Murphy's best films. Unfortunately that's the only one of your picks I've seen. Well that's not quite true...I turned on House Party somewhere after it started had no clue what was going on and turned it off but that hardly counts. I did see The Best Man which was okay but had no idea there was a sequel.
ReplyDeleteI expected this to be tougher to come up with three since the restriction was a narrow one but my trio come rather easily to me.
Adventures in Babysitting (1987)-When Chris Parker (a phenomenal Elisabeth Shue) agrees to babysit the Anderson kids after her date cancels at the last minute she has no idea that she is embarking on the rollercoaster ride of her life thanks to her friend Brenda (a hilarious Penelope Ann Miller) being stuck at the bus station in the city. Going to help against her better judgement she and the kids have one harrowing madcap adventure after another including an unexpected but spirited impromptu performance in a jazz club. Disarming and just plain fun.
The First Wives Club (1996)- At the funeral of one of their college roommates who committed suicide when her ex-husband married a younger woman three women (Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton) reunite for the first time in nearly 30 years. When they realize the reason for their friend's suicide, they discover a common bond-all of their ex-husbands have taken them for granted as well-they decide it's time for revenge and unite to get back at their exes. Scheming and chicanery topped by a musical number follow.
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)-Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts) panics when her best friend Michael (Dermot Mulroney) calls out of the blue and tells her he is getting married the next weekend to pert, ultra-wealthy Kimmy (Cameron Diaz). Once upon a time Julianne and Michael had made a pact to marry each other if they hadn’t found someone by their 28th birthday, with this news she decides Michael is the man for her and sets out to stop the wedding against the advice of her other best friend George (a scene stealing Rupert Everett). Hilarity and an unexpected musical number ensue. Disarming romantic comedy with Roberts’s superstar charisma totally responsible for making her rather contemptible character someone you almost root for.
Yes, Coming to America is not just among Murphy's best, I think it is his best.
DeleteI'm in a weird spot with Adventures in Babysitting. I think I've seen it, but in my brain it gets tangled with Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. I probably just need to (re) watch both so I can sort them out in my head. Haven't seen your other two picks.
I LOVE Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead!!! I can kinda see how they could get mixed up in your head, they came out rather close together and they both have older teens taking control of situations and younger kids but they are pretty different otherwise but both, if not ART, highly enjoyable films with very appealing lead performances.
DeleteYeah, it's been too many years. I definitely need to revisit.
DeleteComing To America is a CLASSIC. I never saw The Best Man, so I didn't bother with the sequel, but the clips of that scene definitely made me want to watch it. Those are some DELICIOUS mens.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed both so I definitely recommend them.
DeleteI haven't seen any of these but I've wanted to watch Coming To America; hopefully I get to it this year! I watch films depending on my mood; my watch list doesn't get any shorter because of it.
ReplyDeleteWhenever you're in the mood for a fun R-rated fairytale, go for it. Just make it soon.
DeleteGreat post! That Coming to America scene is A+++ classic!
ReplyDeleteYou forgot a couple of plus signs. And I'm not even being sarcastic.
DeleteIt is sad that i have not seen any of these and I have wanted to see Coming to America for a long time. Your last pick as well is one I have wanted to see...especially the first movie and then the sequel. This all works in my mind and rules are meant to be broken or...adjusted:)
ReplyDeletePlease see Coming to America. Please. Pretty please.
DeleteAh.... excellent picks. I've seen bits of The Best Man Holiday as that was a good scene. You can't go wrong with House Party. Of course, Coming to America as I'm actually working on an essay about the film and hopefully mark the return of my Favorite Films essay series. Personally, I would've picked Oha's "She's Your Queen to Be" or Randy Watson's "The Greatest Love of All" as they're just so funny to watch though Akeem's "To Be Loved" is a damn good choice that often gets overlooked.
ReplyDeleteThose are both excellent scenes, no doubt. I would've been fine with any of them.
DeleteI'm really loving this week's theme. House Party is THE BEST!
ReplyDeleteYay! House Party love!
DeleteI've only seen Coming to America, but it has been a long time since I've seen it so I can't remember that scene.
ReplyDeleteGreat picks! I love that moment in Coming to America. And you're right, who cares if you've picked that movie before!
ReplyDelete