Ah, the movies...a mileu of fantasy and wish fulfillment and escapism. Not to mention the arbiters of cool. In fact, movies have been telling me what's cool since I was about 5, and saw E.T. for the first time. I immediately rushed home and bestowed my previously uncared-for E.T. doll with the honor of Favorite Doll. Since then, I've based all of my interests upon what I've seen in theaters (okay, not everything, but my multiple viewings of Sideways somehow coincided with my interests in wine quite closely).
In case you're still not entirely sure what's cool and all, the other Materialistias and I have drawn together a list of the 20 top movie products that we'll feature all this week, products that exploded in the public consciousness due to prominent movie appearance. And without further ado...
20. The Yellow VW Bus in Little Miss Sunshine
With a send-up of tween beauty pageants, a suicidal Steve Carell, additional family dysfunction, and the use of the term "sweet sweetness," Little Miss Sunshine had much to offer to viewers. But it was the aforementioned family's cross-country mode of transportation — their glaringly yellow VW bus — that was the brightest icon of hope throughout the movie. Party buses everywhere should take note: You don't need something fancy schmancy to get you where you need to go. You'll be thrilled to know that you can still procure your very own VW Bus:
[$7,100, eBay]
Bonus awesome movie clip:
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19. The Bicycle in Pee Wee's Big Adventure
Oh Pee Wee. How I used to love your ever-expanding aluminum foil ball. But it's Pee Wee's stolen bicycle that takes center stage in Pee Wee's Big Adventure, and Pee Wee has many cross-country adventures in his search to reclaim it. It appears that, despite its seeming singularity, Pee Wee's gorgeous bike is available to all of us. This Schwinn 2007 DX Sport, for example, can be had for a few hundred dollars:
[$379.99, Schwinn]
God, that's a beauty. And to remind you how coveted they can be...
18. The Ferrari in Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Guys, I have to say. Aside from Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street, I think Matthew Broderick in this movie was my first real movie star crush. I still haven't forgiven him for marrying Sarah Jessica Parker. But he's back in my good graces as long as the film is rolling, and I thrill at his every adolescent indiscretion, including his impromptu performance in a Von Steuben Day parade. But it is Cameron's dad's red Ferrari 250 GT California that hovers inside the imagination of every male viewer of this film. That particular car is a classic, and difficult to procure without millions, but there are many other Ferraris to choose from!
[Ferrari]
My favorite scene:
17. The Cheeseburger Phone in Juno
Juno was derided for its cutesy characters, and phrases such as "honest to blog," but I enjoyed every last second of that movie and, I'm embarrassed to admit, even wanted Juno's cheeseburger phone. I mean, it cracked me up every time a call went crackly and she had to shake the phone, explaining herself to those on the other end of the line. I had an inkling that it wouldn't be long before the phone became available and, sure enough, I saw it pop up on the Internets pretty quickly:
[$25, Fred Flare]
This movie rocks:
16. The Garden Gnome in Amelie
Another film known for its preciousness, Amelie was another one that drew me to theaters multiple times. Aside from being a breakout role for Audrey Tatou, the film made garden gnomes ridiculously popular again when the title character stole her father's gnome and had it photographed in various locations around the world. The Polaroids Amelie's father kept receiving in the mail eventually inspired him to take his own trip. Pick up your own garden gnome:
[$34.99, Clean Air Gardening]
For your viewing pleasure...
Tune in tomorrow for the top 11-15.