A: Handjobs, trans fats and applause.
Q: Name 3 things that are hard to get at the movies nowadays.
But you and I can certainly get tons of righteous style and product tips. And the Internet helps you find the actual items or worthy facsimiles lickety-split.
We here at TMM add a little WD-40 for ya with our list of 20 top movie products.
Hoping to build upon Steph's great kick-off from yesterday, I give you products 15 through 11...
15. The Off-The-Shoulder Sweater in Flashdance
If David Cronenburg hadn't turned down Flashdance or Demi Moore was selected over Jennifer Beals for the starring role, I certianly wouldn't be writing this post about the tasty, over-the-shoulder heather grey sweat(-er/-shirt) that defined this movie. And a million fewer junior high schoolers' sheets would have been stained. The plotline (stripper-by-night and insanely-sexy-and-sweaty-welder-by-day chases her dream) is hot. The VHS (and soundtrack and DVD) cover featuring "Alex" in just the top and some red pumps was ridiculous. And iconic. Still is.
I just figured out what my girlfriend is getting for her birthday. Heck, I'm getting one for all my friends' girlfriends.
Get something similar from Reef at Swell.com for $38.
Or make something exact -- get worn sweatshirt, rip downward on one sleeve and dance repeatedly in cascade of water to Irene Cara.
BTW: Flashdance: The Musical set to open in Plymouth, England by year's end.
Remember this?
14. The Volleyball in Cast Away
The Oscar for best use of leather in Cast Away that isn't Tom Hanks' skin goes to Wilson, the volleyball.
Wilson couldn't be here with us tonight because, well, he's on the pro beach volleyball tour. It's the summer, after all. Not playing these days, but motivational speaking.
Get your own Wilson. Well, a top-o-the-line one. The version in the movie was shit. Didn't matter -- who was Hanks gonna bump, set and spike with anyways?
[$42.99, Wilson AVP Official Game Ball at Shop.com]
Before Andy Dick began pulling down girls' tank tops for sport, he was a comedian. He even made me laugh once. Well, smile. In this:
13. The Scarves in Harry Potter
This scarf almost make me want to see the movies.
Almost. But what's the point, I already know all the spoilers 'cuz everybody's seen them like 18 times and talks about them incessantly. I ain't hatin'. Well, just hatin' myself for ignoring a phenomenon. Anyway, these scarves do make me want to move to colder climates and further curse global warming. So, I shall buy one in anticipation of winter. Which colors would Hermonie totally be attracted to, Potter fans?
You can purchase all over the Internet. There are some seemingly official and discounted ones (like the red and mustard number above) at harrygear.com.
Or, you can knit your own.
Or, the lucky few and deluded, can just cast a spell to produce one.
12. The Box of Chocolates in Forrest Gump
A few nights back I went to a party on the Santa Monica Pier. Sitting on the dock (and pumping tourists full of all sea critters fried) was a Bubba Gump Fish Company. It made me hate Forrest Gump (the movie, not the man) for the first time ever. But only until I got out of noseshot of its kitchen.
Was there ever a simpler, more lovable character in a movie (not from Pixar) than Forrest? FG had good tastes too -- bow ties, Dr. Pepper, ping pong, Curious George, Robin Wright Penn, and, of course, chocolate by the box. The Gump-licensed boxes (Forrest's All-American Favorites and Momma's Home Style Favorites) don't seem to be available anymore, so I have two recos.
If you're more the type to own and watch this classic on VHS:
Creams, caramels, nougats and ennui. But delicious ennui.
[$8.99, 12 oz. assorted at russellstover.com]
If you're onto DVD then welcome to the 00's and to this mighty premium sampler:
Refined and then refined some more. A few of the flavors inside: Dulce de Leche, Champagne, Earl Grey Tea, Cappuccino, Caipirinha, Espresso, Pistachio.
[$60, 25 pcs. at mariebelle.com]
11. The Knife in Psycho
An eerie few notes of music and a very un-graphic series of shots (especially by today's standards) and yet the shower scene in Psycho remains one of the most (if not the most) haunting moments ever caught on celluloid. How did any woman shower for the rest of the decade? And how was it that not a single cutlery company came out with a Psycho Chef's Knife? Oh, right, common sense and decency and a desire for profitability.
Here's a great knife for any Tom, Dick or Norman:
It's from Masahiro, a distinguished brand of Japanese knives, which hails from Sakai, once renowned for its samurai swords.
[Sale $79.50, 7-1/8'' Cooks Gyutou, 180mm at knifemerchant.com]
Check for the top 6-10 tomorrow.
[Related: The Top 20 Products in Movies (16-20)]