FEATURE: Top 10 Rick Moranis Flicks

A lament for Moranis.

Fact: I adore Rick Moranis. As a pale, awkward, shy, bespectacled, friendless, unpopular, geeky pre-teenager, this strange little guy gave me a reason to get up in the morning, put on my Ghostbusters T-shirt, and face the days filled with something resembling a spring in my step. Sad, dear readers, but painfully true. I honestly cannot count how many times I've watched Little Shop of Horrors, though I do have several highly-trained Norwegian accountants working around the clock to put the pieces of this perplexing puzzle together. Until then, I've decided to waste everyone's free time with yet another Internet Top 10 list, one designed specifically to sing the praises of everything that is Rick Moranis, except, of course, for his comedy country album. I'll leave that nugget of undiscovered joy for another website to tackle. Until this excellent Canadian export is given the opportunity to rejuvenate his Hollywood career thanks to some hip, pop culture-obsessed writer/director, I shall use this mildly embarrassing post as a reminder of man's subtle genius. Oh, and if Louis Tully tells you he's finished my taxes, send him down to the plant shop on Skid Row. Thanks a bunch. Hopefully I won't owe as much as I did last year. That would be just super. Me for, anyway.

On with the countdown!

10. The Flintstones - While not the greatest cartoon-to-film adaptation I've ever seen, the casting of Moranis as the immortal Barney Rubble is one shade shy of brilliant. Too bad the rest of the film couldn't keep up. Good, but definitely not great.

9. Splitting Heirs - Written by former Monty Python funnyman Eric Idle, this underrated fish out of water story casts Moranis as an awkward American who finds himself the sole beneficiary of a lucrative British estate. Don't believe the negative reviews; it's much funnier than people give it credit for.

8. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids - Moranis develops a machine that accidentally shrinks his kids, thus allowing them to embark on an adventure across their incredibly dangerous backyard. One of the better live-action Disney movies to limp out of the 90's, thanks in part to a dramatically hilarious turn by, yes, Rick Moranis.

7. Club Paradise - Directed by Harold Ramis and starring several impossibly talented individuals, this mildly entertaining 80's comedy is rescued at the 11th hour by Peter O'Toole and, yes, Rick Moranis. Have you discovered my theme yet?

6. Parenthood - Essential viewing for any Moranis fan, this star-studded feature gives our favorite nerdy Canadian comedian a rare opportunity to flaunt his dramatic abilities. He doesn't have a huge role, mind you, but it's still worth a viewing. One of my favorites.

5. Spaceballs - Mel Brooks decided to lampoon the Star Wars saga way before anyone else, and his decision to cast Moranis as the Darth Vader-esque Lord Helmet was a stroke of remarkable genius. And while it's certainly a great role for our nerdy hero, it's still overshadowed by several great features. Don't be hatin', yo.

4. My Blue Heaven - Another personal favorite. Moranis and Steve Martin star as an uptight FBI agent and a wisecracking former gangster, respectively, living together in the suburbs. Witness protection as comedy? Of course! Easily one of the most overlooked films of the early 90's. Seek it out immediately.

3. Ghostbusters I & II - Why isn't this classic series higher on my goofy list? I'll tell you: Moranis only has a small role in both films, a fact which keeps it from sitting pretty at Number One. However, Ghostbusters made me a Moranis fan, so I've gotta represent. Louis Tully lives!

2. Strange Brew - With the assistance of former SCTV chuckle-slinger Dave Thomas, Moranis crafted one of the stupidest cult classics to ever grace my beloved television set. Though grossly stereotypical and oddly bizarre, the film is insanely rewatchable and genuinely hilarious. If you haven't seen this one yet, add it to your queue immediately. Do it right now. Seriously.

1. Little Shop of Horrors - Was there ever any doubt that one of my all-time favorite movies would sit atop this pathetic list like a maniacal dictator on a throne of rebel skulls? What makes this particular item top-notch, I think, is Moranis' surprisingly sweet voice, not to mention his mildly absurdist approach to the character of Seymour Krelborn. An 80's classic through-and-though.

There you have it: my blogtastic ode to Rick Moranis. For additional fun, check out this odd little music video dedicated to the sadness of not having Moranis anywhere on the big screen. Pretty funny stuff.

Until next time.