Dottie and Alix over at ModernKiddo.com always have terrific blog ideas, and since I have no inspiration this week for a Friday Morning Video, I’m going to steal spin-off their 15 Characters That Inspired Me idea, Slumber Party Movies-style. This is by no means a complete list.
1. Stef from The Goonies
God put that rock there for a purpose, Brand.
Stef wore glasses, had short choppy blonde hair, and her BFF was the prettiest girl in school. She managed to mostly keep her cool, even after losing her glasses–I had nightmares about losing my glasses, literally–and in the end, got the funny guy in the Purple Rain t-shirt. Who wouldn’t call that a win?
2. Julie from American Anthem
No, I will not dance to Swiss-style lederhosen music.
She was a gymnast who broke the mold and danced to her crippled friend’s synthesized symphony, and then had gymnastic sex with Mitch fucking Gaylord. I took acrobatics because of her. Until I hyperextended my elbow mid back-limber and said screw this, I’m done. What do you want? We can’t all be Becky Cameron.
3. Sara from Labyrinth
Jareth said WHAT?
She’s a bratty teenager who sees her parents as abusive because they ask her to babysit when she doesn’t have other plans. But she also lives in a fantasy world where she’s a warrior princess, rescuing said baby brother from an overfamiliar Goblin King with a crush on her. It’s no secret: part of the reason I had children was so that I could pretend, again, that I’m also a warrior princess.
4. Jan Brady
How DOES she do her tendrils?
I was a middle child who imagined myself to be far more persecuted than I actually was. Plus, I had short hair and was desperate for long hair. That’s pretty much it.
5. Blair from The Facts of Life
Blair, before she found Jesus.
Yeah, I know. We’re all supposed to like Jo best, because Blair was a rich bitch with too many clothes and too much hair, and she’s also kind of mean. But she had a lot of clothes, and a lot of hair, and she was also kind of mean.
6. Louise from Teen Witch
She likes boys.
By the time 1989 rolled around, I was 14 and feeling the impact of being the nerdy one in school. Then along comes Louise, who, it turns out, comes from a long line of witches, and can wish herself into being popular AND getting Dan Gauthier, plus she magicks her spunky BFF into SPM rap history.
Which brings me to Inspiration #6.5: the BFF. Look at how funky she is.
7. Jordan from Real Genius
Meet me, if I were an even bigger geek.
Nearly every time I’ve watched this movie with someone, they’ve stopped midway through Jordan’s introduction, looked at me, and said, “She is SO you.” Well, sure she is. Except she’s twice as brilliant as I am (and that’s saying something), much better at building things, and can knit. Like, really, really well.
8. Lisa from Weird Science
She’ll kick your ass, Al.
I’m not even justifying this with an explanation. But here’s one, in case you require one.
9. Lynn from Girls Just Want To Have Fun
Don’t bother her when she’s watching DTV.
Best BFF ever. Cute, funny, sassy, and she has a reversible fuzzy Velcroed Catholic schoolgirl kilt. And a grasshopper hat. And dinosaur barrettes. Will someone bring back dinosaur barrettes, please?
10. Billie Jean from The Legend of Billie Jean
Say it with me: Fair is fair!
Billie Jean kidnaps adorable geeks, defends her brother, denies an overgrown slug sexual advances, and inspires a nationwide movement to stand up for yourself. We could use some Billie Jeans these days.
That’s the start of my list. Add yours in the comments.
slumber party movies 
Martha Plimpton is hilarious on Raising Hope, but she has turned into such a hottie that when they do flashback scenes, her younger self is a gorgeous cheerleader type with long flowing hair. Understandable, but quite jarring for those of us who remember The Goonies.
I’m suddenly realizing how many of my inspirations were mostly based on hair.
Wow! I thought I was the only one who has seen Teen Witch!
I know you said this wasn’t exhaustive, but I still have to throw a few plugs out there…zee French girl from Better Off Dead kicked ass. Annie Potts in Pretty in Pink – although I think her awesomeness was covered in shindancer’s prom dress post. And Daphna Zuniga bearing her breasts in the “Come to momma boys” scene of The Sure Thing was awe-inspiring to 12 year olds round the world. And one last one…Terri Griffith in Just One of the Guys–chopping those locks and stuffing socks down her pants all to get the scoop & show the sexist newspaper editor that women can write!
Next post idea…best “best friends” in slumber party movies.