Shagadelic, Baby: Austin Powers

There is nothing more instantly recognizable from the 90s than Austin Powers. From the late 90s to the early 00s, Mike Myers and crew took us on a shagadelic ride from the Swingin’ 60s London to a “time where greed and corruption ruled again” (the 90s). With bad teeth, velour suits, and a free love worldview, Myers burned his classic groovy persona into our brains (along with the villainous Dr. Evil, of course). They are hands down still some of our all-time favorite movies and characters from the 90s. But do they hold up today?

Join Eric and me as we hop into a groovy 1999 New Beetle and head to the colorful, fuzzy, love-filled world of Austin Danger Powers and reminisce about the franchise that taught American 90s kids what the word “shag” means. So pour a martini (shaken, not stirred) and hop in – and don’t you dare lose your mojo along the way.

Warning, contains spoilers!

Sources

“Does Austin Powers Hold Up?” GQ, April 2018, https://www.gq.com/story/does-austin-powers-hold-up

“Austin Powers at 20: Mike Myers, Jay Roach, More Spill Secrets in Shagadelic Oral History,” Hollywood Reporter, April 2017: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/austin-powers-definitive-oral-history-mike-myers-jay-roach-more-reveal-secrets-997139

“Austin Powers: All 3 Movies Ranked from Worst to Best,” Screenrant, September 2020 https://screenrant.com/austin-powers-movies-ranked-worst-best/

“Austin Power Still Haunts the James Bond Franchise, The Ringer, April 2020 https://www.theringer.com/movies/2020/4/30/21241822/austin-powers-james-bond-camp

“Here’s Where the Jaguar E-Type from Austin Powers Is Now” , Hotcars.com, October 2020 https://www.hotcars.com/heres-where-the-jaguar-e-type-from-austin-powers-is-now/

“The Criterion Channel Presents The Legendary Director Peter Bogdanovich on the Lasting Influence of Austin Powers in Goldmember,” The New Yorker, August 2020 https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/the-criterion-channel-presents-the-legendary-director-peter-bogdanovich-on-the-lasting-influence-of-austin-powers-in-goldmember

Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper

In the 90s, the first day of school was the prime moment to show off your new back-to-school swag. If you liked bright colors and cute animals, chances are that swag included products by Lisa Frank Inc., the artist/design company behind the instantly recognizable neon rainbows, unicorns, pink leopards, alien beauty queens, cute puppies, and more. Today, as various 90s aesthetics show up to the current culture in waves, the Lisa Frank vibe has simply never left. And we’re NOT mad about it.

Join me and my fabulous designer/screenprinter friend Jackie (@stayunratedpressco) from Stay Unrated Press Co. as we do a colorful swan dive back to the 90s to explore this vibrant world and its legacy today. And if you have a Lisa Frank-themed bachelorette, please invite us. Thanks!

Stay Unrated Press Co. IG: @stayunratedpressco, website: stayunratedpressco.com 

Sources

https://www.moms.com/lisa-frank-notebook-mother-daughter-bond/

Be Kind, Rewind

Did you know that Blockbuster had the chance to buy Netflix in 2000 – and turned it down? Did you know there is one last Blockbuster remaining in Oregon, and it’s now an AirBnb that hosts unlimited movie nights? Did you know that you actually had until 3pm – not noon – to get that VHS tape back into the Blockbuster Quik (no c) Drop?

Whether you knew those trivia facts or not – if you loved going to Blockbuster in the 90s, this episode is for you.

This week I am by myself discussing one of the most comforting and nostalgic topics I could muster after last week’s heavy events – Blockbuster Video, and the ecstatic experience of going to the Blue and Yellow on Friday nights for your weekend video haul. So pop some popcorn and travel back to the 90s with me as we browse the aisles, imagine a Blockbuster amusement park (yes, that was almost a thing), and recall the golden rule of the decade: be kind, rewind.

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Her Majesty of Country Pop, Shania Twain

Shania Twain was the leopard-printed, crop-topped, empowered, talented, sophisticated, and sassy older sister we always wanted. She paved the way for a new generation of empowered young women to be themselves and not accept the status quo – or any of the limitations that society puts on them. And she had some amazing country chart-toppers that we can recall at the drop of a sequined cowgirl hat with only three simple words: let’s go, girls.

This week, my cousin Candace (a super 90s girl herself) and I are discussing the Canadian-American Queen of Country Pop, Shania Twain. So grab a sparkly rosé, don that double denim, and let’s go back to the 90s for some true country girl power.

 Sources

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