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The MacGuffins are proud to select, with the 249th pick in the 10th round, for entry in the Musical category:

Little Shop Of Horrors

(singing)
I'm just a mean green mutha from outer space, and I'm bad!
I'm just a mean green mutha from outer space, and it looks like you been had!
I'm just a mean green mutha, from outer space, so get off my back, get out my face!
I'm just a mean green mutha, from outer space, and I'm bad!



I have a few glaring holes in a couple of other hotly-contested categories, but looking over the available musicals, I can't say there's a single one I'd be comfortable adding to The MacGuffins besides this one. It holds a special place in my heart as one of those movies my parents had on VHS that I ended up watching dozens of times for that reason alone.

I'm feeling kind of lazy tonight after spending a bunch of time on two other writeups, so how about I copy and paste some comments from IMDB that I agree with. OK then.

This is an all-singing, all-dancing science fiction black comedy that features human misery, a sadistic dentist, a masochistic patient, casual murder, girlfriend abuse, and a blood-sucking alien house plant monster. It's hilarious from beginning to end. And the music is outstanding.

Little Shop Of Horrors is a fabulous musical, proving that the spark and he magic is still there in the genre. It's quality all the way. What did surprise me most about it was how dark the whole affair was. Orin is beating up Audrey on a regular basis, Audrey II wants Seymour to go on a killing spree so he can get some lunch, Orin delights in ripping the back teeth out of his patients like there's no tomorrow. What's even more surprising is the contrast between these and the quite brilliant songs in the film (Classic numbers include "Suddenly Seymour", "Somewhere That's Green" and the show-stopping title theme). This rather strange mix works excellently, resulting in an irresistible film.

One of the most unappreciated films of the eighties, the songs, performances, and especially the affectionate screenplay all harken back to the cheap old days of Roger Corman and his B movie compatriots. From Steve Martin's sadistic Elvis-inspired dentist to the early girl-group rock score, "Little Shop" moves with an appropriately cheesy style that lets you in on the joke, yet never insults you for loving those poverty row movies.

Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene (who incidentally originated her role in the off-Broadway play) make for charming and thoroughly sympathetic leads (I never knew Rick Moranis could sing!). And Steve Martin is hilarious in the minor but certainly unforgettable role of the sadistic dentist. But Mr. Martin is only one of several comedic cameos in the film, including Christopher Guest who gives a hilarious performance as the flower shop's first customer, Bill Murray as the masochist patient, and a few other surprises.

Alan Menken, who is probably best known for his work with Disney on Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, etc., and Howard Ashman present yet another dazzling musical score that sticks in your mind well after the movie is done. And a big round of applause must go to the plant itself. Remembering that this was made in the days before CGI, you will be floored by this live animatronic creature. But really, this is a movie that cannot be explained. You just have to experience it yourself!

What they said! Little Shop Of Horrors is an all around good time, and The MacGuffins welcome it to their squad with open arms.