Vince Vaughn once described his summer movie “Wedding Crashers” as ” ‘Steel Magnolias’ for men. ‘Crimes of the Heart’ for dudes.” In other words, it’s a “chick flick” for guys, minus the estrogen, tears and fully clothed females.
“Wedding Crashers,” which came out on video this month, and “The 40-Year Old-Virgin,” out since Dec. 19, are part of a male-oriented genre of raunchy comedies featuring scheming men, cheesecake women and ribald antics. Here are some other must-see “chick flicks” for guys:
“Caddyshack” (1980)
Story: There’s something about a golf tournament for caddies, but it’s really about Bill Murray and Chevy Chase doing their thing, and Rodney Dangerfield flinging one-liners.
Line: “A Cinderella story outta nowhere. Former greenskeeper and now about to become the Masters champion.”–Murray as greenskeeper Carl Spackler.
“Animal House” (1978)
Story: The slobs battle the snobs at Faber College, where the motto is: “Knowledge is good.”
Line: “Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”
–John Vernon as Dean Wormer.
“There’s Something About Mary” (1998)
Story: Ben Stiller tries to track down his high school dream girl Cameron Diaz (right) with the help of a slimy P.I. who decides he wants the girl himself.
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Line: “I couldn’t believe that she knew my name. Some of my best friends didn’t know my name.”–Ben Stiller as Ted Stroehmann.
“Blazing Saddles” (1974)
Story: A black convict is made sheriff of a bigoted Western town where he meets an alcoholic gunslinger and a horse puncher named Mongo.
Line: “Mongo only pawn … in game of life.”–Alex Karras as Mongo.
“Slap Shot” (1977)
Story: A woeful hockey team in a depressed town finds success and draws fans by resorting to all-out thuggery on the ice.
Line: “This young man has had a very trying rookie season, with the litigation, the notoriety, his subsequent deportation to Canada and that country’s refusal to accept him.”–Andrew Duncan as the P.A. announcer during player introductions.
“Swingers” (1996)
Story: Vince Vaughn tries to hook up a friend (Jon Favreau) who can’t get over being dumped by his longtime girlfriend.
Line: “The beautiful babies don’t work the midnight-to-six on a Wednesday. This is the skank shift.”–Favreau as Mike.
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982)
Story: One year in a California high school with Stacy, Spicoli and Mr. Hand.
Line: “What are you, people? On dope?” –Ray Walston as Mr. Hand.
“Office Space” (1999)
Story: Three young men rebel against oppression and ennui in a heartless cubicle world.
Line: “Good luck with your layoffs, all right? I hope your firings go really, really well.”–Ron Livingston as Peter Gibbons.