The 90s Revival takes a look back at an iconic time wasting game.

Every now and again something comes along which changes our life completley. In the late ish 90s, mobile phones took our world by storm.

Whilst I was at school , mobiles were the big craze you couldn’t avoid. You could  buy different removeable covers and choose annoying ringtones. Just a shame the phones looked like bricks.

Wind the clock on a decade or so and I don’t think you’ll find Snake on any modern handset. So for the nostalgia lovers of us, here’s a chance for you to fill your lunch hour with some retro arcade fun. 

The 90s Revival thinks that Snakes isn’t quite Pacman or Space Invaders, but it’s a classic all the same. Enjoy the flashback.

Snake made by Neave Games

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The 1980’s are still proving to be a field day for west end potentials. From Footloose to Fame and Dirty Dancing.  The 90s are now catching up and we’ve already seen worldwide success for The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. So where’s the next movie turned musical going to come from?

Here are five films from the 90s which I think would make great musicals!

1)  The Wedding Singer

If you’ve seen this comedy flick from 1998, you’ll be raising an eyebrow and telling me that it’s full of 80s music. True enough, and not a bad thing, because I’m also a huge fan of that decade too. However, I honestly believe that the Wedding Singer, (Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore) is screaming out to be transformed into an all singing foot tapping musical.

In case you’ve forgotten the story line; Robbie Hart (Sandler) is singing the hits of the 1980s at weddings and other celebrations. He gets dumped at the altar, meets Julia (Barrymore), who is engaged to the wrong guy, and he falls in love with her.

The Wedding Singer was a brilliant musical comedy and featured an impressive soundtrack, including hits from Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, Dead or Alive, Billy Idol and the Thomson Twins. Think I’d pay to see this one!

2) Pretty Woman

This romantic comedy drama from right at the start of the decade is now a true classic – and requires no  explanation. It made Julia Roberts a star and the soundtrack is full of power hits including ‘It Must Have  Been Love’, ‘Show Me Heaven’.

The storyline was powerful, touching and memorable. I’ve heard rumours of a possible sequel too. For me  this is the most likely 90s movie to be a transferred onto the West End. Although you wouldn’t get any of he  original cast to reprise their roles for the stage version, Pretty Woman: The Musical would be a smash hit for sure!

3) Aladdin

It’s been a staple of the pantomime season for years, has been a hit on Broadway and a Disney movie in the 90s too. Having said that , I’m still including it in my top five, because the story has so much charm and magic which makes it ideal to be shown on stage beyond the  panto. Sure, we’ve all seen Aladdin at some point, so maybe we’re bored of it now.

I hear that the current musical spectacular is closing on Broadway in August to make way for a stage version of Toy Story (?!) Theatre land is thriving right now and a new version of Aladdin wouldn’t do it any harm.

4) Austin Powers

Perhaps this is the least likely in my list to be transformed from movie to musical. Mike Myers creation ‘the  international man of mystery’ grooved his way onto the silver screen in 1997, with an incredibly funny and  clever parody of James Bond. It wasn’t a favourite of the critics at the time, but Austin Powers has been a  cult hit with audiences ever since.

If you include a few more 60s and 70s hits, mix in some classic moments from the original movie and  condense the storyline down, this might just work. I can just picture the cast breaking out into song and  dance at random moments with someone shouting ‘groovy baby’, and then shaking their tail feathers to some Chubby Checker.

5) Clueless

You can really smell the 90s in this classic teen movie from 1995. It captured the student culture  and the fashions perfectly. Jane Austin’s novel ‘Emma’ is given  a new twist in this comedy which  starred Alicia Silverstone and the now late Brittany Murphy. Clueless also enjoyed a spin off  TV  show, a few books and has to be the next musical for sure.

Clueless is now an iconic film and a convincing argument to be written for the stage.  It also features  a rather diverse soundtrack with songs from Radiohead, Supergrass and the Counting Crows.

So which 90s films or bands do you think would make a brilliant musical?

Next week…part two of ‘Eat My 90s DVDs’. The ‘must own’ collection.

In the first of a mini blog series, the 90s Revival takes a retrospective look at some of the nostalgia that’s currently available or coming soon on DVD. Grab your sodastream, pop tarts and enjoy.

Cool Runnings (DVD)

If  all the excitement from the Winter Olympics wasn’t enough and you’re wondering what to do now  that the athletes are dusting off the snow from their ski’s – you’ll be pleased to hear I’ve spotted a movie  gem from 1993 currently riding high in the DVD charts. Cool Running’s, is a comedy about a group of Jamaicans who are chasing an impossible dream  - to win gold in a sport they know nothing about – bobsled racing!

The movie was directed by Jon Turteltaub, who was also behind the camera for While You Were Sleeping (1995), National Treasure (2004) and the forthcoming Disney movie, ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’. Cool Running’s is funny and light-hearted, without losing your attention. It’s actually very loosely based upon on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsled team’s inspirational debut at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

The late John Candy stars as a former Olympic champion turned bookie who’s persuaded to coach four unlikely athletes (Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba and Rawle D. Lewis) with their dream of winning gold! Until recently I’d forgotten about this classic movie, and if you’ve not seen it before, it’s certainly worth a go!

If only for the fact it stars the legendary John Candy or that it’s available for under £5!

New Kids On The Block ‘Coming Home’ (DVD):


Altogether now… Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh…Oh, oh, oh, oh.

In 1989, New Kids on the Block stormed the UK charts with their debut single ‘You Got It’ (The Right Stuff) and followed that with a second chart topper ‘Hangin Tough’. Totalling  an impressive 8 top ten hits in less than a year, the 90s heart-throbs went onto sell a  whopping 70 million records!

After 15 years away from the charts, in 2008, NKOTB reformed to release a new album and   embark on highly successful tour. If you missed it or were one of the many screaming fans at   their gigs, you’ll be pleased to know that they are set to release a DVD of their concerts later  this month.

‘Coming Home’  documents the many journeys the band went on as they toured the globe,    playing over 140 sold out arena concerts and features many live performance and behind the scenes footage. It’s released on March 15^th.

No Distance Left To Run (DVD):

Don’t blink. Blink and you’ll miss it. Don’t turn your back. Don’t look away. And don’t blink. Well, even if you didn’t blink, chances are you would have missed this docu-movie about nineties brit poppers Blur. Not surprising really, as it was only released in selected cinemas.

No Distance Left To Run features all your favourite Blur classics from ‘Song 2’ and ‘Park Life’. The film also documents the Essex bands career from the early beginnings to the 2009 reunion. With contributions from band members and fans alike. It’s a two disc bonanza and includes interviews, archive footage, unseen material, plus the whole two hour comeback gig at Hyde Park.

No Distance Left To Run is out now!  Congratulations to anyone who spotted my Doctor Who reference by the way. Ahum.

To Infinity And Beyond!

It was the summer of 1995, I was about to start secondary school, no-one had heard of the Spice Girls (yet) and a ground breaking animation was about to hit the cinemas.

Toy Story was the first all-animated movie adventure we’d seen and it was breath taking. It was also accompanied with a clever script and great cast, with Tom Hanks providing the voice of Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz.

The movie spawned a craze for toys of all the characters and several catch phrases! A third installment of Toy Story is due to hit cinemas in July. However, before that, there’s a treat in store for all us nostalgia fans, because the first two movies are due for DVD release on March 8^th.  Make a note in you diary!

Third Rock From The Sun (DVD)

If any TV show of the nineties deserves to be given the DVD treatment. My vote goes to the American comedy Third Rock From The Sun. It’s long overdue in my opinion. Starring a relatively fresh and unknown cast besides John Lithgow, the plot revolves around his family (The Solomon’s) of aliens who have arrived on earth to discover more about the human race.

John Lithgow starred as the High Commander [Dick]. Kirsten Johnson was a military officer [Sally], a seasoned intelligence specialist [Tommy] and French Stewart was cast as Harry. Their adventures whilst exploring our culture and everyday life resulted in many comedy moments.

Originally screened in the UK on BBC2 during weekday evenings. I think. If you need reminding about how amazing this award winning show was or you missed it the first time – treat yourself to the DVDs. They are a must see! All six seasons are available to buy from your favourite outlet as a box set or individually.

If you’re hungry for some Nineties nostalgia…switch off your N64 and tune into this week’s edition of Retro News.

1) Helping Haiti

The worldwide response following the natural disaster in Haiti has been truly staggering. Everyone has been doing their bit. I can’t recall such a massive relief effort since Band Aid. OK…I don’t remember that because I was only aged two at the time. Even Simon Cowell has got involved and has grabbed some of the biggest music stars to help release a charity single.

The chosen song was REM’s 1993 top ten classic, ‘Everybody Hurts’. As covers go, it’s OK. It doesn’t matter whether you like it or not. The important thing to remember is that this song will raise some very much needed cash for a country which has been cruely torn apart. Could it make it to number 1 and topple the original? It’s released via download on Sunday 7th Feb.

Listen to the charity single by Helping Haiti – Everybody Hurts

2) Project Needlemouse.

There’s exciting news for anyone who grew up in the early 90s and owned a Gameboy! Sega have announced there will be a fourth release of the classic video game ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’. The original trilogy started in 1991 and the last installment was 1994. All the classic sounds and features will be included, plus a whole lot more in this new 2D adventure. So if you’re pining to run through loops and collect rings – you won’t have long to wait. Check out the official website.

3) Footballs Coming Home…

Ahhh the memories of Euro ‘96 with that lovely grey football kit, english flags flying proudly outside every house and our boys crashing out of the competition. Still, we had a brilliantly catchy song  ‘Three Lions’ written by Baddiel, Skinner and The Lightning Seeds. It reached the top spot in the UK charts in 1996 and 1998 and wherever you went, someone was chanting it loudly!

So what’s the anthem for South Africa 2010? Nothing, apparently.Team England want to focus on some serious football. However in a recent interview, comedian Frank Skinner revealed that he had considered penning a follow-up to the classic footie song, ’3 Lions’. Skinner said that he does not want to re-release ‘3 Lions’, but admitted that he cannot prevent the label Epic from doing it.

Go on, relive the magic of Three Lions \’96

4) Cooking MC’s Like A Pound of Bacon…

There’s a distinct theme of 90s songs becoming very popular again at the moment.  I’m not complaining. It’s fantastic! However, on that note, you can’t have missed the new that The X Factor twins ’Jedward’ have rehashed the 1990 one hit wonder ’Ice Ice Baby’. I heard a snippet on the radio this week and I’ll be honest, it’s not a great cover. Even with original vocalist Vanilla Ice making a cameo. It seems to be selling well on the downloads though, even if  mid week sales show that it’s unlikely to reach number one on Sunday.

Let’s all take a trip back to 1990 and soak up the nostalgia of the original music video. Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby

5) Sex, Sex, Sex in the City.

Hot on the heels of the first smash hit movie adaptation of the 90s tv series Sex in the City, filming is almost complete on the sequel starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon. However, I noticed The Sun reported this week that studio bosses are keen to move forward with a third  instalment in the comedy series before the lead actresses get ‘too old’.

Can’t wait for the movie to be released in May? Take a look at the trailer…Sex & The City 2

That’s all I can squeeze in this week.  Check back next Thursday for even more Retro News from the 90s Revival on Gateway FM.

Got some nostalgic news from the 90s you want to share? Email me