Biquínis Recheados

It was at my next-door neighbours house that I first saw "The Bikini Shop," I was eight years old and very grateful. Tonight, some 14 years later I was reminded of the movie, when dinner conversation turned to two way mirrors.

To my surprise the local video store still had a copy so I forked out my hard earned $2 for the weekly and re-lived the glory of poor writing, bad lighting, over acting and no name talent all in the name of BOOBIES!.

The story is that ancient old one of, boy meets girl - boy runs a bikini shop his late aunty has left him - boy wins over girl. Throw in a baddie, an old flame he is trying to be rid of, a rambunctious brother and some trippy dream sequences and you have 90 minutes of a flimsy story line standing in the way of the meaning of life for most fellas - naked women.

This film most definitely belongs in the so-bad-it's-almost-good category. Very much a product of its time (1985), the hairstyles, fashions and soundtrack songs are hysterical to those of us who were fortunate (?!) enough to grow up in the 80s. There are embarrassing dance sequences, bikinis that are testament to the aerobics craze - and of course there's lots of flesh on display. Hmmm, must be a guy thing... Bruce Greenwood is the only actor in the cast who has moved on to bigger and better things - I bet a clip of this will come to haunt him one day on The Tonight Show!

The plot of two brothers trying to save their inherited bikini shop doesn't matter. The unending MTV moments doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that "Malibu Bikini Shop" is a beach bunny voyeur's delight. There are dozens and dozens of bikini closeups, a cute plot, adequate acting, and authentic beach front atmosphere. A couple of outrageous moments, involving a two way mirror in the girls dressing room, are highlights. Naturally there is some tasteful nudity too. Sure some scenes go on way too long, stretching the 80 minutes of material to 98 minutes, but that is a so what, since the tedious musical numbers all involve bikinis. This is a lighthearted fun beach frolic that stands above almost all of it's similar competition. - MERK

Two bothers, business oriented Alan, & the more fun loving, skirt-chasing Todd (Bruce Greenwood) inherit a bikini shop in Malibu and attempt to make the failing business profitable. At first in order to sell it. Meanwhile Alan (whom is engaged to the stunning, but whiny, spoiled Jane) is falling for Ronnie, a sexy worker at the shop.

This is a typically lightweight '80's teen sex comedy that's a tad light in the nudity department when compared to other films of it's ilk, yet still holds a place in my heart, simply because it was a staple of USA's now sadly defunct "Up All Night" series which in turn was a big part of my formative years. Choice nudity from the stunning Bobbi Pavis doesn't hurt in the least, and it's always nice to see the late great Frank Nelson at work (sadly younger generations only know of him through his caricature on a few episodes of "The Simpsons") So if you're in the mood for stuffy 'old fogies' getting shocked at the 'hijinks' of teens, big hair, natural boobs, light escapism & other staples of the more innocent 1980's comedies, give this one a watch. (although the lengthy dance number & cheesy hot tub scenes still makes me cringe a bit whenever i see them)

Eye Candy: Bobbi Pavis, Jeana Loring, Barbara Horan, & about 8 or 9 extras fleetingly get topless; one extra shows her ass

My Grade: C+

This is it! I just can't believe that people don't like this movie. Whenever I'm sad, I watch it and it always cheers me up. And by the way, the music is great. The closing song is my favorite. Though I'm a hip-hop fan I really like it. If I see the movie in the morning I can't get it out of my head til late afternoon. And it's always enjoying to see all these palms and sunny beaches. And the mood is so right :)) And even the fact that people are getting old and this movie reminds them of what they won't ever have again is not enough. If you want to see a drama, go and see "Titanic". If you want to see many special effects, go and see "Star Wars", but if you want to see a funny movie full with sun and smiles, go and see "Malibu Bikini Shop" because I really think that young people will enjoy it.