It's hard to imagine a flash mob -- in which a crowd gathers unannounced in a public place to perform an activity of the traffic-stopping variety -- going sight unseen nowadays. Too many cellphone cameras, not enough people minding their own business.

They have evolved considerably since they found their cultural footing in 2003, largely through the Internet. Recent flash mobs have honoured videos by dead pop stars (Michael Jackson's Thriller), protested the planet's dependency on oil (World Naked Bike Ride) and celebrated a childhood rite of passage (Pillow Fight Club).

I knew once flash mobs became inextricably linked to YouTube some advertiser would attempt to cut in on the action. The inevitable commercialization happened last Tuesday in honour of Lloyd Dobler, the anti-hero played by John Cusack in Cameron's Crowe's 1989 film, Say Anything.

A group of trenchcoat-wearing Doblers holding boomboxes over their heads (reminiscent of a key scene in the film) stormed various landmarks in New York with devious intentions. The stunt was a paid bit of advertising to promote the film's arrival on Blu-Ray, of all things.

Having mined for alternatives the terribly rich canon of '80s cinematic gold, here are 10 flash mob suggestions. Now let's leave Lloyd alone, OK?

1. Risky Business (1983). The signature moment of Tom Cruise's career is one of the defining scenes in film history: The parents-are-away-for-the-weekend air band workout, with musical accompaniment from Bob Seger. It has the makings of one heck of an effective public stunt. Flash mob difficulty level: 2. How hard can it be to assemble a bunch of dudes in button-up dress shirts, sport socks and tighty whities? Seger might even play the soundtrack live if you pay him enough.

2. Footloose (1984). The parade scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off ranks as one of the best dance-a-thons ever. It was too good to remain in the vaults -- New York's Project Bueller flash mob re-created it on Halloween this year -- which leaves the Kevin Bacon warehouse freak-out in Footloose the next logical choice. Skip the remake coming down the pike and stage a flash mob with hundreds of sweaty, beer-swilling Bacon lookalikes. Flash mob difficulty level: 6. His high-bar gymnastic moves might be challenging, but the uniform of tight Levi's and white tank-top are easy to come by.

3. Flashdance (1983). Athletic fashion has come full circle as a style movement, so a Flashdance flash mob -- rolls off the tongue, no? -- is a no-brainer. Flash mob difficulty level: 7. Ever-popular yoga wear could double for Jennifer Beals's now-legendary aerobic outfits, but the girls are going to have to be in tip-top shape -- after all, she's a maniac, maniac on the floor, dancing like she's never danced before.

4. Top Gun (1986). For some, it doesn't get any better than Tom Cruise serenading Kelly McGillis at a bar to strains of You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', so re-creating such a scene would be a snap. It would be fleeting flash mob, of course, but you won't hear any screams of protest from women who love their men in uniform. Flash mob difficulty level: 0. White naval suit. Boombox. Done deal.

5. Big (1988). Part of the reason Big was made into a Broadway musical is the magnificent walking piano scene that features a dazzling soft-shoe between Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia. Flash mob difficulty level: 10. The actual prop used in the film resides at New York toy store FAO Schwarz, so unless the retailer is interested in loaning it out, a Big flash mob is likely out of the question.

6. Cocktail (1988). Flair bartending, the practice of throwing liquor bottles in the air, was made famous by Tom Cruise -- flash mob-friendly, isn't he? -- during the film Cocktail. But that's one terrible flick; even as a guilty pleasure it fails miserably. Flash mob difficulty level: 9. I can't imagine many who would want to gamble with bottles of booze for a stunt celebrating Cocktail, let alone anyone who would want to do an activity to the sounds of Kokomo, the equally bad Beach Boys hit from the film. Talk about your non-starters.

7. National Lampoon's Vacation (1983). The idea of supermodel Christie Brinkley flirting with Chevy Chase could only happen in the movies, but the possibility of a hip-swivelling Chase dancing and serenading her with what turns out to be a urine-soaked sandwich has a high degree of plausibility. Flash mob difficulty level: 5. Bring on the mob.

8. The Karate Kid (1984). What we've got here is an embarrassment of riches, opportunity-wise. Martial arts has plenty of theatrical potential, and the film has become a classic in the years since its release. Flash mob difficulty level: 2. I personally know 13 guys who have at least once in their lives performed either: a) the climactic "crane kick" sequence; or b) the Mr. Miyagi-directed "wax on, wax off" technique. Upon word of a Karate Kid flash mob, millions more would get on board.

9. Dirty Dancing (1987). With all due respect to the late, great Patrick Swayze, the time is now for a Dirty Dancing tribute. The only problem: Which of his many moves to re-create? He had conga lines by the boatload. Flash mob difficulty level: 6. Swayze was no slouch when it came to dancing, dirty or otherwise, so only the fleet-footed need apply. The easy part? I can't imagine the countless Babies who've been put in a corner not wanting to get out and shake a leg.

10. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). Every school had a Jeff Spicoli -- and by that I mean a dim-witted but lovable lug who was born to entertain. The scene during Fast Times when Sean Penn's Spicoli jumps on stage at the school dance and sings Woolly Bully is one of those instances. Flash mob difficulty level: 0. I saw a variation of this during a high school dance in my Grade 11 year. I can't be the only one who would want to relive such an experience.

mdevlin@tc.canwest.com