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Movies that seem better when you’re a kid
My friend, fellow writer and movie buff Allison Dickson recently put up this entertaining post on her blog Memoirs of a Gouda about guilty pleasure-type films.
Since I don’t want to be a complete idea thief, however, I’d like to take her concept and spin it a different way.
What movie did you love as a kid and still love now, even if you know it’s really rather dumb?
When it comes on, that little angel on your shoulder says, “Man, what were you thinking when you ate this up? Turn it off! ” But then the devil says “Don’t listen to him, it’s FUN! Watch it!”
The example that leaps to my mind is the James Bond movie Moonraker.
Most 007 fanatics will tell you this is one of the Bond turkeys, and I suppose they’re right. I’ve since come to my senses enough to realize that James Bond really doesn’t belong in outer space.
But darn it all, I was about 9 when I discovered Moonraker. It was the first James Bond movie I ever saw, and I thought all those gadgets were really neat, especially that gondola that sprouted wheels and rolled through Venice. I know it’s silly and stupid, but I can’t hate it because it introduced me to Bond. You might even say I have an affection for it.
The TV equivalent was The Dukes of Hazzard, which I thought was the bomb when I was 10. That didn’t stop me from thinking the movie was a bomb a couple of years ago. Some movies are bad enough to wipe out all traces of nostalgia.
So come on, spill, folks. What are those movies that your inner child can’t give up now, even when your outer adult is telling you they’re bad?
Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: Ask the Audience
Comments
By Sir Critic
August 2, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Kim S.: You’re far from the only one who has a jones for “Xanadu”, given that it’s now a Broadway musical with pretty decent reviews. Sharyn: I was wondering when someone would come up with Space Camp! Extremely implausible but oddly compelling, that one.By Sharyn
August 2, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
The ones I remember watching over and over again as a kid and now own on DVD are Goonies, Labyrinth and the Neverending Story. Still love ‘em, too! Back to the Future is still an all-time favorite; I can’t tell you how many times I have seen that movie … probably around 100 or so :) Ones I remember liking a whole lot but only have vague memories of now are Space Camp and Cloak and Dagger. Hope you’re doing well, Eric!By Kim S.
August 2, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
As much as I cringe to admit this…Xanadu. When I was a kid, I thought it was the coolest thing ever - primarily because it was Gene Kelly dancing on a screen (yes I knew then who that was). Honestly, the skating got to me too. I do own it on VHS and watched it about three years ago. I cringed the whole time, but still can’t part with my copy.By Sir Critic
August 1, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Zack: I discovered that Tiny Toons movie when I was in my early 20s, and still think it’s the highlight of that whole series. How much money says that now that you bought the laserdisc, it’ll be announced on DVD in six months? :)By Sir Critic
August 1, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
Allie: As ever, I agree with a lot of your choices. In fact, I would argue that “Labyrinth” and “Neverending Story” and maybe even “Tron” are still genuinely good films. Same goes for “Goonies.” Or is that my inner child talking?By Zack
August 1, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
My #1 would have to be the direct-to-video “Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation.” I picked up on laserdisc on eBay a week-or-so ago, and though it’s not quite as hilarious as I remember, it’s still pretty dang good.By Allie D.
August 1, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Kevin — I still love Goonies. lolBy Allie D.
August 1, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
Well first of all, thank you very much for the shout out, my friend! It is much appreciated and I shall return the favor! Second, I’m not sure if my favorites from my childhood are considered “bad” by today’s standards or not, although I have watched them in recent years and noticed that they are a little cheesy. Here goes: The Last Starfighter — This one gets me every time. I remember it being on HBO when I was a little kid at my grandmother’s house one summer and we watched it every time it came on. Next is The Never-Ending Story — I think this is a sentimental favorite for a lot of adults I know. Also there is Labyrinth — Still one I can’t look away from that enchanted me when I was a kid. Yeah, it’s really not all that great now that I’ve watched it through adult eyes, but it was the first movie my dad ever took me to, so it means something to me that way. Adventures in Babysitting — I loved this movie when it came out because I wanted to have an adventure like that with my babysitter. I still have a sentimental attachment to it. And finally, there is Tron. This movie is sooo dated, but it was the coolest thing ever when I was a kid. I don’t want to love it, but I do. lolBy Kevin
August 1, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Loved the movie the Goonies back when I was a teen. I saw it recently with my son. He loved it, I could barely watch it and wonder why I liked it so much back then!