I love films. Or movies, whatever you want to call them. I say "films" because though I refer to "movies" as feature films, ie "You wanna watch/see a movie?" sounds better than "wanna see a film?" or worse yet "flick?" (I love nostalgia but I've never said that.), "films" also refers to shorts, animated and otherwise, and also the actual medium of 8mm, 16mm or 35mm film, of which I have a small collection. This is a space where I show which films have had the most impact on me, and maybe talk about a few of them. If you click on the titles, you can go to other sites relating to these fine films.
There are a handful of films that made the biggest impression on me as a child and have scarred me for life. These films came out between 1977 and 1986, the most impressionable days of my youth. Thanks to these belches of cinema I decided as a small nose-picking twit I would someday make films of my own. In my experience, this was the "golden age" of movies.
I don't remember (and neither do my parents) the first movie I actually saw in a movie theater. The best guess I could possibly regurgitate from my memory lobes is either a re-issue of Disney's Lady & the Tramp shown with The Adventures of Mr. Toad, (which I remember walking in late to and getting upset becuz I thought Lady... was shown first and we missed it) OR...
The first (or fourth, if ya wanna nit-pick) Star Wars film, A New Hope was released in 1977, when I was only two. I mostly stayed at home watching Sesame Street and learning how to poop and talk, so chances are seeing this film at that age would have perplexed me a bit. Instead of taking me to see the film right away, my parents saw it and bought me the toys. Friends of mine had the huge 12-inch action figures, but I only had the smaller ones. I didn't even know Star Wars was a movie; it was just another part of this world I was being introduced to. When it was re-issued in 1979 or 1980, I finally saw this thing in the theater. I remember seeing the commercials on TV, and most vividly remember watching the trash compactor scene. To this day that scene sticks out in my head whenever I remember first seeing it. My friends and I played Star Wars frequently. I even went to pre-school one day telling everyone I was Luke Skywalker. I lost my Ben Kenobi action figure in a huge dirt pile when my neighbors had their house remodeled. When The Empire Strikes Back came out in 1980, I was five. The first time we tried to go it was sold out, and I cried. By the time Return of the Jedi was released in 1983 I was eight, and a huge fan of the whole trilogy. The first Jedi figure I bought was Bib Fortuna. I went as far as creating my own ripped-off stories and characters into a plot-less saga called Journey Beyond the Stars, later changed to Battle in the Distant Galaxies. I led my classmates in 3rd and 4th grade to enact epic scenes from my universe at recess. It was a big deal back then, as all 80s children know.
In high school and college, as nostalgic feelings crept into the culture now and again, Star Wars always remerged as a fun pastime. My college buddies and I watched all three films repeatedly in the dorms (once in a room with 18 speakers) and I even painted a Star Wars mural. (I used to have pics of it on my site but I lost them; I'll put them back someday.) The saga even played a small part in my spiritual search. Though I'm no longer as fanatic as some people get about movies like this (I love it, but it's a movie, not a life-style or a religion!), Star Wars is a story I think we all needed and treasured growing up, and it's still exciting to watch it unfold.
If I had to forsake all others and choose a favorite movie, this would be it. My ultimate "desert island" movie, one I couldn't survive without. I remember seeing this in the theater as well, getting slightly scared at parts...like right before the songCan You Picture That? when Fozzie and Kermit fall asleep and are shown from the back view, I thought they were DEAD! <:~(
Turned out to be only a myth. "Yeth?"
The last 20 minutes of this masterpiece in particular stands as truly inspirational filmmaking, from the campfire in the desert to the rainbow at the end, a testament of hope to those who dare to chase their dreams. Is there any moment in a movie more AWESOME than the giant Animal head in the ghost town? I think not.
I don't know what it was about this film, I just found it fascinating. Could have something to do with the fact that it looks totally different from what Disney was doing at that time. Actually it looks different from anything Disney ever did, until The Black Cauldron, which came out three years later. Coincidence? Hmmm... Anyway, this is still an awesome film that warped my brain forever.
E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL-1982
The first time I saw this, I was 7 years old and distracted by a sold out movie theater full of screaming kids. But when I had a chance to see it in a quieter setting I loved it. As I watch it now, with older eyes, on every level the film WORKS! There are few perfect films, but I believe this is one of them. The characters, the story, the music, the magic, yes, it's a guilty pleasure but one of the greatest films ever made. (Even the AFI thinx so!) Interestingly enough, the story of E.T. has much in common with the Christ story; comes to earth, heals people, dies, comes back to life, and ascends into heaven. Of course it's not a full representation by any means, because Jesus never got drunk, dressed in drag or made a radio out of a Speak-and-Spell. I wrote a review of this film for HollywoodJesus; read it here!
1982 was a good year. If any movie ruined me for life, this was it. Almost 20 years later I still obsess over it. I saw this twice in its initial release, first with my Dad, then loved it so much I had to take Mom to see it, and she was scared. I was too, the first time, but I loved it. I watched this movie practically everytime it was on HBO. What's interesting about this film is that there have been none since with an-all live-action puppet cast, so it's still unique. You'd think with the animatronic technology available today, they would take another crack at a film like this. If nobody does, I will. There are few films as daring or original as this one.
I vividly remember seeing this in the theater with my Dad and eating Twizzlers; it blew me away. I finally read the book a couple years ago, and it's the only book that ever made me cry. It's a fantastic story, and the film is one of the quintessential 80s fantasy films. (We'll just forget about the sequels, OK?) I always related to the Bastian character, because he had the same haircut I did, he read books all the time and he got picked on in school, just like me! When I moved to Vancouver, I found the alley where they shot the beginning and ending scenes, which I now refer to as "Falkor Alley."
1984
Another Twizzler movie. Seeing this film made me change my whole imaginary recess universe; yep, it screwed me up. I think this movie captures the whole essence and energy of the Star Wars/sci-fi/video game 80s subculture. It has an irresistible atmosphere and feel to it; just an all-around great movie! The scene that gives me goose bumps is at the end when Alex's little brother Louis looks up at the gunstar taking off, bathed in white light, and says, WOW!!!! That moment sums up our whole childhood fascination with space, adventure, and dreams... *sniff*
1984
1984 was another good year. This movie really messed up my head. Brilliant filmmaking, and so utterly nonsensical and weird. The whole thing really doesn't make any sense at all. I realized that when I watched it for the billionth time a few years ago. It just does not make any sense. We need more movies like this. Screw Godzilla; how awesome is it to have a Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man invade New York? It's one of those ultimate movie moments. Just sit back and marvel at the genius.
The ultimate kids adventure movie. I find it interesting to note that many of these movies I connected with, particularly this one, E.T., The NeverEnding Story, & The Last Starfighter, were filmed or set in the Pacific Northwest or Northern California. It makes me marvel at the fact that I am now residing in Vancouver; I was somehow sub-consciously drawn here by my childhood movie obsessions. The Goonies takes place in Astoria, Oregon. I drove through it; it's not very pretty. Oh well, the movie is great. I still consider myself a Goonie to some extent. Don't we all, though?
1985
Again, there are few perfect films with perfect screenplays. But this is one of them. Another Twizzler movie. This is filmmaking.
1986
OK, if you can ignore the fact that David Bowie needs some pants, this is a wonderful film and another one that ruined me for life. Fantasy films like this are somewhat of a lost genre that died out along with the 80s. Maybe upcoming movies like The Lord of the Rings will revive the whole concept of the fantasy film. One would hope, anyway.
(Couldn't find many pictures for this one...)First it was a horror movie, then a stage musical, then a movie musical, superbly directed by Frank Oz. I've always obsessed over this film for its music, its color, its style, and the absolutely incredible puppetry. The Audrey II puppet alone should have won a special achievement oscar.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
OK, I've wasted enough time on this page. These have been the films that influenced me the most during my younger years growing up as an 80s child. However, since there are other films that I could consider my favorites, I shall list them here.
ACTUAL FILMS I HAVE
This is a short list of animation that I have on 16mm film:
Disney's SORCEROR'S APPRENTICE
Disney's I'M NO FOOL IN WATER with Jiminy Cricket
Disney's MICKEY AND THE GIANT B/W
Disney's PETER AND THE WOLF
Bugs Bunny in BARBARY-COAST BUNNY
Dr. Seuss' THE CAT IN THE HAT
Dr. Seuss' THE HOOBER-BLOOB HIGHWAY
The Flintstones "Swamp Creature" episode
