Some Movies are Best Left in our Memories
My wife and I watched Mars Attacks this past weekend. We remember seeing it in the theater in 1996 and enjoyed it. The film wasn’t great, but we thought it was fun.
The point is we remember a much better film. And that’s where it should have stayed – in our memory. Now I’ll think of it as one of Burton’s worst films.
That’s the danger of watching a movie you haven’t seen in years. It might not be as good as remembered. It might not have aged well. Your fond memory of that film might be shattered forever by watching it again. (There are movies from when I was a kid that I know better than to watch again because I’m pretty darn sure weren’t that good and I’d rather keep my memory of them.) Why do we remember them so well if they weren’t good? Were we just wishing they were better?
Some movies are still just as good. Jaws is still great. So are Close Encounters, Aliens, and The Princess Bride.
Some aren’t as good as remembered. Return of the Jedi was a bit disappointing. (The Ewoks alone are horrible – their faces don’t move.) Lifeforce was beyond terrible! We remembered it as an okay science fiction flick, but watching it again recently, it was a total train wreck. And Dragonheart with Sean Connery. I was watching/listening to it at work recently and I could not finish. Awful movie.
Have you watched an older film recently that wasn’t as good as you remembered? Is there an older film you’re afraid to watch again and ruin it? Please share!
Ninja News
Lisa Buie-Collard summed up the IWSG monthly posting so well last week and I wanted to share it with everyone:
This is more than a "blog hop" which is defined by hopping from one blog to another. We do hop, but we are doing more than that. We visit each blog to learn, gain confidence, spill our guts, boast, grieve, and to give advice, our opinion, comfort, and encouragement. We don't just travel. We sit awhile, read, comment and "be" there for those on the list that we can reach. IWSG is a community and we are here for each other.
The WEP 2019 February Challenge - 28 Days
What to do with 28 Days? What does 28 Days bring to mind?
You can sign up now at the WEP site.
We’ll start a Linky list on the 14th February, Valentine’s Day. You can participate in the blogathon on any day from the 14th to the 28th.
During the blogathon, write one or more posts to talk about love, any kind of love at all, and about honouring the ones you love. All we ask is at the end of your post, you mention the fundraiser, and add the graphic above.
You can support the #HelpMithuSaveSchool fundraiser HERE.
Time to vote for your favorite movies in JoBlo’s 18th Annual Golden Schmoes Awards.
Visit JoBlo’s SITE to cast your votes.
Voting open through February 20.
What movies have you watched that fell short of your memory of them? Any you’d be afraid to watch now? Participating in the WEP Challenge this month? Can you help save the school? Who gets your vote in the Golden Schmoes?
Next Monday is a holiday, so I’ll post again on February 25.
Before that, I’ll have a post at Janice Hardy’s Fiction University on February 22 - Twitter Pitch Like You Mean It. Don’t miss it!
I started to watch the Battlestar Galactica original season (1978) at the weekend. I haven't seen at a the past, and I loved the remake of it, so I watched the first 3 episode of the classic one.
ReplyDeleteThis very funny the slow, metalic cylons, and the led stripes on the helmets. :)
I have recently watched some fantasy film from the 80's. So... They aren't aged too well...
haha not just me then. I watched that a few years back and wondered why I ever liked it too. There are a few I watched as a kid that I watched later and just kicked myself for having such bad taste. They were awful. Disorderlies. Blah. haha yeah, the ewoks were so bad. I remember those spinoffs too. I liked those as a kid. Blah. There are lots that still hold up well though, you just have to ignore the nitpicky things like huge phones and tvs and such. Fifty Fifty was another one I just watched recently that wasn't as good as I remembered it. And yeah, Dragonheart is awful.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of the reverse, in that I finally watch films that people forever brag about and afterwards ask myself, "What so special about this?"
ReplyDeleteThe Rocky Horry Picture Show and Caddy Shack are two movies that come to mind.
Hi, Alex!
ReplyDeleteI agree that Jaws, Close Encounters and Aliens have aged well. So have both versions of The Thing From Another World - 1951 and 1982. I couldn't even stand to watch Mars Attacks the first time because the trailer looked so bad.
Off the top of my head, I can't think of a film that I am afraid to watch again after many years, or one that I have watched and didn't enjoy as much the second time. The first time is usually enough for me to form a lasting impression.
Have a great week, good buddy Alex!
I remember 'Mars Attacks' and thinking it was fun...when it came out, ha. Thanks for the warning; I'll make sure not to watch it again!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of the madcap-type, campy movies don't do well for second viewings.
Oh there are many a movie which should have stayed in the memories. Dontcha just love the mind, its selectivity in remembering the better things....
ReplyDeleteYou are right about many movies that had great special effects at the time, but are so cheesy now - oldie James Bond flicks comes to mind. As for old movies that stand up - I recently watched Thelma and Louise again with my dad and we still gave it a thumbs up. And Brad Pitt popped off the screen.
ReplyDeleteHave a good Valentine's week!
I agree some movies aren't as good now as they were then. Maybe it's because we've gotten so accustomed to better technology than what they had then. Maybe our imaginations have changed because of watching those movies.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I watched a few movies that he liked when he was younger and they didn't hold up either. But some other movies that still do - Jurassic Park and Die Hard.
ReplyDeleteAnd Lisa is exactly right about the IWSG. :)
Zoltan, the original Battlestar is probably one best left in my memory.
ReplyDeletePat, it's not just you!
GB, I liked Caddyshack, but Rocky Horror is way overrated.
Shady, you don't want to watch Mars Attacks now, that's for sure.
Elizabeth, just say no.
Shadow, yes!
Joanne, I remember that one.
Madeline, Jurassic Park is still amazing.
I remember Mars Attack and liking it. I don't usually watch movies again, but a few I do and like are Galaxy Quest, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter movies, and Enchanted. I've enjoyed them all multiple times.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true, some movies cannot pass the test of time. But some can, We watched Mississippi Burning last night. I was as moved and disturbed as when I first watched it. The theme certainly isn’t for everyone, but I was reminded that society can redeem itself. I hope this generation realizes what their ancestors sacrificed, what horrendous trials they endured.
ReplyDeleteA lot of films, books, and albums feel much different upon revisiting years later. I've seen so many reviews by people obviously viewing them through rosy-colored nostalgia glasses instead of based on their true merits. A big one for me was Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. I never understood why it gets so much hate, until I saw it again as an adult.
ReplyDeleteI'm never disappointed when watching an old musical again. Favorites are American in Paris, Love Me or Leave Me, Showboat, etc. The older dramas, however, are often disappointing because the actors tended to overact...but a Hitchcock movie never fails to entertain.
ReplyDeleteI never liked Mars Attacks in the first place. It all felt painfully awkward. So maybe I'm the right person to send to re-watch it, since nothing can be ruined?
ReplyDeleteMy husband has re-discovered Lost In Space, which means I leave the room and gain more writing time. There are several movies I thought were funny to watch at the time, but I know they were horrible so will never blink in their direction again—Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, The Blob, and such.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Mars Attacks meant to be a parody of those terrible 50s movies though? But if it's terrible terrible, not just tongue-in-cheek terrible, that's not good.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of any movies that weren't as good as I remember them being. Seeing Honey I Shrunk the Kids more recently, I didn't think it was as funny as when I was a kid, but I still enjoyed it.
Watching old movies tend to put us off. The anticipation and excitement of surprise are compromised as the storyline is already known. This is true even in remakes. There may be excitement in special effects perhaps as they can employ the latest in modern technology!
ReplyDeleteHank
A different take on an old movie. The Blob. I know, ridiculous, but when I was a kid it scared the you-know-what out of me! I had to sleep by my parents' bed holding my Dad's hand all night after watching it. So, a few years ago it came on and I thought I should watch it to see what scared me so badly, basically because I knew it was a B movie and didn't understand my intense reaction. It was so amazingly hokey that I laughed out loud at myself. And now I no longer carry that childhood fear.So I used watching an old movie as a kind of therapy and it worked! Did you know that The Blob was one of Steve McQueen's first movies? At the time he was called "Steven" McQueen, but it's him! Great post this week. So full of info. I'll try to remember to come back and sign up for the Valentine's blog for the school...
ReplyDeleteWhat does Schmoes mean? I will vote, of course, but I am not sure what that word means:) Oh, yes, I have seen movies that I thought were great only to be disappointed the next time I saw it. I know some 80's movies fall into that but I can't recall right now. As for Mars Attacks..I still like it..Hahaaaa. I knew going in it was supposed to be a cheesy movie created that way on purpose with sad special effects bringing to mind the cheesy sci-fi flicks from the 50's. I think I like it because I just went into it thinking it was supposed to be made in a bad way so my view could not go any lower. My brother told me it was based on an actual comic book from way back.
ReplyDeleteI remember all of the anticipation I had for Dragonheart and what a dismal disappointment it was. At the time, people seemed to be caught up in the hype and loved it, so I was pretty much alone in my disenjoyment of that movie. Even if the rest had been brilliant, the ending was so bad that it would have ruined it. And the rest wasn't that great.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, some of those are good watches every time.
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, now you know!
Patricia, musicals are cheesy but classics.
John, only if you want to torture yourself.
Tonja, bet you still remember the theme song to Killer Tomatoes whether you want to or not.
Nick, I think he was trying to poke fun at them, but it just didn't work.
Hank, true - when we know how it ends...
Lisa, we are all so gullible as kids.
Birgit, yes it was. And Schmoe is for the average Joe Schmoe.
Andrew, you'd hate it now.
It is funny how movies you loved or thought awesome change with time. I guess it has to do with maturing emotions and life view change At least it has affected me that way. I can see why I liked it so much once, but it no longer connects with me on such a deep emotional or surreal level except in my memory. I know how it is supposed to affect me and why it no longer does.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I loved Lost in Space TV show. Just found out that there was no final episode. When I re-watched them, I found it to be insipid, but back then, I love Guy Williams, hated Dr. Smith.
ReplyDeleteAnticipated the movie and didn't watch the entire thing.
There were a few movies I enjoyed as a kid that make me cringe now. Like Grease. Wow, problematic and kind of gross.
ReplyDeleteThe Princess Bride was the movie that popped into my head as I was reading about Mars Attacks. I agree, it's just as good every time. However, I do remember Mars Attacks as being fun, but I will follow your advice and keep that one in my memory.
ReplyDeleteYou've opened Pandora's box - great question about how a movie could be fabulous years ago, terrible now. I've found the same to be true for books. So much is about the context of the times. But how could our tastes and standards change so much? I do see movies enough to chime in, but a solidly good movie is always good, in my opinion (Ordinary People is my favorite).
ReplyDeleteA great week to you and yours, Alex.
That is the reason I don't watch movies of books I have loved. They won't match the images in my head, and some memories are best preserved.
ReplyDeleteHowdy Captain!
ReplyDeleteI agree with others in that the dissolution of fond (or terrified) memories has a lot to do with today's technology. I used to be afraid of things that went bump in the night. Now I absently wonder who fell out of bed or who's in the fridge.
Somehow the Jurassic Park films seem to get less frightening as they go on, but that first one still gets me ;-)
It's a bit embarrassing to recall how I had to watch Twilight Zone with the volume low so as not to get caught. I couldn't resist an episode! Now I almost cringe, though the stories themselves remain intact, in my mind.
Indeed, Lisa's summary of IWSG is spot-on!
Have a terrific week!
Mostly the movies I liked as a kid I know aren't going to be as good as I remembered. I've had instances where movies were better than I recalled. There was one (I can't recall which now) that I just hated. I saw it at home, and it worked. I'm not sure why seeing it at home was different than seeing it in a movie theater, but it made all the difference.
ReplyDeleteJuneta, good point.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, just don't go there!
Diedre, the first Jurassic Park did it right.
Liz, odd, but maybe you were in a more comfortable place.
I was a different person when I watched many early films I loved. THE THIRD MAN holds up as does CASABLANCA (Please, Hollywood, don't remake them.) Like I re-watched LIFFFORCE and mourned the waste of Patrick Stewart's talents. Arrrgh! I cringed when I re-watched 1982 WRONG IS RIGHT with Sean Connery, but I still marveled at its prophetic moments. Leslie Neilson did a good prophetic Trump! ARTHUR I remember as funny, but now I just sigh at a alcoholic who wasted so much of his life.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a movie at the moment, but there are some TV series that I enjoyed in the past but now can't stand to watch them (like all the Law & Orders).
ReplyDeleteI recently watched "You've Got Mail" and I still love this movie.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
I've experienced this often in life, but I have a special place in my heart for movies I watched way too many times on HBO when I was a kid. Teen Witch really kept me enthralled when I was young, but lo and behold, it's quite hideous!
ReplyDeleteMost of the Hitchcock films I've watched more than once and find them timeless. Some Bengali ones from decades ago as well. Remakes are hard to pull off is my general feeling.
ReplyDeleteA film with those many star actors being awful? Just shows what power the film maker wields over the end product!
I really liked Lisa's summing up of IWSG. And I'm writing about love all of this month :)
Yes Alex, some movies should not be remade I agree. Many are and are a great disappointment. Another great post again, sorry for the lateness in reading.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Roland, that scene with Stewart is so cringe-worthy.
ReplyDeleteJeri, that's why I try to avoid the ones I loved as a kid.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'll see a movie I love in the theatre, think I need the DVD then realize that while I enjoyed it once, it's nothing I want to see again.
ReplyDeleteI think as you get older, you become more discerning. Things you thought were funny as your younger self, might not be as funny now.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had this happen with movies- but it has happened to me with a few books I read as a teen. I think sometimes we are just in a very different place. I also wonder if movies keep their staying power if you watch them regularly over the years- so the changes in cinematography etc don't seem as shocking.
ReplyDelete~Jess
It's funny you mention Dragonheart because I was just thinking about it the other day. I remember enjoying it. I wonder if I still would.
ReplyDeleteHi Alex - I'm sure everyone is right about the movies ... we perhaps now would rather not watch. Over the years I've never gone for 'entertainment' movies - I'll go with friends on occasion ... but I much prefer to be made to think when I go to the cinema - I guess I take the historical element on board ... but I did love Bohemian Rhapsody ... as I thought it was story telling - through a delightful musical medium - and was an era when I was in South Africa ... just glad we're all thinking different people! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI agree that sometimes things are better left off as memories!
ReplyDeleteI watched Sixteen Candles with my daughters and was so embarrassed (they were pretty young for the jokes in that movie at the time) and the racism was ... agh! I hadn't remembered that.
ReplyDeleteHowever, my daughters totally understood the reference to that movie in the Netflix movie To All the Guys I've Loved Before - so I guess it's a pop culture reference point.
I agree, most older movies are never as good as seeing them for the first time.
ReplyDeleteI tried watching Young Sherlock Holmes recently and boy was it terrible. I will say the Indiana Jones movies have really held up well. It's quite remarkable how Raiders of the Lost Ark is still an amazing film. It's a masterpiece, timeless really.
ReplyDeleteGreat classics! My best friend does way too good an impression of the aliens in that film :)
ReplyDeleteI like how Michael Offut says above that Raiders of the Lost Ark is a masterpiece -- totally agree, and I can watch it again and again because it's my favorite flick. When I'm channel surfing I'm forever stopping on Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile - those are classics about intense human emotions and relationships, not some formulaic dreck.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was very little (5? 6?) I saw Disney's Babes in Toyland and loved it. Then I caught a few scenes of it on TV as a teen and was horrified at how bad and embarrassing it was.
When I was a kid, I loved a movie called "The Boy Who Could Fly." There is NO way I'm watching it again. I just know it's going to be terrible, especially the flying effects, which weren't that great back then.
ReplyDeleteI used to find 'Salem's Lot terrifying, but when I rewatched it as an adult, I was surprised by how bad it was--and how boring! I actually kept falling asleep. That's one that hasn't aged well.
I did donate to help the school. It's a wonderful cause.
I remember Mars Attacks as hilarious. I wouldn't want to watch it again! I've tried with some of my favorites like the original X-Files and Twin Peaks. But they felt so dated and I couldn't get into them. I still have awesome memories of those shows, but ones like The Princess Bride really do have what it takes to hold their own through time. The only way I can watch old movies now is if they're being riffed on! :)
ReplyDeleteThis question has been bugging me because this happened to me recently, and I've been trying to remember the movie. It was Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. I remember enjoying it years ago, but this time around it just seemed like a rambling mess and not as funny as I recalled :(
ReplyDeleteThere are so many dated movies now and I think Star Wars the original trio of movies are showing their age or just watched too often?
ReplyDeleteWell said, Lisa:)
ReplyDeleteHave a great one, Alex.
I don't like watching a movie I've already seen. Maybe that's why!
ReplyDeleteI liked the first bit of 'Return of the Jedi' (that part with Jabba, Leia's bikini notwithstanding), but, the Ewoks...dear Lord, the Ewoks!
ReplyDeleteSherry, well said!
ReplyDeletePatricia, watch at your own risk.
Michael, bummer - I liked that film once. Yes, Raider has held up.
Helena, funny!
JH, Salem's Lot scared me as a kid! I won't revisit it. And I remember that first movie.
Christine, good for you!
Fran, no, they show age and how average they really were.
Al, I know!
So much truth in that about leaving movies you remember fondly from a long time ago there. I've seen several from my childhood. Les bad!
ReplyDeleteNearly every 1980s Stephen King movie: The Tommyknockers, The Langoliers, the original IT (the ending was laughably stupid), The Running Man – the acting and effects are in constant competition for Most Cheesy. I think the only one that holds up is The Shining. Pet Sematary just popped up on Hulu and I'm shying away for fear of that one being wrecked for me.
ReplyDeleteI too remember liking Mars Attacks when I saw it a long time ago. I'm not sure I should watch it again.
ReplyDeletePrincess Bride never gets old.
I loved Lisa Buie-Collard comment last week. So true.
I will definitely check out the hop for the school.
I wonder how well Jaws would have done without that scary, buildup music before each attack? :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day, Alex.
I've actually never seen Mars Attacks, I just never fancied watching it???
ReplyDeleteRaiders of the lost Ark as on TV over Xmas. I made my 2 youngest watch it saying it was a great film. They gave up 30 minutes in saying it was rubbish. I told them they should give it a chance as they both walked away. To be honest I thought it was crap. It wasn't the film I remember.
Fun question, Alex! I can't help thinking of "The Blob." I wanted to see that so badly when it first came out, but I was a long way from a movie theatre and it cost too much to go for my family at that time. I saw it a few years later, and it scared the heck out of me. Now, of course, it's hokey, but I still watch it for a good laugh. "Alien" terrifies me to this day! I never actually saw the alien until I watched the movie the third or fourth time. When my sister Donnie and I went to scary movies, she would actually get down on the floor in the scary parts to hide. Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I loved Greta Garbo films when I was young, but I'm not sure how I'd feel about how melodramatic they are if I were to watch any of them now. But most of the classic movies I enjoyed would stand the test of time for me, I think.
ReplyDeleteBUT, now that you panned the Ewoks, maybe I shouldn't watch that movie again. Our family LOVED the Ewoks. :)
Toi, don't watch it!
ReplyDeleteSandra, good question.
Ray, don't say that! I still think of Raiders as classic.
Louise, that's funny!
Susan, no!!!!
Jaws, Close Encounters, Alien, Aliens.... will always be great. Mars Attacks... not so much. And some movies should not be remade.
ReplyDeleteSome movies should just stay a fond memory and others should be removed from memory entirely. I remember loving the Highlander TV series when it came out: last year I got the chance to watch it again and it spoiled the fond memories I had of watching the series. So no more rewatching old series/movies! (Except for Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for Feb's IWSG Day Being an Insecure Writer -- And Happy About It
Now you've got me curious about Mars Attacks. I too recall enjoying it when I saw it years ago. Since I have it on DVD maybe I need to go back and watch it again someday when I feel like wasting time. Hmmm--that day may never come since a time is a terrible thing to waste.
ReplyDeleteI know there are films I've watched after many years that disappointed me while there have been those that I liked much better many years later. Can't think of any examples at the moment, but I'm sure they'll start popping into my head as my day goes on.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Saturday the 13th. As a pre-teen, I LOVED that movie. When it would come on HBO, I'd highlight the times it would be on and I'd even stay up all night to see it. I rented it for my kids and it was AWFUL. They lost a bit of respect for me that day and I deserved it.
ReplyDeleteLisa did sum it up perfectly. She's awesome like that.
I never saw When Mars Attacks. I have a theory... of there are too many big names, the story stinks and they pulled in everybody and there brother to sell it. On that notion, I put it on my pass list.
Saturday Night Fever - I once thought the dancing was great but seeing it recently it's embarassing to watch.
ReplyDeletethe old classics are still good, like Wizard of Oz, Bridge over the River Kwai, Bringing up Baby, but some of the movies from the 70s and 80s...oh boy. I remember thinking Mars Attacks was hilarious, but I'm not so sure I would now. And I recently watched part of 48 Hours and didn't find it nearly as amusing as I did. ET, Close Encounters, and the original Star Trek (to name a few) still hold up imo.
ReplyDeleteOh that's funny. I have good memories of Mars Attacks as well. I'll make sure to leave it at that.
ReplyDeleteFor me the two movies that spring to mind as being timeless are JAWS and Jurassic Park.
You're so right Alex! Some movies are best to be left as good memories! I think the only older movies/tv shows I like to watch over are the Christmas ones, like White Christmas. I have to agree with the comment above mine. I rewatched Saturday Night Fever and thought, what? I don't remember it being so down, sad! I hope you had a great Valentine's!
ReplyDeleteLove Lisa Buie Collard's comments re the IWSG. And so say all of us! And Damnyanti's bloghop sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI think the only films that age well are the ones that play on emotions. Like Jaws were really tense and scary. The Princess Pride somehow retains it's humor and the whole good guy wins.
ReplyDeleteMy sone loved the Neverending story when he was little. The dragon is really silly looking.
Wow. So much to do after reading this blog. Two worthy blog hops I'd like to try to join up to for a start. Just wanted to congratulate you on making the Top 50 List for Writers! I assume you're on a few by now though :) X
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to the movies in ages, so really can't say much about them. On TV I watch old black and white westerns. They're good, but can't say if they're worse than I remembered, cause I don't remember. I just enjoy.
ReplyDeleteKudos for posting the fundraiser, Alex.
ReplyDeleteHave a pleasant, productive day.
Agreed on the IWSG - it's a great community!
ReplyDeleteAs kids we used to watch black and white "horror" shows (Frankenstein, Dracula, the mummy). My mom would turn off the sound when she got too scared by the music. Saw a snippet of one a few years back and it was hilarious!
I've watched films which seemed to lack scenes I remembered. I used to think that they were cut for TV, but as I'm the only person that reaclls those scenes it appears I added them into my memory and the actual films fail to update temselves to match.
ReplyDeleteI loved Bird on a Wire and I refuse to watch it again just in case I don't like it anymore. Candy is the same way...that which was good n our youth is usually not worth revisiting when it comes to candy. ;)
ReplyDeleteRonel, agree about some series! Never watching the first Battlestar Galactica again.
ReplyDeleteLee, only do it if you really want to kill a couple hours...
Elizabeth, I remember that movie...
Cal, I bet it is!
Magic Love Crow, we did!
Susan, I bet it looks really bad now.
Thanks, Shah!
There are movies I liked when I was younger, and now, not so much. But there are also movies I liked when I was younger, and I still like them now. I think I'm better at filtering out the fluff now more than before.
ReplyDeleteI never should have watched Moll Flanders again. It seemed so great back in the day!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't studied the ewoks faces to realize they didn't move. How disappointing. Jaws is still fantastic. One old movie I recently showed the kids was Batteries Not Included. Loved it! Still so fabulous. And the Original Annie too.
ReplyDeleteIt was Footloose for me. I haven't watched it in many, many years. Loved it as a teenager. Started watching it with my college age son. We turned it off. He had many criticisms of it, which I agreed with! Uff-da.
ReplyDeleteI'm probably going to get railroaded for this, but I don't think ET aged well. I saw it again recently and it was not nearly as good as I remembered. But Goonies is still awesome.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to all with the twitter pitches.
ReplyDeleteAlex, have a pleasant evening.
Hi Alex! My favorite movie from the 80's is Breakfast Club. Over the years, I found that I watch the first half and then turn it off. Same with Full Metal Jacket.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love Princess Bride. One of the best movies ever.
Elsie
Hi, Alex...
ReplyDeleteYes. I could well imagine many films from our youth falling short now as we see them again as adults. Only GOOD acting prevails. When a movie relies on special effects and visuals, they will become dated and often look ridiculous to us now with technology so advanced.
I stick with the movies up until the seventies... Most are excellent because they relied on superior acting talent and talented writers.
Of course there are many superb movies created in the 80's and 90's. I particularly love the Brat Pac and still enjoy these movies today. Just recently saw Pretty in Pink... Wonderful vehicle for the then young, Jon Cryer! And the intensely over privileged James Spader, who is an amazing dramatic actor today.
Ah! The Princess Bride. Bestest movie ever, and I still can't look at Mandy Patinkin of Homeland without thinking of Inigo Montoya!!
ReplyDeleteCarey Elwes wrote a memoir about his time on that movie, "As You Wish" (of course) so if you haven't read that one, it's a fun read!
Oh, my. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who grimaces when rewatching old faves. And there's nothing like watching a "this was HILARIOUS!" movie with your kids and not only is it not nearly as funny as you remember, but it has scenes you don't want to watch with your children (like Airplane! with the bouncing boobs across the screen). Something we discovered when rewatching Blazing Saddles and Spaceballs with our now-adult kids is that they don't really appreciate Mel Brooks. There are funny moments, but overall, they find him more cringeworthy than anything.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I'm content to leave certain movies in the past and only remember the one or two funny high points that have remained in my memory.
While not a movie, I have the same reaction when I see episodes of "Dark Shadows" on SyFy or You Tube. I still kinda like the stories, but OMG the bad acting, cheesy special effects, and often ridiculous storylines make me wonder why I used to rush home from school to watch it.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I was 10 years old at the time, so that may have had something to do with it.
I've never seen Mars Attacks, but it sounds pretty terrible. I still think Jaws is a great movie, but I was shocked at how ridiculously fake the shark looks in some shots when I watched it again as an adult. I can't think of a film that disappointed me off the top of my head, but I'm sure there have been a few.
ReplyDeleteI've learned to leave my fondly remembered movies and books in my head as the rewatching/reading tends to disappoint more often than not. I'll enjoy my untarnished nostalgia and avoid the temptation to revisit.
ReplyDeleteCan't remember if I commented before. I wonder if E.T. would stand up to the test of time. It would be interesting to see what my son makes of it.
ReplyDeleteAll my best to Nick on his newest book. I'm very impressed by Damyanti's effort, and I hope her blogathon succeeds. Hate to see schools close.
ReplyDelete