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Friday, May 7, 2010

Top 10 Favorite Movies From My Childhood

When I look at my son I wonder what movies he will remember from his childhood. There are some movies that make me feel rather nostalgic. I hope you will read this list and smile as you remember some of the movies that impacted you, as the following list stayed with me.


10. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - Now I was only one when this movie hit theaters so obviously I didn't see it until later, but what an impact it made. I was six or seven years old and I remember crying my eyes out. When E.T. points at Elliot's heart and says, "I'll be right here," I lost it, and continued to cry until the credits were rolling. I remember my Dad hugging me and saying that it was okay, sometimes little girls just needed to cry. That movie still gets me all choked up.



9. The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) - Yes, I can hear you laughing, but give me a break, I was little! Not that that explains why I own that movie now, but what can I say? I still like it. I know all the songs and it ends with a wedding, in which all the puppets/muppets are in attendance, including all of the characters from Sesame Street, which I should mention I was a huge fan. "Some body's getting marrrrrried...."


8. Annie (1982) - There are quite a few versions of Annie, but the 1982 version starring Albert Finney as Daddy Warbucks is the best. The cast is perfect, including Carol Burnett, Tim Curry, and Bernadette Peters. If you are unfamiliar with this version, check it out. You will not be disappointed.


7. Pollyanna (1960) - One of the first movies that started my love for early Disney movies starring Haley Mills. This movie is one that I have seen too many times to count. I used to watch it with my Daddy and it is still one that we can agree on. Does anyone want to play the Glad Game?


6. The Sandlot (1993) - What makes this film stand the test of time is the story of friendship and the summer memories it triggers in us all. The fun the kids have is what propels the story, all the while dealing with serious issues for the main character Scotty Smalls. The narration and tie up at the end is perfect. "You're killing me Smalls!"



5. Labyrinth (1986) - This movie is crazy. I mean David Bowie people (and a very young Jennifer Connelly). This movie obviously stuck with more than a few people because my husband sings about the power of "who do" and "voodoo" all the time. Is anyone else seeing a pattern? Why are there so many puppets on my list?





4. The Secret Garden (1993) - This is another one of those movies that's been done more than once, but when you are using a story from a popular book it happens. The color in this film coincides with Mary's emotional growth. In the beginning she is a neglected child who loses her parents, only to be shipped off to live with her uncle who is a recluse. As the story unfolds Mary finds herself and reunites a broken family. This is a film that tugs on the heart strings without causing an all out blubber fest.



3. The Goonies (1985) - This is not the first time this movie has made one of my top ten lists, but that just goes to show that it's a winner. The Goonies is lovable because it is an adventure. A group of friends who follow a map to find a pirate ship, complete with crushes and treasure. What more does a kid need?


2. Flight of the Navigator (1986) - Another adventure tale, but this time it concerns a boy and a silver alien spacecraft. The boy, David Freeman, has the power to take the ship anywhere. He goes missing and then returns and eight years have passed. It's okay at first, but then he realizes he misses his family. This is a fun movie that had quite cool special effects in its day.


1. The Neverending Story (1984) - This movie completely fascinated me when I was young. The story begins when a boy named Bastian runs into a bookstore while trying to escape from a group of bullies. While in the bookstore, he is told by the owner that some books are dangerous. Bastian takes a book and runs out of the store only to find that the store owner was right. While reading the book, The Neverending Story, he finds that he is in the story. The land of Fantasia needs a hero to save their world from The Nothing and Bastian turns out to be the hero they need. While saving Fantasia Bastian meets some friends along the way including a boy named Atreju. Falkor is a flying creature that every kid would want as a pet. There was also a black wolf-like creature that gave me nightmares for years. Let's not forget the title song that can be found on Living in Oblivion, The 80's Greatest Hits Volume Two.

*Honorable Mention: A Little Princess, The Moon-Spinners, Heidi

3 comments:

Unknown said...

The Labyrinth has to be number one for me.

Who do?
You do.
Do what?
Remind me of the babe!

Check out our Labyrinth movie site, if you wanna. :)

gwish said...

Good list, Flight of the Navigator was freaking awesome, and Neverending Story was epic.

But here's a project for ya....Top 10 WORST movies. Maybe go from 1980 till present. Daunting huh? Like trying to pick 10 bad apples from a whole barn full of bad apples.

gwish said...
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