No, this isn’t about Oceans Thirteen or Pirates of the Caribbean or even Shrek 3, only the last of which I saw (which was a sweet story but no where near as funny or as clever as the first). I’m holding out for Harry. This is about the diversion from summer reading that my daughter and I have discovered–watching movies. Lots and lots of movies.
Yesterday, we went to Blockbuster to snag a few flicks for the week. Two weeks ago, she picked up three films from the Land Before Time series, which can be fairly cute, except for that dinosaur who talks sort of like Yoda but with a high-pitched voice. The fourth movie was Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Now, you all are probably thinking how I would enjoy this, being such a huge Star Wars fan and all. Well, meh. I have no real love for the so-called “first three movies,” which choronologically are the last three and no where near as engaging as the first–and in my opinion, ONLY Star Wars movies. Maybe because I know how the story ends. I don’t know. Knowing the ending never bothered me before. I watched because it was Star Wars and it was there, but I was so critical. Honestly, she didn’t like it all that much, either.
And I love the actors. Natalie Portman. Love her. Liam Neeson. Awesome. The guy who plays the young Obi-Wan. Ewan McGregor. Hot. So hot, I couldn’t really see why Padme went for screwed up Anakin when she could have hot Obi-Wan…but I guess that’s so not the point. Even as I myself had a massive crush on Luke Skywalker, I always knew she should end up with Han, even before Luke was revealed to be her brother.
But I digress…this blog is not a Star Wars blog!
Back to yesterday. Yesterday, my daughter picked up another four movies. One: Clone Wars, the cartoon. Done by the same guy who did Dexter. Weird animation. Decent story, I guess. I wasn’t that into it. Then…brace yourselves, those of you who are of my generation: Pippi Longstocking! The musical version we all saw as kids. Well, at least I did. My daughter’s teacher read Pippi with them at the end of the school year, which once again revived my own memories of that film. I’d never read the book.
A few weeks ago, I asked about old books that we read in our childhood that have stood the test of time. Now I’m asking about movies. I mentioned the cartoon version of Riki-Tiki-Tavi (which by the way, has not yet arrived). Now she’s watching Pippi. And the Pagemaster. Remember the Pagemaster? Little Macauly Culkin? Okay, that wasn’t from my childhood. Probably college? Still, it was a cute film.
She’s seen all the Disney movies. She’s recently watched Sound of Music (first movie I ever saw in a theatre by the way, with my grandmother). I’m thinking about finding a copy of Never-Ending Story and that movie where David Bowie is the bad guy. Of course, she’s seen Wizard of Oz and amazingly, didn’t find the flying monkeys very creepy. What other movies do you remember from childhood that you’d share with your kids (children, nieces, nephews, neighbors) if you could? And don’t mention Old Yeller or Black Beauty because if the animal dies at the end, I will have to put my ultra-sensitive child in therapy.
So what say you? What children’s movies, when shown on American Movie Classics or ABC Family make you stop and watch and if they’re around, call the kids? Which are the ones you have bought on DVD or wish they’d put out?
By the way, she’s also suddenly interested in the board game, Clue, that she received for her birthday in January. You can bet I’ll be renting the movie version next week…anything to see Tim Curry, even as a butler.
And who didn’t want to be Miss Scarlet and wear that awesome dress???
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold nearly thirty books to three publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, spoiled dachshund, enormous guinea pig and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
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That’s easy – “Road to Avonlea”, which is a take-off from the Anne of Green Gables movies starring Megan Follows as Anne. RTA is a Canadian series (CBC) that ran 5 or 6 seasons and I believe most if not all are out on DVD now – yay! It’s very much a family show, but I always loved the romance between Gus and Felicity. You see them grow up together.
Other t.v. shows would be “Growing Pains”, “Life Goes On” with Kellie Martin, and “Christy” (also w/ Kellie Martin).
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Hey, Julie! Don’t forget THE PRINCESS BRIDE!! As you wish.
And as for Padme picking Anakin…..explain to me please why Hermione wants a Weasley when she could (and SHOULD) have Harry!!
Delia
:bat:
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How could I forget Princess Bride!
Delia, tell me you’re not a shipper! :love: Seriously, though, as I’m now re-reading Prisoner of Azkaban, I think Hermoine and Harry simply connect in a brother/sister early in the series, whereas there is always this love/hate relationship between her and Ron. For her to turn to Harry romantically now would be almost incestuous! Ron and Hermoine are the sweet kind of sexual tension. She simply doesn’t have the chemistry with Harry–not like that!
I sensed some serious sexual tension between Padme and Obi-Wan…which, apparently, Anakin did, too (though I haven’t seen the last of the second three films where this supposedly plays out, so I’m not sure!) But I think the tension was simply between the actors and not the characters. Or maybe it was my sexual tension with Ewan…man’s a hottie.
Stacy, Anne of Avonlea is a great suggestion, as my daughter loves the movies from American Girl and they have the same historical feel. I’ll have to see what I can find.
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My son is really into the “STAR WARS” movies, so I am seeing all of them (but number three!) a million times each. I am confused as to why Padame went for Anakin (especially since she got so upset in number two when he killed the sand creatures after they killed his mom). I guess George had to do it because otherwise there would be no Luke and Leia. I never saw Luke and Leia as a couple, by the way. Who would want to when you got Han! Obviously, I have no life.
Since I have digressed, movies that I can see over and over….hmmm….’Sound of Music” that’s for sure. I never saw it in the theater. I am a sucker for Disney animated movies for sure. I could watch those ad nasuem. They’ve got it all.
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Julie I love all your choices. Wow, Pippi…I dressed up as Pippie for Halloween one year. Cut up metal hangers and stuck pieces of bent metal into my braids to make them stand up. Ouch.
My kids have loved all the musicals I’ve introduced them to, and I know the princess loves to sing. 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, My Fair Lady, alll the R&H (except Carousel…blech!) They also loved the Disney musicals–Mary Poppins, Pete’s Dragon, Bedknobs & Broomsticks. Funny, most of the movies I remember loving as a kid were the Disney ones that she probably already has!
My girls loved The Secret Garden and The Litttle Princess — the newer versions and the Shirley Temple version of TLP. (Has she seen Shirley Temple yet? They have a bunch of those movies available to rent.) And another one we all love is The Secret of Roan Inish about the little Irish boy stolen by the seals.
And yes, I remember the Pagemaster because my kids had it. And all the Land Before Time movies (they sucked after # 1.) All Dogs Go To Heaven, Rock-a-doodle, We’re Back, Fern Gulley…lots of bad cartoon movies out when my girls were little.
Clue–YES! We have that one on video and on DVD. A constant fave. I loved Madeline Kahn in that one.
Of course, my kids were bloodthirsty little savages so they were also watching Jaws and Jurassic Park at that age. (Well, the younger two…the older one not so much. She sobbed at stupid Old Yeller.)
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Oh…I love Kelli Martin in her series and in the lifetime movies. Have you seen her new mystery movies on Hallmark like every third Saturday….I can’t think of the name right now. Maybe, Mystery Woman?
I love lifetime movies, or those old After-school special movies….man I wish they’d bring those back for the kids.
I will also stop for any and all Molly Ringwald or Drew Berrymore movie.
My kids are really into “renting” movies from starz on demand. Every day they beg me even if it is one they have on DVD.
Have a great day.
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Yow…that was long. Sorry.
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Not too long, Les! As you know, the princess lurves her some dinosaurs, so she’s seen Jurassic Park and adores it. I taped it from television so the gorier parts are edited out, LOL!
I can’t believe I forgot about Shirley Temple!!! Loved her films, particularly The Little Princess! I’m going to rent that one ASAP. Loved Secret Garden, too. All versions. The new version of Little Princess was interesting visually, but the dreamy quality of the actress who played Sarah bugged me a bit. I liked her better as a firebrand. And the television redo of Secret Garden where the little girl’s British accent kept going in and out (she was American) really annoyed me. Back to the originals, I say!
I’m trying to find a copy of The Slipper and the Rose. Anyone remember that one? I found one on eBay, but I’m not sure how the quality will be. I loved that movie.
Katie, I hear you on the Disney movies…I can watch them all the time! Especially Mulan or Beauty and the Beast or Mary Poppins. Those are my favorites.
Debbie, I remember After school specials…but they were kind of serious, weren’t they? I’m looking for summer fluff. :happy2:
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Wow, I love so many of the movies that have already been mentioned. Still will stop anytime I see The Sound of Music and love Anne of Green Gables and all the movies after. The Avonlea series was shown on the Disney Channel when I was in high school and I never missed an episode. I loved The Princess Bride and passed it on to my two oldest nieces…in fact they stole(borrowed never to return) my copy the last time they were at my house. I too love The Secret Garden and The Little Princess and still love the older Disney movies that they would show on the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. I still remember watching the original Parent Trap thay way and Summer Magic too. I also loved the Pippi Longstocking movie, they would show it on HBO all the time when I was growing up.
As for Harry and Hermione, I can’t ever see them as a couple. I’m a total Harry with Jenny and Ron with Hermione fan. I just don’t really feel like Harry and Hermione have that romantic feel for them. I think it was almost evident from the first book that Ron and Hermione had feelings for each other. Can’t wait to see what happens.
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“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” always makes me stop and watch!:thumbsup:
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Julie, I loved a great family film that mostly went unnoticed, but, has some of the best “life lessons” for children & parents, & features wonderful acting. The film is called SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER, & is about a young boy (around 10-12) who discovers & learns competitive (timed) chess from an African/American man in the park, takes lessons (from the actor that played Ghandi–can’t remember his name) & begins competing against other kids. The acting by the boy, his parents (Joe Mategna & Joan Allen) & others is wonderful. This concept sounds boring, but, I found it fascinating, & I can’t remember a better family film because of what it says about raising kids & competition for them. I know it’s on video, at least.
Sorry for not being around for awhile. Serious medical situation with adult son took priority.
Patricia A.
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I remember one of the first movies I went to the theater to see was Mary Poppins. To this day, any time it comes on tv, I still have to watch. I also have the video and the dvd. I also have a fondness for The Secret Garden. So when my 11 yr old neice got the lead in the musical at our local playhouse, well, it became even more dear to my heart. :love2:
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I loved the Never Ending Story and always think about Rock when he said, “These look like big strong hands.”
The Princess Bride was/is another favorite. :)
HeMan and SheRa was among the fav cartoons of my daughters so I became a fan as well.
Of course the Sound of Music and anything musical I always loved and still do to this day (I wanted to be a broadway star when I was young) :doh:
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Julie: they have afterschool specials on dvd! Some of them were a little silly, so I’d count them as fluff!
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The Wizard of Oz, Willow, the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Snow White, and Jason and the Argonauts.
Tim Curry……ymmmmmmm…..can’t get enough of him.
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No one has mentioned Bambi or Dumbo, those were new when I was a child! I love Bambi, haven’t seen it in years. It still makes me cry. The Shirley Temple movies would be great, she was such a darling little entertainer. How about Little Women, the one with June Allyson & Margaret O’Brien, so good. The Long, Long Trailer with Lucy & Desi still should make you laugh. Someone already mentioned the original Parent Trap so good & a great movie for a young girl or teen. That was probably from my daughter’s growing up years. Also The Lady & The Tramp is a Disney favorite as is Cinderella & Fantasia. Oh yes, the Ma & Pa Kettle movies were priceless. I remember watching those when I was young & then on TV with my kids when they were little, very funny movies!
I should probably quit now cause the longer I sit here thinking the longer this list will get & I’m sure others have equally good suggestions! :)
Have a great day everyone. :wave:
Donna M
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Patricia A, I hope everying is okay with your son.
I spent some time -procrastinating- looking up my favorite Shirley Temple movies and remembered The Blue Bird.
Anyone else remember this one? Here’s a pic of Shirley with her dog and cat, who become human in this fantasy fairytale. I’m going to try and find it and see if the story has held up over all this time.
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Julie, Thanks for your good thoughts. Moderate heart attack at 41, with angioplasty (apparently, heredity on my ex-husband’s side). Please all in your 40s have your cholesterol levels taken, & follow the advice.
Patricia A.
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Here are a couple of my families favorites The Goonies, Sandlot, Master of Desguise, Babe, The Secret Garden, Fievel American Tales, Indianna Jones and of course any Disney Movie especially Toy Story, which was my son’s favorite..he had every toy and watched the movie everyday for months!!
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Tina – The Goonies was on last week and my son recorded it. I watched it with him and it still made me laugh. Wonder if I could find the Gremlins anywhere? Hubby watches the Sandlot over and over and over….
I’ve been thinking about this since early this morning and I don’t think I watched movies as a kid. I know that sounds strange but the only ones I remember seeing were the old Shirley Temple ones that were on on Sunday afternoons, and I was in middle school then.
Maybe that’s why I’m not a big movie person now (shrug).
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When I was a kid, during the summer our local theater had Saturday Disney Double Feature. When I say that I have seen every Disney movie ever made I am not exaggerating..lol
Also every Sunday morning after mass we would come home from church and watch Abbot & Costello movies..which sadly are hardly ever on now but when they are, I never pass up :love2::love2::love2:
And of course everyday after The Edge of Night there was the 5 o’clock movie, which I watched with my grandmother.
So I grew up loving movies and still do.
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Oooh, yes, The Goonies and Willow…two more huge faves!
Julie, my kids actually had The Blue Bird. And they hated it.
Do you know the story behind that? Temple was contracted to one studio when she was offered the role of Dorothy in Wizard of Oz. Her studio refused to allow her to do it and as “compensation” they came up with The Blue Bird. It was a huge flop.
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I didn’t realize that was the movie! I loved it as a kid, but honestly, I can’t remember anything about it. Maybe it’s one that won’t hold up.
Loved Willow…adored the Goonies!
Tina, my nephews LOVE Abbott and Costello. So do I! I think it’s time to borrow the whole collection from my nephew, who is about to go out of town and won’t need them, LOL! My favorite is the one where Costello is a ghost from way back. His name is Horatio. Off to IMDB to remind myself of the title!
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Everyone has awesome suggestions so far (many of which I second, heartily). Here are some more:
Cloak and Dagger (when Atari was king), Pollyanna (starring Haley Mills), The Dark Crystal (deliciously creepy), The Gnome Mobile (repressed gnome sexuality, anyone?), National Velvet (Liz Taylor in braces!), Swiss Family Robinson (little known fact: my dad went to school with Fritz), Legend (when Tom Cruise was chunky!) … dang, I could go on forever.
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I forgot about The Goonies and Pollyanna. I still love those movies and actually watched the Goonies when they were on last week. I’ll have to see if I can find Shirley Temple in Blue Bird. I think I’ve seen just about all of her movies except that one.
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Julie! I have that Abbott & Costello movie, both on VHS and on DVD, and it is also MY VERY FAVORITE A&C flick. It’s called THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES and even though they made it specifically because A&C weren’t getting along and they tried to do something different that wouldn’t have them together on screen very much, I absolutely love, love, love it!
When you come up we’ll have an A&C night!
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Julie, I think it was called The Time of Their Lives, which is one of my favorite, of course I love them all.
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LoL Leslie you beat me to it!
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I never understood the Ainken thing either – there was NOTHING heroic about him. All the Godzilla films, East Side Kids, Abbott and Costello, Love the Goonies too
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I loved the cartoon version of Rikki Tikki Tavi! It’s such a great Rudyard Kipling book, too! I read Pippy Longstocking. That was a terrific book. She was the ulitimate young rebel.
Movie wise? Gone With the Wind, Sound of Music, South Pacific, and I :love2: The Quiet Man! I had it on VHS but bought the DVD last week so I could watch it more. It always makes me laugh.
But… My all time favorites, I don’t care what season, are “An American Tail” and “Santa Claus – The Movie”. The first is the sweetest story and has great songs (Somewhere Out There, No Cats in America…). The second is also such a sweet, funny movie. Dudley Moore, John Lithgow. I went to see this with my fiance’s room mate because he didn’t want to go. His friend and I both had sentimental cries together…. :cry: Sentimental crying movies are “da bomb” for me.
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The Goonies is one of my favorite childhood I laugh everytime I see it on TV. I remember Pippi I wanted to be her for so long!! Grease was a great one. Everytime the Sound of Music comes on I think of when I was little and my parents would turn our living room into a giant bed, pillows everywhere, and we would all watch it together. The Never Ending Story used to scary me, that thing in the cave at the end
The movie with David Bowie as the bad guy is Labyrinth–its a great 80’s movie!
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OH my goodness, after all this talk about childhood movies, I just watched the Parent Trap (Lindsay Lohan version) with my kids and cried my eyes out…I know I’m lame but its been a long time since I’ve watched it and I sooo enjoyed it I’m a sucker for happy endings. Thank God for the Abc family channel because there is nothing on tv anymore.
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another chat missed.:hissyfit:
besides many of those mentioned, one of our favorites we like to watch is the Original “Yours, Mine and Ours” with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. And a very young Tim Matheson- it was his first big roll. I hate the remake, they had to be so PC.:thumbsdown:
Also, the John Wayne film “Hatari”. No animals die in it, I promise. But it is set in Africa and where the music Baby Elephant Walk is put to the best use in the end. It never fails to make me laugh. Daughter always enjoyed it too and the scenery is awesome, even as old as it is.
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My kids favorites not already mentioned include:
Man From Snowy River,
Across the Great Divide,
Breaking Away
and Miracle on 34th Street both old & new versions.