Friday, September 3, 2010

Flashback Friday - The Movie Edition

Flashback Friday has a movie theme this week:
What movies were popular when you were growing up? Did you go to the movies very frequently? Do you remember what was the first movie you ever saw? What is your favorite genre of movies? What were your favorites then, and have they withstood the test of time? Do you have any particular memories associated with movies? Was buying snacks a regular part of the movie experience? What was your favorite movie snack? Have you ever been in a movie or seen one being filmed?
I was a HUGE movie fan as a child. That was back in the day when drive-ins were pretty common. We'd pull into our spot, get all settled with the big speaker hanging over the driver's open window, and break out the snacks, usually brought from home. It was a real treat to get to buy something at the concession stand!

I don't honestly remember going to an indoor theater until I was in my teens, and most of the movies I watched right in the comfort of my own home. There was the weekly offering by Disney, the Monday night movie-of-the-week, and weekend movie marathons of oldies-but-goodies. A kaleidoscope of images race through my head...Shirley Temple, Annette Funicello, Sandra Dee, Elvis, Rock Hudson, Doris Day...

I can't remember the first movie I ever saw. I loved, absolutely loved, all the Disney movies. Absent Minded Professor, Parent Trap, The Shaggy Dog, all the Herbie movies, That Darn Cat, Swiss Family Robinson...and I could never get enough of Shirley Temple, whether she was tap dancing on the stairs in a cute little sailor outfit or trailing down the street in beggar clothes. Who could resist that curly headed cutie?!

Once I was older I enjoyed movies like West Side Story, American Graffiti, any Audrey Hepburn or Barbra Streishand movie, The Odd Couple, Mame, Sound of Music, To Sir With Love, Paper Moon...

There are simply TOOOOOOOOO MANY great movies to include in a single post! I enjoy watching movies over and over and when we lived in the U.S. I would periodically binge on a string of oldies from the video rental store (it helped that those were only $1/per movie -- pretty cheap entertainment).

I often associate movies with where I first saw them...Shirley Temple brings to mind our living room where my sister and I would be sprawled on the floor, chins cupped in our hands, only a couple feet from the television...Doris Day at the drive-in and being squished into the back seat with cousins...The Exorcist (NOT a movie I'd ever want to see again!) in a musty smelling theater in Kentucky...The Muppets Take Manhattan in another old --but better smelling -- indoor cinema in northern Indiana...Pleasantville lighting up the darkness in Uganda because we turned the lights off to conserve energy so we'd have enough to power the television through the entire movie...Julie & Julia on my tiny Macbook screen while my daughter and I kicked back on the couch right here in Argentina...

While I like an occasional movie based on historical events, I prefer watching for pure entertainment the type of movies with "fluff factor". Funny is always good, a little mystery and some action scenes are appreciated, but most of all, believable characters. A movie is a flop, no matter the script or scenery, if the actors can't act.

...which is a bone I have to pick with most "christian" films. What do the directors do, go looking for the most wooden, inarticulate actors available? Because that's how it often seems. It's beyond painful to watch some of the offerings. That's not always the case, but it is more than not. I could really get on a soapbox here but will refrain. I don't want to become known as the blogger who's "always ranting".

Have never seen a movie being filmed or been in one either. Suits me fine. Get me behind a camera, whether stationary or video, and I freeze. Generally into a hideous grimace that makes it clear how painful I find the position. No, I'd much rather be in front of the big screen enjoying a bowl of popcorn and providing a running commentary on whatever we're watching.

7 comments:

Mari said...

We were never allowed to go to movies when we were young. The first one I saw was The Hiding Place with Corrie Ten Boom.
Once I was in high school that rule had lightened up though and I went frequently.
I've never been in a film, but recently was asked to be an extra. Kurt Russell is filming a movie near us. There was a table set up at our grocery store with people looking for extras. They must have been looking for normal type people at the grocery store! I didn't need all the hassles that come with that though, so I said no thanks!

SusanD said...

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I used to love going to the drive-in. Taking a huge grocery bag full of popcorn we made on the stove. With REAL butter! I still love Disney movies. Have a fabulous weekend. Blessings, SusanD

Mocha with Linda said...

Oh, Mari, I forgot about The Hiding Place. Great movie.

And I also forgot about drive-ins, Kim. I remember going one time with my brother & sister-in-law; it was a double feature: The Million Dollar Duck and The Barefoot Executive.

riTa Koch said...

Kim, this was such a fun post!
I was not able to contribute because we did NOT go to movies, NOR did we have a TV. So I am filling up that gap in my edgication so I won't be a cultural ignoramus ;)

Kathy said...

I enjoyed your post, especially the memory of watching Pleasantville in the dark to conserve power. I'm in awe hearing about life as you live it. Wow, the things that we take for granted over here in the states. I've never been anywhere else, so I don't know any different. Thanks for sharing.

bekahcubed said...

How fun to make your own treats and bring them in to the drive-in (without having to smuggle them in!) Of course, since that was ordinary for you then, it was buying stuff that was the treat. It's funny how perspective makes so much difference.

Pam said...

I so agree with you as far as the Christian movies go. I watched Time Changer and about died. The lead guy was just not that good. While the message was great..that guy just could not carry a whole movie. But this new crop of Christian movies seems to be a little bit better than the ones from years past.

Love your list and all the many ways you've seen movies. I remember the drive ins too. Fun times. : )