Lights! Camera! Memories.

09.03.2010

When I was eight/nine years old, I discovered the world of film or, I should say, the seed that was planted when I saw Star Wars at the age of three began to sprout. I grew up with foreign students living with us and, at that time, there was a group from Japan, France, and Switzerland who were all fans of movies and who would let me tag along when they went to a kid-friendly movie. Those are such great memories for many reasons, one being that I got to delve into other worlds. And not just the movie’s world but my curiosity about the world behind the camera began to grow (that Star Wars seed).

What I most remember about my favorite movies from that time (and my list is below) is their story. There was no dependence on special effects or sexy wardrobe to sell box office tickets. It was the story that brought tears, that brought laughter and that brought cheers and, though I admit to not watching kids’ movies today unless they’re Pixar, I don’t know if story really applies anymore. I see movies like Spy Kids and Beverly Hills Chihuahua and I wonder how much story exists over product placement and special effects. But maybe I’m wrong and what I’m remembering is not so much the actual movies but the happy memories they brought...

My list (in no particular order and between my ages of 8-12):

- The Goonies

- Explorers

- The Journey of Natty Gann

- Lady and the Tramp

- Bambi

- Annie

- Adventures in Babysitting

- The Empire of the Sun

- Amadeus

- E.T.

- The Karate Kid

- The Neverending Story

- Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure

- An American Tail

- Flight of the Navigator

- Benji: The Hunted

- Short Circuit