My fellow Americans. I would just like to take this moment and say happy (not really) signing of the Declaration of Independence Day (though that would technically be a month from now - more or less). Oh, what a day. Nothing makes me reminisce quite as heavily as this day of all days. It thrusts me back to my childhood (post-cartoons, if there is such a thing, but pre-Michael Bay phase), sitting on the top of the hill at the end of the street watching my dad sprint away from a lit fuse, desperately hoping to avoid the oncoming onslaught of explosions. Though of course we all enjoyed meeting the kaleidoscope of colors with a plethora of "oohs and ahhs" to leave everyone in joy. So I thought today would be nice to travel back a little bit.
To walk down memory lane with five films from my childhood whose nostalgia factor may eternally outweigh any cinematic merit they possess (though not really)
THE SANDLOT
This may sound a bit insensitive, but deep down I feel a bit sorry for anyone who didn't grow up watching The Sandlot. It's not only packed with a strong collection of '90s kid actors, it also boasts the thundering cast of Karen Allen, Denis Leary, James Earl Jones, and a teenage Marley Shelton (i.e. the first girl every guy of the sandlot generation looked at and went "holy s*%t, to hell with cuddies").
THREE WISHES
Alright so even I admit as far as quality films go, this one is pushing it a bit. However, that's not going to stop me from oozing over the power of Patrick Swayze and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. In all honesty, this movie sneaks into the list as much on the back of its relative application to July 4th as its nostalgia factor. Oh, and by the way - Jay O. Sanders = win.
THE HOBBIT (1977)
I doubt you'll find it hard to believe, but there was once a time in my life where I could quote this entire Rankin-Bass animated production from beginning to end. In fact, so high on my nostalgia list is this film that (were you to know me in real life) may at times stumble across me humming the instrumental component of Glen Yarborough's The Greatest Adventure (wish I secretly wish makes it into Jackson's epic). Is that a bit wacky? Yes. Does that stop me from doing it? Not a chance in hell.
D2: THE MIGHTY DUCKS
Have I mentioned on here before that sometimes I have a completely ass backwards way of watching series? I saw the Scream trilogy in 3-2-1 order. Saw Rambo in 2-1-3 order. Rocky in 3-1-2-5-4 order. And in proper form I saw the Mighty Ducks films in 2-1-3 order. Of course D2 holds the coveted nostalgia spot for me not only because I think this series is epic child fun, but also because it features a young Kenan Thompson, whom has been given a lifetime 'get out of crap' free card by me for the double childhood threat that was D2 and Kenan & Kel (don't worry, I'll leave Good Burger out of this.... for now).
JUMANJI
I'm being honest when I say, as a kid the first sequence of the board game scared the living hell out of me. That said, I still enjoy this movie. Caught it on TV a few years ago, and while it's dreadfully dated and woefully campy, I quite like it. Of course it doesn't hurt that I have a large soft spot for the likes of Bonnie Hunt, David Alan Grier, and Patricia Clarkson. Not to mention Jonathan Hyde... seriously though, what the hell ever happened to Jonathan Hyde? Come one, he was without a doubt the best part about Anaconda, The Mummy (had to be said), Jumanji, and Richie Rich (close on Titanic even), the guy is just pure awesome. Quick, someone get his career back - stat!
So, there you have it. Movies from the eve of my coming of age that left a sizable impression on me as a child.And still maintain a sentiment of that lore today. So, what kind of films do you find yourself getting all nostalgic for?
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