Great list — strangely, had similar experiences with these films 🖤. Add to the “I was clearly too young or too demented to be viewing this so young” list — Dark Crystal, Legend, Elm Street, Excalibur.
I’ve seen mostly everything you’ve listed here, save for “The Hunger,” so that’s a definite must at some point. This specific point in time was interesting for cinema, from the abstract expression to cynicism. The 70s through the 90s was something else. I’m not sure that Neverending Story was needlessly cruel, even for a kids film. I’ve always liked that it never talked down to kids and was, in its own way, sort of brutally honest about depression and exploitation by way of. It holds up really well today, I think , and is just as creepy as it was then.
The older I’ve gotten (turned 40 this year), the more a lot of the films you’ve listed have become an extension of my thoughts and like yourself, helped formulate an understanding of the themes being explored. Kudos for putting together this list and sharing your own personal experiences! Movies and experiences should go hand in hand, hopefully the writer’s strike will give all the studios a moment of clarity and allow them to revisit the films that connected with us and what made them special rather than build franchises.
Blade Runner is a favourite too, but I somehow missed seeing it until much, much later in life. I was kind of allergic to sci-fi for a while, but I realized it's -different- within the genre.
Thanks for so many interesting reflections! I will be re-reading this a few times and contemplating different ideas each time. One quick reaction: in 'Lost in Translation', they are literally living in a Highrise and your song would fit wonderfully as part of the soundtrack! When the movie came out, I viewed it more through Scarjo's character: what should I do with my life? Twenty years later, I view it more through Bill Murray's character: what should I do next?
Lion King was the Disney movie that shaped my childhood, even at a young age instilled that famous literary theme that "power corrupts" even when it comes to family haha. I had the Jurassic Park trapper keeper of Sir Rex tearing up a Ford Explorer with a tire in his teeth mid roar. Big Trouble Little China made a huge impact on me as a kid, all around badass Jack Burton, pretty much everything John Carpenter I still quote on the daily . Blade Runner for a subdued dysotpian look at the future.
Perhaps you still feel like a teenager because we're now in the 4th decade of the 90s — time has stopped, in a cultural sense. Mark Fisher did a good job explaining it (though, the fact that he killed himself maybe isn't the greatest sign...) — The Slow Cancellation of the Future: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCgkLICTskQ
Also, after my parents learned I had watched the Robocop movies, they pretty much had the mindset of “well it can’t really get much worse than that” I guess and gave me free reign to have them rent pretty much any horror movie I wanted for me.
And I watched them ALL during my teen years. I had seen Hellraiser, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Alien by the time I was 16.
First of all glad you were feeling better by the end of the EuroTour. You certainly did hide it very well in Warsaw, none of us even suspected you were ill!
So I enjoyed your list, some of your listings are faves mine too. I saw "Wizards" as a kid in the thatre--I don't even remember how I got in--and I loved it ever since. It helped also that Ralph Bakshi was responsible for that. WHen he got pegged to do "Mighty Mouse" I knew they weren't gonna let him stay long haha.
I have a soft spot for the Indiana Jones movies, even the latter 2 (the latest more than the former), as well as the TV series (well, the teenage Indiana Jones part anyway). I have a small museum of Indiana Jones relics and one of the items I am trying to get is a Grail Diary, but all the ones I have found have been pretty counterfeit and I'm very leary of buying a bad one. "Last Crusade" showcased greatly the relationship between father and son, and after watching the TV series, you appreciate more about Indy and Henry's relationship and how significant the ending was.
"The Crow" is also one that hits home for me, and I remember going to the advance screening in full Crow garb (who didn't?). One of my favorite memories that night was being happily surprised that My Life wit the Thrill Kill Kult was in it. "It Can't Rain all the Time"---except in the movie. Like Indiana Jones, I have a smattering of Crow collectibles. One of my faves is a print of the Crow by J O'barr--which he uniquely customized to be blood splattered in red marker so that no two prints are the same, and then signed it again. That one is framed on my wall along with some other curiosities. I wish they would release a Director's Cut version because there were some scenes taht were cut out (I've seen the footage) that would have not only been cool to put back in, but would explain alot more things like how electrical tape suddenly appears wrapped around Draven's hand and waist.
"The Hunger"--I don't recall the details on that one, I saw it long long ago back to back with "The Man Who Fell to Earth" so it is kind of a wash. But this was Tony Scott's first film and he got such bad reviews for it and why? Of course, he cleaned up with his next film, "Top Gun" so no harm no foul.
Great list — strangely, had similar experiences with these films 🖤. Add to the “I was clearly too young or too demented to be viewing this so young” list — Dark Crystal, Legend, Elm Street, Excalibur.
Yes! The Dark Crystal gave me those feels too.
I’ve seen mostly everything you’ve listed here, save for “The Hunger,” so that’s a definite must at some point. This specific point in time was interesting for cinema, from the abstract expression to cynicism. The 70s through the 90s was something else. I’m not sure that Neverending Story was needlessly cruel, even for a kids film. I’ve always liked that it never talked down to kids and was, in its own way, sort of brutally honest about depression and exploitation by way of. It holds up really well today, I think , and is just as creepy as it was then.
The older I’ve gotten (turned 40 this year), the more a lot of the films you’ve listed have become an extension of my thoughts and like yourself, helped formulate an understanding of the themes being explored. Kudos for putting together this list and sharing your own personal experiences! Movies and experiences should go hand in hand, hopefully the writer’s strike will give all the studios a moment of clarity and allow them to revisit the films that connected with us and what made them special rather than build franchises.
I strongly relate to viewing Burton’s vision of Batman and The Neverending Story at what was probably far too young of an age.
I also watched Robocop, Robocop 2, and the original Blade Runner at like 13 and I really think that cemented my love of cyberpunk motifs.
Blade Runner is a favourite too, but I somehow missed seeing it until much, much later in life. I was kind of allergic to sci-fi for a while, but I realized it's -different- within the genre.
Some nice movie selections. No Wes Anderson? My personal fave The Life Aquatic. Take Care!
It was tough to keep the list somewhat succinct, but I do like some of his films, especially The Royal Tennebaums.
That is a cracker. Crazy Royal.
Ooh great list. I fell in love with Kinski in Cat People. New Orleans, occult, cats.
I love that one too! I somehow missed it until recently, and watched it for the first time during the pandemic.
Thanks for so many interesting reflections! I will be re-reading this a few times and contemplating different ideas each time. One quick reaction: in 'Lost in Translation', they are literally living in a Highrise and your song would fit wonderfully as part of the soundtrack! When the movie came out, I viewed it more through Scarjo's character: what should I do with my life? Twenty years later, I view it more through Bill Murray's character: what should I do next?
Nailed it!!!
LOVE THIS SO MUCH
Thank you for the inspo! 💗 Excited to dive into music and books next.
Lion King was the Disney movie that shaped my childhood, even at a young age instilled that famous literary theme that "power corrupts" even when it comes to family haha. I had the Jurassic Park trapper keeper of Sir Rex tearing up a Ford Explorer with a tire in his teeth mid roar. Big Trouble Little China made a huge impact on me as a kid, all around badass Jack Burton, pretty much everything John Carpenter I still quote on the daily . Blade Runner for a subdued dysotpian look at the future.
Wizards... Didn't expect that one on your list, lol. Love the whole freakin list, right through to Paris. ;)
Perhaps you still feel like a teenager because we're now in the 4th decade of the 90s — time has stopped, in a cultural sense. Mark Fisher did a good job explaining it (though, the fact that he killed himself maybe isn't the greatest sign...) — The Slow Cancellation of the Future: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCgkLICTskQ
Also, after my parents learned I had watched the Robocop movies, they pretty much had the mindset of “well it can’t really get much worse than that” I guess and gave me free reign to have them rent pretty much any horror movie I wanted for me.
And I watched them ALL during my teen years. I had seen Hellraiser, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Alien by the time I was 16.
First of all glad you were feeling better by the end of the EuroTour. You certainly did hide it very well in Warsaw, none of us even suspected you were ill!
So I enjoyed your list, some of your listings are faves mine too. I saw "Wizards" as a kid in the thatre--I don't even remember how I got in--and I loved it ever since. It helped also that Ralph Bakshi was responsible for that. WHen he got pegged to do "Mighty Mouse" I knew they weren't gonna let him stay long haha.
I have a soft spot for the Indiana Jones movies, even the latter 2 (the latest more than the former), as well as the TV series (well, the teenage Indiana Jones part anyway). I have a small museum of Indiana Jones relics and one of the items I am trying to get is a Grail Diary, but all the ones I have found have been pretty counterfeit and I'm very leary of buying a bad one. "Last Crusade" showcased greatly the relationship between father and son, and after watching the TV series, you appreciate more about Indy and Henry's relationship and how significant the ending was.
"The Crow" is also one that hits home for me, and I remember going to the advance screening in full Crow garb (who didn't?). One of my favorite memories that night was being happily surprised that My Life wit the Thrill Kill Kult was in it. "It Can't Rain all the Time"---except in the movie. Like Indiana Jones, I have a smattering of Crow collectibles. One of my faves is a print of the Crow by J O'barr--which he uniquely customized to be blood splattered in red marker so that no two prints are the same, and then signed it again. That one is framed on my wall along with some other curiosities. I wish they would release a Director's Cut version because there were some scenes taht were cut out (I've seen the footage) that would have not only been cool to put back in, but would explain alot more things like how electrical tape suddenly appears wrapped around Draven's hand and waist.
"The Hunger"--I don't recall the details on that one, I saw it long long ago back to back with "The Man Who Fell to Earth" so it is kind of a wash. But this was Tony Scott's first film and he got such bad reviews for it and why? Of course, he cleaned up with his next film, "Top Gun" so no harm no foul.
Anyway, thanks for sharing!