Monthly Archives: November 2015

National Blog Posting Month, Screen time

9 classic ’80s films to watch on Family Movie Night

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Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

indyMy very worst movie-going experience was in 1984, when my parents took me to see “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and I threw up everywhere. (I’ll let you guess which scene caused that.) So I probably won’t show “Temple of Doom” to the kids anytime soon or anytime ever, but the rip-roarin’ “Raiders” adventure is a must-see.

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

ETI’m pretty sure the first sight of E.T. freaked me out a little, but I learned to love him. So much so that I had a eventually owned an E.T. doll with a glowing heart. (I also owned a stuffed ALF. I had a thing for weird-looking aliens, I guess.) The government agents were far scarier than wrinkly little E.T. I think they may have inspired the “You’re a Government Project and Mom and Dad are Scientists” long con I pulled on my little brother years later.

Annie (1982)

annieI can’t say this with 100 percent certainty, because my memory is awful spotty, but I’d be willing to wager that I wore my parents’ eardrums out warbling “Tomorrow” after I saw “Annie.” Four-year-old Nichole loved Annie, and 30-whatever-year-old Nichole was rather disappointed when Poppy wouldn’t watch it with her a few years ago. We did see the new “Annie” together. Poppy enjoyed it, but I thought it lacked heart. Also, Jamie Foxx is no Albert Finney.

A Christmas Story (1983)

christmasstoryI don’t think I saw “A Christmas Story” until I was an adult, but I’ve been an adult for quiet awhile now so it feels like I’ve been watching it my whole life. I still delight in watching it every year. Common Sense Media decrees it appropriate for children ages 8 and older, and I can’t wait to show it to the kids for the first time this year so they can join Rockford and I in making “Christmas Story” references throughout the season.

The NeverEnding Story (1984)

neverending-storyI found “The NeverEnding Story” mildly terrifying when I was a kid. But it was a good scared, you know?

I think Poppy and Pete need to see this ASAP so they’ll understand why I frequently sing “The never-ending stooooooOOOooory” when Rockford tells a Very Long Rockford Tale and why I always say “Hey, that dog looks like Falkor!” whenever I see one of those dogs that looks like Falkor.

The Goonies (1985)

the-goonies“The Goonies” is an essential tale of friendship, outcast empowerment and booby-twaps. The kissing scene is certain to gross Pete out, but hopefully the swashbuckling and scary criminals element will make up for that.

We’ll probably hold off on watching it for a few years due mostly to Brand’s risqué Spanish translations, but the kids will be required to watch it at least once before they go off to college. How else will they learn that Goonies never say die?

(I can’t believe this is the only Coreys movie on my list.)

Labyrinth (1986)

labyrinthMy children love Muppets, so they’ll definitely love “Labyrinth,” right? OK, so these Muppets aren’t exactly Kermit and Fozzie, but “Labyrinth” also features amazing hair, a compelling storyline and a song that will get stuck in their heads for the rest of their lives. That’s a win-win-win in my book.

The Princess Bride (1987)

the-princess-brideRomance? Check. Pirates? Check. Revenge? Check. A giant making goofy rhymes and puns? Check. Billy Crystal? Check.

“The Princess Bride” has everything, and it was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid and also now that I’m not a kid. I watched it with Pete and Poppy earlier this year, and they did not love it. Sometimes it’s like I don’t even know those two.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

honeyI was remembering “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” as a ’90s movie, but it actually came out in 1989. It includes a trifecta of ingredients that add up to a classic cinema experience: whimsey, humor and Moranis. My brother and my cousin got to ride the bee for a “This is how green screens work” demonstration when we went to Hollywood Studios as children, and I will always be jealous of that.

NaBloPoMo November 2015

Bandwagons, blessings, National Blog Posting Month

This is my birthday song. It isn’t very long.

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Let us being this post with a shout-out to my Birthday Buddies, my Scorpio Squad:

Happy birthday, Ralph Macchio — you raven-haired headbanded crane-kickin’ Teen Beat coverboy who almost certainly has done other things since the crane kick although you and I can certainly agree that the crane kick was and will remain the crowning jewel of your career.

Happy birthday, Sean Puff Daddy P-Diddy Puffy Diddy Combs — with your fancy togs and your fancy parties to which you’ve never not even once invited me.

Happy birthday, former First Lady Laura Bush — with whom I don’t think I have much in common save for a birthday and a love of books but really that’s probably enough on which to base a pretty solid friendship.

Happy birthday, St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Tony Messenger — my sweater-vested Broncos-loving friend who sheltered my family from a looming tornado and complained when my vegetarian chili won the chili cook-off and is in my prayers daily as you battle cancer.

And happy birthday also to me. Today I turn 37, which to the best of my knowledge is in no way a landmark number. But it does mean 40 is getting closer and closer, and I’m pretty excited about that. Every year is a victory.

levelup

And so to celebrate achieving Level 37, I wanted to share a hand-crafted and -curated list of 37 Things for Which I am Grateful. But the children were loud and the laundry needed to be folded and then it was time to go to tae kwon do and then the children were loud again and there was still more laundry to fold and so instead I give you, for now:

16 things for which I am grateful

  1. I have a supportive, handsome husband who is also a wonderful father and my BFF4ever.
  2. I’m not so fond of the incessant political machine, but I’m glad I live in a time and a country in which I can voice my opinion by voting.
  3. My funny, passionate daughter.
  4. Chicken pot pie.
  5. My sweet, fiery little boy.
  6. Entertaining television programs.
  7. My nephew, who is a little wildfire ball of giggles and crazy hug/tackles.
  8. Good books.
  9. The library, from which I can borrow good books without a fee.
  10. My dad, who is a champion.
  11. My mom, who raised my brother and I to be shining examples of grace and humility.
  12. My brother, who is a shining example of grace and humility and had the good sense to provide me with a lovely sister-in-law.
  13. All three of my sisters-in-law and their families.
  14. My exceedingly good-hearted in-laws.
  15. A kind and generous group of friends.
  16. Pie.

NaBloPoMo November 2015