Category Archives: Screen time

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

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

7 classic ’90s films to watch on Family Movie Night

Disclaimer! Some of these are affiliate links.

lilpopWaaaaay back in May, I told you that we were going to be having Family Movie Nights at ButterscotchSundae headquarters. I shared with you a list of family-friendly sports movies, and I was so excited about our plan! I was so far down the path, I’d started weighing the pros and cons of buying my own popcorn popper.

And then, alas, it was summer.

We skipped Family Movie Night over and over and over again, and on the weeks that weren’t skipped we watched things like “Hotel Transylvania” and “The Descendants.” But now it’s finally my turn to choose again! So pop some corn and tear open your SnoCaps as I present to you: A selection of my favorite family films from that most glorious age of cinema, 1990s.


Home Alone (1990)

Home AloneIs “Home Alone” a great movie about child abandonment and endangerment, or is it the greatest movie about child abandonment and endangerment? That’s hard to say, but it certainly has to be the slapstickiest. Twelve-year-old me found this one to be a laugh-a-minute riot.

“Home Alone” is available as a digital rental or purchase from Amazon.


Hook (1991)

hook“Hook” is a weird twist on “Peter Pan,” in which Peter grows up to be a total square, Jimmy Buffett is a pirate, Violet Crawley is Wendy and someone has named their child Rufio and he responds by going all “Beyond Thunderdome” meets a troll doll.

I suggest this one with a caveat: My kids love “Peter Pan,” and they did not like “Hook” at all. Your kids are probably more reasonable.

“Hook” is available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video.


My Girl (1991)

mygirlMacauley Culkin was the boy king of the early ’90s, wasn’t he? I remember this movie as a delightful romp that suddenly shocked the tears right out of my ducts. I was 13, though, so I probably stuck the popcorn bucket over my head to hide my tears.

“My Girl” is available as a digital rental or purchase from Amazon.


Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

mrsdoubtfireAs much as I loved “Mrs. Doubtfire” when I was a kid, I was a little hesitant to include it in my list. It’s kind of a creepy story, and it would probably be a viral sensation if it happened in real life. Regardless, it’s Robin Williams and he’s equal parts manic and charming, so it made the list despite being pretty darn weird.

“Mrs. Doubtfire” is available as a digital rental or purchase from Amazon.


Free Willy (1993)

freewillyI’m a sucker for a sentimental tale of human-animal friendship, so of course “Free Willy” is on the list. My brother was a jaded, world-weary 10-year-old the first time we saw it, and I remember hearing him gasp at that final leap to freedom.

I can only hope my children will be equally as awed.

Free Willy” is available as a digital rental or purchase from Amazon.


Fly Away Home (1997)

flyawaySpeaking of animal-kid buddy movies…

I’m generally not a fan of birds, but “Fly Away Home” stars the always-adorable Little Anna Paquin, a scruffily bearded Jeff Daniels and Dana Delaney of “Animaniacs” theme song fame. The plot — about healing and family — is sweet, too boot. I’m not sure Poppy and Pete will be into it, but I plan to give it a shot.

Fly Away Home” is available for free streaming via Prime and as a digital rental or purchase and Amazon.


Matilda (1996)

matildaThis adaptation stays true to Roald Dahl’s dark and sometimes-scary humor. Be warned that, as with pretty much every Dahl story I’ve read, a lot of the adults in this story are truly despicable. In the end, though, kindness and gentle hearts win the day and the rotten folks get their comeuppance.

And also, parts of it are uproariously funny.

Matilda” is available as a digital purchase as Amazon.


The most important issue, though, is what are the pros and cons of owning a popcorn machine?

Pros
Fresh, delicious popcorn all the time.

Cons
Rockford thinks I’m not serious about this.

So. What’s your favorite ’90s movie? And why should Rockford definitely get me a popcorn maker for my birthday?

9 sports flicks to watch on Family Movie Night

We’re re-instituting the Friday Night Family movie here at Butterscotch Sundae headquarters. Rather than spending 20 to 30 minutes arguing about what movie we’re going to watch, we’re going to take turns choosing. So I started making lists of movies I want to force the children to watch, and I thought I’d share them with you, too, in case you’d like to introduce your kids to them as well.

I’m not big into watching actual sports on TV, but I do love a good sports story. Here are some of my favorites.

The Karate Kid (1984)

karatekidFact: ’80s kids are incapable of washing their cars without employing the “wax on, wax off” technique.

“The Karate Kid” taught us important lessons about sportsmanship, work ethic and character. We also learned never to trust a blond dude wearing a bandana as a headband and that The Crane Kick is difficult but totally worth the effort.

“The Karate Kid” is available for $5 on DVD at Amazon. You can buy a digital download, too, but the DVD is cheaper.


Hoosiers (1986)

hoosiersRockford might stop speaking to me if I left “Hoosiers” off the list. This one’s got redemption, romance, an underdog story and a whole truckload of Midwestern nostalgia. It’s good stuff.

“Hoosiers” is available for purchase or rent at Amazon.


The Mighty Ducks (1992)

mightyducksI was still in my Emilio Estevez (thank you, “Young Guns”) phase when “The Mighty Ducks” came out, so my 14-year-old self was not opposed to going to a Disney movie about hockey. I’m grateful for that, because it’s a fun movie.

“The Mighty Ducks” is available for purchase or rent on Amazon.


A League of Their Own (1992)

aleagueoftheirownThere aren’t enough girl-power sports movies out there. This one is top-notch, and without it we would never have known just how much crying is acceptable in baseball. It’s probably my favorite Madonna movie.

You can buy a DVD of “A League of Their Own” for $5 or a digital copy for $8 on Amazon.


Rudy (1993)

rudy“Rudy” was responsible for my brief love of Notre Dame football and for my penchant to chant “Rudy” when I’m trying to inspire friends and family to greatness. It stars Samwise Gamgee Sean Astin as an unlikely football hero, and it is sappy, inspiring sports-movie perfection.

“Rudy” is available on Netflix.


The Sandlot (1993)

sandlot“The Sandlot” is a funny, heartwarming baseball movie, and I was not at all into funny, heartwarming baseball movies in 1993. And so I don’t think I saw this when it originally came out. I’m seeing the kid who played Ham all over the place all of a sudden, so I guess things are going alright for him.

“The Sandlot” is available on DVD at Amazon, but it isn’t streaming anywhere. Which is definitely killin’ me, Smalls.


Angels in the Outfield (1994)

angelsintheoutfieldI did see “Angels in the Outfield” in the theater, which must mean I was at my dad’s house when it came out because we went to a lot of family-friendly sports movies together.

It’s a sweet little movie, but I’d recommend it even if it wasn’t because it stars a very young and adorable Joseph Gordon Levitt.

“Angels in the Outfield” is available on DVD at Amazon.


Space Jam (1996)

Space JamWhen I was growing up, even the kids who weren’t Chicago Bulls fans acknowledged that Michael Jordan was pretty much the greatest basketball player of all time, ever. Now my kids know him as “the ‘Space Jam’ guy.” I’m OK with that, because it’s a totally tubular ’90s sports movie and it’s the only one on this list that features Wayne Knight and Bill Murray.

“Space Jam” is available as a Netflix DVD rental or to as a digital rental or purchase from Amazon. (But you should probably just buy “Space Jam” on DVD from Amazon so you have it in your permanent collection.)


Miracle (2004)

miracleAnother hockey movie!

I was a toddler during the 1980 Olympics, and I think I’ve sat through one hockey game in my entire life. So this story was pretty much new to me. It’s exciting true story, and it stars Kurt Russell. How could you go wrong?

“Miracle” is available for rent or purchase on Amazon.