So I was inspired to write my own thoughts about this article written last Monday titled, “Movies That Changed”. In general the article talks about our ever changing perception of life around us and how it affects us. Specifically movies. It’s worth the read if you have the time.
Some films (not all) I once thought were awesome in my childhood aren’t so much anymore. But it’s not just child nostalgia or maturity… I think it’s my evolving perspective and values.
For example the article mentions the 80’s classic, Ferris Bueller’s Day off. I remember seeing this movie on cable back in ’86 or ’87 (I was eight) thinking Ferris is one of the coolest guys I’d ever seen and that if we were friends, I’d most likely be Cameron. What kid didn’t want to ditch school with his hot girlfriend and best bud, right? Ferris seemed (in general) calm, cool, and extremely clever. The movie’s success really spoke to the sensibilities of the 80’s child.
I saw this movie again on television about a month or so ago and saw everything in a completely different light. To quote Peter Howell, “I’m thinking maybe he really was an asshole. He shouldn’t have taken his friend’s dad’s Ferrari, you know?” Damn straight. Cameron needed to lighten up but he also needed to stand up to Ferris who just manipulated every one.
Another film that come to mind is The Crow. Brandon Lee was killed during production and it really shook up Hollywood safety procedures and the Film Industry in general. This movie was perfect for my foray into teenage angst with my very first girlfriend. I remember thinking there’s nothing more poetic about love, life, death, and justice. I loved this movie… until we broke up. Lol.
Seeing it again in college, I remember thinking it was a great action movie that remained ironic in both it’s subject matter and its star’s tragic end. I watched it again a few years back and couldn’t help but laugh at how dated it is now. Then, I sighed realizing that was more than ten years ago…

When I took my first film history class in Art School, I was exposed to great filmmakers like Bunuel, Fellini, Altman, Antonioni and more from the French New Wave to classic Americana like Ford, Houston, Demille. I can’t tell you how many of those films I slept through and had to go back and re-watch to do my weekend assignments. As a child, there was no way you’d get me to sit still to watch something in black and white, let alone with subtitles. (I know adults who are still this way, lol.) But something connected and inspired me to develop my skills as a filmmaker AND a film goer. These days I try to get over to the Art House cinemas whenever I can.
I’m not a film snob by any means. I think the Criterion Collection has some the most amazing films ever crafted in it’s collection and I can only learn my craft better from each and every one of them but I also think it’s fine to lose yourself in the Hobbit or go back to the multilayered camp of Flash Gordon.
I mean, in the end isn’t it all subjective anyway? What do you think?
I’d also like to say that our ever changing perspectives at varying stages of our lives is exactly why it’s a bad idea for a filmmaker to re-cut something they had already put out to the world (to great success) decades before…
And that’s all I have to say about that.
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