Some heard "yanny," other's heard "laurel." We were all right. We were all wrong. Still, we were all steadfast in our conclusion. Science has shown us that it is entirely possible for one thing to be interpreted in two completely different ways. It's kind of amazing.
Going for a walk with my daughter one afternoon, she asks, "Mommy, let's take a picture of everything pretty." I pull out my phone and 287 pictures later realize, everything is pretty to her. Everything is still new and to be appreciated. My grown-up brain did notice it was a gorgeous day but mostly, I was focused on her and the most efficient route home. One situation; two completely different interpretations.
Mostly, it's maturity. I'm old now. I've seen things. I have experiences, good and bad, that now show me a filtered world.
None of this is more evident than when I sit down to watch an old movie. (Old meaning 1980's and 90's) My once carefree cinema experience is now a deeper ordeal fraught with questions of symbolism, character, plot and directing style. I blame this on my Movie Snob Husband. And also thank him.
Recently, we sat down and rewatched the movie "Parenthood." It was always one of my faves as a kid. I thought it was hilarious and Steve Martin was my dream dad. After it was over, we both sat quiet for a minute and then slowly looked to each other with the same look of what-the.....!!! For the first time, I totally got the parents. The kids seemed clueless. The problems real. I wanted to cry. Childhood officially gone.
This got me thinking of other movies that are now different. Nothing about them has changed. In fact, I can quote most of them. I can even sing the soundtracks. No, it's me who has changed.
We all saw it as an adolescent. And I would venture to guess it's one of your favourites. (As are most John Hughes' movies) I know it's one of mine. But, I think it's safe to say the message of the movie was way over my head at 10 years old.
One afternoon. 5 stereotypical high school type personalities. Isolation. For once, we are able to see that we're really not all that different after all.
I never even paid much attention to the adult characters. Carl the Janitor telling Mr. Vernon that the "kids haven't changed, you have." Yeah, I feel that one now. Add to that my early adulthood realization that they weren't still friends on Monday morning and my world was officially rocked.
Hello Darkness, my old friend.... Seriously. As a kid, I loved the cute little mice and the funny, clumsy crow. Then one day I say "Hey Isabel, let's watch The Secret of Nimh" and my sweet little story reveals itself as super dark.
There's some heavy plot elements here for a kids movie; a child is dying, they're house is about to be violently destroyed, their father was killed, conspiracy, murder and animal experimentation. Jesus. I now wonder what it must've been like for our parents to watch this with us. I am sure many conversations were had.
My most favoritest movie of all time. Don't you dare judge me. It still holds up. It's terrifying. (Hello, creepy clown under the bed) However, I think a fair chunk of my reverence is due to nostalgia. I saw this movie right around the time it came out. (or not that long after) I was like 6. 6!!! I largely credit this movie with my future obsession with the horror genre. It hasn't changed much for me upon viewing it as an adult. (Although, the scene where little Carol Ann moves through her Mom {"She moved through my soul!"} now makes me weepy.) I only include it on this list because there is no way in hell I'd let Isabel watch it. And I still can't believe that I did.
This almost perfect snapshot of the early 1990's (and it's retro 70's/80's soundtrack) will always hold a special place in my heart. These kids were cool. Way cooler than me. I think of them like the seniors when I was a freshman. Just a little bit older but so, so much older at the same time.
And oh that Troy Dyer. His I-don't-give-a-f** attitude and dirty hair was almost too much for my adolescent brain to process. And no matter how much she fought it, Lelaina was totally into it. I would've been too.
Now?
Yeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhh.....not so much. Troy is way too much trouble. He can't keep a job and plays way too many games. I have always wondered how long Lelaina and Troy were together. While those hot and heavy 20-something relationships are key to growing up, they usually fizzle out quickly and brilliantly. I like to think she kicked him to the curb once "Why Barbie is Bad" became an international phenomenon.
So, if you get a chance, go back and watch these with grown-up eyes. See if you feel the same way. See if there are others that you would add. I'm going to break protocol and go straight to I TRIPLE-DOG-DARE YOU!!!!
Going for a walk with my daughter one afternoon, she asks, "Mommy, let's take a picture of everything pretty." I pull out my phone and 287 pictures later realize, everything is pretty to her. Everything is still new and to be appreciated. My grown-up brain did notice it was a gorgeous day but mostly, I was focused on her and the most efficient route home. One situation; two completely different interpretations.
Mostly, it's maturity. I'm old now. I've seen things. I have experiences, good and bad, that now show me a filtered world.
None of this is more evident than when I sit down to watch an old movie. (Old meaning 1980's and 90's) My once carefree cinema experience is now a deeper ordeal fraught with questions of symbolism, character, plot and directing style. I blame this on my Movie Snob Husband. And also thank him.
Recently, we sat down and rewatched the movie "Parenthood." It was always one of my faves as a kid. I thought it was hilarious and Steve Martin was my dream dad. After it was over, we both sat quiet for a minute and then slowly looked to each other with the same look of what-the.....!!! For the first time, I totally got the parents. The kids seemed clueless. The problems real. I wanted to cry. Childhood officially gone.
This got me thinking of other movies that are now different. Nothing about them has changed. In fact, I can quote most of them. I can even sing the soundtracks. No, it's me who has changed.
Parenthood
(1989, Ron Howard)
"I like the rollercoaster."
I've loved this movie since the first time I saw it. It is endearing and hilarious and has an awesome cast.
It was only a few months ago that I came across it in our library and Matt and I put it on.
Whoa. Give it a try if you dare. The once middle-aged cast is about our age now. Their kids are about our kids ages and their problems are very, very real. There's abandonment, a kid with behavioral problems, financial woes, aging parents, teen angst and a giant vibrator. (We needed a laugh to cut the tension) I cheered for the parents in a way I never did before. I know some of these struggles. And I couldn't help wondering how some of the kids were going to turn out later. #Adultinghard
The Breakfast Club
(1985, John Hughes)
Don't you forget about me.
We all saw it as an adolescent. And I would venture to guess it's one of your favourites. (As are most John Hughes' movies) I know it's one of mine. But, I think it's safe to say the message of the movie was way over my head at 10 years old.
One afternoon. 5 stereotypical high school type personalities. Isolation. For once, we are able to see that we're really not all that different after all.
I never even paid much attention to the adult characters. Carl the Janitor telling Mr. Vernon that the "kids haven't changed, you have." Yeah, I feel that one now. Add to that my early adulthood realization that they weren't still friends on Monday morning and my world was officially rocked.
The Secret of Nimh
(1982, Don Bluth)
Courage of the heart is very rare.
Hello Darkness, my old friend.... Seriously. As a kid, I loved the cute little mice and the funny, clumsy crow. Then one day I say "Hey Isabel, let's watch The Secret of Nimh" and my sweet little story reveals itself as super dark.
There's some heavy plot elements here for a kids movie; a child is dying, they're house is about to be violently destroyed, their father was killed, conspiracy, murder and animal experimentation. Jesus. I now wonder what it must've been like for our parents to watch this with us. I am sure many conversations were had.
Poltergeist
(1982, Tobe Hooper)
F*** that clown.
My most favoritest movie of all time. Don't you dare judge me. It still holds up. It's terrifying. (Hello, creepy clown under the bed) However, I think a fair chunk of my reverence is due to nostalgia. I saw this movie right around the time it came out. (or not that long after) I was like 6. 6!!! I largely credit this movie with my future obsession with the horror genre. It hasn't changed much for me upon viewing it as an adult. (Although, the scene where little Carol Ann moves through her Mom {"She moved through my soul!"} now makes me weepy.) I only include it on this list because there is no way in hell I'd let Isabel watch it. And I still can't believe that I did.
Reality Bites
(1994, Ben Stiller)
"Conjunction junction, what's your function?!..."
This almost perfect snapshot of the early 1990's (and it's retro 70's/80's soundtrack) will always hold a special place in my heart. These kids were cool. Way cooler than me. I think of them like the seniors when I was a freshman. Just a little bit older but so, so much older at the same time.
And oh that Troy Dyer. His I-don't-give-a-f** attitude and dirty hair was almost too much for my adolescent brain to process. And no matter how much she fought it, Lelaina was totally into it. I would've been too.
Now?
Yeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhh.....not so much. Troy is way too much trouble. He can't keep a job and plays way too many games. I have always wondered how long Lelaina and Troy were together. While those hot and heavy 20-something relationships are key to growing up, they usually fizzle out quickly and brilliantly. I like to think she kicked him to the curb once "Why Barbie is Bad" became an international phenomenon.
So, if you get a chance, go back and watch these with grown-up eyes. See if you feel the same way. See if there are others that you would add. I'm going to break protocol and go straight to I TRIPLE-DOG-DARE YOU!!!!
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