I keep seeing click-bait articles that are intended to get under your skin by saying that your favorite childhood movie was awful, and you only think it is good out of nostalgia. I am here to say that they are full of it; pretentious, ignorant Gen-Z crap from people who are most likely baffled by how to use a rotary phone or fill out a physical check. Let me take you back to my childhood for a minute and go over a few awesome movies that are not only good, but they have withstood the test of time.
Raiders of the Lost Ark: Was there anyone alive in the 80s who didn't watch this movie? If not, then your life is incomplete. This first installment of the Indiana Jones series is a treasure, with non-stop pulpy action and adventure, supernatural dread, and a compelling hero. Some people argue that Indy is useless and has no effect on the outcome of the story. He actually does. The Nazis would most likely have tortured Marion and killed her if Indy didn't intervene. The Ark would not have gotten into U.S. custody without Indy's actions. That, and if the story is about the "Raiders" of the Lost Ark and not "the Lost Ark" then maybe the actual focus is on the characters who grabbed the Ark and what became of them and not on who actually got it. In this case, Indy is a survivor of the first rank.
Ghostbusters: Some wokesters are offended by Venkman's questionable behavior with attracting women. Granted, the stuff he does isn't advisable, but it is obviously so and no viewer with half a brain of common sense won't be able to see it coming. Remember, it's a comedy, not an instruction manual for predators. That being said, Ghostbusters works on several levels. Not only is it an entertaining film mixing science fiction with the paranormal, but the delivery of the humor is so deadpan and on the nose that there is a good reason why people quote and continue to watch it. I was introduced to this movie as a little kid in the 80s and I bless my family for doing so.
The Original Star Wars Trilogy: There is considerable controversy over Disney's treatment of Star Wars and whether or not the new directors and writers should stick to the series canon. Some people question if the original canon should even be considered when making this decision. To me it's common sense. Star Wars would not have near enough the prestige it had when Disney bought it without the love and dedication that fans have for the original trilogy. These films were ground-breaking, improving upon old sci-fi serials and pulp stories by the likes of Edmond Hamilton with better production value, inventive practical effects, and aesthetics honed by western, samurai films, and WWII stock footage. Be honest with yourselves, millennials and Gen-Zs, Star Wars is boomer stuff. If you want to satisfy fans who want more Star Wars, you must give them more of the Star Wars they know and not transmogrify the series into a woke political echo chamber. If you don't get this, then maybe the original trilogy isn't for you, and you should stop complaining about how it isn't representing you. Create your own IP. For me and millions of other fans, we'll stick with the originals; we'll even stick with the originals before Lucas released the special edition.
The Princess Bride: The only remake I'll accept for this version is one with Muppets. 'nuff said.
Batman: When this blockbuster hit theaters in 1989, I could tell you even as a six-year-old kid that something big was happening. As an adult, I can honestly say I was caught up in the wave of Bat-media that erupted from this film. The only reason we have superhero films with good budgets is the dual success of this and the original Superman movie starring Christopher Reeves. No one knew that you could treat these characters with any degree of seriousness until these movies came out. DC is slow on the uptake these days, but they led the pack back in the 70s and 80s and it took until the late 90s for Marvel to get off its butt and start making a mark on the box office.
Okay, so this feels like more of a rant, but I decided to write this while I had the chance considering that it looks like the rest of July will be busy for me. Until next time. . .
Written by Nicholas Montelongo
Raiders of the Lost Ark: Was there anyone alive in the 80s who didn't watch this movie? If not, then your life is incomplete. This first installment of the Indiana Jones series is a treasure, with non-stop pulpy action and adventure, supernatural dread, and a compelling hero. Some people argue that Indy is useless and has no effect on the outcome of the story. He actually does. The Nazis would most likely have tortured Marion and killed her if Indy didn't intervene. The Ark would not have gotten into U.S. custody without Indy's actions. That, and if the story is about the "Raiders" of the Lost Ark and not "the Lost Ark" then maybe the actual focus is on the characters who grabbed the Ark and what became of them and not on who actually got it. In this case, Indy is a survivor of the first rank.
Ghostbusters: Some wokesters are offended by Venkman's questionable behavior with attracting women. Granted, the stuff he does isn't advisable, but it is obviously so and no viewer with half a brain of common sense won't be able to see it coming. Remember, it's a comedy, not an instruction manual for predators. That being said, Ghostbusters works on several levels. Not only is it an entertaining film mixing science fiction with the paranormal, but the delivery of the humor is so deadpan and on the nose that there is a good reason why people quote and continue to watch it. I was introduced to this movie as a little kid in the 80s and I bless my family for doing so.
The Original Star Wars Trilogy: There is considerable controversy over Disney's treatment of Star Wars and whether or not the new directors and writers should stick to the series canon. Some people question if the original canon should even be considered when making this decision. To me it's common sense. Star Wars would not have near enough the prestige it had when Disney bought it without the love and dedication that fans have for the original trilogy. These films were ground-breaking, improving upon old sci-fi serials and pulp stories by the likes of Edmond Hamilton with better production value, inventive practical effects, and aesthetics honed by western, samurai films, and WWII stock footage. Be honest with yourselves, millennials and Gen-Zs, Star Wars is boomer stuff. If you want to satisfy fans who want more Star Wars, you must give them more of the Star Wars they know and not transmogrify the series into a woke political echo chamber. If you don't get this, then maybe the original trilogy isn't for you, and you should stop complaining about how it isn't representing you. Create your own IP. For me and millions of other fans, we'll stick with the originals; we'll even stick with the originals before Lucas released the special edition.The Princess Bride: The only remake I'll accept for this version is one with Muppets. 'nuff said.
Batman: When this blockbuster hit theaters in 1989, I could tell you even as a six-year-old kid that something big was happening. As an adult, I can honestly say I was caught up in the wave of Bat-media that erupted from this film. The only reason we have superhero films with good budgets is the dual success of this and the original Superman movie starring Christopher Reeves. No one knew that you could treat these characters with any degree of seriousness until these movies came out. DC is slow on the uptake these days, but they led the pack back in the 70s and 80s and it took until the late 90s for Marvel to get off its butt and start making a mark on the box office.
Okay, so this feels like more of a rant, but I decided to write this while I had the chance considering that it looks like the rest of July will be busy for me. Until next time. . .
Written by Nicholas Montelongo
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