Cinema Memoir #38

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (May 24th, 1989)

The epitome of total awesomeness! The first ad I saw for this movie was not a standard trailer about the movie, but rather a trailer about the making of the movie. What better way to strengthen my interest in filmmaking? Plus Harrison Ford stapled his fedora to his head, come on!

I do remember getting really nervous at the beginning of the movie when I saw some strange man (not Harrison Ford) wearing the fedora and leather jacket. I thought maybe they had recast Indy or something, but it didn't take me long to figure out what was going on.

Also, I remember the moment when Sean Connery stepped into the frame for the first time in the movie and the audience applauded. That was the first time I ever witnessed an audience react to a movie like that.

Watching this movie in the theater is one of my favorite cinematic memories of all time, and Indiana Jones remains my favorite character of the silver screen.

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Cinema Memoir #23

*batteries not included
(December 18th, 1987)

It seems that because I generally watch moves so many times on video or DVD all the viewings tend to blur together. This is certainly the case for *batteries not included.

I don't remember a whole lot about watching this in the theater but I do remember wanting to see it. The poster and trailers totally sold me on this movie. I was getting to the age where I started to recognize names like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas on movie posters.

Also at this age I was beginning to notice the impact of great poster art. This poster was created by none other than the great Drew Struzan. I didn't know that at the time but looking back I can see how much of an impact his art had on me as a kid and still has on me as an adult. (Check out the link to his page in the My Heroes section)

I can't say this movie is great - it's a little dry at times and kind of tedious to watch. The effects are pretty awesome though, especially for 1987.

(Image from impawards.com)

Cinema Memoir #6

Back to the Future (July 3rd, 1985)

Memories are strange things. The only thing I remember about watching this movie in the theater is Marty McFly riding behind cars on his skateboard, fun but certainly not the most memorable part of Back to the Future. I think this movie made a greater impact on me in VHS form because when the sequels came out I was ready for them.

Robert Zemeckis is one of my all time favorite directors. His movies are always on the cutting edge of technology and he seems to be constantly reinventing his approach to storytelling. Back to the Future was one of those innovative movies.

On a side note, every time I see a Delorean in real life (which is quite rare) I get butterflies in my stomach and kinda giggly. I saw one in Sarasota about a year ago and I followed it into a parking lot and ogled at it for a few minuets. The license plate -- Back In Time

(Image from impawards.com)

Cinema Memoir #5

The Goonies (June 7th, 1985)

Perhaps one of the best kid's movies of all time. Of course I've seen this movie a thousand times on video so my big screen memories are kinda hazy. I remember Data being my favorite character at the time because of all his cool gadgets.

I have to give props to Steven Spielberg and Chris Columbus for coming up with this idea. I guess Richard Donner did okay too. This movie was really fresh for it's time and it's become a cult classic.

I had the pleasure of catching a special screening of The Goonies a few years ago in Orlando. The theater was packed and we knew all the lines.

There has never been another kids movie quite like The Goonies, and there probably never will be, but my fingers are still crossed.

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Cinema Memoir #3

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(May 23rd, 1984)

The thing I remember most was walking out of the theater wishing I was Short Round. I suppose most kids wanted to be Indy, but this was the first time I'd seen a kid with the power to thwart evil. This was the genesis of my love for "kid's movies".

Much like Return of the Jedi, Temple of Doom generally ranks as the least favorite of the original three Indy movies. I would recommend watching this movie again with someone who's never seen it (ideally a child).

Indiana Jones was my childhood hero. My desire to be a filmmaker can be directly attributed to the Indiana Jones movies and the impact they had on me as a child.

(Image from impawards.com)

Cinema Memoir #1

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
(April 11th, 1982)

This was my very first big screen experience. I was only 2 years old at the time so I don't remember much, but I do remember watching it at a drive-in, and my older brother crying when E.T. died. (Sorry for the 26 year old spoiler)

E.T. didn't get a video release until 1988. Six years is a long time for a kid to wait. Fortunately my uncle had a bootleg copy that I'd watch every time we visited.

Today E.T. remains one of my all time favorite movies. I can't imagine a better first big screen experience.

(Image from impawards.com)