1980, B.N.

As in the 1980's era---Before Netflix.

While I am a super-duper fan of the 'flix, this time of year makes me miss going into the tape shop we used to frequent every summer afternoon after play-time at the pool.

Yes, I said tape shop.

I loooooved this summer ritual. Usually, I'd still be wrapped in my beach towel, as I browsed the walls and walls of VHS tapes. It may sound funny, but I miss the smell the most. It was so distinct. Maybe it was the mix of plastic vinyl and stale popcorn in the machine by the front counter--but whatever it was, if you put me in a time machine blindfolded and I ended up in that store--I could tell you exactly where I was.

I started thinking about my beloved tape shop yesterday, when I saw on the news that The Goonies 25th anniversary is this week. How is that possible? This is a great film from the B.N. era--one that I watched many times growing up--and still do whenever it comes on TV. Chunk, Mikey and the gang made everyone who watched it want to have a big adventure--who didn't want to find a treasure map?

So as a tribute to "Goonies Never Die" I'm sharing my Top Ten B.N. era movies that made my tape-shop days so memorable.

Annie (1982) - I wanted to be Annie. I love this movie beyond explanation-this started my love of musicals. I had a stuffed dog that I carried around and sang, "Sandy, why are you following me...." I danced around my room to "It's the Hard Knock Life" and I know that my parents lost out on a lot of TV shows due to the amount of times I watched this movie.

Labyrinth (1986) -  "Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City to take back the child that you have stolen. For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as great...You have no power over me"
Being the oldest of 3, I could relate to Sarah--I wanted to ask the Goblin King to come and take my baby sister and brother away a time or two ;)
I loved the music, the Muppet's, and even David Bowie as the "bad guy" And these days, my siblings and I always quote this movie together. Especially, "Should ya need us...."

Parent Trap (1961) - Anyone else think Hayley Mills really had a twin? I did. For a long time. And even then, I refused to believe it. Still think she has one out there....
I love this movie. Not a fan of the re-make. The original is just SO good. Fate bringing them together at camp, switching places, causing mischief. So the first time I ever went to camp (6th grade) I was convinced I was going to meet my long lost twin. She never showed up. 

The Little Princess (1939) - I loved the story--a little girl that comes from a privileged background, then is forced to live without. She maintains her sweet nature and never gave up hope. Even as a little girl, the message in this movie really stuck with me. I loved watching the happy ending.

Grease (1978) - "Grease is the word, is the word that you heard, it's got groove it's got meaning..." Ahh, the music in this movie. Doesn't get much better. I loved the dancing, the Pink Ladies, pretty much everything about it. "Tell me about it....stud."

The Neverending Story (1984) - I used to pretend I was Atreyu sloshing through the swap--but I'd be in the shallow end of the pool. I always have to Google the name Bastian screams out at the end into the storm to save Fantasia--"Moonchild" And I love almost everything about this tale--except the scary wolf. I would have nightmares about a wolf chasing me after I watched the movie...but I'd still watch it again!

Supergirl (1984) - I should really include ALL the "Super" movies--I watched Superman I-IV ALL the time. I am pretty sure I can dig up a picture of me in my Supergirl costume that I wore quite often. I wanted to fly so bad as a kid--I would even hold my hands in the exact flying position as Supergirl did. To this day, the theme from Superman stays on my iPod--its one of my biggest "motivational" tunes.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) - I picked this one because it's the first movie I remember being in "awe" over because of the special effects. I was amazed they could shrink the characters, and make it all look so realistic. I saw this for the first time at the beach in the summer of '89 with my sister, cousins and grandmother. My "Nana" took us kids to see the movie 3 times that week. Bless her. But I think she enjoyed it just as much as we did :)

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985) - It was a toss up between this and "The Princess Bride"--a fantasssstic movie--but I decided I appreciate that movie more as an adult, since I understand more of the jokes. I saw each of these movies every Sunday (no joke) for a year. We would leave from church, go to our family friend's house--and as the adults enjoyed their time, the movies went in the tape player to keep the kids entertained. Pee Wee and Princess Buttercup were are constant companions. But we all loved them, so it didnt matter. We all loved imitating "Large Marge" and laughing like Pee-Wee.

The Watcher in the Woods (1980) - My first scary movie. I still can't stand outside by myself when the wind is blowing really hard in the woods--it.still.creeps.me.out. My sister and I would cover our eyes through a lot of this movie--but we loved it. So please understand if I don't accept an invitation to go on a "merry little walk" through the woods on a windy day. :)






Since you walked down memory lane with me, I'd like to give you a little something in return. Leave me a comment about your favorite VHS memories--a list of faves, or a memory that goes along with one of them--and I will do a drawing next week and send the winner some Summer Movie Goodies! Better yet, write your Before Netflix memories on your blog, come back and tell me, and you'll be entered twice.

Now, I'm off to update my 'flix queue to send me some of my oldies, but oh so goodies.