Top 5 Movies: Make Me Feel Like A Kid

I've decided to start a bit of a lighter series of posts entitled, Top 5 Movies.  So many times in the past (and very recently with my cousins) I have been involved in a conversation of favorite movies and as always, I feel torn between too many film allegiances to pick a solid winner or even a top five. My solution: Top 5 movies for as many and as specific of categories as I chose. So, let's get started! (Side note: as this is my blog, these are obviously my opinions. Feel free to share yours in the comments!) Our first category is...

MOVIES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN

Qualifications: This list is not for "great kids movies" or even "movies you loved as a kid."  This is for movies that no matter your age, fill you with the carefree warmth of being a child.  While watching these movies, you feel like time has paused and you can just be ten again.


5. Swiss Family Robinson

Seriously, who didn't want to live in that tree house?! This movie has pirates, coconut bombs, a shipwreck... ostrich races!!! I always imagined, as a kid, that getting stranded on a desert island could  be as awesome as this and every time I watch it now, I believe that I could crash land somewhere and build a mansion with very little trouble, while defending my family from... Japanese pirates?  Even now, whenever I am in some tree-filled, fresh-water situation I imagine swimming back to the stranded boat for supplies, being brought to shore by a sea turtle, rescuing the captives from the pirates, and of course, falling in love with Ernst (I always liked him more than Fritz).  I think this is the adventure every child (and secretly, every adult) dreams to take.







4. My Girl

Apart from having one of the greatest movie sound tracks of all time, this movie captures love, hormones, and heartbreak from a child's perspective.  I wanted to be like Vada and now when I look back I want to believe I was like her.  Her relationship with Thomas is something everyone should want for their own kids and Jamie Lee Curtis was about the best step-mom anyone could ask for.  I love Vada's crush on her teacher; something most young girls have experienced; and her little smashed heart when she finds out he's engaged.  Nothing could possibly hurt, however, as much as seeing her walk up to Thomas' casket and beg for someone to put his glasses on so he can see.  Everyone wanted a best friend like that, but everyone feared losing that friend too.  Like Vada, in my darkest moments I went to a song (hers was Do Wa Diddy, mine was Rainy Days and Mondays) but I never had to battle the deep and scarring battles that she did. I think I felt that if I ever did though, I'd be going through it with her.



3. The Sound of Music

The scene opens and we fly over the Austrian mountainside, the music begins to play and then there she is: that little singing nun who taught us solfege and that some men are perfect enough for us to ditch our religions. Okay, okay, only kidding.  But seriously, Christopher Plummer was one of the first men to make my heart skip a beat.  When that strong sea captain pulls out the guitar and his softer side and sings "Eidelweiss" we learned what a real man was.  Each song is special (except for "Climb Every Mountain"... did everyone else always fast forward through that one?) and I still can't help but sing along.  There are so many magical moments in this movie: Maria and the Captain's dance at the party, the first time you hear her voice breaking into the song when she returns from the abbey, ripping the Nazi flag.  That last one is interesting though, because it wasn't until I watched this movie as an adult that I really understood the political implications it portrayed.  I don't remember actually understanding that Ralph became a Nazi (or that he was in cahoots with the butler), that the army was trying to force Captain Von Trapp to fight for Germany, or what could be done to the family if they were caught running away.  I just knew some bad men and scary music chased them around the nuns' house.  Things really are simpler for kids.  However, as an adult, I have a new kind of love and admiration for the second half of the film.  The way Captain Von Trapp adores Maria, and the way she has matured and turned into a beautiful mother and wife makes me smile long after the credits role.  When the whole family, and then the whole audience, sings "Edelweiss" because the Captain cannot finish it alone, knowing that he must leave the country he loves so much, my heart shatters. My favorite thing about this movie is the complete honor and integrity of the Captain and Maria and consequently the children too.  This family is strong and, as all the kids know, they will beat the Nazis in the end because they will take care of each other... even if they are living in the Swiss Alps!


2. Hook

It is only appropriate to include in this list a movie set in the land where you are not allowed to grow up.  What a fantastic movie to bring back all the wonder of being a child.  I still intend to one day have a food fight as colorful and exciting as in this film.  This movie makes it easy to believe that somewhere out there (passed the second star on the right) there really is a land of green-haired mermaids and imaginary food and all four seasons at once and of course, Dustin Hoffman terrorizing all the lost boys.  Beyond the excitement of trips to Neverland, this movie carries a much more powerful message of the importance of family and especially a call to fathers to acknowledge the gift that their children are.  This movie reminded us as children that we were the most special thing our parents could ever have; that they would rather be with us than on any adventure to any faraway land.  Also, we could rest at ease knowing if we were ever kidnapped by pirates that Phil Collins would put on a silly costume and head up the investigation (there are actually loads of funny cameos in this one-- Glenn Close!) This could possibly be the best family movie ever.


1. The Sandlot

I couldn't resist putting The Sandlot at #1.  If you're an American you should have seen this coming; if not, I hope you one day understand the greatness of this film.  Now take off your hats, put your hand over your heart, and look to the sky, because the fire works are starting and Ray Charles is about to sing, "America, The Beautiful".  This may be a movie full of boys, but all genders and ages can appreciate the simplicity and innocence of this ultimate children's movie.  And it's so funny! Oh, "you're killing me, Smalls" became an anthem for us every time we had s'mores and I'm pretty sure that every young boy at a public swimming pool dreamed of manning up like Squints and kissing the lifeguard of their dreams.  From tobacco on fair rides, to collecting bottle caps, to idolizing Babe Ruth, to riding your bike with your best friends all over town, this movie celebrates an era long gone and joy that will perhaps never be known again.  As an adult, I watch this movie and long for this time to return, if not for me, then for any future children.  I'll have to move on and understand that this golden era isn't returning, but thankfully, it was captured so flawlessly in this film and I promise that any kids of mine will learn to appreciate these nine boys as much as I did and do.