Open Forum Friday: Are 80’s Family Films Making A Comeback?
Yesterday Jay mentioned to me a theory he has that if E.T. were released today, it would probably flop because people nowadays don’t want lighthearted fairytales anymore. I’m guessing part of his argument comes from the recent slagging of M. Night Shyamalan’s Lady in the Water (personally I don’t think the bad reviews were strictly because of its fantastical nature). Then I read some recent news about Jon Heder producing a new movie called Mr. Machine, billed as a throwback to the 80’s Amblin family films. What’s more, a bunch of Heder’s buddies from the crew of Napoleon Dynamite recently made a movie called The Sasquatch Dumpling Gang, which has been called “the new Monster Squad”. And on top of that, last week’s second highest grossing movie at the box office, the computer animated Monster House, has been hailed by many as a return to the family films of the 80’s. So hey, maybe we’re about to witness the second coming of 80’s cinema after all! I’ve felt for years that the kids movies coming out nowadays were not on the same level as timeless classics I grew up with like The Goonies and Explorers. I say it’s about time someone brought back the fun and adventure in family movies, and if they do it well I think audiences will respond in kind. What do you think? Are Corey Feldman and Corey Haim headed back into the spotlight? Give us your thoughts on Open Forum Friday.
Comments (2)
i think this is only the beginning of 80’s children-like films making a comeback.
when i saw a commercial for monster house with the comparisons to the goonies and stand by me, i was like “oh man, they’re totally trying to target children of the 80’s who are now parents”.
as more children of the 80’s have children of their own, i think movie makers are going to totally start making more fun 80’s adventure type films. maybe this is just wishful thinking because i’m going to be one mean mother when i refuse to take my kids to the movie theatre to let them watch shrek 5.
Posted by katie on July 28th, 2006I’m too young to have any clue on this topic.
Posted by Henrik on July 28th, 2006Leave a Reply