Movie remakes are making me feel old!

I can actually say I watched the original “Star Wars” movie at the Weddington Theater in Pikeville, Kentucky, in late May of 1977.  I am sure my children, who are anxiously awaiting the release of the newest movie in what is now the third trilogy, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” must think I am ancient!

I probably am.

That movie was released at a good time for my family.  In April of that year, our home was swept away in a horrific flood.  We lost all of our family pictures, home movies…and everything else we possessed, and we were living in a mobile home provided to us by HUD.

 

But, for that one night, we were immersed in battle with the Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire and their terrifying space station, the “Death Star.”  I so wanted to be like Princess Leia, and of course my brothers wanted to be Luke Skywalker and Han Solo.  And, for a few years following the movie, their bedroom paid homage to the film.  There were Star Wars curtains, blankets, lightsabers,  and toys everywhere!  Some of the items were quite scary to see at night. Can you say “Chewbacca?”

What is making me so nostalgic you ask?  Well, I watched a trailer for a movie remake that will hit theaters this year, “Poltergeist.”  I simply could not believe the movie was old enough to have a remake.  But, I saw this movie when I was dating my first husband, in 1982.  That was almost 33 years ago.  #ThatCannotBeRight

And, I freakin’ LOVED this movie!  But, my experience watching this movie was most likely scarier than most.  Why?  Because we were watching the movie at the Huntington Mall in West Virginia and a tornado came through.  It knocked the power out in the theater, and the theater went black during the “clown under the bed” scene.  I just about peed my pants!  And yes, I screamed like the girl I was!  And, no, there were no cellphones back then to light up the place.  Of course, when you actually need the guy who kept walking through with the flashlight to make sure you weren’t smuggling in food, he was nowhere to be found!

When the movie came back on, my heart was racing out of my chest.  There was no way I could finish the movie at that point, or so I thought.  We started to exit the theater, and I kept watching the Freeling family search for Carol Anne, as I was walking out.  We decided to sit in the back row and watch a few more minutes, just to make sure Carol Anne was ok.  But, she wasn’t, and that was all it took to reel us back in.  I was so glad we stayed.  And, the whole experience gave new meaning to the phrase, “Go into the Light, there is peace and serenity in the light.”  There was almost no light for Carol Anne to walk into.  

I watched the trailer for the new “Poltergeist” movie, and the first thing I noticed was cellphones.  Technology will most likely add a whole new edge.   Just think, with the new 3D TVs out, Carol Anne shouldn’t have an issue with a fuzzy screen.  And, the messages from the dead should come through loud and clear!  Hopefully, this Freeling family will have surround sound!

After watching the “Poltergeist” trailer, I began to think about all of the remakes that have been coming out lately.  And, it made me think about some of the remakes of great movies I watched as a young woman.  They were new to me because I was too young to remember the originals.

 

One such movie is “Cape Fear.”  When I saw “Cape Fear” in 1991, I remember thinking, “It’s hard to believe the original movie was made in 1962…two years before I was even born.  That was a long time ago!”  But, it was actually only 29 years earlier.  That wasn’t even as many years as there is between the “Poltergeist” movies.

 

So, to see all of the movie remakes coming out lately and knowing I watched the originals when I was a young adult, really makes me feel my age.  “Ghostbusters” is even being remade.  Has it been that long since we heard Ray Parker, Jr., sing, “Who ya gonna call?“

And, was it really that long ago that we heard Sissy Spacek ask, “Why didn’t you tell me momma?”

I guess it was.

 

Time goes by so fast anymore.  I fear closing my eyes and hearing the remake of “Fifty Shades of Grey” is coming out.   But, for now, I am not too old to consider watching the original on Valentine’s Day! #UhOh

May your hot flashes be mild and your wrinkles even milder!

Kim York

Hi I'm Mary. I'm addicted to Hallmark Holiday movies.

My name is Mary. I'm addicted to Hallmark Holiday Movies.
I don't know why they call them holiday movies because there is only one holiday. Christmas. There is no Hanukah on the Hallmark channel. There is no Kwanza.
There is only Christmas. G-rated. Sugar-cookie sweet Christmas.
In November and December the Hallmark channel is filled with women named Holly and men with strong jaw lines who randomly come into their lives.
Last night a Holly met a Cowboy on a bus!
I like that the middle-aged moms in Hallmark movies are all slightly wacky and wise. They are played by character actors who just seem happy to  be working. The dads are all thoughtful and encouraging. They always call the Hollys "my little girl" and "sweetheart" and tell them how they will find the right man at the right time.
And they do.
Every single time.
Usually there are two men who want to marry the Holly.
You can tell the bad guys right away because their Christmas trees are all white and artificial. They also wear ties.
The good guys are often slightly scruffy, they like real Christmas trees and wear flannel. (And sometimes scarves, but in a manly way.) They also tend to have one of three jobs. Chef. Gardener. Carpenter. I think the last is a nod to chosen profession of the Lord Jesus Christ. People don't talk about Jesus directly in the Hallmark movies but his presence is implied.
There are a lot of weddings on the Hallmark Channel at Christmas.
They usually happen just days after the couple has a meet cute of some sort that could totally happen in the real world.
The other day a man showed up at a Holly's front door with a bow on his chest and stuff to make pancakes. Of course she let him in. Who wouldn't?


How, in 50 years, has a man never showed up at my door with a bow and breakfast fixings?
You also never know who is going to show up in a Hallmark movie. Ed Asner and Charles Durning have both been Santa Claus.
Martin Mull played the dad to the Holly who met the Cowboy on the bus. Henry Winkler. Roger Moore. Catherine Bell. Tonight I am looking forward to a movie with Harry Connick, Jr. Willie Nelson, Connie Britton and Lyle Lovett.  I get genuinely happy at the thought of it. I don't know but I am hoping Willie will be a Magic Elf or Santa in disguise. (He was Santa in disguise but he was also an angel. A twofer!)
Hallmark movies are really brilliant for what doesn't happen in them.
There are no divorces. There are no layoffs. There is no dust or fruit flies at the office.
Sometimes there are homeless people but only so the Hollys and the Carpenters can do volunteer work down at the shelter and realized as they are serving up Christmas gravy that they really, truly, madly in love.
In fact, on the Hallmark Channel, no one ever really seems to have to work unless they are a woman who is too focused on her career and misses her child's school play. But, if that's the case, an Elf or Santa or an Angel will steer her into the Christmas light and she will be redeemed. She will also appear for the first time in a soft pastel sweater to indicate she really is not a ball-busting executive but a nurturing Mom who momentarily lost her way. She will also probably wear a slouchy knit hat and look casual yet fabulous.
And that's that.
All tied up neat and tidy.
I find them an excellent counterpoint to knitting.
And, so, I will admit it. I'm addicted to Hallmark movies. It is sweet pablum for my brain. It is mashed potatoes with butter after a stressful week. It is a Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks.
It's a happy, happy place that I'm happy to visit. Admit it? You've gone there too. That's why they keep making them.
(If you enjoyed this or laughed a little or saw yourself...please comment. We would appreciate it. It's weird to share yourself with the world this way but we are having a blast. It would be awesome to have some feedback. Plus, there is a loooonnng season of Hallmark movies to come. There is one this week with Cougar Town's Josh Hopkins! Thanks for visiting MMofKY. It's not too much to say.....we kinda love you.)