Low Rent 3D

Toy Story 3, Despicable Me, Avatar and a multitude of other current movies have embraced the freshly marketed and admittedly re-vamped third dimension of movies. I won’t take away from the technology used in these movies, I liked the way it looked. That said, does anyone remember the awesomeness that was cheap 3D glasses than came on cereal boxes in the early 90s? Those 3D glasses were wonderful, they let you see puzzles on the side of the box and made everything around you look blue and red. Sure they were shamelessly put there to entice children to beg for unnecessarily sugary cereals but nonetheless, wasn’t it fun?

Before 3D came back into fashion for Hollywood going to the cinema was not as complicated nor as expensive as it is now. Using 3D glasses at the theatre for a 3D show forces the price of tickets up. In addition, there seems to be a new rule that all children’s movies require a third dimension. I don’t mean to negate the progress of computer graphics but a generation of children raised on 3D computer drawn cartoons that feature characters moving at painfully quick speeds across choppy scenes will inevitably make classic cartoons even more a part of the past than they already are.

The high tech 3D of the 2000s is undeniably very nifty. Despite this, the cheap, quick and easy 3D of the 80s and 90s deserves a place, even if only for the sake of nostalgia. I won’t lie, I’d  still buy a box of cereal with 3D glasses….wouldn’t you?

Cool Runnings/Mighty Ducks

Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up it’s bobsled time!

OR

“Quack, quack quack quack quack!”

 

Because the Olympics have officially begun I decided that I wanted to write about a movie that I remember from childhood that made me want to become an Olympian. Two came to mind…Cool Runnings and The Mighty Ducks.

I’ll start with Cool Runnings. Cool Runnings (loosely) told the incredible story for the Jamaican bobsled team that debuted in the 1988 Olympics. The team was inspiring and the movie was funny. For kids, this movie was edgy enough to feel like you were “getting away” with watching it but was still upstanding enough to teach the lessons FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS and DON’T GIVE UP. For children watching the movie it taught such lessons. For adults it was a movie which could envoke tears and reaffirm the risks taken in life. All in all, Cool Runnings was a grand movie.

The Mighty Ducks. To be fair, there are three Mighty Ducks films. I’ll also admit that the Ducks in the movie never technically go to the Olympics. However, in Mighty Ducks 2 the kids led by Coach Gordon Bombay go to the Jr. Olympics. The original Mighty Ducks were teamed up with new hockey players from all over the country and must learn to play as a team. Once in the Olympics the team and coach had to overcome the commercialism and play for pride. In the end, The Ducks beat the fierce Iceland team.

Both of these movies made me wish that I could be an Olympian during my youth. They were fun movies that portrayed an active lifestyle as the fun way to go. They were laced with various inspiring and confidence boosting storylines and moments but one, more than any other, made these movies truly worthwhile. Both movies taught that PRIDE is the most important thing that a person has. Pride in what you do, pride in your country, pride in your beliefs, pride in your family and pride in your friends. They were feel good movies but for all of their fun, their lessons are why they deserve a second look.

Boy Meets World

“Feeny…Feeny….Feeheeeheeeeeeeny!”

Boy Meets World, what a great show. It deserves a second look for so many reasons. The first reason that the show was so wonderful was Eric. Eric was Cory’s big brother, a hapless and goofy guy that wasn’t ever accused of being bright but had a heart of gold. He struggled scholastically but ultimately made the right decisions in life most of the time. He was there to set the example that doing what you thought was right, even if it wasn’t what you wanted to do is ultimately the right thing. He wanted to adopt a kid but knew he couldn’t provide and he wanted to go to a party school but instead chose Penbrook. What a great example!

Mr. Feeny. I don’t know that there is any reason to elaborate. Mr. Feeny was an inspirational teacher that legitimately cared about the well being of his students. He was invested in their lives.

While the Cory and Topanga love that nearly everyone wants in life was a large part of the show for its entire duration I find another relationship in the show more meaningful and realistic.

Cory and Shawn were best friends. Their relationship, however, was not without its tumultuous moments. The show addressed the differences in their families and socioeconomic statuses. It provided an example that regardless of differences, friendship can endure. In addition, Cory’s family became like a surrogate family to Shawn. Yes, he had his own parents but Cory’s parents offered guidance, unconditional love and stability that Shawn would have otherwise been without. I can’t help but want to sing the song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and look at pictures of myself and close friends when thinking about those two.

Eric, Feeny, Cory and Topanga, Cory and Shawn, the Matthews Family…they all brought something to the table and for that, Boy Meets World deserves a second look.

Oregon Trail

Travel the Trail!!!

While the 1990s saw the rise and fall of many educational software programs for children such as NFL Math and Spelling Jungle (easily my favorite) one game completely blew the rest out of the water. Admit it, you and your elementary school buddies fought over who got to play Oregon Trail in computer lab oh so long ago. And why wouldn’t you? Oregon Trail was at face value a pretty simple game, the objective was to survive with as many people in your family as possible along the trail and to make it to Oregon Territory. If you played, however, you know that it was SO MUCH MORE.

In order to survive, however, you had to make difficult decisions that were crucial to the health of your family. Should you buy a Conestoga or simply a large wagon? Should you buy a horse? What medicine should you bring? How many sets of utensils and clothing are necessary? And most importantly, what kind of gun and ammunition should you buy? As you traveled down the trail the full repercussions of all of these choices became evident and often resulted in disaster. Admit it, you got scurvy or had to “administer laudanum” (which is essentially opium haha) and fix wagon axles.

Oregon Trail deserves a second look because it was a game that linked actions and repercussions. It was a game with a point, it had depth. It’s popularity amongst children is evidence that children (admittedly I was one) were looking for something more than just a quick thrill, they were looking for a challenge. Once I made it to Oregon and struck a land claim I always felt very accomplished, especially if all of my family survived the journey. Damn those accidental hunting accidents and unfortunate snake bites!

The Titanic Frenzy

In light of the Avatar craze I decided to look back at James Cameron’s last pop culture saturating feat, 1997’s Titanic. Sure, the special effects were mad cool for their day but no film since Titanic has had the allure of Titanic. A few reasons that the Titanic frenzy deserves a second look follow.

“I’ve seen it six times in theatres.” “Wow, but I’ve seen it seven times!” Really… why on earth did we all need to see Titanic more than once or generously twice in theatres? I’d like to think it was because as a human collective everyone decided to examine the fragile state of humanity. In reality, we all loved Jack and Rose and most certainly hated Cal. Admit it, you clapped in the theatre the first time you saw Rose spit in Cal’s face and run to Jack. Jack and Rose’s love story made us all pine for a deep love and intimate connection that would compel us to change our name and start our new lives with only memories of the person that inspired us.

Not to be cliche’ but when I think of inspiration and I think of Titanic, one very important person comes to mind. Not James Cameron but CELINE DION. You can love or hate this song. I choose to love it. I love it now and I loved it in elementary school when they would play the song with sound bytes from the movie itself dubbed in on the radio. I danced at my earliest boy/girl dances to this song and believed in all that it said. Today I still think the song deserves attention. It’s my favorite song to sing at karaoke and (youtube it!) the music video for this song is absolutely hilarious.

While Avatar is admittedly an enjoyable movie with special effects that blur reality and fiction the culture surrounding the movie, the hype, the public fawning of it are minimal in comparison to Titanic. My apologies to the Na’vi of Pandora but Jack and Rose will always be king of the world and that is why Titanic deserves a second look.

DREAM TEAM (the real one) and SPACE JAM

Alright, I know that Space Jam came out a few years after the 1992 Olympics but for the purpose of this blog I’m going to group them together.

The 1992 Dream Team was amazing. Ten of twelve of the players were inducted in the National Basketball Hall of Fame. They won gold in the 1992 summer Olympics in sensational fashion. They dominated everyone that they played. Larry Byrd, Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan aaaahhhh, those were some good basketball days.

It may seem like an obvious thing but one great thing about the Dream Team was that they played basketball. Sure, people watch the Olympics in the summer every four years and get all excited watching the amazing sprinters and marathoners. Not to mention, the gymnasts. While entertaining to watch, these sports are a bit too technical and ivory tower for after school elementary leisure.

The reason that the real Dream Team (meaning without Kobe because he’s a douche) deserves a second look is because they were relatable. Nearly every child in the United States could identify who Michael Jordan was. Also important, nearly every child had access to basketball. Unlike gymnastics or competitive track, kids could really play the game of basketball with their friends. It opened up opportunities for kids to be included. It takes a lot of coordination and money to get into gymnastics. Also, let’s be honest, some kids enjoy racing but every day after school? I’m going to bet most didn’t get out their starter gun and track spikes and take off in a sprint. No, basketball involved a ball and a concrete slab available in almost any environment. Major metropolises, rural towns and everyone in between, most places had a basketball court where kids imagining the Dream Team could play.

Space Jam came out a few years later (1996) but it fed into the basketball frenzy for kids. Space Jam jerseys were everywhere and playing basketball singing “Welcome to the Space Jam” became a commonplace activity for youth. Kudos to the entertainment industry for capitalizing on the craze and creating an environment for kids to get up and actively play. Had Space Jam been about pole vaulters, gymnasts, sprinters or shot put throwers I doubt that quite as many kids would have been able to play out the movie with their friends for fun. Basketball was a feasible activity for kids, thanks Space Jam.  Also (a bit of a side note) kudos to Space Jam for having a girl basketball player on the team. It made the movie that much more relatable for the children of the 90s by including the girls.

PS The soundtrack is killer….”I Believe I Can Fly”…anyone?

Stick Stickly

Write to me, Stick Stickly, PO Box 963, New York City, New York State, 10108….!!!!!!

Stick Stickly! He was the mascot of many a Nickelodeon summer of my youth. He was always excited and upbeat. Encouraging and determined. Not to mention, he wanted me to be his friend…I mean he DID give me his address.

Stick Stickly (as much of early Nickelodeon does) deserves a second look for a number of very important reasons. First, Stick Stickly was “green” WWWAAAAYYYY before it was trendy. Sure, we knew about recycling way back when. Unfortunately, in the States, not too many people had really picked up on it during Stick Stickly’s hey day. Yet there He was. Stick Stickly could have been thrown in the trash after whatever treat he had been  melted away but he wasn’t. He was instead recycled and reused. Not so much reduced….he gained a face.

A recycled popsicle stick that was the perfect emcee for a children’s television network. I’m sure he knew that he had a network to promote but he was concerned about childhood obesity long before the current epidemic. He promoted going out and playing but didn’t judge during those times when you just wanted to sit and watch some shows. Also, he promoted shows that incorporated activeness and education even in the summer. Legends of the Hidden Temple anyone? Yes, Stick Stickly was concerned with the health of the bodies and minds of children.

Possibly the best thing about Stick Stickly comes from the fact that he was a popsicle stick. Programming today is full of 3D, warp speed, animated, CGI, ADD advancing hullabaloo.  Stick Stickly probably wouldn’t cut it anymore because he had no part in that. Stick Stickly was simple and he fostered creativity and innovation. Unless your child is that little girl on the Windows 7 commercials he or she would probably have a hard time making the host of any of their programming at home. Not so when Stick Stickly reigned supreme, kids could make him at home and in the process allow their imagination wheels to roll unchecked and free.

Stick Stickly was down to earth and genuinely cared about the programming he was made to promote and about the audience that watched it. He deserves a second look.

Laura Ashley

*I’m back from my foray into psychology and meaningful posts and am back to pure, unadulterated nostalgia.*

Laura Ashley was a designer that died in 1985. Her brand lived on and enjoyed wild popularity amongst suburban and middle class parents and children during the early to mid 1990s. After that joyous time the country faced financial difficulties but goodness, the beauty of Laura Ashley deserves a second look.

Laura Ashley started out by making scarves that Audrey Hepburn made famous in Roman Holiday. Fast forward to the 1990s and the Laura Ashley designs were characterized by an abundance of flowers. The designs were almost Victorian but too gaudy for those repressed celibates. (I’m not trying to offend any modern day repressed celibates)

Laura Ashley created everything from towels to bedding to eyeglasses to furniture. Clothing by Laura Ashley is just as fun. Patterns from McCalls show overalls and babydoll dresses (OH YEAH…bring on the dress and Doc Martins) made from material that was nothing short of a secret garden.

Children today are starved for a gaudy designer to overtake their lives and wardrobes. Sure, they have Miley Cyrus’s clothing line and Justice or Limited Too or whatever it is…but do they have a truly distinct unifying style? A fusion of current trends and history? I don’t see children running around in flapper gear mixed with Rainbow sandals…this indicates no. Poor kids today don’t get to experience the joy of Laura Ashley. I hope fifteen years from now some twenty-something is able to look back on fashion icons on of their youth.

Just in time for 1990s themed Halloween parties, Laura Ashley needs a second look. Grab a flowery dress, scarf and goofy glasses and you’ll be ready to go.

Dysfunctional Families

***A little different than other Second Looks but hopefully okay***

Oh dysfunctional families, why is it that they fascinate us so? Nearly all television dramas and comedies have characters that are part of some sort of a dysfunctional family. Look at the iconic comedy Will & Grace. Grace’s mom is terrible and Will’s family is emotionally oppressive. Jack has a poor relationship with his father and Karen is in a loveless marriage. Programs of all types, art and literature have depicted dysfunctional families for what seems like forever. Jane Eyre had a poor family life. Matilda, hers wasn’t good either. Don’t even get me started on poor Harry Potter. The list of fictions characters with dysfunctional families seems to be infinite.

Now that it is established that in popular culture dysfunctional families are viewed for entertainment I’d like to look at why such families are so successful at being the center of entertainment drama. I will assert that dysfunctional families are so popular to watch on television and to read about in novels because they’re relatable. No one has a perfect family and most of us probably have some aspect of dysfunction in our families. For this reason it would seem that nearly EVERYONE feels comfortable with and even possibly obliged to rag on their own family experiences. Viewing the dysfunction of others may, because of the screwiness of human nature, make people feel better about themselves.

Dysfunctional families deserve a second look because, for better or worse (probably worse) they are a cornerstone of humanity as we know it. Having a cookie cutter nuclear family with no problems may exist but I am a skeptic. I think all families have some level of dysfunction. This ubiquitous trait of families unites and connects us all. Unfortunately, dysfunctional families deserve a second look.

Just a fyi: this author is most DEFINITELY a part of a dysfunctional family…a family that has now randomly come down with the swine flu. Enjoy your night, take you vitamins, love your dysfunction. If you don’t have any dysfunction I PROMISE that you’re very very lucky and the 95.99% of us that have endured varying levels of dysfunction are jealous.

***A little different than other Second Looks but hopefully okay***

Oh the misery of dysfunctional families, why is it that they fascinate us so? Nearly all television dramas and comedies have characters that are part of some sort of a dysfunctional family. Look at the iconic comedy Will & Grace. Grace’s mom is terrible and Will’s family is emotionally oppressive. Jack has a poor relationship with his father and Karen is in a loveless marriage. Programs of all types, art and literature have depicted dysfunctional families for what seems like forever. Jane Eyre had a poor family life. Matilda, hers wasn’t good either. Don’t even get me started on poor Harry Potter. The list of fictitious characters with dysfunctional families seems to be infinite.

Now that it is established that in popular culture dysfunctional families are viewed for entertainment I’d like to look at why such families are so successful at being the center of entertainment drama. I will assert that dysfunctional families are so popular to watch on television and to read about in novels because they’re relatable. No one has a perfect family and most of us probably have some aspect of dysfunction in our families. For this reason it would seem that nearly EVERYONE feels comfortable with and even possibly obliged to rag on their own family experiences. Viewing the dysfunction of others may, because of the screwiness of human nature, make people feel better about themselves.

Dysfunctional families deserve a second look because, for better or worse (probably worse) they are a cornerstone of humanity as we know it. Having a cookie cutter nuclear family with no problems may exist but I am a skeptic. I think all families have some level of dysfunction. This ubiquitous trait of families unites and connects us all. Unfortunately, dysfunctional families deserve a second look.

Just a FYI: this author is most DEFINITELY a part of a dysfunctional family…a family that has now randomly come down with H1N1. Enjoy your night, take you vitamins, love your dysfunction. If you don’t have any dysfunction I PROMISE that you’re very very lucky and the 95.99% of us that have endured varying levels of dysfunction are jealous.

Nickelodeon’s DOUG

Doo do doo do do do doo do do do do….DOUG!

Yay for Doug. Just a quick refresher, Doug was an incredibly sensitive good guy. He could essestially be the inspiration for any “nice guys finish last” mantra. Doug enjoyed a great run as a cartoon on Nickelodeon in the 90s and then had a brief stint on ABC after he graduated from elementary school and made it into junior high. We was forever pining after Patty Mayonaisse and avoiding the ridicule of Rodger Klotz. He was a loyal friend, always there for his best friend Skeeter and a great dog owner…..Porkchop! He was an aspiring musician and had a great song “Bangin’ on a Trashcan” (you can youtube it, its pretty great).  Not to mention he was a very dedicated “Beets” fan. His navigated through his life and let us all know how it was going via voice over journal entries. Ahhh….looking back, Doug was like therapy for my 12 year old self.

Now that I’m done gushing over all of the things that I remember about Doug I am going to give it a little more thought and explain why this boy with minimal hair and a sweater vest deserves a second look. Doug had subtle hints of culture that I never understood as a child but think are amazingly informative and creative now. Doug’s sister Judy lamented about the Beets in a postmodern fashion, wore a beret and discussed a fictional Sylvia Plath-esque writer constantly.

Judy was fortelling of the postmodern, stuffwhitepeoplelike, intellectual, psuedo misunderstood, liberal arts culture that is now so integral in our society. She was well read, snooty and even wore black tights. She was also a remnant of the “Beats” culture of the 1950s. Beret, sunglasses, you know she was reading Kerouac.

More culture? Doug’s favorite band “The Beets” were mirrored directly after the Beatles. Don’t believe me? Look:

Doug was great, he had friends of all different colors and socioeconomic statuses, he was sensitive and introspective. He even tried sushi with his grandma. Doug may have lived in a fictional small town but his life was filled to the brim with culture lessons from the past and the future. For all of these reasons, Doug deserves a second look.