These days, the only wish I have to have seen certain movies in the theatres that are no longer in theatres, are ones that were movies that I would've loved to have seen at the time they were first released. Either because of the impact they had to the general theatre going experience or because of the impact that they might've had on my memories when I first began going to the theatre.
If that fits into the category of this thread, then here are my top 5 flicks I wish could've seen back in the day:
5. Jaws
My childhood memories of summers are filled with the major summer hits of that particular year, & being that Jaws is considered the first blockbuster ever, I can only imagine how ingrained that year must be for those fortunate enough to have first experienced this sucker on the silver screen.
Lucky bastards.
4. Alien
While I had started going to the theaters when this one was released, I was still too young to be allowed to watch it. I remember as kid, though, watching the preview (the one that just portayed the "egg" cracking, followed by "In space, no one can hera you scream" tag) & thinking, "Wow. If they do this right, this could be a great sci-fi/horror mix". Years laters, when I finally got to see it, not only did they do the sci/fi mix right, they did it perfect.
Blast those annoying age-restrictions.
3. Star Wars
Teh nehhh
teh neh neh nehh nehhhhh
teh neh neh nehh nehhhhh
teh neh neh nehhhhhhhh
teh nehhh
teh neh neh nehh nehhhhh
teh neh neh nehh nehhhhh
teh neh neh nehhhhhhhh....
The theme song that not only changed the way sci-fi movies would be approached for the future, but also changed the lives of many a hardcore nerd (not to mention, their ability to get laid), including myself.
Two of my fave summers were the years that I saw Empire & Return Of The Jedi at the theatres. Had I had the opportunity to watch this one when it was intially released, my brain would then emcompass a trifecta of perfect childhood memories.
Cuz, even upon initial viewing, even the most ardent non-fan would've been able to sense that the Force is strong in this one.
2. Close Encounters Of The 3rd. Kind
Not only is this my favorite sci-fi film of all time, but it also ranks as my 3rd. favorite movie of any genre, ever. Even as a kid, I so impressed with the "realism" that this movie approached the idea of being visited by aliens, that I found myself wishing that an a UFO would actually come down & fly my then little pimp-ass away into the limitless potential of space.
Sans anal-probes, of course.
1. The Exorcist
Before I ever saw this film, I remember as a kid seeing a preview of this on T.V.. It showed the part where the girl was having those weird "sit-up" seizures on the bed, crying for help as it shook. Just that one viewing made me scared as hell to go upstairs to my f#ckin' bedroom that night. I was probably still too young when I finally got to view the whole thing (I don't remember too well, but I think it might've been on HBO), cuz as much as I loved it, I truly feel that The Exorcist really traumatized my young mind something awful. If I'd seen this on a theatre-screen at a time when such graphic & realistic depictions of satanic possession were unheard of, I'm almost positive that I'd be even more effed up now than I already am.
And that would just be
so effin' cool.