Stand by Me

Stand by Me

Columbia

August 22, 1986

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

I'd of course heard of this movie since the time but never had much interest in it.  I will say I like the setting, but I didn't care about the story.  This is based on the Stephen King novella The Body, and directed by Rob Reiner.

Lost Boys: The Thirst

Lost Boys: The Thirst

Thunder Road Pictures etc.

October 12, 2010

Horror, Comedy
DVD
D+

I sort of liked the first movie when I saw it in the '90s on VHS, but I'm definitely not enough invested in the franchise to get into this one.  Dario Piana directed.

Gremlins

Gremlins

Warner Bros.

June 8, 1984

Horror, Comedy
DVD
B-

I didn't see this at the time, when I was sixteen, although I was certainly aware of it of course.  I first watched it maybe seven years ago and liked it more than I expected.  I do have to say, however, that I think that the gremlins are the least interesting aspect, sort of a necessary evil if you will.  I do like the themes of friendship, family, and romance, as well as the deliberately back-lotty small town and the many references to movies.  Now having seen some of the deleted scenes, I better understand, for instance, why Reinhold's character just disappears, but the movie definitely could've been more tightly edited prior to final release.  Still, it remains entertaining.  Chris Columbus wrote and Joe Dante directed.  I've tagged as many people as I can, but it's definitely an "Oh, look!" kind of cast.

The Goonies

The Goonies

Warner Bros.

June 7, 1985

Crime Comedy

DVD
D+

This was a little after my time, but even if I'd been younger than seventeen, I don't think I would've liked the characters.  Still, the setting of Astoria, Oregon is cool.  Chris Columbus based the screenplay on a Spielberg story, and Richard Donner directed.