Age nine is a rough list. Some of these movies don't hold up as well as I'd like despite being cult classics, and the list overall is very short. But there are a couple in here that hold a special place in my heart.
- Back to the Future Trilogy - At least there's one set of strong movies at the top. The original just screams eighties, and the second movie's bizarre vision of 2015 is a bit laughable. Why is the future always about flying cars?
- It's a Wonderful Life - I can only imagine that Lia will first see this movie over a relative's house while visiting for Christmas. That's just fine. I've seen it over a dozen times myself, and it never seems to get old.
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - I'm talking about the 1954 Disney version with Kirk Douglas, James Mason, and Peter Lorre. I grew up watching and re-watching a fuzzy VHS copy that we'd recorded from the Disney channel on SLP. Great film.
- The Last Unicorn - I think the last time I saw this movie was in December 1993. It's strange that I remember so specifically when I last saw it and yet don't remember much about the movie itself. Something about a big scary flaming bull killing all the unicorns. I can only imagine that this would terrify a four-year-old, so we'll wait for this one.
- Rad! - This BMX movie made a huge impact on me after I saw it as a kid. I effing loved it. I think there's a good chance that a screening at home will totally flop, but I may at some point give it a try.
- Legend - An eighties classic. Scary at times for kids, which is I suppose why it's on the 9-year-old list.
- Time Bandits - Bizarre? Yes. But classic. I always forget that the movie has Sean Connery and John Cleese. After watching this movie as a kid, I found a scrap of canvas and made my own "map".
- Rudy - A feel-good movie. It's rare that I like a sports picture, but this one was good.
- Midnight Madness - I actually own Midnight Madness. Just a crazy Disney scavenger hunt movie - inane but fun.
- The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe - Linda and I saw the movie a few years back and I distinctly remember having a very "meh" reaction. I've got a boxed set of the books for when Lia is old enough, and the movies are likely a take-it-or-leave-it thing.
- Inner Space - Can you tell that I'm struggling to pad out this overly short 9-year-old list? Inner Space wasn't exactly a standout, but it's entertaining.
- Gremlins - More for the pop culture of it than anything else.