Childhood Films Blogathon

The lovely Caz at Let’s Go To The Movies is hosting her second Blogathon this summer, all to do with our favourite Childhood Films. There are rules of course, and here they are in Caz’s own words:

The Rules

Ok so instead of saying a film can only be wrote about once, I have decided to leave that open. You can indeed write about just one film if you want. But let’s make it more interesting and pick a few films. At least 3 and at the most 25, you can do it in list format and rank them. Or just simply write your blog post around them, try to explain why they were your favourites and if you still enjoy them to this day – as I am sure some of this would have changed!

Dates

Look to have your entry submitted over the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July 2015 – this gives you a month to get involved!

I’m quite a nostalgic person so I’ve rambled on a fair amount about some of my earliest childhood films, but I thought that for this blogathon I could tell you about some of my most watched films as a child.

My Mum claims that I made her watch Beauty and the Beast (1991) with me once a day every day for about a whole year, but considering the fact that it’s her favourite Disney movie, I question the truth in that. I remember finding some parts quite scary, but I loved the music and the songs, and I still do to this day. In fact, I wonder if my fiance will let us play Tale as Old as Time at the wedding…

One film I remember watching a lot is Homeward Bound (1993) although I remember barely anything about it now. Was there a sad part at the end? I’m feeling a little emotional and I’m not sure why. Talking animals must have captivated my imagination, but I am sorely tempted to rewatch this now to see if I enjoy it just as much now.

At the top of the ‘watched too many times’ list is A Bug’s Life (1998). I had the sticker book for this film, and I’m pretty sure I completed it too. That must have cost my parents a fortune. at a time when I had started collecting Pokemon cards too. Anyway, I loved the moment where all the ants slowly stand up against Hopper, and OH MY GOODNESS I just realised that Kevin Spacey voiced him. Holy moly, I need to rewatch this!

This is weird, Labyrinth (1986) was released before I was born and yet I remember watching it a lot. This must be my Mum’s influence once again! It starts with a young girl being made to look after her baby brother, doesn’t it? I think I remember having dreams about summoning a goblin to take away my baby brother, ha! #sorrynotsorry

Favourite Movie Dance Numbers

On Sunday night I sat and watched Dirty Dancing from beginning to end with my Aunt, it has been a long time since I've done that.  Normally, I fast forward to all the dancing scenes as they are my favourite part - which prompted me to write this post.  I love dance oriented films but I always love actual dance routines (and regularly tried and failed to learn them as a kid!)  

Therefore, I will kick this list off with the one that started it all:

Dirty Dancing
Who doesn't love this dance scene?  What girl didn't want to be Baby and have Johnny come and demand 'nobody puts baby in the corner'? The routine is great but it's the little things around it as well that make it what it is.  Baby's mother announcing 'I think she gets it from me', Robbie dropping himself in it and the old dear throwing off her fur to throw some shapes.  All in all a cracking scene that every girl loves...

Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion
I still have plans to learn this routine with my friend Louise but we have never quite got round to it.  The first time I watched this film, I just didn't expect this at all, I cried with laughter all the way through (and I'm pretty sure I would the tape back and watched it over and over again!)

Step up
I hate to admit it but I loved this film, has to be one of my guilty pleasures!  The whole film is utterly predictable and poorly written but the dancing is awesome.  The music is great and fits so well with the themes in the routine and I can't help but smile when I watch it.

Strictly Ballroom
It has been a hell of a long time since I have seen this film, but who can forget Doug Hastings slow clapping providing the beat for his son and Fran to do their routine - Brilliant!!

Save the last dance
No one watched Save the Last Dance and didn't root for Sara (Julia Stiles) to become a better dancer and show all the 'haters' and that is exactly what she did.  After watching the first scene in the club through parted fingers and feeling every inch of Sara's humiliation, it felt so good for her to succeed!

Big
Not sure where this is considered a dance routine but I'm using it anyway.  I wanted nothing more as a kid than to have a giant piano so I could learn to do this - unfortunately along with the Pony I asked for it was never to be.  So I had to settle for watching this over and over.

You Got Served
Not proud to admit but I do love this film (might have to also add it to the guilty pleasures list), as I said, I love anything with a good dance routine and this goes waaay beyond that.  No more words, just watch:

Grease
Spent a large chunk of my childhood trying to nail the clapping hand jive routine (I've finally got it now!) but the rest of this routine just wouldn't have worked on my own. Two fantastic dancers (John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John) showing everyone how it should be done.

Bring it on
Ok so not technically a dance routine as such but how can it not be mentioned! In fact I love all the routines in this film, they are quite incredible to watch, the skill that is involved is unbelievable.  If you are someone who will never watch this film, just watch this scene and if nothing else you have to admit they are some skilled cheerleaders!

Little Miss Sunshine
This blew me a away when I first saw this film, I just didn't expect it.  Abigail Breslin at her very best! (Excuse the poor quality video!)

Centre Stage
This film is really rubbish (but I love it anyway!) but this scene has got some amazing dancing and I mean real dancing!  There is some fluff in there involving a motorbike and various other props but the best parts are when it's just the dancers...

Beauty and the Beast
The moment you realise that she might love him too, lovely scene and that ballroom, the detail drawn in that is incredible.

Top 10 Disney Songs (Jenna)

This post is easy for me, I have loved Disney songs since I was little.  Me and Mom would put the films on and fast forward to the best songs (old school VHS!) and turn the TV up as loud as it would go and dance around the living room like crazy people.  So I have the fondest memories of many Disney songs but these are my top 10:

10.  Following the Leader - Peter Pan (1953)

This isn't actually one of my favourites, but it was my Mom's favourite (as was Peter Pan) and I remember her forcing me to sing along with my cousins while making a train around the living room and following the leader!! 

9. Gaston - Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Didn't expect that one did you?!  I really love Beauty and the Beast and as much as I love the soppy love songs, this song is great to sing full blast in your car.  If you hadn't guessed I have more than one Disney album in my car and when this comes on, I turn it right up and sing at the top of my voice.  Took me years (and a print out) to learn all the words so I have to make it worth it!

8.  Be Our Guest - Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Spent an entire car journey singing this with my cousin once.  Another one that took me so long to learn all the (right) words, I feel a sense of pride now when I can sing it all the way through.  Plus this is the most exciting part of the film with all the plates and cutlery flying through the air and Belle's look on wonder.  Makes me smile every time!  Plus I think everyone will agree that Lumiere is without fail the best character in this film.

7. Hakuna Matata - The Lion King (1994)

Not only do I love the tune of this song and to sing along too but I also love the sentiment:

'it means no worries for the rest of your days, its our problem free, philosophy, Hakuna Matata'

6. Colours of the Wind - Pocahontas (1995)

This is probably my least favourite Disney film, I have watched it once and I have never had the urge to watch it again.  However, I have this song in my car and it's truly beautiful.

5.  One Jump Ahead - Aladdin (1992)

This is my favourite part of this film, I could watch the scene again and again.  I just always want the song to be longer, it seems so short!

4. Zero to Hero - Hercules (1997)

I should put this in small text but I've never seen this film all the way through, I have watched bits and pieces.  I do need to sit down and watch it properly because I don't know anyone who doesn't love it so it must be good.  Particularly, if it's all like this song, which is awesome.

3.  A Whole New World - Aladdin (1992)

This is a classic Disney love song, easy to learn the tune and the words (not like Gaston!) and anyone who hears it will know where it's from.  It's just a beautiful song.

2. Let's Go Fly a Kite - Mary Poppins (1964)

This song is sentimental to me, I can't hear it without crying like a girl!  I watched a lot of Disney as a kid but this film reminds me of my Mom so much. Not sure if it's because Julie Andrews reminds me of her and it's a sad moment for her character, but this song for some reason tugs on some heart string and possibly a tear duct.  It's right at the end of the film and a great way to finish it off, I love watched Mr Banks flying the kite with his children, it's a lovely ending.

1. Part of Your World - The Little Mermaid (1989)

My favourite Disney film of all time and the first film I ever saw at the cinema.  I loved this song from the second I heard it and as a kid I spent hours in the bath pretending to be a mermaid and singing it at the top of my lungs (my poor parents!!).  The perfect choice for my number one spot.

Top 10 Disney Songs (Allie)

If too much time passes between my list-making, I get a little nervous. I start to make a list of different lists that I should/could make. Behind the scenes here at Flick Chicks, not only do we have a list of lists, but I even took the time to re-arrange and colour code it. To stop my crazyness, I thought it was about time I just made another Top 10! Here you have, in order (obviously) my Top 10 Disney Songs...

10. Under the Sea, The Little Mermaid (1989)

I can't believe this film is as old as I am!

9. Just Can't Wait to be King, The Lion King (1994)

This was the first film I ever saw at the cinema, and probably the first song I knew all the words to.

8. A Whole New World, Aladdin (1992)

I have so much love for this film. This song still gives me goosebumps!

7. On My Way, Brother Bear (2003)

The film itself isn't a favourite of mine, but I love this song so much.

6. Stick to the Status Quo, High School Musical (2006)

Such a guilty pleasure, and I could have gone with any from this film!

5. The Bells of Notre Dame, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

This is another film I vividly remember seeing at the cinema, I remember crying an awful lot too! I was that kid that everyone felt sorry for in the screen.

4. Tale as Old as Time, Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Ahh, this song is so beautiful. I am seriously contemplating having it played at my wedding...

3. Man or Muppet, The Muppets (2011)

This song is perfect in every single way; I laughed till I cried in the cinema! Me and my other half do a fantastic duet of this in the car...

2. I've Got a Dream, Tangled (2010)

I could have picked any song from this film, which is probably my favourite Disney film at the moment! I know all the words, and put on the voices too...

1. Let it Go, Frozen (2013)

I'm sorry, you probably find this predictable but this song speaks to me on so many levels. Plus I can't think of any other song that I love to belt out in the car to work more than this!

It's only just occurred to me that Toy Story hasn't featured in my list, which upsets me! There are just so many songs to choose from. I'm thinking that a Top 10 Disney Films list needs to be done very soon, and Toy Story will rank highly on that one for me. I'll just add it to my list of lists...