March 11, 2009

Those Were The Days...

Back in the mid-80s, my dad – like any movie buff worth his salt – had two video recorders. We would hire them, record them, then watch them until the tapes themselves became worn out and you got that annoying magnetic line at the top of the picture that would gradually pull everyone’s head off to the side.

Ok, it was on the wrong side of right, but I was a kid. I just thought it was cool to be able to watch my favourite movies whenever I wanted.

Back to the Future, Gremlins, Ghostbusters, The Goonies, Wargames, and many more: movies I have seen so often, they became a fundamental part of my childhood. Seeing them always reminds me of those 195 minute video tapes that lined our living room walls - when running times were based on a counter specific to your machine, and then written on a sticky white label on the front so you'd know where the second movie started.


Of course, if you bought a new video recorder you were in trouble.

Memories indeed...

3 comments:

Rich said...

I loved those movies too. I think you might be a little older than me (?) but The Goonies certainly holds some great memories.

I always thought the bit where they glue the statues penis on upside down was the rudest thing I had ever seen!

Such innocent days...

Rich

Brian G Ross said...

Yeah, I'm a little older than you, man...

"If God meant for it to be that way we'd all be pissing in our faces."

I wish I could write classic lines like that.

:o)

WallyD said...

Hey, I remember getting "Dirty, Rotten Scoundrels" from you on VHS when you left oz. (Col)