Growing Up Geek: Earliest Movie Theater Memories
Movies are such a huge part of my life. I love movies, I always have and I always will. I feel lucky to have had parents that enjoyed going to the cinema as well and would share that awesome experience with me. Flims are a part of who I am, they are more than just a hobby, they are a passion, and I want to be a part of them in every way that I can, which is one of the reasons why I started GeekTyrant.
It's hard to pinpoint what my first theater experience was. My mom says that she took me to see Raiders of the Lost Ark in the summer of 1981, which means I was three years old, but I don't remember that. I'm proud that Raiders of the Lost Ark was one of my first films, I just wish I could remember the freakin' experience! I don't know how I could forget it, as it's one of my favorite movies ever. The Fox and the Hound was another feature she told me she took me to that year, but that's another one I can't seem to remember.
My earliest movie theater memory though is going to see E.T. in 1982 with my mom, dad, and a bunch of other relatives. I remember we were late for the movie so when we walked in it was already dark and we had missed the trailers. This might be why I hate missing the trailers in a movie now — I know I see them online all the time, but I still want to see them in the cinema on the big screen. E.T. had already started and we walked in right as the opening credits ended. Of course, I didn't know at the time that Steven Spielberg would become one of my favorite directors ever. I remember sitting there staring at the big screen in awe while eating my popcorn and sipping my soda. This film was such a magical experience for me, and I remember wanting so badly for it to be real. When it ended I was left with the feeling of wanting more. I didn't want the story to end, and I didn't want to leave my seat. I was engulfed in the world of E.T. for almost two hours, and I just didn't want to let it go. I still get that feeling when I see a good movie. It's like a drug!
Another early motion picture experience that I remember is when my parents took me to the drive-in theater to see Return of the Jedi in 1983. That was an incredibly fun night because I got to stay up past my bedtime, and it was my first time at the drive-in movies. There aren't many more of those that exist anymore. This was my first Star Wars flick, and I absolutely loved it, Ewoks and all! It wasn't until my parents got a VCR that I was able to watch the first two Star Wars movies, and I haven't stopped watching them since. I still watch Star Wars all the time. I am happy that I got to at least see one of the original Star Wars features on the big screen.
I'm really happy that I have these memories. I've had so many great experiences at the movies throughout my life, and it's awesome to know that those experiences will continue as long as I am around. Hopefully that will be a long time!
What are your some of your earliest movie memories?