Growing Up Geek: How ALIENS Changed My Life
I think your first R-rated movie in a movie theater is almost a rite of passage for any movie geek. At least it was for me. Seeing an R-rated movie was kind of a big deal as a kid, as I was always told I couldn't see them. I was 8 years old when I saw my first R-rated film, and it opened up a floodgate of awesomeness!
When I first saw the trailer for James Cameron's Aliens I knew I had to see that film. It was the first trailer I ever saw that gave me goosebumps and got me really, genuinely excited about seeing a movie. My heart sank when I found out it was rated R because I didn't think there was any way in hell that my parents were going to let me see it.
Of course I begged them to let me go! I was surprised when my dad said "we'll see" instead of giving me a straight out "no." There was actually a chance that I would get to see this amazing-looking sci-fi movie! The closer it got to the release date, the more I swelled with excitement. I had never been so overcome with movie craziness before in my life.
The weekend it opened my uncle came over to the house. Whenever he came over we would always go for a walk uptown, check out the book and toy stores, grab some lunch and sometimes go to a movie if I was invited. On this particular Saturday I was invited to go with my dad and my uncle. I was hoping so badly that they would take me to see Aliens! I didn't want to jinx it by asking about what we were doing, though. I just wanted to will it to happen.
Sure enough, we walked to the theater where my uncle proceeded to buy three tickets to Aliens! Holy shit!!! It was actually happening! I was going to get to see Aliens! I tried to stay cool, but I have the worst pokerface ever, and there's nothing that could have wiped the smile off my face.
We got our soda, candy, and popcorn, and went into the theater, sat down in our seats, and waited for the movie to start. I have to tell you that this was one of the greatest moviegoing experiences of my life. It really changed my outlook on film, and it is the one that transformed me into a full fledged movie geek. I was glowing with excitement after I saw Aliens. When it was over I couldn't believe what I had just seen, and I immediately wanted to watch it again. I still never get tired of watching it. It's as entertaining as it was the first time I saw it.
Aliens opened my eyes to the incredible things that could be accomplished on film. That's one of the main movies that inspired me to want to get involved with movies. I knew that was what I wanted to do when I grew up — I wanted to make movies.
After that, I started writing my own stories, I started drawing my own characters, I started reading books and comics. A few years later my dad bought our first video camera and that's when I started shooting my own movies.
Watching Aliens put my life on a path that led me to where I am today. What was your first R-rated movie, and is there a movie that inspired you to do what you love?