# Movies you thought were awesome when you were a kid but now cringe at **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 6, 2009, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123 "2009-04-06T13:24:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/101 "2009-04-08T01:34:09Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Well I wasn’t a kid but it was a long time ago 🙂 Five years ago I wouldn’t have understood, but I do now. I was just ‘a kid’ back then. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/102 "2009-04-08T02:45:04Z")
[House](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091223/), which is about a Vietnam vet, trying to forget his past, who moves into a spooky house to write a novel when all kinds of evil, monstrous hijinks ensue. I actually saw this movie in a theater with my mother when I was 7. There’s one part where he freaks out and thinks his ex-wife has turned into some kind of troll, so he blows her away with a shotgun and buries her in the backyard. At some point he severed the monster’s hand. Later, his hot neighbor who he has a thing for asks him to babysit her son (which, on review, makes no sense at all; you just met some handsome guy that you’re interested in, who’s basically still a stranger to you, and you ask him to watch your son for a bit?). While the boy is there, he notices the monster’s hand has grabbed the boy’s neck, so he grabs the boy, tears the hand off with his teeth, drops it into the toilet and flushes it. I thought that movie was so damn scary. After I got home I had to take a wizz, so I was in the bathroom, looking ahead and peeing, when I heard a noise. My heart jumped into my chest because I thought for sure that the monster’s hand was crawling out of the toilet to get me. I quickly looked down and discovered that the noise I heard was the sound of my piss hitting the floor next to the toilet because I hadn’t been paying attention. Mom never let me forget doing that. Anyway, I watched it again a few years ago late night on USA or something, and I couldn’t get over how silly it was, especially the whole hand scene. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/103 "2009-04-08T03:08:52Z")
> [@Greg\_Charles](#): > > I’m also not seeing how _Labyrinth_ fits into this thread. I still like the music, the message, and the muppets. When my niece gets a bit older, I’ll be screening it for her, and I expect we’ll both still enjoy it. Watch it again, and keep an eye on David Bowie’s crotch. > [@shy\_guy](#): > > I have to agree and disagree. _JP_ was “that movie” for me when it was released. I was nine years old, and I was so ridiculously obsessed with it that it probably played some profound part in my growth as a person. > > \ > > Also, the kids are in the park because Hammond (their grandfather) is basically using them as a mini-focus group. Not all of their scenes are bad - the kitchen scene with the raptors is awesome and the galimimus stampede is cool. I read the book wayyyy before the movie came out, when I was 10 or so- sometime around 1991, I think. I didn’t know who Michael Crichton was, and I had no idea it was going to be a movie. I think I creamed myself when I saw the first trailer sometime in 1992 (which was just a big logo that said “Jurassic Park - coming summer 1993”). I was like, hey, they made _my_ book into a movie? **Stink Fish Pot** is talking about the kid at the beginning, who says that the raptor they’re digging up in Montana doesn’t look scary… not about Hammond’s kids. Even as an 11 year old I wondered what another 11 year old was doing out in the badlands at an archaeological dig. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/104 "2009-04-08T03:19:01Z")
> [@shy\_guy](#): > > Also, the kids are in the park because Hammond (their grandfather) is basically using them as a mini-focus group. Not all of their scenes are bad - the kitchen scene with the raptors is awesome and the galimimus stampede is cool. And because their parents are in the middle of a terrible divorce! ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/105 "2009-04-08T03:40:27Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > I actually “loled” when I saw \*\*A Clockwork Orange \*\*mentioned more than once. Who let you watch that as a kid!? I had some pretty cool babysitter’s back in the day, but I don’t think they were even mature enough to ‘get’ the movie. It was quite the movie during my formative years. Would you care for a cup of the ol’ chive? 🆒 btw: it wasn’t a babysitter… it was a sister. It runs in the family. You should run in fear. And pray or be prey. We’re prolific. ---
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/106 "2009-04-08T13:04:58Z")
[The Shadow](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111143/) Man, i loved this movie when it came out. i thought it was the coolest. i watched it again about a year ago and WOW. What was i thinking? ---
**Author:** ![Mann\_Slaughter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@Mann\_Slaughter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mann_Slaughter)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/107 "2009-04-08T14:40:45Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > _Foxes_, a movie starring a young Jodi Foster. It was terrible, IMS. HEY! You take that back! :mad: I’ll have you know I just ordered **“Foxes”** on DVD a few months ago and… … … You’re absolutely right… It IS terrible! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Mann\_Slaughter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@Mann\_Slaughter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mann_Slaughter)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/108 "2009-04-08T15:19:08Z")
Also, ANY of the “ **Godzilla** ” movies, and by extension the original “**[Ultraman](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068145/)**” and “**[Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0170962/)**” I STILL can’t believe I ordered the complete sets of both of the “giant-fighting-man” shows on DVD. UGH! ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/109 "2009-04-08T15:29:18Z")
> [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](#): > > It was quite the movie during my formative years. Would you care for a cup of the ol’ chive? 🆒 Chai. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/110 "2009-04-08T16:26:14Z")
> [@Mann\_Slaughter](#): > > Also, ANY of the “ **Godzilla** ” movies, and by extension the original “**[Ultraman](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068145/)**” and “**[Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0170962/)**” > > I STILL can’t believe I ordered the complete sets of both of the “giant-fighting-man” shows on DVD. > > UGH! The Ultraman link points to what looks like the Australian version made in the late 80’s or 90’s I believe not the original Ultraman. Which, at least for me is a classic. The original is cheesy with cheap Special effects from 1966, but hell, it was great as a kid. Giant Robo, too, though its pretty cheesey. But then I like Godzilla movies. I think its an acquired taste. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mann\_Slaughter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@Mann\_Slaughter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mann_Slaughter)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/111 "2009-04-08T17:31:06Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > The Ultraman link points to what looks like the Australian version made in the late 80’s or 90’s I believe not the original Ultraman. Which, at least for me is a classic. The original is cheesy with cheap Special effects from 1966, but hell, it was great as a kid. Giant Robo, too, though its pretty cheesey. > > But then I like Godzilla movies. I think its an acquired taste. 😉 You’re right about the Ultraman link. Here’s the correct [one](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060038/). Thanks for the assist. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/112 "2009-04-08T17:52:15Z")
I recently relived part of my childhood by purchasing the whole first season of _Star Blazers_. While much of it lived up to my gradeschool fanboy memories, some aspects did come off not so well. These ranged from the merely grating (the same 5 or 6 pieces of music used in every episode) to the cringeworthy (Wildstar’s annoyingness is almost on par with Jar-Jar Binks). There are also plot holes you could pilot a space battleship through, and the animators’ inability to keep the _Argo’s_ size and scale consistent throughout certainly detracts from the quality of the artwork. Other than that, the series still remains a splendid treat, both visually and storywise, with much more depth and creativity than any other animated entertainment of its time. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/113 "2009-04-08T18:07:23Z")
> [@Mann\_Slaughter](#): > > You’re absolutely right… > > It IS terrible! :smack: Yup. I thought it all very intense and deeply, deeply significant when I was about 15. Times change. I have to second _Blazing Saddles_. Comedy has changed somewhat (at least comedy in film) since it opened. I rented it a while back (to share with my kids). It is slower than molasses in January. The jokes are few and far between. And yet I remember crying I was laughing so hard when I saw it as a teen. _Tootsie_ is another one. I thought it was funny and had some genuine social commentary, but now I just think it’s meh. ---
**Author:** ![Rucksinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/114 "2009-04-10T03:53:10Z")
> [@Mann\_Slaughter](#): > > Also, ANY of the “ **Godzilla** ” movies, and by extension the original “**[Ultraman](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068145/)**” and “**[Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0170962/)**” > > I STILL can’t believe I ordered the complete sets of both of the “giant-fighting-man” shows on DVD. > > UGH! [Hijack] Since I’ve got you all here, I remember loving a Japanese (?) show about a family that would turn into airplanes. They would do this “I Dream of Jeanie”/“Macarena” thing with their arms and turn into airplanes and save the day. I think the dad was silver and the mom was gold, or vice-versa. The young boy, I guess, would have to have been bronze. I remember 1 episode (this is a 30year old memory, so cut me some slack) where there was a Godzilla-type monster. They kept blowing it to pieces, but its body parts would keep reassembling. So finally they blew it to pieces again, then one of them swept in and caught the monster’s heart and carried it off, so that when the monster re-assembled, it was paralyzed. (I think that’s when I learned the word “Paralyze”) Can somebody tell me the name of this show so that I can look for it on YouTube? [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/115 "2009-04-10T04:20:57Z")
[Eliminators.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091003/) Then: Wow! It has Cyborgs! And Ninjas! Now: Dear God. It has Cyborgs. And Ninjas. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/116 "2009-04-10T10:33:03Z")
> [@Rucksinator](#): > > [Hijack] Since I’ve got you all here, I remember loving a Japanese (?) show about a family that would turn into airplanes. They would do this “I Dream of Jeanie”/“Macarena” thing with their arms and turn into airplanes and save the day. I think the dad was silver and the mom was gold, or vice-versa. The young boy, I guess, would have to have been bronze. I remember 1 episode (this is a 30year old memory, so cut me some slack) where there was a Godzilla-type monster. They kept blowing it to pieces, but its body parts would keep reassembling. So finally they blew it to pieces again, then one of them swept in and caught the monster’s heart and carried it off, so that when the monster re-assembled, it was paralyzed. (I think that’s when I learned the word “Paralyze”) > Can somebody tell me the name of this show so that I can look for it on YouTube? [/hijack] The _Space Giants_ [Link](http://www.coolstuffvideos.com/spacegiant.html) But the dad is Goldar and the mother is Silvar. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/117 "2009-04-10T11:58:33Z")
Easy Rider. I was fifteen in 1969 when it was released, and I was sure it was a profound masterpiece. The fact that I was in a bit of a cannabis haze when I saw it may have influenced my judgment. I rented it a year or so ago and was amazed at what a silly piece of wankery it is. ---
**Author:** ![Linty\_Fresh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Linty\_Fresh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linty_Fresh)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/118 "2009-04-10T13:20:01Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > Easy Rider. I was fifteen in 1969 when it was released, and I was sure it was a profound masterpiece. The fact that I was in a bit of a cannabis haze when I saw it may have influenced my judgment. I rented it a year or so ago and was amazed at what a silly piece of wankery it is. _sputter_ You . . . You take that back _THIS INSTANT!!_😛 I’ve actually got this in the DVD player as I type this. I didn’t see it until it came on AMC in 2005, and I was hooked. It’s one of three movies that I’m forbidden to watch if my wife’s in the same house. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/119 "2009-04-10T15:20:06Z")
The jokes between Gene Hackman and the black guy - can’t remember his name - are still funny in Blazing Saddles. “Well, Jim, since you are my guest and I am your host, what’s your pleasure? What do you like to do?” “Oh, I don’t know. Play chess… screw…” "Well, let’s play chess. " And I like the governor. The fart jokes are _tres_ stupid but I always thought fart jokes were so, and only laughed at them when I was little to fit in. Now I refuse to even do that. I still like Clash of the Titans, too - the special effects are not really the focus there, for me. Though I do want to smash up that owl because he reminds me of that sorry son of a bitch from King’s Quest. “ooo, Sir Graham!” _shotgun blast to the face_ Sorry, repressed memories surfacing there. I don’t remember any others off-hand. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123/120 "2009-04-10T15:35:49Z")
> [@Linty\_Fresh](#): > > _sputter_ You . . . You take that back _THIS INSTANT!!_😛 > > I’ve actually got this in the DVD player as I type this. I didn’t see it until it came on AMC in 2005, and I was hooked. It’s one of three movies that I’m forbidden to watch if my wife’s in the same house. OK, you win. I take it back. It’s a MASTERPIECE!! 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-you-thought-were-awesome-when-you-were-a-kid-but-now-cringe-at/492123.md?page=7)