When you want to feel like a kid again
Because there's no better time to embrace your inner child than over a long weekend in the summer ☀️
“Oh there you are, Peter!”
We may forget from time to time, but our inner child is still in there. This long weekend, why not unearth that “little you” from under the piles of work stress, bills, everyday responsibilities, and other not-so-fun parts of “adulting”?
I’ll help. This week’s recommendations will make you feel hopeful, joyful, sentimental, and for some of you, nostalgic.
So, grab your favourite movie snack (I like popcorn and Twizzlers) and settle in for a film that’s perfect for when you want to feel like a kid again:
HOOK
No one did it better than the late Robin Williams — he had a magic and a childlike wonder about him that was not unlike that of the character he played in Stephen Spielberg’s Hook (1991). This film answers the question that was posed in its tagline: “What if Peter Pan grew up?”
What I always liked about this film was how it made me feel — which is pretty à propos with the theme this Substack newsletter/blog. That said, the reviews of this film are pretty polarizing - some love it, others hate it. I’ll let you be the judge, but I’m confident that it’ll make you feel like a kid again.
Watch for: Robin Williams being magical, the imaginary food scene, Bob Hoskins’ hilarious performance as Smee, and the Lost Boys — especially Rufio (please tell me I wasn’t the only one who had a crush — I was 13 when this film came out).
Where to stream: Amazon Prime (with Starz channel), Crave (with Starz channel)
Where to rent: YouTube, Google Play, AppleTV, Cineplex.com
You’ll like this if you like: fantasy and make believe, Robin Williams, Spielberg movies, Finding Neverland, Harry Potter.
Fun fact: Although some of us might know Dame Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess from Downton Abbey, she was only 56 when Hook was filmed, so they aged her with makeup to portray a 92-year-old Granny Wendy. Today, she’s 89.
MY GIRL
I rarely pass up a film or TV series that stars a talented Culkin. If you’re comfortable revisiting a version of childhood that’s a bit more real and less “Pollyanna”, you might just enjoy My Girl (1991).
A darkly funny, sentimental, and contemplative film, My Girl will bring you back to a time when having a best friend changed your world forever.
No spoilers, but you may want to have the Kleenex nearby for this one.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime (with Starz channel), Crave (with Starz channel)
Where to rent: Google Play, AppleTV
You’ll like this if you like: The Culkins (especially Mac), ‘70s vibes, Garden State, Veep, dark comedy, Six Feet Under, Parenthood (the movie, not the series).
Fun fact: Elijah Wood was considered for the role of Thomas, but because Home Alone was so successful, they gave the part to Macaulay Culkin.
WONKA
Come with me, and you’ll be…in a musical prequel celebrating Willy Wonka!
Despite my initial hesitation to watch this one since I didn’t love Johnny Depp’s too-weird version of Wonka in 2005’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, my jaded old heart melted like chocolate watching this film, mostly due to Timothée’s tender version of Wonka.
Although at least one answer is clear — money — I often wonder, why so many prequels, sequels and remakes these days? Gene Wilder as Wonka in 1971’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was pretty perfect — so I’m not sure why this story needs to be continually told. That said, given that this is a musical, and given Timothée’s wide-ranging talent, I think this film was time (and money) well spent.
Where to stream: Crave, Amazon Prime (with Crave channel)
Where to rent: Google Play, AppleTV, Cineplex.com
You’ll like this if you like: musicals, Lil’ Timmy Tim, Olivia Coleman, chocolate, Roald Dahl characters.
Fun fact: Today’s real-life Willy Wonka is a 30-year-old Welsh chocolatier named Gabriella Cugno. She was responsible for all of the edible creations in the film.
So, have you gathered the fam and changed into your pjs yet to watch one of these films? Let me know what you think by commenting below, and let me know what your favourite film is that makes you feel like a kid again!
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I appreciate you!
Enjoy the movie(s),
Heather
Streaming and rental sources listed are limited to the services and websites I subscribe to and/or have access to (in Canada) at the time of publishing. Feel free to search your streaming and cable services (or your VHS or DVD collection) for these titles.
My Girl destroyed me the first time I watched it! Definitely a movie I go back to when I want a good cry
Wishing we had access to these fun moments in film.. must get onto more streaming