Raiders of the Lost Ark - Movie Night
adventure, movies May 23rd, 2008
We decided to have a family movie night last Saturday. After being exposed to all the hype surrounding Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, my eight-year old step-son wanted to watch some of the original Indiana Jones films. He’d never seen them before, so we started with “Raiders of the Lost Ark”.
Interestingly enough, I was the exact same age my step-son is now when I first saw this movie. My dad, my brother, and I got to see a free sneak preview a few days before the regular release (so this would be early June 1981). At this point, there was very little known about the film other than it was by the creators of Star Wars and Jaws. In the car on the way to the theater, my eight-year old self decided that the film must be about finding Noah’s Ark. Needless to say I wasn’t disappointed that I was wrong after seeing this awesome film. Going to see movies with my dad growing up was a special treat, so I have fond memories of that night.
Fast forward to the present. It was really fun watching “Raiders of the Lost Ark” through my step-son’s eyes. He was excited in all the right places, loved the action, got scared at the end and peeked through his fingers while covering his eyes. We even dug out my old brown fedora for him to wear during the movie. He said it made him feel safer. It’s nice to see that classic high adventure movies such as “Raiders of the Lost Ark” can still thrill children today.
Afterwards, we watched one of the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles stories - “Treasure of the Peacock’s Eye”. Truthfully, this was just a re-edit of a few of the weekly episodes. Regardless, my step-son really enjoyed the story. I think he connected with young Indy and enjoyed seeing Indy learn the skills he would go on to use later in life.
Later at the grocery store, he asked my wife to buy him a box of Corn Pops cereal. Being a kind mother, she bought the cereal for him. It just so happened that this box of Corn Pops contained an Indiana Jones toy. What my wife didn’t know is that he hates Corn Pops and it was simply a ruse to get the Indy toy. Pretty clever kid.
You throw me the Corn Pops, I throw you the whip!
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:03 am
Shag…this is why i read your blog. I could ’see’ everything you described. He is a great kid and he is making ole uncle Serv proud. Please don’t think that this is the only way that this situation can play out…I watched Casablanca for the first time a few years ago and i can say it is a great movie. Not an action film by todays standards but a great tale regardless. some films can and do stand the test of time.
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I wish I could get out to see the movie, but alas my fedora is at the cleaners and my whip….
well let’s just say a little worn out.
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Raiders = enduring classic.
haven’t seen Indy IV yet, but i figured if they’re smart enough to bring back Marion Ravenwood, that bodes well.
May 24th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Thanks for the comments everyone! Y’know, I still haven’t seen “Cassablanca”. I should do that someday.
I’m nervous about the new movie after hearing so many negative reviews.
May 26th, 2008 at 9:19 am
What a sweet story! It is so satisfying when you can introduce a kid to something you grew up with. It’s the same scenario with my son and “Star Wars.” He loves it just as much as I did at his age, if not more. Nothing like the classics!