Sometimes what a Monday needs is a little time travel. In this case, how about a Top 10 list of movies I loved at thirteen? I’d love to hear some of your thirteen year old self’s favorites – please share them in the comments…
I turned thirteen in March of 1982, so the movies listed below are from March to March of 1983. These are limited to movies I saw in the theater, which explains some omissions in the list that would definitely be a part of any best of March 1982-March 1983 movie list I would compile. There are some films that I wouldn’t have been able to get into, at thirteen (though a few that I did, I’m surprised at, looking back).
My Top 10 Favorite Movies at Thirteen
1. Poltergeist
Written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais and Mark Victor
Directed by Steven Spielberg
“Now let’s go get your daughter!”
2. E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial
Written by Melissa Mathison
Directed by Steven Spielberg
“It was nothing like that, penis-breath!”
3. Blade Runner
Written by Hampton Fancher, David Webb Peoples (screenplay) and Philip K. Dick (book)
Directed by Ridley Scott
“Tears in the rain.”
4. The Last Unicorn
Written by Peter S. Beagle (screenplay & book)
Directed by Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin, Jr.
“I’m looking for others like me.”
5. The World According to Garp
Written by Steve Tesich (screenplay) & John Irving (book)
Directed by George Roy Hill
“Do you want her?”
6. The Dark Crystal
Written by David Odell & Jim Henson
Directed by Jim Henson & Frank Oz
Trailer
7. Author! Author!
Written by Israel Horovitz
Directed by Arthur Hiller
Trailer
8. Kiss Me Goodbye
Written by Bruno Barreto, Jorge Amado & Charlie Peters
Directed by Robert Mulligan
Trailer
9. Tempest
Written by Leon Capetanos, Paul Mazursky & William Shakespeare
Directed by Paul Mazursky
Trailer
10. Deathtrap
Written by Ira Levin & Jay Presson Allen
Directed by Sidney Lumet
Trailer
Movies I also love from March 1982-March 1983, but didn’t see in the theaters: Fast Times at Ridgemont High, An Officer & a Gentlemen, Baby, It’s you, Videodrome, My Favorite Year, Local Hero, Tootsie, Grease 2 and Halloween 3: Season of the Witch
I was 13 in 1986/1987. I loved: Little Shop of Horrors, Labyrinth, Stand by Me, Flight of the Navigator, Lucas, The Lost Boys, The Princess Bride, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and, because I was a bit odd, both Platoon and Full Metal Jacket. Not on my list? Top Gun. Hated it then, still hate it now.
Oh my stars!!! I love so many of those movies (and YES, I hate Top Gun, too!) Thank you for sharing your list!
I hadn’t realized how many great movies came out in that brief period, so thanks for the prompt! (And it’s always nice to come across another non-fan of Top Gun.)