Remembering movies

I've been reliving some of my "movie youth" recently. As I sat watching Pulp Fiction last night, for the first time in years, I remembered just how good it is. I wasn't planning to watch it but it was one of those movies that I couldn't switch off. Every scene is so fascinating and engaging, with classic dialogue - that it is easy to forget (as it's been over-quoted) how fresh it was when it came out. There's been a lot of interesting discussion about Tarantino's latest movie and whether it is a classic or not but there is no doubt about the definitive Tarantino film. It's a shame that the same can't be said about some of the other movies I remember fondly.

One night I watched Cocktail - the late 80's Tom Cruise drama - which was one of the first 'adult' movies I ever saw. I remember being very impressed with Tom's bar skills and it didn't hurt that it had Elizabeth Shue in it! I think she was first proper movie crush - although she now seems strangely wet! But I remember feeling upset that the critics had given it an ok rating as, to me, it seemed like a masterpiece. Watching it in 2009, my own review would be a little different. The movie is glossy & superficial & features far too much of that Cruise mug grinning away... Ah, how rose-tinted my movie spectacles were?!

Sadly, the same is true about another "favourite" - Universal Soldier. I remember a no-holds-barred action flick featuring two of Hollywood's premier tough guys. An ultra-violent chase movie featuring genetically modified superhuman warriors. In reality, it is a slightly cheesy clone of Terminator(s). It also seems to be obsessed with getting JCVD to take his clothes off & indulge in cheap innuendo! Such a shame...

I will always remember these gems from my "movie youth" fondly and will want to seek them out - but it seems I will be disappointed more often than not!