Movies that used to inspire but now depress?

**Michael Bergeron** · Jul 15, 2012

Maybe I'm just in a mood at the moment but I just watched "The Last Starfighter" again for the first time in at least 20 years and it depressed the hell out of me.

When I first saw it as a kid I loved it! It was fun, lively, and had a great soundtrack. Most of all though it gave a child what they wanted most: A story that tells of someone going nowhere who all of a sudden is swept away on an adventure and saves the entire galaxy, becoming a somebody in the process.

Now of course I never believed it could happen, I'm not delusional, but as a kid there was magic there. The thought of achieving greatness!

When I watched it tonight I sat back and thought "I didn't achieve greatness... Now I'm bummed".

I've got a good job, a nice house, great wife & kids... But watching this made me feel disappointed in myself for not being a war hero or Prime Minister or something to that effect.

Ever happen to you guys? If so what films?

This isn't an "oh woe is me" thread. Just found the effect odd considering it used to have a completely opposite one.

**RPF Support**

**Contec** · Jul 15, 2012

Orange_Blend said:

"oh woe is me"

I been playing videogames all my life, and never has the aliens contacted me to save their planet

stupid aliens

**jk55092** · Jul 15, 2012

And even sadder - it DID happen to me. I hadn't even seen the movie yet, but there I was, playing "Defender" and next thing I know, I was on a K'r'thanhaaax'ga warship. I save the galaxy, get a big kiss from Princess Eeegeeeeee..... and back to earth. Now it's thirty years later, and it's dirty diapers and mortgage payments. Eh, glory days.....

**MooCriket** · Jul 15, 2012

jk55092 said:

And even sadder - it DID happen to me. I hadn't even seen the movie yet, but there I was, playing "Defender" and next thing I know, I was on a K'r'thanhaaax'ga warship. I save the galaxy, get a big kiss from Princess Eeegeeeeee..... and back to earth. Now it's thirty years later, and it's dirty diapers and mortgage payments. Eh, glory days.....

You too?! Those two timing bastards!

. And to think, they told me that I was the last Starfighter

**Edwardowan** · Jul 15, 2012

Tron... Disney's Black Hole, Dark Crystal.. all awesome when they came out... hard to watch now

**Jeyl** · Jul 15, 2012

Any film where the hero gets the girl. Hasn't happened to me yet.

**MooCriket** · Jul 15, 2012

Jeyl said:

Any film where the hero gets the girl. Hasn't happened to me yet.

Your not doing it right.

**Edwardowan** · Jul 15, 2012

Jeyl said:

Any film where the hero gets the girl. Hasn't happened to me yet.

or any film where the hero gets shot in the arm or leg but can still run, jump, hold a gun instead of lying on the floor writhing in pain crying for his mommy like what would really happen. I've been knuckle punched in the shoulder once... its all I could do just to lift my arm let alone pick up a gun and start shooting the bad guys!

**Michael Bergeron** · Jul 15, 2012

All that said, watching TLS again has gotten me on an "inspirational 80's theme music" kick.

So far been listening to TLS & Masters of the Universe.

Any other suggestions for me?

**Michael Bergeron** · Jul 15, 2012

Jeyl said:

Any film where the hero gets the girl. Hasn't happened to me yet.

I blame movies for making me think that once you found "The One" it would be nothing but bliss everyday!

**Mola Rob** · Jul 15, 2012

Contec said:

I been playing videogames all my life, and never has the aliens contacted me to save their planet

stupid aliens

I had these weird ghosts contact me about helping them take out this stupid round yellow guy who kept eating all their dots. There was no galaxy saving or getting the girl so I passed.

**pat0003** · Jul 24, 2012

How old are you anyway? I think you just had a brush with your own mortality. Everyone can't be President, nor should they be. I'd say you have some excellent accomplishments.

**WarPig** · Jul 24, 2012

MooCriket said:

You too?! Those two timing bastards!

. And to think, they told me that I was the last Starfighter

Those buggers! I think it was a franchise. Geez. No wonder I couldn't spend those Galactic Credits I was given to provide me "A lifetime of riches". And I always thought it a bit odd that the Princess had a tentacle...

**Randavian** · Jul 25, 2012

Orange_Blend said:

I blame movies for making me think that once you found "The One" it would be nothing but bliss everyday!

I second that!

**da wesheb** · Jul 25, 2012

Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland.... nuff said.

**LemVonFury** · Jul 25, 2012

Any vigilante movie really. I tried stopping a minor outburst in town once and got the crap kicked out of me. Batman I am not haha.

**Michael Bergeron** · Jul 25, 2012

pat0003 said:

How old are you anyway? I think you just had a brush with your own mortality. Everyone can't be President, nor should they be. I'd say you have some excellent accomplishments.

. Had that long ago. Just sneaks back from time to time.

For the record though I'll be 31 this year and in reality I'm more than content with my life. But to be a Starfighter...

**Mullreel** · Jul 25, 2012

My issue with some old films that I saw as a kid in the 70s and 80s is that now they don't make sense. Red Dawn, Wargames and similar flicks don't make sense to anyone who is younger than 30. They don't remember the USSR being a real threat, so these movies seem distant and strange. Even Top Gun seems a bit odd to younger people I have spoken to. Makes me feel old.

It is the same with some of the classic Tom Clany books like Red Storm Rising. It is tough for younger people to understand the real threat that was present back in the 70s and 80s.

**Risu** · Jul 26, 2012

I'm not old enough to really get the feeling, I'm sure I will some day. What I can say is that some years ago I realized that nothing amazing like the movies would happen to me, so I'll be content watching them for the escapism and if I'm very lucky, helping to make them.

Personally, I'll call my life a success if I make enough money to live comfortably and pay my debts, keep all my appendages, and find that special girl. That's enough for me.

**pat0003** · Jul 31, 2012

Yes, we all have fantasies. Unfortunately life doesn't always give a a great second Act! LOL

**Harkonan Nebula** · Jul 31, 2012

When I was younger, I saw Remo Williams the adventure begins..... Thought it was awesomeness! And couldn't wait for more movies.. Last month I saw it on netflix and told my kids what a cool movie it was and we all watched it. I can't believe how horrible it was! My kids will never take my movie advice again!!!

**Caveneau** · Sep 6, 2012

We can't give in to any kinds of self-doubts. It's not fair to yourself to think that 'I could have been more' or 'I should have done that with my life'.

The view that some people hold that having lots of financial wealth is the definition of success, I'm sure we would all agree with, is not true at all.

I can draw on my own personal experience for this as well. I really thought I would be working in the film and television industry, since that's what I studied. The field I work in now is very, very different than anything I was preparing for. Really, I have only myself to blame for this, however, I will NOT say that I regret my choices because I don't. I'm quite pleased with my life(I'm 32) and I have many advantages that I also, never thought I would ever have.

This subject that Orange_Blend brought up is actually quite a 'heavy' discussion to open up. It's a subject that I believe most people think of constantly every single day.

Here's an example that all of us being Prop Collectors would share in common.
Remember, as kids, playing and running around with toy guns or swords, playing cops and robbers or hide and seek. The toy guns I had were transparent neon coloured water pistols. The swords were two narrow slats of wood with a staple or a nail being the only thing holding it together. And we thought they were the greatest things in the world.
Perhaps a feeling of lost innocence is the way to describe this. The older we get, the more realistic and cynical we become. We can't believe we ever settled for those inaccurately made 'props'.

Now, as we get older, it's very common to become critical of ourselves and anyone who isn't, probably isn't being 100% honest with themself to begin with.

When O_B mentioned 'The Last Starfighter' and how it doesn't feel the same way, I have my own childhood attachment with that movie. Remember the toy 'Zaks'? I made a Gunstar out of them that I thought was the best thing ever, in reality, it probably looked nothing like it.

I believe if you strive to live an honest life, treat everyone, even strangers with some respect, then can't that be considered a form of success in terms of having a certain level of intelligence? Goals and Values?
Even if we don't become doctors, lawyers, or famous politicians, we all have goals that we set for ourselves. Perhaps if we didn't have any goals we would be called lazy or unambitious. If i've hijacked the real intent of this thread, I apologize.

'Flight of the Navigator' was a big movie for me when I was a kid. I wanted my own alien spaceship that I could talk to. Even as a child, I remember feeling that 'if that was me, I'd never want my ship and alien friend to leave because I'd be so sad'

Now we're older and more jaded but appreciating why we felt that way when we were kids watching those movies, is still comforting in a way. For those who have young children, we can live vicariously through their enjoyment of these same movies.

**Michael Bergeron** · Sep 6, 2012

Caveneau said:

Remember the toy 'Zaks'?

Dude. Zaks & Constructs were the best thing ever!!!

(gonna give a real reply to your post, just thought I'd get that out of the way

)

**Caveneau** · Sep 6, 2012

I still have a huge Lego collection, hehe.
A child at heart perhaps?

**Michael Bergeron** · Sep 6, 2012

First of all let me say that I am indeed happy with my life.

I'm successful in a field that I always wanted to be a part of and I know a lot of people wish they were in and I have great family & friends. I also consider myself to be rather intelligent, polite, and handy when it comes to my hobbies. By every proper definition I am a "success".

The child me, however, was expecting to be a freaking rock star and change the world!

A big part of what made us love the stick sword & water guns was the naive thought that we could be that in real life. It's a severe disconnect with reality. Then when you realize that you can't be Conan the Barbarian you kind of get bummed out.

A child who wanted to be a household name one day is going to be disappointed no matter what happens. It's actually a problem with this industry, no matter how good or popular you are there's always someone MORE popular (at least in your mind).

Don't worry bud, I'm in a good place. Just like everyone else here deep down I want to be a superhero... Or a Jedi... Or a Starfighter...

Movies that used to inspire but now depress?

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