Last weekend, Ivan Reitman’s horror-comedy classic “Ghostbusters” was re-released into theaters as part of the 30th anniversary of the film’s original release. Today, Robert Zemeckis’ Oscar hit “Forrest Gump” is also being re-released onto IMAX screens in celebration of its 20th anniversary.
This annual lull in the movie season – when the summer blockbusters are winding down and before the holiday season ramps up with award contenders – is a fitting time to reminisce and enjoy some of our old favorite movies and other entertainment over the years.
Let’s go back to 1984, and remember when not only were the Ghostbusters the year’s most popular movie heroes, but Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” was all over the radio and MTV, “Amadeus” was the most acclaimed film of the year and everyone experienced Prince’s movie musical “Purple Rain.” For those who are ‘80s teens or kids, its might be tough to realize the decade was 30 years ago, but for the most part, the films and music have lived on and continue to be loved by fans.
As has been profiled in music zines, Weezer’s self-titled debut album, Soundgarden’s “Superunknown,” Nine Inch Nails’ “The Downward Spiral,” TLC’s “CrazySexyCool” and the Offspring’s “Smash” have 20th anniversaries this year.
In 1994, “Power Rangers,” “Friends” and “The Real World” were also gaining popularity on TV, and between “The Lion King,” “Pulp Fiction,” “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Forrest Gump,” 1994 became one of the best years in pop-culture history. Catching one of the movies or shows on cable or hearing one of the songs on the radio, it’s hard to believe they’re that old.
Even harder for the social media generation to compute is that 2004 is now 10 years ago. The Nicholas Sparks’ adaptation of The Notebook was almost every teenage girl’s favorite movie, “The OC,” “Lost” and “24” were the TV shows to check out and Green Day’s “American Idiot,” Gwen Stefani’s “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.,” Usher’s “Confessions” and Kanye West’s “College Dropout” were on rotation on iPods everywhere.
When movies, shows or albums become a favorite part of memories, it can bring a sense of nostalgia for fans to hold on to, but it takes a masterpiece of special proportions like “Gump” or “Ghostbusters” to still be featured at fan conventions or revisited or remastered for audiences. While we wait for new movies or music coming soon, there’s always an old favorite to return to.
mbianco@durangoherald.com. Megan Bianco is a movie reviewer and also contributes other entertainment related features and articles.
