Yesssss!

Some people find it odd that I often watch kid movies,.. until I call it "research".  Immediately they think I'm writing a screenplay, not finding ways to get children to reach into my pocket for candy.  Haha - how naive!

Seriously, though, I watched a lot of kids movies, and here I present to you my findings in form of lessons learned and initial reactions.

The Page Master

Better known as the "Lame Master".  Macully finally demonstrates the curse of being forever young.

What I learned: Nerdy, annoying shut-ins everywhere - if you immerse yourself in nothing but books and read read read, you will... no longer be a nerdy shut-in?  I guess budget cuts forced producers to cut that one scene... you know, the one where our hero actually makes friends.

Also: Always, always trust creepy dudes with fascination with little kids.

Also: Romance, Adventure, and Horror have places in this world, but why not Comedy or Eroticism?  No wonder this movie sucked.

Hook

Once upon a time Robin Williams starred in everything.  And it was horrible.  No amount of flubber could distance you from his chest hair farm.  Bad form!

What I learned: I'm siding with Captain Hook on this one: my dad sucks.  I'll play pistol baseball for the rest of my life.

Also: Over-actors are clearly evil, but we knew that one already.  No one suspected Steven Spielberg yet, though.

3 Ninjas

The twist: there are several ninjas in this film, not just three... plus three bumbling, surfer thugs.  What a treat!  (No, seriously, they're the best thing about this film, dude.)

Initial reaction: I swear to God, if I heard just ONE MORE little kid say "ay-ya!"...

Also: Start bringing guns to fights.  The bad guys only figure this out at the very end of the film, and, sadly, this lesson does not carry over to the next 3 Ninja film or any children's film for that matter.

Also: being a grown up pretty much guarantees you'll be nailed in the nads at some point.

3 Ninjas 3? 4? HIGH NOON AT MEGA MOUNTAIN 

Those caps are definitely necessary.

Initial reaction: Hulk Hogan is a washed up actor? ...no!  NO HE'S NOT!  Not my Hulk!

Lessons learned: Ninja children never grow old, and in some cases get younger.

Also: This time the bad guys did brings guns to fights very early on!  But they have yet to learn not to be utterly incompetent.  Sigh.

Angels in the Outfield

The movie pitch: "It's like Fear and Loathing Las Vegas meets The Omen crossed with Poltergeist, except instead of a demon child, you have a kid who hallucinates angels, and instead of a house we'll have a baseball team.  ...Whaddya mean?  Of course it'll sell!"

What I learned: if my opponents are a bunch of no-talents who can only win through divine intervention, maybe it's a good time for me to be making bargains with Satan.

Also: Baseball is the angel's sport of choice.  No wonder Satan wins so easily.  He probably plays rugby or South American soccer.

Also: Tony Danza is going to die soon?  It's a miracle!

Also: Christopher Lloyd, even in death is creepy, practicing voyeurism on a cosmic level.

Home Alone

What I learned: Losing a family may be the best thing to happen to any spunky child.  Hey... I was spunky once, too.

Also: The Laws of Comedy prohibit any child to commit accidental manslaughter.  Wrongdoers should have no fear of death, but damn! you're going to wish for it.

Also: let's hear it for creepy, old dudes!

Home Alone 2

What I learned: same thing as the first film - I don't need my family.  But losing them on purpose might be a little more difficult with ramped airport security.

Also: Rob Schneider has what's coming to him.

Also: always trust creepy, old ladies?  Sure, man, it's the 90s - times are changing!

Also: I must steal parents' credit card....

Also: Yeah, I know that recording device isn't that useful, but I still waaaaant onnnnnee!! Nowwwwww!

The Sandlot

You know, I actually still like this one.  Step off, man.

Blank Check

Initial reaction: Theft is soooo awesome.

What I learned: talking computers are hours of fun... no, really - they are.  Just run some Eminem lyrics through it.

The Mighty Ducks

Kids + hockey + a whole lotta drama + flashbacks.  Game on.

What I learned: Emilio Estevez is NOT Michael J. Fox.  I couldn't make that distinction as a child.  Still, I might have had a point - we need more MJF movies.

Also: Peewee hockey is relevant!

Also: Hockey is relevant, too..?  Now that can't be right...

Sidekicks

Otherwise known as "Partenaires de Combat" which must translate to "Chuck Norris is the Savior" in some divine tongue.

What I learned: Movies ahead of their time will go unappreciated when initially released.

Also: Chuck Norris did, in fact, exist before Chuck Norris jokes.  Man, film with Chuck Norris on it projects itself that's how badass it is.

Also: Chuck Norris will magically show up and help me if I sign up for a martial arts tournament unprepared.  I wonder if that'll work for the upcoming prom dance approaching in a few weeks.

The Wizard

Initial reaction: Nintendo Nintendo Nintendo Nintendo Nintendo Christian Slater? Nintendo Nintendo Nintendo.  Must... subscribe to... Nintendo Power!!

What I learned: Who knew I could make a career out of playing video games?  Hell, even a retard can do it!  Screw college.

Also: go befriend a large, black truck driver named "Spanky".  No, really, do it.  

"So.. Spanky - why'd they call you Spanky, eh?"  The answer will probably have the phrase "prison time" in there some place.

Also: The Power Glove.... it's so bad.

Let's wrap.  What did we all learn?  That's right, all our childhoods sucked... Sucked!  I hate my life!  I hate you!  You don't understand me!  I'm going to my room, but not before storming up the stairs!

-Heir to the Throne