Do you even remember what a VHS is? How about what it was like to go to the movie store?
Whenever I went into Blockbuster, I automatically got overwhelmed with excitement. I was able to pick out as many movies as I wanted to watch in one weekend – how on Earth was I supposed to choose?
That sure seems stupid now, considering pretty much every movie ever made is readily available to view (legally or not) on the Internet.
But there truly was nothing like walking up and down the overwhelming aisles of VHS’s, debating whether or not you wanted to watch The Lizzie Mcquire Movie for the 20th time or try something new and proudly select the movie of the night (you go with Lizzie…) before whipping out your Blockbuster card and purchasing a large pack of Trolli Gummy Crawlers.
Here are 10 of my favorite movies from those days -- movies that are begging to be rewound on the VHS player.
1. Now & Then
This was my favorite movie and should be required viewing for any pre-teen girl. Four women meet up and reflect on the summer from when they were 12 years old. Filled with first loves and heartbreaks, parents getting divorced, and even death, this movie has it ALL.
Watch it. You will laugh, you will cry, and then you’ll watch it again.
2. Bring it On
“I’m sexy, I’m cute, I’m popular to boot!”
I don’t know if I need to say anymore. If you’re a girl and don’t know this movie, well… “we don’t like you either!”
3. Varsity Blues
For a girl that doesn’t know much about sports, I am a huge sucker for sports movies. Remember the Titans is too respectable to make this list, so why not choose the teeny bopper football film? The guys are hot, there’s a love story (who doesn’t know about the whipped cream scene?), and there’s enough drama to balance out the football aspect.
Because no one is watching this movie for that. RIP Paul Walker.
4. Romeo & Juliet
Young, sexy, Leonardo Dicaprio. A beautifully innocent Claire Danes. The world’s greatest love story. An incredible soundtrack. Sigh.
5. 10 Things I Hate About You
RIP Heath Ledger. You were incredible. You stole every girl’s heart with your performance of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You."
Fun fact: this movie was based off of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. So you can watch (and be obsessed with) this teeny bopper movie and justify it by saying it was based off classic literature, right?
6. The Wedding Singer
Because every movie list needs an Adam Sandler film. This movie was actually pretty decent (and really cheesy), with the always charming Drew Barrymore as the love interest. Be prepared to sing –- although Sandler’s 80’s cover songs are nowhere near as catchy as his Hanukkah song.
7. My Date with the President’s Daughter
You can always count on Disney Channel to produce incredible movies. This one does not disappoint –- a hot boy (whose dad is a car salesman) falls for a girl whose dad is the President (because that would happen in real life). After ditching Secret Service, their first “date” results in the President’s arrest... Stupid? Yes. Awesome? Absolutely.
8. Life-Size
Ugh, the days when Lindsay Lohan was actually cute (the fact that she played football in this movie was a little uh…different, but it worked). Once again, thank you Disney for a cinematic masterpiece. Growing up, I loved Barbies. And I did have a “life-size” Barbie, which I eventually threw out the window because I thought she was going to kill me in my sleep. So, a life-size Tyra Banks coming alive from the doll world seemed a little alarming.
She was stupid, but she’s also a giant doll so you have to give her some credit. Overall, the movie was charming and I can shamelessly say that I think I’ve seen it 50+ times.
“Shine bright, shine far, where you live where you are…”
9. The Sandlot
One of the best movies ever made. I know I’ve mentioned I don’t really know anything about sports, but I will admit I love watching baseball (I know, the most “boring” sport to watch, whatever).
There’s probably a Sandlot quote for every aspect of life, and I could write a whole other article on its perfection. With nicknames like Ham, Smalls, and Squints, how could you not adore the characters in this classic?
10.Clueless
I still want to be Cher. I want Paul Rudd to be in love with me, I want her virtual wardrobe, I want her house. This is also modeled after a classic piece of literature, Jane Austen’s Emma.
Cher also taught us what it means to be a Monet: “From far OK, she’s okay, but up close, it’s a big old mess.” Ugh, I loved her and her snobby, pretentious self.
Pass the popcorn, please.
