A reader named Mark writes:
"I always enjoy the times when you share with readers the programming you are sharing with your (nine?) year old son.
I have an eleven year old daughter who loves comic-books and Star Wars, so I can relate. And I'm always in search of classic movies and TV we can share.
So what is in the queue right now for you and your son?"
Mark, thank you for posing that question. Joel, my son, just turned ten, and I love experiencing classic and new TV programming and films through his young eyes.
As I wrote not long ago, we have finished watching Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969) and all the original cast Star Trek films together. We have moved on to Next Generation, and recently finished the first season together. He still prefers the Original Series, but his resistance to Next Generation is breaking down a bit. Some episodes hit the mark (any featuring Q, for instance...) while some just don't seem to resonate. His favorite characters (other than Q): Data and Worf.
Joel and I have also watched together (multiple times) all the Showa, Heisei and Millennium Godzilla films, except for Son of Godzilla and a Mecha-Godzilla film that aren't available on DVD or streaming at the moment. The Godzilla films are favorites, for certain, especially the ones with Orga, Megaguirus, and Hedorah. He refuses to watch Godzilla vs. Destroyah (1995) because Godzilla dies in it.
I am currently trying to get Joel into Gamera, but he loves the Godzilla-verse and sees Gamera as a knock-off, so we have watched some of the Mothra movies together to keep the kaiju action going.
I was thrilled because just recently I got Joel to branch out to Guillermo Del Toro's Pacific Rim (2013), and it sparked his imagination. He loves the Kaiju featured in the film, particularly Otachi, and now wants all the action figures and toys.
Also, we are about 30 or so episodes into the first season of Macross/Robotech (1984), a series that my wife has become absolutely addicted to. We watch an episode with Joel right before his bedtime every night.
Finally, we can always fall back on one of Joel's perennial favorites: Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Don't forget to ask me your questions at Muirbusiness@yahoo.com
John,
ReplyDeleteI just attended the Macross World Convention this weekend, which is always enjoyable. The original voice of Minmay, Mari Ijima, performed and sang songs.
I love Gamera! Something about that big giant turtle and friend to children gets me. Maybe if you show Joel some of the newer Gamera films, particularly G3: Revenge of Iris, which have realistic effects, he might change his mind. I saw G3 when I was visiting Japan, and it's an experience I'll never forget.
Also took in the newest Godzilla release last week - Shin Godzilla. Can't wait to hear your thoughts regarding this one.
It's so cool that you guys are watching stuff together!
Steve
Great to see some love for Robotech! That show is still a lot of fun, and Netflix got it back in the streaming queue, so I'm going to be revisiting that one too. And anyone who loves MST3K is awesome in my book. Looking forward to the new season.
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity did Joel ever get around to watching the original version of "Clash of the Titans"? I remember, long ago, you mentioning the he watched the new one, but not the original. :)