Choosing a movie to play on the big screen for my birthday

[johnmillions 124]

You can rent the 100-year-old movie theater in my hometown for parties. Ever since I found out about this, I've wanted to do it. So, I finally reserved the theater for my upcoming birthday! 

 

I had the impossible choice of showing any movie that's on DVD or Blu-ray.

 

My three-and-a-half year old son will attending, so that narrowed down my options significantly! 

 

I chose Coco (2017). It's one of my favorite movies, and I like how kids and adults can appreciate it. (I am largely unfamiliar with the soundtrack; I realize that it's sacrilege to admit to choosing a non-John-Williams-scored movie on JWFan!) 

 

Having to make this decision got me thinking. What would I have chosen if kids weren't going to be there? Something that the visuals are only done justice on the big screen? Something with sentimental value? (I played Men and Black and Rocketman on our VCR for my childhood birthday sleepovers.) A crowd pleaser? A classic? 

 

What would you chose? 

 

[The Score Cleaner 9,645]

The Lord of the Rings

STAR WARS 97 SE (Its my birthday, I can watch what I want!)

[Chen G. 5,866]

For one sitting? Without kids? Easy answer:

 

[BloodBoal 8,217]

Just now, Chen G. said:

For one sitting? Easy answer:

 

 

That's Rob Roy, right?

[Chen G. 5,866]

.........

 

...would also be a fine choice.

[BloodBoal 8,217]

The Lord Of The Rings is an obvious choice.

 

Lawrence Of Arabia of course.

 

Tarsem Singh's The Fall would be another good one.

[Andy 7,270]

I would pick something that would likely never get a theatrical rerelease on its own time.  Something that would take me back to the late 70s when I was a kid.  Probably a Star Wars ripoff for the kid in me. 
 

The Black Hole

Message From Space

Starcrash

 

Something like that. 

[Edmilson 11,810]

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy back to back. Extended Editions. With a 15 minute break between each movie.

[johnmillions 124]

I probably should have mentioned that I'm paying the theater by the hour...!  Some of these are lengthy and could get pretty pricey! Lol!

[Jill Sandwich 10,824]

One of the animated Resident Evil flicks.

[Mr. Hooper 8,199]

I'll use @Andy's reasoning and say 'Jaws 2.'

 

Was too young to see it on the Big Screen, and no repertory cinema here will show it, so I may be stuck to rent a theatre!

 

Another one is 1981's 'Clash of the Titans.'

[Nick1Ø66 7,790]

Hey, your join date here is May 4th, which happens to be both my birthday and International Star Wars day!

 

And I see your birthday is February 28, 1987. John Hughe’s Pretty in Pink was released on February 28, 1986.

 

Given that you’re now of a certain age, Hughe’s 97 minutes coming of age classic seems the perfect choice. And unlike @Chen G.’s predictable Braveheart suggestion, is perfectly appropriate for your three year old son to see, and won’t break the bank with a three hour run time. 

 

Congratulations, you’re welcome, enjoy and

may the fourth be with you!

[Naïve Old Fart 12,760]

I always regretted not seeing EARTHQUAKE in 70mm and Sensurround.

This would be my choice, and I would invite every JWfaner.

[BloodBoal 8,217]

11 hours ago, johnmillions said:

I probably should have mentioned that I'm paying the theater by the hour...!  Some of these are lengthy and could get pretty pricey! Lol!

 

[Bespin Copilot 10,606]

A good movie suited for a preschooler?

Psycho.

I'm kidding.

E.T. the Extra‑Terrestrial
 

[Nick1Ø66 7,790]

1 hour ago, Bespin Copilot said:

A good movie suited for a preschooler?


E.T. the Extra‑Terrestrial
 

 

You like making 5-year-old kids cry?

[Mr. Hooper 8,199]

 

 

Me:

 

[Bespin Copilot 10,606]

E.T. represents no harm at all!
 

Quote

(...) Brief strong language includes "s--t" and "son of a bitch," as well as an insult that includes "penis," and use of the slur "redskin" during a reading of Peter Pan. (...)

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/et-the-extra-terrestrial

[Mr. Hooper 8,199]

3 minutes ago, Bespin Copilot said:

E.T. represents no harm at all!

"Penis-breath" is used as an insult! Ban it!

 

 

 

[Naïve Old Fart 12,760]

7 minutes ago, Bespin Copilot said:

E.T. represents no harm at all!
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/et-the-extra-terrestrial

... not to mention a teenager trying to goose his friend's mother 

[Bespin Copilot 10,606]

Just now, Naïve Old Fart said:

... not to mention a teenager trying to goose his friend's mother 

I knew you focused on that part.

[Mr. Hooper 8,199]

1 minute ago, Naïve Old Fart said:

... not to mention a teenager trying to goose his friend's mother 

 

Especially fetching in her Halloween outfit. Me-OW!

 

[Jurassic Shark 16,158]

Herbie.

 

 

26 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

"Penis-breath" is used as an insult! Ban it!

 

 

 

 

Just have a mint. Its not that difficult. 

[Naïve Old Fart 12,760]

38 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

 

Especially fetching in her Halloween outfit. Me-OW!

 

Don't forget, the mention of "terrorist".

[Mr. Hooper 8,199]

1 hour ago, Jurassic Shark said:

Just have a mint. Its not that difficult. 

I recommend sucking on a Fisherman's Friend.

 

 

(Get your mind out of the gutter. )

 

 

[Tallguy 7,053]

Lawrence of Arabia. No question.

 

May 4th is May the Fourth Be With You Day. May 25th is Star Wars Day.

[The Score Cleaner 9,645]

6 minutes ago, Tallguy said:

Lawrence of Arabia. No question.

 

May 4th is May the Fourth Be With You Day. May 25th is Star Wars Day.

Nope. It's International Star Wars day, May 25th is National Star Wars day  

[Mr. Hooper 8,199]

15 minutes ago, Tallguy said:

May 4th is May the Fourth Be With You Day. May 25th is Star Wars Day.

 

8 minutes ago, The Score Cleaner said:

Nope. It's International Star Wars day, May 25th is National Star Wars day  

[johnmillions 124]

17 hours ago, Andy said:

I would pick something that would likely never get a theatrical rerelease on its own time.

 

I love this idea!

 

14 hours ago, Nick1Ø66 said:

And I see your birthday is February 28, 1987. John Hughe’s Pretty in Pink was released on February 28, 1986.

 

Given that you’re now of a certain age, Hughe’s 97 minutes coming of age classic seems the perfect choice.

 

That movie and Stand by Me would be perfect!

 

3 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

 

 

Me:

 

 

Yeah, E.T. shared the shit out of me when I was a kid! Especially that scene with E.T. sick in the bathroom... And then my parents made me ride the ride at Universal... I want to re-watch the movie, but I don't know if I'm ready (and I'm going to be 39)!

 

[Nick1Ø66 7,790]

6 hours ago, johnmillions said:

That movie and Stand by Me would be perfect!

 

I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. My God, does anyone?

[The Score Cleaner 9,645]

When I was twelve I didn't have many friends...

[Nick1Ø66 7,790]

On 7/2/2026 at 5:17 AM, johnmillions said:

 

And it’s ladies night at the Palace…

[Mr. Hooper 8,199]

8 hours ago, johnmillions said:

 

This is your 'Palace'? Nice!

 

Every city had a 'Palace'... The one here in Montreal, which went out of business in 2000, was the first movie theatre wired for sound in Canada, in 1928.

 

 

 

 

[Xander Harris 9,255]

I’ll be back this way on Monday. We’ll settle this then, right there, out in the street, in front of the Palace Saloon.

[johnmillions 124]

On 7/2/2026 at 3:46 AM, Naïve Old Fart said:

I would invite every JWfaner.

 

If anyone is near or wants to make the drive to western New York, you're invited! Just send me a message, and I'll share the details!

 

17 hours ago, Nick1Ø66 said:

I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. My God, does anyone?

 

That line always gets me. I've invited my childhood best friend. He still lives in the area with his family, and I hope that they're able to come! 

 

13 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

This is your 'Palace'? Nice!

 

Yes! It's a pretty humble small-town theater that opened in 1926. Nothing like your Palace. But, we're very lucky to have it still. The exterior neon sign was restored recently by the company that originally built it. 

 

 

A better photo of the interior that shows the detailing around the curtain/screen.

 

 

 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 11,938]

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

[johnmillions 124]

Today was the birthday party. My wife, my son, and I got to stand on the stage after the movie for a photo. 

 

It was the first time that my son saw a movie in a theater, in the same theater that I saw my first movie on the big screen.

 

My first was The Little Mermaid. What was yours?

 

 

[Edmilson 11,810]

13 minutes ago, johnmillions said:

My first was The Little Mermaid. What was yours?

Flubber. I saw it when I was 4 years old.

 

Funnily enough, that was also the last time I watched that movie 

 

Since that day, if my memory is correct, it took almost two years for my parents (in this case, just my dad) to take me back to the movie theater to see Tarzan in mid 1999. Later that year (or was it in early 2000? Not sure), he took my cousin and me to see Toy Story 2. 

 

Going to the movie theater as a kid was a huge event. Like, it was a truly special day, one where you'd need to prepare, put on your best clothing, pick the movie and the best showing, and then go. It felt rare, exciting, special. Which is why I think I can name all the movies I've seen in theaters between my early childhood and the end of high school at age 17. 

[Tallguy 7,053]

First movie was either Mary Poppins (cinema) or Dumbo (drive in). Both were re-issues. I don't actually recall what my first new movie was. Possibly some terrible G rated family film from the 70's.

 

I remember seeing Herbie Rides Again when I was five. But surely I saw something before that?