3 Movie Experiences That Became Core Memories

As a self-proclaimed movie lover, the amount of lasting memories I’ve gained through film is innumerable. Growing up in a Caribbean household, we were often on a consistent schedule, so you have no idea how much I treasured the ritual of watching Cartoon Network or Disney Channel, surrounded by the laughter of my cousins. I’ve always cherished that feeling of being so mesmerized by a movie or a show that I completely lose track of time. The escape that good stories provide is hold a lot of meaning for me.

Recently, my friend and I had a late movie night and rewatched the throwback classic Coming to America, pausing every few minutes to cackle and discuss the still-very-relevant plot. Having seen the movie several times before, we also shared our experiences of watching it the first time, and that got me thinking about my oldest movie memories. To this day, I can still vividly remember the films that made me into the ecstatic movie lover I am today.

1. An Annual Christmas Tradition

Film: How the Grinch Stole Christmas(2000)

Dir: Ron Howard

Christmas in a Bajan household wouldn’t be complete without baked ham and black cake, but for me, The Grinch is basically the dessert after the cake. As a child, I remember gathering around the tv screen with my family as we were transported to the world of Whoville for the very first time to meet the mischievous yet somehow endearing Grinch.

From the Grinch’s obnoxious personality to the catchy soundtrack you just can’t help but sing along to, there is something so special about this movie, making it a mandatory ReSee for me every Christmas.

Not only is this one of my oldest and fondest movie memories, it also underscores the importance of family and enjoying the holidays. As proudly declared by the Grinch himself, “Cheer up, dude. It’s Christmas!” 

2. Nothing Like a Family Gathering and a Madea Movie

Film: Madea's Family Reunion (2006) 

Director: Tyler Perry

One thing you should know about my family is that we love to laugh. Laughing ‘till our bellies hurt, accompanied by great food, is our favorite pastime. The films in the Madea franchise are sure to evoke plenty of laughter, especially the 2011 movie Madea’s Family Reunion, which centers around family and choices that can change an entire generation. 

At a family gathering surrounded by plenty of burgers and hotdogs, we recently revisited the “Family Reunion” once again, just to laugh at our favorite moments together. My family and I have watched this film several times but will never tire of it due to Madea’s character and the unexpected moments of hilarity. Trust me; this is a film that will have you laughing non-stop. 

In hindsight, there are some unrealistic moments, but that never stops my aunt and me from laughing until we cry at our favorite scene from the movie. It’s the image of that scene, paired with the feeling of sitting next to my aunt, both of us fighting to take a breath between our laughs, that turned a simple movie into a core movie memory.

3. Way Too Young for Horror Movies

Film: ATM (2012) 

Director: David Brooks

Now that I’m an adult, horror movies are a piece of cake for me. In fact horror is my favorite genre, and Psycho is my favorite film!  But as a child I couldn’t handle anything too spooky. Still, that didn’t stop the intrepid, reckless childhood Hannah from trying to push her limits every now and then!

Well, my devil-may-care nature was something I had to rein in after watching ATM. As the film progresses and the characters find themselves in a never ending state of turmoil, I found myself getting more and more terrified. Curiosity nearly killed this cat! 

I managed to make it through to the end of the film, though ere were plenty of moments when I covered my face with my hands and cheered for the characters to survive in my mind. 

I guess the stark irony of it all, as well as that feeling of a terror-induced cold sweat, are why I can never forget the experience of watching ATM (even if I’d want to). But who knows, maybe I would have never become the horror fan that I am today had I not thrown my family and myself directly into the horror deep end!

If you’ve never gone through the exercise of pinpointing your earliest and most memorable movie experience, I’d highly recommend it! Even just thinking about my own timeless experiences had me smiling to myself, silently cherishing the wonderful memories that movies have helped me to create. It has me so excited to pick my next movie, and if I’m lucky, find my next timeless memory.