Sorry...Just a tad late...
Ughhh this was another hard one for me because I just feel that summer camp movies either involve stupid comedy bits with flashes of tits and ass or a serial killer nut job with lots of blood, dismemberment...and tits and ass. I have seen Parent Trap(the original) but not in a long, long time so I didn't pick this one. Listed below are my 3 but head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see the rest. I came back from a wonderful vacation in Quebec right on the Richelieu River which I will bore you with my pics later on. We have been busy getting back to norm so now I hope to soon make some cards and visit my mom!
1. LITTLE DARLINGS-1980
Whatever happened to Kristy McNichol? She plays a young gal from the wrong side of the tracks and Tatum O' Neil plays a sweet(HA) innocent from a privileged background. They both meet at summer camp and they start a contest as to who will have sex first. Of course there are a bunch of young girls in short shorts and other bad clothing that reeks '70s fashion but there is a bit more to this story than one would expect. I haven't seen it in quite some time but it is still memorable since they both are surprised at what they end up finding out about sex and love.
2. ADDAM'S FAMILY VALUES-1999
This is a sequal to the first hit of this classic TV show from the 1960's and I love it because of the summer camp scene. Wednesday steels the show with her antics at summer camp sent there with her brother by the evil Debbie, a serial killer bent on killing Uncle Fester. As Debbie tries to kill Uncle Fester in many different ways, poor Wednesday, Pugsley and another boy have to deal with the sugar sweet antics at camp. Thankfully, Wednesday is able to save the day by holding the counsellors hostage and setting fire to the camp. This was just so funny and Christina Ricci as Wednesday really does steal the show. I would be on her side as well if I had to deal with that summer camp.
3. MOONRISE KINGDOM-2012
I bet this will be the popular movie for this week. Yup, it takes place at a summer camp on an island where one freaky child declares his love to another freaky child and they make their escape to be together. You have Edward Norton as the head of the summer camp, Bruce Willis as the local cop who is having an affair with France's McDormand, the mom of the freaky girl. Bill Murray is also involved in this quirky gale by Wes Anderson. It is ..quirky and you either like Wes Anderson or you don't. I like this film and find it quite engaging and well acted. It proves that Bruce Willis can do more than just his Die Hard flicks. Just a word of note, the director must love Alex Colville, the artist.
These are my 3. I have seen a scary flick where the football guy and slutty cheerleader get whacked at the beginning. The nerdy funny guy gets it later and so does the token black guy but the gal is successful after she runs very, very slowly, tripping and crying and breaking her high heel from the crazed maniac who is limping even more slowly behind her.....I hate those movies.
LOVE Addams Family Values SO MUCH. That camp is ridiculous and Wednesday is totally a hero in everything she does there. Christina Ricci is beyond perfect.
ReplyDeleteI'm kicking myself for not thinking of Moonrise Kingdom, one of my favorite movies of recent years! I thought it was so beautifully done, and great performances all around.
Wednesday is my personal hero..hahahaa. I thought I would be seeing Moonrise Kingdom everywhere today.
DeleteOkay, I absolutely have to watch Addams Family Values. I loved the first one, and Christina Ricci was perfect as Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteIf you loved the first one, you'll get a kick out of the second one.
DeleteGood choices. I'm frankly shocked to see Little Darlings turn up twice so far today. Didn't realize it still had sort of staying power. It's provocative but I haven't watched it in years.
ReplyDeleteAddams Family Values is ghoulish fun with a perfect Christina Ricci as Wednesday.
I wasn't blown away by Moonrise Kingdom but I think I went in with too high expectations. Everybody was rhapsodizing about how magical it was and while I thought parts were charming I wasn't swept away.
I tried to look at the theme from different angles so I have one that is set at a kids camp, one where the kids return as adults and one where the plot originates at the camp and then moves away from it.
Camp (2003)-At Camp Ovation, a summer theatre camp for young performers, a diverse group of kids come together and though at first there are tensions they eventually form close friendships. During their time there they also influence one of the counselors who has grown bitter with regret to move forward with his life. Because the film is just a little rough around the edges it makes the story and the kids much more real.
Indian Summer (1993)-A group of young adults (including Diane Lane, Bill Paxton and Elizabeth Perkins) gather at Camp Tamakwa outside Ontario where they spent their summers as kids for a 20th reunion. While they spend time reminiscing they also deal with problems of their present lives and try and find a way to keep the camp from closing down permanently.
Marjorie Morningstar (1958)-Beautiful college student Marjorie Morgenstern (Natalie Wood) spends her summer as a camp counselor at a Catskills resort. While there she becomes enamored with a performer at the camp, Noel Airman (Gene Kelly) a caddish older man who doesn’t take the romance seriously. Returning home Marjorie is pressured by her parents to marry and settle down. Still carrying a torch for Noel she pursues an acting career as Marjorie Morningstar while trying to make a relationship with the older man work. Various complications ensue including her Jewish parents objections to the Gentile Noel. Adaptation of a Herman Wouk novel has a rich studio look and a great cast, aside from Natalie and Gene there’s Claire Trevor, Carolyn Jones, Martin Balsam and a host of recognizable character actors.
Love, love that you picked Marjorie Monringstar! I forgot about that film even though it is not one of my favourites, it's a great pick. I have heard of Camp but not Indian Summer which sounds quite good. There was so much hoopla withMoonrise kingdom that I waited until it all died down. I did enjoy it but it is not my favourite Wes Anderson film. Of course, you have to like Wes Anderson or else it won't work
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed the Adams family values film but like yourself I am not fond of this genre of films...glad you had a good holiday and hopefully a soft landing back at home and work.....xxxx
ReplyDeleteI had a great va action and am in the middle of making cards! I hope to showcase some very, very soon.
DeleteI love Moonrise Kingdom. Such a great film. Haven't seen the others. Not sure why I never watched any of The Addams Family movies. I used to watch the TV series all the times as a kid. Guess I should break down and watch those.
ReplyDeleteMoonrise Kingdom is really so much fun. I'm surprised you haven't seen the Addam's Family movie...it's better than the first in my opinion.
DeleteThe only one of these I've seen is Moonrise Kingdom. I love most Wes Anderson movies. If I recall correctly, Kristy McNichol dropped out of a successful sit-com she was in as a young woman because of a "chemical imbalance," which meant she has bipolar disorder. I want to Google her because I don't know what happened to her after that, and it was many years ago.
ReplyDeleteHer last on-screen performance was in 1995, but she did some voice acting after that. She announced her retirement in 2001 and since then has taught acting classes and come out as a lesbian. She's 53. She stopped work on the sit-com Empty Nest because she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
DeleteI am not surprised that she is a lesbian and more power to her and I hope she has her bi polar disorder under control. She was so big in the tv show Family
DeleteI managed to miss all of these.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are happy you did:)
DeleteHi, BB!
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy to know you had a great vacay on the river in QUebec, dear friend.
I might have seen Little Darlings when it was released, but I don't remember much about it. Summer camp movies are rarely good and do not usually interest me. Moreover the two principal actresses are not among my favorites and I am easily bored by the "wrong side of the tracks" stereotype.
I am certain that I have not seen the other two films. I didn't like the original Addams Family television series as much as I liked The Munsters and therefore wasn't interested in a movie based on the Addams characters. While I am lukewarm about Kristi and Tatum, Christina Ricci is an actress I do get excited about and loved her in Pan Am. Did you read that Peter MacNicol, shown in that clip, was stripped of his recent Emmy nomination on a technicality?
Moonrise Kingdom appears to be the best movie of the three. I like quirky and I am eager to see it.
Thank you, dear friend Birgit!
Moon rise is quirky and brilliant in my mind. I have to look up Peter MacNichol now because I didn't hear about this. OMG....love the Munsters! Love the theme song, that car and I dressed up like Lily Munster when I was a kid. Yvonne De Carlo is one sexy babe as my hubby will attest. I love their movie, Munster, Go Home.
DeleteDon't know any of those movies. Not my cuppa tea at all. I would avoid them like the plague I'm afraid. Don't know much about Quebec, spent a week in Montreal and that was it, but from the pix on line, it looks an attractive place where you stayed.
ReplyDeleteThese types of films are not my cup of tea either but I was happy to come up with 3 I have seen. My hubby's aunt lives right on this river and it is so beautiful. Some wicked thunderstorms though...here not a drop
DeleteMoonrise Kingdom put me to sleep, almost lol Addams Family I liked back in the day. What? No love for Meatballs? haha
ReplyDeleteI have not seen Meatballs since it came out. I would like to watch it again a tully.
DeleteI agree with your assessment of summer camp movies. Haven't seen any of these and doubt that I will. Glad you had a great vacation.
ReplyDeleteI have seen some grade Z camp movies and they are always pretty stupid
DeleteI agree with you on the female nudity in a lot of summer films *rolls eyes*. The only film I saw was Moonrise Kingdom and I wasn't a huge fan of it, sadly not my favorite of Wes'.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great time in Quebec!
DeleteNo Moonrise is not my favourite Wes film, Budabest Hotel is but I still liked it a lot. I am sick of the T and A of young 18 yr old sex starved idiots who only want to party, drink and get laid. Mind numbing. Yes, I did have a great time away. My hubby's aunt lives in a great place.
DeleteThough not my favorite, at least Wes went with something different than the sex crazed teens haha. Glad to hear!
DeleteI've only seen Addams Family Values. Love Wednesday. (I actually once knew a girl named Wednesday. Normal sort. We called her Wendy.)
ReplyDeleteI've heard of Little Darlings but never seen it.
Wednesday was perfect and she made the movie in my opinion.
DeleteI would have picked the Parent Trap myself; only summer camp movie I can think of at the moment :)
ReplyDeletebetty
I would have picked it if I had seen it more recently or remembered it but I have not seen it since I was a little girl so I don't remember hardly anything at all
DeleteI haven't seen Little Darlings but I love your last two picks!
ReplyDeleteLittle Darlings is really a movie of the times in some ways. I figured most people would have seen the last 2
DeleteHave heard of #1 (not ever seen it though), and the other 2 I don't know of. Sometimes I like quirky, and Bruce Willis is good at comedy. I don't like his B&G films, but DH does. Happy wkend, and TFS
ReplyDeleteThis was a hard week since there are not that many movies made about summer camp that I like. I am not sure you will like Moonrise because it is really different and the director's style is not for everyone
DeleteWow, this is a first, I think. I haven't seen any of these movies!
ReplyDeleteThis was a tough week for films
DeleteYour opening paragraph made me laugh out loud. That's probably the one reason why I can't think of a single summer camp movie I like. Now then... Addams Family Values was a summer camp movie? Man, just goes to show how much I forgot about the Addams Family movies...
ReplyDeleteGlad I made you laugh. The Addam's Family movie centres on Uncle Fester marrying that killer gal but I love the summer camp sub plot more
DeleteThe reason I can't do these themed blog posts is I don't see that many films. I do like the Adams Family one. Outside of that I don't think I could even think of one camp movie I could include. Like you, I hate those slasher flicks.
ReplyDeleteSo, a question regarding Moonrise Kingdom (again another film I've never even heard of), Does Bruce Willis sing in it? ;)
Bruce does not sing in this movie:) there are some weeks that are really tough so I have to look up movies with the theme
DeleteOh, I thought everyone did this according to what they have in their collection.
DeleteDon't know any if these (again!) though I did see the first Addams Family film and grew up with the TV show. Glad you had a good vacation - look forward to the pics.
ReplyDeleteThis was a tough one for me. I had a great vacation and will post this coming week.
DeleteI can see the Addams Family movie over and over because of the camp story. Cristina Ricci was very good as Wednesday. I think I saw that last movie but I can't recall anything other than those actors were in it. This means I'm watching too many Netfix movies again. Like I'm going to stop anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI don't have Netflix but I have seen many movies over the years and continue to watch
DeleteMust track down that first one, on your word.
ReplyDeleteOh oh....I hope I live up to the suggestion. I hope you talk about it on your blog.
DeleteI love the Addams Family Values and the Wednesday character rocks in whatever they put her in! I haven't seen the others, but have watched a ton of repetitive horror movies. Too bad they make them soooo bad. Thanks for the post and details!
ReplyDeleteAddam's Family is one of the few about summer camp that I will rewatch. I think every horror movie with teens takes place at a summer camp:)
DeleteHaven't seen these. Glad you had a great vacay!
ReplyDeleteI had a wonderful time! I hope you had a nice time off also
DeleteBirgit, good question, what ever happened to Kristy McNichol? I think I've heard of these movies, but I have not seen any of them. I generally am not a fan of summer camp theme flicks and since my early 20s I haven't been a big fan of horror movies that involve a creepy guy that can't be killed. Thanks for sharing your review of these summer camp theme picks. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a book about one of the many failed attempts by Americans trying to invade Canada. But, I learned that the Richelieu River flows north. Huh. Just goes to show you can always learn something new.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a book about one of the many failed attempts by Americans trying to invade Canada. But, I learned that the Richelieu River flows north. Huh. Just goes to show you can always learn something new.
ReplyDeleteChristina Ricci is perfect for that role. Ah, reminds me of my childhood.
ReplyDeleteWow! I have seen and love ALL of your picks. Great great stuff!
ReplyDeleteI have to see The Addam's Family. Just that trailer has me hooked.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of them but I'm intrigued by all three. Despite your skepticism about the genre, you seem to have done well.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of these films as they're not my thing at all, but I love the sound of the Adams Family one. :)
ReplyDeleteSusan at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Hmm, Moonrise Kingdom looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteYeah I am not really into summer camp type movies either. I'm not sure if I have seen the Addams Family one, or not, but I think I have. I might try to watch Moonrise.
ReplyDeleteI only like scary movies when the character gets away from the killer in the end.
: )
Christina Ricci was just perfect as Wednesday.
ReplyDelete