Step into the time machine. I am taking you back to the ’90s and the early Millennium. I open your eyes and ears to some of the best titles and even artifacts of my generation. The 1990s brought some of the best movies and books into existence. These things from the ’90s need to be in your radar because they are still hip, groovy and dope. Also, it’s good to remember to be a kid at heart.
We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.
—George Bernard Shaw
Movies
Movies you should watch. If you haven’t seen these, you definitely should. If it’s been a minute since you last saw these flicks, you absolutely should revisit them.
1. A Goofy Movie (1995)
Goofy and his son, Max, go on an epic road-trip adventure. Will they get to Los Angeles for the Powerline concert?
If you haven’t watched it— What?! Go watch it.
One of my number ones is “A Goofy Movie”. I have this one on DVD because I love it so much. It played such a big part in my childhood. I’ve seen this movie so many times and know it by heart. As a matter of fact, I have to give it another watch.
The songs are so good. The Powerline tune “Stand Out” is such a confidence booster.
You’re watching every move that I make. You gotta believe that I got what it takes.
—Powerline – “Stand Out”
Before Frozen’s “Let it go” we had Powerline’s “I 2 I”. It’s still a bop.
2. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
“The Emperor’s New Groove” is another one in my top movies of all time. Disney did it again with this one.
David Spade voices the main character, Emperor Kuzco. The comedy is well-written, timed perfectly and are not half-hearted attempts for the sake of generating laughter. The back-and-forth between Kuzco and Yzma (voiced by Eartha Kitt) makes for a comedic classic. Watch it.
3. Matilda (1996)
It’s a film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book that tells the story of a gifted girl named, Matilda.
Books, magic and chocolate cake. It’s such a feel-good movie and the soundtrack is pretty uplifting too. And come on, who doesn’t want magic powers?
Play the song “Little Bitty Pretty One” by Thurston Harris and make yourself a delicious breakfast. You might just bring your magic powers to life upon doing so.
Seriously, who could forget that chocolate cake scene? Chocolate cake will never be the same.
4. Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen movies
I grew up watching all of the Mary-Kate and Ashley movies.
Our Lips Are Sealed (2000) — This movie is part of the Mary-Kate and Ashley direct-to-video film series. The sisters are on the move and settle into their new lives in Australia.
These movies are classics. They always go on adventures and in every movie, they deliver fashion, fashion, fashion. If you don’t know what to wear, the Olsen sisters will certainly provide some inspiration.
Other Olsen movies to watch: New York Minute (2004), Getting There (2002) and Passport to Paris (1999)
Imagination has no age. Laughter is timeless. And dreams are forever.
—Walt Disney reminding us to continue being a child at heart and never losing sight of the fun and wonder of life.
Books
It’s time to re-read some awesome books!
Remember when you signed up for your first library card and checked out as many items possible? (Nostalgia moment.)
You can probably find all of the book titles mentioned at your local library. Look for these book titles and give them another flip through.
Perhaps you already have these books. Maybe you bought these titles way back when your school teacher used to hand out those Scholastic/Troll book-order forms (that’s so ’90s).
Time to dust off these classic reads:
- In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz
- Matilda (and the entire Roald Dahl collection!)
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
- Give Yourself Goosebumps by R.L. Stine
Tech worthy mentions:
•Motorola RAZR (This phone is so modern-looking even for today’s standards.) I remember when I had this phone. It was everything. Texting was the choice of communication and unique ringtones were all the rage.
•Tamagotchi (This Japanese invention is still cool. And it made it to our backpacks as keychains when we were kids. Digital pets ranged from dinosaurs to the classic Mametchi.
• VHS transition to DVD
• HitClips (Your favorite song on repeat. Before the iPod was invented, HitClips were in. HitClips were little music cartridges (later, mini discs were introduced) and there was even a blue-colored tiny FM scanner.
What’s your favorite movie/book/gadget? Is it something from way back? Are you an avid LP-record collector? Or do you prefer a bit of both the old-school and modern tech? Share!
Stay happy, stay healthy.
