Film and entertainment’s biggest weekend is coming, with three nights and two days of the best cinematic experiences money can buy as American Airlines presents Empire Live hits The O2, London on 23rd-25th September 2016.
This year, Empire Live will be hosting a special 30th anniversary screening of Stand by Me as well as a screening of Labyrinth as a tribute to the late great David Bowie. To celebrate, we take a look at some of the best films from our childhood that still strike a chord with us today.
Stand by Me (1986) Directed by Rob Reiner
Thirty years ago Rob Reiner sent four boys on a journey along a railway line in rural Oregon in search of a dead body. In doing so, he created a modern classic. Based on a novella by Stephen King, Stand by Me stars Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell as the quartet of 12 year olds who make the life-changing trip. King was so impressed with the final film, he claimed it was the first successful adaptation of any of his works. And, given the year it was released in, that includes films such as The Shining (which he famously hated) and Carrie. No small praise. And the film’s reputation has only grown since its mid-’80s release.
The Goonies (1985) Directed by Richard Donner
Hey u guys! No childhood films list is complete without a mention of Richard Donner’s classic The Goonies. The screenplay was written by Chris Columbus from a story by executive producer Steven Spielberg which follows a band of pre-teens who attempt to save their homes from demolition and in doing so discover an old Spanish map that leads them on an adventure. During the adventure they are chased by a family of criminals, who also want to unearth the long lost fortune of One-Eyed Willy, a 17th century pirate. Since its release back in 1985 the film has amassed a huge cult following. Hands up if you’ve tried to recreate Chunk’s famous truffle shuffle in front of your bedroom mirror!
Labyrinth (1986) Directed by Jim Henson
With the late great David Bowie as the Goblin king, we simply have to mention Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. In a world made up of practical effects and puppets created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, Labyrinth features a number of out of this world locations and special effects to entertain the kids including the bog, a staircase filled puzzle room and the Goblin City. After snatching a 15 year old girls baby brother, Jareth the Goblin King forces her to make her way to his castle, located in the centre of a giant maze. With a huge reported budget of $25 million, the film was not a box office success demoralising director Jim Henson. It has since gone on to become a huge cult classic and will no doubt continue to grow in popularity following the death of David Bowie in 2016.
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982) Directed by Steven Spielberg
A firm favourite in every house over the festive season, Steven Spielberg’s classic E.T. The Extra Terrestrial has been entertaining children and adults alike since its release back in 1982. It tells the story of a lonely boy named Elliott who befriends an extraterrestrial called E.T. who is stranded on Earth. Elliott and his brother and sister help E.T. to return home while attempting to keep him hidden from their mother and the authorities. The concept of the film was based on an imaginary friend that Spielberg created when his parents divorced in the 1960s. The film was a huge blockbuster success, surpassing Star Wars to become the highest-grossing film of all time, a record it held for eleven years until the release of Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. It was also the highest-grossing film of the 1980s.
Uncle Buck (1989) Directed by John Hughes
One of iconic film director John Hughes’ films had to make it on to the list somehow and we’ve chosen his classic starring everyone’s favourite uncle, Uncle Buck. Featuring John Candy as the bone idle but loveable uncle who is left in charge of his brothers kids during a family crisis. It doesn’t take Buck long to charm the younger kids Miles and Maizy. He has his work cut out though to earn the trust and respect of his teenage niece Tia. Everyone loves a bit of John Candy and we think kids everywhere were just a little bit jealous of the stack of breakfast pancakes presented to Miles on the morning of his birthday.
The Princess Bride (1987) Directed by Rob Reiner
While it wasn’t necessarily considered a huge box office success, Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride went on to become a cult classic after its release on home video. In 2000, readers of Total Film voted it the 38th greatest comedy film of all time. Adapted from William Goldman’s 1973 novel of the same name, it tells the story of farmhand Westley, who accompanied by befriended companions, must rescue his true love Princess Buttercup from the horrible Prince Humperdinck. In order to preserve the novels narrative style, the story is presented as a book being read by a grandfather to his sick grandson.
Back to the Future (1985) Directed by Robert Zemeckis
What kid didn’t want a flying skateboard growing up? All thanks to Robert Zemeckis’ cult classic Back to the Future, the highest grossing film of 1985. Michael J. Fox stars as teenager Marty McFly, who is sent back in time to 1955 where he meets his future parents in high school. Things don’t go according to plan and Marty accidently becomes his mother’s romantic interest. Christopher Lloyd also stars as the eccentric scientist and Marty’s friend who helps him repair the damage to history by advising Marty on how to make his parents fall in love. Marty and Doc must also find a way to return to 1985. The film was a huge success and marked the beginning of a franchise, with two sequels, Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Back to the Future Part III (1990), as well as an animated series, theme park ride, several video games and a forthcoming London musical.
American Airlines presents Empire Live will run from September 23 – 25 2016,The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX.
