2008 Woodie Awards
Today's children's movies need to re-establish Oz-like values
Dustin Ward
Issue date: 11/16/06 Section: Opinion
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I was sitting at home last weekend, flipping through the channels on television and snacking on some Taco Bell. While bypassing programs such as Laguna Beach, Top Chef, and The Flavor of Love, I came across one of my all time favorite movies: The Wizard of Oz.
Ever since I was a small child, this movie has had a special place in my heart.
I remember that once a year, my family would sit down together and we would watch Dorothy as she made her way through Oz just trying to get back home.
I still know the words to all the songs, the tornado scene still is a bit frightening and the moment when the movie goes from the black and white of Kansas to the colorful world of Oz still takes my breath away.
The characters all are special to me, all for different reasons. If I had to choose a favorite, I don't know if I could.
You just don't get sweeter than Dorothy, more loyal than the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the cowardly Lion, even Toto, or more beautiful than Glenda the Good Witch.
I even have to say the Wicked Witch could be near the top, because she has some great lines, and as a child you knew about 10 people who reminded you of her.
Some may call me cheesy, and others may call me a few other things, but The Wizard of Oz has made a lasting impact on my life, and when I saw the Ruby Red Slippers in the Smithsonian when I was in high school, I almost piddled on the floor.
But as I was enjoying the movie, loving the costumes and singing along with some unforgettable movie songs, I began to feel sad.
At first I couldn't figure out why I was feeling that way, because usually I turn to The Wizard of Oz to make me feel better when I have blues, but never have I felt bad while watching it. Then the reason for my feeling that way hit me like a ton of bricks.
I felt bad because I knew that kids today are not growing up with movies like The Wizard of Oz.
Granted, Disney and other movie studios still are trying to produce "wholesome" family films, and as we all know they do very well at the box office, but there is something different, something lacking.
Ever since I was a small child, this movie has had a special place in my heart.
I remember that once a year, my family would sit down together and we would watch Dorothy as she made her way through Oz just trying to get back home.
I still know the words to all the songs, the tornado scene still is a bit frightening and the moment when the movie goes from the black and white of Kansas to the colorful world of Oz still takes my breath away.
The characters all are special to me, all for different reasons. If I had to choose a favorite, I don't know if I could.
You just don't get sweeter than Dorothy, more loyal than the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the cowardly Lion, even Toto, or more beautiful than Glenda the Good Witch.
I even have to say the Wicked Witch could be near the top, because she has some great lines, and as a child you knew about 10 people who reminded you of her.
Some may call me cheesy, and others may call me a few other things, but The Wizard of Oz has made a lasting impact on my life, and when I saw the Ruby Red Slippers in the Smithsonian when I was in high school, I almost piddled on the floor.
But as I was enjoying the movie, loving the costumes and singing along with some unforgettable movie songs, I began to feel sad.
At first I couldn't figure out why I was feeling that way, because usually I turn to The Wizard of Oz to make me feel better when I have blues, but never have I felt bad while watching it. Then the reason for my feeling that way hit me like a ton of bricks.
I felt bad because I knew that kids today are not growing up with movies like The Wizard of Oz.
Granted, Disney and other movie studios still are trying to produce "wholesome" family films, and as we all know they do very well at the box office, but there is something different, something lacking.
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