9 Classic Movies Celebrating Anniversaries in 2015


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Many of the great films of all time are having important anniversaries in 2015. Which ones will be re-released?


 

By Tynan Yanaga

It’s been over 20 years since Forrest Gump won best picture, 50 years since the Beatles released A Hard Days NightThirty years since Ghostbusters cleaned up the streets of Manhattan, and 75 years since Gone With the Wind became one of the greatest motion picture spectacles of all time. What do each of these have in common? They were all re-released in 2014.

Sure, people love nostalgia. Movie theaters like it too, because it's easy money. It’s not every day you get to see Forrest run in High-Def on the big screen. With all the rubbish that gets released every year, most of us would rather pay to see a certified classic a second or third time than a R-Rated comedy or chick flick that's almost sure to fail. It's not just studios that have become risk averse, it's viewers too.

In order to stay ahead of the game, here are nine films that will be having anniversaries in the upcoming months. Hopefully they will also be coming out in a theater near you!

 

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1) The Sound of Music (March 10, 1965) - 50th Anniversary

It already gets more than enough love annually with screenings and sing-alongs popping up nationwide, including one at the Hollywood Bowl. However, what’s not to love about this musical classic full of memorable tunes and rolling Austrian hills? Julie Andrews has pipes and she gets a lot of help in the vocal department from the Von Trapp clan and a convent of nuns as they cope with the Nazi terror. Look to see it in theaters in March.

 

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2) Monty Python and The Holy Grail (May 19, 1975) - 40th Anniversary

It seems like a no brainer that everyone’s favorite absurdist English comedy troupe wandering through perilous and pestilence-filled medieval Europe would coax fans out of their lairs. There’s nothing quite like some screwy babble about African swallows and that means nothing and jumps everywhere. You can practically hear the applause already, unless they’re clacking coconuts.

 

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3) Braveheart (May 19, 1995) - 20th Anniversary

This beloved war epic helmed by Mel Gibson and about Scotsman William Wallace garnered the Best Picture back in 1996. There’s nothing quite like some good old-fashioned medieval violence and torture. Many people will be clamoring and waiting expectantly to hear the battle cry “Freedom” blaring through surround sound systems next May.

 

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4) The Goonies (June 7, 1985) - 30th Anniversary

It may not be the crème de la crème as far as film art, but who needs that when you get this thoroughly entertaining adventure-comedy courtesy of director Richard Donner and Steven Spielberg , who also consequently produced Back to the Future. The Goonies has gained a cult status, and rightly so, thanks to its eclectic cast of youngsters who will still resonate with kids and offspring of the 1980s alike.

 

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5) Jaws (June 20, 1975) - 40th Anniversary

It’s the quintessential summer blockbuster of man vs. beast tale, made by the invariably crowd pleasing Steven Spielberg. Do not be surprised if there is a resurgence of Shark attack scares and aquarium visits as this classic turns 40 in June. No doubt the masses will flock back to the theaters given the chance, because they certainly will not want to be at the beach. They’re definitely going to need some bigger theaters.

 

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6) Back to the Future (July 3, 1985) - 30th Anniversary

Great Scott! It never gets old traveling Back to the Future, even as the movie prepares to turn 30 years old in July.  Expect to see Marty McFly and Doc Brown gracing the silver screen once again as they rev up their plutonium-powered Delorean time machine to head back to the naïve 1950s. Prepare yourself to rock out yet again to Johnny B. Goode as Michael J. Fox brings his exorbitant 80s charm to a theater near you. On a side note, they might want to make that a double feature with Back to the Future 2 to see Marty’s prophetic appearance in 2015 complete with a hoverboard.

 

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7) Rebel Without a Cause (October 27, 1955) - 60th Anniversary

James Dean was the definition of teenage angst during the 1950s and there was no portrayal that made him more prominent than blue jean-wearing, cigarette-smoking Jim Stark. The icon of Dean still looms large to this day even years after his tragic death and his wide appeal will certainly pull Baby Boomers and younger crowds alike into cinemas again. Rebel also made an icon out of L.A.’s own Griffith Observatory which is still standing strong to this day.

 

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8) One Flew Over a Cuckoo’s Nest  (November 19, 1975) - 40th Anniversary

Hard to believe that this Jack Nicholson vehicle about a small-time criminal getting more than he bargained for in a psych ward is turning 40. The Best Picture Winner, based off the Ken Kesey novel, still has enough heart and intensity to draw in filmgoers. Nurse Ratched will undoubtedly earn as much derision as she ever did. It will also be fun to turn back the clock to see younger versions of Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd and of course Nicholson himself.  

 

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9) Toy Story (November 19, 1995) - 20th Anniversary

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest has some formidable competition on November 19th. In fact most people would probably agree that Pixar’s wildly popular Toy Story will steal the limelight if there is a face off. This innovative computer generated standard is forever adored by many a generation. It will be a joy to relive childhood memories of Woody, Buzz, Ham, Rex, Mr. Potato Head and the rest of the gang. It might seem mundane compared to today’s animation, but the nostalgia is too great to pass up. Most diehard fans would go to infinity and beyond to see this beloved modern classic again and again.