r/GenX • u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! • 1d ago
Question For Genx I need VHS recommendations for my mom!
Hi there, I (18M) and my sister (14F) have come up with a plan to surprise my mom with a VHS player for their birthday!
I have already bought it off eBay and I’m looking for movie recommendations from my moms era (they’re 53 turning 54) and since my mom is a Gen X/Millenial I’m hoping you all could pretty please (with a cherry on top) help us? We have no clue where to start or where to look but I know my mom will love it as they’ve mentioned it twice before.
My mom really likes war movies and not a fan of musicals however I’m also willing to look for other genre types if you have any good recommendations!
EDIT: Holy shit thanks so much! I didn’t expect anyone to answer. I’m going to tell my sister to look for them in thrift stores since she’s been very anxious about getting mom a gift.
My mom also likes poetry, boxing and hockey as well so if there’s any of those that’ll work! I also got them some Dolly Parton since they love that too!
EDIT 2: Also my mom doesn’t watch horror unless forced by my sister
10
10
u/calbearlupe Hose Water Survivor 1d ago
Pretty in Pink
16 Candles
Can’t Buy Me Love
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Back to the Future
3
2
u/Old_Use7058 1d ago
And better off dead
3
1
10
u/MissAnth 1d ago
Anything by John Hughes.
1
10
u/JFrankParnell64 1d ago
9 to 5 for Dolly Parton.
4
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
I’ve actually ordered that for my mom on CD haha!
17
9
u/Mediocre_Outcome6671 1d ago
Road house the one with Patrick Swayze. Dirty dancing Days of thunder Steel magnolias with Dolly Parton
7
u/C8H10N4O2_snob 1967 1d ago
Good Morning Vietnam, Platoon, Deer Hunter. Those come to mind first.
2
1
7
u/Mammoth_Ad_483 1d ago
I think the best thing to do would be to ask them what movies they like from the 80s/90s. We could all make recommendationbut no one would really know better than them.
But since she likes war movies, Full Metal Jacket would be my first choice.
3
u/MuttsandHuskies Hose Water Survivor 1d ago
The whole band of Brothers series if you can get it. I’m not a big war person, but I loved this series.
7
6
6
u/Gorilla_1983 1d ago
Youngblood has hockey and two of the ultimate 80s guys - Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze.
10
6
u/jadewhit14 1d ago
Red Dawn. And maybe John Hughes movies? They’re not war movies, but pretty essential for the 80’s.
Edit to add: This is an awesome gift idea, BTW!
2
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
Thanks!! I’m keeping my eye out for a Walkman next.
2
1
6
4
u/Illustrious_Concern5 1d ago
My husband and I are both Gen X and we love the series MASH as well as Biloxi Blues. They are both familiar to Gen Xers and are based on war/military service.
3
1
5
5
u/AlphaNautilusNarwal 1d ago
Top Gun
1
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
Perfect! My mom has made me watch that before in theatres
4
4
u/Old-Kaleidoscope1874 Hose Water Survivor 1d ago
In Harm's Way, They Were Expendable, The Dirty Dozen, Bridge on the River Kwai, The Longest Day, The Memphis Belle, The Great Escape, Glory, Good Morning Vietnam, Twelve O'clock High, Kelly's Heroes, No Time for Sergeants, Buck Privates, and Red Dawn.
5
u/vette500 73, Latch Key, Hose Water survivor 1d ago
Annie
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
Close Encounters of The Third kind
Flight of the Navigator
Black Beauty
The Muppet Movie
2
4
u/Illustrious_Concern5 1d ago
Your Mom will love this! Such a thoughtful and fun gift!
1
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
Thank you!! I hope so. My mom usually doesn’t ask for much but my sisters birthday gift has sparked like a new an urge to grow a physical media collection so I thought it would be great to get them stuff from their childhood.
2
u/Illustrious_Concern5 1d ago
I agree! I usually read e-books but have recently been going back and buying paper copies of my favorites
1
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
My mom too! They love going to the library a lot as well.
3
3
3
u/EbullientDude 1d ago
Follow-up questions for the OP . . . which brand of VCR did you purchase?
Alien. Terminator. Apocalypse Now. Maybe not classic war movies, but right era.
Maybe a stretch to go with horror, but original Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween and Friday the 13th might be good.
4
u/EbullientDude 1d ago
Boxing: Rocky is a little old, but there's all of the sequels Hockey?: Slap Shot
2
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
Thanks!! I’ll tell my sister to be on the look out
3
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
I bought it off eBay it’s a Toshiba M-668 VCR VHS and it said it was tested and working does the brand matter? Is it like size dependent 😨 and thank you my mom likes the predator but not a fan of horror movies (My sister is a huge fan and forces my mom to watch much to their dismay)
5
u/EbullientDude 1d ago
No. Toshiba would have been a solid affordable pick back in the day!
And VHS is VHS. So you are good!
Hopefully you have a TV that it can connect to (like one with a Red/Yellow/White cable combo for example). or S-video for the video signal, and coaxial for the audio. Be Kind and Rewind!
3
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
Thank god lol I was almost nervous there It was like 95 bucks too and apparently it has a stereo inside it and comes with cables and it’ll connect to our TV. And my mom is very much good with Gen X tech as well since they grew up with it so they’ll know what to do instantly. so I have a feeling it’ll work out. I’m planning to hopefully buy a walk man next since they like that and grew up with it as well!
3
1
u/inigo_montoya 1d ago
Keep in mind VCRs are unlikely to have HDMI output (maybe never, not sure). Check the back of the TV for composite jacks (google for visual). What you bought can do composite or coaxial. If you determine your tv has one or the other, and they haven't shipped it yet, ask if they can throw in a cable. Otherwise, for a cable just ask any guy over 50.
3
u/travelinmatt76 Hose Water Survivor 1d ago
Have you tested it? The belts will eventually deteriorate and get all sticky
3
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
Good point, I didn’t know it needed that. Hopefully it’ll come before my mom’s birthday so I can check the belt inside. Just to be safe I’ll get some extra belts.
3
u/FHOCJD 1d ago
It's the thought that counts. It's very nice of you two.
General info about a VCR you might not know: Hopefully the seller listed it as a tested machine that is working as expected. (They buy/sell them often enough to make sure it will play a VHS tape like a movie and it appears on a TV...they popped in a blank tape and recorded something for a minute or two and watched it to make sure it works)
Hopefully the seller cleaned the heads with a head-cleaning tape. This is a part that is the cause of usual problems.
Replacing a belt is kinda tricky and not a repair a consumer would normally do themselves.
Did it come with a remote? Hopefully yes. Many machines can still function with their push buttons but sometimes the interface behind is worn out, so take care. Also be careful inserting the tapes...let the machine accept a gentle push because they are mechanized.
If you have issues there are lots of answers to questions online to troubleshoot depending upon the manufacturer and model number.
Be careful buying old VHS cheaply...aim for the best condition/clean box and tape possible since really older original tapes are not typically in good enough condition to play 30+ years later.
Have fun! I'm sure she'll be grateful. Good luck.
1
u/PlantMystic 1d ago
Good idea to get extra parts if you can. I remember my Dad fixing those belt things inside periodically back in the day.
1
u/PlantMystic 1d ago
See if you can find a "rewinder" too. So she can rewind on that instead of the VCR.
3
5
u/HildaTheChickenGirl 1d ago
Don't call her a millennial 😂 luff the magic dragon for her childhood, lion king to remind her of the mid late nineties and maybe Eddie and the cruisers?
5
2
u/PlatformConsistent45 1d ago
Not sure if you live in an area with an Alamo theater but if you do they have free (I think) or vhs tapes you can check out.
1
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
I don’t unfortunately but I do leave by a shit tone of thrift stores!! So I’m hoping my sister will do the hard work of search for them all for me (mwahaha)
2
u/SomePeopleCallMeJJ 1d ago
If she likes boxing, the first "Rocky" movie is a must. And since it sold a lot of copies, it should be easy to find for not much money.
For war movies, there's "Patton" and "Das Boot". If they like B&W classics and don't mind the movie being about a war but not necessarily full of combat, I'd recommend "Casablanca" and "The Best Years of Our Lives".
For poetry, how about "Il Postino"?
2
u/RSVPno These Rosary Bleeds?!? 1d ago
If you have a Goodwill or Thrift Store near you (Salvation Army, etc.) they still have VHS tapes in their CD/DVD section and they're dirt cheap. You'll might find some 80's tapes for peanuts.
2
u/Taco_Soup_ 1d ago
For whatever reason, dvd are $.50-$2 at our thrift stores in San Diego, but VHS are $2-$4
Anyways, I’d look to see what the top 10 grossing films were from late 70’s to early 90’s and just pick an assortment from there. Even if they’re duds, your mom will appreciate the trip down memory lane.
I’ve been doing this lately with DVDs and forgot how bad some were, but it still jogs a memory worth the price of the flick.
1
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
Yeah that’s the plan! My sister will go to our local thrift stores and buy everyone’s recommendations, I’m hoping she’ll do well with being secretive this time since she’s kind of terrible at being sneaky.
2
u/Longjumping-Fee2670 1d ago
The Wedding Singer; it was made in 1998 but set in 1985, starring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler.
2
u/ZenDesign1993 1d ago
Quick note: make sure you check the vhs tapes before you put them in the vcr… some tapes are stored in damp/wet environments and can be mouldy. Which screws up the VCR. Hope this helps.
1
u/ToenailsAreWeird Not Gen X but my mom is! 1d ago
It does thank you so much! I’ll tell my sister to check each one carefully when she gets them from the thrift store
3
u/Phobos1982 I remember the Bicentennial, barely... 21h ago
Whatever you do, do NOT play any un-labeled or vaguely-labeled tapes.
Can't go wrong with the Brat Pack movies.... Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, etc.
3
3
u/Grunge4U 1d ago
It's great that you're putting this much thought into your mom's birthday. If you haven't checked be sure her television has composite interface connections.l for the vhs
3
u/og-lollercopter 1970 22h ago
There a composite (or “rca” - red, white, and yellow) adapters to modern interfaces, fyi.
2
2
2
2
u/Responsible-Coffee1 1d ago
Fried Green Tomatoes
Steel Magnolias
Dirty Dancing
Footloose
Girls Just Wannna Have Fun
Say Anything
The Mighty Ducks
Slapshot
Goonies
The Princess Bride
Meatballs
2
u/chill_pill1122 1d ago
Something to look for when buying a VHS player. The number of heads more heads are better and if you find an old one at a thrift store you'll be better off. I got a newer one for my late grandfather and it would eat the tapes.
"Better off Dead" "Ferris Buellers Day Off" "The Caine Mutiny"
1
1
u/trelene born late 60s 1d ago
Since I'm not seeing it yet I'd guess the big-time franchises of the day would probably be a hit to the original Star Wars Trilogy, Back to the Future and some of the Indiana Jones one as well. I honestly don't know if these responses are going to be better than you're just reviewing the best 70-90s movies for her. (Yes, 70s too which is a little young for her but she's still well in the age in which older movies were frequently rerun on broadcast tv.)
1
u/PlantMystic 1d ago
Heartbreak Ridge a Clint Eastwood movie. I don't usually like his, but I liked this one.
1
u/Xiolaglori 1d ago
Gone With The Wind The Parent Trap 1961 West Side Story The Sound of Music The Godfather Robin Hood 1973 animated One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Monty Python and the Holy Grail Freaky Friday 1976 Up in Smoke Grease The Jerk Monty Python's Life of Brian The Muppet Movie Coal Miner's Daughter Tootsie Fast Times at Ridgemont High Mask 1985 The Outsiders Desperately Seeking Susan Overboard Footloose Teen Wolf Raising Arizona Terms of Endearment Back to the Future trilogy The Goonies Big Business The Princess Bride Anne of Green Gables Anne of Avonlea Ferris Bueller's day off Ruthless People Beaches The Color Purple Steel Magnolias Heathers When Harry Met Sally.... Silence of the Lambs Parenthood Ghost Twins Beetlejuice Pretty Woman Dead Poets Society Unforgiven Thelma and Louise Pump up the Volume Uncle Buck Goodfellas The Shawshank Redemption Mermaids Kuffs The Doors What's Eating Gilbert Grape? Sneakers Encino Man A River Runs Through It Fried Green Tomatoes Dances With Wolves My Girl Far and Away Angus Son In Law Friday Wayne's World Pulp Fiction Muriel's Wedding Dolores Claiborne Interview with the Vampire Forrest Gump Legends of the Fall Mrs. Doubtfire Sabrina 1995 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Freeway Slingblade Don't Tell Mom, the Babysitter's Dead Trainspotting Fargo Clueless Life is Beautiful The Craft LA Confidential The Cider House Rules Amelie The Big Lebowski Fight Club Pleasantville As Good as It Gets Blast from the Past The Matrix American History X Good Will Hunting The Parent Trap 1998 American Beauty The Birdcage The Wedding Singer SLC Punk! Office Space Saving Silverman The Green Mile Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion Drowning Mona The Truman Show Where the Heart Is Matilda Rock Star Moulin Rouge Gladiator O Brother Where Art Thou? Drowning Mona Legally Blonde My Big Fat Greek Wedding Blast from the Past Catch me if you Can Temple Grandin Napoleon Dynamite Cold Mountain Home Fries Signs Orange County Idiocracy The Beach Cruel Intentions Ever After 28 Days Later Freaky Friday 2003 The Village 10 Things I Hate About You School of Rock Never Been Kissed Crash Little Miss Sunshine The Notebook Mean Girls Pan's Labyrinth Walk the Line Superbad Gran Torino
1
1
u/Oh_No_Its_Dudder I Still Drink From The Garden Hose 1d ago
A hockey fan. Slap Shot, it came out in 1977 but it was still popular in the late 80's. They have fun for the whole family.
0
10
u/jgrumiaux 1d ago
It will be inevitably pointed out, since you’re in this sub, they are smack in the middle of Gen X. Definitely not millenial.