It’s crazy how different (and even how similar) movies can seem between years of watching them. Over the course of my birthday week, I watched two films that I last saw in the early 2010s.

On my birthday eve, Sid and I watched probably the most cliché film imaginable given the situation: “This Is 40.”

Sidney suggested we watch “This Is 40” on the eve of my 40th birthday.

I went with my family to watch the film when it was in theaters way back in December 2012. Back then, I mentioned that the movie was decent but advised my Twitter followers to wait until it “came out on DVD” (really dating myself here 😂).

“This Is 40” hit much differently last week than it did in 2012.

However, upon watching “This Is 40” last week, I got much more out of it than “a few laughs.” Besides finding the film hilarious from beginning to end, I also found it completely relatable. The same movie that I found somewhat boring 14 years ago was now resonating with me on a high level. Kudos to my wife for insisting we watch it to the point that she actually purchased the movie.

On my birthday evening, my request to watch “Hook” was honored. With the film celebrating its 35th anniversary this December, I wanted to introduce to my kids a movie I watched over and over as a child. Although I watched it countless times in the 1990s, the last time I saw bits and pieces of it was in 2014.

As a family, we watched “Hook” on my birthday.

A lot had changed over the past 12 years. This time I was able to watch it through the eyes of Sloan and Beau. It was special to see them experience the same magic that I did when I was their age. From Neverland to the Lost Boys to the chilling abduction scene to the tearjerker moments to Robin Williams himself, the movie in my mind is a classic—even if was originally panned by critics.

Ah yes, another great thing about “Hook” was the score. Before my birthday this past week, the last time I saw “Hook” was in 2014.

This time around, I picked up on the adult themes in the movie, especially as it pertains to parenting. The point was well-established that childhood is extremely short and parents need to cherish/savor every moment they have with their young children. Thanks for the reminder, Robin and Mr. Speilberg.

In life, the same content can hit differently as we enter new stages in life. If a book, speech, or movie didn’t hit the mark years ago, consider giving it another chance. Don’t Blink.