#7 - Modern Day Mythology

Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope: Original Theatrical Version  (1977)

In a galaxy far, far away (in a time that seemed simpler perhaps due to our own youth (?) when we first encountered this film) George Lucas sealed his status as a masterful storyteller and legendary film maker with this futuristic classic battle between good and evil. This is the original, unenhanced version that thrilled moviegoers during the film's initial theatrical run in 1977. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), with the help of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), face off against Darth Vader to save Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and destroy the Death Star. The story is a fairytale set into an action adventure setting with the broad and often humorous stokes of good versus evil. There is tongue-in-cheek humor and silly antics; fight scenes and gun battles are sanitized; and the excitement of good guy overcoming bad guy by following and trusting "the force" is cathartic.  Fun for adults to enjoy, with some reflection on how far special effects have come in the past 30 plus years, and the story still holds up as an engaging tale and we root for the good guys with out kids.

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#6 (plus) Engaging Historical Miniseries!

America: The Story of Us
(2010 - Historical Miniseries of 12 - 45 episodes)

My kids (and we) love REAL stories! This series, while not strictly a movie, is a very well-done narrated and enacted overview of the history of our nation spanning the arrival of an unlikely entrepreneur in Jamestown to the gritty American Revolution and heart-breaking Civil War to the incredible lunar landing. You'll hear intriguing details that the history books left out, along with engaging images and stories of heroes and legends you learned about in history class. Narrated by Liev Schreiber, this comprehensive look into the true character of the Unites States and its people interweaves cutting-edge animation, insightful interviews and dramatic re-creations. Due to the historical nature of this subject there are some scenes that have bows and arrows, guns, knives and some detailed medical advancement that could offer disturbing images for young children, but the scenes are not gratuitous and the images that could be hard to take are brief. My kids are/were intrigued and this series initiated lively discussions about past and future realities, exploration and even ethics (what makes certain people "good guys or bad guys" in historical perspective?). If you don't have History Channel, no problem. This is on streaming Netflix!
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#5 Imagination Running Wild

Imagine That (2009 - PG)
 

Work issues are piling up for top financial executive and no nonsense Evan ( Eddie Murphy) and his ruthless, but decidedly quirky boss and co-workers.  When even inadvertently discovers a pathway into his seemingly troubled daughter's imaginary world, he starts finding surprisingly detailed and unorthodox solutions to his work issues. Nicole Ari Parker co-stars as Evan's estranged wife in this magical family comedy. Following one's heart even in the face of hard, even traditionally disastrous choices is what is explored in this film. But at the heart of it all is a lovely sense of how life giving following the wisdom of the inner child can be and a lovely sense of hope.  Happy tears for me in the end.

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#4 Hope for Dreamers and Dragon Trainers

How To Train Your Dragon (2010) explores overcoming fear with gentleness. As the son of a Viking leader on cusp of manhood, shy Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III faces a rite of passage: He must kill a dragon! But after downing a feared dragon, he realizes that he no longer wants to destroy it. He, surprisingly, befriends the beast, who he names Toothless. His father doesn't understand Hiccup's desire to be so very different and fly in the face of tradition. His friends are curious. This animated film moves swiftly with many surprising twists that will please adults and kids. Being true to yourself and persisting without exception in the face of, even, laughter and misunderstanding is the overwhelming lesson. A feel good movie with lots of humor and suspense. Can be found on Netflix.

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#3 Great Twist on "The Wizard of Oz"

 

Tin Man (2007)

In this Emmy-nominated miniseries based on the classic story by L. Frank Baum, a small-town waitress,DG, is pulled into a surreal world, where she teams up with a trio of misfits and forgotten souls.  An evil sorceress comes face to face with her own destiny as she battles DG. Good triumphs evil but not without great challenges for DG, her new friends and even the sorceress herself!  Wonderful movie that is presented in three parts. It's hard to turn off the TV and wait for the next segment, real suspense. A little dark and scary at times for anyone 6 and under, but with parents nearby this one is a winner for everyone. This can be found on streaming or mail Netflix.

Review #2: Surprising Find!

Bug Off! (2001, PG)  So, My daughter found this one on Streaming Netflix.  Very over the top silliness  with a solid feel good lesson about "doing thoughtful things for others creates good feelings, even love."  Actors are so committed to their absurd situations that this works on many levels!! Despite myself I sat down and watched this one from beginning to end with my 10 year old, who has her own challenges with her younger 6 year old brother.  We laughed and talked after too!

Worth a feel good (and maybe a little lesson?) watch with the kids!

Krista and her younger brother, Tyler, detest on another, or at least that’s what it looks like. Their parents are at their wits end trying to manage the fighting. (Anyone feel their pain? - I do, at times!) Tyler’s practical jokes and schemes always land Krista in hot water with her parents – so much so that Krista secretly wishes Tyler would turn into a bug. When an alien babysitter named Ms. Pickle Nickle catches wind of Krista’s wish, she grants it. Now, Krista is the only one who can save her brother-turned-bug before her parents get back home.

My Kids LOVE Movies

They do! My kids, 6 and 10 years old, love movies. We limit TV and movies in general, but a great reward and treat for them is a "family movie that we will all like" and popcorn in the evening.


So we do see movies! We see a lot of good ones, stories that are not too "baby-ish" according to my 6 year old boy, and we are careful not to have movies that will incite nightmares or are overly scary. My kids do like suspense and drama and LOVE to laugh. I thought it would be great to share favorites. We are always looking for good movies and find many, but may miss some due to uncertainty in the description.


I thought maybe referring and sharing what we like and love would be helpful to someone. The movies we find the kids love with us are old timers as well as new ones. And it gives us an archive of our favorites, doesn't it. We'll keep letting you know what we have seen and like, maybe you'll share some of your favorites with us.


With Netflix, Streaming Netflix, multiple TV Movie options and so many other ways to find movies from long ago or lately through our current media connections we have a few favorites that we can go to again and again. Lately favorites have been:
Mrs. Doubtfire
The Pink Panther (old, new - not the cartoon - any of them)
GI Joe
Made for TV Movie: Tin Man
Dreamer (with Dakota Fanning)
The Sandlot
and Kiki's Delivery Service.

Review #1:
Kiki's Delivery Service is a Japanese animated movie that is truly charming. A young witch travels to a new city to begin her life and discovers a need for a delivery service in the city (by broom of course). She, Kiki, is befriended by a few kind souls who aren't afraid to believe in her good heart as she learns about life and how to believe her herself, no matter what. Not in anyway overbearing; this story is sweet and funny and beautifully animated. Kiki is a witch who will live "happily ever after" in her new home town. My oldest saw this movie when she was 4 years old and requests it still at the age of 10 in order to share it with her brother (6) and friends.
(We got this on Netflix - mailed.)