Films to See With My Children
Any suggestions for films that I should see with my children. I’d like to request some recommendations divided into age categories (eg. films to show five year olds.) To start things off, let’s see some recommendations for the first film they should see and how about a discussion of when do you think seeing a film is appropriate.
The Muppet Movie from about 5, but going at least until 13. That movie is both timeless and ageless. Great songs, great characters, funny script. For those of us who still find things to laugh at in films.
The Breakfast Club at about 15. I know it’s rated R, but with parental guidance I think this is a good flick for teens. One of the very, very few R-rated films I saw before I turned eighteen.
Goodfellas when they’re adults. What a great film!
No suggestions for the first film they should see and what age they should see it at?
I don’t think my son has seen any Mickey Mouse animated films/TV shows, but he sure seems to like him. (He has one or two shirts/shorts with Mickey, etc.) I’m thinking of showing him Steamboat Willie and other animated shorts maybe by the end of the year.
I’ve asked this question to some other people, and almost all of them unequivocably recommend Disney films. Do others feel the same way? I’m a little less certain because I haven’t watched a lot the Disney classics in a long time, and I’m wondering if I would have reservations. What I’m thinking of specifically are cultural values that the films promote. For example, I’m a little sensitive about the commercial values emphasized in Christmas. I don’t want my children to think of Christmas as primarily a time when they get gifts from Santa.
In Steamboat Willie, Mickey swings a cow around by its udder. At least in the original version. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s been edited out.
That leads to another issue: what about violence in animation? How much is acceptable and at what age? I recently told my son the story of the three little pigs and I get to the part where the wolf eats the pig, and I’m thinking, “Wait, maybe this is too violent for him.” I mean, the story would be OK at five, but at two that seems a little too intense. Any thoughts on that? (When would Warner Brother’s cartoons be appropriate, if at all?)
You know, I wonder if something a lot tamer wouldn’t be appropriate. Like Gumby. I think Gumby would really appeal to a young kid and I can’t think of anything objectionable about it, but of course you should watch it first before you show it to your kids.