View Full Version : Need recommendations for good family movies please :)
Preferably nothing in black and white or pre 1970. ;)
Wholesome, no crummy attitudes, no loopy/out to lunch parents...
From toddler to 60something!
TIA!
Barb F. PA in AZ
04-10-2008, 01:10 AM
Here are some of our favorites (I see you have dd's, which makes things easier):
The Secret of Roan Inish
The Secret Garden (1993 version)
Little Women (1993 version)
The Indian in the Cupboard (one hell and one ****, otherwise fine I think)
The Apple Dumpling Gang
Escape to Witch Mountain
The Railway Children
The Education of Little Tree
I know there are more, but they aren't right in front of me.
Barb
Soph the vet
04-10-2008, 07:20 AM
Man From Snowy River
Facing the Giants
Eight Below
AmyinPA
04-10-2008, 07:26 AM
The Rookie. I just love that movie
Bassoonaroo
04-10-2008, 07:42 AM
I'm NOT a movie person but lately we've been trying to watch movies as a family on Friday nights. Friday is our HUGE day when we are out of the house from about 8:30 to either 2:30 (all of us have co-op followed by karate) or 5:30 (big girls also dance). We're exhausted!
Why not consider some older movies? There are some real gems out there if you consider some older movies.
Lately, we've watched:
Chariots of Fire (not older)
Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang (older)
Evan Almighty (they DO say OMG, which I find totally offensive) It's a good movie to watch and discuss.
I second the recommendation for Apple Dumpling Gang. Lots of fun.
tsuche
04-10-2008, 07:50 AM
My kids enjoy watching :
the Sound of Music, Old Yellar,Anne of Greene Gables,Grizzley Adams,Where the Red Fern Grows (Oldies).We have also bought a lot of Family Featured Films(used)
Blessings,
Terry
elizam
04-10-2008, 07:57 AM
Adventure of the Wilderness Family
Seven Alone
Old Yeller
the sequeal to Old Yeller, Savage Sam
Little House on the Prairie episodes
Waltons
JFS in IL
04-10-2008, 08:01 AM
then how can you watch The Great Race???? Funniest movie of all time - "Push the button, Max!"
Jenny in Atl
04-10-2008, 08:20 AM
The Wind in the Willows Masterpiece Theatre (2006)
The Journey of Natty Gann
The Black Stallion (1979)
The Princess Bride
Whale Rider (2003)
Fluke (1995)
The Rookie. I just love that movie
:iagree: I had forgotten about that movie! That IS a good one! :D
then how can you watch The Great Race???? Funniest movie of all time - "Push the button, Max!"
:lol:
Never heard of it...gonna go check on Netflix now! :001_smile:
Preferably nothing in black and white or pre 1970. ;)
Wholesome, no crummy attitudes, no loopy/out to lunch parents...
From toddler to 60something!
TIA!
One of my all-time favorite movies.
Lonesome Dove- it's a miniseries, so you could have 3 nights of it easily.
Iron Giant
Lonesome Dove- it's a miniseries, so you could have 3 nights of it easily.
Actually, this one isn't really wholesome, so look into it first to see if it meets your standards.
Checked - I have seen The Great Race! LOL
Sue G in PA
04-10-2008, 10:33 AM
Akeelah and the Bee (we loved it, too!), Because of Winn Dixie, Bridge to Terabithia, Everyone's Hero (animated, but really cute!). If you can get your hands on some of the Feature Films for Families movies...we still LOVE Braniacs, How I Saved the President, A Little Inside, No More Baths and probably the one the dc watch the most...The Paper Brigade (very funny and cute). I don't know if libraries carry those or stores. Have fun!
nutmeg
04-10-2008, 10:55 AM
Nim's Island (when it goes to DVD in a few months)
Barb F. PA in AZ
04-10-2008, 12:03 PM
Oh! I just remembered...Secondhand Lions. GREAT movie but you may want to preview in case I'm not remembering something I should that wouldn't pass your personal censors.
Barb
Chris in VA
04-10-2008, 12:07 PM
I really liked Secondhand also, but the mother is clueless and doesn't put her son as a priority.
Liz CA
04-10-2008, 12:08 PM
Preferably nothing in black and white or pre 1970. ;)
Wholesome, no crummy attitudes, no loopy/out to lunch parents...
From toddler to 60something!
TIA!
...that I recommend over and over is a series: The Road to Avonlea.
Netflix has it. From the same producer comes another wonderful series: Wind at my back.
As for movies: Cheaper by the Dozen (the original version with Myrna Loy and Clifton Webb)
The Magic of Ordinary Days (has adult theme of having baby out of wedlock but is dealt with so graciously and shows moral consequences. It all ends well, of course. Likely not very exciting for young boys)
The Sandlot
The Waltons (series)
Can't think of anything else at the moment.
Stacia
04-10-2008, 12:09 PM
Don't know if it would be considered 'wholesome', but we loved "Night at the Museum". Fun movie.
"Toy Story" (enjoyable for both kids & adults, imo).
What about some documentaries, maybe something about world travel, or safaris, or ???
Tutor
04-10-2008, 12:23 PM
no crummy attitudes
When you say this, do you mean never, ever in the movie or that don't persist? There are some wonderful kid/ family movies where the beauty lies in the heart changes of the characters.
Some of our favorites:
The Secret of Roan Innish
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Finding Nemo
The Emperor's New Groove
Duma
Secondhand Lions
Whale Rider
March of the Penguins
The Incredibles
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
The Truman Show
A great site for checking out recommended movies is Kinds-In-Mind (http://www.kids-in-mind.com/). They not only give ratings for violence, language, mature content, etc but will actually describe scenes that some may find objectionable so that you can decide how it fits with your family's judgments about such content. I like that they put these scene descriptions in because they are way more conservative than I would be in many of their definitions of "violence" and such. For example, in the new movie, Nim's Island under violence this is one of the scenes they describe:
"A large spider walks onto a computer keyboard where a woman is working, the woman screams, backs away, throws a book at the spider but misses, and the woman is terrified from then on about the possibility of encountering a spider."
This wouldn't even make it onto my violence radar, but I can see how a parent with a child who scares easily or who has a fear of spiders may want to avoid this movie.
HTH
Don't know if it would be considered 'wholesome', but we loved "Night at the Museum". Fun movie.
We loved that movie - but it would be too intense for my girls still (they don't do well with intense). :)
When you say this, do you mean never, ever in the movie or that don't persist? There are some wonderful kid/ family movies where the beauty lies in the heart changes of the characters.
Definately I don't mean movies that have no sin! LOL What I meant was that the kids are smart aleks in general. Snarky, "smarter" than others in authority - a theme throughout, not just an outburst of bad temper or rudeness here or there that a child sees wrong in.
Thanks for the website recommendation! :)
I so appreciate these and will be looking at the reviews on them!
We went with Bee Movie and Stranded...LOL.
Tutor
04-10-2008, 12:40 PM
Definately I don't mean movies that have no sin! LOL What I meant was that the kids are smart aleks in general.
I figured that's what you meant but thought it was better to ask. :D
Zoraida
04-10-2008, 12:43 PM
Watch the older version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and than watch the newer version and see which one the kids like best. I was pleased that the kids liked the older Gene Wilder version (since this is my favorite) than the horrible remake with Johnny Depp.
Blesssings
Zoraida
beansprouts
04-10-2008, 12:54 PM
Watch the older version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and than watch the newer version and see which one the kids like best. I was pleased that the kids liked the older Gene Wilder version (since this is my favorite) than the horrible remake with Johnny Depp.
Blesssings
Zoraida
Thank you for clarifying. The new version is just plain awful!
Basketmaker Amy
04-10-2008, 01:23 PM
We just watched "Enchanted" and really liked it...even my high school son!
Tutor
04-10-2008, 01:26 PM
I actually prefer the newer one (although I wasn't too sure why Burton added the dentist stuff, but otherwise I found the older one annoying.)
*ducking*
Dana in OR
04-10-2008, 01:31 PM
what came to mind instantly was "Mary Poppins"! I just love that movie and I sing the songs for weeks after I see it.
One that is kind of odd but my oldest daughter loved when she was little - "James and the Giant Peach" - it has some good songs too.
Barb F. PA in AZ
04-10-2008, 02:29 PM
Oh! We also watched "Martian Child" with John and Joan Cusack. I highly recommend it.
Barb
Beth in SW WA
04-10-2008, 06:32 PM
We just watched "Enchanted" and really liked it...even my high school son!
We just watched it today for dd 5's birthday (we did 1/2 day of homeschool). It is darling!! My ds 12.5 laughed many times -- and of course all the girls loved it.
It's been a while since I've seen Enchanted but I remember liking it. :)
And a friend of mine let me know Stranded may not be a good fit for my girls so it looks like I'll be trying to find some movies at the library tomorrow! LOL
Cindyg
04-10-2008, 10:26 PM
I haven't seen the movie, but the book -- ! Yikes! Whores, cussing, s*x, murder, kidnapping, r*pe.
It was a riveting book, but not a family story!
Is the movie any different? I can't help but wonder because my pastor refers to Lonesome Dove frequently as a great movie. ???
Lizzie in Ma
04-10-2008, 10:50 PM
The Railway Children was a huge hit
Pollyanna was a revelation, I adored it and was so happy as I despised the Disney version.
The Phoenix and the Carpet was liked very much
There were a few more but it is very late for me....
LibraryLover
04-10-2008, 11:04 PM
I think these meet most criteria--
The Sandlot (maybe iffy, but just a great movie)
October Sky
The Princess Bride
Wild America (this is really a great movie, but you should probably screen it first.)
Cool Runnings (A father is not supportive at first, but then is 100%)
Apollo 13
Brother Bear
Spirit
The Secret of Roan Inish
The Brave Little Toaster
(Is Shrek or Monster's Inc out? We love those. Also, I adore Finding Nemo...)
Kiki's Delievery Service
Happy Feet
Tutoro
Night at the Museum
Galaxy Quest
Remudamom
04-11-2008, 12:55 AM
I haven't seen the movie, but the book -- ! Yikes! Whores, cussing, s*x, murder, kidnapping, r*pe.
It was a riveting book, but not a family story!
Is the movie any different? I can't help but wonder because my pastor refers to Lonesome Dove frequently as a great movie. ???
I LOVE LD. Before the kids were born we watched it a lot. Yes, it does have all that in it, but to me it's a real "heart" movie. I used to bawl when I heard the music. I still want to slap Gus for being so bull headed. And why in the world won't Call acknowledge Newt? It breaks my heart to see him waiting for what is never going to come. "I gave him my horse." Come on Call, that just doesn't cut it, even with me!
And Lori mourning Gus...........and Call almost killing that guy in town......and Newt trying to save his friend's horse.........and Gus fighting off the Indians.... and Deets dying. Waahhh.
I'm off to Amazon to see about getting a copy.
It's been a while since I've seen Enchanted but I remember liking it. :)
I just realized this is a different movie than I thought! I was thinking of ELLA Enchanted!:lol:
What a goober.....:tongue_smilie:
Dd says "Castle in the Sky"
Ultimate Gift --kids may not follow it, but there's nothing "bad"
Cars
Flushed Away
Nancy Drew (it is a murder mystery, but it happened 30 yrs earlier)
Game Plan
Lassie (new one)
Oscar (w/Stallone--kids may not get all of it, but mine still found it funny.)
One night w/the King
Mr. Magoo
Cindyg
04-11-2008, 10:52 AM
Well giving someone a horse IS a pretty big deal. :)
Have you read all the sequels and prequels? There are a lot of plot twists that I wasn't happy with. All through the series, IMO, the wrong people die, the wrong people get together, the right people don't get together, the wrong people get away, too many injustices aren't righted. There were *almost* too many mistakes. If it weren't so beautifully written, it would have been a disaster. As it IS so beautifully written, it (the whole series) is merely exquisitely painful.
There were times, during the weeks that I was reading it, that I would find I felt incredible tension and pressure that had nothing to do with what I was doing in my real life. I was tied up in knots worrying about Call, Gus, and Lori even when I wasn't reading the books.
Tell me if you've read the sequel and what you think about Larry Mc's treatment of Newt.
Remudamom
04-12-2008, 09:33 AM
Well giving someone a horse IS a pretty big deal. :)
Have you read all the sequels and prequels? There are a lot of plot twists that I wasn't happy with. All through the series, IMO, the wrong people die, the wrong people get together, the right people don't get together, the wrong people get away, too many injustices aren't righted. There were *almost* too many mistakes. If it weren't so beautifully written, it would have been a disaster. As it IS so beautifully written, it (the whole series) is merely exquisitely painful.
There were times, during the weeks that I was reading it, that I would find I felt incredible tension and pressure that had nothing to do with what I was doing in my real life. I was tied up in knots worrying about Call, Gus, and Lori even when I wasn't reading the books.
Tell me if you've read the sequel and what you think about Larry Mc's treatment of Newt.
That's what I need to do this summer, catch up on the LD gang. I've not read the sequels yet.
Exquisitely painful describes reading LD very well.
nestof3
04-26-2008, 01:05 AM
Watch the older version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and than watch the newer version and see which one the kids like best. I was pleased that the kids liked the older Gene Wilder version (since this is my favorite) than the horrible remake with Johnny Depp.
That's funny because after I read the book, I rented both versions. My 8 year old said the newer one was more accurate. He gave me a run-down of the examples, but I cannot remember them now.
I have no idea, though, because I had NO desire to watch either of the movies.
Peek a Boo
04-26-2008, 01:43 AM
That's funny because after I read the book, I rented both versions. My 8 year old said the newer one was more accurate. He gave me a run-down of the examples, but I cannot remember them now.
I have no idea, though, because I had NO desire to watch either of the movies.
hee hee... my oldest [almost 14yos] just finished reading Wizard of Oz and HATED it. That's one movie that i think is way better than the book.
nestof3
04-26-2008, 02:00 AM
my oldest [almost 14yos] just finished reading Wizard of Oz and HATED it. That's one movie that i think is way better than the book.
I grew up watching that movie every year. I have never read the book.
My 8 year old listens to the unabridged Wizard of Oz and the Patchwork Girl of Oz over and over and over again! He draws maps of all of the different lands. Perhaps when he's 14 he will grow out of it. ;)
Lynn in WI
04-26-2008, 08:15 AM
Mr. Bean's Holiday.
I'll keep recommending this movie until the whole planet has seen it. :)
countrykiddos
04-26-2008, 08:32 AM
We love the Love Comes Softly series based on the books written by Janet Oke.
Some more favorites here are:
Dreamer (does have the word D*** a few times)
Eight Below
Facing the Giants
Little House on the Prairie (the first five or so seasons)
Drive-Thru History Series (most are available from Netflix)
The Apple Dumpling Gang
The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again
and Roy Rogers shows/movies (pre-70's but we love 'em!)
Kim O.
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