There are so many classic movies for kids out there (that is, films intended for kids, unlike, say Planet of the Apes or Jackie Chan movies) which I may never get to, that I’ve decided to feature one every week, with a very brief blurb on it, just to remind you they’re out there.
This week, we point you to the Iron Giant, which is not that old, but I have very fond recollections of K at about age 6 watching this at a birthday party with some dear friends back in SF; the kids just loved it. (Hmm. Come to think of it, they were probably a little on the young side for it, really, but I remember they were glued to the screen and obviously enjoyed it. K asked to see it again a few years ago.)
It’s animated, and is rated PG as it does deal with some suspense and peril, and it also has some juvenile potty humor and language (er, certainly nothing worse than “penis breath” muttered by a kid in E.T. -- ah, you’d conveniently forgotten that, hadn’t you?). Like the aforementioned E.T., it deals with a creature taken in and loved and protected by our child protagonist, but there are deeper subtexts that are quite moving and poignant. In fact, it’s a little on the heavy side.
I just happened on a tidbit about a new Tim Burton film coming later this year (on 9/9/09, to be exact), called 9.Here's the storyline:
When 9 (The Lord of the Ring's Elijah Wood) first comes to life, he finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world. All humans are gone, and it is only by chance that he discovers a small community of others like him taking refuge from fearsome machines that roam the earth intent on their extinction. 9 convinces the others that hiding will do them no good. They must take the offensive if they are to survive ... the very future of civilization may depend on them.
9 stars Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Connelly, Martin Landau, Christopher Plummer and Crispin Glover and features the music of Danny Elfman (er, and Coheed and Cambria, apparently).
I'm pretty sure K will be in line for this one (ok, so will I: Crispin Glover's in it, for Godssakes!).
So, who knew that Washington D.C. and a third grade class in Wuhan, China pretty much operate on identical levels when it comes to politics and election shenanigans?
This charming little documentary (58 minutes) should delight all parents, but will perhaps only engage some kids. I’d think those around the same age group as the students -- and a little older -- might enjoy Please Vote For Me, as it’s a straightforward look into the growing pains and heartbreak of schoolyard politics -- and what kid isn’t familiar with that, on some level? (Did this touch me in particular, as I remembered running -- and losing -- for Class President in the sixth grade? I got beat by a red haired, bullyish boy, and the pain was palpable, long after his coronation and even after I faded into the background, becoming a quiet, bell-bottomed, skinny girl with braces who never ran for anything again. That was the end of my political career. Who needed the agony?)
Um, back to the film (which I watched when K wasn’t around, unfortunately, so I can’t give you his take on it): Here we have a slightly mystifying and completely engaging documentary, focusing on three kids running in a democratic election for Third Grade Class Monitor, in the People’s Republic of China in 2006, when the country is clearly being torn in many different political and cultural directions and tentatively dipping its toe in the murky waters of democracy ... How and why did this film get made? Was it “sanctioned” by the government? Did they feel it portrayed the democratic process as a failure, as unfair, as being riddled with cruelty fueled by the darkest and most deceptive motivations inherent in the human psyche?
Aren’t we awful, us democratic societies?
Or, is the filmmaker a secret lover of democratic principles, and camouflaged the obvious upside to the process with the downside (Machiavellian scheming, corruption, temper tantrums) to allow it to pass Party scrutiny?
Ok, I’m really not smart enough, or deep enough, to provide you with answers here. You can read more about the film and filmmaker as part of the project,Why Democracy, on their web site (and find more interesting films while you’re at it), and perhaps put things in context a bit more before you watch.
But it was fascinating -- both as a parent and as an avid consumer of political drama -- to observe these adorable, smart, driven kids, doing whatever it takes to win. (I confess, it was fascinating in that car wreck sort of way, where you don’t want to watch, but you can’t stop. And it’s not nearly as heartbreaking as some documentaries [speaking of the human psyche, good God, have you seen Errol Morris’ Abu Ghraib documentary, Standard Operating Procedure?], and it does remind us, perhaps unpleasantly, that kids are much, much smarter than we often give them credit for. Some of ‘em are sharks, I tell you.)
Sometimes we parents need to be a little duplicitous. Sometimes we need to act dumb. Sometimes we need to do both at the same time.
“So, watch this movie with me, will ya? It’s about a couple of kids growing up in New York City... and, you know, you were just there and everything. It could be fun.”
I tried not to sound like I cared much one way or the other.
“Well, what’s it about?” K asked.
“About two kids growing up in New York City,” I repeated, with an emphatic “Duh!” unspoken but firmly implied.
“But what is it about? Sports? Getting lost? Monsters in Manhattan?” He was impatient, furiously drumming along to a Dinosaur Jr. song (I forgot how good they could be!) on "Rock Band 2." (Thank God it’s not all Survivor, the Go Gos and System of a Down.)
“I don’t know. They just ... live there.”
“I’m going to watch it, even if you don’t.” I almost blew it, forcing the nonchalance, but I can proudly say that I had just the right tone of not really caring. I’m no amateur.
If I told him Little Manhattan was about an 11-year-old kid (who happens to live in NYC) and his first love, I would have been laughed out of the room and that would have been the end of it. I had to play it right.
“Why don’t I just start it in a bit, and if you don’t like it after ten minutes, you can do something else. But I want to see it .... ‘cause... you know ... it’s New York.”
Silence (except for the sloppy drumming).
“Ok,” he grunted in between fills.
So, an hour and a half later, we’re grinning and talking about what a fun movie it was.
(Yeah, that’s how you do it!)
So, yes, a big thumbs up here. Little Manhattan is totally charming, sweet, not embarrassing to watch with your own 11-year-old kid, and I wondered why I hadn’t heard of it before. Was it a straight to DVD movie?
It came out in 2005, and is directed by Mark Levin, who was a writer and co-producer for the television show “The Wonder Years.” Remember “The Wonder Years?” This film shares that style of narrative ( the story being told by the boy) and also shares its knack for not presenting kids as silly and dismissive, but rather as curious, bright and impatient masses of matter -- with brains and emotions firing in all directions -- trying to find their way.
Levin also directed Nim’s Island, and wrote 2008’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, both pretty decent kid films. He knows what he’s doing.
Get Little Manhattan, watch it with your kids -- act surprised that it has anything to do with embarrassing, budding emotions and hormones, but revel together in all the life-stuff you share with the film: the agony of belt acquisition in karate class (or your own sports drama equivalent); bullies; the “iron curtain” that falls between boys and girls and their friendships somewhere around first or second grade; a tweener boy constantly being mistaken for his mom on the phone (what could be more embarrassing for him?); and perhaps even the throbbing pain of divorce (the boy’s parents are in the horrible, awkward throes). Admire New York (and wonder if a good parent would really let their kid ride all over NY -- even the upper West Side -- on a scooter, for hours on end) and remember how much you loved Bradley Whitford in “West Wing” (and maybe you loved Cynthia Nixon in “Sex and the City;” I could never get through an episode of that show).
And the best part: steal surreptitious glances at your progeny during the cheesy but bittersweet “this-crush-is-gonna-kill-me" scenes, and glean something about your kid and the future.
Did you know you can reserve a film to be picked up at a Redbox location? I didn't, until I clicked on one of those little text ads (the ones we all ignore) on another movie blog.
This could come in handy if you live in a populated area and use Redbox (which is pretty cool, really -- a movie for a buck!). I doubt we'll ever need it here, where there are more moose than people (especially considering the movies we tend to pick), but it's good to know.
Actually, come to think of it, we haven't used Redbox since we hooked up the Xbox 360 to stream movies directly from Netflix (which is even cooler, let's face it). But still.
First, I'm delighted to have discovered a little film called Medicine for Melancholy, thanks to the film blog Cinematical (love this site!). It’s a love story, sort of, set in San Francisco -- the city I miss deeply -- and looks like the kind of film I would rush to see at the Roxie or the Castro back in the day. Here’s a trailer (and a write-up at Cinematical):
Ok, I’m really telling you too much about me in also revealing my utter adoration of people like Will Farrell and Ben Stiller. Uh, did I mention Jack Black?
You may have caught these trailers during the Super Bowl, if you were so inclined. If not, here are peeks at two stupidly funny films coming out this summer (not necessarily for the kiddies). (Oh, I also {heart} Paul Rudd.)
Land of the Lost:
Year One:
Speaking of Paul Rudd, another adult comedy coming out this summer is I Love You, Man, where Rudd is a man in search of a new man friend to be his best man at his wedding. Some very funny stuff here ... and I think I’m now a fan of Jason Segal.
Ok, and I have to do something for the kids here, don’t I? Dunno how I overlooked giving a little nod to Monsters vs. Aliens, coming out in late March. Not sure if this one will be a home run or not.
One of Japan’s leading animation directors, Hayao Miyazaki makes supremely beautiful movies, offering rather surreal escapes with recurring themes such as flying, the supernatural, magic and the fragility of the natural world. It’s not unusual for characters to be on a moral journal of some sort, starting out as troubled or even unlikable, and growing through their experiences into smarter, respectful, more likeable people (or dead people/beings, if they’re really bad) in the end.
His films have been nominated for Oscars and other prestigious prizes (his Spirited Away won Best Animated Feature in 2003), and he’s considered to be at the top of the anime game at the moment.
His latest work, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, has been released already in Japan, and will open in summer here in the U.S. (thanks to Film Femme for bringing it up in a comment here!). The English version will feature the voices of (ready?) Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin, Betty White and Cloris Leachman. The story centers on a 5-year-old boy and his relationship with a “goldfish princess” who longs to become human. (Trailer at end of post.)
Here are some quick takes on other films by Miyazaki (in order of their release). Note that some are really not appropriate for younger kids.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) (PG): This is highly rated by Miyazaki fans, and has an environmental theme, about the planet being in peril and the ensuing battle to save it. The heroine, Nausicaa, has her hands full and must use her head and her warrior skills in the best way possible. There is a bit of violence and perhaps some frightening creatures, but nothing too intense (I haven’t seen it, but did some research). K saw this without me when he was about nine or 10 and says now, “I love it.”
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) (G): This is a sweet, fantasy filled film that we all adored and had on video for years. There are gentle spirits and pixies and dancing by moonlight and a flying cat bus, and of course the cuddly, lovable Totoro... the film has an idyllic, happy vibe. (Um, except for the underlying story that the two young sisters’ mom is seriously and in the hospital, and I held my breath for the longest time thinking she was going to die: Jeezus, I wondered, do we really need to go there now?) (Spoiler: she doesn’t die.) This is fine for the younger kids, who may or may not worry about the mother like I did.
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) (G) K saw this one years ago, but I didn’t, and after looking it up on IMDB, I’ll give it a thumbs up here for the younger ones. He liked it at the time, I remember, and it sounds like it’s a sweet as Totoro. Kiki is a young witch who sets up a flying delivery service. No big meanies here.
Princess Mononoke (1997) (PG-13): (13!) Another environmental theme here. K has seen this on TV twice, and says it’s his favorite. It’s “totally awesome and amazing.” I doubt it was edited for TV, and the description on IMDB does make it sound pretty graphic. Go at your own risk.
Spirited Away (2001) (PG): I have to say I like this one the least of all, for various reasons, and many Miyazaki fans consider this is best (it won an Oscar!). I found it sort of dark and scary, and it didn’t have that flight of fancy that I find so charming in other titles. One scene I remember in particular is early on, when a young girl’s parents are suddenly turned into pigs (most of the story is her working to turn them back). This was rather disturbing for K, who was maybe nine when we watched it. There is also a bit of violence and some menacing creatures, a bit of blood (splattering) and some cruel characters; the kind you want to protect your kids from even knowing about at a tender age. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) (PG): This is the story of a young woman turned into an old hag by a nasty witch, and she stumbles into a young wizard who is also dealing with his own troubles. The wizard, Howl, lives in a fantastic, moving castle that is the height of imagination: the lush detailing of its mechanical form and its ambulatory grace is just astonishingly beautiful. This was nominated for an Oscar, but didn’t win (but it lost to Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, so it's OK). It’s my favorite Miyazaki film, and despite its PG rating, it’s very safe; a few dark magic moments might scary the very youngest ones.
Maybe I’m just a wuss.
There are more in the mighty Miyazaki’s oeuvre, and if you haven’t checked him out yet, I think you’ll be glad you did. They’re truly artful pieces of cinema. (You can get some of these in paperback graphic novel/comic form, if you’re trying to find more ways to get your non-reader interested in books. And since they’re Japanese, they read from right to left, which is sort of fun for kids, too. They’re not hard to find, just ask your local bookseller. Also, Howl’s Moving Castle is a novel by Diana Wynne-Jones, as is another Miyazaki film, Castle in the Air.)
Here are trailers for the upcoming Ponyo and for my favorite, Howl's:
This 1939 Technicolor classic, starring a very handsome Henry Fonda and a gutsy Claudette Colbert, is a wonderful historical epic (directed by the great John Ford) that will help you and the kids while away a wintry Sunday afternoon. A story of Colonial struggle in the 1700s, your kids will absorb a bit of history, spiced up with a wagonful of nail-biting adventure.
The Revolutionary War was brewing, and the British were luring American Indians to their side, using them to fight a young, upstart America trying to get on its feet. Colbert's character, Lana, comes from a family of comfort and privilege in the city, and marrying Gilbert (Fonda) means moving with him to the wilds of upstate New York, to his small, log cabin outpost. Surviving a rocky transition, she eventually takes to the task with gusto, and after the first tragic run-in with the natives leaves them homeless, she rolls up her sleeves and is ever more determined.
She's a spunky one.
The next hour and a half quite vividly conveys the pain and horror of war in all its shadings. There are British/Indian raids, torched homes and crops, amputations and unpleasant deaths, miscarried babies, and all kinds of other unhappy events.
But, the American spirit triumphs!
(And of course, this being a 1939 movie, the drama is no more intense than that in, say, Gone With The Wind, so you know what I’m talking about. You’ve seenGone With The Wind, right?)
There is one scene that’s a little tough: when our colonists are under siege, they send a man out under cover of night to seek help from the nearest outpost. After fortifying himself with a few swigs of something or other, he sets off, only to be paraded later in front of us, tied to a haywagon that the Indian warriors intend to torch. It’s a pretty horrific idea for kids, no doubt. They don’t burn him alive, but he’s saved from a long and painful death with a short and merciful one.
That said, there is plenty in this film for kids about courage and strength and determination, about loyalty and integrity. And of course, it’s very entertaining and makes for a great afternoon of movie watching.
When K was about eight or nine, I found this documentary at our local library and brought it home. We must have watched it in increments, as it’s apparently 106 minutes long! It seems shorter in my recollecting, so take that as a good sign if you’re rolling your eyes and thinking, “An hour and 45 minute-long documentary? For the kids? Oh, sure. No problem.”
I remember thinking it might not hold K’s attention for long, but it absolutely did. It’s a wonderfully engaging (and, shhh, educational!) documentary by Ken Burns, who employes his favorite tools (archival photos, newspaper clippings, re-enactments and talking heads) to tell the story of the first automotive cross-country trip in 1903. The film captures the excitement felt coast to coast over what seemed such a crazy endeavor for the time, and the adventurous spirit of the man who laid down the gauntlet and said it could be done, one Horatio Nelson Jackson.
The “horseless carriage” was viewed at the time as unreliable, and possibly a fad; most people thought Jackson was nuts. There were millions of roads in the U.S. at the time, but only 150 paved ones (and many not signed). Breakdowns and flats were sheer disaster: the local gas station or highway outpost did not exist, let alone the now ubiquitous Grand Auto or V.I.P. auto parts store. The car had no windshield and no roof, but could reach a whopping speed of 30 m.p.h. Jackson and his co-driver and mechanic Sewall K. Crocker had 90 days to drive from San Francisco to New York.
Did they do it? I won’t spoil the fun. If you’re in for a long, rainy or snowy weekend, get Horatio’s Drive and break it into a couple of viewings. Everyone will love it. And the kids will get a great sense of the time, when the America was young and brash and bold, and events like these united people everywhere. There’s a lot of inspiration in these 106 minutes.
[Horatio's] car, which he christened the Vermont in honor of his home state, splashed through streams, got stuck in buffalo wallows, bounced over railroad trestles to cross major rivers, and frightened horses on the dusty trails. And as he moved eastward, his quest slowly became a national sensation, with huge crowds (tipped off by the telegraph of his approach) lining the streets of town as he whizzed through at 20 miles per hour. "It Startled the Natives," one headline proclaimed; another announced "A Real Live Auto!"
Teachers: this would be a great grade school curriculum item!
For other documentary ideas, see the category listed to the right or go here.
I’ve had a number of people land here on KidsFlix searching for information on the HBO series, “John Adams,” mostly wondering if it’s “kid friendly.”
After talking to a few people, including my dad, who was completely wowed by the series, I think it’s safe to say this: Paul Giamatti has well earned every award he's taken home for his portrayal of one of our country’s founders and our second president, and it’s an incredible piece of work, but it likely won’t hold the attention of kids under 14 or 15. (One friend’s 14-year old rolled her eyes and whined constantly, so they gave up after the first episode.)
My dad says it should be required watching in high school, and agrees that younger kids would have a hard time staying engaged. Other than some fairly mild, implied "player" behavior on the part of one Ben Franklin, and an intense scene involving breast cancer “surgery” (and a bared breast), it sounds like there’s nothing racy or offensive, it’s just an historical epic, turned out more like a Masterpiece Theater work than a Disney film.
We were going to give this a shot with 11-yr old K, but I think we’ll wait.
Hope this helps those of you coming here hoping for some direction!
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There are so many classic movies for kids out there (that is, films intended for kids, unlike, say Planet of the Apes or Jackie Chan movies) which I may never get to, that I’ve decided to feature one every week, with a very brief blurb on it, just to remind you they’re out there.
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