It's not often that you find a movie that is decent enough for the family to watch that also has a good moral to it. It's not often that you find a movie that's about family and real life without it being skewed into a soap opera drama. I am not a fan of watching t.v. but I am a fan of watching wholesome movies as a family on occasion. But they are so hard to find. Below is a list of my favorite movies, but even these have elements of things I don't agree with. I will give you a quick synopsis on why I think it's good and what some of my dislikes about the movie are. Each family must come up with there own standard of movie watching; what is allowed and what is not. Never take someone's word on movies. Always, ALWAYS look it up first. Our family go to sight is IMDB.com we reference the parent advisory content frequently because they give a detailed unbiased report of what you will see or hear.
Cartoons:
1) Emperor's New Groove
There is nothing outstanding about this movie except the quotes you will come away with. The overall theme is about a selfish emperor who learns that being selfish isn't really all that fun. This is my absolute favorite cartoon.
2) The Incredibles
I like this one because it shows a disconnected family that has to learn to work together. Each person in the family is good at something and they each use the thing they are good at to better the family.
3) Tangled
I like this movie for the music and the creativity that Rapunzel has. She is never bored even though she is locked up in a tower. I love her paintings! Her attitude is not the best example, but then again she has an evil witch for a mother.
4) Brave
I watched this movie with reserve expecting it to be like all other cartoons where the child is always right and the parents are always the ones apologizing in the end. NOT SO! It has a great ending and good moral.
5) Finding Nemo
Bad parenting! There is no way around it; But its showing the difficulty of a single parent (or fish). It does end with the child appreciating his dad, but never really resolves the bad parenting or disrespectful child. Overall I love the movie and Dory will forever be my favorite character. Another good movie for quotes!
6) Cars I and II
Your typical movie cartooned down for children. No amazing moral to the story.(Although the star player learns to not be so stuck on himself) They won't get any great life tips from it. But it is a nice clean movie for little boys especially!
7) Monsters Inc. and Monsters University
This movie is great! You get more energy by making kids laugh then by making them scream! It teaches you to stand up for what's right. Monsters U is better for older children (thanks to the college setting) but also a good theme when the most popular guy on campus learns that that is not what is most important. The most important thing is being friendly and helping others.
8) The Fox and The Hound
Who doesn't love and cry over this movie. A True classic! Although I don't agree with not killing animals. Because God gave us animals to supply us with food. But never killing out of cruelty and never making animals unnecessarily suffer....yes!
Chick-flicks:
1) Wives & Daughters
This is a long movie...prepare yourself. It is written by Elizabeth Gaskell and in my opinion far surpasses any Jane Austen book! Where Jane is consumed with love, money, and beauty Elizabeth Gaskell is opposite. She creates characters that are good, that focus on others, that strive for more than wealth and position. This is my favorite Chick-Flick of all time! There is nothing disturbing about this movie. Dresses can be low in the front and there are probably some swear words under those british accents. But it has been awhile since I had 6 hours to watch a movie.
2) Bleak House
Written by Charles Dickens. I think this is his best work and love this movie. It is even longer than Wives and Daughters though. It has a great view on striving after money and fame. This BBC also has low cut dresses and swear words.
3) Anne of Green Gables
A classic every girl loves. A beautiful love story, and one headstrong girl. I love the books better (who doesn't) and would advise never watching the the 3rd movie. It doesn't follow the storyline at all.
4) Anne of Avonlea
The sequel to Anne of Green Gables. The continued love story and blooming character of Anne.
5) Little Women
Louisa May Alcott is my favorite author. The movies hardly do her justice but they are well worth the watch. I grew up watching the 1949 version with June Allyson, Peter Lawford, and Elizabeth Taylor so therefore it is my favorite; But the 1994 version Winona Ryder follows the book better. There is no language, no indecency, and has a many great underlying truths and morals.
6) Cranford
Also an Elizabeth Gaskell novel. This one is all about gossip and petty things. But still a lovely movie and very clean.
Family:
1) Cheaper by the Dozen
I am referring to the 1950 version with Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy. It shows how a supportive husband a wife should be, obedient children, and small everyday frivolities go in a family of 14. Excellent movie!
2) Remember the Titans
Warning! There are definitely swear words in this. It is set during the time when black and white schools were being merged. It's a great historical film based on real life.
3) The Greatest Game Ever Played
Produced by Disney, a great film about the US Open in 1913. A nice bit of History. It favors the underdog in society.
4) The Newsies
A whole movie about boys singing and dancing. Ha ha! It sounds crazy but it's a fun musical and has some great songs. Depending on what version you see, there is a section where the boys are talking with a "flimsy" lady of ill repute. Another great film packed with history as it portrays the newsboys of the era.
5) Mary Poppins
Another wonderful Musical starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke produced by Disney. Absolutely nothing improper or bad.
6) Stars in My Crown
This is an old movie from 1950 starring Joel Mcrea. It's been forever a favorite in our family, but it's also been a very long time since I've seen it. Part of the opposition to the new minister (Joel Mcrea) is the KKK. They do show a few meetings with the KKK.
7) The Sound Of Music
A musical starring Julie Andrews and a great movie about a family in History. Every song is sublime, everything is decent and proper about the movie and no language. A wonderful classic and beautiful love story.
I am extremely picky with my movies in what I watch and even more so in what I buy. I own or desire to own each one of these that I've reviewed. I will gladly allow my children to watch each of these as age appropriateness allows. No movie is perfect, and as parents we must always be ready to explain why we don't allow or approve of certain situations in particular movies. Don't be an absent watcher, use everything in life to teach and train your children.
I also want to say that I don't have a drawer of children approved movies and drawer of after 8:00 movies. If I am going to watch something it will be clean enough for my children to watch. Don't let your age or authority cause you to stumble in your walk with the Lord.
Sarah
Cartoons:
1) Emperor's New Groove
There is nothing outstanding about this movie except the quotes you will come away with. The overall theme is about a selfish emperor who learns that being selfish isn't really all that fun. This is my absolute favorite cartoon.
2) The Incredibles
I like this one because it shows a disconnected family that has to learn to work together. Each person in the family is good at something and they each use the thing they are good at to better the family.
3) Tangled
I like this movie for the music and the creativity that Rapunzel has. She is never bored even though she is locked up in a tower. I love her paintings! Her attitude is not the best example, but then again she has an evil witch for a mother.
4) Brave
I watched this movie with reserve expecting it to be like all other cartoons where the child is always right and the parents are always the ones apologizing in the end. NOT SO! It has a great ending and good moral.
5) Finding Nemo
Bad parenting! There is no way around it; But its showing the difficulty of a single parent (or fish). It does end with the child appreciating his dad, but never really resolves the bad parenting or disrespectful child. Overall I love the movie and Dory will forever be my favorite character. Another good movie for quotes!
6) Cars I and II
Your typical movie cartooned down for children. No amazing moral to the story.(Although the star player learns to not be so stuck on himself) They won't get any great life tips from it. But it is a nice clean movie for little boys especially!
7) Monsters Inc. and Monsters University
This movie is great! You get more energy by making kids laugh then by making them scream! It teaches you to stand up for what's right. Monsters U is better for older children (thanks to the college setting) but also a good theme when the most popular guy on campus learns that that is not what is most important. The most important thing is being friendly and helping others.
8) The Fox and The Hound
Who doesn't love and cry over this movie. A True classic! Although I don't agree with not killing animals. Because God gave us animals to supply us with food. But never killing out of cruelty and never making animals unnecessarily suffer....yes!
Chick-flicks:
1) Wives & Daughters
This is a long movie...prepare yourself. It is written by Elizabeth Gaskell and in my opinion far surpasses any Jane Austen book! Where Jane is consumed with love, money, and beauty Elizabeth Gaskell is opposite. She creates characters that are good, that focus on others, that strive for more than wealth and position. This is my favorite Chick-Flick of all time! There is nothing disturbing about this movie. Dresses can be low in the front and there are probably some swear words under those british accents. But it has been awhile since I had 6 hours to watch a movie.
2) Bleak House
Written by Charles Dickens. I think this is his best work and love this movie. It is even longer than Wives and Daughters though. It has a great view on striving after money and fame. This BBC also has low cut dresses and swear words.
3) Anne of Green Gables
A classic every girl loves. A beautiful love story, and one headstrong girl. I love the books better (who doesn't) and would advise never watching the the 3rd movie. It doesn't follow the storyline at all.
4) Anne of Avonlea
The sequel to Anne of Green Gables. The continued love story and blooming character of Anne.
5) Little Women
Louisa May Alcott is my favorite author. The movies hardly do her justice but they are well worth the watch. I grew up watching the 1949 version with June Allyson, Peter Lawford, and Elizabeth Taylor so therefore it is my favorite; But the 1994 version Winona Ryder follows the book better. There is no language, no indecency, and has a many great underlying truths and morals.
6) Cranford
Also an Elizabeth Gaskell novel. This one is all about gossip and petty things. But still a lovely movie and very clean.
Family:
1) Cheaper by the Dozen
I am referring to the 1950 version with Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy. It shows how a supportive husband a wife should be, obedient children, and small everyday frivolities go in a family of 14. Excellent movie!
2) Remember the Titans
Warning! There are definitely swear words in this. It is set during the time when black and white schools were being merged. It's a great historical film based on real life.
3) The Greatest Game Ever Played
Produced by Disney, a great film about the US Open in 1913. A nice bit of History. It favors the underdog in society.
4) The Newsies
A whole movie about boys singing and dancing. Ha ha! It sounds crazy but it's a fun musical and has some great songs. Depending on what version you see, there is a section where the boys are talking with a "flimsy" lady of ill repute. Another great film packed with history as it portrays the newsboys of the era.
5) Mary Poppins
Another wonderful Musical starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke produced by Disney. Absolutely nothing improper or bad.
6) Stars in My Crown
This is an old movie from 1950 starring Joel Mcrea. It's been forever a favorite in our family, but it's also been a very long time since I've seen it. Part of the opposition to the new minister (Joel Mcrea) is the KKK. They do show a few meetings with the KKK.
7) The Sound Of Music
A musical starring Julie Andrews and a great movie about a family in History. Every song is sublime, everything is decent and proper about the movie and no language. A wonderful classic and beautiful love story.
I am extremely picky with my movies in what I watch and even more so in what I buy. I own or desire to own each one of these that I've reviewed. I will gladly allow my children to watch each of these as age appropriateness allows. No movie is perfect, and as parents we must always be ready to explain why we don't allow or approve of certain situations in particular movies. Don't be an absent watcher, use everything in life to teach and train your children.
I also want to say that I don't have a drawer of children approved movies and drawer of after 8:00 movies. If I am going to watch something it will be clean enough for my children to watch. Don't let your age or authority cause you to stumble in your walk with the Lord.
Sarah
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