I'm not much of a movie buff. Okay that is really an understatement. Lets just put it this way. Last week Jon and I saw "Up" in the theater (we both really loved it by the way) and we realized that the last time we had gone to go see a movie together at a theater was when "Ratatouille" came out. Sad huh. The truth is that we both find most movies too trashy, violent or pointless to spend money on or to use up precious brain cells watching. But because I was home bound for a few weeks when I had crutches, Asher and I ended up watching a lot of movies and I realized that I need some new recommendations for movies that are uplifting, clean and downright fantastic. So to help get your movie recommendation juices flowing I thought I'd recommend a few that I really love-- then you can give me your recommendations at the end.
1st Recommendation:
I discovered this series last year and I can't figure out why they don't have more of "cult following" because they are FANTASTIC. There are several videos in the series and they follow a a family who pioneers out west through several generations of women and the challenges they face and over come. The family isn't Mormon but they very well could have been because their story is quite similar to what lots of Mormon pioneer families and women went through. I love the stories, the characters and the way that somehow they always take a horrible situation and overcome it by relying on the Lord. They are such uplifting movies (which is rare in this day and age) and entertaining enough that Jon will watch them with me. So if you need a good summer escape I'd HIGHLY recommend these.
Second Recommendation:
I just had to put a plug in for this series because I REALLY like it. I usually put a video in for Asher while I take a shower and most videos only keep his attention for 10 min at the most, but these Signing Time videos captivate the little boy. He will watch it intently and will interact and sign along with them. I've been so impressed by how engaging they are and how well they do at teaching sign language. I've only taught Asher 4 0r 5 signs on my own, but he picks up more words really fast by watching these. I find that sign language has helped our communication SO MUCH and that he throws less tantrums if he has a sign (or a word) to express what he wants, needs or feels. Anything that cuts down on tantrums gets a big gold star in my book- oh, and I also really like the songs. They are really well done and don't get too annoying when you are listening to them for the 4th time that day (yes it was a lazy mom day--please tell me you have them too :)
Hope you enjoy them!
Okay so now it is your turn-- what other good, uplifting, helpful, wonderful or downright fantastic movies are there that you'd recommend?
11 comments:
You can never go wrong with Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avenlea.
OR Pride and Prejudice- The GOOD version with Collin Firth and Jennifer Elle.
OR Emma with Kate Beckinsale
OR Sense and Sensibility with Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson
Twelfth Night with Helena Boham Carter
As You Like It directed by Kenneth Brannagh (I believe Kevin Kline is in it but I can't remember but I know Kenneth was the Director)
umm...
some other good ones.
Some aside from the Classics I would say... Sydney White with Amanda Bynes. That was a cutie girlie movie modern Snow White. Nothing to innapropriate I think. They have a party scene but nothing out of hand.
OH! Chocolat with Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche- I LOVE LOVE That movie! and the score! (the music) There is a very short scene where you don't see anything but you know WHAT is about to happen but again it is very short and you don't see anything. One of my all time favorites.
Straight from the Heart with Andrew McCarthy
The Scarlet Pimpernel with Jane Seymour and Anthony Andews AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!
I am sure I could come up with more :) let me know!
Miss having the book club! but its still fun to occationally leave you a comment now and then :)
I love signing time too. Some of them are more cheesy than others, or a little too abstract for this age, but I honestly think Alana's vocab is attributed to this show!
I'm scared to make a recommendation in case it's trashy...I always love While you were Sleeping. "Dan in Real Life" is REALLY great. That was the movie we saw while I was overdue with Alana, and I LOVED it!! I haven't seen too many other movies that I thought were excellent. I love old movies though, Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, etc...
Did you know that Love Comes Softly is a book series? When I was in the 7th grade I had to wear a cast all summer. I read the entire thing. It is awesome. Big Fish is an excellent movie. As is, 2nd hand Lions. :)
loved love comes softly--very cute :)
i have to second pride and prejudice with colin firth and jennifer elle--so good!
i really loved meet the robinsons and cars.
and i love Emma with gwenyth paltrow.
Some great movies that I love: August Rush, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Dan in Real Life, Flicka, Raising Helen, Meet the Robinsons, Cars (had to put this one on because James LOVES this movie - and yes I have those days, too - we try not to let him watch movies too much but some days it is definitely a life saver!)
I also love old movies - I can't recommend any movies without recommending my FAVORITE movie of ALL TIME - What's Up Doc? (Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neal - if you haven't seen this you have GOT to - it is hilarious and very quotable:)). I also love An Affair to Remember and Singing in the Rain.
We also love watching TV series on dvd - and I would highly recommend the show Monk - it is a great detective show and is very family-friendly (although it IS a homicide detective show so people do get murdered in it - but it doesn't show too much and is tastefully done). The nice thing about this is that each episode is about 45 minutes long, so if you don't want to sit for a 2-hour-long movie then this is a great option!
Hope this helps! :)
My recommendation- Amazing Grace. FABULOUS CLEAN UPLIFTING movie. Loved it. And fairly recent.
1. The Inheritance - based on a book by Luisa May Alcott. This is a wonderfully clean, nice chick flick. One of my favorites now.
2. The Princess Bride
3. Enchanted
4. Wives & Daughters - BBC. ~4 hours long, but good.
5. Masterpiece Theater versions of the Jane Austens (Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, Emma, Sense & Sensibility, Persuasion). Original versions are excellent of course too, but don't watch the original Northanger Abbey. MT version is a bajillion times better for that one.
6. Curious Buddies. I got a 30 min. video for Jefferson (the "Let's Build!" video) and he really likes to watch it. The songs do get a little annoying after a while, but he always dances to them. :-) He LOVES the puppet animals they use.
7. Veggie Tales! Jefferson loves these too. (I favor these over the Curious Buddies...the songs aren't so annoying! heh.) There is also some humor adults can appreciate too.
8. Monsters, Inc. Jefferson likes this one too.
9. No Reservations - with Catherine Zeta-Jones. I just watched this one, and it's a cute one.
I also second (or third) Meet the Robinsons, Cars, and Pride & Prejudice. :-)
Enjoy!
Um, I recently saw Up and loved it, but probably you and everyone and their dog has seen it! haha
Also loved "Son of Rambow" it's british film and very charming.
And about the lazy mom days....yeah. I have them. :)
P.S. for a classic, The Maltese Falcon is really fun.
I love "Love Comes Softly", as well as its sequel that has the daughter from the first movie as kind of the main character in her movie. It is good!
I want to expand on my #6 suggestion....
Jefferson loves the puppets, songs, and kids in Curious Buddies. It does teach some things like shapes & trucks, and I honestly think he has gotten better at building blocks partially because of watching it...(plus he's just gotten older). It is one of the few videos that can fully capture his attention most of the time. BUT the songs are annoying - even the first time. Some of the other parts of the movie are cute and I don't mind watching with him sometimes. But it's more of a put-in-while-
I'm-taking-a-shower-or-checking-my-email kind of video. :-) I think the videos that capture his attention the best and that he likes the most (i.e. giggles at, etc) are the ones that are made specifically for babies and toddlers. They'll say "9-24 months" or whatever on the cover. (i.e. He likes Baby Einstein too. We got a Christmas-themed one for Christmas, and yes, we have watched it periodically throughout the year!) Like I said, he will watch a good chunk of Monster's Inc too, but some of the other movies have just enough PG in them (rather than G) that he doesn't like them as much. Some parts are a little too scary or whatever. Anyway, there are some more thoughts for you, for whatever they're worth! :-p
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