Kids and Movies and Reality, OH MY

As you may know, I've been spending a lot of time watching movies with my kids lately. Some are old, some are new, some are in-between but there is one thing that's become clear through all of them: My kids are very confused about reality.

I really thought we were getting past this. I expect my 5 year old to still get confused, but the 8 and 10 year olds? I'm certain we've gone over this multiple times, and yet, we still have some strange, confusing conversations during movies. 

It doesn't matter if it's Jurassic Park or a fabulous Judy Garland movie, the conversations are shockingly similar. They go something like this:

 

Child: Mom, is this real?

Me: No, it's a movie.

Child: Ok, but did this really happen?

Me: Well, no, dinosaurs never existed at the same time as people. (Or, no, people don't break out into song in the middle of random conversations. Or, no, there's not money buried under a giant W. Or, no, there's not an eccentric man living in a submarine getting attacked by a giant squid.)

Child: Ok, but are the people real?

Me: The characters are made up.

Child: Ok, but are they real people?

Me: Well, the actors are real people.

Child: So did the people actually DO this?

Me: Well...the actors...acted it out...yes.

Child: So this is real?

 

And don't even get me started on movies that are based on a true story.

Old Movies With Kids: In the Good Old Summertime

In honor of Judy Garland's 100th birthday, I made the family watch In the Good Old Summertime. I've written about this movie a number of times, but it had been some years since I've watched it. 

This one just never disappoints. It has humor, songs, romance, excessive arm flapping.  What more can you ask for?

It's also right in the middle of one of the best trifecta movie remake series...es in history.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. The kids were lukewarm on it. It unfortunately is missing some of the bigger song and dance numbers we get in most Judy movies, except for the arm flapping in I Don't Care which always made me laugh as a kid and did the same for my own kids!

From the Kids:

10 year old girl: 3 stars

8 year old boy: 1 star

5 year old girl: 4 stars

As usual, my son did not enjoy this movie as he is determined to reject ALL old movies except Singin' in the Rain.

The girls liked the songs, especially the one when Judy plays the harp.

They also got a kick out of Van Johnson's made-up unattractive Newspickle fellow.

Old Movies With Kids: Singin' In the Rain AKA The One My Son Likes

So it's been some months now since I started regularly watching old movies with my kids and you would think my son has straight up been TORTURED every time. He sort of liked 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea but since then, it's been rough for him--apparently he's hated every movie we've watched.

So I was pleasantly surprised when he actually asked to watch Singin' In the Rain. Maybe this is cheating because this was not his first viewing of this film. We've watched it on a number of occasions including in the theater (splendid!), but how can I say no to the old movie he's actually asking to watch?

 

I know that the main reason he likes it is Make 'Em Laugh, which does indeed make him laugh. But he seems to actually enjoy the rest of the film as well.

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised. Singin' In the Rain never disappoints. It truly has it all. Humor that actually holds up almost 70 years later, plus great music and dancing. It's just wonderful from start to finish!

I tried to impress the kids with my trivia the Debbie Reynolds is Princess Leia's mom, but they didn't seem impressed. I'm going to pretend that it's because they just don't care about Star Wars that much and not because they just don't care about my trivia that much.

From the kids:

10 year old girl - 4 stars

4 year old girl - 3 stars

8 year old boys - 3 stars

Kids' favorite moments:

Too many to choose!

Make 'em Laugh - everyone's favorite!

Broadway Melody for its moving sidewalk and colorful ending

Old Movies With Kids: Easter Parade

Well, it's Easter weekend so of course, I had to make sure the kids watched Easter Parade!

If it wasn't already obvious, Judy Garland is pretty much my favorite. I've written about Easter Parade before and all of my opinions there still stand.

This film features a stressful love square, the less common relative of the love triangle. These people just go around in circles. It would have all easily been solved if Judy had just gone for the much more handsome and debonair Peter Lawford. But no, it has to be Fred. And poor Peter Lawford is stuck with Nadine who's been awkwardly chasing him through the entire movie.

A major debate came up during our viewing: Does Peter Lawford have a British accent? I say he obviously does. My husband doesn't think so at all and my 10 year old daughter agreed with him, though I don't necessarily trust her opinion. He was born in London, but spent time in many different countries. Nonetheless, IT'S SO OBVIOUS THAT HE HAS A BRITISH ACCENT. I don't even understand how this is a debate!

From the kids

10 year old girl - 4 stars

8 year old boy - 0 stars - "Boo"

5 year old girl - 3 stars

Clearly, my son was not into this movie. It seems he's becoming more adverse to old movies the more we watch them. Bad news for him: We're not going to stop watching them.

The girls liked Judy Garland, of course! They really enjoyed the songs and dancing, especially Fred Astaire dancing in slow motion. 

Old Movies With Kids: Oklahoma!

After celebrating Shirley Jones on her birthday the other day, I was in the mood for a Shirley movie. The Music Man is always a favorite, but it had been so long since I'd watched Oklahoma, it was time for a viewing. Also nobody else in my family had seen it before!

Guys, I enjoyed this movie so much. Maybe it's just because I haven't been watching musicals at the rate I once did pre-kids, but it made me so happy. The songs are all winners, the characters are entertaining, and it's just a good time!

You know what this movie loves? Sexual innuendo! Good thing my kids are too young to pick up on any of it. In a movie that could feel so old fashioned and traditional, it's refreshing that the women have moments of both strength and weakness and don’t always fill traditional female roles.

I especially loved the line at the end when Laurey is lamenting her traumatic wedding night and Aunt Eller wisely tells her, "Oh, lots of things happen to folks." So simple and so true!

But you know what's super weird? When Curly suggests that Judd kill himself and sings a song about it. I mean...what? Is this something people do? I get it that Judd is a creep but this very unveiled attempt to convince him to hang himself is a little excessive. I'd probably try to stab Curly with my naughty girly knife toy too.

Why you tryna kill me?

From the kids

Unfortunately, my kids weren't super into this movie. I'm not sure they knew half of what was going on which might be a good thing.

10 year old girl - 3.5 stars

8 year old boy - 0 stars. Too much kissing

5 year old girl - 3 stars

The girls liked the songs and especially loved the wedding, but that was about all any of them seemed to get out of it! My 10 year old and I very much enjoyed the sing-a-long feature on the DVD. 

Sooo this might not be one that we watch again for awhile, but I think we are going to be watching musicals for our next few films because they’re just the best! My son will be thrilled.

Old Movies With Kids: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

Over the weekend we showed the kids the classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I hadn't seen this one before and I wasn't particularly excited about it, but I'm happy to say I think we finally found one that my son likes!

This is the first Kirk Douglas movie I've ever seen, but I think we can all agree that Peter Lorre is the best part of this movie. I mean, isn't he the best part of any movie he's in? Yes. Nonetheless, all the characters were interesting and the story was exciting and kept everyone's attention.

Also, this is basically the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie. There's a boozy, kind of obnoxious sailor with a theme song, an island with cannibals, and, most importantly, a rockin' captain who clearly has deeply buried emotional issues and dramatically plays the organ instead of expressing his feelings. (My husband would like me to mention that the organ from this movie is currently in the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland. So ... there ya go.)

From the kids

3 stars - It was a little weird. Not my favorite movie. Not enough girls in it. - 10 year old girl

3 stars - 5 year old girl

4 stars. Good. - 8 year old boy

Kids' favorite moments:

The giant squid fight was a favorite across the board!

Explosions and fighting, specifically when Peter Lorre and Kirk Douglas were punching each other in the face. Hilarious!

Kirk Douglas's turtle guitar, especially when he stuffed jewelry in it. I have no recollection of this part!

Old Movies With Kids: Yours, Mine, and Ours - A.K.A. The Girl Who Ate Too Much

This week I subjected my children to one of my childhood favorites, Yours, Mine and Ours. I haven't watched this movie since I was a kid so I was pretty excited to watch it with them.

You know how sometimes you watch a movie that you haven't seen since you were a kid, and you realize there were a bunch of sex jokes that went over your head? Yeah, that happened. I suppose I can't call them sex jokes--maybe just innuendo. Very mild innuendo, but innuendo nonetheless. Mostly delivered by Van Johnson's character who's constantly trying to convince his widower buddy Frank (Henry Fonda) that he needs some lovin'. His hard work and determination pay off when Frank meets Helen (Lucille Ball) and they quickly get married and merge their two very large families.

The reason I liked this movie as a kid was primarily because of my love for Lucy who is, of course, delightful and funny while still delivering some touching moments with her kids and husband. The kids got a kick out of her slapstick moments--drunk Lucy never disappoints!

One of the unexpectedly best parts of this movie was my spirit character, Susan Beardsley, who makes sure to eat at every opportunity. I truly appreciate how vigilant they were with continuing this gag throughout the movie. This girl does not stop eating--even the rice she was supposed to be throwing at her father's wedding isn't safe from her insatiable appetite. She's amazing.

From the Kids

4 out of 5 stars - 10 year old girl

4.5 out of 5 stars - 5 year old girl (docked a half star because she took a break to play Monopoly Jr. with her brother and missed some parts of the movie.)

2.5 out of 5 stars - 8 year old boy

Kids' favorites moments:

When Lucy got drunk. I had to do a bit of explaining about alcohol and its effects and how much the kids were putting into her drink, but once it got going the kids all thought it was very funny.

When they got married.

The 10 year old like the drama of the daughter and her boyfriend fighting in the living room at the end. I don't know what this means for her teenage years.

The girls liked when they had the baby at the end and suggested that we have another baby. (NO)

Old Movies With Kids: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

A couple weeks ago my husband bought this Willy Wonka game that we've really been enjoying. I highly recommend it especially if you have kids. It's been a great game that we can all enjoy together. All that to say, my kids have been asking to watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

I always kind of hated this movie. I don't remember the first time I saw it, but I think I was maybe jr. high age and I was not impressed. I always found it a bit disturbing and mostly avoided it.

So I was curious to see how I felt watching it now as an adult with my own kids. Basically, my feelings haven't changed. I don't like this movie. Everything is kind of depressing, the kids are so annoying, and Wonka is mentally unstable. His purple coat is cool, though.

I feel like there's supposed to be some great moral to the story but there are so many strange twists and turns that it gets lost. I will say, I forgot about the whole thing with the everlasting gobstopper and Charlie deciding not to steal it. I guess that was a good message. But it's just lost for me in all the weirdness. Trust me, I love a weird movie. But this one is just not doing it for me.

The hardest thing for me to look past is the wild changes in Wonka's personality. One minute he's nice, one minute he's a jerk, the next minute he's just plain crazy, then back to nice again, then he's depressed. It's just all over the place. Apparently there's a fan theory going around that he murdered all the children except Charlie and I totally buy it. He's definitely got serial killer vibes.

Also Grandpa Joe's been spending 20 years bed-ridden, wasting money on tobacco, making his daughter take care of him but then he's suddenly good to go walk around a chocolate factory for a day?? No.

The good news is my kids generally enjoyed it, but hopefully we can just play the game and never watch the movie again.

From the Kids

"Good" 3.5 stars out of 5 - 8 year old boy

4.5 stars out of 5. Only docked the .5 star because the oompa loompas looked too fake - 10 year old girl

20 stars out of 5 - 5 year old girl

Kids favorite moments:

When everything in his office was cut in half. (All three of the kids mentioned this. It really left an impression. I hope they don't start cutting all our stuff in half.)

Looking down on the town from the Wonkavator.

When Veronica fell into the egg chute and the dad followed her. 

When Charlie found the golden ticket

The songs (This is ridiculous. The songs are horrible.)

When Willy Wonka was drinking out of the flower cup and then took a bite.

Old Movies with Kids: It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

To continue my kids' education in old movies, over the weekend we watched It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. I remember really liking this movie as a kid, but I hadn't seen it since then so I was excited to revisit it with my own kids.

Unfortunately, it wasn't as great as I remember. Some parts were a bit too slow and dragged on too long, but there was plenty of silliness and I think the kids enjoyed it.

The premise of the movie is pretty simple--a man gets into a serious car accident and as he's dying, he reveals to a group of strangers who came to his rescue that he buried $350k under a big W. What follows is 2-and-a-half hours of mishaps involving various modes of transportation and slightly mentally unstable people in often physically impossible situations as they all race to find the mysterious big W.

The number of cars running into things in this movie rivals any modern action movie.

This movie is part of a fad in the '60's and '70's that involved making movies featuring slightly washed-up A-list and B-list actors who must each require a certain amount of screen time because all of these movies are super long and I can't imagine any other reason that they need to be so long. This is a long movie, especially since it's basically the same gag over and over.

Surprisingly, my kids didn't complain once. They seemed to like it and got a kick out of some of the slapstick.

As a side note, if you don't want to sit through the whole movie, this Simpsons episode basically accomplishes the same effect in about 2 minutes.

From the Kids

"Good. Weird. Funny." - 10 year old girl

"Good" - 5 year old girl

"I hated everything, but I kinda liked it." - 8 year old boy

Kid's favorite moments:

When Jimmy Durante literally kicked the bucket. They were all very happy to learn this new phrase and have continued to laugh about it.

When everyone's freaking out when they landed the airplane at the airport.

The people trapped in the basement.

The mother in law.

When they all failed to notice the W.

Old Movies With Kids: The Parent Trap

I'm on a mission to make sure my kids watch more old movies. I've failed miserably thus far, so I'm getting serious and starting a new series here as we watch old movies together.

I put together a list of ten movies I thought the kids might like and we conducted a very official vote that involved closing eyes and raising hands and peeking and arguing and more hand-raising. Here's what we ended up with:

As you can see, The Parent Trap and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World tied for the top spot, but since I failed to start the movie in a timely manner and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is 3 HOURS LONG, The Parent Trap won.

I've written about The Parent Trap before since it is definitely one of my favorites. Corny and silly and Maureen O'Hara and just a good time. I still enjoy this movie as much as I did as a child. Yes, the fact that they separated their twins at birth and broke all contact with them has become somewhat more disturbing as I've had my own kids and can't really imagine being OK with such a situation. But I will look past that and enjoy this incredibly optimistic take on the aftermath of such a ridiculous family arrangement.

Here's what got me on this viewing: I am now around the same age that I imagine the parents are supposed to be in the movie, but they look so old. Do I look that old? Hopefully not. Did people in the 60's just look older? Brian Keith and Maureen O'Hara were both around 40, but Brian Keith looks at least 50. Then there's Vicky. I would guess she's supposed to be around 25 and Joanna Barnes was 27 while filming the movie so not too far off, but she looks more like 35. Maybe it's just the hairstyle. But I'm assuming the reason they constantly talk about her young age is just to convince us that she's actually that young! And then Vicky's mom. She looks like she's 70 but I'm sure she's only supposed to be like 50.

Nonetheless, this made for a super fun family movie night! The characters are fun and surprisingly complex for a fairly silly family comedy. From a lame old mom's point of view, the kids in the movie are generally respectful to their parents and everyone is loving and caring, including the extended family/friend characters.  The relationship between the grandfather and the twins and Maggie is particularly sweet and a really nice addition to the story. The only time I felt the need to tell the kids to "not try this at home" was during the girls' pranks at the summer camp, which they, of course, thought was all pretty funny. And now for the kids' thoughts.

From the Kids

"Not very good." - 8 year old boy (who never likes anything and is not to be trusted)

"I liked it. Better than when I watched it before" - 10 year old girl

"I love it!! 100 good." - 5 year old girl

Kids' favorites moments:

When the cake falls on Miss Inch.

When the dad falls over the chair and in the lake.

"Let's Get Together"

The bear cubs licking Vicki's feet. (This caused a
huge fight over whether or not "honey bears" are a real thing. They're not.) 

 

What other classic films to my kids need to see? Tell me in the comments below!