Keeping It Simple

During this cold weather (even sunny CA has seen some freezing days- we aren't prepared for that!) and flu season, I always enjoy a few quality movies that I can watch with the family. We watched this one a few days ago- I was even more impressed after watching the special features. The producer (I believe) said that this movie has three themes- 1. the power of faith 2. the strength of family 3. the value of dedication and hard work How can you not love a story like that! For slightly older children (I think teens would be most interested), I love this movie. I admit my boys did not love it, but they conceded that they did not hate watching it. ;)- Happy Viewing! 

Recently Watched: Tintin - We loved this movie! I am not sure why. Maybe it is that Tintin is in a movie! Then there is that the movie really honored the feel of the book (we felt), and that the makers seemed to want to do right by the author's vision (watch special features). Of course, it could be that I just love being able to sit down and watch a movie just for fun without feeling like, on some level, I might be corrupting my children! The Adventures of Superman: Season 1 (1952) - If your kids are super sophisticated, they may not appreciate this. Mine did. I don't know what else to say. It is just fun. Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire  Always grateful when our Netflix subscription can enhance the learning experience! Recently Cooked:  This super simple (like 5 minutes of prep) Easy Garlic Chicken dish found at food.com. I read through the comments- some said that the dish was too sweet, some that it needed onion, others that the cook time was too short/long.....

King Solomon's Mine - my friend loaned us this movie and it was a surprise hit at our house. My 11yo "Eeyore" was very gloomy at the prospect of sitting through this movie, but it just took a few minutes and he was hooked. I think it must have been made as a mini-series from the way the transitions in the movie went, so it is not a big "production value" movie, but it kept my boys on the edge of their seats. The best comparison I can think of for this movie is "Raiders of the Lost Ark" except that neither of my younger two boys (8&11yo) would handle watching Raiders (way too intense and dark). Captain America- got  this nice review at Decent Films Guide . I loved that I could completely relax and enjoy this movie with my boys. No over the top bad language (that I remember), no s*x scenes, no over the top romantic plots, and there IS a heroic hero! It is an action adventure film set during war, so that is something to consider for very young child...

The Guns of Will Sonnett - I admit that I have only watched 2 or 3 of the episodes (my boys have watched more), but I am impressed by the acting and the high moral standard of what I did watch. It is a western, so there are guns, bars, and fighting, but it is tame (very) by today's standards. In the ones I watched, the episodes end with one of the main characters having a conversation with God. For my boys' ages, it is tough to find wholesome yet really entertaining fare- this fits the bill perfectly. Seabiscuit::American Experience - Not just a horse documentary, it is a taste of life during the Great Depression. I confess that my daughter and her horse loving brothers initially turned their nose up at watching a documentary (they enjoy them, but have seen lots of great horse movies lately)-- in the end, the boys watched it twice!  

I was browsing my sister's blog and noticed she had an actual Animaniacs videos posted (I recommended them from Netflix). For those who are not familiar with the series, here is a taste. Warning: not all episodes are necessarily educational (always fun though). Sadly, the punch line is missing! At the end of the video clip, the game show host dings Wakko for not putting his answer in the form of a question. Oh, well. You get the idea.

This was tucked away at the bottom of one of my picture book posts. I hate to have a good resource go unnoticed, so I am highlighting here. I loosen the reigns a little in summer with movie viewing, but I often dictate that there has to some learning going on... my boys stretch it sometimes often, but this series really does fit the bill: My older two boys (ages 10 and 13) have become fascinated with American history since watching the America: The Story of Us on Netflix instant watch. I give this recommendation with the caution that it may not be for suitable young children. Adding this one on: This may be stretching to call it educational, but there are fun things like states and capitals, the painting of the Sistine Chapel, and Nations of the World tucked away in these "zany"  (the word most oft-used to describe this series)  Animaniacs episodes  available on dvd.

Okay, maybe not you, but some other bloggers who have recently had some great movie recommendations. :0) Recently Watched: My son thinks this is the best dog movie- dog anything- ever made. Dogs Decoded: Nova on instant watch Netflix. All of my boys enjoyed this one. A Bear Named Winnie A great movie about a stand up guy- Sergeant York  And, I absolutely loved all 11 episodes (I may have lost a few nights sleep) of... Jane Eyre ...sigh... Planning to watch (recommended by Laura O ): Nanny McPhee Returns I usually shy away from sequels, but this sounds funny. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) I thought my boys saw this, but it turns out it was a different one. I have to confess that many of the old war movies sort of blend together to me (don't tell my guys I said that!) Boys Town (1938) I know I saw this many years ago, but I will have to take Laura's recommendation that is worth watching- I don't remember it well.