Gil Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 (edited) We have birthdays and holidays coming up and the boys, especially Buddy, love stories. They would like movies with well-developed plots, decent story telling and "meaningful" characters. In other words "Movies that are actually worth watching." I am on the hunt for movies that are well told from a story/plot perspective. They do not have to be childrens movies, but if they are child-friendly that is good because we watch practically everything together. We have not seen a Disney movie that doesn't fall on the scale between 'meh' and downright horrible as far as the story/plot goes. Pixar movies are often pretty good, but they have some 'meh, whatever' stories too in the boys opinion. Can the hive offer up a list of stories that are truly well told on film? Edited November 29, 2015 by Gil 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Anything by Studio Ghibli. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 (edited) I'd recommend going back to Classic movies - oldies but goodies. Musicals are great as well but might not be his taste. Edited November 29, 2015 by Arctic Mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Animated movies that aren't Disney/Pixar that I think are compelling and beautiful... Song of the Sea Secret of Kells The Iron Giant Fantastic Mr. Fox ...and seconding all things Studio Ghibli. Other children's movies... Hugo The Secret of Roan Inish A Little Princess Babe The Red Balloon I like this list of good movies from Entertainment Weekly. But I have to admit that I'm not sure if it's your cup of tea entirely. I like a lot of movies that are good films without being high art. I have a feeling from your description that you only want high art, not comedies or silly movies. http://www.ew.com/article/2014/06/23/55-essential-movies-your-child-must-see-before-they-turn-13 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gil Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 Thanks, just to be clear, the films do not have to be animated. ...I like a lot of movies that are good films without being high art. I have a feeling from your description that you only want high art, not comedies or silly movies.http://www.ew.com/article/2014/06/23/55-essential-movies-your-child-must-see-before-they-turn-13 I am particularly looking for movies with sensible or (mostly) consistent plot-lines. Movies with choppy nonsense plots are not particularly enjoyable in our household and poor, inconsistent movie ploes make some of us (*cough, cough* Buddy *cough cough*) absolutely insane. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 (edited) My kids loved "The Story of Totoro" from Studio Ghibli. But for other movies, what about: "E.T." "Akeelah and the Bee" "Dead Poets Society" (ETA teens+) "Babe" "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (old version...not Johnny Depp version) "Shrek" "A Little Princess" from the 80s/90s, although the Shirley Temple movie is good too "Anne of Green Gables" (PBS version) My kids really enjoyed the movie "Annie" from the early 80s...with Carol Burnett in in. (Haven't seen the more recent one.) Edited November 29, 2015 by umsami 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 you don't say how old your kids are. Little? pre-teens? I was going to reccomend Secret of Roan Inish but I see someone already has. Secret of the Kells is good too. Last Mimsy Millions Into the West (the one with Gabriel Byrne) Howl's Moving Castle & Spirited Away Forbidden Kingdom Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 I guess I'm not sure what an inconsistent plot is? Can you give an example? Some of the movies I suggested aren't animated. I'm guessing things like Millions, Hugo, and Roan Inish are all going to be the sort of thing you're looking for - beautifully made children's movies. None of those are animated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 (edited) Babe Milo and Otis The Sound of Music Mary Poppins Right now you can watch some Christmas movies: Scrooge (NOT ScroogeD, just Scrooge--it's from 1970 something with Albert Finney) Muppets Christmas Carol--this one follows the book very well. It's muppets and you think it won't be any good, but they did an excellent job on it. Miracle on 34th Street Maybe It's a Wonderful Life, but younger kids might get bored. Depends on the kid. Edited November 29, 2015 by Garga 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 If your kids are teens, totally look into Alfred Hitchcock movies! One of the best storytellers out there IMHO. "The Princess Bride" is a great film. What about the original Superman with Christopher Reeve? (I have to admit I haven't seen later non-Christopher Reeve versions.) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 "Dead Poets Society" This one is definitely not for little kids. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 "The Princess Bride" is a great film. Yes, and I second the recommendation for Anne of Green Gables. They might also enjoy Second-Hand Lions and Ever After. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 I agree with Superman. I was pleasantly surprised with Hugo. It's a Wonderful LIfe. I plan on watching Sergeant York with my kids soon. Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, Cinderella, and The King and I 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Stardust was a really well told story. Second-Hand Lions is a family favorite. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Captains Courageous (1937) Second Hand Lions 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Children of Heaven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Stardust was a really well told story. Second-Hand Lions is a family favorite. Stardust was a really well told story, for sure! But it has scary scenes, depending on the kid. I waited for my oldest to be 12 to show it to him and who knows when I'll show it to my current 10 yo? He doesn't like scary things. (The witches sacrificing animals to read their intestines, the witch getting older and older and getting really scary looking at the end, the slit throat in the tub...a bit much for little kids.) But the storytelling is just wonderful in that film. One of my top favorite movies ever. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Shrek, Iron Giant, Ratatouille, Up, Incredible Journey (old and new versions) Star Wars saga, Agents of Shield type movies BBC movie versions of classic books, including Dickens books Born Free Sounder The Gods Must Be Crazy Hugo Bridge to Terabithia Because of Winn Dixie Dave (if you are okay with some sex scenes) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (if you are okay with a holocaust movie--main character dies, but not graphically on screen) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 I saw Babe the other night after years of not seeing it and it is a really darling movie. I saw someone mentioned Sargent York. That is a movie we kind of love to hate. It is over the top hokey patriotism because it was made during WWII about WWI, I think. But also it has got the stupidest scene in it where York, who hales from the backwoods of Appalachia does this turkey gobble (just like hunting back home!) to try and get the Germans out of their trenches. Awful scene. My family has never forgiven Gary Cooper for that one. So I'm just saying your mileage may vary according to tastes. I second Captain's Courageous with Spencer Tracy. That is a magnificent film. Another one that we love around here is National Velvet with Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hugo is so good! Not sure if your boys are too young to appreciate it or not; there's nothing objectionable for younger children, but it may or may not appeal to them yet. I don't know how you feel about movie versions of books, or how much violence/war you're comfortable with regarding your children, but the Lord of the Rings films are really lovely. We really find that we can related to the characters and how they're feeling and what's motivating them, and there are a TON of scenes where we can discuss virtues and values and doing what's right. I've seen them probably half a dozen times each, and I still cry at certain scenes and certain lines. (Parts of them ARE gory, but then again, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is VERY dark for little children. Really little ones might just have it go over their heads, but I think yours are at an age where it might really bother them.) The original Dr. Doolittle -- been a while since we have seen it, but my children liked it. Swiss Family Robinson, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Treasure Island -- my boys like those, although I'll confess to half watching them. Sound of Music -- nice because the siblings are sweet but not perfect; they squabble and get into mischief but have good hearts The original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory I am drawing a blank. . . But then again, my kids like pretty much anything, including the totally ridiculous and silly Night at the Museum movies. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) Man, I hated Hugo! Just goes to show how different we are :) It was very well acted but the plot wasn't one I enjoyed and it was predictable to boot. I almost wonder if longer running series might be up his alley? Some of the better modern storytelling is in shows, not movies. Edited November 30, 2015 by Arctic Mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chess Dad Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 My pick: The Princess Bride - excellent movie and probably the best story telling movie of all time. I take my kids to the movies more then I should. We vote on each movie and at the end of the year we rank our movies. The 2014 Movie of the Year in the Wright Family household was: Not Frozen, but Jack the Giant Slayer! It had everything in a movie you would want. This year, 2015, our top movie is Jupiter Ascending, closely followed by Jurassic World. Star Wars might beat both. My kids are 17, 14, 11, 10 and 7. and I get a vote too. :patriot: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) I thought of two more from my childhood that would fit your requirements possibly:Willow and Goonies And two more: The Journey of Natty Gann The Man from Snowy River Edited November 30, 2015 by Chelli 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 I enjoyed Jupiter Ascending but kept trying to resist the urge to scream at my tv over Mila Kunis being idiotic - that one might be hit or miss with a kid like Buddy because I can usually suspend my annoyance and get into a plot and that one challenged me :rofl: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Anything by Studio Ghibli. Indeed! Although I find Princess Mononoke a tad violent. Also, check out older films like the original National Velvet, The Black Stallion, The African Queen. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 It's not American, but have you looked into any anime like Gasaraki or Ghost in the Shell S.A.C and the later movies? The plots are fabulous. Twelve Kingdoms is as well, but the anime is unfinished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48820592 Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 We watched "Radio" last night. Such a good movie based on a true story--5 out of the 6 of us had the sniffles at the end. Reminded all of us of the difference we can make in someone's life. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) nm Edited December 28, 2015 by w11 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 A Cat in Paris was good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Might be better for slightly older kids but I'd recommend Smoke Signals. It's about a Native American who sets out with a fellow friend, also a NA -- a storyteller -- to find the father who abandoned him. A bit heavy at times and poignant but the ending is quite good. "If we forgive our fathers, what is left?" Also… To Be and to Have The New Heroes (PBS documentary series) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baile Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 My kids are really into movies that were adapted from books. Off the top of my head, they watch these over and over: The Secret Garden Tom and Huck Black Beauty Little Men The Indian in the Cupboard Summer of the Monkeys Peter Pan Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey the first few Harry Potter films The Count of Monte Cristo Oliver Twist 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Has anyone suggested Walter Mitty? Idk how old the kids are, but my DS was enthralled. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hwin Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 We just saw Zathura: A Space Adventure this week, and my son liked it in spite of himself. It was the same idea as Jumanji. The main characters are two bickering brothers, but the fighting is so funny/realistic... And what about the Sandlot? Has that been suggested? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Two of my favorites: Second Hand Lions My Family and Other Animals (a PBS movie about a British family that move to the island of Corfu) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gil Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 Can anyone list older movies? I'm not familiar with many but I do remember watching one about a man and his wife who become bank robbers. I can't think of the name of it, but it was enjoyable. We might enjoy that one and other films similar to it. Also, cowboys. What are some great cowboy films? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Can anyone list older movies? I'm not familiar with many but I do remember watching one about a man and his wife who become bank robbers. I can't think of the name of it, but it was enjoyable. We might enjoy that one and other films similar to it. Also, cowboys. What are some great cowboy films? Are you thinking of Bonny and Clyde? I enjoyed that in my film class in high school. No help on the cowboy movies. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Western: High Noon Old movies with a good story: Auntie Mame (Rosiland Russel version, not Lucille Ball) Arsenic and Old Lace Any Alfred Hitchcock movie A Majority of One (not only a great story but opens up discussion on discrimination in Hollywood. Alec Guiness is the lead and he is playing a Japanese Man. Fiddler on the Roof 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 This is both an older film and a cowboy film, but I remember loving Silverado and Young Guns when I was a kid. I don't remember anything questionable in Silverado off the top of my head, but there might be some things you would want to avoid in Young Guns depending on how open you are with your kids about language and s3x. Almost forgot about The Indian in the Cupboard. My kids love that one! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 (edited) Hahaha! definitely Arsenic and Old Lace and Silverado! The Man Who Shot LIberty Valance Rio Bravo The Court Jester (Danny Kaye) Mutiny on the Bounty Edited December 1, 2015 by WendyAndMilo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaybee Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 I loved The Apple-Dumpling Gang as a kid. (Don Knotts and Tim Conway and a sweet story) My kids also loved Don Knotts in The Reluctant Astronaut and the story (not Don Knotts), Charlie the Lonesome Cougar. Oh, and The Cat from Outer Space. Those are all pretty old. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Gone With the Wind Lawrence of Arabia Little Women Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Not a kids movies. All thee are based on true stories. The best of men Spare parts McFarland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Some Older movies (and others that just jumped in): Paper Moon Born Free Sounder Yentl the old Dr. Doolittle--but we prefer the newer one with Eddie Murphy, I think. Pink Panther, but again we prefer the newer with Steve Martin Free Willie? Singin in the Rain some John Wayne thing? Pinocchio by ... forgot his name, an Italian, won an academy award for Life is Beautiful, had a clear enough story to follow it even without knowing Italian. Moby Dick with William Hurt The Grapes of Wrath with Henry Fonda To Kill a Mockingbird, though maybe not appropriate for their stage/age... maybe some old Robert Redford type movies? Jeremiah Johnson perhaps? haven't seen it recently, could be too something inappropriate... The Sting, same comments as not necessarily appropriate for the boys ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Robin Hood (1938) The Scarlet Pimpernel (1938 - but lots more to choose from) The Ghost and Mrs Muir (this is a romance between a widow and a ghost, so If your sons aren't interested in romance - maybe not a good choice!) Don Knotts movies: The Incredible Mr Limpett The Ghost and Mr Chicken The Shakiest Gun in the West The Reluctant Astronaut 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Hachi (tears will happen) Finding Neverland, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cave canem Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 I don't know about the GREAT storytelling, but a movie I love that I never see mentioned is Simon Birch. It does have features I usually cannot stand in a movie. For example, fairly early a character dies through a hard-to-believe, contrived situation. One of the main characters (both 12 yo boys) tries to grope a female Sunday school classmate and refers wistfully to the <<<chest area>>> of the girl and an adult character. This character is so sympathetic overall that the movie gets a pass for that. From me. Which is really saying something. Some parents might object to some of the language. Mostly the s word and one of the main characters being called a bastard a lot. A lot of the plot revolves around his not knowing the identity of his father. The story is very bittersweet. Does anyone else like this movie? Is it just me? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 I liked Simon Birch! Haven't seen it in FOR-EVER (which totally reminds me of The Sandlot) so I never think of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Ok, totally cheesy....what about Cool Runnings?? Also, The Adventures of Robin Hood (Errol Flynn) This is fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 I did not read the responses so I'm sorry if I repeat. The Never Ending Story comes to mind. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 My favorite, Whisper of the Heart (Studio Ghibli) - this is one that never seems to get mentioned but I love it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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