Family movies to rent? [Archive] - Straight Dope Message Board

norinew

12-19-2005, 06:20 AM

We have a tradition in our house that on Christmas Eve, we order pizza for dinner and rent movies. We'll have our oldest daughter, who is 18, home with us, as well as our 14 year old daughter and our five year old daughter. Because it's Christmas Eve, we try to keep it light-hearted and cheerful. Doesn't have to be comedy, necessarily, but, you know. In the past, as a family, we've enjoyed such movies as March of the Penguins, Ice Age, Garfield, Robots and Shrek II.

So, come on Dopers. Help me decide which videos to rent this Christmas Eve (we'll be renting two or three), and tell me why you nominate the ones you do.

don't ask

12-19-2005, 06:41 AM

The Incredibles
Whale Rider
The Iron Giant
Any Wallace & Gromit (including the latestr if available on DVD)
Bad Santa (after the 5 year old nods off)

norinew

12-19-2005, 06:42 AM

We've seen The Incredibles, and saw the latest Wallace and Gromit in the theaters. We own The Iron Giant on VHS. Maybe we'll check out some of the older Wallace and Gromit films. I keep hearing about Whale Rider. It's definitely in the running.

BiblioCat

12-19-2005, 08:58 AM

Ooooh, yes, get Whale Rider. Stunning visuals, great story.

Others I'd recommend:
Elf. Funny and silly. Predictable story, and a wee bit crude (burping humor), but good for everyone. The 5-year-old will love it, but so will everyone else.
Snow Dogs. Another 'family movie'. Cute slobbery dogs, nice story.
Chocolat, for after the little one nods off. Why? It's got Johnny Depp in it, that's why!
The Princess Bride. Why? Because it's The Princess Bride, that's why! 'Nuff said.
The Rookie, the Disney version with Dennis Quaid as a middle-aged guy trying to break into baseball as a pitcher. Good sports movie, cute kids, nice story.

Zebra

12-19-2005, 09:10 AM

I'll second Elf. I didn't think I was going to like it but I really did.

The original King Kong
A Christmas Story
Mad Hot Ballroom

norinew

12-19-2005, 09:40 AM

The Princess Bride. Why? Because it's The Princess Bride, that's why! 'Nuff said.
Hubby and I were just speculating over the weekend on whether the little one is old enough to appreciate The Princess Bride yet. We were also wondering why we don't own a copy of it, but that's a topic for another thread!

Jonathan Chance

12-19-2005, 09:43 AM

h.sapiens

12-19-2005, 09:50 AM

Miyazake's My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away are two of my favorites. I prefer the subtitled versions, but with a little one, the dubbed versions are fine, too. Spirited Away has some kind of intense moments, but my 5-year old nephew was okay with it.

FriarTed

12-19-2005, 10:01 AM

For the whole family- THE LAST UNICORN

After the kiddies go to bed, THE HEBREW HAMMER

BiblioCat

12-19-2005, 10:16 AM

Hubby and I were just speculating over the weekend on whether the little one is old enough to appreciate The Princess Bride yet. We were also wondering why we don't own a copy of it, but that's a topic for another thread!
You can get the special edition (anniversary?) version now - lots of great behind-the-scenes stuff. And not over-the-top pricey, either. IIRC, I got it for $15.

norinew

12-19-2005, 10:37 AM

I dunno about Whale Rider. It's a great movie but awfully heavy. It had Lady Chance in tears of frustration.

Believe it or not Tim Allen's The Santa Clause is a good one. It's family-friendly with some good laughs.

Yeah, I just read Ebert's review of Whale Rider, and it seemed like it might be a little intense for the little one. Actually, we love The Santa Clause, and the little one hasn't seen it yet. So that's definitely a possibility.

jakeline

12-19-2005, 10:45 AM

My favorite Christmas movie of all time is "We're No Angels" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048801/) with Humphrey Bogart. It's utterly charming. I'd also like to second (or third, or fourth) the suggestion for Princess Bride.

BiblioCat

12-19-2005, 10:54 AM

If it doesn't have to be a Christmas movie, how about a Back To The Future marathon? Get all three movies and watch them back-to-back.

Athena

12-19-2005, 11:06 AM

We just watched "Babe" and "Babe 2: Pig in the City" again. Really, really good films, and appropriate for all ages.

Sailboat

12-19-2005, 11:14 AM

Joe vs the Volcano.

I'll third Whale Rider too, but J v. V was more feel-good.

Sailboat

Kalhoun

12-19-2005, 11:31 AM

My dad and sister (and niece) watch Holiday Inn every Christmas eve. It's a great old movie. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034862/usercomments

Equipoise

12-19-2005, 11:36 AM

I'd recommend Elf too. It's goofy-silly and a lot of fun. It was the first thing I ever saw Will Farrell in and I thought he was fantastic. My husband and I now have a Christmas movie tradition where we'll watch Elf and Bad Santa as a double-feature every year.

I also love Whale Rider, Spirited Away and Babe 2: Pig In The City.

The Secret of Roan Inish is a beautiful family movie.

If Duma is out on video by then, it's an excellent film, as is Never Cry Wolf by the same director (Carroll Ballard).

ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies

12-19-2005, 12:28 PM

Secondhand Lions (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327137/)

BiblioCat

12-19-2005, 01:26 PM

Secondhand Lions (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327137/)
Seconded. I loved this one.

(Geez, I'm a PITA, aren't I? ;) )

AuntiePam

12-19-2005, 01:37 PM

Planes, Trains and Automobiles would please everyone except maybe the 5-year-old.

How about Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey? It's sappy but amazing, and funny.

well he's back

12-19-2005, 04:20 PM

Family friendly movies we (my 14 year old daughter & I) have watched over the years and recommend:
-What's Up Doc (hilarious, even with Streisand and O'Neal
-Return of the Pink Panther
-A Night at the Opera
-A Little Princess and The Secret Garden - the beautiful theatrical versions that came out, what, about 10 years ago (no time now to check IMDB). They are wonderful films.

norinew

12-19-2005, 05:41 PM

Seconded. I loved this one.

(Geez, I'm a PITA, aren't I? ;) )
We love it, too. Not a big Michael Caine fan, but I love that movie!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles would please everyone except maybe the 5-year-old.
Hubby would never consent to rent a movie with John Candy and Steve Martin!

AuntiePam

12-19-2005, 08:18 PM

Hubby would never consent to rent a movie with John Candy and Steve Martin!

Too much of a good thing, eh? ;)

This one might surprise him. It's not terribly subtle, but it's more low-key than you'd expect. They both play it pretty straight, and it's still hilarious in spots and touching in others.

Zebra

12-19-2005, 09:26 PM

Except for the scene where Steve Martin complains to rent-a-car lady.

Seriously Mad Hot Ballroom

StGermain

12-19-2005, 10:11 PM

How about the original version of "Yours, Mine, and Ours"? A family film, a semi-Christmas movie, funny and appropriate for all ages. My nieces and nephews all love it, from the youngest to the oldest. If you don't know about it, it's the true story of a mother with 8 kids who marries a father with 10. Lucille Ball plays the mom and Henry Fonda plays the dad.

StG

GuanoLad

12-19-2005, 10:59 PM

The Polar Express

norinew

12-20-2005, 06:18 AM

StGermaine, the original Yours, Mine and Ours might be a good bet. I remember seeing bits and pieces of it when I was a kid, but don't know that I've ever seen the whole thing. And it would please the middle daughter much more than the new one would, as she wishes Hillary Duff would just curl up and die somewhere; or at least shut up.

GuanoLad, the youngest one has already seen Polar Express (which isn't necessarily a bad thing; you know at that age, they like to watch things over and over again). Do you think it's entertaining enough for the older ones amongst us?

h.sapiens

12-20-2005, 08:18 AM

The first "Spy Kids" movie is a lot of fun. The second one is pretty good, too, and it has Ricardo Montalban and Holland Taylor!

norinew

12-20-2005, 08:21 AM

The first "Spy Kids" movie is a lot of fun. The second one is pretty good, too, and it has Ricardo Montalban and Holland Taylor!
We saw the first Spy Kids as a family (well, before we had our youngest, of course), and it was a lot of fun. Haven't seen the second one yet. I'll have to put that on the list of considerations.

ShibbOleth

12-20-2005, 08:44 AM

I'd definitely say Elf. Silly, but funny and cute. My wife and kids were in hysterics. Lots of physical humor.

While I really, really loved Whale Rider, I'd say that it will either be lost on or distrubing to the little one.

Toturo is great. But my daughter's favorite is The Cat Returns. Kiki's Delivery Service is also very good and features voice work by Phil Hartman, which always makes me wistful.

The Scrivener

12-20-2005, 09:54 AM

The Wallace & Gromit shorts would be excellent for the first film. A tip: stock up on cheese and crackers beforehand. :)

As for the second flick, I dunno if the five-year-old would really get into it, but Miracle (about the 1980 USA Olympic hockey team) is a lot of fun and would be particularly good to see sometime before the Torino Games in February. It's probably O.K. for your youngest to see; the harshest language in it is a locker-room scene when Coach Brooks calls Rob McClanahan a "candy-ass". There's also some intense hockey action.

Either Monty Python's The Life of Brian or Mel Brooks' The History of the World, Part I would be a funny third flick.

When your oldest daughter is a few years older, she may really appreciate the Thanksgiving comedy Home for the Holidays (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113321/), as I have.

norinew

12-20-2005, 10:25 AM

Either Monty Python's The Life of Brian or Mel Brooks' The History of the World, Part I would be a funny third flick.
I would agree, but hubby does not like Monty Python or Mel Brooks! (Yeah, I know, I know). The other suggestions sound good.

RitzyRae

12-20-2005, 11:29 AM

Tuck Everlasting, a totally unique story.
Funny Farm, I laugh every time at every joke.

Rocketeer

12-20-2005, 03:10 PM

The Rocketeer is a wonderful movie, full of action and color, and suitable for family viewing.

Of course, I may be prejudiced. ;)

GuanoLad

12-20-2005, 03:26 PM

GuanoLad, the youngest one has already seen Polar Express (which isn't necessarily a bad thing; you know at that age, they like to watch things over and over again). Do you think it's entertaining enough for the older ones amongst us?
I liked it. It's good enough for older people to enjoy the story, though it may not go down in history as a classic. And it's quite a thrill ride.

Ogre

12-20-2005, 03:31 PM

March of the Penguins - I was stunned by how good it was.

norinew

12-20-2005, 03:59 PM

March of the Penguins - I was stunned by how good it was.
We rented this over the weekend; for my money, just the fact that it was narrated by Morgan Freeman was enough to make me want to see it. ;)

I'll put The Rocketeer down as a possibility, too.

ShibbOleth

12-20-2005, 04:20 PM

The Rocketeer is a wonderful movie, full of action and color, and suitable for family viewing.

Of course, I may be prejudiced. ;)

Is that the one with Jennifer Connelly naked in it?

dalej42

12-20-2005, 08:30 PM

I'll suggest Christmas Vacation (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958/usercomments) with the one caveat about the Chevy Chase, "Just blousing...browsing" scene. I think it would go right over the head of the 5 year old who will then laugh at Chase's physical comedy. The original rating was PG 13. It is still a very funny movie.

Ogre

12-21-2005, 02:39 AM

Equipoise

12-21-2005, 02:49 AM

norinew, you said your husband doesn't like Monty Python (my condolences) but for anyone else taking notes...

Either Monty Python's The Life of Brian ...

This is my favorite Monty Python movie by far, but it should be noted that there is full frontal nudity (both male and female) within. Some people might be embarrassed by that, especially with the kids in the same room.

What about Young Frankenstein? It is a Mel Brooks film (shhhh, don't tell your husband), but without Mel Brooks. I think it's very funny and lots of fun.

TastesLikeBurning

12-21-2005, 04:08 AM

I movie I really wasn't expecting much from, but ended up really liking was Remember the Titans. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0210945/)

norinew

12-21-2005, 06:35 AM

norinew, you said your husband doesn't like Monty Python (my condolences)
Yeah, but I knew it when I married him, so I don't really deserve your sympathy.

What about Young Frankenstein? It is a Mel Brooks film (shhhh, don't tell your husband), but without Mel Brooks. I think it's very funny and lots of fun.
I love this movie, don't know what the others would think.

TastesLikeBurning, Remember The Titans is, from all I've heard about it, the kind of feel-good, family-friendly movie that just might make the cut.

BiblioCat

12-21-2005, 07:27 AM

You know, you have to come back on Christmas Day (or late Christmas Eve night) and let us know what you watched.
:)

norinew

12-21-2005, 07:48 AM

You know, you have to come back on Christmas Day (or late Christmas Eve night) and let us know what you watched.
:)
Yep. Section seven, page two, paragraph four of The Doper Code. ;)

Shirley Ujest

12-21-2005, 07:50 AM

After the kiddies go to bed, THE HEBREW HAMMER

Why does this sound like a jewish porn movie?

Shirley Ujest

12-21-2005, 07:51 AM

A Christmas Story

"You'll shoot your eye out!"

PookahMacPhellimey

12-21-2005, 08:20 AM

Labyrinth.

Okay, some of its effects are a bit dated but I think it has much more charm than some of the recent CGI-laden films.

Smaller kids will love the muppets.

Growns-ups will love the muppets plus get to swoon over (a very young) Jennifer Connelly or David Bowie (in very tight tights).

Plus there's actually a good plot (a rare thing these days) with some interesting metaphores if you want to look for them and some funny moments as well.

I love that film.

Rocketeer

12-21-2005, 08:36 AM

Is that the one with Jennifer Connelly naked in it?

We should be so lucky. Unfortunately, not. ;)

Nic2004

12-21-2005, 08:48 AM

I'd like to add:
Treasure Planet- Good story, lots of action & humor. Beautiful graphics

I.Q.- Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins and Walter Matthau. Cute, funny.

Real Men- James Belushi and John Ritter. Off-beat, funny. Endearing

I'd like to second (or third):
Princess Bride
Iron Giant
The Rocketeer

All classic stuff!

Cockatiel

12-21-2005, 03:09 PM

I think Shrek and Jingle All the Way would be good.

norinew

12-24-2005, 10:15 AM

Okay, for all of you on the edge of your seats, waiting to see what we've gotten for tonight: We rented Shrek 2 and The Princess Bride. Hubby bought A Christmas Carol (the George C. Scott version, his favorite). They had it for $9.99. He figured he could rent it for five bucks or buy it for ten, so he bought it.

ShibbOleth

12-24-2005, 10:22 AM

Not really appropriate to Christmas, but I read a short article this morning that interviewed the director of The Triplets of Belleville. I mention this because our whole family enjoyed that movie. And there's no dialogue, and AFAICR no nudity. There is some mild violence and a strange dog.

Nic2004

12-24-2005, 02:39 PM