Family Movie Night

I have been thinking for a while now that I wanted to do a blog post about our Family Movie Nights. Not about the fact that we have them, or that we eat really yummy food while we have them, but actually what we watch. We have watched some movies more than once. We have watched many newer movies like UP, all three High School Musicals, Kung Fu Panda, etc.

BUT, what I want to talk about are the "old" movies. Movies that Erik and I remember from when we were young(er) and want to share with them. So I thought I would make a list of all the ones I can remember and then comment on what the kids thought of them.

E.T.

I was afraid they would be a little scared, but they showed no sign of fear. Fortunately they missed the comment about "p**** breath" and we didn't have to worry. They seemed to like it, but never really asked to watch it again.

Freaky Friday

They liked this one, were thoroughly entertained and have watched it a few times. They do not yet catch all the funny parts like "That Borris, what a fox." or "No and I never will again, Jim dear." But that just means they can still enjoy it for years to come. By the way, this was the Jodie Foster version and NOT the Lindsay Lohan version...yuck.

Little Women

This is a classic. They just barely saw it for the first time on Friday night. I have read them the book before and Madelyn has been enjoying listening to it on CD this week. I was worried they might find it a little boring, but they were totally into it. They especially liked "Teddy" but Madelyn also made a comment about Amy being her favorite, which made me sad because I have never liked Amy (the little brat).

The Love Bug

This one was fun for Erik and I to see again, it had been so many years! Again, I thought the kids might be a little bored, but they loved it! They have been asking to watch it again. They thought it was so funny.

Newsies

Most definitely a favorite. They love to sing the songs and when we could borrow it from the library in Dayton they would ask me to get it all the time (much to Erik's disappointment). We don't have it now and we are sad...I need to find it on Amazon or something. Love it.

Old Yeller

They totally loved it. We have been singing "Old Yeller...come back Yeller!...best doggon dog in the west!" This one Rhys and Seth were really into.

Pollyanna

They enjoyed it. I would not say they have grown to fully appreciate it though. We have watched it a couple of times, but especially Madelyn is not the world's biggest fan. Don't worry, she'll get there. :)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

LOVE. THIS. MOVIE. We all do! Even the boys are totally engaged the whole time. I think it is because there is a lot of singing. The girls love singing the songs and it is funny to us which songs - not the ones you think they would remember - like "Oh they say when you marry in June, you're a bride, all your life..." We watched this movie THREE FRIDAYS IN A ROW before Erik and I said we needed to pick something else. And we almost had kids in tears on our hands!

Swiss Family Robinson

They love this movie too. How could you not? The first time they saw it, which was probably 2 years ago, they were a little scared of a couple of parts, but they are past that now. Now it is Rhys that gets a little frozen when the tiger is ever on the screen. But this is lots of fun and we have watched it a number of times.

The Parent Trap

They like this movie and think it is so funny all the mean things the sisters do to each other at camp and then later to Vicki. We blew their minds when we told them that there is really one ONE girl and they filmed it like there were two...get it? :) This is another movie they have seen a number of times. Again, NOT the Lindsay Lohan version - I really like Dennis Quaid and I really enjoyed Natasha Richardson in this movie. But to be honest, there were a couple of things that seemed inappropriate, and that's not even talking about "L.L Trashy."

The Secret of Nimh

This movie is so great. I can remember feeling a little nervous on certain parts, but they just eat it right up. We have watched this movie a couple of times. So good.

Treasure Island

Truthfully, they seemed slightly bored with this movie. Well, with the beginning anyway. Once it got into it, they were hooked, but the beginning was hard for them to get into. They have not asked to watch it again since, but Erik pointed out to them how many things they have seen or read that relate to this story and the characters in it.

Wilderness Family

This movie practically defines my childhood. I would try to count how many times I have watched this movie, but I don't think I can count that high. I have the entire movie memorized and I am not ashamed. When Erik and I were dating he made reference to this movie and I just knew I was in love. He had seen it! And enough to make reference to it! In our conversation I did learn that he had NOT seen the second and third Wilderness Family movies, but I am a pretty forgiving person. The kids saw these movies at my parents house. We do not YET own them. But they loved them and I am so happy.

Something I learned while reviewing so many "old" movies is that when I watch Disney movies now and think "they use the same people for all their stuff," that's nothing new. When I go back and watch old movies, I see how many of the same actors are used in their movies back then too.

INVITATION: If you have a movie that you think we should add to our list, please leave a comment!