Film: Tiny Furniture

This film really reminds me of the notion that I would never want to be young again.  I would never want to be in my teens or even my twenties and go through all the transitions that come with that time period. This film is written, directed and stared in by Lena Dunham.  This low budget coming of age story is a retrospective look of the life of a post graduate woman, who is really a little girl, returning to her mothers Soho apartment and refusing to grow up.  The film is cast with Lena's own mother, sister and friends.  Her mother is artist Laurie Simmons and the loft in the film is really her mothers loft.
The film won the Best First Screenplay award at the 2010 Independent Spirit Awards.
I oscillated between wanting to smack her, thanking my lucky stars I don't have a daughter and cringing at the admission that I was not much different, in many ways, at that age.

Have you seen Tiny Furniture? 

Film: Submarine

I forgot I saw this movie and how much I enjoyed it until I recently saw a preview for it.

Submarine is film based on the novel by the same name, by Joe Dunthorne.  Mr. Dunthorne wrote his novel in 2002 while he was finishing up his undergraduate studies. 

This coming of age, teenage angst story features the life of Oliver; a 15 year old school boy who is as intent on losing his virginity as he is in stopping his sexually charged neighbor from having any sort of relationship with his mother.  As is often the case in these types of stories, Oliver finds an equally confused lady, Jordana Bevan, and together they discover first love. 

The film first debuted at the Toronto Film Festival in 2010 and is produced by Ben Stiller. 

The cinematography in the film is done by Erik Alexander Wilson and is quite amazing. 

The constantly changing setting, whether in a forest, abandoned fair ground, bon fire side or along water overlooking an industrial town, emphasize artistic features that only a genius with an impeccable eye could capture and execute. 

I plan to read the book. 

Click to read the NYT review of Joe Dunthorne's story Submarine

Have you seen Submarine?

What is your favorite coming of age novel or film? 

Film: After The Wedding

I did not expect to like this film.  I ordered it and it sat and sat on top of the DVD player.  I could not even remember why I had ordered it.  One night when Dr. J was out for a work thing I decided to watch it.

This movie is excellent. Amazing. Easily a favorite. 

It is also primarily in English. 

This Dutch film came out in 2006 and gained nation wide attention after showing at the Toronto Film Festival in the same year. The story starts in India at an orphanage and plays out mostly among the wealthy elite in Denmark. 

The film is chilling in its explorations of love, money, obligation and responsibility.  It has amazing twists, that are impossible to foresee.  

From the NYT review this film: "relies on whipped-up familiar ingredients — a birth, a death, a wedding, a funeral, a man, a woman, another man, another woman"

I recommend seeing the film prior to reading any reviews.  I promise you will love it.

Have you seen After The Wedding? 

Film: Crazy, Stupid, Love

This film opens up with a married couple, played by Steve Carell and Julianne Moore, having dinner and her asking for a divorce.  

Blindsided by this news the plot quickly thickens when the other cast members appear, one by one and the overlapping love triangles and relationships emerge. 

I am not one to get girly crushes on movie stars, however, Ryan Gosling is extremely easy on the eyes.  Furthermore, his character has a fantastic house with great architecture which I find makes him all the more appealing.  (Click to read my review of Blue Valentine)

I enjoyed this film because aside from a fantastic cast, it is not predictable.  

This is the third film I've review where Julianne Moore plays a cheater ( and here). 

Have you seen Crazy, Stupid, Love? 

Film: Chloe

Atom Egoyan is a famous film maker, in Canada.  One of my top favorite movies of all times is The Sweet Hereafter (1997)- if you haven't seen it I highly recommend you do, it is one of those stories that stays with you.  Last night I watched Chloe (2009), touted as an erotic thriller.  The film stars Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, and Amanda Seyfried- an amazing cast in my opinion.  Amanda Seyfried who I best recognize as the oldest daughter in Big Love is an amazing actress and has a sexy big lipped look about her.   
The film takes place in Toronto not far from where I grew up- in fact Atom Egoyan lives right in my parents neighborhood.  It was really awesome seeing various scenes form Yorkville, The Royal Ontario Museum and Queen Street West.  The snow and cold reminded me of how glad I am to live in the South West!  
As I mentioned this film is considered an erotic thriller, a label that I don't like.  It feel that the expectations and the audience that such a label attracts is not the same audience who would enjoy the intricate layered relationships which contribute so much more to the story. The film is about a high end call girl Chloe, who is hired by a woman in an attempt to seduce her husband to gauge his faithfulness to her.  As is typical in a tragedy- the characters ultimate demise is rooted in the bad decisions and choices they make.  
Watching the film to see the architecture and design of the house Julianne Moore and Liam Neeson's characters live in- is alone worth watching the film. 

Have you seen Chloe?

What do you think of the Erotic Thriller genre? 

Film: Garden State

Zach Braff and Natalie Portman are two of my favorite actors.  I saw this 2004 film a few years ago. 

It was part of the official selection of the Sundance Festival and Zach won New Break Out Director at the Hollywood Film Festival.

It is written, directed and stars Zach Braff- He also created the sound track which won a Grammy.

Zach plays a depressed waiter, Andrew, who returns to 'Garden State' aka New Jersey, after a phone call from his father telling him that his mother is dead.  Andrew meets Sam at a doctors office, where she seeks treatment for her epileptic seizures.  Add to that, Sam is a colorful pathological liar.  

Zach Braff describes the film as a story about: love, for lack of a better term. He goes on to say that: it's a movie about awakening. It's a movie about taking action. It's a movie about how life is short, go for it now. My character says, 'I'm 26 years old, and I've spent my whole life waiting for something else to start. Now I realize that this is all there is, and I'm going to try to live my life like that'
(source)

The film underlines the theme that as soon as we are able to let go of all of our preconceived notions of what limits us, we become limitless.   

I ordered this film to watch it again.  It is definitely one of those works that can be seen through different eyes as time passes.

What films do you think are worth watching more than once? 

Discovery Atlas

As some of you already know my family does not subscribe to cable- We do however enjoy watching TV shows and having family movie nights.  The theory is that we watch shows or movies that are thought out and not aimlessly found while channel surfing. 

We just finished watching a great series that we borrowed from our local library called Discovery Atlas- The series chronicles the lives, cultures, traditions and natural aspects of several countries.  

These documentaries contain stunning footage of both cities and natural landscapes and follows the lives of people who live in both rural and urban communities.  

In the Japan episode, for example, they follow the lives of a geisha in training, Ama divers, a family who competes in Robotics and a tuna fisherman.  

The countries include China, Brazil, Australia, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Mexico and Egypt.  

To see another great educational series we enjoyed click here.  

Have you seen any great educational series lately? 

Human Planet - BBC Earth

We just finished watching the Human Planet series over several family movie nights.
All four of us really enjoyed these well documented, educational and interesting shows.
This series captures the lives of humans around the world.  It covers people who live in and among: Oceans, Deserts, Arctic, Jungles, Mountains, Grasslands, Rivers and Cities. 
I asked my oldest monkey what were his favorite parts, this is what he came up with: 
In the Mountains show there is a family that has to travel six days through the ice and snow of the Himalayas to get to school.  In the Grassland's there is a tribe in Africa that has to protect their grain from monkeys but they can't kill them because they live on the edge of a National Park and anyone caught killing one of the protected monkey would be sentenced to seven years in jail.  In the Jungles video the people capture humongous bats and then eat them, even the wings.  In the Rivers one a man crosses rivers that are stronger than Niagara Falls to catch fish for his family.  
My youngest monkey wrote:  
I like the Rivers one the best and liked the Cities one with the cockroaches and rats (which I could not watch).  I like the Arctic episode where they caught the narwhals and whale.  I liked when the kids ate the tarantula.

What I liked most about this series is that there were so many glimpses into the way that others live, survive, make-do and flourish that I had never heard of.  The traditions and customs of people in remote locations were fascinating to watch and learn about.  The footage is award winning and nothing short of amazing.

Have you seen any of the Human Plant shows? 

Film: Blue Valentine

This is a great love story.  Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling trained for their roles to portray a couple for years.  The director Derek Cianfrance had the two rent an apartment together, buy groceries and live on a small fixed budget to research their roles.  The result is raw and real. 

I always pull for the under dog and this story is no exception.  I also believe that once you find love it doesn't just go away- You can't fall out of love with someone- You can have period of time where things are tough but that is why marriage vows say 'in good times and in bad'.  

The film bounces back and forth between 'real' time where the couple have a daughter and have been married for a few years to when their love first blossomed.  

The film was shot in 16mm for the flashbacks which gives it a dream like vintage vibe.  

Have you seen Blue Valentine? 

Click to read my reviews on two other Michelle Williams films:
Mammoth

Wendy and Lucy

Film: Somewhere

I really liked Lost In Translation and so I thought this film would be worth a watch.  Somewhere is directed by Sofia Coppola and tells the story of Stephen Dorff's character, Johnny Marco, as a film star and his relationship with his eleven year old daughter Cleo, played by Elle Fanning.  I was fascinated by this young actress who is in my opinion very talented.  I guess acting can really run in the family.
True to Ms. Coppola's style the dialogue is sparse.  The first few minutes of the film are a series of long shots of driving in a Ferrari and watching Hugh Hefner's twin ex girlfriends- do badly synchronized pole dancing scenes.
Dr. J rolled over and played on his IPhone- so clearly it is not for everyone.  I liked watching the relationship between father and daughter, the shots at the famed Chateau Marmont and the lavish hotel they stay at in Italy.
Great film to enjoy (perhaps alone) on a quite evening with a glass of wine.

NYT Review

Have you seen Somewhere? 

Film: Dogtooth

What a weird film.  Directed by Giorgos Lanthimos this 2009, Greek film left both Dr. J and I with an unsettling feeling.  It is the story of three adult children living behind a high walled compound.  During the course of the film the father is the only one who leaves the property.  The ‘children’ are told that evil ‘cats’ live beyond the compound walls and that children are old enough to leave their parents home once they have lost their ‘dogtooth’.  The children are taught the incorrect meanings of words- for example they are told ‘sea’ means ‘chair’; ‘zombie’ means ‘small yellow flower’ and that ‘phone’ is a saltshaker.  There is never any explanation as to why the parents, seemingly well educated, well spoken and well-to-do people; choose to teach their children these fabricated definitions of words.  Ultimately the use of improper words serves as a tool to further remove the children from the ‘real world’ because what they question, seems incompatible with their understanding.    

There is a huge degree of control on the part of the parents.  Nothing is ever given as an explanation as to ‘why’ they have built this sheltered existence for their offspring and ‘why’ they cripple their children by telling them such offbeat lies such as ‘the mother will be giving birth to twins and a dog’.  The myths they are fed conceivably continue to make the children further dependent on their parents. 

The ‘children’ live a seemingly idyllic life which includes swimming, games and watching home videos of themselves.  The NYT review stated that the: three [children] wander about in their underwear, speak in monotones and seem perpetually on the verge of either incest or fratricide or both.   

Have you seen this film? 

If yes, why do you think the parents created this world and what do you think it is a commentary on? 

This NYT review is great

Movies Your Kids Should Watch- Top 11 Classics For 3-5 Year Old's

Hello! My name is Galit and I'm the one behind the Slow Noodle adventure.
I'm an avid reader of Ren's blog and especially love her movie reviews.
The post I found myself coming back to as a reference again and again is Movies Your Kids Should Watch - Top 20 Classic (80's) Films For Kids. I believe you agree with me that it is a great post!!!

My own little monkey will turn 3 next month so Ren's list is a bit early for her, but man, does she love watching movies!!
We don't have a TV at home so our entertainment is movies. Lately we started watching movies together on Friday nights, cuddled up on the couch together. As a mom it is so much fun to look at my girl and see her enjoy some of the same films I did as a child. It is remarkable how classics remain relevant and so enjoyable even 30, 40 and 50 years after they were produced. I think that's the magic of the cinema!

I suggested to Ren that I compile a list of classic movie selections for a slightly younger audiences.
The 3-5 years old monkeys who enjoy a film with simple storyline, cute characters, and a great score.
So, here are our top 11 movies. Enjoy!

At the top of our list for over a year now, is Curious George (2006). You might also know the PBS TV Series which is great as well.
I have to admit that it is my favorite toddlers film as well, mainly thanks to the awesome soundtrack by Jack Johnson and the so cute Drew Barrymore as Maggie and Will Farell as Ted - Man with the Yellow Hat.
It is a super funny film, more for the parents, who get the jokes.
This one kills me every time:
Mr. Bloomsberry: I knew you wouldn't let me down.
Ted, The Man with the Yellow Hat: I have to admit I came pretty close.
Mr. Bloomsberry: Oh no, I'm so proud of you. You're like the son I never had. 
Junior Bloomsberry: Father, I'm you're son. Remember? 
Mr. Bloomsberry: Well, yes. But I had you...
There are a couple of newer Curious George films but none of them captured the magic of the first one. They are all good and nice to watch but this one is a classic.


Next on our list are two familiar jungle stories. The first one is Tarzan 2 (2005). This one goes back to when Tarzan was a little boy and follows his misadventures as he searches for his true identity. It is funny at times, sad at others and always clever and nice.
I especially love the scene where Tarzan tries acting like different animals to find out what he is.
He's so cute when he declares: "I'm an Ape!" but gets disappointed again and again to find out he's not any one of the other species. At the end, Zugor, his mentor announces: "I finally figured out what you are. A Tarzan!"
You get a couple of cute new Phil Collins songs as a bonus.

The second jungle movie was one of my favorite is a kid but somehow my personal little miss doesn't share my enthusiasm. I know many other kids do like it, so I decided to include it as well.
My Milli is a very sensitive girl (just like her mum, mmm...) and even a bit of violence or the tiniest scary episode turns her off.
I personally don't think Jungle Book (1967) is scary but somehow she doesn't like the big animals (or at least that's what she says).
If your little one is a sensitive fellow, maybe skip this title for the next couple of years.
If you do watch it, you'll enjoy one of the best soundtracks in kids movies and of course the great story.

Mary Poppins (1964) !! How I've waited for my girl to get to the age when she can watch and enjoy this musical!! It was my favorite as a child! I think I've watched it over a million times. No, a billion times! It's the greatest classic!
I'm sure you are all familiar with it but just in case you forgot - it is a fantastic musical with Julie Andrews and the cutest of cutes- Dick Van Dyke. Mary Poppins is a magical nanny who comes to work with the family of a Londoner banker. She teaches the kids to look at life from an angle that turns the everyday into an extraordinary adventure. The movie is filled with amazing live action blended into animation and of course the main thing is that 'Supercalifragilistic' Music. The song "A spoonful of sugar" is a favorite of ours every time we have to do something we don't really like (like brushing teethes....).
Bear in mind that it is a very long film (139 minutes) what makes it a bit hard for the little. I'm not sure my Milli ever watched it to the end. But she still love it a lot and I'm sure one day... we'll get to the final tune!

We love Disney's classics here and the older the better!

Fun and Fancy Free (1947) is a lovely classic without much dialogs and more of that great animation mixed with live action and puppets. It is actually 2 short films: "Bongo" -about a circus bear escaping to the wild, and "Mickey and the Beanstalk" -a take on the famous fairy tale.
We like some of the old silent ones as well (where there is no dialog at all and just animation with wonderful orchestral music) such as: Mickey's Circus, Moving Day and Mickey's Grand Opera. They are all available to watch online on YouTube by the way.

Winnie the Pooh is of course one of the most beloved characters and I reckon for each and every child there is a phase when Pooh becomes his best friend (I hope that this still happens nowadays and that kids don't just love Dora and the such...).
There are so many Pooh films but our favorite is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977). This film is actually comprised of three short films: "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree", "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day", and "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Too", originally from the 1960s, which are the closet adaptation, as far as I know, to the original book by A.A. Milne.  I love the way it flows just like a story book, with the pages turning and characters jumping from one picture to another. One of the greatest timeless   movies ever.

Piglet's Big Movie (2003) is one of the newer adaptations that I'm not a big fan of usually, but this one is particular cute. It gets my points especially because of the sweet soundtrack (by Carly Simon).
This one basically recycles old Winnie The Pooh stories from the original books. Young children can relate to Piglet who is excluded from the Hundred Acre Wood honey harvest and told that he is too small to help. He disappears so his pals have to go on a mission to find him. On their way they discover that even a very small animal can be a big hero in a lot of ways.
I read some bad reviews about it and I agree it lacks the charm and sparkle of the original movie but I still think it is a cute little movie. Not a one to watch over and over maybe but definitely a nice variation if your kiddies are crazy about Pooh and his friends.
If you do like this one, check out also The Tigger Movie (2000)

There is something about penguins that make them exceptionally cute isn't there? We are lucky to have penguins here in South Australia and after seeing them my girl went through a period of a brief but intense crush for penguins.
Happy Feet (2006) is an exceptional lovely movie that is clever, witty but still happy and sweet. There are a couple of scary scenes in it but it is mainly 'clean' for the young audience to watch and enjoy.
Parents will enjoy the many stars who dabs the animals (Elijah Wood, Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams and Nicole Kidman among others).
Unlike the other films in my list, the phase of this one is rather speedy. For a girl who doesn't watch TV and is not used to the (too) fast and sharp storytelling, it was exhilarating at times but also very tiring at the end. I reckon it would be much more enjoyable for 5 years olds.

You can't talk about penguins without mentioning the wonderful March of the Penguins (2005). If Happy Feet was too fast-paced for you, have a nice relaxed time with this stunning nature documentary. It is possibly the most beautiful documentary I've seen. The penguins seem so human I couldn't stop thinking of how much I would like to adopt one of them...
Not all kids are fonds of documentaries. They are usually very slow and there isn't always a clear story. I would recommend watching this one together so you can talk while watching and be able to answer the little one questions.
If yours do enjoy it, try watching also Arctic Tale (2007)

This movie walks on the thin line between a documentary and a magical fairy tale. The Fox and the Child (2007) is a wondrous movie by the same filmmakers of the March of the Penguins that tells the story of young girl and her friendship with a fox. It is a pure magic and like Hila described it in her beautiful review - "it feels like a gift of a film". I don't have enough praises for it. It is simply stunning in its sweetness and innocent. Both the girl and the fox are so graceful and the landscapes are marvelous. While watching, it is an opportunity to discuss the seasons and what animals are doing in the different seasons in the wild. Be prepared for your little one's request to go and look for foxes... we did go out but ended up finding only koalas (how come there are no koalas films by the way??)

There are a couple of other movies we enjoy but I will conclude my list with this hilarious Russian cartoon. My partner is Russian and was watching this on TV as a kid in St. Petersburg, so it is his part of the deal.
Nu, pogodi! (means something like Well, You just wait!) is Russia's answer to the classic Tom and Jerry but is packed with a Soviet kind of humour and a totally not politically correct tale (Goodness gracious me, the wolf is smoking!).
The series consist of 20 episodes and follows the adventures of an artistic wolf (I'm sure that he's not only smoking, he's also drunk!) trying to catch (and presumably eat) a hare.
My girl is absolutely crazy about it, and, sensitive or not, she can't wait for the wolf to finally catch the hare. If you're interested of something completely different, go and check it out (all chapters are available to watch online and are almost speech free so no need to understand Russian).

Hope you enjoyed my list of favorite movies! There are so many more I haven't put on the list, but these are the ones we enjoy the most and more frequently.

Thank you Ren for having me!
Enjoy the magic of the cinema friends! Galit x

Film: Never Let Me Go

I really loved the book Never Let Me Go and looked forward to the film.
The story depicts the lives of three friends who grow up in an idyllic British boarding school called Hailsham.  The school focuses on the creative development of the children and provides a nurturing environment based on kindness, sensitivity and understanding. The only interaction they have with those from the outside world, besides their Guardians is when they graduate and move on to their less structured lives at the cottages and their real purpose is revealed.
Dr. J hated the film- (and I quote) "If it's a futuristic movie then why does everything look like it takes place in the 1950's.  In defense of the film, Dr. J hated the idea of watching the film before we even started and barely put his IPhone down from the beginning.
The film was good, certainly thought provoking and worth watching- but I would really recommend reading the book as it was excellent.

Have you seen the film or read the book? 

Bored To Death

I happen to find pot smoking Jews to be highlarious- 

So when I read about this HBO TV series I ordered it immediately and was not disappointed. 

The show is written by author Jonathan Ames, and stars Jason Schwartzman as a fictional Jonathan Ames – a writer who also moonlights as an private detective. 

Jason Schwartzman is a great actor and in my opinion handsome.  He portrays a freshly single, pot smoking, struggling writer who lives in Park Slope, NY.  His boss is played by Ted Danson, also a pot head and bit of a sex addict and alcoholic.  The best friend role goes to Zach Galifianakis (who wouldn't want Zach as a BFF), a slightly neurotic comic book writer.  

After some success with a first novel, Jonathan is struggling to write a second novel.  He posts an ad on Craigslist, as an unlicensed Private Investigator and comedy ensues as he takes on cheating boyfriends, missing persons and sex scandal blackmailers.

  The first season came out on DVD in September 2010 and although the second season finished showing in November 2010 they have not released the DVD yet- 

Jonathan Ames also wrote The Extra Man- which was made into a film I recently saw. The story is about a failed playwright who sublets a room to an eccentric cross-dressing aspiring writer and trains him to be an extra man while they entertain rich Cougars.  Dr. J fell asleep while watching it.

Have you seen Bored To Death? 

Movies Your Kids Should Watch- Top 20 Classic (80's) Films For Kids

I have a list of films that I think it is my g-d given duty to make sure my monkeys watch, love and laugh at the right parts.
This 'best of' top twenty list combines my favorites as girl, filtered with Dr. J’s favorite as a boy and tested on two contemporary boys. A few of these films my monkeys have seen more than once and we started watching them around when my youngest was five.  Most of these would be entertaining for 5 and older.
I hate movie rating (I always picture a parent holding their kids hand to ‘guide’ them through a PG13 movie). It is the quality of the story and overall message of the film that is important- not whether they say shit or show nudity. Furthermore the more laughter and repeatable lines a movie has the better it is.

Here is a list of films that in my opinion are classics (I grew up in the 1980's) and that Dr J and I both watched as a kids and now as parents with our monkeys.

Princess Bride- (1987) The opening scene with Fred Savage was a favorite of mine as a kid because I had such a crush on him from the Wonder Years series. The fact that it replayed itself in real life when I first introduced the concept of seeing a film called PRINCESS BRIDE to my boys is hilarious.
Grandson: A book? 
Grandfather: That's right. When I was your age, television was called books. And this is a special book. It was the book my father used to read to me when I was sick, and I used to read it to your father. And today I'm gonna read it to you. 
Grandson: Has it got any sports in it? 
Grandfather: Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles... 
Grandson: Doesn't sound too bad. I'll try to stay awake. 
Grandfather: Oh, well, thank you very much, very nice of you. Your vote of confidence      
                                     is overwhelming. 
Great line is of course: Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
This is story of adventure, love, conspiracy and overcoming adversity.   The losers are 'laugh out loud' funny and the sword fighting scenes are amazing.

Gremlins- (1984) This story is about an inventor who find a pet for his son in a creepy Chinatown shop.  The Mogwai is a cute cuddly creature (that I happen to really badly want as a child) that must be taken care of abiding by three rules.  As all good stories often unfold; the rules are broken and chaos ensues.
This film might be scary for some kids but with the advances in film technology, the effects seem very unrealistic to my boys- making even the famous Gremlin in a blender scene seem laughable.
So, when your washing machine blows up or your TV goes on the fritz, before you call the repair man, turn on all the lights and look under all the beds. 'Cause you never can tell, there just might be a gremlin in your house.
As an aside my older monkey can make the Mogwai 'singing' noise too well.

Beatle Juice (1988)- I love the music and dancing in this film, in fact I discovered Harry Belafonte because of this film. The movie came out when I thought Winona Ryder was uber cool even before Reality Bites.   In classic Tim Burton style it combines humor with death and decay. The film is about a country living, house restoring couple who discover their death when an artsy family moves in and starts knocking walls down. The Monkeys favorite part is when they go to the underworld and see all the freaky people and BJ gets his head shrunk after trying to steal a tribal man’s number.
BJ: Hey, there goes Elvis! Yo, King! (switches numbers) 

Well, looks like I'm next. Good thing, too. I gotta do a photo shoot for GQ in about an hour and a half. Yeah, they've been after me for months. Doin' some underwear deal. I don't know what... (tribal guy sprinkles powder on BJ’s head and it starts shrinking)

Whoa, hey! What are you doing? Hey, stop it! Hey, you're messing up my hair! C'mon!                   

Whoa! Whoa! Stop it!... Hey, this might be a good look for me. 

A Christmas Story-(1983) Ralphie just wants a BB Gun but everyone keeps on telling him he is going to shoot his eye out. He has a really nice mom who lets his little brother hide under the kitchen sink and act like a dog but hates his dad’s new lamp.
Although it is technically a Christmas film I think it is hilarious any time of the year and my monkeys agree.  Memorable scenes that make us all laugh out loud include when he gets his tongue stuck on a metal post and when he has his mouth washed out with a bar of soap. Not sure if it is Jewish humor appreciation but my monkeys think the sitting on Santa's lap scene is super funny.

ET- (1982) Um I don't remember using the line 'Penis breath' after seeing this movie as a kid- but my monkeys think that is hilarious.  This film is about a boy who finds an Extra Terrestrial and tries to keep him hidden in his house.  Steven Spielberg is obviously great and this film is well known for being one of the highest grossing films of it's time as well as the first film which explored the possibilities of product placement.  
My Monkeys particularly like the scenes where everyone is wearing radioactive suits.  Drew Barrymore was a break out star and I loved her when I was a kid and I still think she is super cute to watch.

Stand by me- (1986) I pretty much had a crush on all four characters.  The story is about four friends who go on an adventure to find the dead body of a boy. Their adventure is a classic tale of boyhood mischief full of tall tales and close calls. Based on the novel by Stephen King titled The Body this film is a classic. My Monkeys particularly enjoyed the pie eating contest:
What the audience didn't know was that Lardass wasn't really interested in winning. What he wanted was revenge, and right before he was introduced he'd gotten ready for it. (flashback of Lardass drinking Castor Oil and eating a raw egg before the contest). 
There is a lot of swearing in this film. 

Ghostbusters (1984) Three scientist set up a business in an old fire house to trap ghosts and save New York from pesky supernatural spirits- They inadvertently release a world from another dimension and must conquer the forces of evil.
The Monkeys love it Marshmallow man:
I tried to think of the most harmless thing– something that I loved from my childhood, something that would never ever possibly destroy us: Mr. Stay-Puft. Funny us going out like this. Killed by a hundred-foot marshmallow man. c

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)- Again I had huge crushes on these guys.  As a mom I think this adventure is an excellent way to give monkeys a crash course in history that can be further developed.  The Monkeys, not so shockingly loved many of the naughty historical figures and we've been taking books out of the library to supplement their interest.

Bill: It is indeed a pleasure to introduce to you a gentleman we picked up in medieval Mongolia in the year 1269. 

Ted: Please welcome, the very excellent barbarian... 

Both: ...MR. GENGHIS KHAN! 

Ted: This is a dude who, 700 years ago, totally ravaged China, and who, we were told, 2 hours ago, totally ravaged Oshman's Sporting Goods. 

Twins- (1988) Following an experiment to produce a perfect being Arnold Schwarzenegger discovers that he has a twin brother. Comedy ensues when he finds his unlikely twin, a small time crook played by Danny Devito.
Julius: My name is Julius and I am your twin brother. 

Vincent : Oh, obviously! The moment I sat down I thought I was looking into a mirror. 

Vincent: You could be a boxer or something. I could be your manager. 
Julius: No, I could never fight for money. 
Vincent: Well that's fine. You fight, I'll keep the money. 

As a girl I thought this film was funny and enjoyed both actors.  My monkeys loved the whole 'brothers forever' aspect of the story. 

Labyrinth (1986)- This film is about a young girl who wishes away her baby half brother whom she is stuck babysitting. In a classic case of 'be careful what you wish for' the baby is stolen my the goblin king and Sarah must complete a labyrinth or her brother will be turned into a goblin. 
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young girl whose stepmother always made her stay home with the baby. And the baby was a spoiled child, and wanted everything for himself, and the young girl was practically a slave. But what no one knew is that the king of the goblins had fallen in love with the girl, and he had given her certain powers. So one night, when the baby had been particularly cruel to her, she called on the goblins for help!

Batteries not includes-(1987) A group of tenants living in a building set for demolition is visited by aliens who help them fight off the bad guys.
Jessica Tandy is great in this film. As a girl I remember thinking how cute the machines are and the intricacy of the machinery and parts certainly appeals to the monkeys.

Home Alone- (1990 not an 80's film but a childhood favorite)
This is slap stick comedy at it's finest.
Kevin: took a shower washing every body part with actual soap; including all my major crevices; including in between my toes and in my belly button which I never did before but sort of enjoyed. I washed my hair with adult formula shampoo and used cream rinse for that just-washed shine. I can't seem to find my toothbrush, so I'll pick one up when I go out today. Other than that, I'm in good shape. 
The monkeys love all the traps that Kevin sets up- The tar and nails bit particularly stands out and my monkey was wondering out loud if that would get infected.  

Never Ending story (1984) Tormented by bullies a young boy finds refuge in a book shop and finds an ancient story book.  He is warned it can be dangerous but as he begins to read it he is drawn into the mythical land of Fantasia which is in desperate need of a hero to save it from destruction.


Mr. K: The video arcade is down the street. Here we just sell small rectangular objects. They're called books. They require a little effort on your part, and make no bee-bee-bee-bee-beeps. On your way please. 

Peewee's big adventures (1985) I didn't really like this so much when I saw it as a kid.  When Dr. J insisted the kids would like it- which they did, I also found a new appreciating for this film.


PW: There's a lotta things about me you don't know anything about, Dottie. Things you wouldn't understand. Things you couldn't understand. Things you shouldn't understand. 
Dottie: I don't understand. 
PW: You don't wanna get mixed up with a guy like me. I'm a loner, Dottie. A rebel. So long, Dott. 

Willy Wonka (1971) This film is a must see in it's original production.  I was shocked to find out it came out WAY before I was born.  I remember seeing it on TV often as a child of the 80's.  Obviously the new version with Johnny Depp is a favorite for my monkeys but I still think it is important for everyone to see the original.
One of my favorite lines is:


WW: The strawberries taste like strawberries, and the snozzberries taste like snozzberries. 
Veruca: Snozzberries? Who ever heard of a snozzberry? 
WW: We are the music makers... and *we* are the dreamers of dreams. 

Goonies- (1985) Two brothers are facing having to move unless they are able to find the money to pay off golf course developers.They end up finding a treasure map.  Along with their friends they call themselves 'The Goonies' and go on a quest with the hope of saving their neighborhood.

Francis:  Tell us everything! Everything! Chuck: Everything. OK! I'll talk! In third grade, I cheated on my history exam. In fourth grade, I stole my uncle Max's toupee and I glued it on my face when I was Moses in my Hebrew School play. In fifth grade, I knocked my sister Edie down the stairs and I blamed it on the dog... When my mom sent me to the summer camp for fat kids and then they served lunch I got nuts and I pigged out and they kicked me out... But the worst thing I ever done - I mixed a pot of fake puke at home and then I went to this movie theater, hid the puke in my jacket, climbed up to the balcony and then, t-t-then, I made a noise like this: hua-hua-hua-huaaaaaaa - and then I dumped it over the side, all over the people in the audience. And then, this was horrible, all the people started getting sick and throwing up all over each other. I never felt so bad in my entire life. 

Harry and the Hendersons-(1987) A Frankenstein story of a family finding a ‘big foot’ while returning from a camping trip. Portrayed and perceived as a monster the family fights for their loved Harry. There is lots of swearing in this film which made it extra funny for my monkeys.
I wanted King Kong, you brought me a goddamn giant gerbil. I told you exactly what to do. You didn't even come close. 







Back To The Future- I am not a big fan of 'series' but make the exception in this case- 
These next three summaries are written by my monkeys- together in brotherly love. 

One

Is about a scientist named Doc and he built a time traveling car and he steals plutonium to fuel the car. His friend Marty travels back in time and meets his parents. Things get messed up when his mom falls in love with HIM instead of his father. It’s up to Marty to get his parents back together again and make it back to the future and save Doc from the angry Liberian who want their plutonium back. By hooking up a cord to the clock tower which they know is going to be struck by lightning and will send the time machine back to the future.

Two

In Two Marty and his girlfriend Jenny are married and have kids (or you can call them monkeys). Their kids are in danger and are going to get sent to jail for listening to a gang.  It is up to Marty and Jenny to save their children and the future.

Three

In the final back to the future they have to go back in time to the wild west because Doc always wanted to be a cowboy so he hid the car in an abandoned mine.  Marty gets to meet his great grandfather who is just a baby.  Marty and Doc have to change things again to save themselves.

Check out a list of 11 Classics for the 3-5 year old set

What films did you love as a child and want your children to be exposed to?