Yes, I Used to Work At Blockbuster

A chilly Spring Break means movie time at the See house.

I thought I’d share with you some older movies we have enjoyed that may be off your radar. Because movie ratings have changed over the years, I’ve noticed that some older PG movies have bad language in them, so I would strongly suggest reading movie reviews from a site like Movie Mom before choosing for your family.

I have found that putting up with a few damns and hells has given us the chance to see movies with much better plots than some of the crapola being made right now (you know—all parents are idiots, the only things kids care about are dating and clothes-- basically anything on Nick or Disney Channel). It’s nice to find movies that I want to watch with the kids.

Once again, please check out movie reviews first. I mean, how many of us were scared to death by POLTERGEIST (1982)? That had a PG rating!

So, like us, you’ve probably enjoyed revisiting the “Free Willy” movies and “E.T.” Here are some other family movies we have enjoyed.

“The Rookie” (2002) Dennis Quaid, baseball coach and dad, gets a second chance at pro baseball.

“A Little Princess” (1995) Gorgeous version of Frances Hodgsen Burnett’s classic.

“Miracle” (2004) Kurt Russell plays the coach of the victorious 1980 USA Olympic Hockey Team. Note: Hockey language included.

“Dreamer” (2005) Dakota Fanning, Kurt Russell, save an injured racehorse and mend their relationship.

“Fly Away Home” (1996) A girl saves a flock of geese by guiding them south and develops a strong relationship with her father.

“Believe in Me” (2006) Small town doesn’t believe in girls’ sports. Cutie-pie actor from “Burn Notice” plays their inspiring coach. Note: Rough language, and teen pregnancy alert!

All the “Shiloh” movies.

And you may remember

"My Dog Skip." I loved it, but the implied elderly doggie death at the very end sent Molly into hysterics.



What older family movies do you like?

Contrarian Librarian

February 10, 2010

Dear Noah Wylie and TNT Executives,

When my family and I discovered your made for TV movies about a Librarian who must save important artifacts from getting into the hands of evil-doers, we were ecstatic. We found the first 2 in the series to be in the same spirit as Indiana Jones and the National Treasure franchise, but without so much killing and those freaky Nazis. We also enjoyed the supporting roles played by Bob Newhart and Jane Curtin.

Imagine my chagrin when we watched “The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice” last night. I thought we’d get some more zany globetrotting adventures with historical allusions thrown in. You know, secret passageways, codes to decipher, and bad guys whose quests for power needed snuffing out by a hero who always gets the girl. I even fancied that it might be a little bee-blicle, given that Judas was in the title.

I’m not sure how you managed to turn it into a into a vampire movie where we had to deal with: voodoo, Count Dracula, and a bunch of ape-shit, or should I say bat-shit vampires flying around sucking everyone’s blood. I had gotten used to fast forwarding through the TV movie’s obligatory bedroom romp. My son asked me, “Why does Flynn (Wylie) have a different girlfriend in each movie?” But a little sheet time was nothing compared to exposing my 8 and 10 year olds to fangs, skeletons, the un-dead and bags of blood.

I will expect to receive from you, by FedEx or UPS, a King-sized Serta Perfect Sleeper to replace our current Queen. Mr. See and I do not anticipate sleeping alone together for quite some time.

Sincerely,

Anna See