Children’s movies that aren’t…or are they

Posted in Entertainment, Hearth and Home on February 16th, 2009

CoralineStudent Life has an article on The Top 10 Kids Movies Inappropriate for Kids. On this list are some of my favorite movies. There are ones that my son and I enjoyed together and watched many time.

While I can understand the reasoning behind thinking some of the films such as Time Bandits, Coraline (thought I haven’t seen it yet so only know it because I’ve read the book and seen trailers), Watership Down, and Black Hole being thought inappropriate, I think that’s more because adults hold them up to a different criteria than children or young adults. Children, in my experience, only enjoy the adventure of Time Bandits and the fact that the parents are jerks and get what they deserved. While adults worry about the death of the parents, the kids are hoping that the fireman that looks like Agamemnon will adopt the kid.

On the other hand, Black Hole was so boring I think that it was torture to watch it the first time and only time we saw it. It was forever known in our house as the movie that explained that time stretches out because they certainly took too little plot and stretched it to fit the length of a movie.

What I think lists like these do, is make parents aware that maybe they should watch the movie first and then decide if their children should see them. I feel that parents should always watch the movies with their children so that they are available to answer questions and talk about the film after … if the child wants to talk. Too many times, the DVD is inserted and the parents go off and leave the kids to view with no supervision.

Children like creepy movies and they like to be scared. They usually have a strong sense of justice and like to see the “bad people” punished and the “good people” rewarded. But parents should be available to talk with their children. Movies are a time for parents and children to enjoy time together on the same activity.

Don’t let lists tell you what your children should or shouldn’t watch. The list-makers do their best to advise but they don’t know your specific children, you’re the best judge of what your child is ready for. I know some adults not ready for The Dark Crystal and some very young children who totally get what it’s about.