Making Movies Meaningful

Making Movies Meaningful

How parents can turn their children on to what films have to teach

sick of children's movies that are chewing gum for the mind? You don't have to succumb to the latest Hollywood formula flicks. Classic movies that once were available only on scratchy prints in art houses or riddled with commercials on the “Late Late Show” now appear in video stores, as rich as Rembrandt's. Films that enchant, thrill, even teach, are there for parents who know where to look. Writer Nell Minow, aka “The Movie Mom”, has been organizing film festivals for her children for many years. She offers these tips on changing your children's movie watching habits for the better:

Entice them

Parents need to get children interested befor the movie begins. Tell them what the challenge or conflict in the movie is, but don't tell them how it turns out. Children love to watch the movies that were their parents' (and grandparents' favorites when they were children's ages.

Challenge them

Make sure that every movie they see is one that you feel is worth the two hours it takes away from other things. Then challenge them to challenge the film. Ask them why the character is behaving in the way shown and what they would do in that situation. Discuss with them how the movie springs its surprises and makes them feel suspense. This not only teaches them about narrative and point of view, it helps to teach them critical thinking.

Prepare them

No matter how bright and well-educated a child is, he or she is unlikely to be able to follow the plot of a feature film without some kind of introduction. Give them a general overview of the situation, issues, and the characters. If they ask questions, give the, more details without spoiling the ending. Sometimes, with younger children, it helps to read a book together on the same subject. With musicals, it's a good idea to listen to the record a few times before going to see the movie.

Connect with them

Pick a movie that relates to the child's interests or experience in some way. If you have visited or plan to visit New York, try On the Town, where three sailors have one day to see the city. If the child loves baseball, try Pride of the Yankees. Many classic children's books have been made into movies. Children who have read The Secret Garden, Little Women or The Phantom Tollbooth will especially enjoy the movies.

Famous Actors as seen by the Grevin Museum. Photo by Elena.

Warn them

Older movies do have the advantage of telling their stories without the kind of language, violence, or nudity that led to the development of the rating system in the late 1960s. But they sometimes reflect attitudes that clash with today's values, particularly about women and minorities. Even an objectionable movie has some value if it prompts a discussion. It may give you a chance to point out aspects of your own past or to talk about values without sounding as though you are preaching. This provides a perfect chance to discuss the issues and to explore the history that surrounded the movie's presentation of these attitudes.

Join them

Sharing a movie with your children shows them that you are not just seating them in front of the TV to give yourself a break. Watching a wonderful movie together becomes part of the common experience that you will always treasure having with your children.

Meet the Blurb Writers

Sometimes reviews say more about reviewers than about the movies. So try to spend your movie-ticket wisely, and remember that the blurbs in movie ads can be as deceptive as cineplex “butter”. If the names attached to Heart Warming, Wonderful, Best of the Year mean nothing to you, here is the skinny on the critics who do the reviews:

Never get easily impressed by art-house pretensions. Be aware that many critics show a weakness for movies with big budgets and big stars. Trust those who are not authors of a conservative indictment of movie topics, but trust those who taste family-styled entertainment, especially when you're taking the kids. Also remember that every critic occasionally get carried away with their raves. Look for those who praise a movie and mean it.