Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Family movie night is approaching, but you've already watched every DVD in your collection -- twice! -- and there's nothing new at the video store or on cable. What to do? Why not check out something old? The KidsPost staff offers up some 20th-century titles that kids as well as parents will love.

Adventures

"The Princess Bride." Sword-fighting, revenge, giants, monsters, clever wordplay and rodents of unusual size -- what's not to like? Actors you might recognize: Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal. Favorite line: "Have fun storming the castle!" Rated PG.

"Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan." An intense, thrilling PG movie with a tender ending. Actors you might recognize: William Shatner, Kirstie Alley. Favorite line: "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

Comedies

"Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Adults acting silly in a low-budget movie that inspired the play "Spamalot." Even after repeated viewings, many scenes never fail to get a laugh. (Despite the movie's PG rating, a few other scenes are not well-suited for kids younger than 12.) Actors you might recognize: John Cleese, Terry Gilliam. Favorite line: "I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty-headed animal food trough wiper."

"The Jungle Book." This 1967 PG-rated animated movie is still fresh and fun -- and better than any of the sequels and TV adaptations that followed. Voices you might recognize: Louis Prima and Phil Harris. Favorite line: "I'm gone, man, solid gone."

"Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation." Jimmy Stewart is hilarious in this all-too-real look at the potential pitfalls of family getaways. Favorite line: "There ought to be an un-Edison, an un-Thomas Alva Edison who un-invents things, and the first thing they ought to un-invent is that television."

"The Sandlot." Great summer movie about baseball, scary neighbors and funny dogs. Rated PG for some bad language and kids chewing tobacco. Actors you might recognize: Denis Leary, James Earl Jones. Favorite line: "But I'm not good at anything, Mom. Face it, I'm just an egghead."

"Mousehunt." The mouse is in control of this PG-rated movie. Actors you might recognize: Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella. Favorite line: "I don't think we're dealing with an ordinary mouse."

"Ghostbusters." This blockbuster won Academy Awards for its catchy theme song -- "Who You Gonna Call?" -- and for its ghostly visual effects. Rated PG for some crude language. Actors you might recognize: Bill Murray, Rick Moranis. Favorite line: "Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together -- mass hysteria!"

"The Parent Trap." (Either the 1961 G-rated original with Haley Mills or the 1998 PG remake with Lindsey Lohan.) Twins separated at birth rediscover each other and bring their parents together again. Favorite line: "I have a brilliant-beyond-brilliant idea!"

Dramas

"October Sky." Inspiring story of a very determined kid (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) who learns to build rockets. Rated PG for some language and sensuality. Favorite line: "Let them have outer space. We've got rock-and-roll."

"Field of Dreams." Kevin Costner builds a baseball field in his backyard for 1920s ballplayers. After the PG-rated movie, ask Dad if he wants to go outside and play catch. Favorite line: "It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again."

"Rudy." A feel-good PG movie about college football. It proves you're never too small to achieve a dream. Actor you might recognize: Sean Astin. Favorite line: "I've been ready for this my whole life!"

Musicals

"The Sound of Music." Julie Andrews and this G-rated movie are a few of our favorite things. You won't be able to resist singing along. (By the way, this film is airing this weekend on ABC Family.) Favorite line: "You brought music back into the house. I had forgotten."

"Yankee Doodle Dandy." Oscar-winning 1942 tale of composer-singer-dancer George M. Cohan. Ignore that it's black-and-white, and soak up the history and terrific music. Actor you might recognize: James Cagney. Favorite line: "My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you."