Movies: The Family Filmgoer

Can you take your kids to see "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa"? What about "Soul Men" or "High School Musical 3"?

Jane Horwitz, who writes the syndicated Family Filmgoer column, answered these questions and more during a live discussion about movies on Friday, Nov. 7 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Horwitz's Family Filmgoer column appears in newspapers around the country and has been featured in the Washington Post since 1993. She also writes about theater for the Post and regularly appears on WETA's "Around Town."

A transcript follows.

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Washington, D.C.: My 5-year-old is very sensitive to people who experience hurt feelings in films. For instance, he loves the action of the original Star Wars trilogy, but two recent rentals "Meet the Robinsons" and "Happy Feet" were disasters. When he realized that it was the penguin father's fault that mumbles couldn't sing due to a birth defect when the dad lost control of the egg, he started crying and wouldn't stop until we turned the film off for good. During the orphanage scenes in Meet the Robinsons, he got very sad and could barely deal with them. How is it possible for us to screen films that get otherwise positive reviews for scenes of real emotion, which he seems to really dislike. I've rented most of the bland Disney films and nature documentaries, but it's hard when some weird film really affects him.

Jane Horwitz: That's interesting and I hope it's something he'll eventually outgrow - -though, of course, it's a GOOD thing for a child to have true empathy as part of his personality!

I try to note in my Family Filmgoer reviews when there are scenes of particularly intense emotion. Or I'll at least say things such as : "theme about loss of a parent" or "theme about grief and loneliness." I don't have much space to do more. However, your description has inspired me to try harder in that regard.

Beyond that, the only thing I can suggest is to pre-screen, or seek out some of the on-line sites for parents that have the space to go into considerable detail.

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Reston, Va.: The review of Madagascar 2 just confirms why Pixar films are generally always superior to Dreamworks. Dreamworks movies seem to choose their voice actors and craft their characters around that actor, and write stories that will highlight those actors. Pixar, on the other hand, seems to push story and characters first, and then finds voice actors they deem appropriate for the roles.

Do you agree?

Jane Horwitz: I think you're right that in general, the Pixar films (which also use star voices in many roles) seem to pay much closer attention to story than other animated films from the big studios. That being noted, I found "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" a huge improvement over the 2005 original, which I thought was dreary most of the way through, and far too geared to older audiences to the exclusion (in terms of humor) of little kids. This one, while it still has the double entendres and more sophisticated allusions, is also a riot in terms of slapstick and silliness and characterization. So I'm a fan of Madagascar 2.

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Glen Echo, Md.: Jane

Any idea when The Time Travelers Wife will be released? Heard any comments, good or bad, following the recent advanced screening in Pasadena?

Jane Horwitz: I'm afraid I can't find anything except that it's in post-production. Keep checking with BoxOfficeMojo.com and IMDb.com [Internet Movie Database.com].

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washingtonpost.com: Family Filmgoer Archive

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Washington, D.C.: If a movie scares a child of 5 -- e.g., the sea witch in The Little Mermaid -- is it better to fast forward or let the child work through her fear? Most of the Disney movies have scary parts. It is hard to find a movie with no villains.

Jane Horwitz: Great question.

I have to say that I'm not a child psychologist, but that a family therapist I sometimes consult for the column has always been very emphatic that every child is different.

Some kids at age 5 are still a little unclear about the difference between fantasy and reality. They might watch a story unfolding on the TV screen and believe they're really in the middle of it -- that, in a sense, it's happening to THEM. Or sometimes they can handle it on the small screen, but find the same story more scary or upsetting on a theatrical screen.

They're more likely to get scared and/or upset than kids who can recognize that they're watching make-believe.

I guess you have to gauge what stage your child is at.

My personal reaction would be to try to let the movie unfold normally, and talk the upset child through the scene that's bothering them. You could even stop it and talk about how it's make-believed and about what's bothering them, and then start it up again, but without fast-forwarding.

If that doesn't work and they're still inconsolable, then fast-forward away, and try the same movie again in a few months. Keep me posted! I'd be interested in what solution you find.

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washingtonpost.com:

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washingtonpost.com: 'Escape 2 Africa': The Hip Are Best When Shaking It (Post, Nov. 7)

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Jane Horwitz: I'm interested in what parents of teens feel about R-rated films such as "Soul Men" and "Zack and Miri Make a Porno", which are non-violent, bawdy comedies. As The Family Filmgoer, I have to be relatively conservative, and note that many parents of high-schoolers would not want those under 17 to see these. But I know there are many parents who don't object to films that are bawdy or profane, as much as they might object to violent films.

What are some of your reactions?

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Twilight: LOVED the books. What are you hearing about the movie? I'm very much looking forward to it but have not heard much about it.

Jane Horwitz: I haven't kept up with the buzz, but the director, Catherine Hardwicke, has done some interesting films already: "The Nativity Story" (2006), which was a reverent but very lovely dramatic retelling of the birth of Jesus; and "Lords of Dogtown" (2005), about the birth of the competitive skateboarding culture.

They couldn't be more different, and yet they were both very well done and distinctive.

"Twilight" opens Nov. 21, unless that's been changed. So we'll know soon.

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Maine Mom: When is a kid old enough to go to the theater to see a movie? My two earliest movie-going memories are pretty traumatic, Bambi (because it was during hunting season in Maine) and E.T. (totally terrified of the men is space suits and had to be removed from the theater screaming.) I think I was about 4 for both. I have a 3 1/2-year-old who watches some short videos at home, but I am not sure when a full-length theater going experience is appropriate. Any thoughts?

Jane Horwitz: As I've written so often, people must be sick of it, every child is different. But that's quite true, in terms of what they're ready for at a big theater.

I've been to MANY promotional screenings on Saturday mornings of new animated films -- saw "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" that way last weekend -- and people often bring very little children to these.

Some are completely transfixed when the film is good. Others fidget when they're bored or scream and cry when they get scared.

My suggestion would be to try a weekday matinee somewhere, when there won't be too many other people in the audience to shoot you dirty looks, and try it out. But if your 3and-a-half-year-old starts to act up, just leave. If it's not too far into the film, you may even be able to get a refund.

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Washington, D.C.: Is Soul Men worth seeing? I understand this is the last movie featurung Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes, two iconic black entertainers who coincidentally died in one week? How are they in the film? Who would the movie appeal to?

Jane Horwitz: I really enjoyed "Soul Men." Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson play off each other so well, it's a tragedy they didn't do other buddy films together.

Now, I don't know your taste. The film is HIGHLY profane and lewd, with lots of comical sex scenes and crude langauge, etc.

It is also hilarious, and a great tribute to the 1970s soul groups and that whole aspect of popular culture.

So if you're easily offended, give it a miss. Otherwise, I'd say it will entertain anyone and everyone who likes to watch a couple of real pros tear up the screen and be funny together and create a terrific, believable chemistry and vivid characterizations.

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Jane Horwitz: Does anyone have teens who went to see "W."?

I'd be interested in how politically aware your high-schoolers are, and what they thought of it.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm thinking of taking my 3.5 year old daughter to see Madagascar 2 this weekend. It would be her first movie ever. We watch some TV at home, but she's never seen a whole movie from start to finish. I think she'll love the experience, but I'm just worried about how she'll react to the opening sequence where the lion cub is taken away from his parents. Do you think it's a really stressful scene to expose a 3 plus-year-old to? Thanks.

Jane Horwitz: That's very possible, that she'll be upset by that scene.

However, if you have reason to think your 3.5-year-old might be OK after the initial part of the film, here's an idea: Hold her in your arms and stand near the back as the film starts. See how she reacts to the prologue with the abduction, etc. If she's OK, then go town the aisle and find seats. I'd recommend staying ON the aisle, since she's so young, in case you have to make an exit later on.

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Minneapolis, Minn.: Hello.

The first questioner had me wondering how what happened at a theater in Seattle (which was reported in The Washington Post) affected kids.

They were supposed to see, "High School Musical 3"; however, the previous night in the same theater, they had shown a midnight porn film. Someone had forgotten to switch films.

If I were a parent, I would have been furious. Imagine what parents would have to go through to explain this...

Jane Horwitz: I missed that story. Funny in the abstract; not so funny in reality.

I hope (and assume) that theater gave EVERYONE free passes to another film.

Sounds like a pretty bad management problem to me. So many of these multiplexes nowadays are run by one adult manager and a bunch of teens doing part-time jobs; not to mention non-union projectionists; It's a miracle more stuff doesn't go wrong.

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Jane Horwitz: Did any of your high-schoolers go to see Anne Hathaway in "Rachel Getting Married" (R), a limited-release film playing at about 10 theaters in the area?

It's a find film (Dir. Jonathen Demme), though profane and with a sex scene and some drug issues.

Fine acting; and emotional questions about family and our all-American tendancy toward self-absorption.

Haven't heard much from moviegoers about it.

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Potomac, Md.: Do you see the range of movies from Hollywood changing with the election of Obama to reflect the country's different mood?

Jane Horwitz: Intriguing question. I'm guessing yes, that will surely happen -- but don't look for the result of this election changing the zeitgeist until about a year from now in terms of studio releases. It takes that long to get stuff through the pipeline. Independent films, we may see sooner.

Then, of course, as all presidents do, President Obama will make a mistake and start getting satirized. Hollywood loved Bill Clinton, but they still razzed him in "Wag the Dog" and "Primary Colors."

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Hollywood, Calif.: I took my teenaged daughter and two of her friends to see "Rachel Getting Married" a few weks ago....they were a bit fidgety at first re: pace (imagine, a storyline unfolding!) but seemed compelled at the finish. We had a lively debate in the car on the way home. I like the idea that they all had differing opinions about who was "right" regarding the family issues. I loved the film, btw.

Jane Horwitz: That's great to hear! I thought it was such a fine film.

And despite some of the adult material, it was a terrific conversation-starter for thoughtful teens. Plus they get the advantage of seeing real quality filmmaking and acting. So glad you had a good experience with it.

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Age for first movie: Six people! SIX! Don't waste your money taking a 5-year-old to the movies! They have their whole. entire. lives. to go to the movies, they can wait until they can sit quietly and understand the situation!

Besides, which do listen to Jane. The only time we didn't was with "Finding Nemo." She said some kids might be upset that the mom was dead. At the end of the movie our then-five year-old (broke my own rule, you see, and had many trips to the bathroom during the movie experience), said "what happened to the mommy?" And his eyes were huge. And quick as a flash I said, "She went shopping." "Okay!"

So now we totally listen to Family Filmgoer!

Jane Horwitz: Funny AND flattering.

Thanks.

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TV versus movies: My theory with my own children is that the movie experience is simply more intense and overwhelming for them -- the dark room, the monstrous screen, the rumbling soundtrack. They are much more relaxed watching DVDs, partly because they know they can skip a scary part or even turn it off. Is that a common experience for children?

Jane Horwitz: I have no scientific study on this, but it has long been my view, also.

There simply HAS to be something more intense about seeing a film on a big theatrical screen. That's why I often note to parents of pre-schoolers that certain films may not scare or upset their kids at home, but would do in a theater. It's a judgment call. But for the sake of other audience members, I always beg parents of smaller kids to take them out if they can't sit still or if they react with crying or screaming to something that scares them.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: How could you recommend "Soul Men" on any level other than nostalgia for the late Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes?

That film has almost as much foul language as "Pulp Fiction," and was a blatant rip off of "The Blues Brothers." Sure some of the stuff was funny, but so much of the dialogue was forced and the story less than original. If nothing else, you could pop in to see the ending credit montage, but to actually pay money for a lousy remake would be a big mistake!

Jane Horwitz: I have to disagree.

Blues Brothers was quite a different animal, as I remember it.

The profanity is very "Pulp Fiction"-esque in some ways, but I found the comic chemistry between Jackson and Mac quite unique and funny.

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Washington, D.C.: Do you know if there is an Incredibles sequel in the works?

Jane Horwitz: I've stalled around on this one, because I'm not that plugged into the business aspect of Hollywood, and I had to surf a bit. I don't know of one, but there's been endless buzz on the Internet, apparently, including a fake trailer of a sequel.

If anyone knows of a REAL sequel to The Incredibles, please dish!

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washingtonpost.com: "Rachel Getting Married." Anne Hathaway earns her grown-up actor's wings with a raging perform ance in this stunning dramatic comedy. She plays Kym, fresh out of drug rehab, who comes home for her sister's (Rosemarie DeWitt) wedding. Kym's presence is a bomb tossed into the celebration. How her sweet dad (Bill Irwin), her emotionally distant mom (Debra Winger) and her brother-in-law-to-be (Tunde Adebimpe) deal with Kym is poignant and riveting. There is profanity, a sexual situation, drinking, drug jokes and an upsetting description of the death of a child. Okay for teens 16 and older who lik e character-rich stories.

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Crotchety Old Maiden Aunt: Hi Jane, in response to your question about the Zack and Miri film, I'm afraid that some of those right winger types on O'Reilly are right -- there is a "pornification" of America. I cringed when I heard the title, since it's also a poster on buses and bus shelters, etc. Can't they just make the movie and put a soft touch on the title? Older teens will find it, but why do we parents (and aunts) have to explain to a 6-year-old what 'porno' means? I guess I've maxed out on gratuitous sex and violence, since I'm now upgrading to 3 on my Netflix account and looking for interesting foreign flicks. Do any of these studio execs actually look for quality stories anymore, or is it just derivative sex comedies to pander to 17-year- old boys. Rant over, thanks!

Jane Horwitz: Ha!

Thanks, Crotchety...

I think you have a point about the "Zack and Miri" title. It is awkward. I'd just tell a small child that it means movies that are "very naughty and rude" or something like that.

You remind me of being taken at age 12 to see a stage production of "The Threepenny Opera." As I sat with my parents before the show, I read the program and the cast of characters. Then I asked, VERY loudly, "What's a PROSTITUTE?" My mom laughed and then muttered to my dad, I KNEW this was a bad idea!

You're quite right, too, that Hollywood keeps plundering its own movies with endless sequels and still makes many films geared to teenage boys. Perhaps I'm a silly optimist, but I sense a bit of a change.

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Bawdy film and teenagers: I'm liberal to a degree (quoting Bob Dylan in case you missed it), but I say no way. Teenagers are highly impressionable and wildly implusive. So unless you want them doing home versions of what they see on the screen, I say keep them home as long as possible.

Jane Horwitz: Not sure what you mean in terms of "keep them home as long as possible."

Do you mean you don't let them see any films at theaters, so you can control what they see on video?

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Atlanta, Ga.: Kids are SO different. My now 6-year-old has been going to the movies since he was 3 and he was perfectly fine. He LOVES going and is mesmerized by it all (okay, not Ice Age 2, we had to leave cause it was a little much for him). My 3-year-old can't sit still enough, so I wouldn't take him -- did once, to Wall-E, cause the grandparents were here, etc., but he couldn't sit for the whole thing -- I was the one who kept taking him out and stuff...

So you never know.

Jane Horwitz: Thanks for supplying anecdotal evidence for my theory!

Agree about Ice Age 2, also. It got very grim in the second half, didn't it. Grim and tiresome.

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Jane Horwitz: I must sign off now.

Thanks so much to all of you for the excellent questions.

Have a good time at the movies this weekend!

Jane Horwitz ("The Family Filmgoer")

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