Family Films and Friday Food

But no felines yet ... I still have to pull that post together (perhaps I'll do a 'Saturday Scamps?'), but I was thinking about movies today and I thought I'd share what we've been viewing lately. (And I'd love to hear what you and/or your kids have been enjoying - we don't watch much TV, but we do love movies! And we always appreciate suggestions. :))

First of all, the Netflix movie we just returned was Kung Fu Panda 2. The older boys and I saw that in the theater last year and we all agreed we liked even better than the first. I'm not much of a Jack Black fan - we couldn't even finish Gulliver's Travels - but he has the perfect voice for Po. The movie may be a bit dark and sad for young children (or sensitive kids like my EB) but we found it poignant, humorous and uplifting.

Now lately we've been watching The Fantastic Mr. Fox on quiet afternoons. For some reason this movie (which we love anyways) brought us much comfort while we recovered from the virus. Earlybird especially loves this movie. My parents gave the boys a portable dvd player which has come in very handy ~ we set it up in the corner of the sitting room. I'd start it up as the day grew dark and before long I'd have three boys gathered 'round to watch with me.

This picture was taken the day Bookworm got sick - Crackerjack was in recovery, EB was still a-ok, and (unbeknownst to me at the time) I was just hours away from my turn.

Now other movies the older boys have watched recently and enjoyed:

Iron Man (1 and 2) ... a bit off-color in a few parts, and of course, there was violence (it's a superhero movie after all) but I allowed my 12 year-old to see both films. (They are both rated PG-13.) Both CJ and BW loved these movies. They are part of the "Avengers" series which also includes Captain America and Thor. (Those were both awesome, too.)

The Goonies ... which the boys received as a Christmas present from their Aunt Ami. :) We watched it one night a couple of weeks ago, and wow, did it take me back! I had forgotten most of the movie so it was kind of new for me again. (Maybe that's an upside of getting older, lol?) There was some colorful and suggestive language but nothing too bad. A little violent and gross at times ... (and come to think of it, this was the night CJ got sick!) ... but you know that kind of humor appeals to kids - especially boys - very much. ;)

Bill and I have been watching old James Bond films now and then. He really loves these movies, so the boys and I gave him a couple of boxed sets for Christmas. I particularly like the older ones, because I love seeing the 60s clothes and settings (though I have to laugh at the chauvenistic attitudes!). And they're really fun to watch together because we both grew up watching Bond. :)

We also purchased Breaking Dawn, Part I, which is part of the Twilight Saga. I loved the books and I find the movies - while certainly not great filmmaking - fun to watch. We haven't seen BD yet - the one film we missed in the theater - so it will be neat to see it for the first time this weekend. (This is a movie for Bill and myself - not the boys.)

Speaking of filmmaking, I have to show you my little Spielberg-in-the-making ...

Crackerjack loves making stop-motion Lego movies. He's working on a minifig version of "David and Goliath" at the moment.

(Gotta love the hat. What's a director without a great hat?)

*x*x*x*x*

Now, before I go, I have to just quickly mention that I've been working on my menu plan for next week (and corresponding market list) and I realized it's time to think about Lent! Actually, I thought it was neat that in every store flyer I perused, there was mention  - celebration, even! - of this upcoming liturgical season. I so love the anticipation, the feel of the season, I even cut out a few of the ads for my clippings journal ...

... because I'm silly like that. ;)

So I have several meatless Fridays to plan for ... so I'm brainstorming on that (looking back at this post which was so very helpful thanks to many readers' suggestions). There are other food "matters" to plan for in Lent - feast days (for example, Sts. Patrick and Joseph) and special baked goods (like homemade pretzels and hot cross buns). So I'm sure you'll hear more from me on all that sooner or later. I'm pulling together our "Lent plan" this weekend - that was supposed to happen last weekend, but you all know how that went ...

Well!

I've kept you all here long enough, so I'll wrap up and say good night. I hope you all have a very nice weekend - stay safe and healthy! 

And I'll see you here again very soon ...

❤

Comments

[Dawn]

Wonderful suggestions, everyone ~ thank you so much!

I have to make another recommendation myself, as it is particularly "seasonal" for next month ... Darby O'Gill and The Little People. (The link is up on my right-hand sidebar.) It's a Disney film from 1959 and just the most charming movie. I think it was one of Sean Connery's first films.

Blessings, all ... and thanks again!
~ Dawn

p.s. Mary, I see you suggested Darby as well! It really is such a sweet movie. And the scenery!! :)

[Rebecca]

Hi Dawn - two movies we really enjoyed are Secondhand Lions
and Flipped - both are coming of age movies set in the 60s and they are great family friendly movies. We also just re-watched last night Princess Bride (both this and Flipped were directed by Rob Reiner). The first to were recommended to us by Netflix and they both have the same feel to them - my 8year girl and soon to be 11 year old boy enjoyed as did my husband and I. Also, much love for Fantastic Mr. Fox around here as well :) Happy movie wathcing!

[Amy]

Hi Dawn - Every year I try to see all of the Oscar nominated movies and documentaries - making my way through them!

Since you're a bird lover I thought you and the boys would get a kick out of this- are you familiar with the Bald Eagle Cam put out by the Raptor Project?

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/02/eagle-cam-returns/

Mama Eagle just laid her first egg!!

[Mary]

Hi Dawn,

Thanks for sharing all your thoughts on movies. We love the Kung Fu Panda movies also. And Thor and Captain America were fantastic.

Some other movies we have enjoyed include:

Letters to Juliet - very family friendly and a sweet, sweet story!

Miss Potter with Renee Zellwegger (sp?) We all love this movie!

All the Star Wars movies

Star Trek - the original TV series and also Next Generation

War Horse - but there are some rough war scenes

On PBS...we love As Time Goes By, and Keeping Up Appearances

The Adventures of Tintin

Dolphin Tale

Mr. Poppers Penguins

Facing the Giants

Love Comes Softly (Hallmark)

A Dog Named Christmas (Hallmark) WE LOVE THIS!!! And the book too!

Miracle (with Kurt Russell about the US Olympic Hockey Team)...we love this movie!

The Ultimate Gift (but somewhat of a bittersweet ending)

The Ron Clark Story

All the National Treasure movies

Flubber (with Eddie Murphy)

Some older movies we still love:

Sound of Music

Mary Poppins

Jungle Book (The original)

Robin Hood (Disney cartoon) Love this. The Foxes are so cute!

Johnny Tremain (Disney 1957)

Beauty and The Beast

Darby O'Gill and the Little People (with a very young Sean Connery!) Perfect for around St. Patrick's Day

Kidnapped (Disney 1960)

Swiss Family Robinson (Disney 1960)

Lady and the Tramp

Oh my goodness...this list is getting so long. I have a lot more but I think I should post them another day!

And yes, I'm looking forward to Lent too and stocking up on fish and lighter fare.

Have a great weekend.

Love,
Mary

[Gardenia]

Have I ever commented before, Dawn? I've been reading your lovely blog for some time now, and always come away with new insights or a smile at least. We love Fantastic Mr. Fox. My just turned 5 year old daughter has loved it for about a year, it's got (clean) adult humor in it as well, and I just enjoy the whole George Clooney as the dad fox. I usually think of Lent with foreboding, but then as it nears, I get a lovely feeling inside, like telling me the time for another chance at renewal and holiness is coming! I like how you end your posts with "see you again very soon."

[Diapeepees]

Love your enthusiasm about all things -- esp. Lent!
(And, good to hear your take on movies for the boys...)

[Penny]

We love musicals - Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, etc. My youngest is sensitive (Like EB) so we tend to go for the tamer stuff. Our whole family enjoyed Gnomeo & Juliet as well. Gotta love Elton!

And of course, we are all heavily addicted to Antiques Roadshow. lol

My girls are into stop motion animation as well. Legos, Playmobile, Stuffed friends, nothing is off limits. Except me. lol

Have a nice night - I hope everybody stays well!

[Arlene Grimm]

We enjoy dvd series of shows we have seen on Masterpiece Theater...right now we are enjoying an old Inspector Morse program. We loved MYSTERY when it was a separate program on PBS and really enjoyed all the detective series...Jane Tennyson, Adam Dalgleish, Lord Peter Wimsey, Rumpole of the Bailey and Campion. I own all the Miss Marple dvds starring the amazing Joan Hickson, who WAS Miss Marple in my opinion. And today as I sat cross stitching a new piece...I put in Harry Potter! I am trying to watch all the HP movies again in order. I admit it, I am a nerd!! Have a wonderful Weekend Dawn!