iCM Forum's Film Recommendations for Children: nominations due Apr 7

[Fergenaprido]

How often do you guys think kids watch movies?

Under the age of 6, probably not very often, if at all. It's either special trips to the cinema, or short tv shows.
6+ I'd say it varies depending on parenting style, but I'd guess most kids watch between 2-5 movies per month (not including obsessive rewatches. My sister wore out the VHS tape of The Little Mermaid when we were kids. I can also remember her watching Baby's Day Out on repeat).

[joachimt]

My kids watch a few movies a year. They are allowed to watch something every day for 30-45 minutes, but they mostly watch the same series over and over again. The rest of the day they play all sorts of fantasy games indoors or outdoors (like playing they are unicorns or pony's or whatever). They also do lots of creative stuff like playing with lego, drawing, painting, making bracelets, building a city with all kinds of things (kapla, trains, little cars, etc...). Movies are not a big part of their life, so I doubt they'll be into the type of movies suggested here before they are 14 or something like that.

[Jimi Antiloop]

She would have Child's Play on repeat at 4years old and had watched Saw at 3 and

Anybody else thinking, that this is totally nuts.

[ChrisReynolds]

My decisions:

A Fish Called Wanda (1988) - I think kids would like Ken Otto, but much of the plot is too mature for them.
Amélie (2001) - Everybody I've asked agrees this won't be appreciated.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Brazil (1985)
Ed Wood (1994) - Deals with topics most kids wouldn't know much about
Gremlins (1984)
Kung Fu Hustle (2004) - I was a bit torn on this, but I think the violence is so fantastical and comedic it should be OK.
Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) - I kept Holy Grail but eliminated this as it's not as silly and satirical of belief in a way kids won't easily understand
Mr. Vampire (1985)
Poltergeist (1982) - This should probably be OK for Halloween when watched with parents.
Rushmore (1998) - For teenagers
Stand by Me (1986)
The City of Lost Children (1995)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - I'm keeping this after seeing an interview with Little Nell saying that kids love the costumes and dancing.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984) - Deals with topics most kids wouldn't know much about
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)

[joachimt]

She would have Child's Play on repeat at 4years old and had watched Saw at 3 and

Anybody else thinking, that this is totally nuts.

Of course.

[mightysparks]

As a kid, my dad always rented 5 or so films every weekend and we’d usually watch most of those together as a family. I watched a bit of TV as well, but I mostly loved to read as a kid, I was always wanting to learn stuff so would watch and read as much as I could. I would read encyclopedias and dictionary’s and give myself math and English tests at home to constantly improve. I also did a lot of puzzles and crosswords and played a lot of video games. I know I used to play outside occasionally but I never liked the outdoors and I didn’t like playing with other kids. My parents would try to force me to but they’d always find me inside by myself with a book lol so they eventually stopped forcing me to do stuff I didn’t want to do. I was always a solitary indoors kid though, but if I have autism then I guess that makes sense. Film and books were definitely the biggest loves of my childhood.

[3eyes]

As a kid, my dad always rented 5 or so films every weekend and we’d usually watch most of those together as a family. I watched a bit of TV as well, but I mostly loved to read as a kid, I was always wanting to learn stuff so would watch and read as much as I could. I would read encyclopedias and dictionary’s and give myself math and English tests at home to constantly improve. I also did a lot of puzzles and crosswords and played a lot of video games. I know I used to play outside occasionally but I never liked the outdoors and I didn’t like playing with other kids. My parents would try to force me to but they’d always find me inside by myself with a book lol so they eventually stopped forcing me to do stuff I didn’t want to do. I was always a solitary indoors kid though, but if I have autism then I guess that makes sense. Film and books were definitely the biggest loves of my childhood.

This sounds very very familiar, in a mid-20th century sort of way -- though I liked being outdoors and had lots of cousins, some of whom were fellow aspies. Our elders joked that my cousin Bobby and I had a book club: we would sit on opposite ends of the sofa reading different books. Of course movies meant going to a theater so I never got my fill.

[Lonewolf2003]

How often do you guys think kids watch movies?

Under the age of 6, probably not very often, if at all. It's either special trips to the cinema, or short tv shows.
6+ I'd say it varies depending on parenting style, but I'd guess most kids watch between 2-5 movies per month (not including obsessive rewatches. My sister wore out the VHS tape of The Little Mermaid when we were kids. I can also remember her watching Baby's Day Out on repeat).

Nowadays with online streaming services it’s of course way easier for kids to watch (new) movies. That has to have some influence on how many movies kids watch. A movie isn’t as special to them probably as it’s to us raised in times when those were only available in cinema, VHS or occasionally on tv.
I find my niece and nephews (who are all under 12 still) often behind Netflix watching some movie when I come over there. (Of course this does depend on the parenting style and how much time and freedom parents give their kid in watching Netflix alone).

[3eyes]

My decisions:

A Fish Called Wanda (1988) - I think kids would like Ken Otto, but much of the plot is too mature for them.
Amélie (2001) - Everybody I've asked agrees this won't be appreciated.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Brazil (1985)
Ed Wood (1994) - Deals with topics most kids wouldn't know much about
Gremlins (1984)
Kung Fu Hustle (2004) - I was a bit torn on this, but I think the violence is so fantastical and comedic it should be OK.
Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) - I kept Holy Grail but eliminated this as it's not as silly and satirical of belief in a way kids won't easily understand
Mr. Vampire (1985)
Poltergeist (1982) - This should probably be OK for Halloween when watched with parents.
Rushmore (1998) - For teenagers
Stand by Me (1986)
The City of Lost Children (1995)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - I'm keeping this after seeing an interview with Little Nell saying that kids love the costumes and dancing.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984) - Deals with topics most kids wouldn't know much about
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)

I really like your approach here, and may try to emulate it. That's a big drawback with having to use IMDb/ICM lists - you can't make notes.

[allisoncm]

Here's a preliminary mix of titles that I thought would be good for children and that children have responded well to:
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls043671628/

I might change the order a bit more later.

[PeacefulAnarchy]

My decisions:

A Fish Called Wanda (1988) - I think kids would like Ken Otto, but much of the plot is too mature for them.
Amélie (2001) - Everybody I've asked agrees this won't be appreciated.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Brazil (1985)
Ed Wood (1994) - Deals with topics most kids wouldn't know much about
Gremlins (1984)
Kung Fu Hustle (2004) - I was a bit torn on this, but I think the violence is so fantastical and comedic it should be OK.
Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) - I kept Holy Grail but eliminated this as it's not as silly and satirical of belief in a way kids won't easily understand
Mr. Vampire (1985)
Poltergeist (1982) - This should probably be OK for Halloween when watched with parents.
Rushmore (1998) - For teenagers
Stand by Me (1986)
The City of Lost Children (1995)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - I'm keeping this after seeing an interview with Little Nell saying that kids love the costumes and dancing.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984) - Deals with topics most kids wouldn't know much about
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)

I really like your approach here, and may try to emulate it. That's a big drawback with having to use IMDb/ICM lists - you can't make notes.

You can make notes on imdb lists and it is, relatively to the rest of imdb's list functionality, reasonably easy to do so.

[mjf314]

My kids watch a few movies a year. They are allowed to watch something every day for 30-45 minutes, but they mostly watch the same series over and over again.

Which series?

[3eyes]

You can make notes on imdb lists and it is, relatively to the rest of imdb's list functionality, reasonably easy to do so.

I saw there was a place and tried to add a note but it didn't show - there must be a trick to it that I'm missing -- ?

[Carmel1379]

You can make notes on imdb lists and it is, relatively to the rest of imdb's list functionality, reasonably easy to do so.

I saw there was a place and tried to add a note but it didn't show - there must be a trick to it that I'm missing -- ?

Did you press the little tick on the side?

[PeacefulAnarchy]

You can make notes on imdb lists and it is, relatively to the rest of imdb's list functionality, reasonably easy to do so.

I saw there was a place and tried to add a note but it didn't show - there must be a trick to it that I'm missing -- ?

Are you in edit mode?

Click on Add a note and start typing. You have to then click the little check mark that appears for it to save.

[joachimt]

My kids watch a few movies a year. They are allowed to watch something every day for 30-45 minutes, but they mostly watch the same series over and over again.

Which series?

Lately it's mostly My Little Pony. In the past they were very fond of Winx, Glitter Force and Mako Mermaids.

[3eyes]

You can make notes on imdb lists and it is, relatively to the rest of imdb's list functionality, reasonably easy to do so.

I saw there was a place and tried to add a note but it didn't show - there must be a trick to it that I'm missing -- ?

Are you in edit mode?

Click on Add a note and start typing. You have to then click the little check mark that appears for it to save.

Thanks!

[mjf314]

My kids watch a few movies a year. They are allowed to watch something every day for 30-45 minutes, but they mostly watch the same series over and over again.

Which series?

Lately it's mostly My Little Pony. In the past they were very fond of Winx, Glitter Force and Mako Mermaids.

Do you recommend movies or TV series to your kids? Or do they decide on their own what to watch?

[joachimt]

Which series?

Lately it's mostly My Little Pony. In the past they were very fond of Winx, Glitter Force and Mako Mermaids.

Do you recommend movies or TV series to your kids? Or do they decide on their own what to watch?

They mostly decide for themselves, but I sometimes try to recommend something, but they are not interested. They prefer to watch what they already know, including movies. For her birthday party, I tried to recommend some other movies, but my daughter just wasn't interested. She wanted to see Coco or Peter Rabbit, because she knew she loved those. Btw, in general, my oldest daughter hates surprises. She can't handle knowing we're going to do something fun, but not knowing what it'll be. So it's not surprising she wants to watch what she already knows.

[3eyes]

Heh. I got VERY tired of my granddaughter's wanting to watch the "Mickey Mouse" segment of Fantasia over and over and over. (Besides, I dislike the music.)

[mjf314]

Heh. I got VERY tired of my granddaughter's wanting to watch the "Mickey Mouse" segment of Fantasia over and over and over. (Besides, I dislike the music.)

I'm not sure if I should add Fantasia to my list. I liked The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment as a kid (and I still do), but I don't remember if I liked any of the other segments as a kid.

[maxwelldeux]

Heh. I got VERY tired of my granddaughter's wanting to watch the "Mickey Mouse" segment of Fantasia over and over and over. (Besides, I dislike the music.)

I'm not sure if I should add Fantasia to my list. I liked The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment as a kid (and I still do), but I don't remember if I liked any of the other segments as a kid.

Saw it in the theater as a kid, and it holds the distinct pleasure of being the only film in which I've fallen asleep in the theater.

[mjf314]

Heh. I got VERY tired of my granddaughter's wanting to watch the "Mickey Mouse" segment of Fantasia over and over and over. (Besides, I dislike the music.)

I'm not sure if I should add Fantasia to my list. I liked The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment as a kid (and I still do), but I don't remember if I liked any of the other segments as a kid.

Saw it in the theater as a kid, and it holds the distinct pleasure of being the only film in which I've fallen asleep in the theater.

Were you awake for The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment?

[maxwelldeux]

I'm not sure if I should add Fantasia to my list. I liked The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment as a kid (and I still do), but I don't remember if I liked any of the other segments as a kid.

Saw it in the theater as a kid, and it holds the distinct pleasure of being the only film in which I've fallen asleep in the theater.

Were you awake for The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment?

Yes - only segment I liked. I swear I had seen that part prior to seeing the film in theaters (probably as some cartoon package) and was sorely disappointed to find it wasn't similar to the rest of the scenes.

[Mario Gaborović]

My list, ranked:

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls043235894/

[3eyes]

Progress report:

I guess trying to compile a list of foreign-language films for children is a rather quixotic endeavor, but I have a list of roughly 250 titles.
I limited myself to movies I have seen (though I may not remember them all that well). The Wikipedia's comparison table of rating systems of different countries: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_pi ... ing_system plus the parental guides and multi-country certifications for individual titles on IMDb were helpful.

Questions of availability aside, it became evident that I should focus on an age group that straddles the PG/PG-13 range, say ages 11-15. A reasonable degree of literacy is required if subtitles are involved. Kids just getting into puberty are not necessarily ready to engage with questions of sexuality; there are many other avenues of exploration that may interest them more. My target audience has some motivation to be interested in other cultures, and possibly adult resources to offer guidance.

One of the richest cinemas dealing with children and adolescents is Iran - partly because the allowed subject matter is so limited. But most of the children have challenges, some severe.

Here is the iranian part of my list:

These are in the PG range
Ayneh / The mirror [PG]
Bacheha-Ye aseman / Children of heaven (97) PG
Badkonake sefid / The white balloon (1995) G/PG
Khane-ye doust kodjast? / Where is the friend’s home? (87)
Khomreh / The jar (92) [Swe=G] school story

Oppression of girls:
Offside (Iran 06) PG
Sib / The apple (1998) [PG]
Buda as sharm foru rikht (2007) [PG] [set in Afghanistan]

Alpha boys exploiting peers:
Saz dahani / Harmonica (74) [no info - PG]
Mossafer / The traveler (74) [PG/-13?]

Blind children:
Rang-e khoda / The color of paradise (99) PG
Sokout / The silence (Iran/Tajikistan 98) PG

War orphan adjusting to new family & vice versa:
Bashu, gharibeye koochak / Bashu, the kuttke stranger (1990)

Survival stories:
Lakposhtha parvaz mikonand / Turtles can fly (04) PG-13
Aab, baad, khaak (89) [youngster surviving in drought]
Davandeh / The runner (1984) o
Sag-haye velgard / Stray dogs (Iran 04) PG-13 [children surviving in Afghanistan]
Zamani barayé masti asbha / A time for drunken horses (00) [Sw-Nor 11 / UK PG]
Niaz / The need (Iran 92)

Other (not about children):
Kasi az gorbehaye irani khabar nadareh / No one knows about Persian cats (Iran 09) PG - underground music scene
Marmoulak / The lizard (04) - comedy: escaped criminal posing as imam (cf Les aventures de Rabbi Jacob)
Darbare 111 dokhtar / 111 girls (2012) can be enjoyed as road movie (Kurds outfoxing the Big Cheese from Tehran)


Comments would be more than welcome.

[mjf314]

Questions of availability aside, it became evident that I should focus on an age group that straddles the PG/PG-13 range, say ages 11-15. A reasonable degree of literacy is required if subtitles are involved.

Every film is foreign-language for the majority of children (with the exception of films with no dialogue), and not foreign for other children, so I didn't take language into account when making my list. An Iranian child would be able to watch Iranian films without subtitles.

Even if I did take language into account, I think most 11-year-olds can read subtitles, as long as the language isn't very complicated.

[mathiasa]

ranked: https://www.icheckmovies.com/lists/kids+list/mathiasa/

[sol]

Questions of availability aside, it became evident that I should focus on an age group that straddles the PG/PG-13 range, say ages 11-15. A reasonable degree of literacy is required if subtitles are involved.

I think most 11-year-olds can read subtitles, as long as the language isn't very complicated.

By around age 7-8, most children (in my experience) are competent readers. I show my kids lots of silent films, which are of course full of inter-titles and this isn't usually a problem. The bigger issue would probably be the clarity of the subtitles (large enough, bold enough, etc) on the print shown. I don't think that I have shown my kids a lot of non-English films over the years other than Mon Oncle, which is not heavily reliant on dialogue, but I wouldn't avoid showing something should something suitable for a lesson come my way.

[3eyes]

Questions of availability aside, it became evident that I should focus on an age group that straddles the PG/PG-13 range, say ages 11-15. A reasonable degree of literacy is required if subtitles are involved.

I think most 11-year-olds can read subtitles, as long as the language isn't very complicated.

By around age 7-8, most children (in my experience) are competent readers. I show my kids lots of silent films, which are of course full of inter-titles and this isn't usually a problem. The bigger issue would probably be the clarity of the subtitles (large enough, bold enough, etc) on the print shown. I don't think that I have shown my kids a lot of non-English films over the years other than Mon Oncle, which is not heavily reliant on dialogue, but I wouldn't avoid showing something should something suitable for a lesson come my way.

Thanks for that feedback. I'm glad this isnt' due till April - I have a lot on my plate. But I've read through the whole thread again and aim to drastically prune that list, try to concentrate on an 8-12 range and add in some older anglophone stuff as well.

Sol, have you shown your kids Forgotten Silver?

[sol]

I think most 11-year-olds can read subtitles, as long as the language isn't very complicated.

By around age 7-8, most children (in my experience) are competent readers. I show my kids lots of silent films, which are of course full of inter-titles and this isn't usually a problem. The bigger issue would probably be the clarity of the subtitles (large enough, bold enough, etc) on the print shown. I don't think that I have shown my kids a lot of non-English films over the years other than Mon Oncle, which is not heavily reliant on dialogue, but I wouldn't avoid showing something should something suitable for a lesson come my way.

Thanks for that feedback. I'm glad this isnt' due till April - I have a lot on my plate. But I've read through the whole thread again and aim to drastically prune that list, try to concentrate on an 8-12 range and add in some older anglophone stuff as well.

Sol, have you shown your kids Forgotten Silver?

No, I haven't. It's probably been at least a decade since I have seen Forgotten Silver, but from what I recall, it would be appropriate for kids.

By the way, I had another class in hysterics today after showing the climax of Safety Last! as a lesson in camera angles and shot distance. This is almost certainly going to be my top 5 when I eventually get round to submitting a list...

[Jimi Antiloop]

Please two bits more love for Ronja Rövardotter
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088015/

PLEASE!!!

[mjf314]

Here's a list of recommendations that currently have more than 100 points, in chronological order to avoid spoilers (if you want to see the ranked list, let me know and I'll pm it to you).
https://www.icheckmovies.com/lists/icm+ ... al/mjf314/

Now we can debate which films should or shouldn't be on the list.

[Fergenaprido]

Here's a list of recommendations that currently have more than 100 points, in chronological order to avoid spoilers (if you want to see the ranked list, let me know and I'll pm it to you).
https://www.icheckmovies.com/lists/icm+ ... al/mjf314/

Now we can debate which films should or shouldn't be on the list.

Seen all but 25 of those (including Superman just last night, incidentally). By and far it looks like a good foundation. Some I wouldn't include, but I can see how others would (and I'll be including Schindler's List on mine though I know others would balk at that).

My bafflements:
12 Angry Men - great film, but seems a bit too dialogue-heavy to maintain kids' interest, and the themes might be challenging. I remember when we studied the play in grade 10 English there were a fair number of students who didn't get it.
The Great Escape - probably a borderline case for me, it's got some action, not too much violence, but it's long (I don't remember if there is an intermission like in other long movies such as Sound of Music) and definitely not suitable for under 10.
Monty Python & the Holy Grail - another borderline case; I feel like this one will be hit or miss with kids. They'll love it for its humour (the parts they understand), or they'll hate it because it's weird.
The Shining - haven't seen it, but I'm not a fan of recommending modern horror films to kids
Tremors - I seem to recall a lot of swearing in this one. If that's the case, I wouldn't recommend it.
South Park - great movie, but waaaaaaay too much swearing for me to ever consider this as a kid-friendly recommendation. Teens, probably. Just because it's a cartoon about kids doesn't mean it's for kids.
Interstellar - surprised me when I saw it on the list, but thinking about it I actually might agree.
Idiocracy - likely the film I'm least familiar with. Interested to hear how it would be suitable for kids, as reading the description makes it seem like a very adult-oriented comedy.

Also, pleasantly surprised to see a lot more older films on here than I expected.

[maxwelldeux]

My bafflements:
12 Angry Men - great film, but seems a bit too dialogue-heavy to maintain kids' interest, and the themes might be challenging. I remember when we studied the play in grade 10 English there were a fair number of students who didn't get it.

Well, it's my #1, so I'll respond...

I don't disagree with anything you said, and it's definitely geared towards the 11-12 year old end of the spectrum, but the major themes in it are exactly why I'd want this on the list. "Don't make snap judgments" and "consider all the evidence" and "treat everyone fairly" are lessons I'd want people learning early and often.

[mjf314]

I voted for 12 Angry Men and Monty Python & the Holy Grail, but I have to admit I'm not sure if they're good choices, because I don't remember them very well. I voted for 12 Angry Men for the same reason as maxwelldeux.

I looked at the Holy Grail reviews on Common Sense, and it looks like most of the kids under 12 like it. I also looked at 12 Angry Men. No one under 12 reviewed it, but a few 13-year-olds gave it good reviews.

[Onderhond]

"Don't make snap judgments" and "consider all the evidence" and "treat everyone fairly" are lessons I'd want people learning early and often.

Absolutely, hopefully that's what they get from it though, rather than "with a clunky and poorly written narrative I can prove whatever point I want to make"

[sol]

I wanted to work on this a bit more before releasing it, but now seems a good time to release what I have so far as a more 'common sense alternative' after seeing some of the totally inappropriate choices that are racking up more than 100 points so far.

https://www.icheckmovies.com/lists/film ... sses/sol-/

First four are ranked; the rest is chronological. Ideally I'll add a third section of personal G or PG-rated recommendations, but I'll go with this for now.

[Fergenaprido]

Thanks for replying. Definitely solid reasoning for 12 Angry Men. I guess for me it's something I would gear more toward the classroom, where you could have a discussion afterward, than simply viewing at home without doing a followup. Might add it to my list, then

[Fergenaprido]

Has anyone seen this documentary (aside from Allison)? Looks like it might be something suitable for this list.
Sur le chemin de l'école (2013)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3013258/
https://www.icheckmovies.com/movies/sur ... de+lecole/

Edit: Found it on this list: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls076325657/ Not sure if it's someone from here.