This month’s Revival House event, “Hey, I Got Kids Here!” on Thursday, Aug. 18, will celebrate one of the time-treasured films of the past, “The Princess Bride.” And while it is considered a “family film,” that moniker alone can send shivers down the spines of adults who suffer through hours of endless cheaply crafted kiddie fodder for the sake of their children. And aside from the go-to list of classics (“Toy Story 3,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Friday the 13th” –maybe not the last one, perhaps), wading through the wasteland of films for the fam can be a torturous slog.
Even though kids can be entertained by the simplest swirling colors and random animal sounds, we are here to assist with a few suggestions of films that you possibly may have missed and would not send adults into a vegetative state in the process. Here is a list of suggestions from our House to yours…
Oddball and the Penguins: The name and and cover make it seem like the umpteenth addition to the seemingly endless “Air Bud” franchise, but the Australian tale is actually based on an actual incident in which a grumpy chicken farmer enlists the help of a misfit sheep dog when a local penguin sanctuary comes under attack from a pack of foxes. A stunning Aussie backdrop, beautiful dogs and the most adorable penguins on the planet make this one hard to watch without a smile (and perhaps a stray tear). (Available on iTunes and Google Play.)
Monster House: Released a decade ago, this animated gem deserves to have “Goonies” - like longevity. Three teens explore a spooky neighborhood house and go on an adventure that is equal parts engaging, humorous and surprising. It’s a film that may frighten the youngest set, but provides safe, fun scares and give viewers characters that are more fleshed out than most live-action films of the ilk. (Available on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Streaming and Google Play)
James and the Giant Peach: While director Henry Selick’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” has resurged in popularity throughout the years (despite its initial box office disappointment), his follow-up never got the same love it so justly deserves. While it’s mostly stop-motion animation, there are real-life scenes that bookend this adaptation of the Roald Dahl book. It’s a lush adventure that would work well as a double-bill with Dahl’s other adaptation from Wes Anderson's, “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”. (Available on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Streaming and Google Play).
Sky High: If you’d like to ease your children into the world of superhero films, there is no better place to start than this film. Starring Revival House favorite Kurt Russell as a super dad whose children head to a special school to learn to harness and control their super abilities (think Hogwarts for the Marvel set), the film is filled with wonderfully awkward high school angst mixed with blazing action and a general affection for its material. (Available on Amazon Streaming and YouTube).
Bill: For grade-school children getting ready to reach their teen years, the name William Shakespeare will be one with whom they will shall know well, but getting through his works at first can be a challenge. Thanks to a group of talented comedians (who are a worthy successor to the Monty Python gang -- no faint praise) behind BBC’s popular “Horrible Histories” show have tackled the (fictional) life of Mr. Shakespeare prior to penning his first play. Loaded with good-natured laughs and literary references, these mortals may be fools, but we can all benefit from their buffoonery. (Available on iTunes and Google Play).
-
A view from the crew at The Revival House, where we don't mind popcorn on the seats, sticky floors, and all the things that make going to the movies an event.
