30 Movies to Watch With Your Kids {if You Were Born in the 80’s}

There’s two reasons why I share movies from when I was a kid, or movies I loved as a kid, with my own children; 1) movies today kind of suck for kids and 2) I’m a sentimental person. Sharing stuff that I loved as a kid with my own is pretty awesome! Movies today feel totally inappropriate for the age they are marketed to, and often there are things that I just plain don’t like. Is it just me or are all parents dumb now too? And not the Tim Taylor, Danny Tanner kind of dumb, where the parents actually end of being right and the kids come around and end up being respectful. No, parents today are the kind of dumb where they are stay dumb, do dumb things and the kids are the smartest ones in the room. Pass!

This list composes not only movies from my childhood, family movies we watched when I was a little bit older and my sister was young, and movies from my mom’s childhood that we watched as kids. Many of these movies aren’t as flashy as today’s flicks but they are none the less important ones I feel like the next generation needs to have in their lives!

Man of the House

Angels in the Outfield

The Adventures of Huck Finn

Mighty Ducks

That Darn Cat

The Sandlot

Back to the Future (Probably best meant for older kids, includes Adult Content. Common Sense Media Review)

Jurrasic Park (Common Sense Media Review)

Richie Rich

First Kid

Spy Next Door

Home Alone

Jumanji

Men in Black (Common Sense Media Review)

The Parent Trap (we prefer the original)

The Little Rascals

Space Jam

Casper

The Secret Garden

The Little Princess

Galaxy Quest

Flubber (Original and new versions)

Shaggy Dog

The Incredible Mr. Limpet

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!

The Santa Claus

Davy Crockett

Charlie the Lonesome Cougar

Spy Kids

A Kid in King Arthur’s Court

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All the Movies You Need to Watch {From CNN’s The Movies: The 80s}

When I saw that Tom Hanks was teaming up with CNN to put on another mini series, AND it was about movies, I was thrilled! The Decades series that they did was incredible, and if you haven’t watched it you can head over to Netflix and look for it. But this Movies series seems to be headed in the same direction of amazingness. So far I’ve watched the 80’s episode, and as a self-proclaimed movie buff I feel like they really nailed it, covering the movies that really made the 1980’s. In the 80’s movies became a little edgier in my opinion, but also sought to right many wrongs that as a society we had experienced in the 70’s. There was an overwhelming number of movies that covered the Vietnam War, and by the 80’s we were really starting to recognize that the treatment of veterans and the service members themselves was less than what should have occurred, and I really feel that movies like Born on the Fourth of July, Good Morning, Vietnam and Full Metal Jacket spent time giving the American People a view into the war that wasn’t like anything that had been portrayed in the news media, a more human view.

On top the 80s were really the golden age of Saturday Night Live stars and the movies they were in. Films like Ghostbusters (which is one of my favorites), Trading Places, Blues Brothers, Caddy Shack, Beverly Hills Cop, Three Amigos (which was not mentioned on CNN, and This is Spinal Tap are glorious comedies that stand the test of time…and frankly are a lot funnier than many things out. SNL stars even moved over to less comedic roles like that of When Harry Met Sally (a huge favorite of mine). Films today just frankly aren’t as good on the level that were in the 80’s and the 90’s. I feel like we’re lucky now if there is one good, non-remake or non-fast and the furious movie out at any one time. Maybe Hollywood is just running out of ideas? Sure special effects were in their infancy and sometimes they are pretty funny to look at, there’s a timelessness and re-watchability about many of these movies that you just don’t have as often anymore.

Movies in the 80’s also gave us Blockbusters and Franchise hits – like Die Hard, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Predator and Terminator. I mean, how can you argue with that. Movies with intense plots, story lines with depth. I mean, sometimes Indiana Jones was just a little more funny than deep, but you get what I’m saying. Below you’ll find the list of all the movies mentioned (which I painstakingly wrote down as I was watching), and I’ve grouped them into my must-see movies and all the rest; but all the rest are still pretty awesome!

What’s your favorite 80’s Movie?

HAPPY MOVIE WATCHING

                         

Other’s Mentioned

Raging Bull
Ordinary People
Blue Velvet
The King of Comedy
Heaven’s Gate
The Verdict
Hannah and Her Sisters
Zelig
Manhattan
Broadway Danny Rose
Purple Rose of Cairo
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Crocodile Dundee
Caddy Shack
The Women In Red
48 Hours
Trading Places
Beverly Hills Cop
Escape From New York
Mad Max 2
Brazil
Blade Runner
Aliens 2
Fatal Attraction
The Color of Money
First Blood/First Blood II
Commando
Missing in Action
Blood Sport
Conan the Barbarian
Predator
Platoon
Hamburger Hill
Sophie’s Choice
Silk Wood
Out of Africa
A Cry in the DArk
Ironweed
Glory
Reds
The Right Stuff
The Last Empire
Ragtime
Gahndi
Stranger Than Paradise
Drugstory Cowboy
Sex Lies and Videotape
Blood simple
Pee Wees Big Adventure

 

 

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Sunday Social, Week 88 – Movies and TV

This week I’m preparing for Entertainment New Media Network’s Conference in Anaheim.  It’s going to be an amazing week, an intense learning experience, but an awesome one.  I can’t wait to share all the details with you all.  Make sure you are following along on my instagram and twitter, as well as with the hashtag #ENMNCon14.

Lets get on with the fun!

This week’s topic is all about TV and Movies. They were tough ones, but good.  I’m excited to read everyone’s ideas.  I always get the best ideas from all the blogs I read, whether it be music or tv, clothes, make-up.  That’s one of the reasons I love blogging.

1. What is your favorite thing to watch on Girl’s Night?

Definitely a chick flick – and it doesn’t matter what kind.  I’m all sappy love stories, romantic comedies…or Magic Mike, which kinda doesn’t fit into a category now does it.  Seriously just can’t believe I admitted that on my blog.  Yes, I watched it.  Oiy!!

2. What is Your Favorite Thing to Watch on Your Day Off?

Lets see, usually whatever I happen to be binge watching on Netflix.  Right now I’m watching Dallas, Vampire Diaries, Wings and One Tree Hill.  It rotates so that I don’t get too sick of one show.  Usually when the kids are napping, or playing solo I’ll sneak away to my room to get some blogging work done and watch a couple shows.  When hubbies around on his day off we watch Seinfeld or Fraiser.

3. What is your favorite thing to watch when you’re sick?

Most of the time I stick with the above, unless its really plot heavy.  Then I’ll put on something fun,or something I know well.  Usually that means New Girl, Gilmore Girls, Psych (I watched that the last time I was sick).  Or maybe I would put on a good old black and white movie – an Alfred Hitchcock or something like that.

4. What was the last movie you saw in Theater?

Actually this past week we took the kids to see The Nut Job (with Will Arnett,  Brendan Fraiser and Liam Niesson as voices).  It was pretty darn cute, and the kids like it.

5. What are your Top 3 favorite Movies or TV shows?

Gosh darnit, there is always a ridiculously hard question involved in these link-ups isn’t there.  This is so hard, how am I supposed to pick?!  The list would be a million miles long for sure, but who has the time for that.  So I’ll do the best I can here.

Movies: 1) While You Were Sleeping 2) Sleepless in Seattle 3) Alfred Hitchcock movies – they can count as one last one right? a) The Lady Vanishes b) Rope c) Shadow of a Doubt

TV: 1) Gilmore Girls 2) Law and Order (the original) and 3) Monk

Man that was hard!!!!

Looking forward to reading people’s responses and following some new blogs!

If you are following for the first time, make sure to let me know.  I love hearing from you.

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Disney Reveals Planes Full Voice Cast!

 

August 9th is the big day and I’m super stoked!  Taking the kids to see a movie in the theater is really fun. They are at that perfect age, where they think its the best thing ever.  We always make it an adventure, and it truly is, because I think I can count on one hand the times they’ve seen a movie in the theater.  We are pretty picky about kid movie, and even though I haven’t seen this yet I feel like I can already give it two thumbs up!
Last time I mentioned that Dane Cook was slated to play the main character of the movie, Dusty.

Audiences worldwide are fastening their seatbelts as “Disney’s Planes” prepares to take off this summer. Joining Dane Cook, who provides the voice of Dusty, are Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Cedric the Entertainer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, John Cleese, Carlos Alazraqui, Priyanka Chopra, Gabriel Iglesias, Roger Craig Smith, Colin Cowherd, Sinbad, Oliver Kalkofe and Brent Musburger.
 
Adding some high-flying flair from a classic feature film are Anthony Edwards and Val Kilmer.
 
Inspired by the world of “Cars” and directed by Disneytoon Studios veteran and aviation enthusiast Klay Hall (“King of the Hill,” “The Simpsons”), “Disney’s Planes” is an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure about Dusty’s dream of competing as a high-flying air racer—and his decidedly unfortunate fear of heights.

Stacy Keach (“The Bourne Legacy,” Alexander Payne’s upcoming “Nebraska,” Robert Rodriguez’s and Frank Miller’s “Sin City: A Dame To Kill For”) provides the voice of Skipper, a reclusive old Navy Corsair who takes Dusty’s training to new heights.

·       Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond,” “How to Live with Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life”) lends his voice to fuel truck Chug, Dusty’s buddy, coach and biggest fan.
·       Teri Hatcher (“Coraline,” ABC’s “Desperate Housewives”) brings life and charm to the say-it-like-it-is mechanic Dottie.
·       Cedric the Entertainer (“Barbershop,” “Larry Crowne, “Madagascar”) as Leadbottom, a puttering old biplane who has no time for Dusty’s far-fetched flights of fancy.
·       Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” “Seinfeld”) lends her voice to Rochelle, a tough and confident racer who is the pride of the Great White North.
·       John Cleese (TV’s “Whitney,” “A Fish Called Wanda”) is the voice of Bulldog, the oldest and arguably wisest racer on the circuit.
·       Carlos Alazraqui (James Garcia on Comedy Central’s “Reno 911”) brings to life the intensely charming El Chupacabra, a racer with more dramatic flair than is recommended at high altitudes.  
·       Priyanka Chopra (“Barfi!”) voices the exotic, mysterious and ruthless Ishani, the reigning Pan-Asian champion from India.
·       Roger Craig Smith (Captain America in Disney XD’s “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble,” voice of Sonic The Hedgehog in “Wreck-It Ralph”) voices world champion racer Ripslinger—wings down, the biggest name in air racing—and he knows it.
·       Gabriel Iglesias (Comedy Central’s “Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-up Revolution”) provides the voices of both Ned and Zed, two not-so-sharp saboteurs who work for Ripslinger. 
·       Val Kilmer (“Batman Forever,” “Top Gun”) provides the voice of Bravo, a member of the Jolly Wrenches and a fan of air racing.
·       Anthony Edwards (TV’s “Zero Hour,” “Top Gun”) is the voice of Echo, a member of the Jolly Wrenches and a fan of air racing.
·       Colin Cowherd (ESPN) gives play-by-play coverage as Colin Cowling, an affable blimp and an eye-in-the-sky reporter for the Racing Sports Network.
·       Sinbad (Comedy Central’s “Where U Been?”) brings to life Roper, an irascible race official pitty full of sly remarks and colorful commentary.
·       Oliver Kalkofe (“Neues vom Wixxer”) provides the voice of meek German minicar Franz and his brazen airborne alter ego Fliegenhosen.
·       Brent Musburger (ESPN, ABC Sports) brings Brent Mustangburger, the excitable 1964½ Ford Mustang sports broadcasting icon, back to the big screen.

“Like” Disney’s PLANES on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DisneyPlanes
 
“Follow” Disney’s PLANES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures
 

Visit the website: www.disney.com/Planes

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Lincoln – 2012 Movie

I’ve to say its been awhile since I was really excited about a movie….actually I guess that’s sort of a lie.  I was really excited about seeing J. Edgar, with Leo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer.  I had spent what seemed like an eternity reading my J. Edgar Hoover book (review can be found here) that when I finally got to see it I was so utterly disappointed that I can’t even tell you.  Being such a history nerd, biographical, non-fiction type gal I kinda irritated when movies that claim to be as such are not.  I particularly love when they say things like “based on a true story” when the based part is really a loosely based, maybe even barely.  I also really enjoy historical fiction, for what it is, especially if its done well.  One of my favorite, and one of the best done of this type, is The Other Boleyn Girl.  Phillipa Gregory did such an excellent job that if someone had told me they there had somehow been magically tape recorders back then so they knew this had happened this way I would believe it in a second.  Thirteen Days is probably one of the best historical movies that I have seen in a long time.  I really loved the black and white to color for actual recordings, and I really respected and could feel the time and care and concern that was put into making this movie.  It’s been a long time since I’ve seen anything that really rivaled it.  The last thing I watched of Steven Spielberg’s was The Pacific, which was an HBO miniseries.  If you haven’t seen it then I would highly recommend it.  It was absolutely wonderful. 

Coming soon from Dreamworks/Disney Touchstone is the movie Lincoln!  I am so excited about this movie and I really hope it does him justice.  I’m not as worried about this movie as I have been other historical movies as of late because it is Steven Spielberg.  I firmly believe that that man wouldn’t put his hand on something that didn’t go as far as it could to make sure it was historically accurate.  Where do you start though, in the amazing life of Abraham Lincoln (who happens to be one of my favorite Presidents)?   This film will be focusing on the last few months of his life, abolition and the end of the Civil War.  The movie is based on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s biography, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, which I will be trying to read before I see the movie.

The poster alone makes me excited!!!!

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