Movies

Movies are not only entertaining.  They also give you an opportunity to think about how to deal with situations and experiences you have faced (or may be faced with).  If you just watch a movie that makes dangerous or self-destructive behavior funny without realizing what would happen if YOU did that, you’re an idiot.  (That doesn’t mean that the movie isn’t funny, though.)  Take the time to think deep after you enjoy a movie.  It’s why you have such a sophisticated brain.

Here’s something interesting.  A cartoonist named Alison Bechdel had characters in one comic strip she created in 1985 analyze female roles in movies based on three qualities:  1) Does it have 2 women in the movie 2) do they talk to each other 3) about something other than a man.  You will be shocked at how many movies fail the test, even today.  Give it a look (and think about how this effects boys and girls).

(Remember, this list is not comprehensive and the presence of movies on this list does not constitute endorsement for or support of any of the information or values promoted in any of these movies.)

Here are some blog posts with movie suggestions by topic:

Dealing with Death
Dissenting Opinion/Standing For What You Believe
Healthy Realistic Relationships
Internet and Social Media
Value of Lifelong Learning
Teen Boys and Dating
The Silence of Space
Saving Grace of Character
Swimming
Leadership
Cigarettes and Cancer
Suicide and Suicide Attempts
Movies about Isolation

Last modified:  5/7/20

Adrift (PG)
Award winning cinematographer Tom Curran uses family films and interviews to explore the effects of his father’s death on him and his family.  Low key and powerful.  Gives a portrait of how unresolved loss can get in the way of moving on with your life.

Akeelah and the Bee (PG)
Drama:  A poor, middle school aged,  African American girl learns what she can accomplish with the help of a mentor and a lot of obstacles along the way.  Warm, generous, winning movie about how to be competitive and caring at the same time.  Akeelah has all the qualities you want your kid to model.

Aladin (G)
Animated:  Poor kids from the wrong side of the tracks wins the heart of a princess.  He also has to show courage, determination and, despite his occasional theft of food in the market place, character and integrity.  Unfortunately, as is too often the cast, the adults are seen as incompetent and stupid or evil and malicious.  Robin Williams makes the movie.

Alex (unrated, probably PG)
A strong willed, 15 year old New Zealand girl who is trying to qualify for the 1960 Olympic swim team.  She must balance several competing responsibilities, in addition to training for the Olympics.  And, her boyfriend dies unexpectedly.  Too much?  Not for an inspirational teen movie.  Inspirational and enjoyable. 

A Little Romance (PG)
Drama:  Two 13 year olds, an American Girl and a French boy, meet and develop a crush.  While the message is a little worrisome since they run away together to another city to innocently profess their love, it is nonetheless a beautiful representation of innocent infatuation in early teenagers.  Lots to talk about between parents and kids who watch this. 

All.I.Can (NR, probably G)
Documentary:  Big mountain skiers are filmed in locations all over the world. This is a really beautiful documentary with music and no words. Beautiful cinematography, beautiful landscapes, consummate skill. Careful though, your teenagers (and maybe you) will be out long boarding, skate boarding, roller blading or parkour-ing all over the place followed by the almost inevitable legal and medical bills.

All the right moves (R)
Drama:  Tom Cruise when he was a teen struggles with giving in to the man (in this case his football coach) in order to make it in the world while he is trying to escape his dead end town and the manual labor life he faces.

Always (PG)
This movie has been made several times with the most recent starring Richard Dreyfus, Holly Hunter, and John Goodman.  It is love story about the death of a man and his attempts to help his wife move on with her life.  It is hopeful.

Amistad (R)
Drama: A deadly rebellion on board a slave ship ignites a legal battle as to what should happen to the slaves after they’ve been captured and imprisoned.  Noble movie excellently made.  All the issues about slavery, human dignity, standing up from principle and justice.

Anne of Green Gables (G)
Drama/Comedy:  This 1985 made for (Canadian) television movie and the sequel (Ann of Green Gables: The sequel) is a beautifully made, multiple award winning movie that follows the life of a young orphan girl who goes to live with a couple (who, incidentally, wanted a boy).  Ann is bright, inquisitive, sweet and strong willed.  Great chick flick (that guys should watch to develop their emotional side).

The Ant Bully (G)
Animated Drama/Comedy: 10 year old Lucas is shrunk to ant size after angrily destroying an ant hill (after he was bullied by some kids).  He learns about working together, sacrifice and compassion through several harrowing adventures.  And, IF he returns to his full size, he knows how to deal with the kids who bullied him.  Easy, fun entertainment with some lessons worth considering for your own life. 

Antwone Fisher (PG-13)
Drama:  Based on the true story of a young African American man who was placed at birth in an abusive foster home.  He joined the USNavy to escape homelessness at 18.  When referred to a psychiatrist to address his explosive anger, Antwone begins the long and successful road to healing.  Inspirational.  The costs of struggling with anger, its costs and ways to not let it run your life.

Apollo 13 (PG)
Drama:  The true life story of 3 astronauts stranded in space and the efforts to figure out how to repair their ship to return them to earth.  Bravery, courage under pressure, problem solving, team work; this is how you deal with life threatening situations. 

Argo (R)
Drama:  True story of a secret, one man rescue by the CIA (along with the help of the Canadians) of 6 Iranian embassy staff during the 1979 revolution that brought the Ayatollah Khomeini to power.  Courage, sacrifice, gutsy risk taking and no one left behind. 

A River Runs Through It (PG)
Drama:  Two brothers grow from adolescence to young adulthood in the 1920s midwest facing the consequences of moral and character choices.  This is a great movie, quiet with a strong undercurrent  It will kind of get under your skin.  Pay attention to the combination of rebelliousness and honor in the Brad Pitt character.  Make sure giving in too much to the first doesn’t ruin your life like it did that character.  (But, he was a real bad ass in the classic guy way.)

A Tale Of Two Cities  (NR, probably PG)
Drama: “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” This fictional story set in the historical events of the French Revolution shows all aspects of freedom and fighting for your equality. It follows the lives of an extremely honorable man, falsely accused, who is sentenced to death and a dishonorable man who sacrifices himself to save him. The black and white 1935 version is the best.

The Art of Getting By
Drama:  Slacker kid in his senior year is noticed by the hottest girl in his class.  He gets his heart broken and finds what he is passionate about while she leads him on and breaks his heart.  Unfortunately, there is a whole set of useless, self-absorbed parents that inhabit this film.  It’s a formula (but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t resonate with where you are in your life right now).  But, there are redeeming qualities: he risks his heart for love, something everyone should do; he gets his ass in gear and makes things happen in his life, something everyone should do; he finally pours his soul into something that matters to him (i.e., art), something everyone should do. 

Babe (G)
Drama/Comedy:  Talking animals, beautiful cinematography and a wonderful story of kindness, innocence and quiet love and affection.  Don’t role your eyes!  It is very funny.  And the pig shows what generosity and simple kindness can do for you.  (Not get you made into bacon, for one.)

Baby Boy (R)
Drama: A young and unemployed black man learns that he must grow up and take responsibility for his actions, behavior and life.  Yeah, he bad (as long as someone else is paying the bills).

Band of Brothers (PG mostly, graphic injuries, minor cussing, one quick view of discrete, casual sexual intercourse)
Drama:  The television miniseries that follows Easy Company from the formation of their unit through WWII in Europe to the end of the war.  This is an extraordinary experience.  The questions it can raise are endless and important.  The nobility, sacrifice and patriotism is devastatingly touching (and inspirational).  You won’t be able to stop watching, I promise.

Basketball Diaries (R)
Drama:  Memoir of a writer’s adolescence where he went from a popular teen with promise to the degradations of heroin addictions before reclaiming his life.  This will blow your mind (as the main character ended up blowing something else).  Extremely graphic, dark and sad.  Cautionary tale about drugs (and VERY rough to watch).

Beastly (PG)
Drama:  In this modern take on the beauty and beast story a rich, handsome arrogant guy living in New York City is cursed by a witch to be ugly until he finds a girl who loves him for himself.  He has to learn how to be a decent, considerate person and think about others first.  Good message.  Nice lessons on how to treat a dating partner.  No sex.

Beautiful Thing (R)
Drama:  This is a great movie about two teenage guys living in London who gradually realize and accept they are attracted to each other while they deal with bullying, physical abuse, harsh neighborhood and what happens when family and peers find out.  The guys look like regular teenage guys.  Their relationship is sweet and complicated.  It is a beautiful example of tenderness and affection in a gay relationship (with no obvious sex).  It’s about the relationship, man. 

Believe in Me (PG)
Drama:  An ambitious male coach discovers he has been assigned to the girl’s basketball team in 1960s Oklahoma.  All the good themes of harassment, serious obstacles, respect and hard work.  Another (good) underdog sports movie.

Bend It Like Beckham (PG-13)
Drama/Comedy: An British teenage girl of Indian descent is the proper, high achieving and conservative young girl her parents want her to be while hiding the secret that her soccer playing is more than just a hobby.  When she is offered a chance to play for a competitive team on the way to being a professional, everyone has to deal with what her decision will be.  Delightful movie.  Wonderful female characters.  Great exploration of clashing, equally legitimate values in the face of following your dream.

A Better Life (R)
Drama: An illegal immigrant father struggles to live a life with integrity and keep his kids on a productive path in life while trying to provide a future for his family. 

The Big Chill (R)
Okay, this one is about a group of 40 something adults who gather for a college friends funeral.  Good model of different reactions to grief and how to confront loss. Still, these are adults so some of the issues are for people in that age group.

Billy Elliot (R)
Drama: Despite facing various levels of conflict (peer, family, societal relating to industrial workers strikes) as well as sexual stereotyping, an 11-year-old British boy follows his dream of becoming a ballet dancer in mid-1980s England.  Beautiful film about following your passion (and no, the main character is not gay though the movie is clearly gay-friendly).  Guys:  Deal with your discomfort with your sensitive side and learn to be able to feel good for someone else finding something they love to do that brings meaning to their life that’s not contact sports or drinking games!

Black Circle Boys (R)
Drama.  Following the accidental death of his best friend, Kyle is drawn into a dark underworld of drugs and pagan rituals as he struggles to overcome his personal demons.  This is a good movie about a teen who loses his way following overwhelming loss and guilt and ends up in a group of other lost kids.  Dips down into depression and slowly, gradually makes his way out again.  Great demonstration about how you can get yourself lost when you don’t reach out to people when you are hurting (and face up to your feelings of guilt and responsibility).

Blind Side (PG-13)
Comedy/Drama:  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, it will become a part of you.  Even though it is kind of simplistic and a little to glossy, this is a great movie about every kind of family value: love, loyalty, sacrifice, what makes a family, morals, mutual support.

The Book of Life (PG)
Animated/Comedy-Drama.  Manolo is torn between following his heart or being what his family expects of him.  He is led on an adventure through the realms of the dead, the past and the present as he struggles to prove himself, and find his real self in the process. 

Boyz in the Hood (R)
Drama:  A hard edged film about gangs and growing up black and male in the inner city.  Good movie.  Apply these lessons to you potentially getting stuck in thinking in the moment rather than working toward a longer term goal.

Brave (PG)
Comedy/drama:  A young princess defies the limits placed on her simply because she is a girl to pursue her desire to compete.  Beautifully animated and fun.  You can’t have too many shows (both girls AND boys) that emphasize women can (and should) compete. 

Breakaway (PG)
Comedy, Drama: A teenage boy in a midwestern town has dreams of becoming a world class cyclist.  This is an excellent, funny and moving film about how difficult it is to pursue your dreams when the cards are stacked against you.  If you want something, don’t let anything keep you from going for it.

Breakfast Club
Comedy/drama:  Just fun.  Can’t we all just get along?

Broken Hill (PG)
Drama:  A talented teenage is stuck in the Australian outback and looking for a way to pursue his dream to become a composer.  Inspirational, overcoming odds, finding a way to pursue your dreams no matter what, all the usual (good) messages about following your dream and not giving up.

Can’t Buy Me Love (PG-13)
Comedy:  A nerd pays a cheerleader to be his girlfriend in a bid to join the in crowd.  He gets knocked back down but gets the girl in the end.  Be true to yourself people!  Fun movie.

Changing Lanes (R)
Drama:  An automobile accident in which one driver is insensitive to the victim leads to escalating attempts at revenge between the two.  A morality play about selfishness, revenge and redemption.  What would have happened if each of them had paused and offered a little humanity to the other.  In other words, don’t be an asshole.

Chariots of Fire (PG)
Drama:  A long time ago, only the rich could go to college and participate in things like the Olympics because they were for “amateurs” (namely, only for people who could afford to not work a real job).  This is a wonderful, true movie that follows several participants in the 1924 Olympics when the elitism started to change.  It is very inspirational and emphasizes what it takes to truly accomplish something great:  talent but passion and really, really hard work. 

Charlie St. Cloud (PG-13)
Drama: Right after high school graduation, Charlie’s younger brother is killed in an automobile accident putting his college dreams (and his life) on hold. This movie is a touching story of grief, finding your purpose, finding love again and moving on after devastating loss.

Cheats (PG-13)
Drama:  Follows the exploits of 4 friends who have developed a way to systematically cheat their way through high school ending with their getting caught and the breaking of their friendship.  See, cheaters never prosper.
Questions:  What were the costs of cheating?  Who paid the price for their cheating or who did they hurt?  What are the justifications for/against cheating?  How do you think the friendships ended up after the movie?  What would you do if you were in the position of the friend who started student court?  Should the friends be forgiven for narcing on the cheaters?  See the DVD section on the real story behind the movie.

The Chocolate Wars (G)
Drama:  The new boy at a strict Catholic High School refuses to be bullied by a sadistic headmaster and a gang of school thugs into selling chocolates for the school’s annual fund-raising event.  The book is also excellent.  It is about standing on principle and honor.  A great example of how to quietly but implacably be your own man without having to kill or maim others to prove it.

The Chronicles of Narnia (PG)
Drama:  The allegorical tale of faith, sacrifice, good and evil, temptation and living an life with integrity.  Great movies, great special creature effects (and a hidden message about Christian faith you have to look hard to find).  There are three (at the time of this writing): The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  They are all great but the inner meaning was clearer in the first two.  The Dawn Treader came across as more of a great adventure story.

The Circle (NR but probably R)
Drama:  This is a foreign film that follows the fate of several Iranian women that reveals what it is like to be a woman in a conservative, traditional, present-day society.  This is definitely for an older adolescent (or a VERY sophisticated and empassioned younger teen).  It will help appreciating all the progress we have made in the US and will highlight that we still have work to do (as well as helping the oppressed in other countries). 

Circle of Friends (PG-13)
Comedy/Drama:  Coming of age story about three friends facing challenges from religion, economics, social class, and sex.  This is an excellent story about true character, love for the person inside rather than appearances and the cost of casual sexual relationships.  Real relationships are not about who is the prettiest.
Questions:  What made the guy choose the girl?  What made their relationship strong?  Why did the guy screw up?  What signs were there that the pretty girl could end up doing what she did to her friends and to the guy?  Explain the differences in the friendships between the plain girl, the practical girl, and the pretty girl.  How did the guy get himself into the bad situation?  Why should or shouldn’t the plain girl marry the guy?  How could you have known or guessed that the pretty girl would do what she did both with the lord of the manner and the other thing?  What are the characteristics of a friend that are important especially when it comes to respecting each other and your feelings?  Would you have done what the pretty girl did in her circumstances?

Cold Mountain (R)
Drama: This story follows a confederate soldier at the end off the war as he tries to make is way back to his beloved in the south.  Meanwhile, his beloved is forced to fend for herself as southern society collapses following the war.  She must learn how to become self sufficient and manage her property.  The two finally are reunited.  The story is complex and has many moral dilemmas the characters have to confront.   Lots of historical situations that southerners faced following the war.  Excellent movie.

The Corn is Green (NR, PG)
Drama:  A middle-aged spinster teacher tries to bring education to the children of a Welsh mining town.  She finds a star pupil who has potential but must break free from the pull of joining everyone else in working in the mine.  It is a surprisingly complicated story (the boy gets a girl pregnant and the teacher raises the kid) with great insight about the true struggles of break free of tradition to follow your dreams.

Count of Monte Christo (PG-13)
Action/Adventure: After being wronged by his alleged best friend and serving many years in prison, a man sets out to escape and get his revenge on him and others.  Great story about survival and being consumed by bitterness.

Courage under Fire (R)
Drama:  A disillusioned army officer struggling with his own demons is assigned to investigate the evidence for a female helicopter pilot’s worthiness for the Medal of Honor.  Rough elements (these are soldiers after all) and the capacity of women to show traditionally masculine courage. 

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (PG, Chinese with subtitles or English dubbing)
Drama:  Honor, respect, patience, dignity, awesome martial arts kick assedness!  “Father! We must avenge mother!”  Makes me laugh every time.  One of the most admirable, principled, powerful and elegant women lead characters in the movies.  

A Cry in the Wild (PG)
Drama:  A 13 year old boy is stranded alone in the Canadian wilderness and has to learn to survive on his own.  Based on the incredible book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. 

Dances with Wolves (PG-13)
Drama:  A civil war officer is assigned to the American West after heroic action only to learn about honesty, cruelty, compassion, prejudice, and friendship.  Prejudice, friendship, love, honor and a bit too much of the noble savage myth thrown in.  This is an epic movie that deserved all the awards it received.  You will get lost in it, deep abiding commitment to each other as a community.  You know you cried at the end when the Native American was yelling at Kevin Costner.

Dead Poet’s Society (R)
Drama/Humor:  An inspiring teacher in a private boy’s boarding school is falsely blamed for the suicide death of a student leading to a growing experiencing for all the students.  The beauty and cost of following your passion when you have to defy authority.  Prep school bromances, couldn’t be sweeter.

The Delta (R)
Drama:  Sexual ambiguity as a seemingly straight teenage boy explores homosexual interests in Memphis.  The difficulties of repressed sexual desire and the cost of suppression.  OK, not for everyone.

Dolphin Tale (PG)
Drama:  A fatherless boy befriends a dolphin that has lost it’s tale and finds meaning in his life in nursing the dolphin back to health.  Great movie, love, loss, making a difference in the world, sacrifice, standing up for something you believe in, working to change things you think are wrong, coming of age.  Great cast of actors.  And, it is based on a true story.  It’s worth it to care and really try to make a difference.  

Door to Door (PG)
Drama:  Based on the true story of a man with cerebral palsy, a debilitating condition that justified his being on disability without working.  He was determined to support himself and so became a door to door salesman of household items.  Inspiring and humbling for kids who may be griping about being bored, frustrated or unhappy about having to do something other than sit and play video games or update their facebook page.   Get off your ass, you lazy bastard! (I mean YOU.)

Dreamcatcher (R)
Horror: Four lifelong friends who share telepathic gifts must deal with what appears to be an alien invasion.  Gets wild at the end with aliens morphing out of perfectly normal seeming people (this is from a Stephen King novel).  There is an early scene of boys defending a bullied developmentally delayed kid that is a perfect example of how to deal with bullies.  Seriously, look how they worked as a team and used each of their unique strengths as well as being willing to take an ass whupping.  Worth the movie.

The Education of Charlie Banks (R)
Drama:  A young man who was terrorized by a dangerous bully in high school only has him show up at the prestigious private college he is attending causing him to come to terms with his fear and stand his ground.

Elephant Man (PG-13)
Drama:  A hideously deformed man finds his voice and teaches others about dignity, humanity, and compassion.  You can’t stop watching, it really pulls you in.  Beautiful movie.

Elephant (R)
Drama:  It seems like a perfectly normal day at school.  Then the shooting begins.

End Game (PG, 2015)
Drama: This coming of age story has Jose dealing with the tragic death of his older brother and his family’s poverty.  Having learned chess from his grandfather, Jose is induced into joining the school chess team.  They, of course, end up facing disdain and insult but ultimately triumph.  The story is based on the inspirational true story of the Brownsville school district competition winning chess team. 

End of the Spear (PG-13)
Drama:  When a group of 5 missionaries attempt to reach an Ecuadorian tribe are speared to death, the wives and children of the murdered men move into the village and end up influencing a change in the culture of violence and revenge.  Can be hard to find.  The political ramifications of imposing beliefs on indigenous peoples notwithstanding, it is a wonderful movie of a way to respond to loss and grief through love and compassion.

Erin Brockovich (R)
Drama:  A woman with only a high school education starts out as a file clerk in a lawyer’s office and ends up being responsible for winning the largest direct-action lawsuit settlement in history.  She is an earthy, crude woman who is passionate, determined and intelligent (though she didn’t realize it) with a strong sense of right and wrong (though not in all areas of her life). 

Everafter (PG)
Drama:  Against remarkable odds, a young woman of the 16th century stands up to her family by being independent and wise.  Brilliant movie portraying a strong, smart, principled feminine heroine who takes life on her own terms.  She will KICK YOUR ASS if you mess with her! (but in a feminine way).

E.T. (PG)
Sci Fi/Adventure:  Don’t tell me you need a summary or an explanation for why this is a great movie.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (PG)
Drama:  An 11 year old boy loses his father in the 911 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers in New York.  He sets out to solve a puzzle his father left him before his death involving a mysterious key and requiring him to overcome his fears and re-engage with the world.  This is a wonderful little movie about love and loss, guilt and forgiveness, grieving while moving forward with your life.  Take a little time for a nice emotional moment without ending up sobbing.

Field of Dreams (PG)
Drama:  A man in crisis trusts his heart, goes in search of a dream and makes peace with his deceased father.  This one makes grown men cry.

Finding Forrester (PG-13)
Drama: A reclusive author, known for publishing only one work, reluctantly tries to inspire, in his own unique way, a brilliant, but underachieving inner-city teen.  A movie about finding your value and having a mentor.

Flipped (PG)
Comedy/Drama:  Bryce first meets his neighbor Juli, a smart, independent, opinionated girl, in 2^nd grade.  Triumph, trouble, family problems and first love happen as their attraction to each other doesn’t seem to align in this sweet coming-of-age movie. 

Flirting (R)
Drama:  Danny Embling, an awkward, bullied, underdeveloped teen suffering from occasional bouts of stuttering, attends an all-male boarding school in Australia strikes up an interracial (heterosexual) romance and finds his voice along the way.  This is the sequel to The Year My Voice Broke

Fly Away Home (PG)
Drama:  A teenage girl who goes to live with her estranged father after the death of her mother teaches a gaggle of abandoned goslings to fly.  Beautiful story about a strong, determined, caring young girl who will not be deterred in following an admirable cause.  Finding a purpose is a great way to deal with sorrow.

Forbidden Planet (G)
Drama/Sci-Fi:  A group of astronauts seeking out a famous scientist stranded on a deserted planet are attacked by an invisible but deadly being.  Classic science fiction movie that is actually about the power of the darker side of human nature: jealousy, envy, anger.  Still holds up after all these years.  Robbie the robot, nuff said.

Forrest Gump (PG-13)
Drama/Comedy:  A mildly developmentally delayed boy is involved in the major events as he grows up from the 60’s through the 80’s using simple but profound principles such as loyalty, kindness, love, and self-sacrifice.  Sweetness, kindness, courage, self-sacrifice, love, devotion, relationships, learn something from this.  You shouldn’t have to be developmentally delayed to be a good person.

Four Feathers (PG-13)
Drama: After being labeled a coward for resigning his commission on the eve of battle, a former British soldier sets out for the Sudan in an effort to save his friends and redeem his self-dignity.  Exceptional and well made movie that demonstrates courage comes in many guises.  It is possible to refuse to do the macho thing and still have honor, pay attention guys.

Friday Night Lights (R)
Drama:  Movie dramatization of the book that followed a Texas football team and the effects of that sports/football culture on the kids and community.  Great movie, great catalyst for questions up and down the spectrum of high school sports, academic success and social status.

Frozen (G)
Animated Comedy:  The princess tries to marry her prince charming after a one day, whirlwind romance and EVERYONE TELLS HER SHE IS CRAZY AND HAS RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS!  She ignores them.  She is ends up frozen (by her beloved sister no less) and only an act of true love can thaw her out and save the kingdom.  And, when Prince Charming shows up, they kiss and NOTHING.  He he never really loved her.  Then, her sister gives her a hug and a kiss and SISTERLY LOVE melts her heart.  No man to the rescue, no save it all kiss from a guy.  Unfortunately, all the main characters are white and muscular (as men) and skinny (as women).   

Gallipoli (PG)
Drama:  During WWI, an Australian army unit is sent into what would become one of the most deadly, useless battles fought in the war.  This movie introduces you to the young, idealistic soldiers and then follows them to their heartbreaking death.  Lots to talk about when watching this movie.  War is necessary.  Soldiers have to die.  Each soldier can’t know if their possible deaths will be worth it.  Countries have an obligation to cherish every single life of a soldier put at risk.  Humans as leaders can be really stupid.  What’re you supposed to do about that? 

Gandhi (PG-13)
Drama:  The life of Mahatma Gandhi as he affected the world through his dignity, persistence, and nonviolent resistance to injustice.  Brilliant movie, a paragon of humanity all in an awkward cloth diaper.

Gattica (PG-13
Drama/Sci-Fi: A genetically inferior man tries to pose as a perfect human being in a future where a person’s genetic makeup determines their social class and future.  Fun and can be the catalyst for some interesting discussions about the value of imperfection.

G.B.F (R)
Drama/Comedy: When one of two in-the-closet gay high school friends is outed at school, he is accepted by the popular girls as their gay best friend.  This leads to pressure on his friend to also come out and requires him to choose between friendship and popularity.  This movie is really PG-13 since there is no cussing and the only sexual content is boys kissing.  It is a teen romantic comedy/coming of age film that has gay teens in the lead roles.  No big deal, actually. 

Get Real (R)
Drama/Comedy: A gay English teenager must decide whether to “come out” when he falls for a popular student whom most classmates presume is straight.  Well made movie that provides a model for gay teen relationships.  He gets the guy.

Girl on the Edge (PG)
Fifteen year old Hannah ends up in a residential treatment program after being sexually assaulted by an older teen (who drugged her) and ending up spiraling out of control because of the after effects.  The program turns out to be helpful.  Lots worth watching here: the girl is tough (but toughness is sometimes a problem), the parents are caring (and not just cookie cutter parents) and you can see what they struggle with and treatment ends up helping showing the value of addressing traumatic experiences.  The themes are mature but the movie handles them in ways that it is appropriate for even younger teens to watch. 

Glory (R)
Drama:  The story of the all black fighting unit for the North during the civil war and the courage and sacrifices made.  As patriotic a movie as you can find.

Good Will Hunting (R)
Drama: A therapist tries to help a brilliant, but troubled young man overcome his personal problems and realize his potential.  Powerful movie about finding your potential, overcoming fears of failure and following your dream.  Great portrayal of an unconventional therapist client relationship.  On the other hand, not everyone can be a mathematical genius.

Gossip (R)
Drama/Suspense: When a bit of malicious gossip they spread gets completely out of control, a trio of friends must figure out what to do and whether they should try to stop it.  (Spoiler) Elaborate (and graphic) hoax perpetrated to get the main character back for starting a vicious rumor about a girl.  If you see this as inspiration for something to try you have missed the point of the movie and you might consider seeing a therapist; your wiring is off.

Gravity (PG-13)
A medical engineer on a space mission is the only survivor of a catastrophe. She has to figure out a way to get herself back to earth; and things keep going wrong. Tension and edge of your seat thrills all in the vacuum of space.  She is remarkably creative, resilient and determined in the face of disaster.

Great Santini (PG)
Drama: An extremely domineering, abusive military father takes his frustrations out on his family through emotional and physical abuse complicating the family’s grief when he dies in a plane crash. Pat Conroy is a brilliant Southern writer about dysfunctional families with (allegedly) redeeming qualities. Courageous warrior as terrible father and the damage he inflicts. There is such a thing as being too tough.

Green Mile (R)
Drama: A death row prison guard must contend with various convicts under his watch including a giant of a man with a special gift. Racism, justice, injustice, innocence, guilt, psychic powers and evil. Love the special justice that John Coffee dispenses.

Groundhog Day (PG)
Comedy:  What would you do if you had the same day to live over and over and over . . .  Great movie; funny and a catalyst for family discussions.  Must see.    Seriously, what would you do?

Happy Feet (G)
Animation/Comedy/Drama:  Animated penguin gotta dance!  Glorious movie.  Funny, lots of thought provoking issues if you want to have a conversation later.  Great fun to watch.  Could you please get over the dancing means you’re gay thing.  You know your feet were actually tapping along to the movie.  Man up!

Harry Potter Movies (PG)
Drama:  Wildly entertaining, great special effects and really wonderful depictions of friendship, strong females, all the good virtues, mentoring and loving (and horrible) family relationships. 

Harvey  (NR, probably G)
Comedy:  Ellwood Dowd is the nicest man you could ever meet. Unfortunately, he also has a friend no one else can see; a 6 foot tall, white rabbit. Is kindness a mental disorder? You be the judge.

Heart And Soul (PG-13)
A love story about a 20-something man who is very cold and practical.  He has to help 4 very different people complete their life dreams before they can get to heaven.  In the course of the movie, he finds his heart.  Makes you think about what to do in this life before it is too late (and to not pull back from really connecting with people simply because you could lose them).  It is also funny.

Here On Earth (PG-13)
Drama: After being sentenced to help rebuild a small town diner he inadvertently helped destroy, a prep school student finds himself falling for his adversary’s girlfriend.  Sweet movie about having a real teen relationship (except she has a terminal illness and so they are artificially drawn into an intense relationship).  This is how you turn your life around!

Hero (PG-13, Chinese; subtitles or dubbed in English)
Drama:  A fearless warrior rises up to defeat a tyrant and unite an empire.  GREAT martial arts fight scenes, the visuals are incredible and the story is surprisingly subtle (could a tyrant be better for most people after all?).   Another kick ass martial arts movie.

High Noon (PG)
Drama:  This is a GREAT western.  A former sheriff who became a pacifist upon marrying his Quaker wife is informed that a bandit he arrested years ago is returning to town to get revenge. The movie follows the ex-sheriffs attempts to get the town to stand up to the bandit. Despite his wife insisting that he leave to avoid potential violence, the ex-sheriff stays and faces the bandit gang. Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, morality, cowardice, honor and courage, doing the right thing and standing up to bullies (who are packing heat).

High Plains Drifter (R)
Drama:  A lone man shows up in a western town in response to reward offered to help the town rid itself of bad people.  As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the towns people aren’t as innocent as you might first believe.  Graphic depictions of retribution and revenge (spoiler) because the drifter seems to be the ghost like return of the previous sheriff that the townspeople refused to help when he was murdered by the outlaws.  Opportunity to talk about what YOU would do with your kid.  It is pretty graphic in some of the revenge he takes, hypocrisy is everywhere but you can still find a way to be honorable.

Holes (PG)
Drama: After being wrongly sentenced to a hard-labor camp where he and other boys are forced to dig a five-foot hole each day, a teenager tries to figure out what they’re digging for as well as whether he and his family are still living under a generations-old curse.  Really fun in a cartoonishly evil way.

Hoosier (PG)
Drama:  Young men struggling to develop character, discipline, and courage against the backdrop of high school basketball.  Great movie.  Great values.  It will have you the edge of your seat.

Hotel Rwanda (R)
Drama:  Based on a true story about a hotel manager’s attempts to harbor potential victims of the genocide in Rwanda.  Difficult and important, deeply moving picture of true courage and humanity.  Lots of powerful messages about morals and being an ethical human.  You need to know about this.  It is the holocaust of your time (and you didn’t even know about it did you?).

How Green Was My Valley (NR, probably PG)
Drama:  This is a powerful, old (1941) movie that follows an poor Welsh family in a community dominated by the coal mines.  It is a dramatic portrayal of the problems of poverty, gossip and meanness, physical labor (and the loss of jobs and ill treatment by companies of laborers) and the ending of a way of life.  It is still relevant today.

Hunger Games (PG-13)
Drama:  Katniss is as tough as they come (both emotionally and physically). Yet she retains feminine values (i.e., she isn’t just a guy in a girl’s body). She also struggles with the inherent conflict between the necessity for violence in self-preservation versus  that of trust in compassion.  In addition, Peta is against type for a leading man.

In the Company of Men (R)
Drama: Two men, fed up with the way they’ve been treated by women, decide to both date a deaf girl, build up her expectations, and then simultaneously dump her as their revenge upon all women.  Unusual movie that starkly presents the darkest side of how men treat women. Guys can be such d**ks!  Guys: careful about what you can become.  Girls:  know what you may have to watch out for.
Questions:  How could the woman have protected herself from the schemes of these men?  Why did the sensitive man decide to go along with his friend?  How could the woman have figured out what was going on?  Why was the woman vulnerable to these guy’s scheme?  How do you think things turned out for each of the characters?  What responsibility did the guys have to the woman?

Inside Moves (R)
Drama:  This film follows a crippled suicide survivor who gains self-esteem through friendships with fellow misfits.

The Insider (R)
Drama:  A senior scientist working for a big tobacco company becomes a whistle-blower about the harmfulness of tobacco and the efforts of the tobacco companies to misrepresent (i.e., lie) about what they know about nicotine addiction and their efforts to get people hooked on tobacco.  The tobacco companies stopped just short of violence (though he was threatened with death) but otherwise tried to ruin his life to keep him from revealing what he knew.  This man was a hero.  You get to see the cost of being a hero (and the importance of someone being willing to step up). 

The Interrupters (R)
This documentary (by the guy who did Hoop Dreams, another great documentary) is about people who are trying to stop community violence (in this case, in Chicago) at its source.  Powerful film.  What could YOU do?

Iron Giant (G)
Animated: A boy shows compassion for a giant made of iron who, in the end, must sacrifice himself to save his new human friends.  Makes grown men cry.  Beautiful movie.

Iron Will (PG)
Drama:  The story of a young man who enters a grueling dogsled race to save his family’s farm and raise money for college.  Great movie about a young man who steps up to responsibility in the aftermath of tragic personal loss.  Excellent character movie.  This kid is serious about doing the right thing; you should be too.

It’s A Wonderful Life (G)
Drama:  Do I really need to describe the plot?  A man who has sacrificed for the good of others all his life ends up, through a series of accidents and maliciousness on the part of a greedy and powerful man, questioning whether his life had any meaning.  He then gets to see what the lives of others would have been if he had never existed.  Glorious movie.

Jason’s Lyric (R)
Drama:  A young man who carries around the guilt of shooting his abusive, alcoholic father meets a girl fighting poverty, gangs and violence who is shot before they can succeed in escaping their environment.  Yeah, all that inner city, thug glamor.  It ain’t so pretty when you have to live it.
Questions:  Why was it so difficult to follow their dreams?  Why did the guy feel guilty about killing his father?  What could he have done instead?  How could they have supported each other better?  What was the cost of following their dreams; what would each of them have to give up?

Joy Ride (R)
Suspense/Thriller: A vindictive truck driver terrorizes two brothers and their friend after the young men pull a prank on the anonymous trucker.  Has some obvious implications for what can come from messing with people or other drivers or just being stupid altogether, especially when it involves a car.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Julia (PG)
Drama:  Lillian Hellman, the writer, has a lifelong friendship with Julia who sacrifices her wealth, her health, her leg and her life to combat Nazism during the time when the rest of the world tried to turn a blind eye to the growing monster.  Adult themes but powerful women. 

Juno (R)
Drama/Comedy:  Teen girl gets pregnant and, predictably, has to figure out what to do about it on her own with uninvolved or clueless parents.  The girl is smart and thoughtful (and still she gets pregnant ARE YOU LISTENING?).  The boyfriend is geeky and hopelessly inadequate as a potential father.  The issues are real and provide a great opportunity to think about consequences of sex.  Enjoy the movie but THINK about what it has really meant.  That is real anguish on everyone’s part.

Karate Kid (PG)
Drama:  New kid on the block being bullied by his schoolmates meets a mild mannered gardener who just happens to be a martial arts expert.  Work, commitment, honor, loyalty and dealing with difficulty in the right way.  Exceptional movie that stands the test of time.  The Rocky of teen movies.  Wax on, wax off.  GET GOING! (See the Next Karate Kid below for the female version)

Keith (R)
Drama:  A popular girls is thrown together with an outcast guy, throw in a terminal illness and adolescent love; life lessons and loss ensue.  Sweet movie

Kids of Survival:  The art and life of Tim Rollins + K.O.S.
Drama:  Documentary of an inspiring teacher and his classroom of low income, troubled teens using art to learn about literature and life.  Inspirational teacher, remarkable kids, the life of the mind outshines the darkness of life.  What have you accomplished lately?

Knight’s Tale (PG-13)
Action/Adventure: A young squire, accompanied by a hodgepodge of friends, fakes his way into various 14^th century jousting contests and then tries to win the hand of a fair maiden all while dealing with a nefarious count who’s determined to defeat him.  I LOVE this movie.  Anachronisms (look it up) abound.

The Lady (R)
Drama:  This is the inspiring story of Aung San Suu Kyi, a political activities and peaceful but relentless and brave crusader for democracy in her native country of Burma (currently renamed Myanmar by the oppressive, murderous military junta that currently rules what is left of the country after their regime of murder and starvation).  She was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace during the 15 years she was held prisoner with virtually no contact with her husband and children or the outside world.  Looking for heroines?  Here’s one. 

Last of the Mohicans (R)
Drama:  Loose, but compelling, adaptation of James Fennimore Cooper’s 1750 novel about the French and Indian wars told from the view of the last 3 remaining members of a Native American tribe (one of who is an adopted European).  Love, vicious hand to hand fights, army battles, savagery, sacrifice, courage and loss all take place in beautiful scenery with incredible cinematography. 

The Last Starfighter (PG)
SciFi: A teenage boy obsessed with an ARCADE video game finds out it is really a recruiting tool for intergalactic star fighters.  It was from 1984 and is still fun.   

Lawrence of Arabia (Unrated but probably PG)
Drama:  Grand, epic, amazing movie adventure about the exploits of a bizarre (and it turns out somewhat crazy) British officer (T. E. Lawrence) who is able to unite the Arab forces during World War I to defeat the Turks.  Racism (in this case against Arabs), passion, courage, politics, the horrors of war and redemption are just a few of the themes in this movie. 

Laura Croft Tomb Raider 1/Laura Croft Tomb Raider 2 Cradle of Life (PG-13)
Action/Adventure: Angelina Jolie creates the onscreen character based on a popular, early video game.  While she is a very sexy action character she is also a very assertive, smart woman who can take care of herself and doesn’t need to rely on a man.  The story is silly but it is action adventure and fun.  

Legendary (PG-13)
Drama: A skinny, unathletic guy joins the wrestling team to feel closer to his deceased father (a wrestling legend) and his older brother (a wrestling legend whose life is off track).  Determination, courage, resilience, finding your own path in life; it’s all here.

Less Than Zero (R)
Drama:  Movie about friends who are without a real direction in life, have privilege, and who are involved in drugs and sex face the addiction, degradation, and death of one of their group.  Harsh look at how kids with promise (and from affluence) end up lost and heading nowhere.  Want to do serious drugs?  Hope your knees hold up.
Questions:  What could the friends have done for each other?  What are the points in the movie where each of them could have tried to help the other?  Why weren’t they able to help the one friend?  Why did they use drugs?  What could they have done that might have stopped their need to use drugs?

Liar, Liar (PG-13)
Comedy: A magical birthday wish causes a lawyer to tell nothing but the truth for twenty-four hours.  Great portrayal about the frequency with which many of lie in the course of a day.  And, Jim Carrey is, of course, hysterical.  It may surprise you how many times you avoid the truth, stretch things or outright lie.  If it is a lot, time for some soul searching.

Life is Beautiful (R)
Drama/comedy:  Set in Nazi occupied Italy, a Jewish man goes to great lengths to protect his son from the reality of the danger they face on a daily basis.  He does this by changing how his son view the challenges of surviving in the concentration camp.  Touching, bittersweet.  Worth watching together.  Making lemonade (you know, if life give you lemons) has never had such profound importance.

Little Darlings (R)
Drama:  Two 15-year old girls from different sides of the tracks compete to see who will be first to lose their virginity while at camp.  Dealing directly with the beginnings of sexual awareness makes this a powerful conversation starter but check it out before hand to make sure it doesn’t create more problems than it solves.  The emotional struggles and trade offs of dignity for experience (and a little affection) still holds true.  Pay attention girls.
Questions:  What led to the girls accepting the “challenge?”  What could they have done if they didn’t want to go along with the challenge?  What would have happened if rich girl would have been successful?  What was poor girls experience of sex?  Why did she go through with it?  How could it have been better for her?  Why was it so difficult for her to open up?  What was the effect of the poor girl’s mother’s attitudes on her?

The Long Walk Home (PG)
Drama:  It’s 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama during the bus boycott sparked by Rosa Parks in protest for discriminatory policies toward African Americans even regarding their “place” on the bus.  The life of a maid for a wealthy white family shows the stark contrast of living conditions and freedoms as well as the dignity and integrity of African Americans during that time period. 

Lord of the Rings (PG-13)
Action/Fantasy: A disparate group of beings attempts to return a powerful ring to its place of creation and destroy it there before its evil, original owner gains possession of it.  Filled with noble themes and fighting against evil (as well as how you can end up becoming evil from the best of intentions).  Awesome.  Just awesome.

Lords of Discipline (R)
Drama:  This is one of the movies based on a Pat Conroy novel. (Conroy’s books often focus on the pain and damage that occurs when masculinity gets twisted.) This is the story of Will’s senior year in the fictitious Carolina Military Institute. He is forced to confront the hypocrisy of the school’s officers as well as the perversion of the honor code they use to guide their lives. Will he compromise his principles to continue to be accepted by the Corps of Cadets?  A whole host of struggles dealing with loyalty, prejudice, cruelty, and betrayal.  This is how a real man (as a boy) responds to peer pressure and the maintaining honor when others attempt to abuse a commitment to loyalty. 

Lucas (PG-13)
Drama/comedy:  Undersized, smart teen boy with spunk and character deals with his frustrated love, lack of respect and harassment by jocks.  He makes his way through it all with dignity and finally makes his way to a kind of respect by peers.  Wonderful movie about the struggles of finding yourself and dealing with not being at the top of the social ladder.  You don’t have to be big or make a big splash to achieve self-respect.

McFarland, USA (PG)
Drama: A white coach teaching at a primarily Hispanic school from a very poor neighborhood starts a cross country track team and coaches them to a state championship.  The movie portrays the struggles the kids go through to get through school while also needing to contribute to the family income as manual laborers.  You’ll find it inspirational. 

Man in the Moon (PG)
Drama:  A coming of age movie about the experiences of a young girl facing first love, death, and family relationships.  Sweet portrayal (by a young Reese Witherspoon) of prepubescent love and dealing with tragic death (of her love object).  Excellent family movie.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence (G)
Drama:  An idealistic, tenderfoot lawyer arrives in a lawless, wild west town and takes on the murderous criminal who is terrorizing the townspeople.  He does it by relying on the concept of law and order.  He ends up being a hero with a long career in politics.  But, there is a twist!  To be courageous you have to risk what it is important.  Standing up for what is right is dangerous.  The nobility of sacrifice can be a quiet, private thing.  Love is about giving to the one you love without thought for yourself.  It is one of the best western “Character” movies ever made starring John Wayne (enough said), Jimmy Stewart, Lee Marvin, Andy Devine and the lovely Vera Miles.   

Man without a Face (R)
Drama:  A young boy forms a mentoring relationship with a reclusive man with a terrible facial scar (Mel Gibson) but the relationship comes to an end when allegations surface of the man as a former child abuser.  Sweet portrayal of mentor relationship but raises complicated questions due to the shadow surrounding the main character’s possibly inappropriate relationship with a former student. I think this was just to let Mel mess up his face to try to prove he could act anyway.

March of the Penguins (PG)
Documentary:  Those penguins are so CUTE!  This is an amazing film.  Who woulda thought you could watch a film about a year in the life of penguins and be riveted. 

Mary Poppins (G)
Musical: You already know about this Queen of kid movies.  But you may not have paid attention to the lessons that are integrated throughout the movie. There is fun, frolicking, discipline, empathic parenting (or nannying as it were), dancing penguins, carousel horse races, manners, morals.  Communication (and the problems that can ensue when it is absent), creativity, hard work, responsibility, sacrifice are just some of the values your kid will observe.  It goes on and on.  And, along with all of these, they also FLY KITES!   

Mask (R)
Drama:  True story of a teen with a facial disfiguring disease who must face the world and himself.  Cher is great as the course but devoted mom.  Deeply moving and powerful movie with all the opportunities for discussing perseverance, cruelty, beauty inside, etc. etc.  A must see movie.  You wish you could be this noble.

Matrix (R)
Sci-Fi/Drama:  Futuristic tale in which a man discovers that his life is not what he thought it was.  Freedom, avoiding the harshness of reality and REMARKABLE special effects.

Max Keeble’s Big Move (PG)
Comedy: Believing that he’s moving to another city, a junior high student sets out to get his revenge on all of those who’ve wronged him in the past. Lots of twists: getting people back, plans going wrong (when he has to stay to face the music), trying to make a real difference and, typically, adults who are halfwits, evil or oblivious.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (PG-13)
Drama/Comedy: 17 year old Greg’s mom makes him visit a girl from his school who has been diagnosed with cancer.  So starts an awkward, tender and real friendship that ends in death . . . and hope.  Very realistic about how difficult it is to face the death of a friend, while they are still alive. 

Mean Girls (PG-13)
Drama/Comedy:  Great movie (despite having Lindsay Lohan as a potential role model) about the difficulties of girl relationships and relational aggression (a.k.a., bullying).  Good resolutions.  Girls, you know this can really happen.

Men Don’t Leave (PG-13)
Drama:  When a father dies, a mother and her two sons must find a way to cope.  Lots of struggles including debilitating grief in the mom, the 17 yo son losing his way and the 9 yo son resorting to crime to try to regain their old, more affluent life.  Ends well.  Thoughtful movie that can make you think about what is really important.

Men of Honor (R)
Drama: An African-American sailor must overcome racism and other obstacles as he attempts to become the first black Master Chief Navy Diver.  This wasn’t that long ago.  It is amazing what we have accomplished in the way of equality and justice (and kind of scary that some people still believe it is legitimate to discriminate).

A Midnight Clear (R)
Drama:  A small platoon of WWII American soldiers encounter a small enemy platoon who want to surrender with disastrous results.  Raises lots of questions about what makes an enemy, war and honor.  War is a morally complicated and nasty business.

Mighty (PG-13)
Drama: A presumably dimwitted giant of a seventh-grader and an intelligent, but diminutive boy suffering from a degenerative disease combine their best assets to forge a friendship that allows them to cope with the world in which they live.

Million Dollar Baby (R)
Drama:  Young adult woman pursues her passion to box.  Beautiful movie about breaking stereotypes, working for something you really want, friendship.  Excellent movie.  Rather raw and clearly intended for adults but could be relevant for some situations with your kid.  How committed are you to following your dreams?  (GET AFTER IT!)

Miracle (PG-13)
Drama:  In the 1980s Olympics, the American hockey was not expected to accomplish much of anything.  They won the gold medal.  It was awesome.  This is the story of their coach.  Great movie.  Great message.

Moana (G)

Animated Drama/Comedy:  This is such a great movie!  Moana is an adventurous, strong willed girl who set out to save your island by finding the demi-god Maui to make him return the heart of the goddess Te Fiti.  It is funny, tense and a great model of how to break tradition and follow your own mind (and heart) while still being a responsible person.   The chicken is a scream!

Mona Lisa Smile (PG-13)
Drama:  A progressive young art teacher comes to a women’s college in 1953 to face the sexism and limitations imposed on women, even by themselves, during that time.  Mature themes are included but a gentle thought provoking movie about the opportunities for women and how they have changed within our lifetimes. 

Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Comedy:  Because it is hysterical.  Also, the Black Knight is the best embodiment of a “never say die” attitude you can find while laughing with each dismemberment!  Best movie ever.

Mulan (G)
Animated, Comedy:  In China, a teen girl has to defend the honor of her family by becoming a soldier (in disguise because she is a girl).  She shows that girls can be brave, strong and aggressive.

My Body Guard (PG)
Drama:  A young boy who is the target of bullies employs a school outcast to be his bodyguard leading to the formation of friendship and loyalty.  Great movie with the obvious themes beautifully  explored.  You’ll be rooting for the nerd.

My Girl (PG)
Drama:  An 11 year old girl deals with her mother’s death and her mortician father while experiencing puppy love.  Sweet movie about first love.  Good portrayal of what young love is supposed to be (even though it is Macauley Culkin, as the boy I mean).

Mystic River (R)
Drama:  (Spoiler)  Three friends converge on their neighborhood to deal with the death of one of their young daughters reawakening the sexual abuse they all suffered when young.  Hard movie to watch, powerful portrayal of the aftermath of childhood abuse.  This one will rip your guts up and tear your heart out.  You better be old enough to deal with how quietly evil some people can be.

Napoleon Dynamite (PG-13)
Comedy: If there ever was a character who was not afraid to go his own way, this is one.  Of course, I think he may be developmentally delayed but this is a very funny, great movie about being your own quirky self.  And it ain’t easy.  Napoleon is a 16 year old guy who just wants to live his own life and not be bothered by the expectations of his peers.

The Natural (R)
Drama:  Following your dream, losing your way, cynicism and idealism, baseball, evil women, noble women; this movie has it all.  Has a dream-like, allegorical quality.  Excellent guy movie.

Never Been Kissed (PG-13)
Romantic Comedy: A 25-year-old, first-time reporter, hoping she doesn’t have to relive her geeky past, returns to high school to do an undercover story on teenage life.  Fun twist on high school social dynamics.  A bit weird when the teacher is attracted to his (disguised adult) student which might be misinterpreted as permission.

The Next Karate Kid (PG)
Drama:  A troubled girl learns how to kick some karate butt while unwittingly becoming a more disciplined, principled person all under the tutelage of the inimitable Mr. Miyagi (see Karate Kid above).

Norma Rae (PG)
Drama:  A young single mother who makes minimum wage working in a sweat shop factory leads a movement to unionize her work leading to threats and pressure at home and on the job.  Here is what quiet courage looks like.

Note To Self (PG)
Comedy/Drama:   An African American basketball star is entering his senior year in college and needs to learn how to find the kind of relationship he wants.  Great example of a guy taking some time to figure out himself so he can have a truly emotionally intimate relationship.  A particularly great scene is where HE is the booty call for a woman who doesn’t want a real relationship.

Now and Then (PG-13)
Drama:  Four women look back on time spent as girls in the summer of 1970 exploring life and investigating the murder of a boy dead for three decades.  Beautiful portrayal of innocent edge of teen girl friendships (and sweet innocent budding romance).

October Sky (PG)
Drama: A West Virginia teenager hopes to break free from his predetermined coal miner’s life by winning a national science fair competition with his rocket building designs.  Excellent view of kids following their passion (in this case, for rocket science).  Yet again, what dreams have you been working toward?  (GET A MOVE ON!)

Old Enough (R)
Drama:  Well-bred Lonnie (11 ¾ yo) meets the impudent Karen (14 yo) on the street where these 12 year olds learn something about social differences and growing up.  Seeing others for who they really are, young girl friendship.

Old Yeller (G)
Drama:  You have to watch this movie with your kid.  Disney at its best.  Puppies, the simple life, living the frontier life, loyal dog, hard choices, grief and renewal.  Guys:  You’ll CRY LIKE A BABY!.  You don’t have the guts to watch this movie!  You’re AFRAID TO CRY.

127 Hours (R)
Drama:  You know the one.  Guy goes hiking alone.  Guy falls and gets his arm trapped under a rock.  Guy chews his arm off to survive (alright, he cuts it off.  Whatever.).  Random things happen in life and you are faced with hard choices that take true courage and decisiveness.  What would you do?

Ordinary People (PG)
Drama:  After the favorite older son is killed in an accident, his family tries to unsuccessfully repair their lives due to the coping techniques of each.  Very tough movie about the effects of the death of a child in the family.  Good portrayal of therapist/kid client relationship.  The importance of communication in the family.  You can get caught up in the pain, don’t miss the hope and the ways in which the teen uses excellent adults to keep his head on straight. 

The Outsiders (PG)
Drama:  Teen guys trying to break out of the rut of dead end neighborhood and poverty.  Main character is smart and trying to not get drawn into the life, with difficulty because of issues of loyalty, honor, family, love, pride and self image.  Another great discussion generator (e.g., “What do you do if you need to take someone’s back but it could ruin your future.”  “What is too much for a friend to ask of you.”)

The Oxbow Incident
Drama:  Made in 1943 with Henry Fonda.  The wild west, a citizen is killed and cattle are stolen, a posse of upstanding citizens (including a woman!) rides out to catch the criminals.  Three men are found under suspicious circumstances.  They are lynched but not until lots of conflict, recrimination, prejudice, emotional decision making and overriding of morals occurs.  Turns out they got the wrong guys.  Brilliant movie.  Don’t wait to decide how you will follow your morals until you are in the middle of something; you might take the easy road and suffer for it the rest of your life.  THINK!

Paper Chase (R)
Drama:  This film follows the main character and his friends as they struggle through their first year of law school.  It is really dramatic and shows how hard the characters have to work to keep up, if they want to pass these first year classes.  Really inspiring (with a professor you LOVE to hate because he is a cold hearted jerk).

Paper Clips (G)
Documentary:  A class project started by a kid in a rural Tennessee town to understand the number of people killed in the holocaust becomes an inspiring story of understanding and reaching out to the world.  Even kids can have an impact on the world.  Have you beat that video game yet?  Gotten  your weekly tan?  Look at what these kids did with their time.

Pay It Forward (PG-13)
Drama: An 11-year-old boy hopes that his progressive, pyramid-like scheme of getting people to help others will make life better.  Somewhat contrived and just a little sappy (it is a young Haley Joel Osment after all) but GREAT message with a compelling example of how to make a quiet, determined difference for good in the world.  Practice random acts of kindness.  

The Peaceful Warrior (PG-13)
Drama:  Dan is a college gymnast who has lost his purpose in life.  He meets a gas-station attendant who turns out to be a mystical wise man who helps Dan learn how to recognize what really matters in life and overcome obstacles (like a devastating leg injury) to reach your goal.  Based on the excellent book The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. 

Permanent Record (R)
Drama:  When a popular and talented high school student commits suicide, his best friend takes over many of his responsibilities and soon finds himself under the same pressures.  Excellent movie about the aftermath of suicide and the ways that guilt and grief unfold (and trip you up).  But what a great friend.  (A little counseling support through this might have helped.)  Know what you would do if your friend starts talking about dying (or wanting to die).

Philadelphia (R)
Drama:  At the height of the panic over the AIDs epidemic, Tom Hanks plays a lawyer who is fired from his prestigious law firm upon the discovery of his illness.  He sues the firm.  All star cast, beautifully acted that raises the question of what justifies discrimination, makes gay people real.  Fair and fair; next time it could be you for something else.

Pinocchio (G)
Animation:  This is a wonderful morality play.  Great movie and great opportunity to talk about morals, decisions, make makes a real boy/person.  What does it take to be a real man?  (And it’s not how long your nose is).

Places in the Heart (PG)
Drama:  It’s the depression and a widow, her African American farm hand and a blind man have to depend on each other to scratch a living out of her farm.  Through courage, determination and cooperation they manage to hold it together. 

Planet Earth (NR, probably G)
Documentary: Breathtakingly beautiful. Fascinating. Educational. Eleven 50-minute episodes first shown on the BBC and then on PBS. No matter your interest, age or attitude, this documentary will keep everyone glued to their seats.

Powder (PG-13)
Drama:  A teenage albino boy faces extreme prejudice but embodies compassion and forgiveness.  I love this movie.  It has a kind of mystical quality (you can’t tell if the kid is some kind of alien or what).  Beautiful portrayal of love, loss, sacrifice, caring involved adults, fear of the unfamiliar, prejudice all with a kind of allegorical quality.  Be careful or that kid you are mocking may shock the crap out of you.

The Power of One (PG-13)
Drama:  The story of a young English boy named P.K. and his passion for changing the world after having experienced prejudice as British in the pre-WWII apartheid era of South Africa.  Interesting if uneven movie.  White kid encounters racism/prejudice (he is English in South Africa), becomes the hope of black South Africans(?).  Could you deal with being the focus of prejudice?  Could you deal with it with dignity (or are you just left with trying to punch people)?

Pretty in Pink (PG-13)
Drama/Comedy:  A poor teenage girl with a loving father feels struggles with issues of social class when asked out by a wealthy, well-meaning boy.  One of a set of well received, good movies about teen relationships.  What to do?  What to do?  I say go for the money.

Pride (PG-13)
Great movie about a man who starts a swim team for inner city, troubled teens and teaches them about persistence, discipline and working against the odds to accomplish a goal.  Inspirational and enjoyable. 

The Princess Bride (R)
Drama/Comedy: Live action fairy tale that follows the adventures of a noble youth who must rescue his beloved from outlaws and reach her before she marries an evil prince. Filled with justice, injustice, adventure, sword play and tons of wisecracking, sarcastic humor. Fun for all ages.

The Pursuit of Happyness (PG-13)
Drama: True story of a homeless man who has to take care of his young son while also trying to make a good life for them with a good job.  How he balances all the demands of his life, his work ethic and his tenacity to move ahead in the business world is impressive.  And, the movie is inspirational, and very enjoyable to watch.

Radio (PG)
Drama:  Based on the true story of a high school football coach who mentors a mentally challenged kid across decades leading to a transformation from a tortured soul to a productive adult.  Who might you be able to help and what could that bring to your own life?  It doesn’t take much to make a difference in someone’s life (and it always makes a difference in yours).

Radio Flyer (PG-13)
Drama:  Two young children have to learn to cope with an abusive, alcoholic step-father using fantasy to help them cope.  Hard to watch, has a kind of fairy tale ending.

Rebel Without A Cause (NR, probably PG)
Drama:  Classic movie of teen angst and rebellion.  The original kids having to raise themselves with absent or clueless parents.  Great movie.

The Red Badge of Courage (Unrated, probably PG)
Drama:  Civil War soldier gets the opportunity to redeem himself after an act of cowardice by not being afraid only to realize that courage is not about a lack of fear but doing what one must or should despite the fear.  Excellent, classic movie well-acted. 

Riding in Cars with Boys (PG-13)
Drama: As she grows up over twenty years, a young woman must deal with the many unexpected setbacks and challenges that life throws her way as she tries to make something of herself.

Rocket Science (R)
Drama:  A strong willed girl recruits a stuttering guy to be her partner on the high school debate team in a movie about courage, determination, character and first love. 

Rocky (PG)
Drama:  A has-been boxer gets his shot at the big time ultimately triumphing in love, life, and boxing.  Classic movie with good, old fashioned themes.

Rodger Dodger (R)
Drama:  Movie about how cold hearted men can be toward women and how men pass this on to boys.  You need a REALLY good reason for your kids to see this movie.  If you are a REALLY insensitive, hyper macho kid who sees women only as potential conquest you can see what a d**che  you’ll end up being.  (See also In the Company of Men)
Question:  How could you have detected that the guy was a player if you were one of the women.  Why were the women willing to be taken in? How do you think the nephew will end up treating women when he’s older?  In the final scene in the deleted scenes section of the DVD how do you think the main character would be as a man versus the “cool guy” he was asking about baseball.

River’s Edge (R)
Drama:  A troubled high school slacker kills his girlfriend for no particular reason and shows off her dead body to his friends, whose reactions vary about whether to involve the police.  OK, TELL SOMEONE ALREADY?!  Do you realize how much s**t they are going to get and how long they will be getting it?  (Not to mention that the guy is a PSYCHOPATH)

Rudy (PG)
Drama:  A boy pursues a dream formed at the age of ten to play football for Notre Dame despite his having little real ability.  Never say quit!  Great movie.  Well, at least you are striving to fulfill your dreams (assuming it isn’t to become the greatest video game player in the world or an official medical marijuana grower)? Right?  Right?

A Rumor of Angels (PG-13)
Drama:  A 12 year old boy is befriended by a crusty old lady as he continues to struggle with the unresolved grief over the death of his mother.  This is a beautiful movie about love and loss, especially related to the struggles of boys.  Sometimes you need a good slap to the face to straighten your head out.

Saint Ralph (PG-13)
Drama:  It’s 1954.  Ralph’s mother lays in a coma, he has no one else to care for him, attending a Catholic boys school run by a sadistic head master and Ralph decides he needs a miracle to save his mother:  winning the Boston marathon.  It is an inspiring, funny and touching movie.  This is how you take your life in your hands and pursue a dream. 

Saving Private Ryan (R)
Drama/Action: A small platoon of WWII soldiers goes behind enemy lines to find and retrieve a missing paratrooper who’s been ordered home because his three brothers have already been killed in the war.  Sacrifice, honor, loyalty, ethical dilemmas during difficult times (like war).  Awesome movie.  You should dream of being half the men these guys are.  (And, you don’t have to go to war to do it!)

Say Anything (PG-13)
Comedy:  Two high school seniors, a smart girl and a good hearted but unambitious boy, pursue love the summer after their senior year as she prepares to go off to college.  Sweet teen love movie about movie forward with your life.  How much guts do you have in going after the person of your dreams?

Scent of a Woman (R)
Drama/Comedy:  Blind ex marine war hero who is down on his luck hires a cash strapped prep school teen to escort him on a last hurrah trip to New York.  Excellent movie about the meaning of life, standing up for your principles, dealing with unfairness and social rejection.  Excellent morality movie with fun thrown in.  Sometimes, standing up for your principles means you are going to get screwed (but at least it will be with your head held high).  It’s still worth it.

Schindler’s List (R)
Drama:  True story of a Polish businessman (who is rather unscrupulous) who finds a way to save 1100 Jews from the gas chamber by find ways to employ them in his factories at great risk to himself.  Another tearjerker.  All the best noble virtues (with a flawed hero).  What would you risk?

School Ties (PG-13)
Drama:  Poor Jewish teen football star gets scholarship to expensive prep school with pressure to hide his background due to prejudice about religion and economic background.  All the obvious themes from a movie with this story.  Excellent lessons.  How could you discriminate against Brendan Fraser?

Seabiscuit (PG-13)
Drama:  It’s the time of the Great Depression.  A horse everyone gave up on, a jockey who was abandoned as a child by his destitute parents, a homeless horse trainer and a rich man who lost hope when his young son died.  Hope, persistence, loyalty and redemption all around.  You’ll cheer.  You’ll cry.  Your kid will get the message (when you talk afterwards about the important reflections of character issues.) 

Searching for Bobby Fisher (PG)
Drama:  A 7 year old boy is discovered to have a talent for chess struggles with his father’s drive for him to be the best and his desire to be a child.  Unfortunately, it is another child teaching adults what really matters, unfortunately because the movie is good and worth watching.  I just grow tired of that theme.  Can you be competitive and not be cutthroat?  It’s hard but you can pull it off if you stay true to your heart.

Second Hand Lions (PG)
Drama/Comedy: A teenager hears tales of grand adventure while spending the summer with his two great uncles whose reported riches may have been illegally obtained.  Substitute father figures, growing up and taking chances.  Excellent movie.

Shallow Hal (PG-13)
Comedy: After being reprogrammed to see only a person’s inner beauty reflected as their outward appearance, a shallow man falls for a woman, oblivious to the fact that she’s extremely obese.  Over the top but it gets the point across.

Shane (G)
Drama:  A quiet loner shows up in a small ranching community and protects them from gunslingers while showing honesty, courage, and integrity.  This is how you do the strong silent type (but notice that he ends up alone.  Well, he has his horse but that is a very particular kind o f taste).

Shattered Glass (PG)
Drama: The editor of a prestigious magazine becomes increasingly suspicious about the validity of part or all of the feature stories written by his young star writer.  Turns out he has fabricated his stories and lied to everyone.  Beginning of conversations about “why not lie”?  Cheaters never prosper, for long, most of the time.  OK, but it’s wrong!

Shawshank Redemption (R)
Drama:  A new prison inmate, a quiet banker unjustly convicted of murder, befriends a “lifer” and also brings hope and change to an entire prison through his indomitable will.  How long could YOU keep your dreams alive?

She’s the Man (PG)
Comedy: Viola decides to assume her twin brother’s identity when they transfer to a new boarding school. She falls for her male roommate who is interested in another girl who is attracted to Viola (who she thinks is a guy). Then Viola’s brother shows up. Craziness ensues and the girl gets the boy who thought she was a boy. Welcome to Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night in a modern high school.

She’s All That (PG-13)
Romantic Comedy:  BMOC guy makes over an awkward, geeky girl and they fall in love.  She has backbone, he gets tossed when it is obvious what he is doing.  They get together in the end.  Potential value of conversations about being yourself, dealing with guys trying to make you over (or not valuing you for what you are) and it’s mushy.

Shrek (PG)
Animation/Comedy/Adventure: Accompanied by an unwelcome and garrulous donkey, an ornery ogre reluctantly sets out to retrieve a cursed princess so that a prince will remove the fairy tale characters that were banished to his swamp home.  Great, relatively obvious lessons about beauty on the inside.  Great fun.

Simon Birch (PG)
Drama: Two twelve-year-old best friends try to solve the mysteries in their lives as they grow up in the mid-1960’s.  Great movie about being your own person despite obvious challenges and physical limitations.  Some things you could copy and use in your own life, even if you are normal sized.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (PG)
Comedy:  Four teenage girls who are best friends share a pair of jeans over the summer showing the range of issues teen girls face, including the lure of sex.  Great movie, issues sensitively but credibly handled.  Think it through, each scenario.  What would you do?

Sixteen Candles (PG-13)
Comedy:  Excellent.  This is how to be a freshman geek!  This is  what happens when you give your panties (or, these days, a sexting picture) to a guy to be nice!

The Slaughter Rule (R)
Drama:  A high school football player is cut from the team, his father commits suicide, and his mother is busy with her own life when a man offers him a second chance at football, in the 6 man ranch league.  Lost kid trying to find a path in life.

SLC Punk (R)
Comedy: A young man who sees himself as an anarchist takes the audience on a guided tour of his life and Salt Lake City’s nonconformist society.  This movie is really good!  (Spoiler) The street punk actually realizes he needs to go to college at the end of the movie to not be a loser!  Astonishing!  Really worth a watch, especially if you would rather be a bad ass than attend to schooling.

Smile (G)
Drama:  A privileged American girl discovers something worth caring about when she volunteers for a program that helps kids with severe facial deformities.  There she meets and befriends a girl who has not been so privileged.  Helps give you a little perspective. 

Sound of Music (G)
Musical: Really?!  You can’t hate on this movie.  Look at those innocent faces.  Listen to that toe tapping music.  Feel the magic.

Speak (PG-13)
Drama:  A teen girl is social outcast after calling 911 on a huge party she attended at the beginning of the school year (spoiler) where she was sexually assaulted.  Based on the book by the same name (see book list).  LOTS of things to think about when you watch this movie.

Spider Man 3 (PG-13)
Drama:  All of the spider man movies feature a hero that is moral, sensitive, gentle and a bit shy. They all provide a good role model. What I liked about Spider Man 3 is that it shows the actual conflict between the traditional masculine tendency toward violence as a solution with the sensitive, moral option within one character. The movies are filled with action adventure and special effects, too. Unfortunately, the female leads are still put in a “stand back and wait for her man to save her” mode. THAT kind of model we can do without.

Stand By Me (R)
Drama:  Four adolescents who grow toward manhood learning about friendship and loyalty ignited by the accidental death of a young boy.  Great characterization of early teen boy relationships.  Lots of issues worth talking about that come up during the movie.

The Startup Kids (PG)
Documentary:  This is a documentary about a group of very young entrepreneurs (in their teens and early twenties).  It is great inspiration as well as an informative view of the amount of work, isolation, persistence, disappointment and failure it takes to make it big.  A very different story from the glamorized view of the “sudden success” of young dot.com billionaires.

Star Wars I & Star Wars IV, V & VI (PG)
Drama/Comedy: The story of a rag tag group of rebels fighting tyranny (and black magic) “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.”  Great movies all but these 4 were highlighted because of the strong female characters that were also included. 

Stella (PG-13)
Drama:  A woman struggling with alcoholism sends her daughter to live with her father in order to have a better life.  Excellent portrayal of sacrifice for your kid because you are an unfit parent.  Unfortunately, it shows a bad mother in order to do it.  She may be self centered and emotionally stunted but at least she caused a lot of emotional trauma while leaving her kid with a lot of baggage.  And, yeah, it was better for her to leave the kid.  It would have been better if she was a grown up.

Strictly Ballroom (PG)
Comedy/Drama:  OK, this movie is hysterical.  It is a complete satire on the world of ballroom dancing but really it is about not letting tradition, The Man or your own fear of failure stop you from following your passion.  Other strong points?  The guy sees beneath the surface of the plain girl and ends up having a real relationship.  Guys, get over it.  You can’t help but get caught up in the story.  Stop worrying so much about whether someone will find out you watched a movie about ballroom dancing and enjoy the show. 

SubUrbia (R)
Drama: A group of suburban twenty-year-olds hang out in a parking lot, waiting to meet an old friend who has made it big.  Stark portrayal of kids who didn’t go anywhere.  Could be used as a cautionary tale if you have a kid headed in that direction.  Where are you going with your life?

Superman (G; PG-13)
Drama: You know the story:  an alien infant is sent to earth to escape his dying planet where he grows to be a man of superhuman abilities and a model of integrity, sacrifice, honor and humility.  The 1978 version is really good but I like the Man of Steel (2013) version because you get to see what it takes for Superman to deal with his differentness as a kid.

Sweet November (PG-13)
Romantic Drama: After being fired and then dumped by his girlfriend, a busy and self-centered man finds that there’s more to life when he moves in for a month with an odd, but sweet woman who promises to show him the right way to live.

Sweet Sixteen (R)
Drama:  Cinema verite style movie that follows the experiences of a 16yo street wise kid who is trying to find a way to make a home for him and his mother when she gets out of jail.  Excellent movie about the difficulties kids face who raise themselves.  Horrible movie to use as a model for your life.

Swimming Upstream (2005) (PG-13)
Drama:  SWIMMING UPSTREAM is an inspiring drama that tells the true story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton who rose above his deeply troubled home life in order to become a national champion in 1950s Brisbane.  Succeeding and coming into your own.  Watch it for inspiration

Swimming Upstream (2002) PG-13)
Drama:  This happy-go-lucky, all-American kid whose only wish in life is to get laid by his cute, but hesitant girlfriend suddenly faces terminal cancer, bringing painful and difficult issues to the surface including complicated relationship with alcoholic father with redemption in the end.  Excellent movie.  Live your life with some dignity and purpose.

Ten9Eight (NR documentary, probably PG)
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship holds an annual competition for business plans created by teens. This documentary follows several inner city kids as they prepare and compete for the $10,000 prize. Inspirational, humbling and a profoundly important film for every teenager to watch about how to get going and make something happen in their life.

10 Things I Hate About You (PG-13)
Romantic Comedy: Bianca’s parents won’t let her date before her older sister Kate. Unfortunately, Kate is a real . . . shrew. So the only thing for Bianca to do is try to pay someone to go out with her. Who turns out to be the real shrew?  Updating of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew for teens.  Enjoyable, strong willed female lead, fun twists.  Decent relationship movie.

Terri (R)
Comedy/drama: 15 year old obese kid being raised by his uncle is terribly harassed and bullied by his peers. He is befriended by the tough Assistant Principal who helps him find friends and see a future worth living for. Watch this first before you watch it with younger teens. Especially good to watch if you are a quirky, socially isolated or rejected kid. Make sure you notice what it took for Terri to start to pull his life together (e.g., adult who cared and who he talked to, finding people who were like him, letting go of the idea of “normal” and finding something that mattered to work toward).

That’s What I Am (PG)
Drama:  A bullied kid finds himself in the company of a true social outcast resulting in all the good values including compassion, tolerance, standing up for yourself and not judging a book by its cover. 

Thirteen (R)
Drama: Much to the dismay of her single mother, a young teenager turns rebellious when she falls in with the most popular girl at school.  Man!  Realistic (unfortunately since that is really what can happen).  If you are going to watch this movie, look really closely at what having a parent who doesn’t care or can’t even take care of themselves leads to.  Quit bitching about your parents being too strict!
Questions:  What does the girl sacrifice to be with the cool kids?  Why does she cut herself?  What could she do instead?  Who could she have talked to about what was going on?  What does she really want?  Why doesn’t she go all the way?  What is likely to happen after the movie ends?  What does she sacrifice to change friends?  What does she gain/lose?

13 Reasons Why (PG-13, R for some episodes)

Drama: This video series, based on a best-selling teen novel, is the story of a 17 year old girl who commits suicide and leaves 13 tapes for each of the people who contributed to her decision to commit suicide.  There are 13 episodes, one for each tape.  Everyone is talking about this series.  There is depression, achievement pressure, angst, missed opportunities, substance abuse, parental neglect, risk taking, poor decision making, love, sex, pregnancy scares, loyalty, morality, bullying, sexual harassment, accidental death, rape and, ultimately, suicide.  And it is a really good show. Unfortunately, the way in which the writers dramatize the events can make you feel cynical, pessimistic and kind of glorifies suicide.  When you watch it (or think back about it) be sure to notice all the places that Hannah and the other kids could have talked to each other, found an adult who would listen to them, and, most importantly, how much some of the parents were wanting and willing to talk, even to kids who weren’t theirs.  Enjoy the series but be careful about how it can affect you. 

This Boys Life (R)
Drama:  A single mother and her son face life with an abusive man leading to personal growth for the child.  Dealing with adversity and the complications of divorced and blended households (and how they can go bad).

Titan A.E. (PG)
Animation/drama:  Vividly and beautifully realized story of a kid whose father was killed trying to save the earth from aliens.  He finds his father’s legacy and completes the task.  Just good fun.

To Kill A Mockingbird (G)
Drama: A single father raises his two children in a small town demonstrating integrity, principles, and compassion.  Everything is right about this movie.  Worth using as a guide to life and adulthood (though with a little greater monitoring in these modern times).

Touchback (R)
Drama:  A former high school football star who suffered a career ending injury has come to the end of his rope a decade after high school and decides to kill himself.  As he is beginning to die, he finds himself back in the game that changed the course of his life, able to make another choice.  His decision could cost him everything, no matter which way he decides.  It is worth thinking about what you would lose if you got what you really wanted. 

Touch the Wall (Documentary, probably G)
This documentary follows Olympic swimmers Missy Franklin and Kara Lynn Joyce on their road to competing at the 2012 Olympics.  They start out as team mates and become opponents and find their way back all mixed with the excitement of competition.  This documentary is remarkable and inspirational and touching and motivating and entertaining and educational and . . . 

Tracks (PG-13)
Drama:  True story of a young woman who set out across the Australian desert with 4 camels and her beloved dog to trek 2000 miles to the Indian Ocean.  Great film with a strong, independent female character who was going to do it on her own, DAMN IT!

Treasure Island (G)
Drama:  A young boy is the cabin boy on a ship when pirates sailed the seven seas and where mutiny, betrayal, buried treasure and lots of lessons about living with integrity unfold.  The 1950 version is great fun and still is a great adventure movie.  Long John Silver is great!  Aaaarrrrgh, matey! 

Tuck Everlasting (PG)
Drama: A teenager tries to break free from her rigidly proper social training and gets the chance when she meets a mysterious family that claims they never age and can’t die.  Love and heartbreak.  Excellent movie.

Twelve Angry Men (G)
Drama:  Twelve men must decide the fate of an 18-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing his father and only one wants to take the time to coolly deliberate the case.  Great morality tale.  How to stand by your beliefs even against significant pressure from other people.

The Ultimate Gift (PG)
Drama:  There is this great book (on the book list) called The Ultimate Gift that is an allegory about a guy who is set to inherit his grandfather’s fortune but the will requires him to do a few things first:  demonstrate that he is a decent human being by demonstrating that he has all 12 gifts of being human (humility, hard work, kindness, etc.).  This movie is the adaptation of that story.  Excellent morality tale.

The Untouchables (R)
Drama: Gangsters, law men, good and evil, shoot outs, standing up for what’s right, sacrifice and the evil of criminal lawlessness. Great movie. The main characters are worth modeling your life after (and I don’t mean Capone!).

Varsity Blues (R)
Drama:  Predictable but still worthwhile movie about a high school football player (who is also smart) who takes on the over the top coach encouraging the players to do unethical things just to win.  The usual teenage coming of age struggles.  I like that the team takes a principled position in the face of authority. That’s good.  I hate that, once again, the kids are shown having to deal with all this by themselves due to corrupt, complicit or clueless adults. You, on the other hand, can find a reasonable adult to help you figure out how to deal with something like this if it happens to you.

Vision Quest (R)
Drama:  A high school wrestler is trying to win the state championship while also struggling to find himself and envision a future.  This is a great little movie, gritty.  Again, the kid is pretty much trying to raise himself but setting goals and working hard to accomplish them.  Excellent characters and values.  What extraordinary dedication and commitment have you shown?

A Walk to Remember (PG)
Drama: Two disparate high school students find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other.  Beautiful, sweet love story where the girl (spoiler) dies in the end from leukemia.  Great model for a meaningful teen relationship.

Wall-e (G)
Comedy, animated: A robot left to clean up the earth after humans have blasted into space has to rescue the robot he loves and, at the same time, rescue the human race.  A very sweet movie that has you feeling for Wall-e as he tries to fulfill his program while also searching for his true love.

A Warrior’s Heart (PG)
A star lacrosse player moves to a new town where he has to prove himself at a time when his father is killed in Iraq.  He starts to spiral down, losing his way, but regains his direction in life through the help of his father’s old friend.

Whale Rider (PG)
Drama: A young New Zealand girl challenges tradition and her rigid grandfather by trying to prove that she’s as capable as any boy of becoming the leader of her people.  Girl in charge while still being a girl!  Great movie.

Where the Red Fern Grows (G)
Drama: Dirt poor and living in the Arkansas Ozarks, Billy has always wanted a hunting dog. He works, saves up money and is able to buy two. The movie follows their adventures including becoming championship hunting dogs. Another great movie. You’re gonna cry in the end (and that’s one of the reasons to watch it GUYS!)

White Squall (PG-13)
Drama:  A group of teenage boys spends a year on a schooling schooner ending with a dangerous encounter with a deadly storm.  Dealing with life or death situations.  Teenage boys facing a challenge and dealing with the aftermath.  It’s not all sun, sea and sand!

Wide Awake (PG)
Drama: After the death of his grandfather, a ten-year-old sets out on a quest to find God and make sure his grandfather is okay.  Looking for the place of God in life.  Thought provoking and sweet.

Wild America (PG)
Adventure: A trio of brothers in the 1960’s set out across America to film endangered wildlife (Marty Stoufer and his brothers, PBS nature show guy).  Fun film that shows how teens can pursue their interests and not give up on their dreams.  Uh?  And you have been doing exactly WHAT with your time during the summer?

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (G)
Comedy: Kindness, hard work and character will lead to you becoming fabulously wealthy AND all the candy you want. The musical with Gene Wilder is fun and funny. The remake with Johnny Depp is bizarre and funny. In both, the examples of bad behavior and poor character are instructive.

Wind Talkers (R)
Action/Drama: A Marine is assigned to protect a Navajo radioman and the secret code he uses as their unit tries to take the island of Saipan during WWII.  True story, prejudice, loyalty, seeing through prejudice to find the real person, the value of the melting pot (you never know when you are going to need someone who knows the Navaho language now, are you?)

Winslow Boy (G)
Drama: A father fights his son’s expulsion from a naval academy with the help of his family and a cunning lawyer in pre-WWI London.  Trust, honor, loyalty, family sacrifice.  Good movie.  Way to stand up for your kid.  (Way to deserve having your parents stand up for you.)  Are you worth going to bat for?

The Wizard of Oz (G)
Drama/Comedy:  Another no explanation needed.  Don’t miss the opportunity to raise the issues of virtue, family, dealing with mean people, etc.

The Year My Voice Broke
Drama:  Danny and Freya are two teenagers, living in an Australian rural town in 1962. They have known each other all their lives and are very close friends. When Freya falls pregnant to Trevor, a macho football player, the ensuing scandal forces Freya to move to the city, leaving behind her closest friend.  Coming of age story.  Flirting is the sequel to this movie.

You’ve Got Mail (PG)
Romantic Comedy: Two rival bookstore owners unknowingly carry on a platonic relationship over the Internet.  Very sweet movie.  This is a positive model of a relationship.  Learn something from this guys.  Make guys prove they appreciate you, girls.