Kids. Movies.

 

I’m kinda strict about TV. I’m already addicted to the screen (TV, phone, computer, etc.) and I want to slow my kids’ fascination and connection to all these devices for as long as I can.

But I do love me a good movie. If my husband and I get a kid-less night, we are going to the movies. The cushy seats, the popcorn, the sticky floors. I love it all.

We also own quite a bit of  movies. I have boxes of movies in our armoire and I tenderly look through them as if they were friends. It’s embarrassing, really.

These past few weeks, we’ve been to the theatre and cuddled up on the couch to watch more movies than normal. And they all turned out to be pretty spectacular. Maybe you could grab them for a stocking stuffer because in case you missed it WAL-MART HAS THEIR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS OUT WHICH MEANS IT’S ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!!!

1. Tinkerbell and The Secret of the Wings

I saw this one at the movie theatre as a pre-screening. It doesn’t even come out on the big screen, so it was a super special treat for the kids. (It came out on DVD a few weeks ago.)

And. We. Loved. It.

Have you seen any of these Tinkerbell movies? There are four of them–one for every season. I think they are they most age-appropriate, fun movies that have been out in forever!

First of all, even though Tink is in a very skimpy dress, she’s not as…uhm, detailed as other Princesses or female characters. Even in a small little dress, she looks appropriate.

There is no love-interest, no evil warlord or witchdoctor, no bathroom humor and no parents-are-stupid-i-hate-my-siblings, either.

There is, of course, a little bit of Tink’s independence that can be construed as rebellion or I’ll-do-it-my-way. But honestly (especially in this movie), I think Tink and her friends show a great amount of respect for the Queen and rules of Pixie Hollow.

The only two things that made me raise my eyebrows were 1) One of the fairies ask if Terrence, a SparrowMan is Tink’s boyfriend (I just don’t even like that word!) 2) A SparrowMan is meditating complete with fingers in the Ohm position. Both were fleeting and not at all important to the story.

I think it’s a movie the whole family will enjoy–boys and grown-ups, too!

{Also, Lydia loved it so much we’re having a Secret of the Wings Party for her 7th Birthday!}

2. The Penniless Princess

I have had a long love for Veggie Tales. But when they got into the season of recreating classics, I got a little bored. Vegetables pretending to be the Wizard of Oz, but telling a Bible story? I dunno. I just didn’t get it.

So, I wasn’t super excited to see The Penniless Princess taken from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess. Thank goodness I was wrong!

I think it might be my favorite Veggie Tales yet! It was such a real movie. It had great characters, wasn’t too silly and told a sweet lesson.

Plus, the silly song was all in text-speak. LOL. FTW.

3. Theo

I just got this one at Allume last week. Asa and I had seen it at the bookstore a few weeks ago and the animation reminded me of The Amazing Bible. Anyone remember that from back in the day?

Anywhoo. It’s not remotely connected as far as I can tell. But I love it.

There are 4 short cartoons (about 8 minutes each) that show a kindly English gentleman telling a Bible story. There are a pair of mischievous mice who act out (unbeknownst to them) the lesson in the Bible story.

My kids absolutely love it! I like it because it’s calm, has GORGEOUS animation for the Bible stories and is HELLO, about the Bible.

4. The League of Incredible Vegetables

If The Penniless Princess is the perfect girl Veggie Tales movie. Then the League of Incredible Vegetables is the perfect boy movie.

I wish I could tell you how much we loved it. OK. Here’s how you’ll know: I practically have an entire birthday party planned for it. It was so fun, so creative and super (heh) exciting. Also. Michael Tait (currently of Newsboys, formerly of my own personal NKOTB, dcTalk) sings the theme song!

Plus, the message is about being brave and saying good-bye to fear. Which is one of our top priorities in these here parts. (Oooh, look! There is a Parent’s Guide for the movie!)

So, have you seen any of these? Or do you have a good kid-friendly movie to suggest?

ps–did you see the newest printable Scripture art is up on Facebook? It’s one of my faves.

I saw/received some of these movies in order to facilitate a review. All opinions are my own.