Being a dad these days is busy work. The more time saving devices they come out with, the less time I seem to have at the end of the day. Making time for a movie night with the kids is fun, and just a great excuse to hang out with them.
I confess, I love family movies. There are so many good ones these days, from those KungFu Panda movies to anything, and I mean anything, Pixar puts a pixel to.
But the backlog of great family movies is extensive, and one of the best things about having kids is I get to relive my own childhood by introducing them to movies and shows I loved when I was growing up, or when their older siblings were growing up. I’m not going to lie and say my choices have always been successful, but it’s definitely worth persisting with, because, I think you’ll agree, finding common interests is important where the tv remote is involved.
I’ve just seen that a movie-version of my old favourite TV Shows, Dad’s Army, has been newly released on DVD. I can’t think of a better Father’s Day gift, can you? (Okay, you probably can, but it’s Father’s Day, okay? You’ve just got to trust.)
Matter of fact, I’ve had some very satisfying success showing the kids the boxsets of old TV series, like Hogans Heroes and Faulty Towers and The Goodies and MASH. Of course, I’ll add old-school Dad’s Army to that list too.
Might be time to slip another little history lesson into the DVD player.
Dad's Army
Dad’s Army (PG) (ages 9+)
A chance to show kids old people can be funny and aren’t useless. Correction, aren’t entirely Because mark my words, whether you’re 23 or 43, your kids see you as 73, which I think is about the average age of the men in the original Dad's Army series. This movie adaptation is younger and cooler plus it has Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Buy it at JB-Hi-Fi, $19.98
The Incredibles
The Incredibles (PG) (ages 7+)
A movie where the dad is the star and the kids are okay with that. Winning. Plus, it’s great fun and a super sneaky way to introduce your sprogs to the more mainstream superheroes you’re going to insist they grow up loving with you.
Buy it at JB Hi-Fi, $23.99
Wreck-It Ralph
Wreck-It Ralph (PG) (ages 7+)
Laughs, candy, action, computer games and a trip down memory lane for us old fart fathers. My favourite bit is the comedic mis-matching when Fix-It Felix Jnr finds love. Reminds me of my folks.
Buy it at Target, $20
Now and Then
Now And Then (PG-13) (ages 13+)
My kids have watched this dozens of times. So I’ve watched this dozens of times. It’s got some confronting moments and themes, but it’s also a well-crafted story and never fails to stop me completing my journey through the family room when they put it on.
Buy it at JB Hi-Fi, $6.98
The LEGO Movie
The LEGO Movie (PG) (ages 6+)
I easily enjoyed this movie as much as the kids. Basing that on the fact that as a result of watching it they each wanted four LEGO sets for Christmas. That’s five kids by four sets = twenty LEGO sets. You have been warned.
Buy it at Kmart, $13
The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride (PG) (ages 8+)
The best thing about this movie isn’t the swashbuckling or giant rats or Columbo or Billy Crystal – it’s that you and the kids will be able to crack each other up saying hilarious things like, “As you wish” and “ My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” and best of all, “Inconceivable!”
Buy it at JB Hi-Fi, $12.98
Spider-Man
Spider-Man Box Set Trilogy (PG-13) (ages 13+) You need to encourage these movies – Spider-Man and it’s two sequels. Not only are they each stand alone fantastic, they are the natural stepping stones on the superhero road to Deadpool appreciation.
Buy it at Target, $16
Rise of the Guardians
Rise Of The Guardians (PG) (ages 7+)
Not only the number one Christmas movie ever - and I’m including Arthur Christmas, Scrooged and Die Hard - but also multitasks as a great Easter movie. A really top story you’ll love as much as the kids. Plus it’s the best I’ve ever seen Alec Baldwin act.
Buy it at Target, $13
The Love Bug
Herbie The Love Bug (G) (ages 6+)
Classic Disney. I wanted a VW Beetle for years – until I realised they didn’t have proper air-con or power steering. Beauty of this movie is if they love it there’s a heap of other Herbie movies to watch together, like Herbie Goes Bananas, Herbie Rides Again and Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo. I’ve deliberately left Herbie Fully Loaded off that list. No reason.
Buy it at JB Hi-Fi, $9.98
To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird (G) (ages 12+)
This is a black and white classic, meaning it’s your chance to show old things can still be fantastic. You’ll also be teaching the kids about making a stand for what’s right. And as it’s essentially a lesson on prejudice, it’s kind of fitting it’s in black and white.
Buy it at JB Hi-Fi, $2.99
Goosebumps
Goosebumps (PG) (ages 9+) I used to hide behind the couch when Dr Who was on telly, so I’m not necessarily a big advocate of movies which go HA! at you. But I know there’s a market so I’m going to throw this on into the mix. My oldest LOVED the Goosebumps series growing up. Maybe I should harden up and give this a go. I’m sure my Miss9 will hold my hand through it.
Buy it at JB HI-Fi, $15.98
The Last Starfighter
The Last Straighter (PG) (ages 9+)
A great introductory kids sci-fi movie. Try to get the missus to watch this with you and the kids as well, because it shows how important it is to let the kids play computer games and the like. Which means you get to play computer games and the like too.
Buy it at The Nile, $17.93
Cheaper By The Dozen
Cheaper By The Dozen (PG) (ages 8+)
As I father of seven, I love watching this movie because I finally get to be the person thinking, ‘don’t they own a television?’.
Buy it at JB HI-Fi, $12.98
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters (PG) (ages 9+)
The original 1984 version. I’m not saying the latest isn't fantastic (because it is), but this one does have Bill Murray in a more prominent role, so it’s already good. I think you’ll agree, it’s important to introduce your kids to Bill early on so they can seek out his other classics, like Groundhog Day and Stripes, when they’re older.
Buy it at JB Hi-Fi, $12.98
Hotel Transylvania 1 & 2
Hotel Transylvania 1 & 2 (PG) (ages 7+) This is your baby step on the way to encouraging the kids to have a healthy appreciation of things that go bump in the night. For me, Wolf Man Wayne, voiced by Steve Buscemi, makes this movie because, like me, he has a lot of pups.
Buy the boxset at JB Hi Fi, $24.98
Hoodwinked
Hoodwinked! (G) (ages 5+)
I’d watch this movie without my kids. Actually, I have watched this movie without my kids. Shot to resemble the stop-go animation many of us associate with the shoddy school holiday free-to-air viewing of our youth, but with proper storytelling and great jokes.
Buy it at JB Hi-Fi, $9.99
Toy Story
Toy Story (G) (ages 5+)
There are new laughs in this movie every other time you watch it. Which is important, because if your kids like it as much as my kids liked it you’ll be watching it over and over again. You want your movie to have re-watchability, or be part of a series. Toy Story ticks both boxes.
Buy it at JB Hi-Fi, $23.99
The Angry Birds Movie
The Angry Birds Movie (PG) (ages 7+) Unlike the likes of Tomb Raider, this movie is better than the game. 'Nuff said.
Buy it at JB Hi-Fi, $24.98
Big Hero 6
Big Hero 6 (PG) (ages 7+)
There are themes in this movie which are difficult and may require explaining. But they’re also what makes this movie so, so good. My favourite superheroes are always the ones without magic powers because, given the right supersuit, that could be me.
Buy it at JB Hi Fi, $37.98
Mr Mom
Mr Mom (PG) (ages 11+)
One of my favourite movies growing up. I think I’ve watched it fifty times. It’s hell funny, it’s about family and, best of all, you can tell the kids the Dad bloke later became Batman. Because that’s what us dads do.
Buy it at Booktopia, $6.25
Jumanji
Jumanji (PG) (ages 10+)
Another movie where your primary purpose is to introduce the kids to a fantastic actor, in this case Robin Williams. Now I realise some of you might choose Aladdin, Mrs Doubtfire, Hook, Popeye or Flubber as your Williams introductory flick, but you’d wrong, and I’ll tell you why. Because I said you’re wrong. Jumanji all the way, people.
Buy it at JB Hi-Fi, $6.98
The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit
The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit (G) (ages 7+)
Anything Wallace & Gromit. Anything. Not only does Wallace & Gromit have fun Thunderbirds-like sequences and show the great things which can be achieved by a solid relationship between a man and his dog, but it also highlights something far more important to a happy life - a love of cheese.
Buy it at DVD Warehouse, $19.95
Shrek
Shrek (PG) (ages 6+)
Mike Myers. Eddie Murphy. We could stop there but they’re simply the icing on the cake. This movie is fun on every level, from turning fairy tales on their heads in the funniest possible way to the fact you get to chuckle because they keep saying Farquaad, and to our mature daddy ears it sounds almost like they’re swearing in front of the kids and getting away with it.
Buy it at Target, $13
The Mighty Ducks
The Mighty Ducks (G) (ages 8+)
I don’t like watching sport, but I loved watching this movie with my kids. Because of their cool jerseys, it was also the first time I ever considered Donald Duck might not be a total duffers. That didn’t last, but my love of this movie did.
Buy it at Booktopia, $9.75
Star Wars: Episode IV
Star Wars (PG) (ages 7+)
The best thing about this movie isn’t the boys own adventure plot, the lightsabers or even the Millennium Falcon - it’s the questions your kids will ask which, unlike the ones they have when they’re doing homework, you’ll likely know the answers to.
Buy the original trilogy at Target, $29
To find the perfect movie or boxed set for your man, head to The Viewing Lounge.
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