Blasts from the past
Dust off the old videos to give the kids a taste of something new
FLICKING through Netflix trying to find something to watch as a family can be really uninspiring. I remember watching video tapes (yes I’m that old) at the weekends, over and over and over again.
Slowly I’ve been introducing these movies to my two boys. So if you want a blast from the past, and a rocking good family night in, grab one of these movies and enjoy.
◗ ENCINO MAN (1992) Starring: Sean Astin, Brendan Fraser, Mariette Hartley, Richard Masur, Pauly Shore. When two geeky teenagers discover a frozen caveman in their backyard, they unfreeze him and bring him back to modern life. Why the kids will love it: The movie is just so goofy and loveable. Particularly good for primary school aged kids.
◗ GREMLINS (1984) Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday, Frances Lee McCain. A boy who receives a cute and cuddly pet breaks important rules concerning the wellbeing of his furry friend, which unleashes a terror beyond belief. Why the kids will love it: Cute and furry creatures turn into trouble-making fiends. The older kids are sure to love this adventure, thriller movie.
◗ THE GOONIES (1985) Starring: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Ke Huy Quan. In order to save their home town, a clan of misfits head out on an adventure to find treasure. Why the kids will love it: It has pirates, buried treasure, unique inventions, a fat kid who is proud of it, and bad guys.
◗ THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987) Starring: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Robin Wright, Peter Falk. A young boy is sick in bed so his grandfather reads a book called The Princess Bride. Why the kids will love it: A fantasy movie that is exciting and fun.
◗ BABE (1995) Starring: James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski, Christine Cavanaugh. A little pig taken to a farm is inadvertently trained to be the new dog. Why the kids will love it: Farm animals and educational in ways, it is a movie that even adults can love to watch. A sweet story that takes an unexpected turn of events.