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March 20, 2010

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Mobile Movies

by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. and Mona Behan
reviewed by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P.

We asked Nell Minow, author of The Movie Mom's Guide to Family Movies, to help us come up with some films that are particularly well suited to on-the-road viewing. Even though she's normally a passionate movie buff, Minow shares our view that it's a bit of a shame that video and DVD players have made their way into the family car. Noting that road trips may be the only occasions in which many modern families are together for long periods of time, Minow says, "The car can be an ideal place to teach the essential life skills of conversation, contemplation, compromise, and the ability to occupy oneself." But she acknowledges the growing popularity of in-car movie players and concedes that they are useful "if they're used intermittently and only during long trips, not every time the kids hop in the car." So with that caveat, we've come up with some suggestions.

Destination films. Going to Las Vegas? How about getting the kids psyched for their destination by popping in Viva Las Vegas, the campy musical starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margaret, or The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas? Driving to New York? There's The Muppets Take Manhattan, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, On the Town, and many other Big Apple-based flicks. San Francisco on your itinerary? Tons of choices, depending on the age of your children, including Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Bullitt, Vertigo, The Princess Diaries, Foul Play, High Anxiety, and Mrs. Doubtfire. You get the idea.

Classic films. Sure, you're going to stick to modern children's movies for the most part, but road trips also can be great opportunities to introduce your school-age and older children to the joys of vintage movies; after all, if they're a little bored in the car, they're likely to be grateful for any diversion and be more receptive to the charms of even slower-paced or black-and-white films. Some suggestions: Musicals like Singing in the Rain, Oklahoma!, Top Hat, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Atmospheric mysteries such as Rebecca, Laura, The Uninvited, and The Thin Man. Terrific dramas such as Casablanca, All about Eve, and Sunset Boulevard. Classic comedies like Chaplin's Modern Times, the Marx Brothers' Night at the Opera, and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. No doubt you have your own list of favorite old-time movies that would widen your children's cinematic horizons while minimizing the "Are we there yet?"s.

Perennial favorites. Minow observes that kids are likely to get cranky if they're completely engrossed in a thrilling new movie and you drag them out of the car because you've arrived at the Grand Canyon, the Smithsonian, or your motel. If you know that you're going to get to your destination before the entertainment will end, it's a good idea to stick with movies that the kids already have seen over and over again, so they won't mind being interrupted so much, or shorter fare such as cartoons or episodes of TV shows.

More information:

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RELATED INFORMATION

			Travel with Children

Created December 20, 2001
Reviewed December 20, 2001

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