Teen & Date Night Movies:: Family Movie Moms with OhAmanda {Ep 36}

As most of you know, Amanda White (from OhAmanda.com) and I have been chatting about movies (right here in Episode 27 and Episode 31) and labeling ourselves (maybe?) “Family Movie Moms”.

And we’re at it again.  This episode, however, is directed towards older kids and date nights. . .still family movies but for the older members of your family.

Because we talk about 5 different movies, this is a longer episode. We considered chopping it up into 5 episodes or two parts. But decided y’all are adults and can decide when to start & stop based on your multi-tasking/podcast listening habits.

(**speaking of being adults. . . please note this may be an episode you choose to listen to with earbuds in, so little ones don’t hear about things which are inappropriate for their innocent spirits)

These are the movies we chat about:

Maleficent

(PG with Angelina Jolie & Elle Fanning)

• example of a powerful person becoming evil & humbled (like Nebuchadnezzar)
• another story of true love being less about a boy/girl and more about family
• how revenge never works out and forgiveness is necessary
• an example of how even if you are sorry, your choices have consequences
• lack of a true “bad guy” (blurred lines of good vs. evil)
• (Phil Vischer Podcast)

Belle

(PG with Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Matthew Goode, Emily Watson)

• a historical piece, based on a true story, addressing topics of race, social standing, value of life, and human justice.
• a love story and a political/social commentary
• great movie to watch with a group and discuss around dessert/dinner

Guardians of the Galaxy

(PG-13 with Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper)

• the appeal of a superhero movie
• misfits coming together for one common cause–don’t have to be the greatest & brightest to do great things.
• Groot (as in, “I am Groot”) demonstrates sacrificial giving/love
• “If the world thinks you should be 13 to see a movie, then you should be 13.”
• Toys for little kids that go with PG-13 movies
• (Pleygo–Lego subscription ** Affiliate Link)

Begin Again

(R with Adam Levine, Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo)

• for those who love music and how music is created (any artist really)
• a story of redemption in careers and marriage. Going back to your first love.
• answers the question “is fame the best goal?”

The Giver

(PG-13 with Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep)

• a movie based off the Young Adult Fiction book by Lois Lowry
• what you miss out on when you live in a world where everyone is the same.
• promotes the value of life and the importance of how we are meant to be different.
• how simple/easy/same keeps us from experiencing the highs & lows of emotion.
• (Read the book! click here)

Does your family follow the movie rating guides? How do you decide if a child is old enough to see a movie?