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Book Review: The Best Old Movies For Families

by Amanda on July 1, 2008
category: Pop culture,Product Reviews

I recently received a copy of Ty Burr’s book “The Best Old Movies for Families” from the TCM channel promoting their new summer show ‘TCM Essentials Jr.’ Every Sunday night hosts Abigail Breslin and Chris O’Donnell present a family-friendly classic. This Sunday is ‘Goodbye, Mr. Chips.’ The book was too good not to tell you about it.

bookcover.jpg There is a reason that Ty Burr’s book, ‘The Best Old Movies for Families’ has received five stars in every review on Amazon.com. The book is a great reference guide to be used by parents to help them decide which old movies are appropriate to introduce to your children. People familiar with old movies can use this guide as well as those who don’t know anything about older films, but want to watch a great movie with their kid.

The author tested a lot of the movies on his two daughters whose ages are 9 and 11 and their friends. Mr. Burr has been a film critic for over ten years and has had many other jobs requiring him to watch movies. He claims that he averages about 1 movie a day and over thirty years that is 10,680 films. The author is one of those guys that make you want to pick their brain and discuss films and trivia all day. Luckily, we get to read his thoughts in the book.

bringingupbaby.jpg The book focuses on films made in the golden age of the film studios, from the silent era to the early 1960s. The Introduction opens with a hilarious rant about the Hollywood-junk that is currently being spoon-fed to our children and the MPAA rating system. I found myself saying “Yes!” out loud many times and reading parts out loud to my husband. The author does recognize that your kids will still watch what is out today, but wants to build a bridge between parents and children and introduce them to a wider spectrum of films that aren’t trying to sell them something.

robinhood2.jpg After the first “Starter Kit” chapter, each subsequent chapter lists movies in its respective genre, like Comedy, Dramas, and Musicals. There is one chapter about movies not to show your kids. Then, each movie lists: the director, stars, appropriate age range, the sell, the plot, why it is in the book, useless trivia, pause button explanations, notes about the DVD extras and availability of the film, and further movie suggestions if your child liked the movie. The guide gives you great tools to help you decide if a movie is right for your child. However, the author does caution that if you are on the fence about a movie it is better to error on the side of caution and preview the film first.

The great writing is one of the reasons why this book is so highly rated. The writing is smart without being patronizing or dull. I feel like I know a little bit about Mr. Burr’s family and why his two girls enjoy showing old movies to their friends. Also, the book gives you practical suggestions on how and when to turn on an old movie. Hint: Don’t tell them it is good for them.

romanholiday.jpg I enjoy movies a lot and watched ‘Roman Holiday,’ ‘An Affair to Remember,’ and ‘Guys and Dolls’ as a kid. I enjoy catching an old movie once in a while now. I recently watched Hitchcock’s ‘North by Northwest’ for the first time and enjoyed watching Mr. Gable being chased. I hope that my little one will enjoy movies as much as I do. Now I am thankful to have a tool to help me decide what to watch with her.

If you made it through the review and want to win my copy – all you have to do is answer the question “What is your favorite movie from the golden age of film and why?” in the comment section. The giveaway will end this Sunday night at 10:00 p.m. and only one winner will be chosen at random. Also, be sure to leave your email address in the comment form, so I can reach you.

UPDATE

Vered from Momgrind.com is our winner! I assigned all the comments a number and entered them into random.org and hers was the first number to pop up. Congratulations!

Turner Classic Movies graciously agreed to sponsor my giveaway and will be sending Vered her book! Thank you to all that entered. (If you didn’t win, check your library for it. Mine had the book on the shelf.)

bookwinner.jpg

6 Responses to Book Review: The Best Old Movies For Families

  • Gravatar
    Comment by vered
    July 2, 2008 @ 2:46 am

    Casablanca… because it’s timeless and I enjoy it every single time I watch it.

  • Comment by Sharon M
    July 2, 2008 @ 3:42 am

    I absolutely LOVE “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty;” although the film is more inspired by the story than an adaption of it, it’s still hilarious. Danny Kaye does a wonderful job as space-case Walter Mitty. I saw this movie for the first time when I was 12 and fell in love with it. I think it has appeal for a wide audience, not just adults or young kids.

  • Gravatar
    Comment by Stephanie
    July 2, 2008 @ 7:23 am

    This is tough! I’m a huge “old” movie fan, so it’s hard to choose just one favorite… My parents watched them all the time as I was growing up…(and still do!)…so I’ve grown to love the “classics” as well… I’ll have to think awhile about which one I want to choose, and I’ll get back to you… :)

  • Gravatar
    Comment by Lori
    July 2, 2008 @ 7:53 am

    I’m not sure how “golden” it is but I absolutely love Gone With The Wind:) Oh Rhett ! Sometimes you just wanted be her and other times you felt sorry for her….great classic!

  • Comment by Dawn
    July 2, 2008 @ 8:06 am

    You mentioned mine: North By Northwest – greatest Hitchcock movie ever!!

    I would LOVE this book. Ty Burr used to write for EW many years ago; yes, I’ve been subscribing for that long!

  • Gravatar
    Comment by Barb
    July 2, 2008 @ 9:55 pm

    White Christmas, White Christmas, White Christmas! I love it anytime of year :) It’s one of those that reminds me of growing up – watching it and singing it with my parents and sisters!

    My most memorable time watching it was right after my parents dropped me off in Texas for law school. I was states away from anyone I knew and totally terrified of what lie ahead. It was the dead of summer with heat such as I had never experienced before … and so I watched White Christmas :)

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