Summer Bump Not Slump: MzTeachuh's Top 20 Movies To Watch

You've got the time, you've got the audience. So share some of your favorite movies with your kids. It's almost, almost, like an important reading list. But films that were central to our growing up and our cultural experience are worth sharing. And making a special occasion creates a lasting bond as the older generation shares experiences and preferences from your own life with your kids. Some of these films may be famous, but that doesn't mean your 14 year old ever heard of it. Let them know why you chose this film, what it represented to your generation at the time, why you want to watch it with them. Be conscious of appropriate ratings for your audience.

Don't forget the snacks.

 Here are some of my favorites, that I also think are important to view for a cultural background. I watch a lot of television and movies (documentaries, too.)
Hurrah for Hulu and Netflix!
Set a time to watch when it is really too hot to go outside, or you are replacing Xbox time.
 In no particular order, here is MzTeachuh's Top Twenty Movies to Watch:

Forrest Gump (1994) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/

Lincoln (2012) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443272/

Men in Black (1997)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119654/ 

Frankenstein (1931)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021884/ 

A Hard Day's Night (1964)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058182/ 

Sophie's Choice (1982) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084707/  All in the Indiana Jone series, but especially  Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082971/

All in the series, but especially The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120737/ 

All Mel Brooks' films, but especially  The Producers (1967) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063462/ 

A Patch of Blue (1965)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059573/ 

Gravity (2013)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454468/ 

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160/ 

Schindler's List (1993) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/ 

Glory (1989)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097441/ 

All Episodes--but definitely Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/ 

The Sound of Music (1965) - IMDb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/ 

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120815/ 

My Left Foot (1989)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097937/  

Gone with the Wind (1939) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031381/

  Here are a couple lists from experts:

The 55 Essential Movies Kids Must Experience (Before They Turn 13)

http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/06/23/55-essential-movies-your-child-must-see-before-they-turn-13/ 

Top 100 Kids & Family Movies

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt/top_100_kids__family_movies/?category=11