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The Ultimate Family DVD List? Salon blogger Andrew O'Hehir takes reader suggestions to compile list of offbeat, family-friendly movie choices. Plus: Previewing Comic-Con; discussing Hellboy and Christianity; looking at Dark Knight's records; remembering Heath Ledger; and much more by Josh Hurst | posted 7/21/2008
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At the beginning of June, Salon.com blogger Andrew O'Hehir posed an interesting question to his readers—what are the best family-friendly films that "might be just a little off the beaten path"? As it turns out, it was a fruitful question. Readers jumped at the chance to offer suggestions. Now, O'Hehir has unveiled his "ultimate family DVD list," compiled with a little help from his readers.
Topping the list are four "undisputed champions"—movies that, according to O'Hehir, "dominated the reader submissions." These films include Brad Bird's 1999 animated film The Iron Giant, about a boy's friendship with a robot from space, recommended for kids ages 6 and up; Hayao Miyazaki's classic anime film My Neighbor Totoro, described by O'Hehir as "magical" and appropriate for all ages; Rob Reiner's 1987 fantasy send-up The Princess Bride, suitable for kids 7 and up; and Time Bandits, from former Monty Python member and offbet director Terry Gilliam, which O'Hehir recommends for 11 year-olds and "the most intrepid 8-year-olds."
Other films included on the list—which is devoid of any major blockbusters from the past 30 years, or any Disney films made since the 1960s—include another Gilliam gem, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen; Errol Flynn's swachbuckling classic The Adventures of Robin Hood; the Cary Grant-Katherine Hepburn screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby; Jim Henson's strange, puppet-filled fantasy Labyrinth; several older films from Disney and the Muppets; silent films and documentaries; and yes, even The Beatles' Yellow Submarine.
Of his list, O'Hehir says, "it's a nearly universal question: What can parents, kids of various ages and other adults watch together during the inevitable summer-vacation downtime … ?" He also laughs off a few peculiar suggestions he received from readers, including the Coen Brothers comedy The Hudsucker Proxy and Top Gun.
In other movie news:
Dark Knight sets weekend record with $155.34M (Associated Press)
Topping Spider-Man 3, sequel has biggest box office weekend ever
Richard Roeper leaving popular movie show (Associated Press)
After eight seasons, Roeper quits "At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper"
Entertainment Weekly previews Comic-Con (Entertainment Weekly)
Looking ahead to Star Trek, Day the Earth Stood Still, Terminator, more
Hellboy actor discusses acting and Christian faith (Twitch)
Doug Jones calls himself a "generic Christian"
Dark Knight cast, director remember Heath Ledger (Coming Soon)
His colleagues pay homage, discuss his performance as The Joker
Diablo Cody writing for Steven Spielberg (Variety)
Oscar-winning Juno scribe to pen comedy based on Spielberg's idea
Kate Hudson joins Rob Marshall's Nine (Coming Soon)
New musical starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman
Will Ferrell to star in Two Face (Variety)
As a racist who develops split personality after a prank goes bad
Film in Focus lists the "most insane" movie sequels (Film in Focus) The Two Jakes, Matrix Revolutions make the cut
Spider-Man stage musical still moving forward (Playbill)
Julie Taymor directing, Bono and The Edge writing score
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