Good Media

Love Is...Movies That Are Healthy for Our Kids!
Andrea Rock, contributing editor

The reviews and/or studies of television content are increasingly depressing! The PTC (www.parentstv.org) has documented the fact that television content continues to trending toward:

And who is unaware of the controversy over MTV’s new series, Skins?

With TV content so challenging of family values, why not choose DVDs, for greater control of the messages our children consume? Don’t fret that you can’t pre-screen all DVDs-- a number of websites, some which I wrote about in our December issue, can help. In honor of loving our children this Valentine’s month, I’ve culled from those websites recommendations for DVDs:

The Chronicle of Narnia: the Voyage of the Dawn Trader
Ages 5 and up. In the third Narnia movie, Lucy, her brother Edmund and their irritating, selfish cousin Eustace literally being swept into Narnia and aboard the Dawn Trader, the finest Narnian ship, where they embark on a journey to stop a mysterious evil green mist.

Despicable Me
Ages 8 and up. The lead character, Gru vies for the title of "World's Greatest Villain" by plotting to steal the moon! But Gru enlists the help of three little girls who see in him something nobody else has ever seen: the perfect dad.

How to Train Your Dragon
Ages 8 and up. The scrawny but brainy son of a Viking chieftain who helps the community end a 300-year feud with fire-breathing dragons.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole
Ages 8 and up An animated fantasy adventure based on the beloved books by Kathryn Lasky. Young owl Soren marvels at his father's epic stories of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, mythic winged warriors who fought a great battle to save all owl kind from the evil Pure Ones.

Letters to God
Ages 5 and up. An inspiring story about a boy with cancer whose letters to God change the lives of the people around him.

Megamind
Ages 8 and up. The title character, a super villain, battles his archenemy super hero Metro Man, only to find that he himself might make a good hero.

Shrek Forever After
Ages 5 and up. Shrek and Fiona are the happy parents of precious ogre triplets and their lives appear perfect...until Shrek makes a deal with the delightfully devilish Rumplestiltskin.

The Sound of Music, (Blu-Ray)
Ages 5 and up. The true-life story of Maria, who leaves the convent to bring love and music to the home of Captain von Trapp and his seven children. The Blu-ray edition of this film offers a wealth of interactive features.

Tangled
Ages 5 and up. An animated, action-packed remake of the classic fairly tale, Rapunzel.

Toy Story 3
Ages 5 and up. It's a sad day in the toy chest when Andy starts packing for college. Will Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, Rex and the rest of the gang be taken along, relegated to the attic or kicked to the curb? Many adventures ensue!

Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics, Scholastic Storybook Treasures
All ages. Book lovers will enjoy this collection of 100 classic titles that are animated, scored with music.

So pop some popcorn, or pass the chocolates, and enjoy!