Watch This — Do That

Watching kid’s movies can be fun no matter what age you are, and family movie night can also be an educational experience, as many of these movies give us new perspectives on many different topics.

The staff and writers at North State Parent Magazine took an opportunity to watch several beloved children’s movies and share their thoughts.

Watch this — Wonder

Synopsis — Auggie Pullman was born with facial differences that have kept him from attending school, until now.  He has made the big decision to start fifth grade at a new school. He quickly shows everyone that what you look like is not as important as what is inside and ends up winning over many at the school. Auggie is a boy with a lot of heart and will have everyone in the family rooting for him as he faces bullying and making friends for the first time. This movie is heartwarming and is a great gateway for difficult conversations about bullying and accepting others who appear to be different from us. (Rated PG)

Pamela Newman, Publisher, North State Parent Magazine:

This coming-of-age film warmed my heart the moment it started. I got to know 10-year-old Auggie Pullman because his determined voice is narrating the film, and his point of view lets us know he’s very much in touch with his feelings. As his sister tells him with love, “You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.” I love how the film shows the power of positive and caring words from teachers, parents, and siblings and the point it makes that we need not all be perfectly shaped and formed as humans to be important. What a great film to watch as a family to encourage many important discussions.

Do that

This movie is sure to spark some good family discussions. One way to take these to the next step is to brainstorm simple ways to support your neighbors. Perhaps a senior nearby could use help with home repairs, yard raking, or dog walking. A child whose parents work all day might appreciate an invitation to join in on some of your family activities. Perhaps you could surprise the mail delivery person with a kind note and fresh, wrapped cookies from the local bakery.

Watch this — Cars

Synopsis — Famous race car Lightning McQueen gets lost on his way to the big race and ends up in the small town of Radiator Springs. His first instinct is to get out of town as soon as possible, but the longer he stays, the less he wants to leave. This movie has a great message about friendship and slowing down and appreciating what is important in life. (Rated G)

Jennifer Arnold, Writer, North State Parent Magazine

I watched this movie when it first came out in 2006, and it was fun to rewatch it again now that my kids are older. I can definitely relate to Lightning McQueen’s independent and stubborn personality.

I loved the message in this movie about the importance of slowing down once in a while because, as every parent knows, life can get hectic, and it’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life.

Do that

The first time we watched this movie, my oldest son (who is now an adult)! was inspired to make his own racing car out of cardboard. If you have large cardboard boxes, you can easily transform them into racing cars with paint, markers, and other decorations. We also had a “drive-in movie” night in our living room, where he sat in his cardboard racing car with some snacks while watching his favorite movies.

Watch this — Charlotte’s Web

Synopsis — After learning her friend Wilbur the pig’s days are numbered, Charlotte the spider comes up with a plan to save him. This movie is based on the 1952 book Charlotte’s Web by EB White and is a tale of unlikely friends. It’s a classic both adults and kids will enjoy. (Rated G)

Kate Hiller, Writer and Sales Representative, North State Parent Magazine

Charlotte’s Web was very personal in my young life as the daughter of a cattle rancher. I worked alongside my father every day in the summer and would often talk to the cows when there was a lull in activity. They were very good listeners! I could relate to Fern since we would often bring orphan calves into the house to keep them warm and bottle-feed them.

The reality that these calves would grow up to be sold or slaughtered was something I had to get used to at a young age. This was even more difficult when I raised calves and then a pig to sell through FFA. The imaginative story of Charlotte’s Web was a timeless, sweet “escape” that I could revisit over the years and then share with my children as they faced those same realities.

Do that

Some Charlotte’s Web-inspired activities you could do with your children are to try your hand at baking Aunt Edith’s Blueberry Pie, make a shoebox diorama of Wilbur’s barnyard pen, or visit a local county fair and tour the livestock barns. Let your children imagine the difficulties that farm children navigate when they raise young animals for sale or slaughter.

Watch this — Madagascar

Synopsis — Alex the lion is the most popular animal attraction at New York City’s Central Park Zoo. Alex and his friends, Claudia, Melman and Marty, end up on the remote island of Madagascar where they are no longer served daily meals. Alex’s carnivore instincts make his friends, a giraffe, a hippo and a zebra, seem appetizing. He must learn to manage his instincts while confronted with an island full of eccentric lemurs. This movie is silly and fun for kids while still being humorous for adults as well. (Rated PG)

Jesse Espinosa, Digital Marketing Manager, North State Parent Magazine

I watched Madagascar with my husband, and we loved Marty the Zebra’s spirit of adventure and curiosity. Marty wanted to “discover The Wild,” but his friends thought he was crazy for leaving the comforts of the zoo. Through a series of misfortunate events, they did discover ‘The Wild’ and had some very wild adventures. It reminded us that though stepping outside of your comfort zone can be scary and full of unknowns, there’s also so much excitement, new friends, and even a new you waiting to be discovered.

Do that

Have a dance party. The characters in the movie love to dance, so why not play some music and “Move it! Move it” in the living room?

Watch this — Wall-E

Synopsis — Wall-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter: Earth-class) is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days tidying the planet one piece of garbage at a time. But after 700 years, he is very lonely. When a probe named EVE arrives, he falls in love and follows her across the galaxy. This movie is heartwarming and has a good message about taking care of our planet. (Rated G)

Jennifer Arnold, Writer, North State Parent Magazine

I watched this movie with my 11, 13, and 16-year-old kids, and one of our big takeaways was WALL-E’s positive attitude. He’s the last surviving robot on Earth, and he’s tasked with cleaning up what seems to be a never ending mess, and he still manages to find joy by bringing home interesting things he discovers.

The other thing that stuck with my kids was how reliant people in the movie had become on technology. The characters in the movie were dependent on machines to do almost everything for them, and it opened up a great conversation about how technology is awesome, but it’s important to know how to get by without it too.

Do that

One way to practice this would be to challenge your kids to a day with no technology and plan something to do together as a family. You could also walk the neighborhood and clean up trash that you find in common areas. Discuss what items can be recycled and why it is important.

Watch this — Mary Poppins

Synopsis – Jane and Michael, children of the wealthy and uptight Banks family, are assigned a new nanny. They are thrilled to see she is full of magical surprises. The movie follows their adventures with their nanny, Mary Poppins. The kids try to pass on some of the things they learn to their distracted parents. (1964 Rated G and 2018 Rated PG)

Pamela Newman, Publisher, North State Parent Magazine

When I was around six years old, Mary Poppins had just come out, and my parents gave me a Mary Poppins doll with clothing and accessories. Mary even had a little parasol! I remember pretending my doll was singing with Julie Andrews’ legendary soprano voice.

One of the things that I love about this movie is how Mary sees the creative and magical side of things, showing how even mundane chores like tidying a cluttered room can be easy with a positive attitude and an element of fun. Isn’t this a wonderful way for children to grow up? This movie gives me such a good feeling that I watch it again and again.

Do that

A fun way to celebrate after the movie is with a family sing-along — even in the car! Let everyone choose their favorite song and take turns.

Watch this — Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Synopsis — When hard times hit the town of Swallow Falls, its townspeople are stuck eating sardines for every meal. Local inventor Flint Lockwood develops a machine that can turn water into food and becomes the local hero when tasty meals start raining from the sky. But things get out of control, and Flint and his friends have to save the town before it’s too late. This movie is funny and a joy to watch. It will make you hungry while imagining what food you would like to see fall from the sky. (Rated PG)

Rosalyn Duran, Calendar Editor, North State Parent Magazine

My family and I love family movie nights. Cue the spaghetti and meatballs with a side of “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” as our entertainment for the evening. This movie always makes us hungry and is a great conversation starter for future meals we can share or make together.

Do that

My youngest son loves to cook and bake (and eat)!, so the food ideas he shared once the movie was finished sounded delicious. He came up with his own dessert of vanilla ice cream mixed with smashed wafers, calling it C-Lo’s Delight. My oldest son’s favorite food is spaghetti, so he had the honor of cooking us dinner using mom’s recipe card.

He followed all the directions and everything tasted delicious! He normally helps with the dish cleanup, but this time it was nice to see him in action with the spices and the making of the sauce. My husband and I got to set the table, light the candles, and watch from a distance as our boys took over the kitchen space.

A fun way to celebrate before or after the movie is by cooking a meal together. Discussing the menu, adding everyone’s favorite foods, and the entire process of dinner time from prep to clean-up can be such a wonderful bonding experience.