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Parent Previews Top 10 Movies for 2009
With the
news of the winners from the recent Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards,
it’s always interesting to have a look and see which -- if any -- movies on
those high profile lists might also make the cut in your family room. As usual,
there are not too many choices you would be willing to share with your kids.
Each year
at Parent Previews we review hundreds of movies from a parent’s
perspective. While some of the movies on the Parent Previews Top 10 Movies
for 2009 list may share accolades from the upcoming Oscars or the recent
Golden Globes, this list of the “best” movies from the past year puts parents
and families first -- in our humble opinion of course...
Up (Disney/Pixar. Rated PG.)
Overall
Grade: A
“Marrying
fantastical premises with charming, believable characters, this aerostat
adventure is a definite thumbs Up experience for everyone from older
children to senior citizens. Definitely Parent Previews pick for best
movie of 2009.”
Hannah Montana -- The Movie (Disney. Rated G.)
Overall
Grade: A
“Probably
more appealing to the girls in your home, Hannah delivers a fun package
of songs and positive messages (along with surprisingly good performances) that
is nearly devoid of objectionable content.”
The Blind Side (Warner Bros. Rated PG-13.)
Overall
Grade: A-
“A true
story about a family who reaches out to help a young boy in need, The Blind
Side serves as a strong reminder to look around and see those we might be
passing by on the side of the road.”
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (Columbia Pictures. Rated PG.)
Overall
Grade: A-
“Rising far
above expectations, Cloudy delivers appropriate humor and great messages
about getting too much of a good thing and learning to develop and embrace your
best talents.”
Confessions of a Shopaholic (Touchstone Pictures. Rated PG.)
Overall
Grade: A-
“Confessions
of a Shopaholic offers a plentitude of thought provoking insights into the
current credit crisis and the reality of shopping addictions. Yet it manages to
do so in a manner that is both entertaining and encouraging and should be
appealing (and, hopefully, enlightening) to teens.”
Bandslam (Summit Entertainment. Rated PG.)
Overall
Grade: A-
“With more
depth than the average adolescent flick, Bandslam acknowledges difficult
teen issues and gives credibility to the students who deal with the challenges
of growing up.”
The Young Victoria (Apparition. Rated PG.)
Overall
Grade: A-
“While some
teens may balk at watching an historical drama, this movie offers a compelling
true story of a teen heroine who grew to become the longest reigning monarch in
world history. It also has great costumes and a cool romance that shows how a
marriage can work to better both individuals.”
Star Trek (Paramount. Rated PG-13.)
Overall
Grade: B+
“Although
violence may be a concern for parents of younger children, Star Trek is a
solid action film suitable for most teens that includes powerful messages about
teamwork and friendship.”
Astro Boy (Summit Entertainment. Rated PG.)
Overall
Grade: B+
“If Star
Trek is too intense for your ‘tweens, you may want to give Astro Boy
a try. This animated movie offers action adventure with messages about taking
control of your own life and making good decisions. And it looks great!”
Race to Witch Mountain (Walt Disney Pictures. Rated PG.)
Overall
Grade: B
“It’s tough
to find a teen action adventure that doesn’t include the usual language and
sexual content. Race to Witch Mountain meets this goal, and offers pure
popcorn fun that is rare on movie screens.”
Besides writing this column for the Parents Television Council, Rod Gustafson authors Parent Previews® - a newspaper and Internet column (published in association with movies.com) that reviews movies from a parent's perspective. He's also the film critic for a major Canadian TV station, various radio stations and serves on the executive of the Alberta Association for Media Awareness. Finally, his most important role is being the father to four wonderful children and husband to his beautiful wife (and co-worker) Donna.
Parenting
and the Media by Rod Gustafson
The Parents
Television Council -
www.parentstv.org
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