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| ABOUT MENTSCH MOVIES |
| *Children are very impressionable, and therefore may internalize the attitudes and beliefs held by the characters on television or in the movies because they do not have enough other information to counteract what they are learning through the media. Although there have been many studies conducted on the detrimental effects the media has on children, it is safe to assume that the television will remain a common fixture in the average household. Therefore, it is important to learn how to use the media to benefit the social, moral, and emotional development of your child.
In order to prevent your child from adopting views or behaviors that are unethical or un-mentsche-like, it is critical to be aware of what your child is watching. Watching television with your children and discussing the topics and issues during the commercial breaks in a casual manner will not only provide you with great insight to how your child is interpreting the messages relayed, but can also give you a great opportunity to reinforce ethical and mentsche-like behaviors. ------- Jackie Hertz received her BA in Psychology at Duke University, and recently graduated from Harvard Graduate School of Education with her M.Ed. She is currently working at emode, a psychology based internet company in Cambridge, MA. |
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| FOLLOW YOUR HEART; OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO FULFILL YOUR DREAMS ANTZ (PG) -- An ant breaks the rules of the colony to achieve his goals and stay true to his beliefs. DEAD POETS SOCIETY (PG) -- A progressive English teacher (Robin Williams) at a conservative New England boarding school teaches his students to seize the day and stay true to their dreams. ICE CASTLES (PG) -- A talented young ice skater, blinded by an accident, |
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| PERSEVERENCE AND DISCIPLINE AIR BUD (PG) -- A lonely boy and his golden retriever together find happiness and a successful pro-basketball career. FOOTLOOSE (PG) -- A big-city kid (Kevin Bacon) moves to a small, ultra-religious town where music and dancing are forbidden. He is soon on a mission to change the minds of the townspeople and organize a high school prom. THE KARATE KID (PG) -- The new kid in town is picked on by a group of bullies. However, with discipline and a great mentor he is able to put them in their place. ROCKY (PG) -- A professional boxer with a big heart is able to defeat his opponents after much training and perseverance. STAND AND DELIVER (PG) -- With hard work, discipline, dedication and determination, a strict high school math teacher pushes his inner city students to reach their fullest academic and intellectual potential. |
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| TEAMWORK THE AMAZING PANDA ADVENTURE (PG) -- An American boy and a Chinese girl work together to save the endangered panda bears. APOLLO 13 (PG) -- Both the team of astronauts and the team at mission control must work together to return the men home safely after an oxygen tank exploded during a moon mission. A BUG'S LIFE (G) -- A colony of ants must devise a plan on how to protect their meager food supply from the big, scary grasshopper. Of course, there are many mishaps along the way. COOL RUNNINGS (PG) -- A team of naíve Jamaicans enter the bobsled race in the winter Olympics. Only through teamwork can they pull off this crazy endeavor. THE MIGHTY DUCKS (PG) -- A hockey star turned big time lawyer reluctantly coaches a peewee hockey team. TOY STORY (G) -- A group of toys must work together in a crisis. THE GOONIES (PG) -- Four small town kids go on a hunt for buried treasure. |
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| FRIENDSHIP E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (PG) -- A lost alien and a vulnerable little boy develop a strong friendship that can warm the hearts of both children and adults. FREE WILLY (PG) -- With trust and a special bond, a young boy is able to train a supposedly untrainable whale. STAND BY ME (R -- because of the four letter words) -- Four young boys go on a search in the woods for a dead body and discover the meaning of true friendship. *Note- The issue of death is present throughout the movie. |
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| ATTACHMENT, LOSS, AND COPING ANDRE (PG) -- A young girl and her family nurse a seal back to health that has been separated from his family. The conflict arises when he is well again and they must set him free. FLY AWAY HOME (PG) -- A young girl and her father (with whom she moves in when her mother dies at the beginning of the film) raise a flock of goslings that hatch on their farm. Together they must teach the geese to fly south for the winter, and then part from their new "family." THE LION KING (G) -- A lion cub loses his father and must overcome his loss and tragedy in order to save the jungle from the reign of his cruel uncle. |
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| DON'T JUDGE A PERSON BY APPEARANCE, RACE, CLASS, RELIGION, ETC. ALADDIN (G) -- A young thief in Baghdad falls in love with a beautiful princess, whom is unattainable. With the help of a hilarious Genie, this witty street character encounters lots of adventures while trying to prove himself worthy of the princess. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (G) -- A young woman is able to soften the heart of a beast, whom was actually once a prince, and they fall in love. The lesson in this story is clear: the good-looking suitor is evil and the ghastly looking creature is good-hearted and lovable. EVER AFTER (PG-13, better for older kids) -- A 90s twist on Cinderella in which the heroine is portrayed as brave and strong-willed. In this story, Cinderella genuinely cares about everyone irrespective of his or her social status. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (G) -- This film gives an intimate portrait of a Jewish family in Russia, and sends a very broad message through their specific story. It deals with family dynamics, religious persecution, and the spirit of the Jewish people while maintaining a lighthearted feel. THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (G) -- A deformed orphan, Quasimodo, is raised in a cathedral by his evil guardian. When he attempts to enter Parisian life, he is ridiculed by everyone but a gypsy who overlooks his appearance and respects him for who he is on the inside. LADY AND THE TRAMP (G) -- A spoiled dog from an exclusive neighborhood, Lady, is rescued by a street dog, Tramp, when she is trying to escape from her cruel house-sitter. They are blind to their class differences when they are together. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (unrated) -- The story takes place in Alabama in the 1930s, and is about a noble lawyer who defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. The story explores the life of the lawyer's family and the reactions of the townspeople to his decision to fight racism. |
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| FAMILY: Values, Issues, and Honor ADDAMS FAMILY and ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES (PG-13) -- Both of these films are about a bizarre, non-conformist, monster-like family and the adventures they encounter. The family, however, is fully functional with adoring parents and a great amount of respect for all of its members. FATHER OF THE BRIDE (PG) -- This is a comedy about a father's panicked reaction to his daughter's decision to get married. Many heartwarming and funny scenarios reveal the security and comfort that is ultimately found through the unconditional love between family members. LITTLE WOMEN (PG) -- Taking place during the Civil War in New England, three strong sisters pursue their own interests while remaining close and supportive of one another. MRS. DOUBTFIRE (PG-13) -- A father is crushed when he is forbidden to see his children after he and his wife divorced. With the help of great make-up and costumes, his ex-wife unknowingly hires him as the family housekeeper. This comedy portrays a father's true devotion to his children! MULAN (G) -- When her aged father is called to the Chinese army, a young girl decides to change her identity and take his place as a soldier. The experiences that follow portray a strong sense of family honor and loyalty. PARENTHOOD (PG-13) -- This comedy tells a story of a few different families and the issues with which they are dealing. In addition to showing that parents make mistakes too, this movie sends a clear message that a parent is always trying to do what they think is best for his or her child. RUGRATS (G) -- A little boy has to adjust to having a new baby brother. |
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| ENJOY BEING A KID: Don't try to grow up too quickly! BIG (PG) -- A twelve-year-old boy wishes he was "big," and wakes up to find that he has transformed into a man! FREAKY FRIDAY (G) -- A mother and daughter switch personalities for the day and learn to appreciate being their own age. |
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| COMPETITION AND PRESSURES THE BAD NEWS BEARS (PG) -- A grumpy coach pushes his little league team to the championships. HOOP DREAMS (PG-13) -- A highly regarded documentary about two young inner-city kids who aspire to be NBA stars to escape their impoverished lifestyles. SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER (PG) -- A true story of how a young boy, his parents, and his coaches deal with the issues of winning and losing in the game of chess. SIXTEEN CANDLES (PG) -- A sixteen year old girl deals with all of the pressures and complications of growing up in today's world. |
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| DANGER OF GLUTTONY, GREED AND OVERABUNDANCE WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (G) -- Five kids and their parents win the opportunity to tour a famous chocolate factory. Once inside, they experience many crazy adventures! |
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| GREAT MOVIES WITH MANY LESSONS BABE (G) -- A pig is adopted and finds his true calling, herding sheep, on his new farm. This film promotes cooperation, identity, self-worth, respect and good manners. THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (unrated) -- A teenage girl's journal about the daily life of her and her family as they hide from the German Army in Amsterdam during the Holocaust. Her journal discusses family issues, religious persecution, self-discovery, spirit, eternal hope and the difficulty of growing up. THE WIZARD OF OZ (unrated) -- A girl is carried by a tornado from her home in Kansas to the land of Oz. Her new friends try to help her find her way home. This movie touches on the virtues of home and family, courage, common sense, bravery, friendship and following your heart. |
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