Prove All Things - Autumn Vibes

Family Friendly Media Recommendations #2

This is a continuation of my efforts to share some of the “good” media I’ve found out there that’s perhaps a bit off the beaten path (see here for my first post). To summarize it quickly - you really ought to try everything first (even the things I recommend!) before sharing it with your kids.

I also want to add something - there is an element of this that is weeding out certain movies or themes that I don’t think are age appropriate. But the rationale for the enterprise has always been to seek new things to bring in and share. Said better:

We could cycle endlessly through the same six or so movies or book etc. And there is a certain joy or comfort to that. But I love to spark their imaginations and expose them to new stories or new ways of storytelling.

As a point of clarification - my children DO watch / read / listen / enjoy many of the typical classics - but for the purposes of these posts, I’m trying to stay away from what might be most common in the hopes of providing more opportunities to discover the magic of something new.

For this second installment I’m going to be recommending a few selections that give me autumn vibes. It’s also all movies this time. I don’t intend for there to be much rhyme or reason as far as which types of media are recommended in which post - just whatever strikes my fancy or fits the theme.

Kiki’s Delivery Service

I think what sets this movie apart is the focus on the young protagonist (a “witch in training” here) and her personal development and relationships, absent some external enemy or cosmic struggle (although she does have her heroic moments!). For any fans of Studio Ghibli this is another grand and beautiful piece of cinematic art and I think many people may be surprised how much they empathize with Kiki. This is one of the four-or-so Studio Ghibli films that I think are appropriate for all ages - I’ll do a Ghibli post down the road for any interested!

Quick aside: There’s something called “Studio Ghibli Fest” where it seems most theatres participate annually and show a selection of Ghibli films throughout the year. We’re at the tail of it right now and it looks like Spirited Away is showing Halloween weekend (great movie but I think it’s probably for ages 8+ with my standard advice to prescreen), but I took my daughter to see Kiki’s Delivery Service earlier this year and it was a great “theatre experience” - particularly if you’ve missed that the last few years.

Final Word: I’d recommend it for all ages. The animation is gorgeous, and Kiki has a good heart. As of the time of this post it is streaming on Max.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

A lesser-known Disney movie (a duo of shorts really) but I think it was very well done (I mean - shoot, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is narrated by Bing Crosby!). If your children have read (or been read) “The Wind and the Willows,” they may recognize and appreciate the obsessive “Mr. Toad.” And I think it serves as an age-appropriate introduction to Sleepy Hollow, with humor and, like the short story, the door left open for a “happy” ending.

My 6 year old found the concept of a “headless horseman” too ridiculous to be scary…

Final Word: All of mine enjoyed it - I think it’s about as safe as a “scare” gets and the spooky bit is really only the last couple minutes. It can be found streaming on Disney+.

Nocturna

A beautiful and imaginative movie I stumbled upon only recently. It’s got very compelling world-building - “Nocturna” is the world of the night and responsible for everything we see happen after sunset - from the dew in the grass, to the stars in the sky.

It’s the story of a boy named Tim and his struggle with fear of the dark. It only really gets “intense” during the final confrontation, but even then I don’t think it’s too much for most kids to handle.

This is unique because I’m saving this one for Halloween weekend - my kids haven’t seen it yet!

Final Word: I recommend it for all ages. Some of unique characters of the night have stuck with my imagination. Nocturna, and several other things I think I’ll plug down the road, I was able to stream for free on “Kanopy,” which I get access to through my local library account (your mileage may vary).

Thanks for reading, let me know what you think! I enjoyed having a “theme” so I think I’ll stick with it going forward. I spend a lot of time searching for quality family entertainment and I’m hoping to save you some of that trouble!