The age 10 list is a bit better than the age 9 list, but still short. It's also the second-to-last list I plan to publish here, as we're nearly into the fully "grown up" stuff. Dividing these lists into age groups is already an iffy proposition, as nothing can replace parental judgement, especially given that each kid will be a little different in terms of what they enjoy and can handle. But slapping ages on the lists allows me to segment the movies I want to show Lia into lists short enough to publish individually.
- The Goonies - Probably my #1 kids' adventure movie, ahead of even Explorers and Super 8. One-Eyed Willie? Chester Copperpot? The Fratellis? This movie is a classic. The movie has a good amount of swearing, and there's an apparent suicide at the beginning of the movie. Also, Mouth fools the maid with talk of illegal drugs and sexual torture devices, and there's a nude statuette that has its junk snapped off. Parental guidance strongly recommended.
- Contact - One of my favorites. There's a terrorist attack that kills people, and Ellie has to deal with the death of her father, but she's a very strong female character and a great role-model. I wish the movie's ending had been more like the book's ending, but perhaps that was a bit too heady for the silver screen.
- Farscape - Another TV series. Farscape mixes sci-fi adventure with comedy in a fantastic way, and is one of the only TV series I've ever seen that had a really good conclusion.
- Dragonslayer - As old as it is, Dragonslayer still has the best movie dragon ever.
- Ghostbusters - Yes, I know the sequel kind of stunk. I hope that Bill Murray opts in on the third movie, and I hope that it's good, because the original was phenomenal and hilarious.
- X-Men - Still the best of the live-action movies.
- North by Northwest - Old? Yes. But damn is it good.
- King Kong - Peter Jackson's remake isn't my favorite movie, but it has a lot going for it.
- Wargames - Wargames is so delightfully eighties. I'm not sure how a kid who grew up with smartphones will view the technology in this movie, but if nothing else it's an object lesson on how tech has changed over the last thirty years.
- Tron - Dated? Certainly. But it's a really fun movie.
- Spirited Away - Strong female protagonist, and one of my favorite anime movies. Not that I have very many favorite anime movies.
- Jumanji / Zathura - Kids' adventure movies. Fun.
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Continuing the Harry Potter series. To reiterate, I'd encourage Lia to read the book before seeing the movie, but given how much she reads I don't see that as much of an issue.
- The Right Stuff - A history lesson and a good story. I'd like to see this one again myself.
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit? - An underappreciated classic. Bob Hoskins is pretty damn good. Also, Christopher Lloyd.
- Adventures in Babysitting - Linda loves this one. Not sure I've ever seen it.
- D.A.R.Y.L. - When I think of showing my kids movies from my own youth, for some reason I always think of this one, although I barely remember it.