How do you decide what movies your child can watch?

[sleuth]

Pete's post on "Kingdom of Heaven" got me thinking. Assuming you're going to watch with your kids, how do you decide what they can watch?

In my future family, I would consider a few questions?
1. Will this movie give my child nightmares?
2. Will my child be able to understand the story?
3. Is there nudity? How much and what kind?
4. Is there sex? Am I ready to explain that?
5. Is there going to be a lot of blood of gore?
6. Is the violence senseless or can my child understand why it took place?

There are a lot of Rated R movies out there that I would let my child watch - just because he/she can understand it. For example, I would allow my children to watch "Saving Private Ryan" as soon as they're old enough to study and understand wars in school, far younger than 18, which an R rating dictates they should have. But until they 'get it', and we can have a rational discussion about it, I'd say no way.

Just like "The Passion of the Christ". Maybe around age 10-13, but prior to that I just don't think a child would understand it.

My fiancee and I errored in our judgement a couple weeks ago. We took her 5 year old to see "Corpse Bride" because we thought she could handle it. She ended up having nightmares for 3 nights in a row.

 

[vraiblonde]

It's hard to tell what will give kids nightmares. My daughter sat through Jurassic Park and it scared her, but left no lasting impression. But Forrest Gump gave her a nightmare because when Forrest was at Jenny's grave, my son was like, "You know what would be cool? If she reached out of the grave and grabbed Forrest by the throat - run, Forrest, RUN!"



It was a while before Kyle got over that.

 

[pixiegirl]

It's hard to tell what will give kids nightmares. My daughter sat through Jurassic Park and it scared her, but left no lasting impression. But Forrest Gump gave her a nightmare because when Forrest was at Jenny's grave, my son was like, "You know what would be cool? If she reached out of the grave and grabbed Forrest by the throat - run, Forrest, RUN!"



It was a while before Kyle got over that.

Noah's the same way. It's very hard to judge. He LOVES The Nightmare Before Christmas and has seen the commercials for The Corpse Bride and wants to see it yet would not watch The Never Ending Story by himself at all the first million times. He wanted to watch it but Brent or I HAD to be in the room.

 

[kwillia]

It's hard to tell what will give kids nightmares.

At a tender young age my son looooved Jurassic Park and had no trouble sleeping after watching that movie. But dang it was a long night after he say "Mousehunt" for the first time because the cat in the movie freaked him out... didn't see that one coming...

 

[donbarzini]

At a tender young age my son looooved Jurassic Park and had no trouble sleeping after watching that movie. But dang it was a long night after he say "Mousehunt" for the first time because the cat in the movie freaked him out... didn't see that one coming...

Yeah, I think my kid was 4 or 5 when he watched "Jurassic Park" with no problem. But he is 12 now and STILL won't watch "Wizard of Oz" alone because of those damned flying monkeys(he'll kill me for telling this!)

 

[aps45819]

I've found that my son can handle more adult themes and story lines in the Japanese Anime movies than he can in a conventional movie format. I don't mind watching them with him because they've got great art work and interesting story lines.

 

[Llwynog]

I've found that my son can handle more adult themes and story lines in the Japanese Anime movies than he can in a conventional movie format. I don't mind watching them with him because they've got great art work and interesting story lines.

I think that's because a lot of the hollywood movies aim to shock the audience whereas a lot of the asian films want you to feel for the characters.

 

[Christy]

It's hard to tell what will give kids nightmares. My daughter sat through Jurassic Park and it scared her, but left no lasting impression. But Forrest Gump gave her a nightmare because when Forrest was at Jenny's grave, my son was like, "You know what would be cool? If she reached out of the grave and grabbed Forrest by the throat - run, Forrest, RUN!"



It was a while before Kyle got over that.

My youngest watches crap like "The Ring" with no ill effects, but had the piss scared out of her while watching "Signs". :shrug:

Slueth, a good parent would just give their child a few good smacks and a lecture on growing up to be a sissy, after waking from a nightmare. That should put an end to such silly behavior. :shrug: