Movie Night

Hey D.! This is awesome that you are so open to something like this! I think it would be fun for kids to get to go as "couples" to watch movies. As far as movies, I'm so out of the loop with that. My kids are still infant and toddlers, so we don't get to see many movies. Good luck with everything!!

I don't have a specific suggestion of a movie, other than I would say nothing rated more than PG-13. I just wanted to comment on Brandy's comment. I do not agree that you are "encouraging" 13 year olds to "couple up." I commend you that you are the one who wants to supervise the children who have decided that THEY are couples. Back to the movies, it does not matter what you recomend that they watch, they will not like it. Even if it is a GREAT movie, being "independant children" they want to have the say in what the movie is. Sorry I'm not much help. Best of luck to you.

I have to agree with Janet and also the other mom saying she would rather them come hang out at her house than to be so naive to think a group of girls couldn't meet a group of guys at the movies! LOL Then you just think it is an innocent girls night out...BEEN THERE DID THAT X20! You are lucky she is fine with inviting the group to your house! The best thing in the world is for all the kids to want to hang out at your house. Then you have no doubt what they are up to!!

My oldest son is 13 and there was much more serious talking of 'going together' and 'getting married' in kindergarten! Half the time the are a couple for a day! LOL

I also have to say Transformers was really good as well without being too childish or too mature. Seeing how it is Christmas, you could do a Christmas movie night and you are pretty safe there! Cocoa, candy canes, and cookies! She can blame it on you but I am betting they will love it...my son can blame it on his younger siblings but secretly I know he enjoys them as much as they do :)

Good luck!

A. H hit the nail on the head. I loved the fact that my mom could be the "bad guy", and she didn't mind playing the part, either! Sometimes it'd be pizza, or popcorn and coke, other times it'd be that velveeta/rotel cheese dip and/or veggie snacks. If it's a holiday themed movie, obviously some hotchocolate and peppermint flavored snacks. My mom somehow mastered the art of being a hostess that would kinda surprise us with some treat, and keep an eye on what was said/done (mom's BIGGEST no-no was making fun of someone especially if they weren't there to defend themselves), but didn't "hover" so much. 13 year olds like their independence and want to be "cool" but they are still children and dig the treats and security. There's no pressure on these "predates" if you know your mom is there so it automatically cuts out things you might be nervous to do, ya know? Being able to have a relationship/trust with my mom where my friends felt comfortable enough to come over and we could have fun, but the security of boundaries, actually helped build the relationship and trust for later!
I think the OVERLY girly movies like Princess Bride aren't too good a choice because you're dealing with 13 year old boys who aren't going to enjoy that at all. I went to see Ever After b/c it looked good on the previews, but OMG girly....the best part of the night was hanging out afterwards and watching the males that were dragged there on dates LIMP out like they'd been castrated! Like previously mentioned, the Bourne movies are pretty great choices. Comedies are good, but these days you really need to check them out first for content. One of the first posts you received had a site that shows you parent's reviews: that could be a great tool. I also think that PG 13 movies are fine if you read to see WHY they got the rating. Some are sexual inuendo which might not be the best choice for a "predate" but if it's just action or "some language" then honestly, they'll hear worse at school!!!
Kudos to you for being inconvenienced for the sake of your daughter, for opening up your home so you can know what she's up to, what her friends are like, and steer the direction of the evening.

I have a soon to be 13 yr old and she tells me about these movie nights, etc. So far, she is so picky( good thing I hope) , there is no one she desires to go with, LOL

In any case, like you....I would open my home to it so that I could be around and be able to supervise what is going on. I know a lot of these kids meet at the local Cinemark and I'd much prefer to give them space at my house and have the control. It is going to happen.....I am MORE than willing to let the "pre-dates" occur at my home. I know I watch what is going on!!!

Susan

Hmm. Recommendations: Fantastic 4 and the sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer, X-Men and it's sequels, and Transformers. Most of the "13" from the PG13 of these movies is due to some violence and mild language. As I recall, there's none or very few sexual situations in these. The first X Men may have the most with a scene in which Wolverine and Jean(who turned into Mystique in that scene) are in a tent, but as far as I can remember, nothing was shown.

As to "coupling" up, that's just ridiculous. I say Bravo! to you Mom for taking an active stance in your daughter's social life and not being naive as to what "may" happen if they were to meet at the movies.

Napoleon Dynamite always makes me laugh no matter how often I see it. Best wishes to your daughter for a great and memorable party.

Good grief, what a question! I love the movie The Princess Bride, but it's been out for a while. Don't know if they've seen it already. Maybe you could suggest that the kids make a list of what they'd like to see that they think you'd be ok with them seeing. A resource for general movie info is www.imdb.com - international movie data base. General plot info, also a 'parent's guide' which viewers list info re. nudity, profanity, etc - though it relies on viewers putting that info in. At the bottom of the parent's guide is Certification (movie rating - PG, R, etc). Hope this helped!

I think the problem is not the movie, it's the fact that you are encouraging 13 year olds to couple up.

this may sound crazy, but the movie Transformers was really good for anyone.

good luck,
M.

I have to second Transformers. I haven't seen it, but I've heard nothing but how cool the movie is. Also, Bourne Ultimatum comes out on DVD today. It's rated PG13 as there is some violence in it. But the guys might like it cause it's an action flick. And the girls might like it because Matt Damon is in it. :)