David Huxley (Grant) is a nerdy zoologist just finishing his brontosaurus skeleton and engaged to be married to an uptight lady scientist. Then he meets dizzy heiress Susan Vance (Hepburn), who upends his life, kidnaps him to Connecticut, and sticks him in a lady’s dressing gown while her dog, George, buries, David’s brontosaurus bone, and her tame leopard runs around frightening the bejesus out of everyone, mainly because they’ve confused him with a wild leopard that escaped from the circus.
It really is close to Seussian anarchy: An unstoppably whimsical woman brings down upon the head of a nice young fellow a series of widening desasters that cause kids to go nuts with apprehension and delight. What else can go wrong for the man with the dimple in his chin? Well, this. And this. And, oh yes, this. But the real reason to watch BABY with your children is that it’s a wonderful introduction to Grant and especially, the great Kate. Hepburn is not just maddeningly funny here but possessed of an otherworldly enchantment – a couple of times she uncorks a quicksilver laugh that can give you goose bumps. The whole movie seems filmed under moonlight, with Wild Things just over the horizon.
-Ty Burr 2007, THE BEST OLD MOVIES FOR FAMILIES.
In this charming film for the entire family, introverted Zoë (12), the youngest of three siblings, is struggling to find her own voice at school. At home, she is closest with her father. When Dad suddenly burns out on his bank job and inexplicably decides to become an actor, the rest of the family thinks he’s having a breakdown.
His wife, a type-A executive at her family’s chocolate factory, is most concerned. But Zoë believes her dad is an amazing actor waiting to be discovered and vows to help him however she can. Spiced with innovative animation, this contemporary dramedy about a family that reinvents shows the importance of following your dreams in spite of the doubts of others.
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA was a smash-hit gigglefest grossing over $3 million… in 1935! (That’s STAR WARS money in its day.) To describe the plot or the style of the Marx Brothers would be an exercise in futility, since a Marx Brothers movie exists in moments, bits, sequences and not in comprehensible stories. It is impossible to discuss Groucho’s dialogue without quoting it, and pointless to quote it since Groucho, Chico and Harpo’s delivery is essential to the effect. This classic comedy has been experienced by multiple generations. Make it one of yours!
USA / 1935 / in English / 96 min / All Ages (smoking, drinking, mild innuendo)
BABE is celebrating its 25th anniversary year!?! (We couldn’t believe it either.) As Roger Ebert wrote about this unique and amazing film, “BABE is a movie made with charm and wit, and unlike some family movies it does not condescend, not for a second. It believes it is OK to use words a child might not know…and instead of the usual contrived melodrama of most kids’ pictures, this one develops a story that depends on the character and upbringing of the animals involved. It knows things, and teaches lessons.” Enuf said!
Australia / 1995 / in English / 91 min / All Ages
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG has been charming audiences for 50 years! To mark its anniversary, PCFF introduces a new generation to this classic Ian Fleming story and Roald Dahl screenplay that takes us to faraway lands, introduces us to characters named Truly Scrumptious, Caractacus Potts, and the vehicular star, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! To those that may wonder, just what is a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? Well it’s the name of a “fine four-fendered friend” who can fly, float, and drive by itself. Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes croon the most memorable songs one movie can possibly contain. Van Dyke quipped, “We’re going to out-Disney Disney!” and the film ultimately received a nomination for an Oscar, two Golden Globes and a Grammy.
Imagine this. Your name is Gus and you live in the most boring village in the Netherlands. You walk into your bedroom one day and there’s an actual Egyptian mummy sitting on your bed. What do you do? Well, first you jump out of your skin (of course). Then you close your eyes, count to ten, count to twenty…but it doesn’t help. The Mummy is still there!
The Mummy named Dummie (Darwishi Ur-Atum Msamaki Minkabh Ishaq Eboni) died over 4,000 years ago when he was only ten years old. But thanks to the magic of the golden scarab and one lucky lightening strike, he has come back to life as a mummy in a very changed world.
Gus and his father have no idea at first what to do with Dummie. Should they call a museum? The police? They decide to invite him into their family by pretending he is a cousin from Egypt who has suffered bad burns. Gus’ life changes completely as he becomes best friends with Dummie the Mummy. Gus enrolls Dummie into his school but not everybody is happy with this creepy new stranger in their midst.
One dreadful day, Dummie’s powerful golden scarab goes missing and the magic slowly fades away. Dummie falls ill and Gus and his dad fear he may die all over again. Gus must now do everything he can to find the powerful scarab. Who could have stolen it? And can Dummie be saved in time? This dilemma’s resolution brings to light the importance of tolerance, friendship and being part of a community.
Nessa divertida farsa alemã, os cidadãos de Bollersdorf têm muito orgulho de serem perfeitamente medianos em tudo: peso, idade, membros da família e muito mais. Bollersdorf é tão mediana, de fato, que uma empresa de pesquisa de mercado usa a cidade como campo de testes. Felizmente, um grupo desorganizado de alunos do jardim de infância, conhecido como Coati Gang, não cai nessa. Com a ajuda de seus avós, a turma se propõe a tornar sua cidade "extra" comum usando criatividade, coragem e engenhosidade. Uma aventura de ação ao vivo hilária e emocionante.
Confira uma variedade de filmes criativos que abrangem um período não oficialmente chamado de "PP" (Pré-Pixar). Wallace e Gromit são os personagens mais conhecidos (e estão incluídos aqui com seu último filme), mas há alguns predecessores notáveis da claymation que muitas crianças talvez não conheçam.
Essa brilhante coleção de curtas-metragens inclui o vencedor do Oscar "Creature Comforts", os vencedores do Grande Prêmio da NYICFF "Humdrum" e "A Matter of Loaf and Death", além de "Rex the Runt", "Shaun the Sheep" e outras mini-obras-primas que abrangem 25 anos de produção criativa de Nick Park, Peter Lord, Richard Goleszowski, Peter Peake, Chris Sadler e outros gênios da claymation da Aardman Animations.
Essas criações inspiradas em plasticina incorporam o melhor da sagacidade e do estilo expressivo da Aardman, e transbordam com o calor e a humanidade que somente esses filmes feitos à mão podem transmitir.
Em uma jornada cômica de uma semana, o jovem Ravi se propõe a fazer um filme de Bollywood com seus colegas de escola; escreve um bilhete de resgate; escolhe uma heroína; usa maneiras criativas de envolver seus amigos em seu filme durante a sempre estressante época de exames; revela o lado mais sombrio de seus amigos e familiares; e faz com que sua mãe pense que todo o seu trabalho árduo foi para os exames finais. Ambientado em uma Índia de classe média, onde a pressão dos exames é o aspecto mais marcante da vida de pais e filhos durante os anos escolares, esse filme equilibra habilmente o humor com lições de vida.
Uma vez apelidado de "o homem mais famoso do mundo", Charlie Chaplin é reconhecido há muito tempo como um dos ícones mais importantes da comédia e do cinema. De 1914 a 1967, Chaplin escreveu, dirigiu, produziu e estrelou mais de 80 filmes, avançando rapidamente do slapstick básico para um estilo cômico único: imaculadamente construído, profundamente humano e sempre hilário. "Tempos Modernos" é uma de suas obras mais aclamadas, capaz de fazer uma criança (ou a criança que há em nós) rir à vontade e, ao mesmo tempo, ter verdadeira empatia com seu personagem icônico, o vagabundo.
Devido à sua importância cultural, "Modern Times" foi selecionado pela Biblioteca do Congresso em 1989 para ser preservado no National Film Registry.