These two movies are a couple of my favorites, so I know the contents of them, but has anyone allowed their 10 or 11 y/o sons to see either one of these movies? I know it depends on the kid and if they can handle it, but do you think these are good life lesson movies?
I allowed my 9 and 10 year old boys to watch it. There are some very serious, rather dark parts..so they should NOT watch it alone. You should let them know before the movie begins that they story is that the boys are going to see a "dead body."
Give them the chance to opt out if they want to.
Castaway was boring. Too long.
Stand By Me is rated R. We just considered it for our family movie night but the rating prompted me to check the review again and there are some mature themes. I guess it depends on whether or not you allow your kids to see R-rated movies at all and what you think they can handle. This review might be helpful:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/stand-me
Cast Away would probably be a safer bet - it's at least PG-13.
I was in 4th or 5th grade when I watched Stand By Me. It was one of my favorites. I loved the battles that the friends went through that brought them together. NOW as a mother I really wish it did not have to many bad words. Today our children watch television commericals have have more sexual influence then back in the 80's and 90's.
Friends who support each other when the other goes off a little too far, I let my son watch it.
My daughter is 9 and while I've let my daughter watch the train scene of Stand By Me I don't think I'd let her see all of it just yet. That's because the Trestle is in Northern CA (Lake Britton near Burney Falls) where I grew up. When the movie came out I asked my parents about it and they said, "Oh yeah" and proceeded to tell me all about it. Apparently one of their friends rented out their house for the indoor scenes and complained about the inconvenience....Especially after the movie came out and they didn't use any of the footage from their house LOL. The tracks have been torn off the trestle now but it's sure fun to see it in the movie.
Other than that bit of trivia, I agree with Christy Lee. You also know your children, some are more sensitive to this sort of subject matter than others. The rest of the film, aside from foul language is classic growing up in yesteryear. We actually did follow the road that runs alongside the tracks out to the falls on our bikes, sometimes without adults with us. A lost era and experience for kids as there are few if any places where kids have that kind of freedom.
Another movie that might be good is The Sandlot if you're looking for childhood/friend/bonding sort of movies. If I remember correctly, it's tamer but has much of the same kind of fun. I remember a dog in a neighbors yard where the baseball ALWAYS goes. Mean dog, grouchy neighbor, lost ball...until someone is dared, loses a bet and has to retrieve the ball.
My 6 and 8 year old daughters have both seen Castaway, a few times. We love it!
Where are your sons with the 'sexual' stuff? Remember, they talk about "Annette" from the Mickey Mouse club and her stretching sweater.....It has been some years since I watched Castaway, but I don't recall language that may be inappropriate. I do think they are great movies, but life lessons.?.?.? Could be a stretch. It may be a movie night for me! Thanks J.!
My stepsons saw Castaway at those ages and I think it was fine. With Stand By Me I would think it might be better to wait until they are 12 or 13, the same age as the boys in the movie. There is a fair amount of colorful language in Stand By Me so I guess it depends on how you feel about that. I don't think in Castaway it's an issue but it's been a while since I've seen it. Also in Stand By Me, there is some gun violence, the kids smoke, and they lie to their parents to go on their adventure while the one boy steals his dad's gun. I love the movie, just think it might be better for 13 and up, since there are some mature themes and hopefully at that age they know better than to influenced too strongly by a movie. There is a website, www.commonsensemedia.org, where you can look up movies, TV shows, etc. and they will break down exactly what the content is and how appropriate it is for what ages - you can also read reviews from other parents too.
Love Stand By Me - it was an important movie in my life when I was growing up - but I think I was closer to 12 when I saw it. I think it would be ok - I didn't particularly care for CastAway...
