<p>Tookie, post #5: I think Gene Kelly was “singing in the rain”, not Bing Crosby… D did independent study of films in HS and watched about 70 films.</p>
<p>My middle schooler’s grades keep him grounded more or less permanently. Which means, no TV, unless it’s something mom wants you to watch.
Which means, this summer, it’s Great American Movies.
So far we watched:</p>
<p>It’s a Wonderful Life
Sullivan’s Travels
All of Marx Brothers
Some Like it Hot
Casablanca (his request, it went over his head but oh well)
To Kill a Mockingbird</p>
<p>We’ll continue watching old movies together as long as he’s grounded, which could be forever. This is the only upside of his chronic underachievement in school: movie literacy.</p>
<p>I highly recommend The russians are coming- the Russians are coming- very funny movie- made at the height of the cold war- touching interview with the director on DVD
totally G rated</p>
<p>EK, I loved that movie! (Russians are coming).</p>
<p>Adrew, I think you’re right but wasn’t Bing Crosby in there, too?</p>
<p>backhandgrip,</p>
<p>Yes, Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy are classics in the true sense. They bring out humor in the simplest things, and they do it in a self- deprecating way, which endears them (especially Chaplin) to the audience.</p>
<p>All ages can enjoy them!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No Bing Crosby in “Singing in the Rain” - it was Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, and Jean Hagen. I think Bing Crosby is best known today for “Going My Way” (for which he won an Oscar) and two films that are always on at holiday time - “Holiday Inn” and “White Christmas.” Another popular movie of his is “High Society,” the musical remake of “Philadelphia Story” that co-starred Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly. and Louis Armstrong. The guy was a terrific dramatic actor, as well - check out “The Country Girl,” also starring Grace Kelly, to find out just how good.</p>
<p>And the “Road” series of comedies with Bob Hope, which pretty much invented the buddy movie genre, are kind of dated but lots of fun.</p>
<p>I guess we have to blame S’s early years as a child of rock-musician parents for his complete obsession with music. 
It happened gradually and he went through requisite period of “cringe-indusing” ( for us) sounds( read “Limp Bizkit” and such) . OTOH he was never opposed to listening to “our” music, such as King Krimson, Led Zep, Police , Talking Heads, Sex Pistols, Velvet Underground( to name a few) and even developed an affection for Pink Floyd and Yes on his own. We have been to a number of concerts together( Radiohead was the BEST) and, thanks to S and his iPod, we know what’s going on in the independent rock these days. S also writes his own music( it’s genetic or something) .
On the movies front i was very happy to introduce S to my favorite classics and to see his developing interest in screwball comedies and film noir. :-)</p>