I need to buy some portable players, probably 7", and about a dozen teen-ish movies, the closer to G rating, the better.
I like Panasonic stuff, because it's always been super reliable for me, so that's my default.
Any recommendations on the players, and good movies (I'm kind of - totally - out of the loop)?
"Teen" is a tough demographic to tie down for movie tastes (13s versus 19s, for example) but the younger ones might enjoy "Unaccompanied Minors" while the older ones (staring post-secondary education in the face) would probably respond well to "Accepted." Bizarrely enough, they both have Lewis Black in them – I swear that only occurred to me as I wrote this.
I'd avoid the whole "Twilight" (& clones) thing, because either your audience will have seen them 8,734 times already OR they wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. Not a lot of middle ground there.
Hope this helps!
I picked up a cheap Sony 7" at Sam's Club a few months back so each of our kids would have one for vacation time travel. Works okay. The pleasant surprise was the Audiovox unit I bought years ago that is still actually working. Quality on either unit is okay. My kids aren't real picky, as long as it plays a visible picture and makes noise.
Can't help with the software. That's out of my realm for a few more years. My oldest is 7. They're big into Star Wars, The Clone Wars stuff.
I hate to be "that guy" but maybe a better investment?
![](http://www.gavilan.edu/pio/images/BookFair.jpg)
Napoleon Dynamite is certainly clean... No swearing, no sex, sweet moves, even has a lowrider and a liger.
I would say if a movie is older than 5 years or so, it won't go over well.
What's the application?
No help with the hardware, but I'd go for the BTTF movies, The Karate Kid and The Karate Kid 2, Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2, maybe The Blues Brothers if they're mature enough.
oldsaw
SuperDork
10/18/10 5:05 p.m.
"The Incredibles"
Ordinary family with extraordinary powers dealing with ordinary lives.
It's a fancy cartoon to young uns, but the dialog might be enough to keep teens alert, too.
Hospital, eh? It'll be different advice depending on whether you're trying to entertain patients or visitors, but, either way, best wishes for a satisfactory outcome.
If they're into Harry Potter, the "Special Features" editions of the movies on DVD often have some very good stuff, including interviews that actually add to your enjoyment and understanding of what's going on.
How old are the kids? Older teens or younger teens?
jrw1621
SuperDork
10/18/10 7:38 p.m.
There seems to be a lot of movies out there about girls who just turned 18.
mtn
SuperDork
10/18/10 7:41 p.m.
No idea on the hardware.
Movies, depending on their taste. None of them are R (except possibly the Bourne ones), some are a little more violent than others. I don't think I'd hesitate to show them to any relatively mature 13 year old and up. But I'm only 20, so what do I know?
the ones with /// are the more appropriate of them.
Batman: The Dark Knight
///Oh Brother Where Out Thou
///Pirates of the Caribbean, preferably the first one
///Seabiscuit
Walk The Line
///The Blindside
Juno
The Bourne (identity, supremacy, ultimatum)
SpaceBalls
///Hoosiers
///The Mighty Ducks (good for any hockey players feeling nostalgic, otherwise stupid)
///Galaxy Quest--stupid and funny. I love it.
///Ferris Buellers day off
///Austin Powers
jrw1621
SuperDork
10/18/10 7:45 p.m.
On a more positive note, any film set in Shermer, Illinois is typically a good choice.
including National Lampoon's Vacation, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Weird Science, The Breakfast Club, Some Kind of Wonderful, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, Career Opportunities, 101 Dalmatians, Home Alone, and its sequels, Home Alone 2 and Home Alone 3.
jrw1621 wrote:
There seems to be a lot of movies out there about girls who just turned 18.
They're not for me...
Toddlers to teens, and they'll be used by patients in their rooms.
The better looking players are LG, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sony, and RCA.
I hear good things about Toshiba, and Sony, bad things about RCA, and nothing about LG. Like I said, I have had really good luck with Panasonic electronics in the past. Not high end stuff, but reliable. I expect them to see some use, so reliability is key.
mtn
SuperDork
10/18/10 7:51 p.m.
jrw1621 wrote:
On a more positive note, any film set in Shermer, Illinois is typically a good choice.
including National Lampoon's Vacation, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Weird Science, The Breakfast Club, Some Kind of Wonderful, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, Career Opportunities, 101 Dalmatians, Home Alone, and its sequels, Home Alone 2 and Home Alone 3.
I have been to 3 of the 4 (I think its only 4) of the schools used as Shermer High School.
Just about anything Pixar...
Frog and the Princess was great.
Shrek and Shrek 2. I doubt 3+4 are worth it.
For teen girls:
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton (if you see it, you will quote it...)
When in Rome
Everything You Want
I'd second Galaxy Quest
Musicals:
Mary Poppins
Sound of Music
Wizard of Oz
Thanks for the movie recommendations.
I've found a good deal on the Toshiba's, and they're well rated, so I'll try a few of those out first.
I'm a little surprised. I thought for sure there would be an expert here.
Clay
Reader
10/19/10 1:17 p.m.
Breakfast Club? Sixteen Candles?
I may be wrong, but I'm thinking F bombs and topless scenes might not be what he's wanting...
A good one I haven't seen mentioned: The Rookie. It's actually G rated, but not by design. They made the movie and that's the rating it got. The director actually was worried it would turn people off.
Other good ideas: Pixar stuff, A walk to remember, Princess Bride, Napolean Dynamite.
The Bourne (identity, supremacy, ultimatum)
addicted
Star Wars - Original Trilogy
Not sure about Star Trek's appeal to teens...
Since this is for a hospital, DO NOT GET:
Outbreak
I Am Legend
Sixth Sense
etc.
How about Le Mans, Smokey and the Bandit or Cannonball Run? Those were my favorites as a teen.
More all ages stuff:
Hook
Disney Movies Lion King and earlier (Aladdin, Snow White, Cinderella, etc.)
Holes
A Christmas Story
Sandlot
ET?
Princess Diaries? (never saw it... if I have a daughter, I wouldn't be surprised if I did...)
OH yeah plus +1 billion on Princess Bride
Clay
Reader
10/20/10 10:19 a.m.
Oh yeah, Holes and Sandlot. Love those.