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13 year old - suitable DVDs?

(38 Posts)
HettyMaud Tue 12-Nov-19 14:38:41

I'm trying to find suitable DVDs to entertain my 13-year-old GS who I look after one evening per week. I hire them from our local library. Last week I borrowed a Disney one but it was too young for him. I really don't like what I call unsuitable stuff so can anyone recommend titles for a boy that age please? Obviously I'm thinking of adventure, comedy or even horror stories if they aren't too scary.

Chestnut Sun 24-Nov-19 16:02:31

All these movies (or nearly all) are fantasy. Don't forget movies with real people to give him a wider view of the world. Some of these golden oldies are excellent: The Great Escape, Butch Cassidy, The Railway Children, About a Boy, Whistle Down the Wind, Tiger Bay, The Ten Commandments, Goodbye Mister Tom.

notanan2 Wed 13-Nov-19 19:07:38

Count Arthur Strong is hillarious!

Good clean slapstick fun

BradfordLass72 Wed 13-Nov-19 08:26:47

I inadvertently got a DVD from our libray called 'Count Arthur Strong' and when my grandson (10) visited he asked if he could watch it.

I usually 'vet' things first but risked it and I have never heard him laugh so much, he was, quite literally rolling about on the floor - where he was sprawled to watch on a little portable DVD player.)

He ran scenes back over and over again and apparently persuaded his Mum to buy a copy for his home use grin

You can watch a clip of it:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNw-sqbdkYM

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 21:55:01

Oh yes Hunger Games. The last movie isnt as graphic and dark as the last book.

NotSpaghetti Tue 12-Nov-19 21:35:46

Oh! And Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves - everyone surely loved this!!

NotSpaghetti Tue 12-Nov-19 21:33:46

My 12 year old Grandson loves the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter films, as well as the Jaws ones. I wouldn’t want him watching alone but I expect you’d be with him. Likewise The Hunger Games (which he likes, I don’t ).

Gladiator is a good watch (but might be a 15?) ... and most of my family enjoyed Jurassic Park (and follow ons).
Alternatively, A Knight’s Tale, Spartacus, the whole range of Batman films?
Various Star Wars or James Bond?

Oopsminty Tue 12-Nov-19 21:11:01

Great, HettyMaud! Let us know which you choose and if he likes them!

HettyMaud Tue 12-Nov-19 21:05:11

Thank you SO MUCH, everyone. Not being a person who watches DVDs myself, I haven't a clue. I'll make a list of all suggestions and will try to find some of them. Very, very much appreciated and all suggestions have meant I don't have to do my own trial-and-error research. Wonderful - thanks, everyone.

Oopsminty Tue 12-Nov-19 19:49:34

You were brave Oopsminty!

Ha, lemongrove! I was captivated by it. I still watch it now and again if it pops up on Sky! We went on holiday to Miami Beach shortly after that had been released. I'd be swimming in the sea keeping an eye open at all times.

How about The Goonies? Gremlins? Stand By Me?

All a bit old but they've stood the test of time well.

I agree about Back to the Future. Every child should see that.

MiniMoon Tue 12-Nov-19 19:41:53

Small Soldiers (if it's still available).
Any of the Lego movies. Adults will love them too, I do.
Has he seen Jumanji?
Home Alone.

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 18:28:10

Neverending story, labyrinth, legend

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 18:24:51

& most of the LOTR movies arent even 15 rated I think most are 12s

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 18:22:35

And the Jaws book is more grown up than the movie as theres much more about the adult relationships in it

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 18:21:29

Yes I have seen them. Not at all a fan I think the money thrown at the franchise didnt result in believable story telling so because of that theyre not scary at all IMO but some people like them.

lemongrove Tue 12-Nov-19 18:16:15

Have you seen LOTR or The Hobbit films? They are extremely scary in parts, and The Hobbit is only loosely based on the book.
The books are suitable for 13 yr olds.

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 18:06:50

Plenty of primary school age kids will have read all the Lord of the Rings books so if anything, 13 is late to introduce it

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 18:05:16

The Hobbit is on KS2 schools recommended reading lists and the other Tolkiems and Jaws are both on KS3 reading lists so Im certainly not alone in thinking they are age appropriate for 13!

lemongrove Tue 12-Nov-19 18:03:04

You were brave Oopsminty!
As an adult I had to watch it behind a cushion.?

lemongrove Tue 12-Nov-19 18:00:15

Oh yes, Back To The Future, great films for young teenagers...
And even old ladies.?

trisher Tue 12-Nov-19 17:57:41

All the Star Wars films, The Last Starfighter, War Games (It's about someone who hacks into a US gov computer) Mine loved the Goonies. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (although he may be a bit young yet) Back to the Future, Groundhog Day, The Bill and Ted movies.

Oopsminty Tue 12-Nov-19 17:56:30

I saw Jaws when I was 13. Loved it. Went back loads of times.

This might sound odd but my son, who is now 26, loved Dad's Army and Fawlty Towers when he was in his early teens

lemongrove Tue 12-Nov-19 17:51:37

I wouldn't show Jaws or Lord Of The Rings to a 13 year old.

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 17:51:09

Elf

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 17:46:26

The Meg

notanan2 Tue 12-Nov-19 17:45:59

Jaws, gremlins, the others, arachnophobia, tremors