Beyond Barney

Description: I know that in recent years, family-focused (particularly animated) features have become huge successes for studios, parents, and kids alike. I don't mean to buck the system, but I fear my children being unduly influenced by Disney or Pixar or whomever. The genius of these films in part is their dual plot lines, reaching out to both parents and kids. But the wink-wink nudge-nudge aspect of the parent-directed jokes make me weary, and long for film that help me more directly connect with my child. Laugh at the same joke. It started with comparing Toccata for Toy Trains to Barney, where I asked myself why couldn't films worthy of my kids' attention also appeal to me on the same level? So these aren't the only criteria for listing films here - it's more of a popular brainstorm about such things. But it's what made me start this group. Feel free to join, and don't see this as an academic course but do take it seriously. If you add films to one of the lists, please try to give a brief description for the rest of us. Thanks!