NAKM: Oct. 1, 2024

Kicking Things Off

Cinema is a passion of mine. But I am not a cinephile. I am a film fanatic. Now that I have two girls, ages 5 and 7, I am a family film fanatic. My dreams for a man cave are gone, replaced with the reality of my fam cave. But I embrace it. Our shared experiences are special moments that we’ll all remember. Our time on the couch will be as implanted on my children’s minds as my Homer Simpson-style ass groove is implanted on our couch.

Last year while writing for /Film, the editors asked me to take control of their ongoing list of Greatest Family Films. I took the job seriously and immediately deleted the generic list they had. I spent more than 100-hours researching, developing, and writing one of the most popular, and searched, corners of their website. Along with content I’ve written for Rotten Tomatoes, I’ve become more than just a passionate family film fanatic. I’m now informed.

A newsletter makes sense for me. I produced more than 5,000 hours of television news. This newsletter is just one block in one half hour show. The great thing is, I now get to write about something I love instead of murders, accidents, and fires. And if the movie is about murders, accidents, and fires — dads, I will tell you if it’s too soon to watch or if you can get by covering their eyes.

Moms, grandparents, people who I’m totally not jealous of who don’t have kids, I hope you enjoy this newsletter as well. It’s written like I’m talking to my dad friends over beers, but you’re welcome to belly up to the bar and join the conversation.

And PLEASE, let me know how I can improve Not Another Kid Movie. Newsletters should evolve over time. You can help me make it better.

Note: This banner is a placeholder. My illustrator is hard at work in the ink lab drawing up the real thing.

Brendan

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Is It Screen-Worthy?

Screentime is the devil. But some films are worth dabbling with the dark lord. In these pint-sized reviews, I tell you how much hooch it takes to sit through each recently released family film.

Pint-Sized Review:

Kindness is a survival skill. We see this. We hear this. We feel this throughout The Wild Robot. The children’s book adaptation is about an AI service bot who crash-lands onto an island teeming with wildlife. With the animals’ guidance, the robot transforms from ROZZUM unit 7134 to a mother, Raz. She, in turn, transforms these wild creatures by demonstrating that persistent kindness is an asset and not a liability.

The Wild Robot plays hero ball in every scene. Every beautiful stylus-brushed stroke is a blast to right field. Every inspirational line threads the moment like a ground ball over second base. Every note of the score resonates like the THUNK of a bat. My one issue: The pacing feels off at times, like the story is constantly being waved home. Overall, though, it’s a glorious win.

The Wild Robot deftly handles complex themes of self, family, and death – and does so simply. You see. You hear. You feel.

Dads, you’ll feel introspective watching Raz grow as a parent, but no need to get sauced to make it through. On a scale of one scotch on the rocks to gimme that entire damn bottle!, I give The Wild Robot one scotch with rocks.

In theaters: September 27

Rating: PG (Mine: 5+)

Director: Chris Sanders

Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor

Run time: 1hour 41minutes

Post-credits scenes: Yes

Bathroom breaks: According to RunPee, the best times are:

• 25:45 when Fink says, “And that’s what happens to your brain when you eat wood, weirdo.”

• 52:35 when Longneck says, “Endurance, then we’ll talk.”

Sequel? Director Chris Sanders said he would “very much like to.” There is no formal announcement yet. There are two other books.

If you liked The Wild Robot, check out these films:

• Kensuke’s Kingdom (2021) (9+)

• Ron’s Gone Wrong (2011) (5+)

• Terra Willy (2019) (5+)

• The Iron Giant (2009) (7+)

Fresh Cuts

The latest family films to hit all screens.

In Theaters

• Look Back (Oct. 3)

• White Bird (Oct. 4)

• Piece by Piece (Oct. 11)

• Nightmare Before Christmas (Re-release Oct 11)

On Disc

• Harold & the Purple Crayon (Oct. 8)

• Robot Dreams (Oct. 8)

News You Can Use (and Sometimes Booze)

I highlight all the new trailers, cool collaborators, tech and gadget releases, theater openings, and booze news that’ll make or break your family movie nights.

• Booze: Best new bourbons to get your through The Super Mario Bros. Movie for the fifth time.

• Box Office: Critically rated family-friendly (and dad-friendly) movies dominate the box office. You know we love to see it!

• Films: Stop-motion. Christmas-time. John C. Reilly. But it’s only a short? Disney+, why you tease so hard?

• Industry: Ziplines and pickleball coming to a theater near you.

Papa Do Preach!

Let’s Get Rec’d!

Check my list before you wreck yourself next family film night.

Keepin’ It Real

Dr. Marvin: “You think he’s gone? He’s not gone. That’s the whole point. He’s never gone!” 

Bob: “Is this some radical new therapy?”

Damn that Bob is annoying. But damn that Bob is charming. I get why Bob (Bill Murray) is able to derail the life of psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfus) — who is just trying to hang with the fam at Lake Winnipesaukee. I also get why the fam falls for Bob. He gets under your skin but starts to baby step into your heart. What About Bob? is one of the rare non-animated films that had my daughters laughing again and again at Bob’s jokes and physical comedy. No nudity or violence. Very little swearing. You’ll have to rent or buy this one.

Kickin’ It Old School

Literally going where no sci-fi flick has gone before. Forbidden Planet inspired Star Trek, Doctor Who, and Star Wars with its Academy Award-winning special effects, eye-popping backgrounds, and groundbreaking electric score. Leslie Nielsen isn’t as dense as his Naked Gun character. Commander John J. Adams is the kind of guy who sips on scotch, policing the galaxy, while surveying foreign planets for forbidden fruits. You know the kind. Forbidden Planet is from the ‘50s. The misogyny at times is more a wolf whistle than a dog whistle — that unfortunately comes with the era. Despite that, there are clever sci-fi concepts and themes explored in this cinematic space that make Forbidden Planet worthy of family film night.

Droppin’ Knowledge

Teen rebellion. It’ll cause us dads a few years of sleepless nights. But rebelliousness, in the end, is better than blanketed compliance — which will keep us up worrying for decades. Long Way North is about a young Russian aristocrat rebel who abandons her comfortable life to search for her lost grandfather in the great north. You know who else rebelled? The art team. They shunned the usual black outlines for a patchwork of mostly hand-drawn images. Yet it pops. As does the sound production. Crank up the Dolby Atmos! Long Way North is now streaming on Amazon Prime and Kanopy.

For Your Eyes Only

What to watch after THEY go to bed.

You’ve carved the pumpkins and erected the 20-foot Home Depot skeleton. The kids are down. Now it’s your turn to watch something FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.

If you’re a fan of slashers, but are tired of the same ol’ masked killers, maybe give In a Violent Nature a whirl. Some terrifying moments will have your head spinning. You take the perspective of a masked killer risen from the dead. As the title suggests, the film’s nature is violent. One scene in particular will leave you shaken. You may need to shake up a drink to recover.

Remember: This is what Halloween is all about — leaving your comfort zone to celebrate the macabre. In a Violent Nature is now streaming on Shudder and AMC+.

Stir Things Up!

Drink recipes that’ll get your reel spinning!

Elsa’s Ice Spear Martini

Ingredients:

• 2.5 oz vodka or gin (depending on your preference)

• 0.5 oz dry vermouth

• Splash of pickled juice brine

• 1 pickled asparagus

• Ice

Instructions:

1. Chill: Place a martini glass in the freezer for about 10 minutes.

2. Ice and Dilute: Fill a mixing glass or shaker with ice. Add the vodka or gin. Let it sit for a moment.

3. Swirl: Pour the dry vermouth into the glass. Swirl it to coat the glass nearly to the rim.

4. Shake: Pick up that shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. Work them hips, pops.

5. Pour and Shred: Strain the mixture into the chilled glass. Once the liquid is out, use sharp motions to get little shards of ice piercing the strainer, and creating an icy sheen on the top of your martini.

6. Spear: Place your pickled asparagus in the glass.

Cheers!

Show Me What You Got!

I want to see your kickass film collectibles, outdoor movie setup, or Fam Cave.

I’m starting off this week. I introduced my girls to The 7th Voyage of Sinbad. They loved it! They snacked on popcorn while I sipped on a bourbon barrel-aged stout from Fremont Brewing in Seattle. Rich and sweet, but it’ll put hair on your chest!

Share yours HERE.

The Man Behind the Mask

Thanks for reading and subscribing!

I am a former television news journalist who now writes about movies, parenting, and tech online (and occasionally on paper). My number one job, though, is making sure my girls grow up with steady heads on their shoulders. I think our shared movie nights have a positive impact on their self-esteem and develop an awareness of the world around them. I relish every night — except for maybe Baby Geniuses. I got through that one with my good friend George Dickel.

Brendan Knapp