Standing the Test of Time- The Princess Bride

Connecting with your kid can be tough.  

But sometimes all it takes is a classic, oh-so-quotable movie to bring generations together.

Pace Yourself
Life is changing fast.  For all of us.  My kids' lives look different in so many ways than mine did at their age.  

I had a record player in my room.  Every time we went to K-mart, I got to pick out one 45 that I could buy because they only cost around one dollar.  After I picked out a good record, I would rush home and play it over and over.  Picking up the needle and placing it at the beginning of the song.  Memorizing "Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen Campbell, "Mr. Telephone Man" by New Edition and I think I even bought some Hall & Oates records.  And there's this one story of the time I took one of my 45s to school for show and tell in third grade.  My teacher wasn't very happy because the record just happened to be "Centerfold" by J. Geils Band.  Scandalous.

My kids have never even seen a record.  When I tell them stories about not having DVDs or even remote controls for our TVs, they look horrified.  When my husband tells them he didn't have cable television until he was in high school, they look at him like he just told them he used on outhouse for a bathroom growing up.

It's not just the past 20 years, it's even the past five.  Think about all the fancy phones, Facebook, etc.  
I want to clarify that I am not saying there is anything wrong with technology. Personally I think it is a phenomenal time to be alive.  It's just different.  And changing fast, all the time.  (Although, I do hate Wii and all video games. Ugh. Sorry. But my kids just seem to get so grumpy after playing, maybe it's just my kids.)

Silliness Stands the Test of Time
For a recent movie night, I wanted to pick a movie out that I loved as a kid.  A movie that we could all enjoy.  I picked out the classic The Princess Bride.

I wasn't sure that my kids would like it, but I ordered it from Mommy Bear Media anyway, determined to connect with them.  Mommy Bear Media is a great place for family friendly movies. (I was invited to write reviews and it has been such a fun assignment.) 

When the movie arrived in the mail, my daughter's friend, Grace, was there.  "Oh we loved this movie! There's something for everyone," she exclaimed.  With the Grace stamp of approval my daughter was willing to give it a chance.

We set up the living room picnic dinner and I sheepishly pushed play.  

I wanted them to like it, but really didn't know what to expect with my tech savvy, uber modern little ones.  This movie was made in 1986 for god's sake.  My kids range in age from almost 11 to almost 3, would they get the goofiness?  Well, they were laughing before the movie even started.  Even the menu screen is funny.  Here it is plain and simple...silliness stands the test of time.

With over-the-top characters (Inigo Montoya, Miracle Max, Princess Buttercup, Prince Humperdink and more), funny accents, physical comedy and fabulously fun lines, this movie was a complete hit with my whole family.

When I was your age, television 

was called books.

Grace was right, there was something for everyone in this movie. My kids were getting into the idea of friendship and loyalty.  My husband was enjoying reliving the fun and remembering all the quotable lines like "Inconceivable!" and "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."  I was loving the relationship between the grandfather (Peter Falk) and his grandson (a young Fred Savage).  He tells his grandson "When I was your age, television was called books" right before he proceeds to read his annoyed, reluctant grandson a story.  He's trying to connect to his grandson who is entrenched in a video game. Huh, sounds familiar.

Some things stand the test of time.  Some things bring people, families together.  Some things like good storytelling in a classic movie called The Princess Bride.

What's Your Line
If you've seen the movie you've got one--a favorite line, a favorite quote.  What's your favorite line from The Princess Bride?  Share it in the comments for fun.  


This was one scene my little kids thought was soooo funny.  



Take a look at Mommy Bear Media--they have a wide variety of older movies and the best new movies on DVD for the whole family. And they offer free 2-5 day shipping on all orders.  In addition to their website, you can follow up with them on Facebook and Twitter as well. 

Check out other reviews I've written for Mommy Bear Media:
Family Movie Night and 12 Years Part Two (And Matt Damon)