Great Movies to Rent (or buy) for Earth Day
April 20, 2008 by Jennifer
This Earth Day, why not rent a flick or two. Sadly there are few earth-loving movies out there. Few for adults, and even less for kids. But here are some I thought of…
I let Cedar watch whatever, because we don’t have big rules around television and censoring at my house. However, for the sake of other families I tried to split this list into kid movies vs. adult movies. But of course, use your own judgment.
For adults and older kids:
Into the Wild – some people hated this book and movie. I loved both. I think people may be concentrating too much on the one major mistake that Christopher McCandless made at the end of his life, and aren’t looking at the bigger picture. That said, the movie has absolutely stunning nature scenes, and if you haven’t already, it makes you reconsider this whole material life nonsense that most of the world is stuck in.
The Bear: could be good for kids, but a little scary so I have it up here.
Last Call for Planet Earth – 12 architects and their views on sustainability – not sure if you can rent it, but you can buy it.
Garbage Warrior: A Film by Oliver Hodge – not sure if you can rent this yet? But it rocks.
Earthlings: NOT for kids at all. This is an in-depth study into pet stores, puppy mills and animals shelters, as well as factory farms, the leather and fur trades, sports and entertainment industries, and the medical and scientific profession’s relationship to animals.
Bad Seed: The Truth About Our Food
For the kids:
Totoro – not a green movie exactly, but it’s one of my son’s favorites, and has a large love-the-environmental slant. Kids being kids, kids playing outside, tree planting, munching veggies straight from the garden, family time, co-sleeping, big trees, magic, and surprisingly beautiful scenery for an animated film – you don’t get much more happy than this. One of the best movies for kids and adults ever in my opinion. Some scenes may scare very small children.
[photo via Totoro.org]
Hoot: Haven’t seen it, but heard that it’s a good kid’s flick. It covers kids trying to save endangered owls.
The Lorax of course.
Brother Bear: The kid’s answer to the real life movie The Bear. I have some super issues with Disney in general, however, I think this is a good movie, and Cedar loves it. I like the whole walk in animals shoes deal. It drives some points about respecting nature home.
You pretty much can’t go wrong by checking out National Geographics DVD for kids page. Many earth-friendly – animal loving movies.
There are tons and tons of documentaries out there. One pretty good list is at Grinning Planet – I don’t agree that all the movies on their list are exactly eco-friendly, but most are.
Do you know any good Earth Day movies?
Princess Mononoke! I haven’t yet let my kids watch this (they are 8 & 6, and just not quite ready, but I think some kids around 8 could handle it) I love Miyazaki, and Totoro is my other favorite of his.
Some bits of Princess Mononoke are graphic, (violence and other kinda gory stuff at points) even though it’s animated, and while the themes are very in line with the nature vs industry and the effect industry can have on the natural order of things, it would take a kid who is a bit more mature. I am hoping to be able to show it to my oldest sometime in the next 6 months to a year, I think he’s about ready to “get it”.
It’s a gorgeous movie, rated PG-13, and I think EVERYONE should watch it. Don’t think of this as a cartoon just because it’s animated. Also, one of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman, wrote the US screenplay adaptation. And the US voice over has some great actors: Billy Bob Thornton, Gillian Anderson, Minnie Driver, Claire Danes.
Happy Feet is another kid’s movie with a great environmental message.
I read Into the Wild, but I haven’t seen the movie yet. I really liked the book, I even got my husband to read it and he very rarely reads books.
@Rachel Princess Mononoke is the only Miyazaki we haven’t seen yet. We keep meaning to get it. Cedar loves Totoro best and he also likes Kiki. We were lucky because a Japanese animation festival came to our children’s museum in Albuquerque two years ago, and they had life size Totoros and a life size Cat Bus – so Cedar got to go inside and play – it was awesome.
@Linette I love all of Krakauer’s books, and was worried about the movie, because for me, books made into films usually suck (except for About A Boy), but I was surprised. The movie was pretty close to the book, time line off a little, but then again, there’s no way to ever know the exact time line anyhow. Oddly this was the one book my ex read too – like your hubby, he doesn’t like to read, but he liked this book. The movie was amazingly shot and they showed all sorts of places I’ve been on road trips to, which was fun to see.
Oh, so jealous! I would have loved to have life sized Totoros as much as the kids
Cat Bus not so much, I think my creep factor comes in with it due to a reoccurring nightmare I had as a child.
It’s a MUST see Mr. Furry Fur Fur and his friendly earth friends. This is a high quality DVD eco friendly children’s puppet show. This DVD is made using 100% recycled material and vegetable based inks! Go to Greenopia.com for review as the all around “Best Eco Children’s Show. It is so eco friendly that it is endorsed by the Green America as well as other eco organizations. Mr Furry Fur Fur and his friendly earth friends will be featured at the 2009 Green Festival in Chicago – May 16/17.