A Specification Of Animated Traditions

I grew up in a family of all boys. So I would be lying if I said it wasn't a huge desire for Alisa and I to have a little girl to shower our affections on. The second I heard that Alisa was pregnant I began a conversation in my head that went something like this: "Man, I hope we're have a girl... But I'd love a boy to, a chip of the old block... Yes, but girls are so sweet and cute!... Well, your son will be to (winking face... yes I probably did wink) and you can teach him how to be a ladies man like his papa... But I want a to make my little girl a Disney Princess... Yes, but every girl needs an older brother..." That thought came from Alisa, not me. She is a lot smarter than me! 

Two weeks ago, we finally found out the gender. Nope, you're not going to find out yet, every good story teller knows you have add tension as much as possible. Leading up to the ultrasound Alisa began a week of preforming every old-wives tale in the book about how to guess the gender. As time got closer, I began having a really excited feeling for a boy even though I was hoping for a girl at first. Pretty much from our first year of marriage we had decided if our first child was a girl we were going to name her Lily. If we had a boy we were going to name him David Everest but refer to him as Everest (similar to his daddy's name). The second I learned the gender, I started referring to our baby by name. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to say that in about 18 weeks we will be welcoming David Everest Virgin into the world! If you thought I was excited before, it's incomparable to now. I can't stop thinking about what he'll love to do. What kind of man will he grow up to be? How much will the ladies love him? ;) But mostly how can I make sure he's as happy as possible? There are so many stories I want to share with him.

Last week I discussed my hopeful plans for family traditions. Now that I know were having a boy, I can be more specific in the movies I'd like to share with my boy. If heard one of the hardest parts or raising kids is the terrible shows they like to watch... like The Backyardigans and The Wiggles. Well, I'll naively believe that I may be able to block that with some classic animated movies. What follows is a list of the top ten animated movies I hope my son will love. Disney is excluded because (1) they would rule the list, (2) I understand some boys think Disney is girly, and (3) I've been repeating myself a little in these blogs so this is my attempt to stop that. Some of you may also notice the glaring absence of movies like the Land Before Time and  An American Tale. Don't get angry, I was a huge fan. I'm the guy who had both a Fievel and A Little Foot stuffed animal as a wee lad. But it's time to realize that age may be past. At least our generation will always love them! Anyway, Let's begin!

1. How To Train Your Dragon

Most Quotable Line: "Thank you for nothing, you useless reptile."

There are not enough words to praise this movie. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first watched it, but I was not expecting anything close to how incredible it was. It competes with the best Disney movies of all time. The story is a perfect match for kids and adults. The humor has perfect timing and intelligence. The casting is spot on. And the score... I'm going to say its the best score for an animated movie I've ever heard. I hope our boy loves this movie as much as I do. And maybe we can get him to talk in a Scottish accent!

2. Kung Fu Panda

 Most Quotable Line: "There is no charge for awesomeness, or attractiveness." & "Skadoosh!"

 This one is right in line with How To Train Your Dragon. And not just the first one, the second was just as incredible. When this movie came out it kind of ruined all other movies for me that came out that summer. I think I cried from laughing in the theater. Plus I love the message: there is no special ingredient to make someone special, you just have to believe in them. I also had an extremely powerful insight about the negative effects of parental pride. (I won't explain here for times sake.) That is an incredible feat for a kids movie.

3. Ice Age

 Most Quotable Line: "You calling me a liar?" "I didn't say that." "You were thinking it." "I don't like this cat. He reads minds." 

Oddly enough when this first came out, I thought it was overrated. And I HATED the Scrat scenes. It wasn't until I got back from my mission that I appreciated them for how funny it really is. The second one didn't do much for me but I loved the third almost as much as the first. I even enjoyed the Scrat scenes in the third one! If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and go watch! I hope I'm not tempted when our little man is born and the doctor says "It's a boy" to say "That's it's tail." If you're laughing, you're a true fan. ;)

4. Arthur Christmas

 Most Quotable Line: "Arthur! Christmas is not a time for emotion!"

 I'm really going to go out on a limb with this one and say that this is probably one of the top five best Christmas movies I have ever scene. Alisa and I saw it last Thanksgiving, (because she had always wanted to see a movie on a holiday in the theater) and I was shocked how fast it put me in the Christmas spirit. Not only is it funny and exciting, but has a truly important spiritual undertone. In the movie, Arthur steals Santa's sleigh because one child got missed. He goes through an extremely long and difficult journey just so that no child is forgotten on Christmas. Catch the spiritual undertone? Good! Now rent the movie when it comes out! I hope my little guy will realize how important he is after growing up with this.

5. The Prince of Egypt

Most Quotable Line: "Let my people go!"

This one isn't new, but it is a classic. All I remember when this movie first came out is that there were like five different soundtracks to it and everyone was obsessed with a least one of them. Now I grew up watching The Ten Commandments every Easter when it came on TV. It was the one movie my parents ever let me stay up to finish. But this movie broke my childhood loyalty to Mr. Heston. It's just that good! The casting it so huge. I've never seen this many big names in an animated movie before. Treat yourself and your kids tonight and watch this one as a family. I can't wait to share it with my boy! Oh and cool fact! Did you know that Uncle Phil from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air did some of the singing voices for the movie!? Well, you do now.

6. Shrek 2

 Most Quotable Line: "Whatever happens... I must not cry. You cannot make me cry..." 

 I think... yes... this was the last time I left the movie theater with a sore stomach from laughing so hard. (Things are just a lot funnier as a teenager.) I was never a big fan of the first Shrek and I hated the third, but this one will always be a classic for me. I suppose my son will have to watch the first one to understand the second, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.... I should probably be checking to make sure it's okay with Alisa that our kids watch this many movies. She does like the Backyardigans after all.

7. Madagascar 2

 Most Quotable Line: "I like um Chunky!"

This one is in the exact same boat as Shrek. Not a huge fan of the first, but I loved the second one. Probably because of two words: Moto and Moto ("So nice, you say it twice.") The plot was more family oriented, the music was better, and the conclusion at the end just makes you feel a whole lot more warm and fuzzy. Only concern: Alisa has been wanting to make a music video for "Chunky" for over three years now. I'm convinced that I will come home from work one day to find poor Everest dressed up like a hippo surrounded by my sister-in-laws dancing while Alisa records and the song blares from our stereo. Wait, did I say concern? I meant best hope to fulfill my goal of being a YouTube video sensation. 

8. Surfs Up

 Most Quotable Line: "A role model? No. But I do consider myself somebody that everyone should look up to. Kids should try to pretend that they're Tank. I mean, they should try. Good luck, kids!"

This is probably the least know movie on here. I, however, was a huge fan from my first viewing. I love that this is one of the few animated movies that is filmed like a documentary. It's got some really big names in it. Shia LaBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Zooey Deschanel, James Wood (Hades from Disney's Hercules for those of you who don't know) and Napoleon Dynamite! This movie beats its Disney equivalent of Lilo and Stitch by a long shot. I may also be partial to this movie because I thought surfing was the coolest thing in the world when I was growing up.

9. Despicable Me

 Most Quotable Line: "IT'S SO FLUFFY!!!"

Some of you may be shocked that this is so low on the list but consider the awesomeness of it's predecessors! Plus I really think Vector (the point-dexter in the bright orange jumpsuit) was super annoying. If I heard "Oh yeah!" one more time, I was going to punch him... through my TV. Anyways, every time I think about this movie I remember a story about my nephew Austin. Apparently my family (minus me and Alisa) were watching this at a Christmas gathering. You know the creepy looking dog in movie? Well it would seem that it terrifies my nephew because the second he saw it, he started yelling "Ooo! Ooo! Ooo!" and ran out of the room. I really hope my boy inherits those same nerves of steal that apparently run in the Virgin family! ;)

10. Quest for Camelot

Most Quotable Line (in rhythm): The song 'The Prayer'

Did anyone out there actually know that the song 'The Prayer' came from this movie? I bet not, because it probably isn't familiar to any of you that weren't processing adolescence in the early '90s. I used to be obsessed with this soundtrack growing up. Yes, the music does drastically overshadow the plot, but it is still a fun one for the family to watch. At least it used to be. Humor might have evolved beyond this flick by now (I haven't seen it in a while, so I can't say for sure.) Still, it's about Camelot and what little boy isn't fascinated by knights when they are younger?! Plus it's got The Dread Pirate Roberts in it! Anyone? Bueller? ;)

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Honorable Mentions

The Adventures of Tin-Tin

OK, this one would be in the top three hands down except for the fact that like I said I'm trying to avoid repetition. If you'd like to know my thoughts on it you can read what I wrote before.

My Redtail Recompense 

The Road to El Dorado 

 Most Quotable Line: "You fight like my sister!" "I've fought your sister. That's a compliment!"

This movie is also from the '90s and a little more adult but still pretty good. The reason that it doesn't make the above is because, like I said, it's got some pretty adult (and demonic) things that I don't want to expose my little tike to until he's older. Oh, well!