Need movie suggestions for 12 yr old dss

[hipmom]

Hi, my dss is 12 almost 13 and looooves movies. He is with us on the weekends and while we encourage reading, drawing etc we do let him watch the occasional movie. I wanted to start renting him movies with messages and themes that are gay-positive, feminist, anti-racist etc. Any ideas? Keep in mind that he will watch ANYTHING so don't worry if its a little young or seems to unhip for his age. (He sat down and watched Little Bear with my two daughters last week - the whole movie - by choice).
Also the next door neighbor girl who dresses more like most boys dress comes over to watch movies with my dss. I know she gets teased for how she dresses and acts (OMG she likes to play sports ) so any movies with the heroine who is more of a tomboy (is that still an OK term to use?) would be welcome as well.

[UUMom]

Maybe someone knows the title, but we saw it abut a yr ago and it was awesome. It's about 3 brothers who travel across a changing America to film animals in the wild. It's so wonderful. It's based on a true story and one of the brothers beame a film-maker. The ended up selling their footage when they got back. Real America? I thought is was amazing. These young boys out exploring their world and dreams with their parent's blessing. Wait! It's called Wild America. It has that boy in it who is the voice of Simba. So not an old movie.

Indian in The Cupboard. Well -made movie, imo. Excellent messages. There is a part where the boy is watching a cowboy & indian movie with the indian and that is very powerful.

A League of Their Own- Incredible movie about powerful women who played major league baseball during WWII. It's an old one already, so maybe people have forgotten about it. Just great. Tom Hanks, Madonna, Rosie O'Donnel.

Sandlot- Hilarious movie about summer pick-up baseball, a junk yard dog and friendship. There is a 'sexist' part where the geek tries to get the cute lifeguad to kiss him...but overall the messages of the movie are good. James Earl Jones is in this and racism is touched upon. Love, friendship, blended families etc.

Singing In The Rain. I'm not kidding. My kids love this movie. I don't think it's sexist. It is funny.

My Friend Skip- About a boy and his dog. i don't recall it was sexist. Love, growing up etc are themes.

Apollo 13-- Exciting without being violent. No women but the one who plays Tom Hank's wife is not a wimp.

Princess Bride- another one my kids love. Buttercup is not a shrinking violet.

Borrowers- Some violence, when the bad guy is hunting the Borrowers, but the girl is very sure of herself. It's the one with the father from Rosanne that i am thinking of.

October Sky- great movie about a boy interested in rockets and is trying to see the world beyond his poor coal- mining town. Takes place in the 50's and is also about peer pressure. Super-great movie.

[UnschoolnMa]

Princess Bride and Sandlot are great! I also recommend Second Hand Lions.

[lisser]

I *loved* the Sandlot growing up, and recently watched it w/ DSSs, but just a note, there is swearing some in it, and some sexual innuendo, that while I think would be fine for a 12ish y/o, was a little more than I wanted my 5 and 7 year old to see...I just forgot about it. I'm also *very* picky about movies though.

Lisser

[sadean]

I love Whalerider.

[lioralourie]

I second Whale Rider. Great modern coming of age story about a girl who is destined to lead her people in spite of being female. Wonderful clean movie, an engrossing drama that my DH and I just loved.

I am thinking Babe also. Maybe isn't as progressive as you're after, but there are plenty of interesting personalities amongst the animals. There's the darling stereotypical farmer couple, and a little food for thought here and there, not deep but far from meaningless.

[LizD]

Monty Python, Monty Python, Monty Python!

[mady5]

Labyrinth! This was one of my favorite movies at that age.
Jim Henson's the Storyteller.
Also, another vote for the princess bride.

[HaveWool~Will Felt]

Racing Stripes....just came out this week, maybe last week on DVD...

Great movie...

Also, The Incredibles is such a awesome movie for your WHOLE family....I have watched it a few times.


The Sandlot 2 just came out also....Netflix just emailed this morning...it will be here Monday...

[HaveWool~Will Felt]

The Sandlot 2 arrived today....and it isn't very good. There is also lots of potty mouth...

I kept reminding my ds's that we don't talk like that in our family...

So......watch with warning....for a 12 year old, it is probably OK.