Summer movie night brings your family together

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Want to have a fun evening with the family? Consider family movie night this summer.

• First, get out the calendar and make several dates.
• A lot of people think doing this on Friday or Saturday evening is a good idea. I like Sunday night, but you and your family should decide.
• If you have little kids, once a week is not too often. If you have teens, well, it will be a little more complicated to negotiate a day and time. But make sure everybody can participate. After all, it’s a family thing!
• One parent told me that finding a film for everybody in the group was her biggest challenge.
• Another said scheduling was the toughest issue his family faced.
• A third said everybody loved a cartoon prior to the movie and discussions were best held over the kitchen table the next day.
• Serve refreshments and have them ready and available so you don’t have to miss one frame of your film.
• Go to your local library and select a movie. Many libraries do not charge for DVDs.
• If you are not sure what to screen, use the American Film Institute list of 100 greatest movies or visit the @ your library Recommended Movies page. Be sure to ask your family to make suggestions and vote.
• AFI also has lists of the best comedies and musicals, famous movie dialogue, greatest screen legends, and more to encourage family discussions.  
• For more ideas about what to screen for the family, look for recommendations from the @ your library website in the weeks ahead. We will be posting articles about some classic films and  why movie historians think they are important.
• See if you can find a cartoon to show prior to the main event. There’s nothing like a Daffy Duck or a Bugs Bunny cartoon to help get the evening off to a lively start.
• Discuss the movie afterward. Have fun and don’t take it too seriously.
• Don’t forget to invite grandma and grandpa.

Let us know if you have held a family movie night and your tips for a top evening.