5 for the Road

The portable DVD player may finally make obsolete the four dreaded words that inevitably come out of every young passenger's mouth while traveling: "Are we there yet?" Sure, you could stick in your children's old favorite DVDs and keep them happy for a while, but they've probably seen those a few dozen times and can recite them by heart.

Now, while they're a captive audience, is the time to expose them to new genres, new themes, and new characters. Here are a handful of eclectic suggestions that may make the journey as enjoyable as the destination. To paraphrase one of our recommendations, "If you put it on, they will watch."

What's the Story? While searching for her place in the world, a spunky witch-in-training learns she must believe in herself in order to soar.
Why It's Great for the Road: The breathtaking animation from acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki is far more riveting than the view of endless highway from your child's window.
Touchy Moments: A dirigible accident puts Kiki's friend's life in danger; Kiki has some rough landings, falls ill, and experiences times of loneliness.
Extend the Viewing: Put on any of the Harry Potter movies to see how the young wizard's broom-riding ability rivals Kiki's, and discuss with your kids what magical skills they wish they had and how they would use them.

What's the Story? Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) transforms his cornfields into a baseball field after he hears a mysterious voice tell him, "If you build it, he will come."
Why It's Great for the Road: This baseball classic is a reminder that the most important journeys often lead us right back home again.
Touchy Moments: Mild language; Ray's young daughter falls off the bleachers and almost chokes to death; Ray admits he "smoked some grass" in the '60's.
Extend the Viewing: Get tickets for a minor league game in whatever city you're visiting. These games are often held in family-friendly stadiums, and the players not yet caught up in product endorsements and record-setting--are out there strictly for the love of the game.

What's the Story? A 10-year-old orphan (Aileen Quinn) discovers the meaning of family when she gets the opportunity to spend a week at the mansion of billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney).
Why It's Great for the Road: The catchy songs will make the time fly by, and Annie's positive attitude will remind kids that, compared to her unenviable existence in the orphanage, their hours in the car don't really constitute "a hard knocks life."
Touchy Moments: The director of the orphanage (Carol Burnett) is a mean-spirited, man-crazy drunk who calls the girls "pig droppings" and threatens to "kill, kill, kill"; Warbucks says "damn" a couple of times; Annie is kidnapped.
Extend the Viewing: Put on the soundtrack for a great family sing-along, and if inclement weather threatens your vacation, keep replaying "the sun will come out tomorrow."

What's the Story? Teenage damsel Ella (Anne Hathaway) tries to return the gift of obedience which her eccentric fairy godmother gave her at birth.
Why It's Great for the Road: Kids--who love to copy what they see onscreen--may pretend they're under the same spell as Ella, and listen to everything you tell them to do!
Touchy Moments: Ella's mother dies; Ella is ordered to commit murder; guests get drunk at a wedding; giants are whipped and treated like slaves; ogres dangle Ella over a boiling cauldron, and tie an elf to a tree.
Extend the Viewing: Read the novel to compare with the movie version, and bring along some of author Gail Carson Levine's other princess-themed books for your children to enjoy.

What's the Story? Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear hit the road to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood, making new friends along the way.
Why It's Great for the Road: The characters' philosophy that "getting there is half the fun" may inspire young travelers, who will also gain a new appreciation for their own traveling companions.
Touchy Moments: Kermit is chased by the gun-toting owner of a chain of fast food restaurants specializing in French-fried frog legs; patrons drink in a saloon and get into a barroom brawl; an evil doctor tries to perform brain surgery on Kermit.
Extend the Viewing: Celebrate 50 years of Muppetmania with a Muppet marathon, including the anniversary editions of Muppet Treasure Island, The Great Muppet Caper, and A Muppet Christmas Carol.