Free Film, a Good one, Too

The web site snagfilms.com is offering free documentary viewings, and one of the best available is the wakeup call for fast food addicts, "Super Size Me." You can click here to watch it.

I Am Legend, But Am I Kid-Friendly?

Lots of discussions with various parents over holiday vacation about who might want to see "I Am Legend." I enjoyed it thoroughly -- I'm a sucker for dystopian, apocalyptic science fiction, and Will Smith carries the loneliness of the movie with his usual hard work and charm. But I have to admit I was surprised, after leaving the movie, to look up the poster and realize it was rated PG-13 instead of R. To me, the bloodletting, the shock value and the general atmosphere all screamed R, not a lighter PG-13. I had considered taking my 15 year old daughter, who has seen many R movies for a film class in high school, but I was glad she couldn't make it that night -- I think the violence and nightmarish qualities would have disturbed her. Then again, my 15-year-old nephew loved it and has seen it three times. Do boys take all these things less seriously? Have videogames enured them to some of the worst spots?

Happy Holidays watching films with your family!

We hope you enjoy the extra time off with walks, hikes, skiing, board games and plenty of family time, including some evenings around the movie screen. The Post just ran my suggestions in different categories for some great holiday movie-watching -- if you like sci-fi, try The Abyss, Contact or Silent Running. For kids, try Disney's grand old classic Robin Hood, or a terrific animation called Kiki's Delivery Service. For comedy, you can't beat Galaxy Quest, Meatballs or Planes, Trains and Automobiles. (If your kids enjoy Young Frankenstein, they may also be ready for Monty Python's Life of Brian, arguably the funniest movie ever made.)

Tattered Cover Tuesday Night!

Join us for the last book movie book signing of the holiday season, at the Tattered Cover Highlands Ranch. Stock up on stocking stuffers and fill up your Netflix queue one last time before all the relatives hit, with some great movie recommendations from Denver Post family movie critic Michael Booth. The Tattered Cover signing is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Tattered Cover Highlands Ranch. 9315 Dorchester Street -- Take C-470 to Broadway, exit south, turn right on Highlands Ranch Parkway, and look for it on the left. See you there!

Holiday shopping for movies and books

Here's one great idea for your shopping -- the Borders on Parker Road in Aurora has set up a great display of our movie book, "The Denver Post Guide to the Best Family Films," alongside some of the movies we recommend. You can buy both at the same time, for a great holiday package. Don't forget the book signings coming up at Barnes & Noble, 960 S. Colorado Blvd., on Sunday Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m., or Borders-Aurora, 6606 S. Parker Road, Thursday Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. or Tattered Cover Highlands Ranch, 9315 Dorchester Street, Highlands Ranch Town Center, on Tues. Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

If you'd rather buy your books online, try these links, at Tattered cover here
Amazon here, and the Barnes & Noble link is here

Join us for book signings!

Come out and talk movies with Denver Post family movie critic Michael Booth, at signings and holiday events schedule for Barnes & Noble, 960 S. Colorado Blvd., on Sunday Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m., or Borders-Aurora, 6606 S. Parker Road, Thursday Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. or Tattered Cover Highlands Ranch, 9315 Dorchester Street, Highlands Ranch Town Center, on Tues. Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

If you'd rather buy your books online, try these links, at Tattered cover here
Amazon here, and the Barnes & Noble link is here

KBCO at the Movies!

Catch the great KBCO sage Brett Saunders and a conversation with me about "The Denver Post Guide to the Best Family Films," at about 7:05 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 9th. KBCO will also be giving away copies of the book over the next few days.