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Original poster

To wish cinema's had a parent/guardian only viewing for children films

62 replies

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 15/08/2015 00:36

i will admit I have always steamed a pg film and recently 12a film online since I have 2 children.

I don't want to do this, but also don't want to take my children to a film that I don't know if it's suitable, my children are 9 and 6. So need to make sure I can to my best of abilities explain.

Would it be a better idea for movies that are PG to actually have a viewing so parental guidance can be met.

OP posts:
Mehitabel6 · 15/08/2015 07:55

Maybe that was what I was missing......... a free showing. I can't see that happening- they are a commercial venture and the film has a rating and there are plenty of reviews around.

NormanLamont · 15/08/2015 07:58

No, I believe the issue is that OP's DC demand to be taken on the release date.

Sparklingbrook · 15/08/2015 08:02

That would mean having to sit through it twice presumably? Sad

Mehitabel6 · 15/08/2015 08:04

Don't give in to demands and problem solved!
You can say 'no'!

Mehitabel6 · 15/08/2015 08:05

This is the second thread this morning where the parent simply can't say 'no'- I think they need to toughen up a bit.

NormanLamont · 15/08/2015 08:08

It won't catch on Mehitabel Smile

Vatersay · 15/08/2015 08:12

So if I understand correctly you currently watch illegal pirated versions online first? Hmm. You do know that's stealing?

My children are 7 yo. I watch the trailers, check the imdb and British film board sites in advance and check here for reviews.

They are fine with any PG, though we talk discuss potential scary parts in advance.

They have seen two 12As to date, at home on DVD with us. I think that watching something on a huge screen makes a real difference to how scary it is.

My DS really, really wants to see the Fantastic Four, I just said 'no' and explained that he was too young to see it at the cinema.

WitchofScots · 15/08/2015 08:36

I use a website called 'with kids in mind' if I really feel the need to check out a 12A, however if they aren't at the age in the rating then I say no. As far as I am concerned if they aren't 12 then they don't go and see a 12A.

cashewnutty · 15/08/2015 08:41

If you just want to go see the film before you take your children then pay to go on your own.

There is no way any cinema would let parents see films first for free. That would cost them £££in lost revenue. Do you really think they would pay staff in a venue to show a film for nothing? And how do you prove you have children? Anyone could rock up to these screenings.

Noseypoke · 15/08/2015 08:48

I also use website reviews and ask other parents.

If in doubt I wait until the DVD comes out first and pre watch it before showing it to the kids.

My two are 8 and 6 and always know when the films are out, but I just say no. The cinema is so expensive.

I'm not sure how you envisage a free parental viewing working? How would you prove you're a parent?

Surely the answer is that you just have to pay to see it before your kids or use online reviews like others do?

DurhamDurham · 15/08/2015 08:48

Who has the time or the money to go and see if a film is suitable for their child. I mean how bad can it be if it's PG......there might be a few themes that you could talk to your children about afterwards but nothing you can't handle surely?

wooldonor · 15/08/2015 08:56

I'm not sure I understand this either. Do you mean that film companies should have some sort of early release dates for parents?

That's just bonkers, maybe you could explain it more clearly. If you illegally watching them then haven't they already been released? You've been given lots of suggestions for online information, why not try those?

You seem surprised that your children know the release date of films, they are pretty heavily advertised to the world you know

SomewhereIBelong · 15/08/2015 08:56

Jaws is PG

ShadowStar · 15/08/2015 09:21

I really don't understand why you can't go to a normal showing by yourself first if you want to watch the film to be sure it's suitable.

So your children know the release date - that doesn't mean you have to take them on the release date. Surely if other ways of checking the film's suitability aren't enough, you could make them wait a few days until you'd had a chance to go yourself?

TwoLeftSocks · 15/08/2015 09:29

DS1 isn't watching Jaws till his late teens if I can help it, it would be nightmares for a month. Doubt he'd even step in a puddle let alone the sea.

littlejohnnydory · 15/08/2015 10:01

Another one not understanding why it needs to be a "parents only" showing and why you can't just go and see it without your kids? I know I couldn't be bothered but do usually look it up online to see the content and why it has a PG rating.

enderwoman · 15/08/2015 10:44

I would check if it's already been released in the U.S. And Google reviews because it's unusual for the UK to get it before the U.S. (can only think of Avengers)

My 9 year old has happily seen some 12a movies like Jurrassic World but finds Dr Who and Spirited Away pretty creepy so I check and hope for the best. (Worst case scenario is that we can leave)

Do you really want to watch a movie twice in a short period of time? I had to watch Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 twice (complicated story) and slept through it because it's so boring.

ollieplimsoles · 15/08/2015 10:48

"reward points"... Hmm

Lavenderice · 15/08/2015 10:54

Actually I really like this idea! But for my own entirely selfish reasons. I've often wished there were adult only showings of kids films, simply because I'd like to see the film without an audience full of kids!

elQuintoConyo · 15/08/2015 10:58

You mean, you'd willingly pay for and watch Minions TWICE?

On another note, my parents thought Jaws would be ok to watch at 7yo, and The Fog at 11yo daft bastards I still can't watch either film, although I can now swim, I hate fog/mist Confused

Lavenderice · 15/08/2015 11:09

The first film I saw on video, with my dad was The Amityville Horror. I was 8. I still love that film.

EggOnTheFloor · 15/08/2015 11:21

Surely you have to do your own research on a film to assess its suitability for your child/ren?

My DC are quite different in what they will tolerate. One DC can and has sat through a 12A film (aged 10) and was perfectly fine with the content. Also watched jaws with her recently and she didn't bat an eyelid.

Her younger sister on the other hand finds some movies very scary so we check beforehand and probably wouldn't allow her to watch a 12A until she is much older. We check some pg's too. Although we did watch The Lion King recently which had DD2 in tears.

Personally checking reviews is the easiest way to see if a film is suitable and using that and gauging how sensitive or mature a child is and how they will cope with the contents of some films works just fine for us. Separate screenings aren't necessary (and yes I'd poke my own eyes out if I had to watch minions twice).

teddybears · 15/08/2015 12:15

Somewherebelong, Jaws is not a PG.

Op, you need unclench.

Ragwort · 15/08/2015 12:35

This reminds me of a mother I knew who wouldn't read Fairy Tales to her children as they were so frightening Hmm. As teddy says, you seriously need to unclench.

Are you the sort of parent that doesn't let their children watch the six o'clock news?

How do your children have such detailed knowledge about which films are being released - you don't have to take them to see any films, I don't think I've taken my DS to the cinema more than 3-4 times ever (he's 14 now Grin - mainly because I just can't stand the tediousness of sitting through a children's film.

Waltermittythesequel · 15/08/2015 12:41

Do you want to be able to see movies for free before you then bring your dc to them?

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