Gardening - Shade is a necessity in HOUSTON'S Tropical Climate
Movies - Good movies
Childrens Movies - Recommendations for Family viewing
Childrens Books - Recommendations for Family reading
Crystallography Web Site - A Web site for Structural Biology
EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN (Hallmark-Taipei)
A widower and his three daughters gather every Sunday for Dinner. Each family member comes to an important crossroads in their lives, and gain greater love and understanding of their family. Suitable for any age.
TRAFIC JAM (WaterBearer-Subtitled)
A family's epic journey to travel 300 miles from Tokyo to the Father's village on shinkoku island. The universal love of family and the conflict between work and family is beautifully played out in this movie. Suitable for any age.
TAMPOPO (-Subtitled) J. Itami
A delight for anyone who enjoys eating. Filmed in a campy western/Rocky
style, this movies pokes fun at several movie genres and man's joy of food,
in particular that quintisential Japanese staple: RAMEN NOODLES. Sit down
to some delishious ramen and tea with your family and enjoy this film.
There are two short scenes with a yakusa ganster (brief nudity, violence
- but not in the same scene) which may need to be FAST-FORWARDED for younger
viewers.
TONARI NO TOTARO "My Neighbor Totoro" (GHIBLI/Buena Vista) Hayao Miyazaki
A delightful tale for young and old alike. A non-comflict based joyfull story of two sister's stay in the country while their mother recuperates in a nearby hospital. The animation is exquisit, and very realistic. The director Hayao Miyazaki has produced several 'block-buster' animated movies. Several of his movies are just now being dubbed/released in the US by buena vista. There is a Miyazaki fan club.
"KIKI" (GHIBLI/Buena Vista) Hayao Miyazaki
(PG) A delightful tale about a young girl's stepping out into the world.
"Princess Mononoke" (GHIBLI/Buena Vista) Hayao Miyazaki
(PG-13) A little gory for younger viewers. A complex ecological/political tale set in ancient Japan.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe (Wonderworks/BBC)
This is a beautifully filmed television adaptation of C.S. Lewis' classic stories set in the land of Narnia. - The Narnia books and audio cassettes are also recommended.
Enid Blyton (1897 - 1968) Many of these are now, sadly, out of print. Her books are now available through Amazon UK. The BBC has produced a popular children television show based on her NODDY stories for youngsters. Translations (to American English!) of the show premiered on PBS in October 1998.
The Secret Seven - Series of adventure/mystery(non violent) books.
The Famous Five - Series of adventure/mystery(non violent) books. Recently make into a television series by the BBC, which is now available on video.
Brer Rabbit - Short stories about a misceivious Rabbit and his woodland friends.
The Island of Adventure - Part of the ADVENTURE book series. These books have recently been updated and made into a weekly television serial by Australian Television. They were broadcast in the US on cable (WAM). The Books have more of the charm and adventure of the period in which they were written (post WWII).
John Masefield (1878 - 1967) A British Poet Laureate . In addition to being a poet he was a prolific novelist, journalist, and author of two classic Children's books. Some of his books are now available through Amazon UK. The BBC has produced a movie (1984) based on the second book A Box of Delights featuring Patrick Troughton (Dr. Who #2) as Cole Hawkins. It is currently available in VHS/PAL format only. How disapointing!
The Midnight Folk - Introduces Kay Harker, and the midnight folk.
The Box of Delights - Kay has an adventure at Christmas time. The wolves are running, who will stop their bite?
Dianna Wynne Jones (1934 - ) A prolific author of fantasy fiction for young (and young at heart) readers. Most of her books are now available through Amazon.COM. She mixes a wild sense of adventure and humor in all of her novels.
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This page reflects the personal views of its author, and is NOT an
official page of UTMB, and does not reflect
the views and opinions of the University it's administration, faculty or
staff.