Category Archives: Internal Dynamics of Families

Internal Dynamics of Families

A Walk to Remember

Title: A Walk to Remember

Date: 2002

Media type: Film

Format: Complete

Category: Internal Dynamics of Families

Keywords: Adolescence, family functioning, family trauma, parent-child relationships, stress and coping, types of parents

Rating: PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

Audience(s): High School Age, College Age, Adults, Parents, Couples

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Landon Carter is the popular boy in school, but he doesn’t have any plans for after high school. A prank that went wrong landed a student in the hospital, and Landon is held responsible for it. As a punishment for his actions, Landon is forced to complete after-school community service. One of those activities is being the lead in the school play. At practice, Landon meets Jamie Sullivan who is the opposite of himself. Jamie is a preacher’s daughter and has high expectations for her life. Landon wants to take his life more seriously, so he turns to Jamie, and ends up falling in love with her along the way. As the film continues, Jamie reveals a heart-breaking secret that forces the two to realize the true meaning of love.

Places to view: Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play

Contributor: Krista Hamann

Internal Dynamics of Families

17 Again

Title: 17 Again

Date: 2009

Media type: Film

Format: Complete

Category: Internal Dynamics of Families

Keywords: adolescence, adulthood, divorce, parenting styles, work and family

Rating: PG 13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned

Audience(s): High School Age, College Age, Adults, Parents, Couples

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: At the age of 17, Mike O’Donnell loved his life. He was the star of his high school basketball team on the verge of getting a college scholarship for playing ball. He also was dating his soul-mate, Scarlet. At the game, Scarlet reveals that she is pregnant with Mike’s child so Mike proposes to his girlfriend. Fast forward 17 or so years, Scarlet has kicked him out of the house for being a poor husband and father and Mike has also lost his job. Mike returns to his high school, the last place he remembers being truly happy. A janitor asks him if he wishes he could be 17 again and he says yes. One rainy night, Mike is driving across a bridge where he sees the janitor about to jump and jumps in after him. After the fiasco, he goes to his high school best friend’s house and realizes he has transformed into his 17-year-old self. The movie follows Mike as he tries to get his wife and children back in his 17-year-old body.

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: How does Mike try to parent his children even though they don’t recognize him as their father?

Places to view: Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play

Contributor: Krista Hamann

Internal Dynamics of Families

Frozen

Title: Frozen

Date: 2013

Media type: Film

Format: Complete

Category: Internal Dynamics of Families

Keywords: family trauma, orphaned children, response to crisis, sibling relationships

Rating: PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

Audience(s): Children Under 12, High School Age, College Age, Adults, Families

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Anna and Elsa are royal sisters that have suffered the loss of their parents.  At Elsa’s coronation to be queen, she accidentally reveals her secret power, turning things into ice.  As the people are filled with horror over her power, she flees the city and runs to the mountains.  Anna runs after her and meets a mountain man, playful reindeer, and a fun showman named Olaf.

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: How did Elsa and Ana function without the guardianship of their parents. How did Elsa and Ana build a strong relationship even though they were separated through conflict at a young age?

Places to view: Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play

Contributor: Krista Hamann