I thought movies meant you did not have to read ; don’t tell that to Ty Burr, author of The Best Old Movies for Families. Some of the best movie guides are fun snapshots of films. Who made it? Who is in it? What is it about? Why should I watch it? Alternately, why should I avoid it?

Guides are typically tailored to their particularly audience. Sci-fi B-movie fans will not care for the quips of a nerdy middle-aged man. Burr is that man, and his quips work just fine in The Best Old Movies for Families. The book follows Burr, a film critic with The Boston Globe, as he introduces the world of classic cinema to his two young daughters.

The Burr family movie night rarely includes the most recent Hollywood cartoon cash-in. They live for the classics. The Best Old Movies for Families is a wonderful resource for families who want to get back to simpler times and better movies.

Burr stresses that simple does not mean boring. There are hundreds of classic movies that will entertain cinephiles of all ages. The listings of important and notable movies in The Best Old Movies for Families include quite useful information for parents. Burr is helpful in alerting parents to possible discussions that might arise from the films, questions children might have or just simple fun facts to share.

None of the movies that are covered offer any objectionable content, for the most part. Family movie night can be a brand-new experience with The Best Old Movies for Families. That is the point, anyway.