To view a Real Video clip, click on each movie's picture!
Allan Hubbard: "Tender Mercies"
Sonny is just now old enough to start wondering about his 'daddy' who was killed in Vietnam. The boy takes a while to warm-up to Mac, but this process is interesting and touching to watch-- as in one night when Sonny stays up late with his mom, waiting to see if Mac will come in drunk, or at all.
The video clip at left contains a scene where Mac has regained his confidence, stopped drinking (note the soft drink cans) and Sonny has finally made his decision.
Filmed on location in Parmer and Waxahachie, Texas, the lonesome wind sounds sometimes fail to match the still tree leaves, but in general, it is a well-done film. There is no sex, but you will hear some pretty strong profanity.
Joseph Cross, Timothy Reifsnyder:
"Wide Awake"
In fact, an amazon reviewer in Birmingham, AL said it very well:
"This amazing work is destined to become a classic-- and not just as a children's movie. The inner life of this small boy is rich and faceted. Joshua confronts difficult life questions with all of his resources, finds answers, and develops CHARACTER which is not something that is shown or encouraged by movies today. All ages and angels will enjoy the hilarious pranks and heart-warming comaraderie. We will never see ten-year olds quite the same. Watch with your kids or see it alone, Mom and Dad, but make sure you See it! Share it. Leave it with the baby sitter next time you go out!"
The Real Video link above will bring up a clip in which Joshua first proposes his search for God to his best friend Dave. The movie is full of little surprises and one big one at the end. It even has a very stong lesson for parents and other kids about one of our very difficult chronic illnesses. There's a little mild kid profanity.
Brad Renfro and Joseph Mazzello:
"The Cure"
After Erik initiates a friendship with Dexter, the boys read a tabloid story which claims that a New Orleans doctor has found a cure. They set off on their own down the Mississippi.
Yes, I know it is highly unlikely that they would have made it as far as they did-- but forget that as you enjoy this movie.
It has a fantastic soundtrack which will make you glad that you spent all that money on a sound syatem!
My video clip above is a scene which came near the first of the film when the boys are trying to find their own cure. KNBC-TV called The Cure "a testament to friendship, loyalty and love". My feelings exactly. Mild profanity and a few vulgar words.
Joseph Mazzello and Elijah Wood:
"Radio Flyer"
Neither Mike nor his younger brother Bobby understand why an adult beats a child, and certainly can't figure out why their step-father beats only little Bobby. (In real life this sometimes does happen-- the adult takes out all his or her anger and hate on one child only.) Bobby makes Mike promise to keep it all a secret because he loves his mother and thinks she needs this low-life in order to be happy.
The video clip above will show you a short scene which occurs after "The King" has, in a fit of anger, thrown all of the boys' belongings out on the front lawn. They refuse to tell the officer what has really happened, only knowing that they must get the mess cleaned up "...before HE gets home".
Bobby's eventual means of escaping his misery makes the ending an "E.T." type fantasy, but we can only be happy that Bobby will endure no more beatings.
Special credit should be given to the dog, Shane, the boys' constant companion and would-be protector. His trainer really taught this canine how to act! Filmed in Novato and Sonoma, California. Mild profanity, rated PG-13 for violence.
Lucas Black: "Sling Blade"
Karl Childers has been in a mental hospital since childhood, when he found his mother with her lover and killed them both. Suddenly pronounced 'cured' and released, he is given a job as a garage mechanic because he can fix almost anything. He encounters a young boy named Frank, and they form an instant friendship. Frank becomes the little brother Karl 'might have had', and Karl becomes a friend which fatherless Frank needs so badly.
The person you learn to hate in this story is Doyle, Frank's mom's boyfriend. He is a self-centered, loud, heavy-drinking, 'macho-man'. Doyle is also the Poster Guy for bigotry; hates "retards" and thinks Frank is a "weird little (expletive deleted)". And in total contast to him is Vaughn who runs the store where the mother works. Vaughn has been kicked out of the local First Baptist Church.
Clicking on the above picture will bring you one of the film's more touching scenes. To tell you what happened before or after would give away the story. Roger Ebert enjoyed this movie and wrote the laserdisc liner notes.
Nick Stahl: "The Man Without a Face"
My video cover says, "A fatherless boy had almost given up all his dreams... Until one man believed in him enough to make them come true." The problem is: This man has an incident in his past which, when discovered, brings on the wrath of his neighbors and a few assorted lawyers. And the worst thing is that the thoughtless people in this
small town... well, giving away more would spoil it for you.
Nick Stahl (who is Chuck) gives a superb performance through many varied and strong emotions-- from the thrill of learning made fun, to the despair of finding out a secret about his father.
Click on the picture to see one of Chuck's first encounters with his future tutor.
