To view a Real Video clip, click on each movie's picture!
Brendan Ward: "Taps"
A much bigger guy comes into the shower and shoves you over to the next space. You say, "Thank you, Sir!" Where are you? Right-- a military academy! Those who have been in one, or even who have been in the military, will have a special understanding of this film.
I appreciated "Taps" because it made me consider the many definitions of 'honor', and it explored how far someone will (or should) go-- to be a true friend.
Just as Brian makes Senior-Cadet, the civilian leaders decide that Bunker Hill Military Academy must close its doors in one year. Few young recruits seem to be coming into the academy, one of them being "Charlie", played by Brendan Ward. Money is claimed not to be the problem so much as public attitude that such institutions are no longer necessary. When General Bache, an aging military veteran and head of the school, accidentally shoots and kills one of the town's civilian red-neck youths, immediate closure is demanded. With sincere beliefs that they are upholding the institution's honor, the cadets seize control, send the dean and teachers out in a bus, and prepare to defend.The Real Video link above will show the first armed confrontation and will illustrate the high tension involved.
The only problem I had with this movie was that, in reality, 'honorable' cadets would never place their prepubescent troops on the forward firing lines! (This action is what eventually leads to the collapse of the cadets' Worthy Cause.) After a terrible tragedy, Brian is still supported by his loyal friend Alex, but is left wondering "what went wrong?" All the words of Brian's hero, General Bache, had sounded so right!
Rated PG for typical military profanity, vulgarity and graphic violence.
Freddie Bartholomew:
"Captains Courageous"
Harvey falls overboard while bound for Europe with his father. The boy's transformation begins when he is saved by Manuel, a Portuguese fisherman, and brought aboard a New England fishing schooner. His demands that he be taken home immediately are ignored and, through a remarkable series of attitude adjustments, he undergoes a complete change in character.
This 1937 MGM classic has been imitated in later adaptations, but I don't think any have come close to the sincere and honorable affection displayed between a boy and the man who saved-- and changed-- his life!
(Freddie Bartholomew died in Sarasota, Florida on Jan. 23, 1992 at the age of 67 due to emphysema.)
Nick Robinson, Thomas Orange:
"Goodnight Mister Tom"
Tom slowly becomes a father all over again-- to a boy who has a whacko mother back home. At first there are only clues as to what William has been through at home-- such as how he reacted (click on video at left) to Tom's barking dog and a red-hot fireplace poker. Tom even becomes a teacher when it is learned that the youngster is sadly behind in his reading skills.
The mother, a religious radical and hardened bigot, suddenly decides she wants the boy back. Then follows a very disturbing series of scenes-- child abuse pure and simple.
Tragedy also strikes Zach, William's best friend.
The fact that this film actually ends on a hopeful and victorious note-- is to me evidence of great writing and directing! As a viewer, I felt like I was right there in that little village-- and I was so pleased that the old man could once again allow himself to love a child. Currently available on VHS, his one should be on DVD in the U.S. as it is in the UK and Germany.
Sebastian Rice Edwards:
"Hope And Glory"
When Dad decides to "join up", Bill Rowen is stuck at home with Mom and two sisters, the older of which suffers from raging hormones. School is a literal "pain" for Bill, who is always getting whacked on the hand by the headmaster. But he finds adventures all around him-- such as a Luftwaffe pilot parachuting into a neighbor's garden.
After their house burns (from natural causes) the family moves to the country to live with one of Bill's grandfathers who is always complaining about women, especially his daughters. The scene in our Real Video clip happened just prior to Billy's dad leaving for the war-- to "fight" for England as a clerk.
This is NOT a movie for the kids-- no nudity, but it is filled with sexual content. L.A. film critics gave this one their Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay awards.
Eddie Hodges: "A Hole In The Head"
Problem was that his brother had conditions attached to any help-- mainly that he seek a new wife and settle down. Twelve-year-old Ally (Alvin) had adapted quite well to living in the Florida hotel his father ran-- before eviction papers arrived.
But the boy had "High Hopes" and that special unconditional faith most children have in their parents.
The song from the movie (featured in the video clip) was one of Sinatra's biggest. Some parts are funny; the situations are very believable; and it's one example of having to like a guy, even if he is "a bum". A very "tame" movie by today's standards, it was never rated.
Jamie Bell: "Billy Elliot"
Set in real history of poverty throughout the British mining communities (as the government fought the unions), the story is of an eleven-year-old who stumbles upon a ballet class while at boxing lessons-- then finds fun and emotional release in dancing. The ballet instructor sees something special in Billy-- and stives to help him develop it in spite of major "not what a boy should do" objections by brother Tony and his father.There are many very touching moments in the film-- such as the boy trying to clean the spray paint from his mom's grave marker; the grandmother being left behind; the father willing to be a *scab* to earn money for his son's trip; the miners having to go back to dirty, dangerous jobs at the same or even less salary (been there, done that, bought the t-shirt-- it is a lousy feeling!) This film, Rated "R", has continual profanity-- the locals the the neighborhood can't ask for butter to be passed without using expletives-- so caution is suggested before showing it to children and others sensitive to such language. The stereo soundtrack from the DVD is fantastic (although the sound in our video clip is mono).
