This movie is proof that the generation gap is a myth. Two grandparents who barely know their daughter's children are asked to babysit them for a week. But the daughter (Marisa Tomei) does not trust them and interferes at every turn. Despite this the two old timers (Billy Crystal and Bette Midler as usual in terrific good form) manage to connect with the kids anyway, though it being a bit old fashioned.
I enjoyed this film quite a lot as it treats its subject matter in a lighthearted yet sensitive manner. The kids' performances are also very natural so that it almost feels as if you are part of the experience they go through by getting to know the 'other' grandparents.
I can really recommend this DVD (or Blu-Ray disk) for the whole family and gave it 3 out of 5 stars.
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Some of the cast
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MARS NEEDS MOMS
Disney Studios is still the king of animation. Although this is not a Pixar production (most of which, by the way, forms part of my collection), it is still vividly realistic so you would almost think you are watching real live actors.
The story is about Milo, a nine year old boy who's mother is being abducted by aliens from Mars. He manages to literally get himself caught up in the mission to rescue her from the evil baddie.
The voices fit all the characters to a tee and that makes it even more credible. It even manages to tuck at the heart strings a bit.
If you are into animation (which, as mentioned above, I am to a certain degree) then this one is a must for your collection. For me it deserves 4 out of 5 stars.
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When you are looking for this DVD on the internet (or video shop), do not confuse it with the 2010 production, The Way Back. The second 'Way' in the title of this 2013 movie, refers to the seat behind the backseat in one of those big American estate/station wagons of the '70's where small children where often made to sit, facing backwards.
This is another coming of age story that tells of fourteen year old Duncan (alarmingly well played by Liam James) who is forced to go on vacation with his divorced mom (Toni Collette) and her overbearing boyfriend (Steve Carell in a totally different roll to the ones we became used seeing him in). He then befriends the free spirited Owen (Sam Rockwell) who is basically a grown child himself. But together they discover what it is that really makes a man a man.
This movie was also highly recommended by Leonard Matin. It receives 3 out of 5 stars from me.
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THE SITTER
At first glance you might think this is yet another typical potty-mouthed Jonah Hill comedy. However, I was quite surprised. As the story moves along and the relationship between him and the three children he is supposed to babysit, develops it actually becomes very good. Though, still full of toilet humour and swearing, the plot itself and character development throughout is very good. The scene between Noah (his name in the movie as well) and thirteen year old Slater (played by Max Records of Where The Wild Things Are fame) where he tells the boy that he is gay and can just as well accept it, is especially moving.
I can therefore recommend this movie as actually worth watching and gave it 3 out of 5 stars.
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GRANDVIEW USA
If you like authentic movies depicting the late '70's, early '80's like I do, this one is definitely for you. It was actually made in 1984 which was basically towards the end of the disco era.
It tells the story of Tim Pearson (excellently played by C Thomas Howell) who can't wait to graduate from high school in order for him to get away from Grandview, the town in which he grew up, to go and seek his fortune in the 'Big City'. But then, per chance, he falls in love with Mike Cody (Jamie Lee Curtis). She is the owner-operator of the local speedway which is nowadays mostly used for demolition derby's. But at the same time, the ace crash-driver, Slam Webster (Patrick Swayze), is also secretly in love with her. Then, everything comes to a head one evening during one such derby and in which both rival suitors take part.
It is a sound romantic story with just that bit of humor to it to keep it lighthearted. The acting is superb but that is what can be expected from a director like Randal Kleiser who was also responsible for Grease. I rated it 3 out of 5 stars.
Trailer link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrzTpelAFVA
Trailer link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrzTpelAFVA
MOTORAMA
'Unusual' I think might be the best to describe this weird mess of a movie. I am a big fan of fantasy films. Neverending Story is one of my all time favorites and I recently acquired the 1939 masterpiece version of the Wizard Of Oz. However, I am not sure how to categorize this one. Maybe because of the surrealism it should be regarded as a parable.
Imagine a ten year old boy goes on a road trip across the USA all by himself in a red Mustang that he stole! Along the way he encounters a number of strange and weird characters that either help or hinder him on his quest to win an outdated scratchcard game called Motorama.
Although the whole premise is ridiculous, most of the performances are quite good. But it is the young Jordan Christopher Michael who plays the role of Gus, the boy, that impressed me the most. However, at the time of making this movie in 1991, he was already twelve years old which might explain the level of maturity of his performance. Despite this, I could still not give it more than 2 out of 5 stars.
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