LITTLE RED WAGON (2010)

Zach Bonner is a remarkable young man. If you go and google him, you'll see what I mean. This movie is basically a rendition of his life and more in particular the events that led up to his first "Walk". In the movie he is very ably portrayed by Chandler Canterbury (The Host of 2013). However, today I want to deviate from my usual recipe and write about children like Zach.

Recent worldwide studies shown that children born since the 1990's are different. They are often refer to as 'millennium children' and it is as if there was a silent leap in evolution. Not only is this generation of children much smarter that ever before with an almost natural affinity for technology, they also seem to be very sure of themselves by knowing at a very early age exactly what it is that they want from life. They further seem to have a lot less interest in things material and are much more tuned into spirituality. But what is most notable of all, is their deep concern for nature and especially for their fellow man which is aptly demonstrated in this film.

The message, therefor I think, is clear. The question, however, is: Are we as adults listening? Your comments are welcome (PS. For what it's worth, I rated this movie 3 out of 5 stars.)

Trailer link:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy7nf4EGDEM

The real Zach Bonner...                                                                         ...and with Chandler Canterbury 

ENDER'S GAME (2013)

Quite a good movie, I must admit. Amidst the barrage of Super Hero and Sci-fi movies that hit the big screen in recent years, I expected more of the same: a glorified video game with dazzling special effects and deafening sound track. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised to find a good story with well developed characters which ably convey a somewhat serious message.

Asa Butterfield (The Boy With The Striped Pajamas and Hugo) is excellent as Ender Wiggin, a brilliant teenager who is recruited into a special elite fighting force to do battle with an alien species that threatens the continued existence of humankind on earth. However, not all is at it seems and there is a nasty sting in the tail.

The rest of the cast is equally impressive and range from greats like Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley to well known young actors like Abigail Breslin and Moises Arias. I thought that Harrison Ford in one of the lead rolls to be a particular nice touch in this sci-fi movie as. after all, he was the original Star Wars' Han Solo! I enjoyed it thoroughly and can recommend it for the whole family. I rated it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP0cUBi4hwE

The 'Team'

  

WIDE AWAKE (1998)

Joseph Cross is yet another young child actor that successfully made the transition to adult actor. Although his later career was less spectacular than that of some others, he did have major rolls in films like Running With Scissors and Flags Of Our Fathers, both from 2006. I first saw him in the Original Disney Channel TV movie Northern Lights of 1997 and was hugely impressed by his natural raw talent. His first appearance in a movie for the big screen, however, was the movie under discussion here.

In this film he plays ten year old Joshua who is way wiser and more mature for his age, looking for simple answers to life's most complicated questions. Young Cross delivers an excellent performance which makes him utterly believable in this somewhat unusual and difficult role. But then the director, M. Night Shyamalan (who was also responsible for blockbusters like The Sixth Sense) just has the knack of pulling out the best from his young performers.

Again, I can highly recommend this DVD and, even though it is not exactly coming of age in the usual sense of the term, puts that genre in a totally different light. I enjoyed every moment of it and had no hesitation in awarding it with 4 out of 5 stars! 

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf0cPAJ27hs

 

Joseph Cross and Timothy Reifsnyder