And here are the ten 5 star movies as promised:
This is an absolutely beautiful story of a boy, Alec (brilliantly portrayed by Kelly Reno) and the horse he gets to know through tragic circumstances. Together they inspire down and out horse trainer, Henry (equally brilliantly portrayed by veteran actor Mickey Rooney) to coach them into a winning combination on the race track.
This film was followed by a sequel The Black Stallion Returns in 1983. It again starred Kelly Reno but, although very good as well, it lacked the air of pure innocence of the original. But, maybe of more interest is that these movies were the inspiration behind the hugely popular TV series The Adventures Of The Black Stallion in the early 1990's which also starred Mickey Rooney in the role of Henry. The role of Alec, though, was performed by Richard Ian Cox.
The Black Stallion won an Oscar for Sound Editing at the 1980 Academy Awards ceremony.
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Kelly Reno as 'Alec' on Black
D.A.R.Y.L (1985)
When childless couple Joyce and Andy Richardson adopt a seemingly normal 10 year old boy, they get a lot more than they bargained for. It turns out that Daryl (wonderfully done by Barret Oliver) is actually a top secret military created robot with superhuman abilities, code-named D.A.R.Y.L which stands for Data-Analyzing Robot Youth Life-form. But it doesn't take the little robot-boy very long to realize that he'd rather live the life of a real human boy than that of a robotic experiment confined to a laboratory. So he escapes... in spectacular fashion!
The subtle way in which young Barret Oliver manages to depict the endearing yet determined little boy-robot is superb. One cannot but fall totally in love with the character. No wonder he won the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA in 1986.
This film is often compared to A.I. Artificial Intelligence of 2001, but to my mind D.A.R.Y.L is the better of the two.
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Several scenes from the movie
THE DEEP END OF THE OCEAN (1999)
While attending her high school reunion with her two young boys in tow, Beth Cappadora (Michelle Pheiffer in a tour de force performance) suddenly realizes that three year old Ben is missing. After an intense search and much turmoil, the remaining family eventually moves to a town in another state. Then, nine years after the disappearance, Beth answers the doorbell. When she opens the door and sees a 12 year old boy called Sam, standing there, asking if he can mow their lawn, she is instantly convinced that he is her long lost child.
It is a poignant movie showing the devastating effects kidnapping has on a normal family. But it also shows how hope and love can overcome even the worst of circumstances. Although the entire cast, which includes stalwarts like Pheiffer, Whoopi Goldberg and Treat Williams, is excellent it is actually the two young actors playing the teenage brothers (with Jonathan Jackson as the elder Vincent and Ryan Merriman as Sam/Ben) that impress the most. Ryan Merriman then also went on and won a Young Artist Award in 2000 for his role in this film.
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Jonathan Jackson ans Ryan Merriman
THE FIRST OF MAY (1999)
In one of my previous posts (14 January 2015 on Rampart to be precise) I cautioned against selecting unknown film titles from the "DVD bargain bins" in stores as you never know what you get. However, sometimes you do get lucky as was the case with this particular movie. The title is so obscure that you won't even find it mentioned in Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide. The only reason why I picked it was because of the cast: Mickey Rooney, Julie Harris and Dan Byrd (maybe best known for his role in the short-lived TV sitcom Aliens In America which aired in the mid-2000's).
The story of this indie film is about 11 year old runaway orphan boy, Cory (Dan Byrd in his first movie appearance), who nobody wants. And forgotten but feisty old lady, Carlotta (wonderfully done by veteran actress Julie Harris) also on the run. After a chance meeting they decide to pursue their mutual lifelong dream to join the circus. Together they come upon a traveling show run by mad boss Ed (Mickey Rooney). And then, by entertaining others, they all discover the true meaning of love and happiness.
Like I said, it is a small movie (screened mainly at film festivals) but it packs a big punch (pun intended: the late Joe DiMaggio makes a cameo appearance). It won several awards, among others, Best Performance By A Child Actor for young Dan Byrd at the 2000 Burbank International Children's Film Festival.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaaGPspHsaI
Mickey Rooney, Dan Byrd and Julie Harris
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaaGPspHsaI
HUGO (2011)
Unlike The First Of May this was a big production with an equally big budget (somewhere in the order of $170 million). But despite that for some unknown weird reason it was not a very big box office success. It barely made back its production costs which is unusual for a Martin Scorsese directed film. Nevertheless, in my humble opinion this movie is a real gem.
Set in 1930's Paris, this star-studded masterpiece takes place in and around the city's central train station. Hugo (Asa Butterfield of The Boy In The Stripped Pyjamas and Nanny McPhee fame) is an orphan boy who lives within the walls of the station buildings, fixing things that break. While on a quest to learn more about his late father, an inventor, he meets George Melies (Ben Kingsley) who owns a shop at the station. He also gets to know George's feisty young god-daughter, Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz). Then together the three of them make a surprising discovery about their connection to Hugo's father.
It is somewhat difficult to place this movie in any specific genre as it contains elements of so many. In the end maybe it is best not to try and categorize it as that would take away some of the sheer magic of movies like this. Come to think of it that might just be the very reason for it not being a smash hit - not many people 'get' it! Yet it was still nominated for no less than 11 Oscars and walked away with 5. Over and above that, it was nominated for another 148 awards of which it won an impressive 49. One of these was the Golden Globe for Best Director - Motion Picture for Martin Scorsese in 2012.
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Asa Butterfield, Martin Scorsese and Chloe Grace Moretz
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Asa Butterfield, Martin Scorsese and Chloe Grace Moretz
THE ISLAND ON BIRD STREET (1997)
Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Israeli author, Uri Orlev, which in turn is partly based on his own experiences as a child during WWII, this is a story of incredible courage and hope under the most dire of circumstances; a testimony of perseverance of the human spirit, if you will.
Alex (vividly depicted by virtually unknown British child actor Jordan Kiziuk) is an eleven year old Polish-Jewish boy living with his dad and uncle in the ghetto of Warsaw. But when the Nazi's came and haul away everybody to who knows where, he manages to escape their clutches. With only his pet mouse, Snow, as companion he takes refuge in an bombed-out abandoned building. However, being a big fan of the Robinson Crusoe stories his uncle told him about, he uses his wit to survive on whatever he can scrounge up for nourishment. But despite the imminent danger of being discovered by enemy soldiers and the hardships of survival he clings to one thought: the belief that, against all odds, his father will return to rescue him.
This movie might not be to all tastes; some might even find it disturbing. But while clearly showing the horrors of war and that it is always the innocent that suffers the most, it also shows how indelible a child's faith can be. Even though this is not a very well known movie, it has been nominated for 12 awards of which it won 9. Three of these were very prestigious Daytime Emmy Awards in 1999.
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Jordan Kiziuk
OLIVER! (1968)
It is generally accepted that this film is still one of the best adaptations of the classic Charles Dickens novel "Oliver Twist" even though it is a musical. Directed by award winning veteran English film director, Carol Reed (uncle to Oliver Reed who stars as the evil Bill Sykes) this movie tells the familiar story of young Oliver (Mark Lester in one of his most memorable roles ever) who runs away from the awful workhouse type orphanage that existed in early 19th century England. On route to London, he runs into Jack Hawkins (a most vibrant Jack Wild) aka the Artful Dodger who is part of a band of street boys under the wing of crafty old Fagin (most endearingly portrayed by Ron Moody) who in turn teaches them the art of pick-pocketing.
Whether you are a fan of musicals or not, the universal and relevant message of this movie is sure to touch and stay with you...most probably for the rest of your life. Not only does it contain some of the most memorable songs ever written for the big screen it also holds some of the most famous lines. So no matter how you look at this movie, it is one of the all time greats and will go down in history as a true classic. Naturally it also won a bunch of rewards. Among others, it was nominated for an impressive 11 Oscars. Finally it won 6, one of which was for Best Picture in 1969.
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Mark Lester, Ron Moody and Jack Wild
PAY IT FORWARD (2000)
The philosophy of paying it forward according to which a good deed is rewarded not to the original doer but by performing a good deed to another is a very old one. While the actual phrase to "Pay it forward" has first been coined by Lily Hardy Hammond in her 1916 book "In The Garden Of Delight", it was popularized by Robert H. Heinlein in his 1951 book "Between Planets". However, the film is based on the book "Pay It Forward" by Catherine Ryan Hyde as published in 1999.
Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment in excellent form) is a normal 7th grader with a single mom who has a drinking problem. One day, new social studies teacher, Mr Simonet (Kevin Spacey) gives his class the assignment to each think of an idea how to change the world for the better. That is when Trevor comes up with the concept of paying a favor not back but forward. And so starts a chain reaction that not only changes his own little world but an entire community.
The message of 'one person can make a change' comes through very strong but it is the ending of this movie that will haunt you most. Strangely enough, besides for Haley Joel Osment's Young Artist Award, this movie did not receive as many awards as one would have expected. It did, however, gave birth to the Pay It Forward Foundation, a charity organization that has done a lot of good since its inception in 2000.
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Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment and Kevin Spacey
RADIO FLYER (1992)
Richard Donner, who was responsible for blockbusters such as The Omen (1976), Superman (1978) and the entire Leathal Weapon franchise, directed this film. However, it came in for a lot of flack from critics for its treatment of the very sticky subject of child abuse. Granted, some scenes are disturbing but one should remember the story is told as seen through the eyes of a young child. And it is just that what makes it so special.
Mike and Bobby (Elijah Wood and Joseph Mazzello in the roles respectively and both in very fine form) are two devoted young brothers. After their parents' divorce the two of them have to move with their mother and her new husband to another town. Once there, it soon becomes apparent that stepfather likes to beat up little kids. Afraid that their mother might get hurt, they keep it secret and starts to devise a plan to escape their situation by themselves. Inspired by an urban legend, they decide to convert their beloved red toy trailer, a Radio Flyer, into a flying machine.
The main objection to this movie was that the message it sends, is that abuse can be escaped from through fantasy. However, according to most experts, this is exactly what most abused children use as a coping mechanism. All this movie then does, is to show something which is a harsh reality in many societies. Unfortunately, most people would rather not be confronted head on with this ugly reality. It is therefor maybe understandable why this film was not a favorite to be nominated for many awards. At least Elijah Wood was rewarded with a Young Artist Award for his important part in this movie.
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Joseph Mazzello and Elijah Wood
SUPER 8 (2011)
Produced by the legendary Steven Spielberg and directed by renowned sci-fi film maker, J.J. Abrams, this movie did not go down well with the critics either. Heaven knows why because it was a smash hit at the box office eaning somewhere in the region of $260 million worldwide. It just goes to show that the critics too can sometimes have it wrong.
It is 1979. A group of teenagers is busy shooting a home movie with a Super 8mm handheld camera when they witness a horrendous train crash. However, it does not take them very long to figure out that it was no ordinary accident. And soon they are hunted by the military who wants the film as it believes the youngsters captured something on it that they were not supposed to see.
For me it is the fine young ensemble cast, which includes well knowns such as Joel Courtney (Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn), Elle Fanning (who does not know her?), David Gallagher (TV's 7th Heaven) and Zach Mills (Dreams Of An Angel) that makes this movie what it is: sheer unadulterated fun. The story may be a bit far-fetched (the main criticism) but then this is science fiction after all, so what? It is supposed to be that way! Better yet, one can really identify with each of the young characters and eagerly cheer them on in their struggle against the evil grown-ups all the way. In the end it received numerous award nominations and won something like 11 of them.
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J.J. Abrams (middle) with the young cast
So, there you have it...
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