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  

5 CHILDREN & IT (2005)

Last week I mentioned some of the films in which Freddie Highmore appeared as a child actor. This is another one.

During the two World Wars in Europe it became custom to send children from especially affluent families from the city to live, for safety reasons, with relatives residing in the rural country side (think for instance of the Pevensie children from the Narnia-series). In this instance it is during the First World Was and five kids from London are sent to stay with their eccentric uncle and his even weirder household in his dilapidated castle by the sea while both their parents are involved in the war effort. And this is then where they meet It, a strange but magical creature that calls itself a sand fairy and has the ability to grant wishes. 

It is a heart warming story full of adventure and, of course, magic. Besides Freddie, this movie also has an excellent cast that includes greats like Kenneth Branagh, Zoe Wanamaker and Eddie Izzard as the voice of It. I thoroughly enjoyed it and gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

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

 The first encounter...

THE CIDER HOUSE RULES (1999)

Based on the classic novel by American author John Irving this multi award winning film is a touching look at coming of age. Directed by Lasse Halstrom the subject matter is treated with sensitivity without it becoming overly sentimental.

Young Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) grew up in an orphanage where he was basically groomed by Dr Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine in a role that won him an Oscar) to eventually take over his place as director of the institution. However, Homer is not so sure that that is what he wants to do for the rest of his life. So, one day, when a pair of strangers pay then a visit, he asks them to take him with them in search of the real world. But the ensuing events make him re-think his views on life, love and the true meaning of home.

In the end I guess the moral of the story is the age old truth of you never know what it is that your have before you actually run the real risk of losing it forever. I enjoyed this DVD and gave it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWpOP9NoaM8

Michael Caine and Toby Maguire

 

THE ART OF GETTING BY (2011)

Freddie Highmore is also one of those actors that was able to successfully make the transition from cute child star to accomplished adult actor. Just think of movies like Finding Neverland (2004), Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005), Arthur And The Invisibles (2006) and August Rush (2007). He was indeed a busy little bee when he was still very young. But, more recently, in productions like the TV series Bates Motel and the movie under discussion, he more than proved that he's got what it takes to make as a full fledged actor in the challenging world of entertainment.

In this movie he plays George Zinavoy, a cynical teenager that does not see any sense in anything until he meets the beautiful but quirky Sally (wonderfully portrayed by Emma Roberts) to help him realize life is worth living after all! Again, this is just the movie to watch if you feel a bit down and wonder about your own place in the bigger scheme of things.

It is highly recommended to get rid of those post holiday blues. It deserves the 3 out of 5 stars I rated it with.

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tueRW54vj4Y

  Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts