BoyActors - Reviews/Ratings by Andreas

Welcome to BoyActors. Login.

Reviews by Andreas_N

Sort by: Title | Rating

493 reviews/ratings - 25 pages (20 reviews/ratings per page)

Le Château de ma mère (1990)

The sequel to My Father's Glory. The story itself is not as developed and interesting as in part one, as it mainly deals with the short cut the Pagnols use to reach their summer domicile. Still, it's the end that makes this sequel a very good movie. The end symbolizes the transitoriness of life and bliss. Nothing stays the same. Time goes by. We grow older. The magic of childhood diminishes. We lose loved ones. Our hearts break in two. Kids don't know such things. Life, as it proceeds, changes everything. And then, sometimes, we stop and look back, just as Marcel did at the very end, when he walked the path of his childhood, accompanied by tender shadows of the past. We look behind our shoulder and... what do we see? We see shadows of our own past, maybe we hear the laughter of young voices, so full of joy and energy, and maybe we wonder what has happened to the kid who used to laugh that way? Why don't we laugh that way today? Because this is one part of our life that's inevitably gone. That's what's so superbly symbolized by the last few shots. When I first saw this, I felt tears in my eyes. This is an eternal story of how fading life is, and therewith this movie has achieved its place in my heart.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)

Breathtaking performance by Barret Oliver, and a nice story too.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

Dark Skies (2013)

I give it a "must watch" because the ending made me jump up and pace up and down in front of the TV in nervous anticipation... excellent mixture of suspense and mystery... excellent boys as well, Dakota surely knows how to do it

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

Dolphin Tale (2011)

In a world in which horror and action movies reign supreme, it is refreshing to see a genuine family movie surface, probably the best since the first Free Willy movie, which pretty much follows a similar pattern. Nathan Gamble does a wonderful job and proves that he is one of Hollywood finest boy actors. We quite frankly need more movies like this, movies that have the potential to inspire children and adults alike and make all of us aware of the most important things in life.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

It's been a long time since I saw this one. Got to look out for it again. It is a classic masterpiece, anything below a 9 is inacceptable. Remarkable, inspirational performances. Again, a real classic.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

Ender's Game (2013)

I haven't read the book, so from a rather unbiased perspective I was profoundly impressed by the story and Asa's performance. I for once enjoyed the 100 minutes rollercoaster ride.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

El Espinazo del Diablo (2001)

The story is brutal and eerie from the very beginning onwards. Fernando Tielve introduces 12-year-old Carlos, the main protagonist who suffers from emotional isolation at the very outset. With him the setting is presented, a remote orphanage in the middle of nowhere, run by a curt but considerate headmistress named Carmen and Professor Casares, an old and big-hearted sympathizer of General Franco's Republican cause.

It's Carlos and the way he fits into the somewhat bleak routine of daily life, the way he gradually triumphs over the bullying and his first encounter with a ghostlike phantom that makes most of the first part of the story. The atmosphere is wonderfully staged, the use of dim twilight and shades, of gradual gloominess and the visual transformation of Santi, the defaced and martyred ghost is superior and keeps you tensely mesmerized.

Santi, as he keeps on haunting Carlos, seems to embody a dark secret, to be the incarnation of an atrocious outrage. Carlos, while gradually establishing a feeling of comradeship if not real friendship towards some of the other boys, becomes aware of Jacinto, the orphanage's overseer, who reacts violently when anyone is caught looking around a particular storage room or the basement which is filled out by a dirty well.

The second half of the movie leads to manifold brutalities and reveals the qualities of the protagonists' grit. Jacinto plays havoc with the orphanage and kills a great many of the boys. Carlos and his friends then demonstrate outstanding bravery and commitment to their cause as they fearlessly lead off the fight. They retaliate Santi's murder as well as the slaughter of their pals and tutors in a scene appalling in its brutality and laudable in its determination.

The emotional implications as the boys exact vengeance display their courage and fortitude when there was dire need of resistance and morally challenging deeds. In this climax lies the major theme of the movie. Santi, symbolizing the legacy of any outrage, Carlos and his friend Jaime, the strongest champions of moral virtues and consciousness, Jacinto, the greedy and ruthless beast and Professor Casares, the caring and stout fighter for fairness and his boys' well-being, they make up the story. Thus it is not an ordinary ghost movie, but rather a story of individual struggles and individual human virtues let off at each other amidst hostile environments and atrocious challenges.

Wonderful accomplishment, highly recommended.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

Finding Neverland (2004)

Heart-breaking movie. Magical, inspirational, sheer brilliance. It's especially Freddie Highmore who acts so stunningly. All the boys are brilliant. This is a movie that moves anyone I guess, it has natural charm and delivers the true story of J.M. Barrie, his life and times in such a wonderful manner. I as being a writer myself could easily identify with Johnny Depp and his yearning for inspiration which he eventually found in the magic of pre-teen imagination and adventure. Again, inspirational! For the young and those young at heart. Long live the Lost Boys!

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

Frailty (2001)

Excellent movie. That's exactly one of those thrillers I enjoy watching after dusk. The cast is outstanding - Powers Boothe and Matthew McConaughey interact in a coordinated and perfidious manner (they're both Texas boys - so no wonder). I needn't say how good Bill Paxton is in here, as he aced almost any part in any movie he did so far. Now, Jeremy Sumpter and especially Matt O'Leary, they make this movie remarkably good. It's Matt's performance that adds tremendous authenticity and emotional depth to the plot. He plays in a way that demands considerable talent and skills - and both he has. Here he shows how mature he is and in which experienced manner he is able to handle such difficult roles such as the one of Fenton. I like him very much, he is incredibly strong in both his demeanour and his psychological endurance. Bravo! Jeremy Sumpter, as being Matt's junior partner here, aces his part as well. Especially in the last few shots, he exposes his tremendous talent and his genuine skills. Well done boys! Trivia: The two boys on the scooters when the movie eclipses are actually Matt and Jeremy again.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

Frequency (2000)

I truly love those father-son stories that deal with profound emotional implications and don't let go of me. Here, Dennis Quaid and James Caviezel and their interaction through time via the ham radio is unique. The story is emotionally enthralling as hardly any other, especially as John ultimately changes the past. The sequence showing how Frank survives and how John's memory changes at the same time (!) is awesome! The viewer has to stay alert and stick to the pace of the storyline. The reference to baseball is a nice one too. The kids in here, just as Michael Cera and Daniel Henson are perfectly cast and very genuine. Despite the emphasis on the excellent time-travel story mingled with suspense and a thrilling crime story, it's the father-son aspect that broke my heart. Just think about the sequence of Frank and young Johnny on the bike. Also the very end, in combination with the song, makes me smile and sob at the same time. Great acting, great characters, great underlying themes, great time-travel aspect! Highly recommended!!

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

Gladiator (2000)

This is a real blockbuster. Wonderful images, great story. Definitely a must-watch, indeed. It is filled with outstanding fighting sequences as well as solid and convincing character portrayals. One of Russell Crowe's best ever performances.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

La Guerre des boutons (2011)

Very good adaptation of a classic. Definitely one to look out for.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

Home Alone (1990)

A classic. What else can be said? I mean, this is really a movie anyone enjoys. The story and Macauley's personal wit make this movie simply great. Funny and witty, the archetype of the perfect movie for the whole family.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

Hook (1991)

This movie is generally underrated. I loved it when I first saw it. It made me sad and happy, all at the same. Peter Pan is grown up and has displaced his childhood adventures from memory. He has turned in a cold-hearted father who is not able to live up to his son's expectations, which is very annoying and painful for Charlie Korsmo's character. Then Tinkerbell turns up and ol' Peter's life is turned upside down. Here the whole story starts. Hook has kidnapped his children and ol' Peter has to accept who he was and eventually starts to believe. The way he encounters the Lost Boys, how he struggles to learn how the old magic works and how he starts to turn into Peter Pan is very funny. Robin Williams is doing a great job. Dustin Hoffman, trying to control Jack, Peter's son, is diabolic and absurd at the same time.

What appealed to me so much is this: The themes of being a good father, of growing up, of accepting yourself, of magic and imagination, of endurance and courage, of love and witchcraft. At the beginning Peter's wife talks to him about how temporary a kid's wish to be together with his parents is. All too quickly kids turn away from their parents. There's only this short period when a dad is a kid's hero, and this period must not be wasted. That's something we all ought to remember. Magic is there, we just have to believe. Love and affection is there, we just have to open our hearts and let it in. At the very end Granny Wendy says: "So... your adventures are over." And Peter replies: "Oh, no. To live... to live would be an awfully big adventure."

Let's adhere to this simple message of anyone growing up. Let's preserve childhood imagination and dreams in your hearts forever. We'll be much better parents and humans if we do that.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

The House I Live In (1945)

I have always been a fan of Frank Sinatra, and I love both the song and this little short.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

How Green Was My Valley (1941)

Roddy McDowall had just fled England after the beginning of the German air raids and come to America when he was instantly chosen for the part of young Hew. The Battle of Britain also led to the cancellation of the production in Wales - and so Zanuck and Ford had to adopt the Californian desert for the setting of a Welsh mining town. That's why they chose to make the movie in black & white.

Classic acting performances, outstanding character portrayal. Entirely different from modern productions, but still pervading and emotionally captivating.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

I Declare War (2012)

Easily one of the best boy films of the year. A ton of fun to watch.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

I'll Remember April (1999)

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

Io non ho paura (2002)

Wonderful Italian movie. Both boys are hand-picked and do a splendid job. The images of the Italian countryside and the music make this movie outstanding. The story is full of suspense and thrilling sequences. The emotional burden of the plot is handled convincingly by the protagonists. Just to recommend, great movie.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

It (1990)

Okay, the movie is not a masterpiece. Still, it was the first movie that touched something very deep inside of me and the first movie ever that put tears into my eyes. I was 14 when I saw it for the first time, and yeah, it somehow changed my life. It really did. Watching it today, seven years later, makes me aware of how different you watch movies when years go by. I still take this one under my wings, as it has had such an enormous emotional impact on me personally. I wish I had had such friends when I was a kid. Thanks again, Stephen King.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

This site is non-commercial and is not an official or representative web presence for any of the actors or movies listed. All images and text are the property of their respective owners. Do not link directly to any of the images on this site - please upload them to your own webspace, on the understanding that yours is also a non-commercial site.

While every effort will be made to ensure that no offensive or illegal material is posted on the forums or linked to from the links database, BoyActors administrators accept no responsibility for any content posted or linked to by its members.

PHORM PROHIBITED

The contents of this site, and communications between this site and its users, are protected by database right, copyright, confidentiality and the right not to be intercepted conferred by section 1(3) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The use of those contents and communications by Internet Service Providers or others to profile or classify users of this site for advertising or other purposes is strictly forbidden.