BoyActors - Reviews/Ratings by Cinefan

Welcome to BoyActors. Login.

Reviews by Cinefan

Sort by: Title | Rating

285 reviews/ratings - 15 pages (20 reviews/ratings per page)

The Hole (2009)

I didn't think much of this movie at all despite Nathan Gamble's presence. The Hole plot had possible potential at first but soon developed into a B horror flick with lots of questions left unanswered. Who was the little ghost girl and just what was supposed to be going on when the older boy finally got to the bottom of the Hole? Nathan must do better though I don't suppose he worried too much when he was passing his nice, big cheque across the bank counter!

My Movie Rating:

5 / 10

Hoot (2006)

A bright and breezy film in typical American style and complete with a message about animal conservation. In this film we are doubly rewarded by not only Logan Lerman but barefoot Cody Linley as well! The plot is the familiar new-boy-at-school theme who meets interesting mystery boy of Nature and the girl interest (of course!) is provided by the boy's sister (Brie Larson). There are plenty of laughs along with the time worn message of how kids on their own can stand up to and beat the big property developer ... well, at least in films anyway.

The DVD extras are among the most I have ever seen. There is an interesting director and writer's commentary as well as how the film was made and behind the scenes features. Logan seems in awe of long-time actor Robert Wagner.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Hostage (2005)

You can't beat Bruce Willis for an all action movie even if the plot does get somewhat convoluted. I thought Jimmy Bennett had a very short part until I realised it was unfortunate Jimmy Pinchak who died at the beginning. Good acting from Jimmy Bennett.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

How to Eat Fried Worms (2006)

Definitely one for the kids! The kids are all cute as hell though Luke Benward gives a good performance. The film is obviously catering for what kids like namely awful gooey stuff and downright foulness.

The DVD extras are interesting and even the director's commentary involves some of the child actors.

One of these so-so films that just about deserves a place on a BA member's shelf.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Hugo (2011)

From the point of view of breathtaking cinema this film was magnificent; but as the 'Telegraph' critic wrote, it had a 'largely immobile plot'. Asa Butterfield was, of course, heartwarming as Hugo and looks better now he's a little older. We had to put up with the ubiquitous Chloe Grace Moretz who played her part well enough but do any other girl actors get a look-in when she's around? I thought the plot tended to meander and go off track especially with regard to the station inspector who was a complete idiot and didn't come across as all that funny. The set of the station clock was excellent with all it's whirring cogwheels and pendulums. I award my stars for that and Asa's wonderful performance. However, the combination of those cannot overcome this film's lack of coherent plot.

My Movie Rating:

7 / 10

I Am David (2003)

Another of those films that rests squarely on the shoulders of its main boy actor. Ben Tibber, who plays David, does a decent job though not a performance that would grant him an Oscar! It is a journey film of a boy who escapes from a camp in Bulgaria and makes his way to Denmark. The plot is implausible and Tibber's posh accent implausible as well in the context of the plot but that doesn't mean you can't sit back and enjoy this film. It portrays the enduring spirit of a child in a world that is strange to him. This was Ben Tibber's first big role and he rose to the occasion with merit.

My Movie Rating:

8 / 10

I Am Gabriel (2012)

Just watched this on YouTube so who is Gavin Casalegno? An extremely good looking boy actor who didn't have to do much in the way of differing facial expressions but starring in a lot of religious nonsense. Nothing was explained on a scientific or biological basis just bland acceptance. The only good thing about 'Heaven', apparently, is that it has some gorgeous looking boy angels.

I give it 5 only because of Gavin Casalegno, the film being a load of superstitious rubbish.

My Movie Rating:

5 / 10

I Declare War (2012)

This film tried to imitate 'Lord of the Flies' and 'War of the Buttons' but fell short. I mainly rate it from the boy actors performances which were quite good however, it badly needed more action and less talking. Then it lost a point by bringing in a ... girl ... a sure sign the plotline will suffer. It should have had lots more boy extras to make it a real war movie with lots of battle scenes. A notable film in that it was a rare example of child only actors taking part. A good point were the many DVD extras.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Idi i smotri (1985)

A typical Russian movie - dramatic and grim. Florya, the boy partisan, is a demanding part for young Alexei Kravchenko but he gives an outstanding performance. In fact, his face physically ages during the film after all the horrors of war he witnesses. Definitely an actor worthy of an Oscar nomination.

My Movie Rating:

8 / 10

The Impossible (2012)

I agree the acting of Tom Holland was very good but the film lacked any true sense of the appalling disaster in relation to the many thousands of others who suffered. It concentrated only on one family which, after all, lost no one whereas others lost much more. Had it not been based on a true story I would've thought the plot was too contrived with everything falling neatly into place. An okay film but nothing great.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

The Indian in the Cupboard (1995)

An interesting film with a fine performance from Albert Henry Hugh Scardino as the boy with the magic cupboard. A real laugh when things start to get out of control. One film critic said that there were too many close-ups of Hal's face!

My Movie Rating:

7 / 10

The Interrogation of Michael Crowe (2002)

This was a very dramatic movie exposing what lengths corrupt police will go to obtain a confession. It required a high standard of acting from Mark Rendall to which he aspired with great merit.

My Movie Rating:

7 / 10

Io non ho paura (2002)

A marvellous Italian film with the lead boy, Giuseppe Cristiano, looking every inch your typical Italian boy. He plays Michele who finds the kidnapped son of a rich couple in a deep hole in the countryside. The twist in the tale really brings you up with a jolt and you fear, at first, how this will affect the relationship between the two boys. Filmed in the beautiful Italian landscape of cornfields and expansive blue skies it is a delight to watch. The ending might appear a little too 'Hollywoodish' but that doesn't detract too much from the overall plot.

My Movie Rating:

8 / 10

Is Anybody There? (2008)

A good performance from Bill Milner - as always. Unusual storyline but Milner holds his own against the great Michael Caine.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

It (1990)

'It' is unusual in that it features several boy actors in a horror movie with some quite scary moments. I can only give it six as the ending was a complete cop out.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

It (2017)

Having recently acquired the DVD I can say this version is not as good as the original. The kids said their lines at such a machine gun rate they started to sound like speeded up chipmunks. Although I had the subtitles on they went off too quickly for me to read all what was said. The F word was used far too much and sometimes the boys acted like a bunch of pussies so I wasn't surprised Pennywise came to Derry so often. The film's saving grace was that it dealt better with the ending than the original which had a big spider as the monster which was a cop out.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Ivanovo detstvo (1962)

The opening scenes are beautifully shot with Nicolai Burlyayev looking great in his shorts and sun filled surroundings. After that the film drags a little and is only too representative of an innocent child suffering from the banal adult war propaganda and wanting to kill Germans. Good acting from Nicolai.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Jack and the Beanstalk (2009)

An enjoyable watch with Colin Ford playing the part of Jack very well indeed. Nice fairy tale atmosphere even if Gilbert Gottfried's whinging got a trifle wearisome at times.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Jack Frost (1998)

Just made for Christmas with a loving tale of a boy who's father dies and comes back as a snowman. Far fetched? 'Fraid so. Joseph Cross saves the day by giving an engaging performance as the son, Charlie. You have to roll along with the absurd plot but it's a pleasant film nonetheless. The DVD has no extras - boo.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Jack the Bear (1993)

One of those slightly weird movies but some great acting by relatively unknown Robert J Steinmiller. I had hoped Gary Sinise's dark character would be somehow redeemed but not so. I reckon this would be Miko Hughes's first appearance.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 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.