BoyActors - Reviews/Ratings by Cinefan

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Reviews by Cinefan

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

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Good movie with great acting from the boys. Not so good about the problems, moneywise, that followed the young actors after the film was made.

My Movie Rating:

7 / 10

Snow (2006)

A somewhat 'arty' short with little dialogue, so little dialogue I wonder the father didn't scream the woods down at the death of his son. Or was the boy dead?

My Movie Rating:

5 / 10

Somewhere in the Darkness (1998)

Here's another of those obscure boyfilm gems that crop up every now and then. Also another example of an unknown boy actor, Rowan Witt, playing a demanding role as a young boy trapped under a collapsed supermarket with only an old man to talk to in the claustrophobic darkness. Well acted by all concerned but good to see Rowan rising to the occasion in more ways than one. A great little film with an intriguing storyline.

My Movie Rating:

7 / 10

Son of Rambow (2007)

This film is rather over-rated, I think. While the two boys are splendid even if Will Poulter's, Lee, doesn't always come over as a bad enough bully, some of the scenes are stilted. In fact, some short scenes are inserted for no apparent reason.

A typical boyish romp with Bill Milner playing the shy, Brethren boy very believably.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2002)

Here we are with another obscure boy actor called Byron Taylor starring in a film on the magic of Merlin and sorcery theme. The producers have attempted to set the film in England but it's obvious it was actually filmed in Byron's homeland of South Africa. All the usual ingredients are there: boy at odds with his parents, getting bullied at school and meeting nice girl. However, the best part of the film is in the relationship between Merlin (Robert Davi) and Ben (Byron Taylor). Moving to a new house Ben finds that Merlin resides next door! The build up of trust between the two is very well handled. Obviously aimed at a kiddies market, 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' nevertheless comes over as a charming tale even if it does falter now and then.

Unfortunately, the DVD has no extras and so we learn nothing about Byron's background as an actor and how he came to get the part.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Sorrell and Son (1984)

An interesting series though the adult characters tend to be either very nice or very bad and not much in between. Paul Critchley is quite good as the boy, Kit. Warwick Deeping (what a marvellous name) churned out his books roughly one a year, similar to A J Cronin.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

The Sound of Music (1965)

A great film with Nicholas Hammond playing Friedrich and consequently the star of the musical.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

Freddie Highmore was enchanting in this film though his playing of the twins didn't come over too well. It was all about Jared while Simon was reduced to a mere cipher. I was also hoping the sister would fall foul of the beasties but no such luck. A film that tried to be something but didn't make it despite some quite good special effects.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D (2011)

Dire! This attempt to introduce a new boy and girl into the roles of Spy Kids falls flat on its face. The jokes are plain awful and it isn't even as good as 'Spy Kids 3' which also relied far too much on special effects. Mason Cook was cute and played his part well but overall this film is one of the worst boy films I have ever seen.

My Movie Rating:

2 / 10

The Squid and the Whale (2005)

Some good one liners from an accomplished script in this film. Owen Kline is another of those boy actors who make a film then seem to disappear. He played his part well of a kid emotionally upset at the domestic problems he's witnessing. The scene in the library is not one you come across very often.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

St. Vincent (2014)

Where do they keep finding these good boy actors? Jaeden Lieberher gave a great performance as 12 year old Oliver even if some of his dialogue was rather grown up. Bill Murray, of course, stole the show but Jaeden stood his ground acting-wise. I agree it was a well worn plot line especially when they won at the horse race ... I kept hoping their horse would lose and make it more real to life.

My Movie Rating:

7 / 10

Stand by Me (1986)

Plenty of boy actor Oscar nominations for this outstanding film. All four boys played their parts very well indeed with possibly Wil Wheaton as Gordie taking the prize. An all American nostalgia trip into boyhood beautifully acted with wonderful outdoor settings. I was pleased even Kent Lutrell, who played the dead kid, got in the credits.

Apparently, Bob Reiner the director, had difficulty getting Wil Wheaton and Jerry O'Connell to show enough fear when running across the bridge ahead of the train. He had to yell at them that they were wasting the film crew's time having to reshoot which got the results he wanted. A fine film and a must for every boy film buff's DVD shelf.

My Movie Rating:

9 / 10

Strauss: The King of 3/4 Time (1995)

Okay, so this isn't your made-for-cinema movie but charming nonetheless. Unknown Canadian boy actor, Derek Senft, plays his part well as the stableboy who meets the great Johann Strauss II. A passable enough storyline with the added bonuses of Derek himself and Strauss's music.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Suburbicon (2017)

Just watched this film on TV and although it seems to have been panned by the critics I thought it a good black comedy. The old plot of murdering for insurance money but in this case with some humour thrown in. It ended on a light note but I couldn't help wondering how young Nicky (Noah Jupe) was going to cope with the fact he was playing ball with his friend outside while explaining to the authorities how his dead dad and aunt lay in the house.

My Movie Rating:

7 / 10

Sunnyside Drive (2017)

Grady Port is a good looking boy and stars in an interesting short film. While you feel sorry for the neighbour who's subject to a typical boy's mistaken fantasy, he has gained the friendship of the boy next door.

My Movie Rating:

7 / 10

Super 8 (2011)

I had never seen Joel Courtney before though he was good in this film. I noticed that Zach Mills, unlike the other child actors, never got a close-up being relegated to a minor role as Preston. How could they do this to the star of 'Mr Magorium'?

This was your usual kids Sci-Fi romp and there was nothing above the average about it. Why is it aliens look so grotesquely animal-like and rarely, if ever, wear clothes?

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

The Switch (2010)

A charming comedy film with a great performance from Thomas Robinson.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Tales From the Neverending Story (2001)

What no reviews of this long edition of 'The Neverending Story'? Lasting over six hours and obviously made for television it starred Mark Rendall as Bastian Bux the boy who reads the book and a slightly-too-old-for-the-part Tyler Hynes playing Atreyu the boy warrior hero. Great sets and lots of colourful characters, but a sometimes plodding script and a kind of mixed up uninspired ending. Also a lot of shifting between scenes in Fantasia and the real world. I know the story isn't supposed to have an ending but for TV you need to do that. Fine acting from Mark, of course.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Tall Tale (1995)

An enjoyable film with lots of action and pathos and wonderful scenery. Nick Stahl is great, of course, in his part as the farmer's son, Daniel. The film kept up a good pace with some humorous moments like when Paul Bunyan asks Daniel how old he is - 12 'Okay if you want to see 13 keep out of my way'. Did anyone notice uncredited Burgess Meredith playing the old man in the timber factory?

The film bombed with takings of only $8.2 million out of a budget of $32 million. It is obvious cinema goers do not appreciate fine boy actors like Stahl.

My Movie Rating:

8 / 10

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

Superb action movie and the best of the Terminator series - for obvious reasons - Edward Furlong. He is excellent in the part of John Connor playing a typical tearaway teenager. His relationship with the 'machine' is movingly portrayed as the boy seeks to make him a father figure. Plenty of action topped off by Furlong looking great. Famous scene when Arnold walks into the bar at the beginning. The DVD extras explain how Edward Furlong was cast though I doubt its authenticity. Few boys can be plucked from a kids club and be able to act competently in a major movie. What about all the would-be boy actors already paying an agent to find them such juicy roles? It doesn't add up.

My Movie Rating:

8 / 10

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