Reviews by hastings
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28 reviews/ratings - 2 pages (20 reviews/ratings per page)
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The Full Monty (1997)
Loads of humour and yet a sympathetic understanding for the despair of long-term unemployment, the problems of a divorced father, gay relationships, and the poor self-image of the overweight. Add to that some brilliant acting, including by William Snape and his embarrassment at his father's antics, and a pace that never weakens, and you have a truly excellent film.
My Movie Rating:
9 / 10 Malèna (2000)
A damning story about the way so many people treat those who are different. Giuseppe Sulfaro is outstanding as the exception to the rule. A very moving film.
My Movie Rating: 9 / 10 Peter Pan (2003)
A stunning production that presents the J M Barry play as it should be. Jeremy Sumpter is ideal, still very much a young boy but mature enough to fight Captain Hook on equal terms. His acting opposite Rachel Hurd-Wood is exactly right, showing his fascination for her and the stress of choosing between her and staying a boy. One soon forgot his non-English accent and he clearly put a lot of hard work into his flying and sword-play. Not a lot of time given to the Lost Boys, but what we see is very appealing. An excellent film.
My Movie Rating: 9 / 10 Les aiguilles rouges (2005)
Eight of the leading young actors in France today were brought together in this film, where we see how each character responds to the dangers of the Alpine climb. It is amazing to see Jules Angelo Bigarnet at the age of twelve holding his own in the company of such a galaxy of talent. An excellent film.
My Movie Rating: 8 / 10 The Choir (1995)
Joanna Trollope's book and a galaxy of well-known actors ensured that this series about a cathedral close was a great success. Anthony Way was the icing on the cake, a good actor with a pleasant singing voice. Also worth a mention are James Hopkins for his excellent singing and Edward Hughes for his freckles and grin.
My Movie Rating: 8 / 10 Danny the Champion of the World (1989)
My Movie Rating: 8 / 10 La Lengua de las mariposas (1999)
Manuel Lozano at the age of eight is quite brilliant as a youngster starting school under an inspiring teacher. He conveys the innocence of youth and the delight in studying nature and making friends. But then the arrival of Fascist rebels requires him to change completely, which Manuel does so well. A particularly moving film.
My Movie Rating: 8 / 10 Mon fils à moi (2006)
My Movie Rating: 8 / 10 Respiro (2002)
A fascinating study of growing up and the conflict between conforming and being different. Pasquale's mother behaves unconventionally, annoying the other villagers; he is an active member of one of the youth gangs on the island in competition with another gang. But when the villagers want to send his mother away for psychiatric treatment, he decides he must act. An unconventional coming-of-age story. Filippo Pucillo is delightful as Pasquale's lively little brother.
My Movie Rating: 8 / 10 De Witte van Sichem (1980)
One of the seminal works of nationalist Flemish cinema, it includes children acting out the defeat of the French by the Flemings at the Battle of Kortrijk. Eric Clerckx plays the part of the downtrodden Witte with great energy.
My Movie Rating: 8 / 10 Das Wunder von Bern (2003)
Ostensibly the film tells two stories: the problems faced in the grim industrial Ruhr valley by an ex-prisoner-of-war after his long-delayed return to a family that includes a son he has never seen (played by an excellent Louis Klamroth) and that managed to survive the war and its aftermath without him; and in the more relaxed atmosphere of Munich how a newly-married couple are looking to enjoy the very beginnings of the Economic Miracle. But both stories take place within a third, more important one: the totally unexpected and amazing performance of the German football team in the World Championships in Switzerland and its miraculous effect on the morale of a defeated country divided and devastated by the war.
I lived in Germany shortly after the war when I was around the same age as the young son and I was overwhelmed by the accuracy of the film's depiction of life then. We also get to see and understand the euphoria that swept through Germany at its team's performance. An uplifting film.
My Movie Rating: 8 / 10 Erik of het klein insectenboek (2004)
Jasper Oldenhof does very well contrasting his failure in producing a classroom project with his self-confidence in the world of insects where dream-like sequences introduce amazingly costumed insects. I liked the idea of Erik opening the waistband of his pyjama trousers to show someone his 'sting' to prove that he too was an insect. Lighthearted and colourful, but in passing also educational.
My Movie Rating: 7 / 10 Ginostra (2002)
A good-quality thriller with the added attraction of a belligerent performance by a dark-browed Mattia de Martino, who is ideal as the stubborn boy who refuses to break his silence about his father.
My Movie Rating: 7 / 10 Keeping Mum (2005)
A black comedy with a light touch, originally a US novel but here transferred to the English countryside with a very strong cast. Toby Parkes is good in his small but important part.
My Movie Rating: 7 / 10 De kleine blonde dood (1993)
My Movie Rating: 7 / 10 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
An adaptation - con brio - of an over-the-top series of children's books which relies on the understated acting of the two main children actors led by Liam Aiken, who has developed into a very mature actor.
My Movie Rating: 7 / 10 Mysterious Skin (2004)
A devastating story about the results of abuse. George Webster is all wide-eyed innocent susceptibility, while Chase Ellison is able to show a blithe disregard for others' feelings behind his smile. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, now an adult, continues to grow in stature as an actor.
My Movie Rating: 7 / 10 Pünktchen und Anton (1999)
My Movie Rating: 7 / 10 Hope and Glory (1987)
An evocation of life in the Blitz as seen by a young boy. I enjoyed the nostalgia even though the film, like life then, was sometimes a little pedestrian.
My Movie Rating: 6 / 10 The Thief Lord (2006)
A strong adaption of a well-known German children's novel set in Venice, with particularly good performances from Aaron Johnson and George MacKay.
My Movie Rating: 6 / 10 
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