Recently, I was talking to someone about who I thought were the best child actors when I was also a child. Two that really stood out to me were Elijah Wood and Joseph Mazello, and one film those two were in together was called Radio Flyer. Then I was reminded about the uniqueness of this film. Instead of reviewing the film, I wanted to have an open discussion about the ending. It deals with a tough issue; child abuse. What I’ve noticed is the way that the film ends is interpreted many different ways, and the filmmakers never came forward to say what was right and wrong. I’m interested in hearing everyone’s opinions on it. How did you interpret the ending? Obviously spoiler alerts will follow.. For those of you who haven’t seen the film, the basic premise is this: Two young boys, Mikey (Wood) and Bobby (Mazello) move in with their single mother and her boyfriend, who refers to himself as ‘The King’. It doesn’t take long for The King to start physically abusing ...
I love Rain Man and O11. Great picks. 21 isn't as bad as it's reputation. I found it to be decent. Well, except for the whitewashing. That was really bad.
ReplyDeleteYeah, whitewashing is part of what makes it bad, IMO. It's sad.
DeleteI absolutely love Rain Man and I can't believe I haven't thought about it. 21 was super clichéd and silly but it did entertain me. And yes, Ocean's Eleven is more of a heist movie, but there's still some gambling going on, so don't worry, it fits.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad, I was stretching it this week. lol
DeleteNice pick on Rain Man - love that film. 21 is a popular one this week, haven't seen it. And I absolutely love Ocean's Eleven, thats my got to lazy days.
ReplyDeleteI thought Rain Man would be the popular one. I'm surprised it's 21.
DeleteI have not yet seen Rain Man. That was the time when there was so much hype about cruise and Oscar that I had no desire to see this movie. I might very well change my view and see it finally. I didn't mind 21. It is a bit silly but I like Kevin Spacey. The Ocean films are nice fluff. I like the original also.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know for the longest time it was a remake lol
DeleteYou're my first stop, so I might sound dumb, but I imagine everyone has Rounders on their list. If only I could remember anything about that movie. Or 21, for that matter.
ReplyDeleteI like your picks!
I don't remember much of Rounders either, was gambling in it? I remember baseball. lol
DeleteGreat picks! Rain Man was a terrific call.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI LOVE Ocean's 11, such a huge improvement over the Rat Pack version, and I enjoyed Ocean's 13 but 12 was terrible.
ReplyDeleteKevin Spacey was terrific in 21 so much so that he blew the rest of the uninspired cast away anytime he showed up in the film. I thought the pic overall was average but it was a decent view though I haven't watched it again after that first time.
I got a little burnt out on Rain Man when it played at the theatre I was managing when it first came out but with distance I remember it as a good film.
I usually like gambling films though I don't necessarily seek them out. My extra is my favorite of my four.
The Gambler (1974)-College professor Axel Freed (James Caan) seems to have a good life but is caught in the grip of a severe gambling addiction which threatens not only his job but all his relationships and perhaps his life when he gets in deep with loan sharks.
The Lady Gambles (1949)-Joan Boothe (Barbara Stanwyck) accompanies his reporter husband Dave to Las Vegas when he goes there on a story. At loose ends and thinking she might find a story of her own she pokes around the hotel casino with a hidden camera. The owner at first thinks she’s a hustler but realizing she isn’t gives her a few chips to play. Thinking it’s a lark she takes them but finds she can’t stop once she’s begun.
Gambling Lady (1934)-Lady Lee (Barbara Stanwyck) is determined to beat the gambling syndicate who drove her father to suicide at their own game while staying true to her dad’s insistence to always remain on the up and up. She’s extremely successful but complications arise when she becomes involved with the married Garry Madison (Joel McCrea) who could possibly be a murderer.
Honorable Mention:
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)-Professional poker player The Cincinnati Kid (Steve McQueen) is a young man moving from game to game in 30’s era New Orleans looking to establish himself as the best and torn between two beauties, the worldly Melba (Ann-Margret) and innocent Christian (Tuesday Weld). Ultimately he goes up against a legend of the sport, Lancey Howard (Edward G. Robinson) in a high-stakes poker game. Wonderfully atmospheric drama with a powerhouse cast most of whom have fantastic monikers: Lady Fingers (Joan Blondell), Shooter (Karl Malden), Slade (Rip Torn) and Yeller (Cab Calloway) among others and a strong lead performance from that King of Cool McQueen.
As usual I haven't seen any of those. lol I never realized there were so many classic gambling films centered around women. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteRain Man is awesome as is Ocean's 11. 21 I just flat-out hate as it just features some of the worst digital photography I have ever seen in a mainstream film. Has anyone here mentioned California Split by Robert Altman starring Elliot Gould and George Segal? That is a great gambling film.
ReplyDeleteI don't think so and I haven't heard of that one. I don't remember the DP in 21, that movie was pretty forgettable.
DeleteNice picks! I have a love / hate relationship with the Ocean's movies. The cast is fun and hip but the story isn't very engaging.
ReplyDeleteI agree. They're definitely not my favorites.
DeleteSo far it seems you're the only one with Rain Man. I've seen it but can't remember much past the autistic brother.
ReplyDeleteThat still surprises me, I expected to see it everywhere.
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