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 Bobby, and the
I still have to see these films. I always wanted to see Fanny and it was on TV in Sweden as a miniseries. The good other 2 would like to see even with Seth who is not my favourite actor.
ReplyDeleteFanny was a chore to get through but some parts of it work really well. I'm glad I saw it regardless.
DeleteI like your review of Fanny and Alexander, which is so true LOL.
ReplyDeleteIt really is. Just a never ending feature. lol
DeleteI really want to see Plaza's character get a sequel to find someone - because yes, she should've ended up with Stewart's character!! I watched The Night Before a few years ago but don't remember much about it :(
ReplyDeleteThey should write a sequel where they get together. lol
DeleteWe share a pick with Fanny & Alexander. I love that film though I am intrigued to see the miniseries version of that film.
ReplyDeleteI ugly-cried during that moment between Clint and Yelena at the Hawkeye just like that moment in No Way Home. There's now 2 projects I want from Marvel. One which I will not say for those who haven't seen No Way Home and as the 2nd part of the Black Widow trilogy, Black Widow & Hawkeye starring Yelena and Kate Bishop. I just love seeing those 2 together.
Kate and Yelena were wonderful together. That scene was SO sad. I'd argue that was one of the most emotional things the MCU has ever done. Even more so than "Mr. Stark, I don't feel so good." which always seems to get people.
DeleteI haven't seen the first two but trudged my way through Fanny and Alexander! It was a beautiful looking grind. A lot of Ingmar Bergman's films are a challenge but often rewarding in the end this one wasn't.
ReplyDeleteI am positively rushed off my feet this week and in a major time crunch, as is everyone else probably, so with the theme being so specific I had to fall back on three I've used before. But since it three films I love I don't feel so bad giving them another spotlight.
Holiday (1938)-Young stockbroker Johnny Case (Cary Grant) meets Julia Seton (Doris Nolan) on a ski holiday, they quickly fall in love and plan to marry. But Johnny, who sees life as an adventure to be explored and is saving up to take an extended “holiday” while he’s still young to find out what he’s working for, doesn’t realize Julia is a member of a mega-rich dynasty who worship money. This leads to trouble when their worlds collide along with the fact Julia’s rebellious sister Linda (Katharine Hepburn) shares many of Johnny’s views, as does her brother Ned (Lew Ayres in an award level performance), and they find themselves drawn to each other. Things come to a head during the New Year’s Eve party Linda’s father throws to announce the engagement.
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)-Lovely piece of Americana looks at a year in the life of the Smith family residents of the title town at the turn of the last century. There are various crises, big and small for each member of the clan but almost all are resolved during the big Christmas party. Full of wonderful music, the Christmas classic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written especially for Judy Garland to sing in a key scene.
Desk Set (1957)-Bunny Watson (Katharine Hepburn) is the head of the reference library for a major network overseeing three other women-Peg (Joan Blondell), Sylvia (Dina Merrill) and Ruthie (Sue Randall) whose knowledge is nearly as encyclopedic as hers. One day an expert in electronic brains (i.e., computers) Richard Sumner wanders in with a plan to automate the department and Bunny and her girls start fearing for their jobs. But Bunny, who is stuck in a dead-end relationship with executive Mike Cutler (Gig Young), finds herself drawn to the affable Sumner when she discovers they have much in common. All seems to be going well until the corporate Christmas party where several secrets shake things up. Breezy romance is the best of the Tracy/Hepburn comedies.
I LOVE Meet me in St. Louis. I just watched it again not too long ago. Judy is amazing in that. I haven't seen your other two picks, but I need to watch more of Katharine Hepburn, so some day.
DeleteI haven't seen any of these but The Happiest Season is on Netflix so I'll be watching it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it!
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