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
12 Angry Men was fantastic, it’s one of my favorite films.
ReplyDeleteSame! It's so great.
Delete12 Angry Men is one of my favourite movies. I also picked 25th Hour. I haven't seen it in years but I loved it.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I've watched it too. I own it.
Delete121 Angry Men is a great film, both brilliantly acted and directed.
ReplyDeleteI really have to make a point to see Do the Right Thing. I've been meaning to for years and then it slips my mind.
Haven't seen the other though I've heard of it.
At first I thought this would be tough but it proved surprisingly easy.
High Noon (1952)-Just married to his Quaker bride Amy (Grace Kelly) that morning Sherriff Will Kane (Gary Cooper who won the Oscar for this performance) has quit his post and plans a quiet farm life away from the town. Word comes that a killer he had imprisoned 5 years ago has been paroled and is arriving with his gang on the noon train intent on a showdown. Ignoring advice from all to flee, including successful businesswoman Helen Ramirez (an outstanding Katy Jurado) his former mistress, Will tries to gather help to stand up to the outlaws but finds all the townsfolk turning their backs on him and he must face them alone at High Noon. A thinly veiled allegory for the blacklist which affected many involved with the film.
Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962)-A young singer, Cleo (Corinne Marchand) must wait two hours for the results of a biopsy and drifts around Paris seeing friends and considering the exigencies of life. Part of the Nouvelle Vague movement this isn’t for everyone but it has its charms.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)-“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” That’s the credo of uber popular high school student Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) who decides that today is too perfect to be wasted in school. After convincing his parents he’s sick he gathers up his best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) and girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) for a day of adventure in the city while his suspicious principal Mr. Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) tries to catch him red-handed. Broderick is madly charismatic in the lead and surrounded by a fantastic cast including Edie McClurg who is hysterical as Rooney’s secretary.
Oops I just looked back at this and obviously I meant 12 Angry Men...if there was 121 men in that room no wonder that they'd be angry!
DeleteThat should be the sequel. ;) I love Cleo from 5-7, that was a great film. It's one I'd like to see again.
DeleteI have no problem with these choices. They're perfect.
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you. :)
DeleteYAAAAAAS 12 Angry Men! Brilliant film. One of my all-time favorites, for sure. I am ashamed to say that I haven't seen either of your other picks.
ReplyDeleteThey're so good!
DeleteThese are all fantastic picks!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteI love all three of your picks. Fantastic work, Britt. And I would love to see 121 Angry Men, lol.
ReplyDeleteThank you and yaass..I'm so on board with this 12 Angry Men sequel. It can take place in the Supreme Court.
DeleteI haven’t seen Do The Right Thing and never felt like it for some reason but my sad little mind is slowly thinking otherwise. 25th Hour sounds good but I love love love 12 Angry Men. This film is so well acted and tense...you feel the heat and want that sad little fan turned on you while watching this movie. I think my favourite is the old man
ReplyDeleteThe 25th Hour is a really good film and it's always nice to see Philip Seymour Hoffman again. I definitely recommend.
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