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 can’t believe I still haven’t seen Mrs. Doubtfire
ReplyDeleteIt's so good. I'm not sure how it watches if you didn't see it as a kid yourself, but I love it.
DeleteI love, love, LOVE Adventures in Babysitting!! It's just so breezy and good-natured while still making its points and both Penelope Ann Miller and especially Elisabeth Shue are brilliant. The kids as well. I think I need to watch it again now that you've reminded me of it.
ReplyDeleteI like Mrs. Doubtfire but I've never had the deep affection for it that many people do.
I'm not a horror fan but the original Halloween, while a bit too bloody for my taste, is one done right. It definitely brings the terror without excessive gore. It's the only one of the series that I've seen from beginning to end.
I went the Nanny/Governess route for mine.
Jane Eyre (1943)-After losing her parents and being raised in a hellish boarding school one step above an orphan asylum Jane Eyre (Joan Fontaine) is hired to be governess for Adele (Margaret O’Brien) the daughter of intense, brooding Edward Rochester (Orson Welles) at the remote Thornfield mansion. Attracted to him but wary she soon finds the mansion is a place of many secrets, some of which could be deadly. Based on the Charlotte Bronte novel.
The Nanny (1965)-Nanny (Bette Davis), a London family's live-in maid, brings morbid 10-year-old Joey (William Dix) back from the psychiatric ward he's been in for two years, since the death of his younger sister. Joey refuses to eat any food Nanny's prepared or take a bath with her in the room. He also demands to sleep in a room with a lock. Joey's parents-workaholic Bill (James Villiers) and neurotic Virgie (Wendy Craig)-are sure Joey is disturbed, but he may have good reason to be terrified of Nanny. A battle of wits and wills ensues. Taut psychological drama was unfortunately lumped in with the hagsploitation films that became popular after the success of Davis’s “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” It is unrelated to them and much better.
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (1992)-During what should be a routine visit to her new obstetrician Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra) is molested by the doctor and reports him to the police. Rather than taking the rap the doctor commits suicide. The shock of the accusations and suicide causes the doctor's pregnant wife, Peyton (Rebecca De Mornay), to miscarry. Now unhinged mentally but seemingly normal Peyton poses as a nanny for the Bartel family with the intention of tearing Claire's life apart, seducing her husband (Matt McCoy) and eventually murdering the woman she blames for ruining her life. While the setup is a bit ripe De Mornay is fantastic and makes the picture much more than it should be.
I need to see The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, I know what it's about, I just never saw down and watched it. I've only seen 2011's Jane Eyre, which I enjoyed.
DeleteI am sure I watched Mrs. Doubtfire when I was little but I remember none of it
ReplyDeleteomg it's so cute and fun!
DeleteI have seen Halloween and forgot she was a babysitter. I never saw Adventures in Babysitting but it hits the mark. I love Mrs. Doubtfire and wished his brother was in the movie more. The scene when they make his face cracks me up every time
ReplyDeleteI hope Laurie's rates went way up after Halloween lol
Delete3 amazing films and we share a pick with Adventures in Babysitting. You can't beat that film. It's so fucking good. Mrs. Doubtfire is another family staple along with National Lampoon's Vacation and Caddyshack where if it's on TV. We stop whatever we're doing and watch it.
ReplyDeleteI'm really itching to re-watch it again now.
DeleteI still love watching Mrs. Doubtfire too! I so miss Robin Williams...
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Thursday Movie Picks!
Ronyell @ The Surreal Movies and TV Blog
I do too. Gone far too soon.
DeleteI haven't watched Mrs. Doubtfire since I was kid which is just a crime - I need to rewatch it!
ReplyDeleteYES! I need to get my son to watch it with me.
DeleteHalloween is such an inventive pick! How did I not think of that?!
ReplyDeleteI was expecting everyone to pick it. lol
DeleteI was sooooooooo close to picking Halloween. I'm glad someone else did.
ReplyDeleteI thought everyone would pick Halloween lol.
DeleteMrs Doubtfire is a classic 90s comedy.
ReplyDeleteYes it is!
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