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
Scream series is so much fun. I think it was the third one that was super ridiculous but it made me laugh so much
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, the ending of the 3rd one comes out of fucking nowhere but I still love it.
DeleteThe first Scream was a nice revision of the genre after it had fallen on hard times but I only went as far as the second before stopping.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a fan of Friday the 13th (but somehow was talked into seeing the one in 3-D in the theatre! I must have been drunk!!) but it was such a phenomenon when the first one came out.
We match! Carrie is pretty much the top of the line as far as this genre goes both in execution and respect with both Sissy and Piper scoring Oscar nominations for their work (and honestly for the makers even being able to snag people of their respective reputations at the time. Sissy wasn't a star yet but she was already a critic's darling and awards magnet for her other work and Piper had an Oscar nomination under her belt)
This one was easy for me since the number I've seen in this subgenre is small. I usually only watch them if they get a lot of discussion and it seems like I'm missing something.
Carrie (1976)-Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) an introverted teenager is taunted by classmates at school and abused by her fanatically pious mother Margaret (Piper Laurie) at home. When strange occurrences start happening around Carrie, she begins to suspect that she has supernatural powers. Invited to the prom by teen dream Tommy Ross (William Katt), Carrie tries to let her guard down, but things eventually take a dark and violent turn to a fiery conclusion. Both Sissy and Piper are fantastic in this above average adaptation of Stephen King’s novel.
The Lost Boys (1987)-New in town teen brothers Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam (Corey Haim) and their mom Lucy (Dianne Wiest) have just moved to a small town in northern California. Somewhat goofy young Sam befriends geeky comic-book nerds Edward (Corey Feldman) and Alan (Jamison Newlander) while the combative Michael falls for Star (Jami Gertz). Problem is Star is dominated by David (Kiefer Sutherland), leader of a local gang of vampires. Soon things come to a showdown and Sam and his new friends must save Michael and Star from the undead. A classic case of style over substance, and the birth of the Coreys, but enjoyably junky.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)-Four friends Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Barry (Ryan Phillippe), Helen (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Ray (Freddie Prinze Jr.) are speeding down a road late one night and are involved in a hit and run killing a fisherman which they dispose of in nearby water. They swear to keep it a secret but a year later Julie receives a letter telling her that their crime was seen. Barry thinks he knows who is responsible for the letter but is run over by a man with a meat hook during the pursuit. It’s then that the screaming starts! Wacky trash is fun in its silly way but lead to far too many sequels and copycats.
I've seen all three of your picks! That rarely happens. The Lost Boys I watched a lot as a kid because it was my sister's favorite movie. I Know What You Did Last Summer was okay, I always gravitated towards Scream more.
DeleteWas the 3D one Jason X? Because that movie needed alcohol lol
Oh God no! By the time that came out I had long ago sworn off them. It was Friday the 13th Part III which was in 3-D. I was with a group of friends and I just went with the flow but regretted it immediately. Firstly I hate those films and because I'm blind as a bat I have to wear the 3-D glasses over my own which gives me a sick headache so it was a lose/lose situation all around!
DeleteAHh okay. I watched all of those on VHS/DVD so I didn't get that affect lol. I hate 3D as well. I avoid that like the plague.
DeleteThe first Scream movie is the only I've seen which is weird considering I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteYou need to watch the next two! (The 4th you can skip if you want lol)
DeleteGlad to see Carrie on here! I just loved how creepy Sissy Spacek got during the prom scene! And I really need to watch Scream and Friday the 13th! I've been hearing nothing but good things about those movies!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Thursday Movie Picks!
Ronyell @ The Surreal Movies and TV Blog
The Scream franchise is fantastic, you must check it out!
DeleteI rewatched the first three Scream movies about a year ago. I had watched it too young the first time I saw them, so I finally got why people like it, that it knows its genre and satires it well.
ReplyDeleteIt does. I love how self aware it is. Wonderful movies.
DeleteI've seen all 3 of those films but I felt it would've been obvious choices yet I do love them. Scream and Scream 2 were awesome while the third was OK. The fourth one sucked!
ReplyDeleteThe 4th one wasn't very memorable at all. I have a soft spot for the 3rd one.
DeletePretty iconic stuff here. Although come to think it, a LOT of horror is teen horror. We've really got something against teenagers.
ReplyDeleteSociety hates teenagers, specifically teenage girls. It's a fact.
DeleteWoops, that was me!
ReplyDelete(probably obviously)