The Quarry (2010)

Do you remember that girl, your first love – her smile, the butterflies in your stomach? You probably do, but if you’ve forgotten (how could you??) Ryan Hanson’s 2005 short film The Quarry will revive those magical moments for you.

The story is simple enough. Charlie (Ruben de Baat), a boy of twelve, creates the most personal gift for his friend’s best friend, Natalie (Meagan Brodie). It’s a mixtape containing songs with words expressing his feelings for her, and it’s a farewell present –for Natalie’s family is moving away…

Wait a minute!! … cassette tape, hand-drawn covers, art, record players – it all sounds so retro now, yet the props and stylistics of the film display the right tone to the people who have grown up with those things. They help turn the story of Charlie and Natalie into a nostalgic window into one’s past.

The film’s cinematography and editing reinforce that feel too. Jump cuts in an MTV stylistic are utilized to portray what goes on in a young boy’s mind (‘cuz frankly, things can get messy up there), while slow-motion captures moments as sweet as syrup, meant to be savored.

Ruben de Baat as Charlie in The Quarry (2010)

There is an added dynamic introduced by other characters in the movie: the curious parents, eager friends, and mean older kids. And then there’s the beautiful musical score (the film is set to the mixtape Charlie made for Natalie). Admittedly, The Quarry is not the thought-provoking, epic short film some may hope for, and the young actors are not convincing in every scene, but it’s a sweet and tender story – beautiful in its simplicity.

The Quarry (2010)

In short

A nostalgic short film of first love -- a sweet and tender story that is beautiful in its simplicity.

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Direction

Reader Rating1 Votes

3.3

Our rating

More about the film

IMDB

The Quarry (2010)

Do you remember that girl, your first love – her smile, the butterflies in your stomach? You probably do, but in case you’ve forgotten (how could you??) Ryan Hanson‘s 2005 short film The Quarry will revive those magical moments for you.

The story is simple enough. Charlie (Ruben de Baat), a boy of twelve, creates the most personal gift for his friend’s best friend, Natalie (Meagan Brodie). It’s a mixtape containing songs with words expressing his feelings to her, and it’s a farewell present –for Natalie’s family is moving away…

Wait a minute!! … cassette tape, hand-drawn covers, art, record players – it all sounds so retro now, yet the props and stylistic of the film display the right tone to the people who have grown up with those things. They help turn the story of Charlie and Natalie into a nostalgic window into one’s past.

The film’s cinematography and editing reinforce that feel too. Jump cuts in an MTV stylistic are utilized to portray what goes on in a young boy’s mind (‘cuz frankly, things can get pretty messy up there), while slow-motion captures moments as sweet as syrup, meant to be savored.

There is an added dynamic introduced by other characters in the movie: the curious parents, eager friends, and mean older kids. And then there’s the beautiful musical score (the film is set to the mixtape Charlie made for Natalie). Admittedly, The Quarry is not the thought-provoking, epic short film some may hope for, and the young actors are not convincing in every scene, but it’s a story that’s sweet and tender – beautiful in its simplicity.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1832498/combined

Thomas (2013)

A captivating Coming-of-Age short film, Thomas is an example of a short that manages to be more impactful than a variety of full feature movies one may stumble upon at one time or another. Its main protagonist, twelve year old Thomas (Ian MacRae), is having a hard time meeting the expectations of his authoritarian father, who is on a quest to “man up” the boy. Taking his son on hunting trips and teaching him about weapons is one of the methods he uses.

Seeing a gun in the hands of a boy, one could not help but recall the famous saying by Anton Chekhov: “If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise, don’t put it there.” With that in mind, it does not surprise when the usage of the gun results in an unexpected circumstance forcing the young protagonist to shed his innocence in a shocking and turmoiled manner.

The film’s best feature is the cohesive manner in which the story is told, although it does not offer surprising plot twists. Special attention was paid to the film’s soundtrack and sound effects. The result is an enhanced mood — set either by a music track (alongside fitting lyrics) or the crackling of firewood in a scene devoted to other sounds.

Ian MacRae’s expressive reactions and facial impressions further boost the story’s credibility and its impact on the film’s audience.

An excellent moody Coming-of-Age thriller, Thomas gets my highest recommendation.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2973246/reference[/imdb]

Wild America

Chance

The Cinematic Universe of LGBT Youth and What It’s Telling You

Editor’s Note: The following article is a submission by a guest author and represents his views on the fight for equality that the LGBT+ Community has faced in the past and continues to face today. It is included on this site in light of some of the recent violence around the world such as is presented in these articles: https://t.co/51sZYR6sfv and https://t.co/tdBqaGVnaS . TheSkyKid.com is in agreement that media (and cinema in particular) pays a powerful role as an influencer of teens and youth.

If you don’t know Malcolm X, he was an American-African civil rights movement leader who once said: “Media is the most powerful entity on Earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.”

This is true and evident even in the world we live in today. For more than 4 billion years of living on this planet, times continuously change, and the guilty and the innocent change too…but not for the gays. No matter which timeline you live in, media almost all the time portrays being part of the LGBT community as a sin and as something you should be guilty of. Since the 1950s when different organizations were made to stop the oppression the LGBT community faces, they have continuously fought for their rights to be upheld and respected.

The Fire That Burns (1997) – movie review

Even today, we still see active organizations that house and protect abused LGBT children, teens, and older people that continue to increase in number. And, you know what would help us in achieving this goal of equal rights and LGBT empowerment? Media. Because is it so wrong to be gay like how the media portrays it to be?

The 21st century, the century we live in today, has brought great progress when it comes to LGBT+ representation. More celebrities and influencers have come out and/or used their platform to empower and amplify LGBT voices. Even the media has taken steps toward progress. Whether through books, songs, films, or series, the LGBT representation continues to increase as time passes by, and there’s something we have to learn from this side of the media.

This being said, let’s focus on cinema. Take Lolo, for example. Lolo is an award-winning short film by Leandro Goddinho and Paulo Menezes that talks about the life of an 11 year old openly gay boy. Though more on the unconventional and imaginative side, this short film tells us that being gay doesn’t separate us from the rest of the group. And, just like other “normal” people, the LGBT community should have fun, have good friends, make memories and learn to love. I mean, who created these norms, anyway, that prevent people from doing ordinary things for being who they are?

Lolo tells us that gay people shouldn’t be treated like it’s a sin, but instead celebrated and respected. Though a simple and light story, it’s an empowering film especially for teens and youth who are on the road to self-discovery and acceptance. If there’s something we can learn from the three friends in Lolo, it’s to be unapologetically you and surround yourself with people that accept you…well… as you.

You Are Not Alone – an interview with Lasse Nielsen

Now, on the shadows of the light shed on LGBT cinema, other films like Boy Erased, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, The Normal Heart, and Moonlight show the struggles and oppression of the LGBT+ Community. Take Normal Heart, for example. The Normal Heart is a film directed by Ryan Murphy that talks about the beginning and emergence of HIV-AIDS and how the homophobic society and government ignored them and their needs, left them dying simply because they’re gay.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post on the other hand shows the journey of a teenage girl sent into a gay conversion camp to “correct” the way she is. While conservatives, religious, and closed-minded people may watch these films saying, “Yeah, that’s right!” and “They deserve it,” these films were made to raise awareness about the oppression and fight it. It’s telling us that society’s all for human rights, but when we talk about a lesbian, a gay, a bisexual, a pansexual, or a trans person, suddenly…silence. It’s telling us that we are not treating other people with respect and dignity, all because they love. But, is loving so wrong?

Is it wrong to love and to be who you are? Why do we have to comply with society’s norms and why do we have to change to fit in? These are questions that probably come to your mind every time we talk about the LGBT+ Community. The answer is, NO. No, it’s not wrong to love and be who you are and, definitely, no, you don’t have to succumb to society’s standards to try to “fit in”.

To be honest, nobody ever fits perfectly in, because standards are superficial and fake. Like every other person out there, every member of the LGBT+ Community deserves a happy ending, the way heterosexuals do. Movies like Saving Face and Love, Simon tells us this. And while the fight for Gender Equality and Rights is ongoing even in today’s time, here’s the reassurance that there’s nothing wrong with being you. Be gay! (Yes, gay as in homosexual, and gay as in happy at the same time.)

Sigur Rós – Viðrar vel til loftárása

“At some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you gonna be. Can’t let nobody make that decision for you.” – Juan, from Moonlight

Written by: aimeebags

Want to get your article published on the site? Get in touch with us at info@theskykid.com

Chance (2020)

Sometimes a plotline and cover art can invoke high expectations, which unfortunately are more than likely to remain unrealized. That’s the case with the 2020 American drama Chance. With a plot description stating: “A true story of a teenage love triangle leading to one of the two boys’ tragic death – told through the lens of elite youth baseball.” – one is looking for a heart wrenching Coming-of-Age drama.

Still, while the narrative barely manages to build some tension after the one-hour time mark, one never gets engrossed in the story or develops a relationship with the on screen characters.

My disappointment with the film lies with the narrative, which is character-based, but lacks uniformity and a solid cause-and-effect relationship. You could take out the movie’s first hour, which follows the film protagonist from the tender age of six to his late teenage years in a linear and rather dull manner.

Jake Hertzman as the 12 year old Chance — Jake Hertzman as the 12-year-old Chance

Doing that would not affect the overall theme of the film in that first part. In that first hour, the story is perceived through a “Little League/youth baseball lens”, but only enough to establish a general atmosphere. It’s a cliched representation of an American childhood complete with country fairs and flags, prayers (even at the baseball field), etc. The cheesy soundtrack cheapens the film’s overall feel as well — a dead giveaway of a rushed production.

Things improve in the second half of the film, with even the score improving slightly to bring tension to the narrative, so that an intrigue is now present. But it’s too little, too late and an hour of screen time is lost in vain. Some Coming-of-Age narratives may use the linear approach to develop the main character, but while we see him at various ages, the scenes themselves never really interconnected progressively.

The camerawork is principally OK, surprisingly more so in the first part of the film with scenes portraying Little League baseball games with excellent focal points and close-ups. Most of the cast manages to pull off good performances (even the kind of performances one would expect from a sitcom or a Hallmark special). Yet, the issues with the script and the mediocre direction ruin the experience.

Chance – Trailer

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7915464/reference[/imdb]

Chance (2020)

In short

A disappointing film that attempts to portray the life of a boy, Chance, from the age of six to 16.

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Direction

Reader Rating0 Votes

1.5

Our rating

Watch now

Amazon video

First Strike (2017)

“On an empty country road in the ’80s Romania, a little boy’s imagination runs faster than death.”

Beautifully shot, the Romanian short film First Strike (original title: Prima Lovitura) offers a puzzling and enigmatic narrative. The action takes place on a lazy Sunday afternoon in the middle of the summer, opening with a ten-year-old lad (Oskar Kerek) daydreaming on the backseat of a family car during a road trip.

High up on a tree, another boy observes the passing car. His appearance, surprisingly similar to the boy inside the vehicle, changes the audience’s perception. From this moment on, the focus gets shifted to this new character and his dangerous ventures. Wearing face paint and wielding a stick shaped like a spear, this new character looks like a tribal warrior on the warpath. And, for a moment there, one gets the feeling that the filmmaker’s primary goal is to showcase that intertwine between imagination and the reality of childhood.

Yet, as is often the case in a short film narrative, there is a deeper meaning infused into the story, which is revealed in the final scene. The film’s director relies primarily on visual storytelling. There is no dialogue, and the musical score (predominately comprised of piano pieces) is minimal.

First Strike Trailer

The enigmatic nature of the narrative is the best feature of the film. Complete with skillful camerawork (you will note intriguing high vantage shots) and a moody atmosphere, it’s a suitable choice for anyone appreciating the short form in the Coming-of-Age cinema.

Making of Gallery

Official website

[imdb]https://www.im db.com/title/tt7321948/reference[/imdb]

Wild America (1997)

In William Dear‘s Wild America, a trio of brothers in the 1960’s set out across America to film endangered wildlife.

The film is narrated in the first person by its youngest protagonist, Marshall (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), with internal monologues offering direct access to the inner world of his thoughts.

This approach introduces a nostalgic vibe to the story (almost like reading an excellent Coming-of-Age novel). Yet, it doesn’t diminish the fun and adventurous spirit of the narrative.

Undoubtedly, much of the film’s appeal is owed to the acting talent and charming appearance of the young Jonathan Taylor Thomas (thus the many close-ups on his face reacting to various happenings and sayings). For many of his fans (past and present), JTT’s name would be enough of an enticement to give the film a chance.

The adventures are in abundance. After all, in how many films would you witness a young boy thrown into all kinds of bizarre situations — close to bears, crocodiles, and highly angered moose. Most of the film’s happenings are most unlikely ever to happen in real life, yet one has to cut some slack for a movie whose primary goal is to entertain, be it with silly, yet thrilling ventures.

The film’s plot is inspired by the documentation of Mark Stouffer‘s real-life experiences and those of his two younger brothers. Therefore it is also possible that my envy for the boys’ adventures hinders my judgment of the implausible possibility that such adventures (singing a lullaby to the bears, feeding a crocodile with a flashlight, riding on the horns of an angered moose) ever happened.

For a film released back in 1998, many of the scenes are relevant to present-day youth – with daredevil stunts and risky, adventurous challenges in the search for that killing video clip destined to become viral. So, in a way, the film’s fast-paced scenes will appeal especially to preteen audiences who may forgive the lack of consistency of the narrative or the incredible clichéd finale.

I didn’t take much from this film and did not consider it to be a fine example of the Coming-of-Age cinema, but neither was I bored while it played. While I can’t extend a wholehearted recommendation, the film would make a perfect choice for a relaxed Sunday afternoon.

Trailer

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120512/reference[/imdb]

Wild America (1997)

In short

A trio of brothers in the 1960's set out across America to film endangered wildlife, narrated in the first person by its youngest protagonist played by Jonathan Taylor Thomas.

2.3

Our rating

Watch now for free

Amazon Prime Video

Ballerino (2018)

Stephen Daldry‘s masterpiece Billy Elliot long ago received a classic status in world cinema, which is why when I first glanced at the poster of 2018’s short film, Ballerino, I assumed that the film would probably be a refresh of the classic story (some of our readers had not even been born when Billy Elliot was released). Yet the film itself turned out to be an upside–down representation of the world portrayed in Daldry’s classic film – in which, instead of a boy passionate about dancing, we have a boy who dances, but is passionate about soccer.

While society has undergone many changes and developments since the year 2000 when Billy Elliot was released, Ballerino‘s story still doesn’t ring true.

This is not the first example of an alternative universe approach in cinema. That approach has been utilized in many short films, such as Kim Rocco Shields‘s, Love Is All You Need?.

Still, the plot overall feels a bit soulless without a touch of humour, in some of the touching scenes, that would make the audience sympathize with the young protagonist.

Coming-of-Age motifs are present in the narrative, but the film could benefit from a bit of cinematic glitter in terms of how the camerawork and cinematography are handled.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8331142/reference[/imdb]

Ballerino (2018)

In short

Unlike Billy Elliot, Ballerino is a short film about a boy who dances, but is passionate about soccer.

1.6

Our rating

Maicol Jecson (2014)

Today’s Italian cinema has shifted its focus from harsh melodramas and mafia themed crime films to crowd-pleasers such as intelligent yet entertaining comedy flicks. In 2014, a year after the release of Gennaro Nunziante‘s comedy Sole a Catinelle (Sun in Buckets), a new film with an equally witty title graced the screens: Maicol Jecson.

This time the story is narrated by its edgy young protagonist Andrea (Niccolo Gentili), a 16-year-old teenager with raging hormones and one purpose in mind — losing his virginity to his girlfriend, Eva. The small hurdles on the way are being addressed one by one – parents depart on vacation, and Andreas comes up with a plan to skip the summer camp he and his younger brother Tommaso (Tommaso Neri, already seen in the 2012 short film I KILLER ) are to attend.

Yet, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” — so things don’t go as smoothly as expected. The little brother decides to stay home, and there is no way to get rid of him. Tommaso is an adorable kid with one huge obsession – Michael Jackson. His admiration of Michael is so immense that he wears a colourful mask just like Michael’s kids, and he’s constantly singing and dancing.

After all of Andrea’s friends refuse to babysit Tomasso, he invents a game of “Granddads”: leaving the little kid with the elderly inhabitants of a nearby retirement home. But this plan goes to hell as well, and Tommaso comes home with Cesare (Remo Girone), an elderly gentleman (with dementia) who genuinely believes himself the grandfather of the boys. The adventure has just begun …

The film’s most remarkable feature is its excellent, bizarre and original story in which stereotypes are used only for comic relief. The film brilliantly intertwines road movies and comedies elements without sacrificing the motifs we are used to seeing in Coming-of-Age narratives, such as the focus on love, friendship, and discovering what really matters in life.

The Michael Jackson character and music serve as a leitmotif (from which the film gets its title) — making the story feel innovative and remarkably refreshing. Most of the film’s characterizations rely on appearance rather than dialogue, but with such adorable and funky characters. That’s a winning strategy by the film’s two directors: Enrico Audenino and Francesco Calabrese.

Freeze frames and voice-overs are the techniques most frequently utilized during the film`s duration, and they both fit in the overall theme of the film, which is undoubtedly Coming-of-Age but with a funky twist. It’s not just growing up experiences; the intergenerational friendship (explored in other Rite-of-Passage comedies such as Theodore Melfi’s 2014 film, St. Vincent or the 2008 film Is Anybody There?) is also essential for the film`s narrative, making it much more enjoyable than American Pie (to name a potential American counterpart).

Tommaso ( Tommaso Neri) and his brother Andrea (Vittorio Gianotti)

The film’s protagonists are quite eccentric and, although Andrea narrates the story, it’s the little Michael Jackson fanatic, Tommaso, who is always in the middle of the action. Tommaso Neri does a great job attaining the sympathy of the viewers in his role.

One of the best Indie flicks I have seen of late, Maicol Jecson exceeded my expectations and earned a high recommendation to the readers of theskykid.com.

Official trailer

Maicol Jecson (2014)

In short

A Coming-of-Age wonderful, bizarre and original story that is one of the best Indie flicks I have seen/reviewed of late. Highly recommended!

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Direction

Reader Rating0 Votes

4.5

Our rating

Get the DVD

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TheSkyKid.com

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The Quarry (2010)

The Quarry (2010)

Thomas (2013)

Wild America

Chance

The Cinematic Universe of LGBT Youth and What It’s Telling You

Chance (2020)

First Strike (2017)

Wild America (1997)

Ballerino (2018)

Maicol Jecson (2014)

Of Love and Lies