Aloud (2016)

Beautifully shot, Song Huang‘s short film Aloud captivates with its sentimental storyline, tender treble score, and competent acting performances. The protagonist of the 2016 character-driven drama is 12 year old Arden (Jonah Beres) who, in the tradition of the best Coming-of-Age narratives, will face challenges and tribulations on the way to self-discovery.

Growing up in a strict Catholic orphanage, Arden has discovered that children who partake in the school choir have better chances of adoption. Unsure of his abilities, he joins the choir but, instead of singing, he silently mouths the words. With the arrival of a new music teacher, the boy’s pretense is discovered. However, instead of punishment, he is given a chance to work on and improve his vocal skills.

The music teacher understands the phase Arden is going through and tries to boost his confidence by becoming his friend. The apparent sentimental attachment of the young man towards his music teacher is misunderstood by the head nun who steps in to break them apart.

http://vimeo.com/206162181

Thanks to the expressive depiction of a variety of emotions – from shyness to sadness, anger, confusion or determination, Jonas Beres is able to evoke sympathy to the character portrayed by him. He has been acting since he was just six years old and, aside from appearances in short films, has some lead roles in full feature movies under his belt.

A feel-good film with strong Coming-of-Age motifs and an emotive finale, Aloud delivers an excellent cinematic experience and is well worth your time.

https://vimeo.com/206162181

Aloud (2016)

Summary

A feel-good film with strong Coming-of-Age motifs and an emotive finale, Aloud delivers an excellent cinematic experience and is well worth your time.

4.8

Our score

Snow in August (2001)

In 1947 Brooklyn, 11 year old Michael Devlin (Peter Tambakis) and his friends are having a blast at the movies. Raised by his caring and high-spirited mother (Lolita Davidovich), Michael shares his friends’ passion for comics and superheroes and serves as an altar boy in the nearby cathedral. Life is good, but an unfortunate turn of events makes the boy an unwilling witness to a brutal assault when he and his friends stop by a Jewish store to get some hot dogs. The store owner gets beaten almost to death by a local thug by the name of Frankie McCarthy (Adam MacDonald).

Threatened by the bully, Michael sheepishly observes as the victim of the assault is taken away to a hospital. The local police find out that there has been a witness to the beating and soon two detectives show up at Michael’s flat and attempt to convince the boy to tell what he has seen. Fearing Frankie McCarthy’s revenge and not wanting to be labeled as squealer, the boy keeps his mouth shut.

While the secret weighs on his conscience, Michael meets a young Rabbi, Judah Hirsch (Stephen Rea), who has found his way to Brooklyn having escaped the horrors of the war in his native Czechoslovakia. Being a recent immigrant, Rabbi Judah’s English skills are quite limited- so he recruits Michael to help with them. In exchange, he offers to teach the boy Yiddish. It’s an offer, which from curiosity, Michael eagerly accepts.

Michael’s father died in the war, and while his mother is trying her best to raise her son, the boy is eagerly looking for a role model, a wise man he can emulate and the Rabbi is a good fit in that role. An unlikely friendship it might be, but soon the Rabbi and Michael become real friends. That association convinces Frankie McCarthy that the boy has ratted on him and soon Michael, and everyone he knows, find themselves in mortal peril.

For the majority of the film’s duration, the story is credible, dramatic and captivating. It features strong Coming-of-Age motifs as it portrays both the external and internal struggles of the young protagonist.

Unfortunately, as the story develops, instead of utilizing an apt metaphor for the efforts of the young boy whose struggles have earned the sympathy of the viewers, the story takes a fantasy approach. While interesting to see, the use of magic realism completely erases the emotional or dramatic impact of the story. Just as in J.A. Bayona‘s 2016 film A Monster Calls, people who enjoy fantasy-based examinations of real-life issues might enjoy the filmmaker’s approach but, to me, the story’s credibility takes a big hit when the magical element is introduced to it.

While the finale disappoints, Richard Friedenberg‘s Snow in August does not lack positive features. It has first class production design, with props, sets, costumes and musical score (jazz vibes), which allows the viewer to sense the spirit of the 1940s in the US and also features an exceptional acting performance by the entire cast. Peter Tambakis (who also has roles in other great Coming-of-Age flicks such as Joe the King, Igby Goes Down, and The Sixth Sense), manages to portray the struggles of Michael in an accurate, touching manner. That’s why I felt disappointed when the finale just about diminished the Coming-of-Age nature of the film by providing an easy, yet unrealistic, solution thus ruining an otherwise excellent movie and giving me pause to extend my recommendation wholeheartedly.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0262776/reference[/imdb]

Snow in August (2001)

Summary

A young boy befriends a Jewish rabbi after witnessing a Jewish merchant being beaten up by racist thugs, leaving the boy and his mother fearful for their lives.

4

Our rating

DVD available

Amazon.com

Mid90s (2018)

Reminiscent of Larry Clark‘s Kids and Catherine Hardwicke‘s Thirteen, while placing a strong emphasis on the 90’s skate culture, Jonah Hill‘s Mid90s is one of the most refreshing Coming-of-Age dramas released in 2018.

Its story follows the experiences of Stevie (played by real-life skateboarder Sunny Suljic), a thirteen-year-old who is desperately trying to prove himself to his newfound skate buddies, but getting himself in all kinds of mischief and unfortunate situations on the way.

We have all been there — trying to find acceptance from the cool kids on the block. While the story per se does not shine with originality, its nostalgic value is high, and the film is fun to watch. The wicked skate tricks, improvised realistic dialogue (yes, that’s how teens talk and speak when no adults are around and sometimes even when they are), and uplifting old-school rock and rap musical score are perfectly timed to the story’s development and are the film’s highlights. The only other current Coming-of-Age film with a perfect soundtrack is John Carney‘s Sing Street, which is as entertaining as Mid90s, but with much milder scenes.

While the film will find its fans from among the 90’s kids who, let’s face it, are all adults now, I do not doubt that its biggest fans would be present-day teenagers, provided they find a way to watch it. But, being rebellious at heart, they will indeed find a way to do so.

It’s not hard to relate to Sunny Suljic’s character. Yet, one can’t form a solid emotional bond with him since the film’s story is presented objectively, leaving the film’s audience in the role of impersonal observers. That’s not necessarily bad as it prevents the filmmakers (and possibly even the audience) from judging the character’s life choices.

When it comes to the casting, while many of the actors (especially the younger ones) are newcomers to the film industry, they perfectly embody their respective roles: from the attentive innocence, mixed with boyish bravado and teenage angst of Sunny Suljic, to Gio Galicia‘s impressively accurate portrayal of a self-assured teenager who suddenly loses control in the battle for attention amidst his peers. All the actors manage to give depth to their characters, acting in a naturalistic manner (much like the actors in Shane Meadows‘s 2006 film This Is England).

The Coming-of-Age nuances are in abundance, yet the moral of the story is potentially tricky to spot. While the personality of the film’s protagonist changes significantly as the plot develops, there are hardly any lessons learned, making the story less preachy and more entertaining as a result.

Maybe the lack of any manipulative drama scenes will lead to your forgetting this film after the final credits roll, but you will enjoy all of its 85 minutes in the meantime.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5613484/reference[/imdb]

Mid90s (2018)

Summary

Mid90s is one of the most refreshing Coming-of-Age dramas released in 2018.

4.7

Our rating

Get the DVD or Watch the film online at :

Amazon

Turning Tide (2018)

Set in Scotland during the first years of World War II, Andrew Muir‘s 2018 short film, Turning Tide, tells the story of a peculiar encounter between David, a ten-year-old Scottish boy (played by Patrick McLaughlin), and an injured German pilot.

The movie manages to capture and hold one’s attention predominately thanks to the sense of suspense sustained throughout the story by utilizing a sharp mixture of orchestral musical arrangements and editing. Gradual, methodical pacing and close-ups on the character’s faces showing their emotions, or on some action about to be performed, are the suspense building techniques utilized by the filmmakers.

One can’t help but feel empathy towards Patrick McLaughlin’s character. The curious nature of the young boy and the innocence of his tender years are easily read by observing his facial expressions — as they portray his interest, confusion, determination or fear.

The best feature of the film is undoubtedly its striking cinematography. Most scenes are aesthetically pleasing — in fact utterly beautiful to look at, skillfully composed, and shot from a variety of angles.

Unfortunately, the film’s finale doesn’t match the overall quality of the picture. While it highlights the Coming-of-Age nature of the story, it somehow misses the chance to bring in the additional drama that could have further enhanced the film’s impact on its viewers.

Turning Tide (2018)

Summary

Turning Tide is the story of a peculiar encounter between a ten-year-old Scottish boy and an injured German pilot, in the early days of WWII.

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Direction

Reader Rating1 Votes

4.7

Our rating

More about the film

IMDB

Before the Storm (2000)

Before the Storm movie The script and the storytelling are just as important as the acting or editing of a film. That is true for any movie, including those belonging to the Coming-of-Age genre. As proof of that, you don’t have to look much further than the Swedish drama Before the Storm (original title: Före stormen) — in which two life stories tangle together resulting in a captivating and engaging narrative that won’t leave anyone indifferent.

Swedish cinema is renowned for its commanding focus on social realism and, while Before the Storm does not reach the heights of Ruben Östlund‘s 2001 picture Play in that regard, it still manages to portray true-to-life characters and locations.

In Before the Storm we meet 12-year-old Leo (Emil Odepark): a shy and sensitive boy who is frequently subjected to mocking and humiliation at the hands of the school bully, Danne (Martin Wallstrom) and Ali (Per Graffman), a middle-aged taxi driver from Arabic descent who has managed to start a new life in Sweden after fleeing from an ethnic rebellion in his home country.

Leo (Emil Odepark) and Ali (Per Graffman)

The only thing that these characters have in common appears to be the fact that Leo is a classmate of Ali’s daughter yet, as the story develops, one gets to appreciate the elaborate ties one has with his own past (and present) and between seemingly unrelated individuals in any given society.

Reza Parsa, the film’s director (from Iranian descent himself despite having lived in Sweden for a long time), places a strong emphasis on the personal development of the film’s two main protagonists — Leo and Emil. Their characters experience unique trials and tribulations. Both face their inner struggles and must make life-changing decisions, in separate storylines that manage to intertwine and tangle together in a unique and effective manner. This is evidenced, not only by skillful storytelling, but by well thought out editing.

Taking the fate in his own hands — Taking fate into his own hands

Indeed the characterization of the film’s protagonists would not have been as effective if it were not for the stellar performance of the actors who portray them. Emil Odepark acts with his eyes and, when that is combined with his dreamy (and slightly melancholy) persona, the result is a character who is both easy to identify with and to care about. Per Graffman, for his part, is more than effective in portraying a character in turmoil, who has to make a choice between two impossible options.

Before the Storm Trailer

The film’s exploration of the destructive nature of revenge reminds one of the plot in the 2010 film from Denmark, My Best Enemy (Original title: Min bedste fjende). It is the parallel storytelling that really sets Before the Storm apart, transferring what would have been a Coming-of-Age story set in a deep psychological thriller that would likely appeal to distinct audiences — even those with no predefined interest in Coming-of-Age narratives per se.

Despite the relative long screen time, and for the general lack of swift developments in the film, one never feels bored by the story. This is undoubtedly true because of the mind riddles that its characters face that find a way to occupy the mind of the viewer.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251091/[/imdb]

Before the Storm (2000)

Summary

The Swedish drama "Before the Storm" features two life stories which tangle together resulting in a captivating and engaging narrative that won't leave anyone indifferent.

4.4

Our rating

Breaking Brooklyn (2018)

Coming-of-age movies with dancing as a central motif are uncommon, yet at least two titles come to mind: Billy Elliot and Eitan Anner‘s 2006 film from Israel: Love & Dance. 2018 sees another title added to the list – and that’s a drama about a homeless young boy passionate about tap dancing with the peculiar title: Breaking Brooklyn.

One is not able to fully appreciate the story from the first viewing. The general idea is clear, and so are the references to the 2000 British dance drama Billy Elliot. However, the storytelling is inconsistent, and, more often than not, happenings or scenes do not make sense. Things improve slightly as the story develops and, by the final credits, one feels inspired enough to give the film a second chance.

Breaking Brooklyn Trailer

On a second viewing, things improve (albeit only slightly) as one is prepared for the artistic nature of the film, so some scenes like the opening (a young boy dancing in the street) begin to feel well arranged and shot. Since the character development is relatively weak, re-watching the film armed with all the knowledge from the first viewing, greatly helps the viewer to understand some of the motives behind the characters’ actions, thus their personalities. Yet some things still don’t make sense, such as homeless kids looking like Benetton models. This doesn’t ring true, hurting the story’s authenticity.

What the story lacks in terms of originality and execution (a dead mother, a father who disapproves of his son’s artistic inspirations, a competition), it makes up with good dancing scenes and the overall acting of Colin Critchley as the twelve-year-old Aaron – the central protagonist of the movie.

Breaking Brooklyn is fun to watch and does not bore, yet one must disregard many plot holes and timeline issues.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4908174/reference[/imdb]

Breaking Brooklyn (2018)

Conclusion

A Coming-of-Age film with dancing as a central motif.

3.3

Our rating

Watch the movie Now

Amazon Video

The Witch in the Window (2018)

It’s that time of the year again — when scary movies are all the rage — helping us to get in the mood for Halloween.

And what can be better than a scary film with a Coming-of-Age motif and a talented and charismatic young actor in one of its lead roles?

That’s what I had in mind when I picked up Andy Mitton‘s 2018 movie, The Witch in the Window. Its poster is scary enough, and while I was not much thrilled about the storyline of a father and his twelve-year-old son who move to an old farmhouse in Vermont only to find out that its previous owner never actually left, staying on as a malicious spirit, I still decided to give it a go.

I was mostly worried that The Witch in the Window would be yet another cliche-ridden horror flick about a haunted house that terrorizes its new owners. There have been many such flicks, and fortunately, while there are some genre stereotypes blended in, as a whole, the storyline of this film is much more intelligent and engaging — even if the scary part is not that prominent.

Charlie Tacker as Finn in The Witch in the Window

The film’s central theme seems to be the relationship between father and son, which is often addressed in Coming-of-Age flicks. And, while I wondered for a bit after the final credits rolled if the film really could be classified as belonging to the Coming-of-Age genre – I finally decided that the fact that since the personality of the young character changes dramatically from the time we first see him to the end of the film (as a result of everything that takes place in the old haunted house in Vermont where his father took him) there’s more then enough to justify a review on this site.

Fans of the genre are guaranteed to enjoy the great acting performance of Charlie Tacker, whose interaction with Alex Draper (who plays his dad in the film) is so acute that one would not doubt for a minute that there is a real dynamic between them. The casting choices made for the two leads in the film are spot on.

There are some clever twists in the plot, which makes the watching experience worthwhile — even if one has to wait quite a bit for them as they happen near the story’s climax.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5936492/[/imdb]

The Witch in the Window (2018)

Conclusion

Just in time for Halloween, a scary film with a Coming-of-Age motif and a talented and charismatic young actor in one of its lead roles.

4.2

Our rating

Lost in Yonkers (1993)

Some of the best Coming-of-Age movie stories are adapted to the screen to make the viewer feel the same enjoyment as if reading an engaging novel. That’s the case with the 1993 film adaptation of Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers.

Directed by Martha Coolidge, the film relates the story of the peculiar experiences of two young brothers: 15-year-old Jay (Brad Stoll) and his 13-year-old sibling Arty (Mike Damus). They were sent to stay with their stern German grandmother and childlike aunt in Yonkers, New York in the summer of 1942.

Lost in Yonkers 1993 : Kids in a candy store

Lost in Yonkers (1993) is predominately a humorous family drama with insights of human nature and moral lessons embedded in the plot. The humor comes from the characters’ quirkiness and the remarks of the two young protagonists. Based on Neil Simon’s 1991 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the movie resembles the aesthetic and storytelling of Cider with Rosie (2015), Toast (2010) and John John in the Sky (2000) — especially with regard to perfectionism of picture, sound (in some scenes one gets an impression that a whole orchestra was present while shooting) and nostalgic value.

Arty (Mike Damus) picking up widsom from his uncle Louie (Richard Dreyfuss) — LOST IN YONKERS, Mike Damus, Richard Dreyfuss, 1993, (c) Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

A lot of the film’s appeal comes directly from its immaculate production design and visuals. Location settings are used to create an emotional atmosphere (to a great effect, especially in the classical “kids in a candy store” scene) and recreate the look of America’s 1940s. When it comes to camera placement and cinematography, the filmmakers use the subjective point of view predominately, telling the story through the perspective of the child protagonists, thus ensuring that the Coming-of-Age nuances and references are present in abundance.

All of the actors deliver impressive (and expressive) performances. In particular, Brad Stoll and Mike Damus steal each scene in which they appear with impish innocence and charisma. A joy to watch, Lost in Yonkers is a must-see feel-good film with an important lesson: You are the master of your own life!

Lost in Yonkers: Official Trailer

Lost in Yonkers (1993)

Conclusion

The story of the peculiar experiences of two young teen brothers who were sent to stay with their stern German grandmother and childlike aunt in Yonkers, New York in the summer of 1942.

4.8

Our rating

Watch it now

Amazon Video

A Book Review: Me and You by Niccolo Ammaniti

Once you`ve thought something, what need is there to say it aloud?

Back in 2008, I saw an Italian Coming-of-Age film based on a novel by Niccolò Ammaniti. Its title: I’m Not Scared. My enjoyment of the film made me wish to read the novel it was based upon, but, unfortunately, this never happened. That’s probably the reason I chose Me and You – another novel by the same author, this one published in 2010. The cover art and the summary promised another Coming-of-Age story, and this time I was not going to miss the opportunity to read it.

The novel tells the story of Lorenzo, an introverted 14-year-old boy from Rome who has trouble fitting in. He is intelligent, with a vivid imagination, yet introverted and even eccentric at times. Lorenzo does not want to blend in with “the others” but has learned to act as if he does. This way, he can avoid unnecessary attention.

The fact that Lorenzo has no friends worries his parents. Concerned about his mental health, they even arrange for him to visit a psychologist, but the teen has a plan of how to end that arrangement quickly:

“I would pretend to be a normal kid with problems. It wouldn’t take much to trick him. I knew exactly how the others reasoned, what they liked, and what they wished for.”

Scene from the 2012 Italian drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, based on the novel by Niccolò Ammaniti — A scene from the 2012 Italian drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, based on the novel by Niccolò Ammaniti

Despite his introverted self – Lorenzo manages to navigate just fine through his childhood years, until the day that his parents decide that he had enough of the exclusive private school for a spoiled kid and decide to enrol him in a public high school, hoping that this will help him socialize and adapt. They could not have been more wrong:

“When I walked up to the entrance of the high school on my first day I almost fainted. It was hell on earth. There were hundreds of kids. It felt like I was standing outside the gates of a rock concert. Some of them were way bigger than me. They even had beards. The girls had tits. “

So Lorenzo begins “acting out” to get out of school, if that’s even possible. Then he decides on a new tactic: fitting in by imitating his classmates (like a fly that avoids their attacks by camouflaging itself as a wasp). This works for a while, but Lorenzo’s parents are still anxious about their son’s future. Recognizing that, Lorenzo makes up a story and tells them that he has been invited on a week-long ski vacation by one of the popular girls in his class. Instead, he plans to spend the whole week hidden away in a forgotten cellar in his family’s apartment building. His plan works for a while:

“I loved it here. If they brought me food and water, I could spend the rest of my life here. And I realized that if I ever ended up in solitary confinement in prison I would be as happy as a pig in shit.”

Then his estranged half-sister, Olivia, unexpectedly shows up in his den (the cellar) – and his self-created sanctuary starts falling apart.

While the first-person narrative does not feature exciting twists and turns (except at the novel’s very end), it offers perceptive insights into the young character personality, which facilitates one’s identification with him. That’s especially true for introverted readers (like myself). As a Coming-of-Age novel, it reaches the viewer on a personal, almost intimate, level while addressing subjects such as childhood and lost innocence, among others.

Me and You is short in length yet is an engaging novel managing to portray the angst of being different and, as each of us is different in our own ways, it’s guaranteed that one will find a trait in Lorenzo with which to associate. It’s a simple, truthful story about human nature, and that’s where its charm lies. Recommended!

The book and its Audio Version are available at Amazon.com.

Boarding School (2018)

Boaz Yakin’s 2017 movie, Boarding School, relates the story of Jacob (Luke Prael), a distressed young boy of Jewish descent who becomes fascinated with his dead grandmother’s persona and is sent to a secluded boarding school for misfits. Initially, the film appears to be a Coming-of-Age psychodrama, but it shapes into something completely distinct once the story starts developing.

Although the acting is not remarkable, seemingly almost forced at times, and one can become bewildered by the plot’s weirdness, the story nevertheless manages to engage. As if in a lunatic dream, a bizarre puzzle of the film’s characters’ peculiar traits is revealed with each successive scene. This doesn’t always work to the audience’s advantage, as one of the film’s protagonists states, “The less you know, the better.”

Boarding school has its fair share of odd characters – but none of them is well developed.

The atmosphere is purposefully gloomy, the score typical for a horror flick. Rather, sooner than later, one realizes that the Coming-of-Age film Boarding School has somehow turned into a slasher film. A movie complete with jump-scares, violence and even a heroine-like figure, as the young boy, runs around in a dress for most of the film’s duration.

Suppose this was done to portray ambiguous gender identity (like in Rebekah Fortune‘s Just Charlie or Anne Fontaine‘s 2017 drama Reinventing Marvin, the plot might have made a bit of sense. Instead, we have almost supernatural origins that motivate the film’s protagonist and tying into a poorly integrated subplot about the Holocaust.

Boarding School Official Trailer

The plot might be twisted, the scenes disturbing, and yet, at no time does the viewer identify with or even care about any of the film’s characters. That’s an unforgivable sin in a film with a young central lead and with a narrative that at least partly belongs to the Coming-of-Age genre. One gets nothing out of the film and is likely to forget it as soon as the final credits roll (which takes a while as Boarding School’s run time is just short of two hours.

Coming-of-Age horror films are quite rare, but even this fact does not really justify the loss of one’s time caused by watching Boarding School. If you are determined to watch a horror flick with rite-of-passage overtones, you would be better off picking another – such as any of the ones included in our Top 10 Kids of Horror article.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6224502/reference[/imdb]

Boarding School (2018)

Conclusion

While initially, this film appears to be a Coming-of-Age psychodrama, it shapes into something completely different once the story starts developing.

1.2

Our rating

Watch the film now

Amazon.com

Book Review: The Misfits by James Howe

The Misfits by James Howe tells the story of four best friends in the 7th grade who try to put an end to name calling in their middle school. The “ Gang of Five“, as they call themselves, is as compelling as its members: a smart, outspoken girl passionately aiming to put an end to world injustices, a gay middle-schooler confident and happy with himself, a kid whose fashion choices, personal hygiene and attitude have him branded as a school hooligan and last, but not least, the slightly overweight go-along-to-get-along Bobby. And if you wonder why they are called The Gang of Five when they are just four, here is the explanation in Bobby’s words:

Kids who get called the worst names oftentimes find each other. That’s how it was with us, Skeezie Tookis and Addie Carle and Joe Bunch and me. We call ourselves the Gang of Five, but there are only four of us. We do it to keep people on their toes. Make ’em wonder.

James Howe wastes no time introducing Bobby, the young boy who will be narrating the story directly to the readers. This peculiar manner of storytelling makes the reader feel as if Bobby is a friend of his (hers), making sure that we are up to date with the latest happenings in Paintbrush Falls Middle School.

Sometimes Bobby may appear as naive, at other times he appears wise beyond his years. But not even for a moment does he sound false on account of the fact that it is an adult author who is putting the words and thoughts in Bobby’s mind.

While this may not be the best revelation about my own personality, Bobby’s observations about girls, love and everything related is just how I feel in this day and age – and at more than twice his age.

James Howe discusses being a “Misfit” with interviewer Tim Podell

So engaging is the story, that following the action and getting to know each of the characters along with their unique traits, quirks, and personalities becomes a real wholesome experience. The novel undoubtedly fits in the Coming-of-Age genre, and that is not just because of the age of its protagonist. Bobby learns about himself and life by observing the people around him, sometimes coming to not too pleasant conclusions such as:

“I know about Mr. Keller-man and even my own father gets me to wondering if “not a happy person” is part of the definition of “adult.”

Before purchasing the book, I enjoyed its audio version – thrilled by the fun and professional recording by many young artists whose voices and vivid performances brought their respective characters to life. There are a lot of humorous happenings or thoughts in the book as it is and, hearing them in such a lively manner, significantly boosts the story’s entertainment value.

Recommended for anyone aged ten and up, The Misfits by James Howe is a great read with a lot of positive, inspirational and empowering messages embedded. I have read some critiques that expressed concerns related to the sexual orientation of one of the characters and the fact that it is not addressed as a problem. I believe that such critiques have missed the point completely, as The Misfits read by preteen readers, is guaranteed to make them better human beings. I don’t hesitate to recommend the book and am sure of your enjoyment reading it.

Audio Sample from Full Cast Audio

Get the Book at Amazon.com

Just Like Dad (1995)

The 1995 American film Just Like Dad does not shine with an original or poignant storyline, yet its easy going family-friendly nature turns it into a perfect choice for a laid back Sunday afternoon. Made for TV and directed by Blair Treu, the movie tells the story of twelve year old Charlie (Ben Diskin).

Charlie’s small stature and wimpy looks turn him into an ideal target for the school bullies, and while he is not the only kid being bullied (his best friend Sherwood (Jarrett Lennon) is frequently subjected to similar treatment), he is desperately seeking a way out. Unfortunately for Charlie, his dad (Wallace Shawn) is a nerdy scientist, bullied on his own by his colleagues at work. His dad’s solution is to pay the bullies so they will leave him alone.

Seeing no other solution for his problems, Charlie decides that the only way to achieve a better status at school is to win the father-son completions at the next school picnic. As his own dad is anything but athletic, Charlie decides to recruit a pretend father from the local bodybuilding club as a substitute. He is successful in that undertaking, but then things do not go exactly as planned.

Just Like Dad – Trailer

The film does include Coming-of-Age motifs and with a good moral lesson (even if it feels bit forced on the audience), but probably its best feature is the acting performances.

Most notable are the performances of Ben Diskin and Jarrett Lennon (both actors are charismatic and interact well with each other). Although the film is categorized as comedy or melodrama, it doesn’t feature that many funny or melodramatic moments. And, when it does, they are of the light kind. This does not necessarily turn it into a bad flick as it manages to remain entertaining and never bores its viewers. Added bonuses are the scenes with computer usage, as the technology appeared so “advanced” in 1995 — not!

Just Like Dad is not likely to leave long-lasting memories in its audience, but it’s a good way to chill out in front of the TV. Young kids may also find it entertaining, as some of the scenes are shot with a naivety that I’m sure will appeal to them.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113502/reference[/imdb]

Just Like Dad (1995)

Summary

An easy going family-friendly flick that turns into a perfect choice for a laid back Sunday afternoon.

3.2

Our score

Get the DVD

Amazon.com

TheSkyKid.com

TheSKyKid.com

Aloud (2016)

Snow in August (2001)

Mid90s (2018)

Turning Tide (2018)

Before the Storm (2000)

Breaking Brooklyn (2018)

The Witch in the Window (2018)

Lost in Yonkers (1993)

A Book Review: Me and You by Niccolo Ammaniti

Boarding School (2018)

Book Review: The Misfits by James Howe

Just Like Dad (1995)