Reading the synopsis of Ilan Moshenson’s 1979 film The Wooden Gun (original title: Roveh Huliot) can convince the reader that the film is filled with ideology. That’s probably why I was initially skeptical about the Israeli film. Yet I decided to give it a chance – and discovered that The Wooden Gun is much more a Coming-of-Age tale than a political fable.
The Wooden Gun (1979)
Sole a catinelle (2013)
If you like uplifting films, you can’t go wrong viewing Gennaro Nunziante‘s 2013 comedy Sole a catinelle (Sun in Buckets). Unlike most Italian films, Sole a catinelle is the antithesis of Italian Neorealism. While you may have to forgo your sense of disbelief, doing so is guaranteed to give you 87 minutes of pure fun.
A Children’s Story (2004)
“… mistakes can also be a remedy, if one has guts…”
I have grown up with the Italian Mafia themed series The Octopus (La Piovra) and know that for crime drama one can’t go wrong by choosing an Italian film. A Children’s Story (Italian: Certi bambini) promises
Introducing Will Homewood
Will Homewood, now aged 14, goes to a boarding school in Oxfordshire England called Sibford School.
I had almost forgotten what an important nurturing place a school can be until I discovered my high school in Canada had burned down last year! The stage and auditorium were magic portals for me back then at the same age of 14.
Tom und Hacke (2012)
Adaptations based on classic novels do not always inspire enthusiasm to be seen on the big screen. More often than not, such films fail to capture the essence of the works they are based on. The different medias, the cinematic potential of the original work, length and depth are just some of the challenges that are faced by the filmmaker.
Director Norbert Lechner manages to address all of those challenges in his 2012 film Tom und Hacke, loosely based on Mark Twain‘s novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Oliver! at Trinity Rep: A Review
When it was first suggested to me that I write a review of the production of Oliver! by the Providence (Rhode Island) Trinity Repertory Company (Trinity Rep), my first reaction was that maybe there wouldn’t be enough interest in the show to warrant me publishing a review of it on this site.
Hold Fast (2013)
The 2013 Canadian drama Hold Fast, directed by Justin Simms, features a touching story that would appeal to some viewers, while others will be disappointed by the lack of suspense and plot twists. Essentially the focus lies on the rite-of-passage of 14-year-old Michael (Avery Ash) who loses both his parents in a car accident.
Interdependence (2013)
“The events of childhood do not pass, but repeat themselves like seasons of the year”
Eleanor Farjeon
We will probably never have such friends as the ones we had in our childhood. The magical time of our youth – filled with innocence, discoveries and joys — is the central theme of the creative short film that Tomas Makovsky directed for the musical piece Interdependence by Adrian Corker.
The Tree Of Life (2011)
We follow 12-year-old Jack, the central character, growing up in small-town Texas in the 1950s, struggling with conflicted feelings toward his mercurial father: love and dread, both.
La traversee du phare (1999)
“The sea is beautiful because there is always a lighthouse hiding somewhere.”
Troubled youth, a popular young actor in the lead role – that about sums up all I knew about the 1999 Thierry Redler film La traversée du phare (Crossing the Lighthouse). With such a significant unawareness, it didn’t come as a surprise that this French made-for-TV film totally exceeded my expectations, ending up being one of the best Coming-of-Age films I have ever seen.
Cotolay (1966)
Cotolay, a 1966 movie by the Spanish film director and screenplay writer Jose Antonio Nieves Conde, meets the general characteristics of a Coming-of-Age story “emphasizing dialogue or internal monologue over action”. Yet due to its linear, slow paced plot development and hefty film length, the viewing experience is sub par.
Treasure Island The Musical
“Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest–Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!”
As this is an English language blog, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that most of the artistic performances reviewed by TheSkyKid.com come from countries where English is the primary language. But we must never forget that young talent lives all over the world, so we are thrilled when we can review a quality film, stage show or concert in a language other than English.
In that vein, we would like to introduce the musical Остров Сокровищ (Treasure Island), based on the bestselling adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. The Russian production of the show is by the Circus and Theater Company “Aquamarine” and is wowing audiences in Moscow. Described as a “musical adventure about friendship and true evil, betrayal, courage and fearlessness, about unruly poems and a beautiful, alluring sense of freedom”, the musical premiered in 2012 and has been on stage ever since, receiving rave reviews. Outside of reading such reviews from people who attended the musical, my impressions of it are based on a promotional clip of a song from the show, Песня о свободе (A Song of Freedom).
Песня о свободе (A Song of Freedom)
http://youtu.be/hS5z4OLpu0Q
There are several factors that make a good musical – choreography, vocals and a strong dramatic plot line. The performance of the cast in A Song of Freedom is an attestation that the creative team behind Treasure Island managed to create a magical experience for the audience.
The adventures of the young Jim Hawkins is a wonderful example of a classic Coming-of-Age story. Young Jim narrates almost the entire story, which is why it comes as no surprise that the attention of the audience is focused on the young actor playing the role of Jim Hawkins. The website of the musical lists seven young performers who rotate in the role, unfortunately not giving any specific information about them, but mentioning that, despite their age (12-13 years old), they are all true professionals and winners of Russian and international vocal competitions.
A boyish romance, adventure, passion for freedom, adventurism, honesty, courage and nobility – it’s no surprise that Treasure Island is one of the most frequently dramatized novels.