Stand by Me

Stand by Me

             Rob Reiner's 1986 coming of age adventure film, Stand by Me chronicles four pre-teen boys as they venture out in the Oregon wilderness to search for a dead body. The year is 1959, and the film is well textured in fifties nostalgia, dress and language. The film feels authentic and the beautiful backdrop of the Oregon Wilderness is pleasant to look at. The story centers on four very different boys who  all are encountering some type of personal trauma. Gordy is a smart responsible boy from a respectable family, but the recent death of his older brother Dennis has caused both his parents to grieve heavily and ignore their younger sons needs. Chris is a hard case from an abusive family and it is implied that he does not have much of a chance of turning into a law bidding citizen. Teddy is flamboyant and a bit crazy and the audience is informed that his father is mentally ill and seared his ear on a stove top when he was younger. Last but certainly not least is Vern an affable young boy who is a little chunky and consistently out of breath. Vern is the most innocent of the boys and he just wants to be important. The group is likable and several scenes show them  playing cards, flipping nickels and when they have to make a promise they do a pinky swear(what's more sacred then that?).  What's interesting is how all the boys seem bright and happy but there is an underlying sense of agony that they express with a simple facial expression. Flashbacks show the relationship between Gordy and his brother Dennis. We see that Gordy was never the certain of attention and he always took a back seat to his brother who was up and coming football star. Dennis loved Gordy and spent as much time as he could paying him the attention that was owed to him. For every laughable moment in Stand by Me there is one that is laced in misery and self reflection. 

            The boys are searching for the body of a dead kid named Ray Brower. The kids act as brave as they can but you can tell that there frightened at what they might find (after all finding a dead body at the age of 12 would be traumatizing). The darkness of their adventure drudges up painful memories about their families. The boys claim that they want  to find the body so that they can get a medal pinned on them but they are really trying to find a distraction. Their adventure is essentially an excuse for them to hang out while they are still together and young. They have a feeling that their lives may never be this good and I found this aspect of the film sad. Death, loneliness and self worth are all consistent themes and the actors truly sell the emotional scenes and they never seemed like they were acting. The boys emotional behavior and their attempts to be reckless fit the category of the developing child. Researchers Carrie Hintz and Eric Tribunella define children in this model as immature beings who are slowly moving towards adulthood and undergoing the physical changes of puberty (26). One moment they laugh, the next they run and then it seems that each child has their own moment to cry and reflect about their situation. Rob Reiner's direction shows the tender and volatile nature of growing up and simply discovering who you are.

Unfortunately I could not find an official review from Roger Ebert, Gene Siskle or Vincent Canby.

Here is a Youtube clip from the film where the group stumbles onto Ray Brower's body. At this point they have been traveling for more than a day. On their journey they have exhausted a lot of emotion. You would think that they would be excited to find Ray's lost body but they act in disbelief. It is unnatural for young men to stand over a dead body. Watch how they react and notice their innocence, immaturity and shock. https://youtu.be/ecsPydUbYGM. 

 Hintz, Carrie, and Eric L. Tribunella. Reading Children's Literature: A Critical Introduction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2013. Print. 

E.T

E.T

            Steven Spielberg's 1982 science fiction masterpiece E.T remains a staple in children's film and is still quoted and is that classic film that parents just have to show to there kids, even thirty years after its initial release. A beautiful score and great cinematography guide the viewers through a journey where they meet a young boy named Elliot, who discovers he has a psychic connection with a lost alien named E.T. Elliot is similar to most boys ages 8-10 due to his immaturity, his want for friendship, and his desire to be taken seriously by adults. The young protagonist is brave and subdues his curiosity by wielding a flashlight and venturing outside during a spooky dark night (something I never would of done at the age of ten, just ask my siblings) or looking through a forest in search for other fantastic creatures. Elliot is telling the truth but no one believes him at first simply because he is a young boy and kids tend to make up stories about witnessing aliens. Elliot is a developing child, which literary theorists Carrie Hintz and EricTribunella describe children in this model as having certain adult qualities but remaining immature or incomplete and impacted by not only physical growth but psychological factors, that are common among prepubescent children (26). Throughout the story E.T is being tracked and hunted down by the government and rather than run in terror from the alien, Elliot wants to be his friend and protect him. 

           People are often repelled from anything that looks or sounds different, especially kids, but Elliot is intrigued by the alien. He talks to him as if he is another kid and in one scene he shows him all of his toys. Elliot exudes a sense of calm around E.T, maybe its because the alien gives Elliot his undivided attention and he just cant wait to unravel the mystery surrounding E.T and his origins. The film does a great job at expressing the wonderment that children feel when they think they have discovered something fantastic. In Elliot's case he has, and there are several scenes where the young protagonist just stares at E.T with a doting look of love. Pulitzer Prize winning film critic Roger Ebert describes Elliot's natural likability by stating, "He's natural, defiant,easily touched, conniving, brave and childlike". Although special effects become dated with time I believe that audiences in general are magnetized to this film because of its emotional undercurrent. Although this is a science fiction movie it is more about friendship and finding something to stand up for. While I watched this movie I kind of forget about everything going on around me and just enjoyed seeing Elliot interact with E.T. 

To read Roger Ebert's 2002 review of the re-release of E.T simply click, http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/et-the-extra-terrestrial-2002

This Youtube clip shows Elliot and his younger sister coaching E.T on how to speak. Notice how invested Elliot looks, you can really tell that he is intrigued by the Alien. https://youtu.be/6xZif3WmG7I 

Hintz, Carrie, and Eric L. Tribunella. Reading Children's Literature: A Critical Introduction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2013. Print.

Matilda

Matilda

        Actor/Director Danny Devito's 1996 film adaptation of Road Dahl's classic fantasy children's book, Matilda understands the very nature of childhood and it's young protagonist. Pulitzer prize winning film critic Roger Ebert spoke about the nature of Dahl's books by stating, "Road Dahl was by all accounts a singularly unpleasant person, which may explain why he wrote stories that are so fascinating to children. He nursed the grudges of childhood, mistrusted adults and he was unmoved by false sentimentality".  Matilda is a children's film but that doesn’t mean the story is solely about sunshine and roses. The Audience is introduced to the protagonist Matilda Wormwood when she is just a new born. Several shots in the film depict her parents Harry and Zima as cold, selfish and neglectful to Matilda's needs as a child. This cruelty by her parents causes Matilda to become a vivacious reader and eventually she wants to be enrolled at school. Her life is unpleasant and both her parents are con artists so she uses books as a way of escaping reality. This causes both her parents to freak out because they are not even intelligent enough to comprehend literary works such as Moby Dick. Her parents and her brother sit in front of the TV all day eating TV dinners and think that their daughter is useless trash for wanting to better herself (That’s kind of funny if you think about it). Matilda never takes no for an answer and some of the best scenes in the film are when she dyes her fathers hair, glues his hat to his head, and wreaks havoc on the Wormwoods TV. 

         Matilda is a special girl and what makes her so is that she has a certain resentment within her that gives her a true edge. She wants to be good but she also does not mind dishing out a little payback. The way Matilda is treated by her parents and later Principal Trunchball suggests that she is viewed by them as a Sinful child. Researchers Carrie Hintz and Eric Tribunella describe the sinful model of childhood by stating that adults during the early puritan settlers movement viewed kids as naturally sinful and in need of saving, so they were often brought up with harsh discipline (18).  They go onto state, "Today manifestations, of this notion of childhood sin might take more secular forms, couched in the pseudo psychological language of impulse control" (20). This notion of hidden psychological desires is manifested and portrayed in the film when Matilda begins to demonstrate telekinetic abilities. She uses these powers as a way to protect her friends and have a little fun (after all she is a seven year old). The treatment she receives from her cruel hulk of a principal, Mrs. Trunchball causes Matilda to take any measure possible to protect her friends from the abusive antagonist. Like her parents, Trunchball views Matilda as a threat, but no need to worry Matilda flips the tables on this administrative bully. What I enjoy about Matilda is that it is such a competent film. The mix of magic, drama, and cruelty is portrayed with a cinematic flair that creates a lot of fun moments in a film that deals with neglectful parents and violent principals. I love how Matilda is portrayed in a way that shows the beauty of childhood curiosity and depicts kids as wanting to learn and looking for positive role-models. 

To read Roger Ebert's original review of this film simply click, http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/matilda-1996

After destroying both her fathers hat and hair Matilda's favorite books are ripped apart right in front of her. She is forced to sit down and watch TV. She becomes frustrated and focuses all of her anger on the TV which causes it to explode. This is a good example of Matilda being viewed by her parents as a sinful child. https://youtu.be/4B5mU-Ve5t4. 

Hintz, Carrie, and Eric L. Tribunella. Reading Children's Literature: A Critical Introduction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2013. Print.

The Little Rascals

The Little Rascals

          Penelope Speehris's 1994 rendition of the Our Gang TV series, little Rascals may never have been a hit with critics but both young and older viewers can find enjoyment in this zany comedy. Little Rascals centers on two mischievous and funny young boys by the name of Spanky and Alfalfa as they run a society called the He-Man Woman Haters Club. What's so funny about these tow characters and their club is that most young boys pretend to be disgusted by girls while still managing little school yard crushes. Spanky and Alfalfa are dorks but they just don’t see themselves that way. That is what is great about all kids, no matter how ridiculous or nonsensical there behavior becomes there is always a certain amount of sincerity in their actions. Both protagonists take there club duties seriously and they wanna be top dog. Watching the rascals run throughout town in an attempt to build a tree-house, salvaging a go-cart and trying to put out a fire is laughable because you see this group of little kids in an adult world. In the fire scene they line up in formation and even have uniforms ready to go. Despite their best efforts there just too young and immature, but that doesn't keep the rascals from trying their hardest. 

         There young, harmless and just wanting to be each others pals. Spanky is club president and  manages to not only hold court but seems to be the clear alpha male. Alfalfa is Spanky's friend but there is a little bit of a rivalry between the two. As a viewer I just love seeing kids act as if they are adults. If only the adult world understood the dangers of cooties and the importance of soapbox derby racing. There issues are not even problems and they seem to be having more fun than anyone else on the screen. Because of both Spanky and Alfalfa's serious demeanor and ability to run the club I believe they fit the childhood model of radically other. Researchers Carrie Hintz and Eric Tribunella describe this model by stating that children are viewed as incomplete versions of adults and express there interest in the adult world by playing or modeling behavior (24). Both characters are sincere and love being apart of the He-Man Woman Haters Club but the immature nature of there gathering signifies that they are still just young boys looking to kill time and hang tough with their friends. That’s what I love about the Little Rascals, its not only fun to watch kids play but you can also learn a lot from them when you sit down and observe the very nature of their activities. Little Rascal is a one of the few goofy movies that knows its ridiculous and still manages not to take itself to seriously. I love this film and it remains one of my childhood favorites.

Unfortunately Roger Ebert never did a formal review of this film.

In this Youtube clip here you will see the rascals attempt to put out the fire that is engulfing their clubhouse. They have uniforms and line up in formation but they just cant get the job done. This is a perfect example of the children acting in the radically  other model of childhood. https://youtu.be/IGk_T4lqTKs

Hintz, Carrie, and Eric L. Tribunella. Reading Children's Literature: A Critical Introduction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2013. Print.

Classic poster

My Review for the 1994 feature film of the Little Rascals will be up shortly. Can I get a drum roll please?

The Never Ending Story

The Never Ending Story

           Wolfgang Petersons 1984 epic fantasy film The NeverEnding Story is a delightful mixture of  romanticism and high fantasy that not only captures the audiences imagination but uses dream like imagery to enthrall viewers. The story centers a young boy named Bastian, he is a shy daydreamer who is sullen at the loss of his mother and his fathers tough love attitude does little to comfort the young protagonist. Bastian is bullied by other children and spends his days running away from school yard narcissists. What's peculiar about  Bastian is he just wants a distraction from the often harsh and disappointing realities of life. This escape comes in the form of a book, where a mysterious book owner hints that he will become infused in the story and witness fantastic beasts and see the struggle of both good and evil. Bastian's curious nature and his boredom compel him to take the book as he desires to be apart of a world where he is important. While reading he envisions the magical world of Fantasia where there are racing snails, giant bats and rock eating giants that patrol the land and a mysterious force called "The Nothing" erodes the landscape. The creatures and residents of Fantasia are goofy, interesting and just the type of characters that Bastian needs  to instill him with confidence and he feels as if his reading of the book is fate. Bastian is being engaged in a way that he cannot find at home or on the school yard. The film is full of lush imagery, both swamps and "The Nothing" are used as metaphors for the often depressing and disappointing nature that comes with the human condition; since children are often dismissed and ignored because of their daydream like nature. 

         Through his reading Bastian discovers that he has the power to save Fantasia and this empowers the young protagonist since he often feels like no one even notices him.  Researchers Hintz and Tribunella describe children in the sacred model of childhood as, " precious and aesthetic objects to admire" (22). Bastian is shy  and misunderstood but does not realize that  he serves a higher purpose and that his curiosity has led him to a world where he is not bullied or pushed to  the side but being depended on by the fantastic creatures that he thought never existed. Bastian fits the Sacred Model of Childhood because he is fragile and his lonely existence are what make him  powerful. He knows what it feels like to be placed on the backburner and he focuses all of his attention on the residents of Fantasia and in the end he can save them because he understands there struggle and the value of hope. Pulitzer-Prize winning film critic Roger Ebert commented on the frame style narrative and the power it could have on young viewers by stating, "It lets kid know that the story isn't just somehow happening, that storytelling is a never ending act of the imagination". Everyone experiences loneliness and The Neverending Story, is a delightful reminder that hopes and dreams empower people to look beyond their own pain.

To read Roger Ebert's original review of the film simply click, http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-neverending-story-1984

This Youtube clip is from The NeverEnding Story, is the scene where two of Fantasia's residents, the Childlike Empress and Atreyu cry out for Bastians help. Bastian then learns that he has the power to save the world of Fantasia. He is a fragile character and in this scene he is being empowered by the Childlike Empress. https://youtu.be/wUttwzazq30, https://youtu.be/3bzYc7FASoM 

The Goonies

The Goonies

Richard Donner's 1985 classic, The Goonies remains to be one of the most celebrated kid’s movies and instantly became a favorite of young viewers upon its release. The action and adventure that occur throughout the film are what young kids often daydream about. The film follows Mikey Walsh, a bright and nice young boy who stumbles onto a treasure map and decides to go looking for fortune and fame with his friends Data, Mouth and Chunk. Mikey and his family are facing foreclosure and the possibility of making a life changing discovery and finding One-Eyed Willy's treasure is just too much to resist. The cast of characters are goofy, immature but full of heart and a true embodiment of the eighties. Also tagging along are Mikey's older brother Brand and two high school aged girls Stef and Andy. The chemistry among the group of protagonist is undeniable and the film is so fun in its portrayal of danger and excitement. The Goonies must not only survive all the booby traps along the way to the treasure but must also escape the clutches of a group of recently sprung criminals called the Fratellis. Several scenes show Mikey and his pals solving deadly puzzles, escaping danger and using whatever gadgets Data brought with him to save their skin.

Mikey is a thoughtful young man and throughout the movie you can tell that he really just wants to experience the wonderful feeling of discovering something. Fame and Fortune are nothing without his best friends beside him. That is what is so powerful about The Goonies is that it engages the audience and just makes the journey look like fun. As a kid I spent much time in the backyard with my sisters searching for make believe objects that were just a figment of my imagination. I never found anything but I just enjoyed being out and about with my two best friends. I must say that do the dangerous situation that the Goonies encounter they most likely resemble miniature adults. Hintz and Tribunella define this model of childhood by stating, that children remain immature but capable of completing tasks that would be typically done by adults (27). I would say exploring a booby trapped corridor while trying to escape from three loony convicts is no small task for any kid. Pulitzer prize winning film critic also stated in his review of The Goonies that film makers such as Steven Spielberg and Richard Donner allowed there young protagonists to ,”His technique is to take his thirteen and fourteen year old (actors) and let them act a little older than their (characters) age”. This is a nice touch and it adds to the film because kids often try to act older and tougher than what they are (I know I did and oh man I got into some mischief). The Goonies remains a classic because of its likable lead characters, depiction of adventure and its overall balance of childlike nostalgia and eighties era fun.

To read Roger Ebert's original review simply click, http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-goonies-1985

Here is a clip from Youtube that shows Mikey and the other Goonies setting off a dangerous trap. Watch how Data is able to save himself from falling to his death. It is a dangerous situation but the young protagonists find a way to prevail. https://youtu.be/i0aPTpZR-g8

Hintz, Carrie, and Eric L. Tribunella. Reading Children's Literature: A Critical Introduction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2013. Print.

                                                                       The Sandlot

David M. Evans 1993 sports classic The Sandlot has enough sentiment and fifties are nostalgia to fill up any hallmark card. The Sandlot follows a young boy by the name of Scott Smalls in the summer of 1962 as he has just moved into a new neighborhood. Scott is intelligent and more fascinated by science and erector sets then jumping on a bike or even playing baseball. He dresses neatly, is polite and respects adult authority and has no friends his own age. What kind of kid is this anyway? In one particular scene Scott is encouraged by his mother to make friends, play, get roughed up and even cause a little trouble. Scott's clean and safe behavior are in direct contrast to the reckless and nonsensical era that was the sixties. Full of slang, culture and adolescents thirsting to be rebel without any particular cause. Scott follows the Romantic Model of Childhood which researchers Carrie Hintz and Eric Tribunella describe children as the pinnacle of innocence and as something that not only needed to be cherished but also protected (15). Although Scott is smart he is also naive and his awkward nature makes his interactions even more interesting. When Scott stumbles onto an old sandlot he meets a group of young boys who are fascinated with the game of baseball. They talk tough, play hard and enjoy the game so much they don’t even think to keep score. There more mischievous nature serves as a foil to Scott's innocent demeanor, and guess what they get Smalls into a big pickle when his stepfathers baseball that was signed by Babe Ruth gets knocked over the fence and is now in the clutches of a rather large mastiff dog. Sandlot is a great film because we see Scott at the beginning of the story as awkward and lonely and near the end he is much more confident and can he knock a few balls over the fence. He goes from not knowing who Babe Ruth is (your killing me smalls) to all the sudden having to orchestrate a plan to recover his step dads baseball. Films often forget that character development is a quintessential part of any story but The Sandlot makes it look both fun and natural. I truly enjoy this film not only because its entertaining but it honors both the game of baseball and the mischievous nature of the sixties. Great writing, character development and a sincere love for baseball are what make The Sandlot a timeless classic.

To Read Roger Ebert's Review of this film simply click http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-sandlot-1993

This link will take you to Youtube. The clip covers part of Scotts Mom talking to him and his first meeting with the boy's at the Sandlot. Look for Scotts innocent nature and how well mannered and shy he is as compared to the other kids. https://youtu.be/rF2EKw9bcWw

 Hintz, Carrie, and Eric L. Tribunella. Reading Children's Literature: A Critical Introduction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2013. Print. 

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Temple of Doom

Steven Spielberg's 1984 follow up to Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is one of my favorite movies of all time. I enjoy the action, suspense and the characters are so energetic they almost pop off the screen. Pulitzer Prize Winning film critic, Roger Ebert described the movie as, "One of the greatest bruised forearm movies of all time…That's the kind of movie where your date is always grabbing your forearm in a viselike grip". One of the most enjoyable aspects of the story is the addition of a young Asian boy who Indiana Jones simply calls Short Round. He is Indy's side kick, the robin to his batman, and oh wait he's only nine years old. Short Round loves Indy and goes on a series of daring adventures where he drives a car, frees child prisoners, fights off bad guys and even burns Indy to snap him out of a deadly trance. Short Round is a resilient young character who seeks to imitate his courageous hero and mentor. Short Round can be best described as a miniature adult, which Hintz and Tribunella describe kids in this model as independent and capable of completing tasks that are synonymous with adulthood (28). What is fascinating about Short Round is his loyalty and love for Indy. It radiates off the screen and it reminds me of when I was a little boy and used to look up to my older brothers as if they were Greek gods. Although Indy is really irresponsible with Short Rounds well-being, the two are like old pals and there is a real chemistry there. Short Round is an embodiment of children's adventure and while this movie may prove frightening for young kids, they will most definitely connect to this fun and wily protagonist. Short Round remains one my favorite movie sidekick of all time, and he proves that the dynamic between him and Indy is pure movie magic.  

To read Roger Ebert's review of this film simply click http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/indiana-jones-and-the-temple-of-doom-1984

In this clip Indy and Short Round have broken into the Temple of Doom and begun to free all of the child slaves. When Indy is confronted by a large henchmen and is being tortured by voodoo, the loyal Short Round comes to Indy's rescue. This is a prime example of Short Round acting as a miniature adult. https://youtu.be/YOnSXw9coq8

 Hintz, Carrie, and Eric L. Tribunella. Reading Children's Literature: A Critical Introduction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2013. Print. 

About Me

About Me

I am currently attending Western Michigan University and pursuing a degree in Special Education. I am twenty three years old and I have always had a love, curiosity and desire for all things cinematic and I believe that film is one of the best forms of artistic expression that there is. I have dozens of old VHS tapes of children's movies that were made in both the eighties and nineties and I spent a good deal of my childhood watching them over and over again. Both era's are well known for their marketing of children's adventure films. Movies such as the Goonies, Never Ending Story and The Sandlot are still being enjoyed by viewers both young and old. During these two periods commercialization and artistic expression coexisted and were used to reach out and inspire viewers of all ages. The adult world of entertainment is often overly violent, sexual and fails to capture the simplistic nature of childhood fun that every viewer regardless of age craves throughout their lifetime. This blog will explore several well known children's movies and I will identify models of childhood and analyze the psychological tone of each film. Because I was not alive during the eighties and was born in the mid nineties  I am using this blog as a tool to investigate what seems like a much simpler time in American history. I am the youngest of six children and I have grown up constantly hearing about both of theses era's. I am fascinated by pop-culture and I think it is always interesting to go back in time and find out what movies were popular, how people dressed and what type of music was played on the radio. My friends have always described me as a old soul and I guess this blog will be an extension of that.