Change Your Image
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Reviews
Joe the King (1999)
emotional authenticity without the sugar-coating
I just saw this film for the first time last night on video. The beginning is a bit over the top, but emotionally rings true from the comic-book perspective of a child. The rest of the film has a dark realism to it, the constant use of the "F" word and young boys commenting on the "nice titties" of the girls rings true to my ear as a member of the cohort who grew up in this era. The author captured the voice well. Life sucked for this kid and he was set up from the get-go, so the ending is no surprise. He's a survivor. If you like films that lift your spirit and leave you with a renewed faith in humanity, this isn't the film for you. If you like emotional authenticity without the sugar-coating, then you'll enjoy this film.
The Boy Who Loved Trolls (1984)
A remake of Ofoti, 1966
This movie was a part of a series of children's films for PBS's Wonderworks, produced, in part by WQED Pittsburgh. It's actually a remake of another WQED production of the play "Ofoti" filmed in black and white, (1966), about the timeless magic of childhood, and a boy's understanding of imagination. NET Playhouse bought the film and aired it on public television from 1966-1970. Philosophically, its theme reminded me of another children's film "The Phantom Tollbooth."