Tom_Nashville Reviews

Iki Haole: Nico's Hawaiian Adventure (1995 Video)

A little foreigner meets a new friend in beautiful Hawaii ...

[6/10 · 22 February 2021]

In this little 53 minute film, a Romanian boy named Nico sets off on an adventure in Hawaii. First, there are no earth shaking adventures to report on. Then, as another reviewer alluded to, you have to forget about logic to watch this story. Things like: why is a 15 year old Romanian boy flying alone into Hawaii, with no one watching over him, no apparent place to stay, no money, and his only objective seems to be to "go to the beach"! Is this normal for Romanian boys? Some kind of rite of passage into manhood? I can hear the phone call now, ... "Hey Mom, it's Nico, guess where I am!" In the background we hear the boy's father yelling "Did Nico run away again?!" So, put away all these kind of thoughts and just enjoy the little film. It's worth the 53 minutes just to watch Nico Almasan. I did not know it would even be possible to find a 15 year old boy, anywhere, that is as sweet as this one. And, I truly believe Nico was just being himself. Watching Nico is like watching a puppy dog at play. Who doesn't love that! I think the word "cute" sums up this film, for me at least. So, Nico being alone in Hawaii, meets a young local fellow named James, who takes Nico into his care and shows him around the islands. These are the adventures. James tell us that Iki Haole is a Hawaiian term meaning "little foreigner". There is a little drama in the story at the end, and we are not sure how it will play out. This film was made in 1995, and I sincerely hope that Nico has grown up to be a happy, healthy and successful adult, wherever he is.

Burning Secret (1988)

A beautiful capture of life in Austria 100 years ago

[9/10 · 24 November 2020]

This is a basically simple story capturing a period of time in "high society" life one hundred years ago in Austria. It was a simpler time, when people enjoyed reading books, cars were amazing big machines, and most people traveled about in horse and carriage. The principal characters are the Baron, the veteran actor Klaus Maria Brandauer, the mother, Faye Dunaway and playing the 12 year old son, David Eberts. To me, almost every scene in this film is like a post card or a beautiful painting. The atmosphere of Austria in winter; the wonderful old hotel and spa. The beautiful music by Hans Zimmer also added to the mood of the film. Faye Dunaway was literally breath taking. When she walked into the Hotel lobby every head was turned to watch her. I expect that was not acting, but a natural reaction by everyone there, to a beautiful woman coming into their presence. Handsome young actor David Eberts was perfect in the role of Edmund. The director, Andrew Birkin, wisely uses many extreme close ups of David's face and the kids' big brown eyes. Edmund was a lonely boy looking for a friend to "hang out" with, or a surrogate for his father who apparently didn't have much time for him. The mysterious Baron filled the role, taking an interest in this wonderful boy while all the time noticing how beautiful his mother was. All of the characters of the story, like everyone else in life, have their own emotional or physical problems to deal with. The Baron would tell stories to Edmund, and the boy was totally mesmerized by everything the Baron said. Again, the close-up shots of Edmund capture that intense attention he was giving the storyteller. As the Baron drew closer to Sonya, the mother, Edmund began to change, and was hurt and feeling betrayed by "his" new friend. In a key scene, Sonya said to the Baron "Edmund will go away from me, not because of you, or me, or even because he wants to, but because he must." One of the stories the Baron told Edmund was "Erl König", the Elf-King, by Goethe. In the end, a father holding his son, realizes the "kind war tot", the child was dead! The child Edmund was now becoming less dependent on his mother, and in fact as with the actor David Eberts, was growing away from childhood. The child was dead.

Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)

Great film, beautiful music ...

[8/10 · 8 January 2019]

I loved just about everything about this film, and I won't go into many details about it, there are plenty of reviews here. If you have not seen this film, you just need to do that, assuming that you like good quality movies and not dumb, or dumber stuff. Don't get me wrong, it's good to just have a good laugh now and then. But basically, this movie revolves around the story or legend of the Beast of Gevaudan region of France from around 1766 era, just a decade before my country was formed in America. The cinematography is incredible. In my opinion, France is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, whether now or 250 years ago. How can you ever go wrong making a film there? I knew nothing about this fascinating story until several years ago while watching the Tour de France, of all things! The race commentators were discussing the legend of the area where the bikers were rolling through at the time. It totally intrigued me and I did a little research about it, and bought a book, but as you may observe from the film and reviews, there is much confusion or "folklore" about what may have really happened there. To me though, that only adds to the suspense of the story. One thing that is known for sure, there were victims, but they couldn't tell anyone the true story! The real reason I wanted to review this though, is to mention the beautiful music of the film, and in particular after the end credits start rolling. I tell people this all the time: please don't rush out at the end of a movie or turn off the DVD, until you give the closing music a chance. I have heard and enjoyed some of the most beautiful music ever created at the end or during a movie. For this one at the end credits I implore you to listen to Felicia Sorenson sing the song "Once", (soundtrack by Joseph LoDuca). You will not be sorry. Absolutely beautiful!

Wendigo (2001)

Creepy and moody photography ....

[7/10 · 18 October 2018]

I believe this movie needs to be watched through the eyes of the boy, Miles. He has traveled with his Mom and Dad to a strange old house out in nowhere land, and has to sleep in a large room by himself. To me, the real horror in this film is the woods, and the darkness. The boy has been told about the legend, or folklore of the Wendigo. It roams the woods and fields looking for its next victim. In his bed the boy looks through old books which show pictures of Indian cultures which practice the rituals of wearing animal heads and masks. Everything around him is strange and creepy. I specifically remember long ago riding in the back seat of the family car on cold, dark winter nights, just like Miles was doing. Just me back there and Mom and Dad up front. Driving down a country road at dark, especially just as darkness has fallen, I could see the trees and woods as we passed by them, but just a short distance into the wood line, it turned completely black. The cold and snow added to the chill that would come over me. My boy brain could imagine that someone, or some thing, was in there watching us pass. If our car broke down here, we've had it. We would all be torn to pieces by whatever is out there, watching us. It may even be a large black wolf, and I imagined I could see only two yellow eyes, just into the trees. Cars did not have automatic devices back then, and I would slowly reach over to be sure the door was locked. I could not wait to get home and into my warm cozy bed in my own safe room. I personally really liked the extremely moody photography in this film and the snowy, dark, late evening and night scenes. To me, that is the real scare and even now gives me chills to think about. The Wendigo itself is almost a side story to the isolation, darkness and the unknown of the woods at night. If nothing else, I like this film because it introduced me to, or reminded me of, a wonderful old poem by Robert Frost, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening". I printed that poem and hung it by a window in my house where I look out onto the woods out back.

The Son (2002)

A good film, but you have to be patient:

[7/10 · 19 September 2018]

No actors were harmed in the making of this film, by cameras continuously placed 6 inches from their heads. This film is different than the usual box office movie mill, for sure, and I did like it. However, all I could personally conclude at the incredibly abrupt ending, is that Oliver will never be able to forgive this kid. He can barely manage to even talk to the boy! In reality the kid would be nuts to even think about continuing to hang around Oliver. At the end in the lumber yard the boy must be thinking "man, I just need a ride back home, then I'm out of here"! He will have to leave the school and certainly never again consider Oliver to be his guardian. Who would want to live with, or be around someone that just stares at you. The boy would have to ask himself every day "Is this guy going to take me under his wing, ... or kill me"! Morgan Marinne does a great job in the part of the boy, Francis. Of course we are told what he did, but I really do want Oliver to forgive him and accept that even though his son is gone, this boy is still here and desperately needs someone to help, mentor and care for him. It can't be just an accident that they were brought together at that school. Oliver Gourmet is such a fine actor, check him out in the movie "Home" 2008. That was another out of the mainstream kind of movie (it revolved around a really strange story)!

The Unsaid (2001)

About the music ....

[8/10 · 25 May 2018]

This often gets overlooked in movies, so I just want to mention the music score written by Don Davis. It is absolutely beautiful! Very haunting, and fits the somber tone of the film so well. I bought a copy of this movie as much for the music as for the story. Also, I can identify with Tommy about the trains. I am a railfan and have always loved to hear those diesels and the sound of the horns, close up or off in the distance, especially at night. Gives me a chill just thinking about it!

300 Miles to Heaven (1989)

Really incredible film

[10/10 · 18 April 2016]

I believe this is an amazing and powerful film! This is one of the few films I have ever watched completely "without translation". It was so well made, that didn't matter to me. The photography, mood, lighting, atmosphere and the absolutely haunting music score had me totally absorbed. (Later, I managed to find a copy to purchase, and watched it with English translations)

And what can I say about the natural talent of the beautiful children in this film, and what their characters went through to try finding a better life somewhere! When it was over, I was counting my blessings. I never had to grow up in conditions anywhere near as harsh as depicted through the children in this story. The final few incredible scenes capture the very depth of human emotions. Seriously, those ending scenes hit me hard! Look closely at the faces of the two brothers as they sit beside each other. And, please don' miss the sign on the building right behind them! It's my opinion that "300 Mil do Nieba" is a Masterpiece!

The Search (1948)

Ivan's performance...

[9/10 · 14 May 2008]

I am often blown away by the amazing performances of child actors and I suppose that it should come easy for a child to act because children "pretend" to put themselves into any situation every day when they play. That is what a kid does. In this film Ivan Jandl actually becomes his character "Karel" so well that it seems like we are watching a documentary of a real war orphan instead of a movie. This is one of the most heartbreaking and yet uplifting films I have seen in my 60 years. I don't know how I missed this film for so many years and I thank Turner Classic Movies for the chance to finally see it. The expressions and emotions displayed by Ivan are so "real" that, several times, I wanted to pull the kid out of the film and just hold him for a while. Someone commented that Karel did not produce any "tears" when he cried, but in reality we must remember that these children were "walking zombies" living in horrible conditions completely against the nature of childhood. I could believe that the tears had probably dried up long ago, and would only come if he saw his mother again. Montgomery Clift portrays a realistic role in that, like most men of that era, he cannot make himself pick up the kid and just comfort him and that very fact makes the pain and suffering of the little boy all the more agonizing for the viewer to watch. I was very pleased to learn that Ivan received a special Oscar and a Golden Globe for his work in this film. I hope that throughout his short 50 years of life, this recognition gave him great personal joy, in spite of the political persecution brought against him in the past for having a part in the film.

Peter Pan (2003)

Beautiful film, beautiful music...

[8/10 · 31 January 2006]

This is a visually beautiful film and Jeremy Sumpter makes a terrific Peter Pan. All of the kids and adult actors do a fine job, and Jason Isaacs does his usual outstanding work, this time in the dual role of Captain Hook and Mr. Darling. What I remember most about seeing this film at the theater, however, is the music. I believe some of the finest music written in our age, comes from films such as this one (and Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc, etc.). Mr. John Williams "America's composer", is responsible for much of the most memorable music from films of the last 20 years. You won't hear this stuff on your car radio. At the end of Peter Pan when the credits started, I sat and listened to 10 glorious minutes of music, credited to Mr. James Newton Howard. When it ended, I was the only one in the theater. Please, don't be in such a hurry to rush out after a film, you may miss out on something very special. It takes a lot of talent and hard work to create beautiful scores such as this one for Peter Pan. I bought the DVD with the music, as much as the film, in mind. I learned my lesson on this after seeing the first Lord of the Rings film, Fellowship of the Ring, with music by Mr. Howard Shore. During the closing credits after Enya sang her beautiful version of "May it Be", an incredibly haunting song called "In Dreams" was performed by a wonderful children's choir with a solo by a boy with unbelievable control and fidelity in his voice. It was the perfect ending to the three hour film experience. The story of Peter Pan is, of course, well known and very bittersweet. All children seem to be in a hurry to grow up, ...except Peter Pan. He wants to remain a boy forever and at the end of the story he sees what that wish will cost him. He will remain a boy, while the rest of the world and those he cares about, move on without him. Does anyone really think they would like to remain a child forever? I wonder.

I Am David (2003)

A courageous journey...

[9/10 · 21 October 2003]

Pay close attention to young Ben Tibber, who portrays the central character of this film, I Am David. All throughout the film, the mood of the scene is defined just by the expression on his face, especially his eyes, and he can change it in an instant. I watched this young actor in total amazement. We follow David on his solo journey of escape from a brutal communist labor camp to a land very vague in his mind, Denmark. There are many beautiful scenes of colorful villages and towns, fields of sunflowers and sweeping vistas of the hills and valleys that we share with David, in sharp contrast to the horrifying memories of life in the labor camp, that haunts him. Those that helped him escape gave him one primary rule: don't trust anyone! As David travels along the roads to his destiny he meets many characters along the way and we wonder, will he, or should he, trust this person? As the viewer, we desperately want somebody to comfort and assist this wonderful boy. The veteran actress, Joan Plowright, splendidly portrays one of those characters that David encounters; but can he confide in her to help him on his way? The director and screenwriter, Paul Feig, doesn't rush the story, although it does move very quickly at the end. Mostly, he lets us observe David as the boy wisely and carefully analyzes each situation as it develops. The end of the film wraps up nicely with a very surprising and interesting revelation of the storyline. I watched this film at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis and had great expectations upon going in to see it. I was not disappointed. I Am David, is an outstanding film.