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Reviews
I Want to Be Famous (1976)
A bleak look at the life of an unhappy boy.
"I Want to be Famous" is a "lost film" that is finally resurfacing after more than two decades of neglect (although not yet on video or dvd). It concerns Steven (Steven Bratt), an 11 year old British kid who thinks football (soccer in the US) is "rubbish," preferring to paint pictures or just daydream. His unsympathetic dad is disappointed in his son's lack of interest in sports and denigrates his artistic inclinations. His mum defends her child and Steven must listen to many arguments about which he is the topic. His only solace is his friendship with another boy (Stuart Elliot) who is good at football but still likes to hang out with Steven. They get involved in various kinds of mischief, such as having a mud fight, harassing a band practice and playing "strip down naked" hide n' seek." A comparison has been made with this film to the movie, "If...," because of the boy's violent fantasies. There is virtually no plot, just a brief view of an unhappy childhood.
The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
Demonic Doings in Manhattan
"The Possession of Joel Delaney" (1972) is a story of demonic possession, much on the order of "The Exorcist," but in many ways more believable. A young man, played by Perry King, has his body taken over by the soul of a serial killer. His sister, Shirley McLaine in one of her better performances, tries to find out why his behavior has so drastically changed, and her quest takes her into the Voodoo underground of Manhattan's Spanish Harlem. The plot develops slowly but builds to a powerful, unexpected finish in which McLaine and her two young children are lured to a secluded beach house and threatened by a knife wielding Perry. This includes one of the most shocking scenes involving a minor in American movies. I will not disclose the details of what the actor, ten year old David Elliot, is subjected to but it probably could not be filmed today in our more uptight, politically correct times, at least not with the same directness.
"The Possession of Joel Delaney" is not a better film than "The "Exorcist," but it is well worth watching and does manage to scare us without the use of gimmicks such as pea soup and revolving heads.
Blauvogel (1979)
English settler boy is kidnapped by Indians.
George, the ten year old son of English settlers in midwestern America apparently about the time of the French and Indian Wars, is kidnapped by a native tribe and taken to their village. At first, you don't know what their intentions are toward the boy who is played by Robin Jaeger. When he is stripped, painted black and held under water, you think it may be some kind of ritual murder. However, it's only part of his initiation into the tribe. Renamed "Blauvogel" (Blue Hawk), he spends the next several years being raised by the Indians, who prove to be kind and probably more virtuous than the Europeans from which he came. Eventually, he is returned to his English family, but finds the readjustment difficult, particularly as they do not have the same respect for nature as the American natives.
"Blauvogel" is in German and the version I saw had no subtitles, although I found it easy to follow and quite engrossing.
The Genesis Children (1972)
"The Genesis Children" expresses a mystical naturism
`The Genesis Children' is a legendary film that I was lucky enough to have seen in it's initial (very brief) release in the early 70's. Quickly withdrawn because of hostile critical reaction, it was released on video several years ago after having been regarded as `missing' for decades. Despite a somewhat pretentious script that is nonlinear and difficult to follow on first viewing, it is a very earnest expression of naturist philosophy and is rather mystical in its approach.
The plot, such as it is, concerns eight American lads (ages about ten to sixteen) living in Rome, who are lured to a small Italian coastal town by a newspaper ad calling for boys `to act in a play.' Along the way, they encounter a man (played by Vincent Child) who appears to them in various guises: a priest; a teacher; a policeman; a politician. Directed by him to a secluded beach and finding themselves alone, they hang out for several days, swimming and sunbathing au natural. Indeed, this may be the ultimate skinnydipping movie. While there, they have some adventures. They explore a cave. They raise and repair a sunken rowboat, only to have it sink again. They attempt to steal food from a local farmer. They drive an abandoned van and end up wrecking it. Much of Genesis Children is Tom Sawyerish, but ends more like a milder `Lord of the Flies.'
On the surface, it's quite innocent except for an act of vandalism near the conclusion, which causes the boys to argue and breakup, some returning to civilisation and some choosing to stay. Also, there is a brief, ambiguous conversation between one of the younger kids and an older boy implying sexual activity.
On the downside, the production is rather amateurish and the acting a bit wooden. The cast is obviously made up of nonprofessionals.
On the upside, the color photography is outstanding with gorgeous shots of Rome and the Italian towns, countryside and coast. There is also a catchy musical score.
It must be said that Genesis Children is not intended for all audiences. Many would be offended by the extensive nudity parts of the film. I would think its appeal would mainly be for those interested in naturism and lovers of unconventional movie making.
Artus, Merlin a Prchlici (1995)
An amusing Czech Language film
An amusing Czech Language film about two Dalmatian Dogs who run about the landscape, creating havoc wherever they go. The children in the rural area love the animals and try to protect them from adults who would like to be rid of the trouble makers. The film is funny, well photographed and easy to follow.
Cache Cash (1994)
Cache Cash is pleasant and well made
Cache Cash is a pleasant, well made film about two French Children (Aurelian Wiit and Josephine Serre) who find the loot from a bank heist. Feeling that they have been unfairly disciplined by their respective guardians, they take the money and run off to the sea shore to spend it on a good time and to release some captive lobsters from an expensive restaurant. However, they are unaware that one of the robbers, a vicious, razor wielding career criminal, is hot on their trail.
The film is charming and easy to follow despite the lack of English dubbing or subtitles. There is one positively adorable scene showing the boy, Wiit, who has angelic good looks, playing with a fawn.
The viewer should be warned, however, that this is probably not for small children. There is violence, although much of it of the slapstick variety, quick flashes of nudity (including Wiit) and one graphic if very brief sex scene.