While this looks to be made by an ameture, there is a fun and warmth to the movie.
First, the screenplay could have been better. It has a slow start and can be a bit preachy at times. I see this in other Christian movies, they assume you don't get it so they spell it out for you. But honestly, we do get it. It could have moved at a better pace, but overall not too bad.
Second, the director/editing. Several scenes needed to be reshot, but for some reason "good enough" seemed to rule the day on this film. (budget, time,????)
Acting was all over the place. Some scenes looked like some high school kids got together to make a movie and other scenes were touching. But some of the characters were simply not believable. Crazy as it may seem, the lead role (was he the director/writer/executive producer's son?) actually was not bad. He seemed to be a natural.
Overall this was a fun film with a nice message as long as you don't expect too much.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Barefoot
(2011)
Delightful and Inspiring
14 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The movie "Barefoot" chronicles the life of Hamid, an Afghani boy who suffers the loss of his parents, subsequent poverty and trials due to his circumstances. A football coach invests in him and allows him to play football and teaches him the game. Dubbed "water boy" because he sells water, he is subjected to prejudice from other footballers, but through it all, he becomes a great football player and leads Afghan to the 2008 Homeless World Championship in Australia.
This is a "feel good" movie from the start as you already know the outcome before watching. The director and writers use the plight of Hamid to highlight Muslim Prophet sayings in support of the fatherless and, in a bit of a "preachy" way, show how Afghani people generally ignore such sayings, in an effort to bring attention to the apparent disconnect.
While the movie script is basic at best, the English Captions are a bit too literal, at times making it difficult to follow, and the acting is poor, this movie still tugged at my heart, bringing pity and concern for fatherless children.
The ending shows actual footage of the "street football" game, ending with Afghan's victory.
Not the greatest movie ever made, and not well acted or well scripted, but I still enjoyed it. If you like to pull for the underdog, I think you will enjoy it too.
The Search
(III) (2014)
Captivating and Moving
31 December 2016
This is a remake of a 1948 movie with the same name, but with a second story along side the updated original. Like the original movie, this will tug at your heart by displaying the real cost of war. But unlike the original, this movie not only shows the "victim" side through the use of a homeless little child, it also shows the "victimization" of 18 year old boys, those having to fight. This movie is a bit gory, but is very respectful and does not show gratuitous gore. The movie seems to develop slowly, a style many who enjoy European movies have come to expect. However, unlike many European movies, this one has a nice "twist" at the end that is likely to put a smile on your face, in the midst of the horrors and realities of war. The two stories are only tied together at the very end and only in a brief, somewhat unsatisfying way. But if one understands that the movie is reflecting on how awful war is on young lives, it does make sense. Slow, moving and powerful. Not the typical fast paced, complex and neatly wrapped up US production. If you want to watch, sit, relax and enjoy.
Scrap Wood War
(2014 TV Movie)
Delightful Movie For the Family
9 September 2016
Scrap Wood War is about two friends, Ziggy and Bas, finishing Elementary school who due to circumstances causing personal disappointment and jealousy find their friendship tested. As an educator who works with children, I found the plot and sequence of events very believable. The acting was average to above average. I appreciated the way the boys and their friendship was portrayed. Sensitive, but not mushy. I am sure there are many elementary children who will identify with the story plot - friends allowing emotions and the difficulties of growing up, with all its coming changes, to get in the way of a friendship. So too will children relate to the vacillating feelings of the two friends who find themselves wanting to restore the friendship but not sure how, then getting angry with each other all over again. There is by my count 3 swears in the English subtitles and two brief, mild sexual innuendos. But overall, expect this to be one of those movies where you can sit right next to your child and never blush. I recommend the movie and would even highly recommend it if you have a son who is struggling with a friendship and lacks the emotional vocabulary to discuss it with you. Watch the movie together and use it to open discussion. Or, just watch and enjoy.
Bunks
(2013 TV Movie)
Silly Middle School Boy Movie
17 February 2016
If you are looking for a fun, nearly ridiculous, surprisingly clean (with the exception of some fairly innocuous "boy humor") then this movie is just what you are looking for. You will meet the typical group of campers. Included are the irreverent, clumsy counselors and the usual cast of funny camp staff. The acting is exaggerated, perhaps seen as sub par which adds to the craziness. Bunks brings together half part Camp movie and half part cheap Zombie movie. They have a fun twist to the usual underdog cabin vs obnoxious cabin. If you think of it as an after school slapstick zombie movie for Junior High boys then you should love it! Just don't take it too seriously. Or you will be very disappointed.
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