Ghosts of Dicken's Past

Length:  90 Minutes

I haven't seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: ?

But is it art? ?

Major Flaws: ?

Full House Season 1

Length: 22 Minute Episode 

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book

Best character: It varies. As ensembles go this one is pretty good.

But is it art? ...not exactly. Good, but not a high art form.

Major Flaws: Only what you would normally find on a TV sitcom.

Friendship's Field

Length:  84 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? I find no evidence that there is a book.

Best character: It has been a long time since I saw this film but I was completely in love with Ira a kid.

But is it art? This movie has a great lesson about overcoming prejudice. I remember seeing this film over and over, it always seemed like a history lesson. When I grew up I realized that the movie could just as easily be set in the present.

Major Flaws: I can't think of anything, but again it has been a long time since I've watched it.

Freedom Writers

Length: 122 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Another tricky one. The movie clearly draws a lot of information from the book but focuses on a much smaller group of students. The book contains anonymous entries from the students' diaries and it is hard to make a continuous narrative.

Best character: I love Erin Gruwell and her students. There is no doubt in my mind that this film impacted my desire to become a teacher. 

But is it art? When I watched this movie with friends at the theatre and first saw the MTV logo flash across the screen I was certain that I had made a big error. But I remember being incredibly moved by this film. So much so that I went straight from the theatre to computer to reserve the book down at the library. So many people in high school read this book, including people that never read. At first my delicate ears burned viciously while watching, but as I watched the themes became clearer and found myself totally immersed in the story.

Major Flaws: Hmmm... parts of the film feel a little romanticised in a negative way (is that a thing?). However, I'm aware that there are places where this is still the norm. 

Francis of Assisi

I can find the whole movie but not a trailer... suffice to say he is an awesome saint and I expect him to have an awesome movie.

Length:  105 Minutes

I haven't seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? ?

Best character: ?

But is it art? ?

Major Flaws: ?

Flight of the Navigator

Length: 90 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: Max, the wise-guy compu... spacesh... naviga... ali... I'm not sure it is ever really cleared up what he is. But as a little kid I found him ridiculously hilarious.

But is it art? Considering this is children's sci-fi from the 80s it has held up remarkably well. Sure, some of the alien puppets were lousy but again, 80s. Plus it still has the funniest E.T. reference of all time.

Major Flaws: Child actors are always somewhat of a mixed bag and here is no exception. The star of the film gives a nice performance but sometimes he struggles with the emotions he should be portraying.

Finding Neverland

Length: 102 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? This one is complicated. It is a movie based off of play - inspired by a book - inspired by a movie - based off of a book - based off of a play - inspired by real life. Did you catch all that? With all that inspiration going on I'm not even sure what we should be loyal to at this point. I do know that historical accuracy has been occasionally left behind in favor of whimsical though.

Best character: Hmmm... Honestly I do love J.M. Barrie. I don't know how accurate the portrayal of the historical person is, but the portrayal of a creative mind is perfect. I love Johnny Depp's performance here... and it is probably the least Depp-ish of all his roles.

But is it art? The beautiful portrayal of what goes into a creative work is wonderful. As a writer I can deeply sympathize with Barrie in this film.

Major Flaws: Occasionally the whimsy trails into smarmy territory. Especially where Peter is involved. Remember this kid? 

For a while there you couldn't watch fantasy set outside of Hogwarts without seeing his face. He. Was. Everywhere. I guess he had a lot of whimsy? I don't know, he is an okay actor but I personally always felt something a little off-putting about him.

Now that he's all grown up everyone else can enjoy the vibes I've been getting off him for a decade.