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I view quite a few kid movies... not Cody Banks but serious films about kids such as Gus Van Sant's Elepahant and another that comes to mind is "Thirteen". Elephant has a Palme d'Or from Cannes. _Thirteen_ has nothing as far as I know. But I think Thirteen is a better film. A few more fit this category like one on drug abuse called "Spun." Another international film is "City Of God" about the seamier side of Rio. The list of these (even of current vintage) is quite a bit longer. But what struck me was the arrival of a new study about childhood in America called _Huck's Raft_. For a film that seems to take all it's cues from the message of "Huck's Raft" which is "leave your kids alone so they can grow" my pick for the ideal (or best, whatever) film about growing up in America is Alan Arkush's "Detroit Rock City". I like this film so much I requested that my local library acquire it. And they did.
Spun; was that the one about methedrine? Also I saw your music posts on the Decware foruum, very informative. I think they would be a welcome addition here. J.R.
Yes, Spun was about the lives of tweakers as was that Val Kilmer film... durn, can't think if it. I've never participated in the Decware forum, so I'm wondering what music reviews you have seen? Kid shows (and I'm going out on a limb admitting this) portray many things I've never experienced and that's my fascination with them. The original "Kids" film and the followup by the same director called "Bully." Spun was directed by the same joe who directed the Hubert Selby film which had moments equally unsettling. I'm just remembering things as I write and do not have references handy for some, but "Requiem For A Dream" was by the same guy as "Spun". And how could we forget "Less Than Zero" from the novel by Brad Easton Ellis which may have started the whole trend (?) Like I said the list is pretty long of films about kids but for adults. On the other hand, I consider Detroit Rock City about kids and _for_ kids in a positive way. The subject matter of Elephant won praise from the international award audience, but I have not found much of value in anything Gus Van Sant has ever done.
Spun did a great job of catching the manic energy drain of that lifestyle. I agree on Van Sandt; cliche' pretentious and raw. I am sorry but I am sure a Lon posted good music reviews on the Dec foruum or maybe some other foruum and I have it wrong; you started it with a title of Favorite CD's I believe. It seemed to have your signature post style. Can you read Ellis? Or Stephanson? It's like work wading through the standard rap. The Wanderers was an early film of the book by Richard Price, I enjoyed. He also did Clockwatchers.
The interesting part about Brad Ellis' Less Than Zero was that the library copy I had (I buy very little) was really well worn. It and the movie are watched read by kids... they use the movie as a party film. I have less idea about the current list of kid films. Strangely I cannot remember the most horrific scene of Less Than Zero (the book) being duplicated in the film. But there is a similar scene in Spun. And it got to me the same way the book did. There is a strange use of video game animation in 2 of these: Spun and Bully. I have asked but never found out if these are actual video game animations or created for the films. One can dismiss this sort of thing saying "It's none of my business" or maybe more to the point being told "It's none of _your_ business" but then these images are only being absorbed by the kids themselves at house parties and on dvd/vhs. Before you ask, I don't believe in any sort of censorship for those of adult age.
Here, here!; I have a fourteen year old, it is scary. I have never refused him the opportunity to read or view any media I feel is enlightening and has a purpose. If you show fear of information they will seek it out. They are funny compared to how we were at that age. They are very quick witted and knowledgable but do not seem to have the survival skills we had. That is bad because they are very cocky and sure of themselves but are not aware of consequences. By the same token censorship is deadening and shrinks their ability to judge situations critically. That is a big debate in this community but I am convinced that out side of unacceptable subjects such as pornography et al, they should be exposed to every artistic vision, which puts me at odds with most people.