If you have never been introduced to Thora Birch-this is the one to see. I don't know if this was her first movie or not but she is really young in this film. If there were ever a star born "this is it". She is just unbelievable. Griffin and Johnson are really great too. This movie is actually worth watching for the scene location alone.
An Undiscovered Gem
It amazes me that a film like this passed by virtually unnoticed. The drama is, for the most part, understated yet heartfelt and captivating. Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith do an excellent job of portraying a couple's different coping mechanisms for grief. That the audience is able to see their deep love through their non-existent communication, rancor, indifference, and pain is a tribute to the depth of their performance. On par (yes, on par) with the adults' acting is that of the children's. Never once do Elijah Wood and Thora Birch overact in that cloying, cute way that some child actors do -- this, despite the fact that both are too adorable for words. They give natural, believable performances that effectively capture the beautiful innocence of childhood, as well as its joyful mischief. Elijah and Thora's chemistry is something to behold. This movie will transport you to a time when telling someone "You're my best friend" was the most important thing in the world. A touching ending... a lovely film.
Great movie that kids and adults both should watch
"Paradise" reveals much about children of people who don't take the time to care/supervise their kids and have no father. While the film is basically a drama, its strength comes from dealing with the conflict of being forced into a lifestyle one would not voluntarily choose after a parent's remarriage. Nevertheless, the film portrays children as resilient, capable of not only facing such challenges, but mastering them.
This is definitely a movie parents should view and discuss with their kids. So many topic are presented, some directly and others in a more subtle manner, including, authority, creativity, punishment, rebellion, justice, discipline, practice, seeking approval, friendship, becoming part of something larger than yourself, pride, and lessons one learns outside of the classroom. The camera work and direction is superb and worthy of larger budget films, the acting is outstanding in word and deed. And the sound track, including music and sound effects is one of Donoghue's best efforts.
There is a certain "cuteness" to it, but the overall tone of the film is super and the presentation by the young people makes you proud of their efforts. Every 11-year-old must learn to make his or her way in the world by fitting in. However painful the experience of growing up is, we tend to forget it as the years pass.
This movie makes adults ponder the uncertainty of youth and many will have had the revelation of Billie by the end of the film. If you are capable of serious thought, "Paradise" will make you think about life differently.Paradise is a great movie. is an up and rising movie sensation. The rest of the cast isn't bad either. If I could buy this movie I would. It is the story of a boy named Willard who is sent to his aunt and uncle's, who are trying to survive a tradgedy in the summer. The rest you'll have to see for yourself. Once again Thora Birch shows us that she is an awesome actress. She plays all her parts so well and I know she works hard for what shes earned. She's pretty and a talented actress. Elijah Wood is great in this movie and makes it enjoyable to watch. .I think that Paradise was awesome.Melanie Griffith did a great job. Elijah Wood was great. He worked hard and he looked great in the movie. You would love it. The chemistry between Elijah's character and Thora's character was the best I've seen.
this was good movie for caucklin and wood they both had amazing chemistry together e. wood mom just passed away and his uncle told his father to let him stay few weeks with his cousin (m. caucklin) the father agreed and dropped his son off to spend winter break with the uncle and his family i like how caucklin fooled everyone about him being a great kid and looked at e. wood like he was crazy becaus e wood was trying to convince everyone that m. caucklin was a phony who was dangerous m. caucklin n da movie, he drowned his baby brother in the tub and nearly killed his kid sister in the icing pond mark (e. wood) try to tell his aunt but she didn't belive him until henry ( tried to kill her too at the end of the movie but e. wood came to make the save and m. caucklin got what he did to... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Macaulay Culkin - Elijah Wood Director(s): Joseph Ruben DVD Release Date: Released the 03 February 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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The 1963 film that inspired a popular television series about a chatty, lovable dolphin gets a sunny makeover in this 1996 update. Elijah Wood plays Sandy, a bleak adolescent from Chicago struggling with the recent divorce of his parents and wanting only to immerse himself in familiar comforts. Instead, Sandy is sent to Coral Key, an island off Australia, to spend a summer with his Uncle Porter (Paul Hogan), a benevolent old fisherman. The sights and pleasures of the island, including a pretty neighbor named Kim (Jessica Wesson), aren't enough to shake off Sandy's gloomy outlook. But when he meets Flipper while boating with Porter, his morale improves considerably, then gets another boost when Flipper develops a loyal attachment to him. A subplot about a crooked charter-boat... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Elijah Wood - Paul Hogan Director(s): Alan Shapiro DVD Release Date: Released the 20 January 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Kevin Costner is the big name here, but the film belongs squarely to Elijah Wood, who plays his son. The film deals with the children of a Vietnam veteran in 1970 Mississippi; as their dad (Costner) tries to cope with posttraumatic stress disorder after serving in the war, the kids build a mammoth tree house in the woods--then must defend it against the local white-trash bullies. The film includes a particularly harrowing contest involving a swim across the reservoir of a decrepit water tower; still, director Jon Avnet can't avoid a certain "can't we all just get along" didactic message. That doesn't put a damper on the youthfully natural quality of the child actors, and Costner is actually quite winning as a sensitive, troubled soul. --Marshall FineMore Info about this DVD Actor(s): Elijah Wood - Kevin Costner Director(s): Jon Avnet DVD Release Date: Released the 13 April 1999 Usually ships in 24 hours
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At the end of "The Bumblebee Flies Anyway," I found myself wondering what the filmmakers had set out to accomplish when making the film. It is still unclear to me. Nevertheless, this movie is extremely touching, and worth watching. Barney Snow is living in a hospital for terminally ill children, but is not near death...just amnesiac. Barney is in despair. All he can remember is his name and a few random facts. The film follows his journey, as he meets his fellow patients and begins unraveling the real story as to why he is the way he is. This is a film about life: how to appreciate and hold onto it. Elijah Wood is excellent as Barney Snow, and quite reminiscent of Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker in "Spider-Man." The boys who play his friends are also very good. Rachael Leigh Cook and... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Martin Duffy DVD Release Date: Released the 13 March 2000 THIS TITLE IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. If you would like to purchase this title, we recommend that you occasionally check this page to see if it has become available.
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