BoyActors - Reviews/Ratings by Cinefan

Welcome to BoyActors. Login.

Reviews by Cinefan

Sort by: Title | Rating

285 reviews/ratings - 15 pages (20 reviews/ratings per page)

Little Manhattan (2005)

This is one of those boy movies that never really caught on with me. The usual story of cutesy kids falling in love and a boy whose whole life seems to revolve around this girl. Josh Hutcherson looks too young to be completely taken up with such things and, anyway, boys his age have more boyish problems to worry about. Like getting run over in Manhattan or having his scooter pinched. Josh Hutcherson was also a rare boy actor inasmuch as he wasn't particularly good looking being a rather chubby plain-jane. Of far greater beauty but unjustly relegated to a minor role was Anthony Laflamme who played his karate opponent, Tim Staples. Here was an example of gross casting injustice when Laflamme should have had the main part then the girl would have had REAL boy beauty to send her little heart a-fluttering.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Little Shit (2018)

A quite sad short with some nicely filmed scenes. Badger Skelton (who calls a boy Badger?) is very good in his part as a disadvantaged boy with sick mother and bullying brother.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

The Little Vampire (2000)

A kiddie vampire movie with a difference - this time the vampires are the goodies. Rollo Weeks is good as the posh voiced boy vampire. Slightly stilted acting however takes the edge off the film. Some good comedy moments but nothing outstanding.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

The Long Days of Summer (1980)

Surprised this movie has not received any reviews to date. To me, this film is most notable for its boxing scene between Ronnie Scribner and David Baron. One of the best choreographed boxing matches I've seen on screen with both boy actors looking quite attractive, in their own way, in their neat shorts.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Lord of the Flies (1990)

A reasonable attempt at this story but not as good as the 60s original. Having the boys as military cadets was okay BUT the plot is greatly weakened by having an adult, albeit injured, among their party. Also the 'monster' is unnecessarily altered from the original dead airman whose parachute flaps in the wind and frightens the boys. Chris Furrh is, and indeed looks, great in the part of Jack, leader of the violent hunters. Interesting, though sad to note, is the absence of any nudity which was present in the original.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Magic Kid (1993)

I am surprised two of my compatriots only gave this film 4 and 5 stars. I found my DVD of it (the cover of mine not being quite so eye-catching as the one illustrated) on a market stall for a pound. I thought this was one of those boy film gems you come across only rarely. Ted Jan Roberts is outstanding as Kevin, the Ninja boy and someone who obviously got the part through his knowledge of the martial arts. I am also surprised it took until August 27th 2011 for this film to be added to the BA list.

It is competently directed by Joseph Merhi. Stephen Furst is good in his part as Kevin's bumbling uncle. Ted Roberts is an attractive boy (in the dark haired Italian fashion) and has a marvellous American boy accent. The plot is pretty standard but is well acted throughout with plenty of comical characters. An uncle who owes money to the local Mafia who, in turn, are portrayed as bungling gangsters.

Members might be interested to know that there was a sequel 'Magic Kid 2' directed by Stephen Furst but, I would agree, it wasn't anywhere near as good.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

The Magnet (1950)

One of those rare British boy films that came out in the fifties and is typical of the time. A pleasant boyhood adventure even showing scenes of the now long gone famous Liverpool elevated railway.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

All swashbuckling and lots of action but amongst all the cannon fire and somewhat overdone British sailors comradeship, Max Pirkis as Midshipman Blakeney stood out. Blond and outstandingly good looking he was every captain's cabin boy dream though, in his case, of higher rank. There were a few other boys who made brief appearances in this film including a quick shot of a boy on the French ship.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

The Mighty Celt (2005)

You could say this was simply a run-of-the-mill movie about a boy and his racing dog. In reality it is, but there are some heart warming moments mixed with a smattering of violence. Thank heavens for subtitles is all I can say so that I was able to decipher the broad Irish accents. Tyrone McKenna, who apparently isn't even listed on BA, plays his part well and the whole film is set among the Irish troubles and against the sweeping Irish countryside. Possibly the characters are a bit cardboard with the boy accepting 'O' - what name is that? - (Robert Carlyle) rather quickly as his long lost father with no questions asked. The kennel owner, Good Joe, a real baddy with no redeeming features. But it's light and fluffy so I can forgive the fact Tyrone isn't even interviewed directly on the DVD extras. Interesting to note that when the father engages his son in some friendly talk the boy asks if he's a 'bum bandit'. What a sign of the times!

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

A Monster Calls (2016)

If you want cheering up this is definitely not the movie for you. A dying mother, missing father, overbearing grandmother, weather that is either dull or never stops raining and bullying at school all combine to make poor Conor O'Malley's life just short of hell. Lewis MacDougall acts his socks off in this film showing all the painful emotions of a boy growing up and beset with these problems. If that isn't enough, a huge monster in the shape of a Yew tree with a very destructive bent blunders into his life. Words of wisdom fall like leaves from this monster while Conor has to face up to the terrible events going on around him. Great acting from Lewis, great photography too but a ray of sunshine provided by his father arriving from America penetrates the gloom of the story.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007)

A good performance from Zack Mills as the young boy helping to run a magical toy store. I liked his relationship with the accountant (Jason Bateman) who ends up playing games in the boy's bedroom. Light hearted fluff that makes an easy watch.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Mr. Rice's Secret (2000)

Nice acting from Bill Switzer and Richard de Klerk as the dying boy with cancer. How did David Bowie get involved with this? A film of sad emotion combined with a bit of the supernatural.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

La Mugrosita (1982)

It is rare to see a boy film from Mexico and a musical one at that. This is a charming film in its own right even though my DVD has no subtitles so I had to guess at the plot as it went along. Pedrito Fernandez is wonderful as the poor boy who, every now and then, bursts into typical Mexican songs to woo his girlfriend. A pleasant film with amusing, humorous situations between the two rival gangs. Possibly a bit too much musical background on the soundtrack sometimes but overall 'La Mugrosita' is well worth watching.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Nanny McPhee (2005)

An amusing story with the great Thomas Sangster as the eldest child. Good performances all round both from the boy and adult actors.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

The Nutcracker in 3D (2009)

A film that cannot be faulted on its production values and special effects. They are tremendous and though Elle Fanning takes the lead, she is ably supported by Charlie Rowe looking very princely in his uniform and Aaron Michael Drozin playing her brother, Max. The film, however, has been absolutely panned by the critics. I agree liberties are taken with Tchaikovsky's music but that is to be expected and it still adds great charm to the film. Possibly might have been better if there had been more sugar to the plot and not having it associated with a fascist second half plotline. A beautiful, peaceful country presided over by Charlie Rowe's prince would do me nicely. A great effort but one which lurches between the magical and sometimes downright obscene.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)

As everyone has said, CJ Adams was a beautiful choice for the part of this mysterious boy who looked great in his socks. A light fluffy film with a charming storyline not to be taken too seriously.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Oliver Twist (1997)

An American boy actor playing Oliver Twist? Whatever next! Well, that was news to me but then there weren't any extras on the DVD that might have bestowed that information.

Alex Trench was quite cute as Oliver and even the great Elijah Wood did passably well as the Artful Dodger trying on the Cockney accent and all. Not the best version I agree.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Oliver Twist (1948)

Allowing for the time of its production, this is a well made version of the famous book. It omits to show Oliver's journey to London but makes up for it with some good location work made easier in 1948. John Howard Davies is very good as the vulnerable Oliver and looks elegant in his nineteenth century better off boy outfit.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

Oliver Twist (2005)

A so-so version of this classic story. Barney Clark gives Oliver a bit more ooomph in this film and, together with Harry Eden as Dodger, they make a good combination. Ben Kingsley is not particularly outstanding as Fagin and Bill Sykes isn't menacing enough. Good period detail and backdrops but no boy actor has ever played the Artful Dodger as well as the late Jack Wild. There are good DVD extras although I got the impression Barney Clark was not very engaging as a person but, then, that might just be me.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

One Hour Photo (2002)

Though not specifically a boy film, you knew from the start there was a screw missing with Robin Williams's character. Dylan Smith played his limited part well enough.

My Movie Rating:

6 / 10

This site is non-commercial and is not an official or representative web presence for any of the actors or movies listed. All images and text are the property of their respective owners. Do not link directly to any of the images on this site - please upload them to your own webspace, on the understanding that yours is also a non-commercial site.

While every effort will be made to ensure that no offensive or illegal material is posted on the forums or linked to from the links database, BoyActors administrators accept no responsibility for any content posted or linked to by its members.

PHORM PROHIBITED

The contents of this site, and communications between this site and its users, are protected by database right, copyright, confidentiality and the right not to be intercepted conferred by section 1(3) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The use of those contents and communications by Internet Service Providers or others to profile or classify users of this site for advertising or other purposes is strictly forbidden.