The Year My Parents Went on Vacation

The Year My Parents Went on Vacation,  (O Ano em Que Meus Pais Sairan de Ferias).  Directed by Cao Hamburger.  Gullane Filmes, 2006.  104 Minutes.

Genre:  Drama, History

Rating:  PG

Language: In Brazilian Portuguese, Yiddish, and German with English subtitles

Soccer was all the rage in 1970, Brazil.  Twelve-year-old Mauro cannot wait until the World Cup- he will get to watch the soccer match at a diner with his new friends, and his parents will finally return from their “vacation” as his father promised.  They have been gone for some time, he does not know where, and has not even spoke to them since they dropped him off at his grandfather’s.  As political riots opposing the dictatorship break out in Sao Paulo Mauro wonders if his father, who is always late, will return in time to see Brazil’s victory.

Discussion:
·         After watching a live soccer match Mauro decides he wants to become a soccer player.  What do you want to be when you grow up, are you doing it now?

·         The Jewish community adopts Mauro as one of their own because his grandfather passed away before his parents could find out.  Do you think Schlomo, his grandfather’s neighbor, really wanted to look after Mauro? How does Schlomo show that he cares about Mauro?

·         Sometimes it’s hard to understand why adults do certain things.  Why do you think Mauro’s parents left him and didn’t tell him where they were going?

If you enjoyed this film you also may like Hope and Glory about a boy who lives through the World War II London bombings, or if you are interested in literature, consider reading Before We Were Free by Julia Alverez about a girl who is living under the dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. 

Hope and Glory.  Directed by John Boorman.  Goldcrest Films, 1987.  113 Minutes.  Rated PG-13.






Alverez, Julia.  (2002).  Before we were free.  New York:  Dell Laurel-Leaf, Random House Children’s Books.

Activity idea:  Political and social strife is yet another challenge to growing up.  Compare and contrast Mauro’s experience with other characters from similar films or books.  You may even want to write your own autobiography.  Example prompt:  Where were you when the Giants won the World Series?



Goal!  Kick us a comment below and tell us what you liked about The Year My Parents Went on Vacation.
ISBN:  0-440-23784 

The Year My Voice Broke

The Year My Voice Broke. Directed by John Duigan. Avenue Pictures, 1987. 103 Minutes.


Genre: Romance, Drama


Rating: PG-13


Freya and Danny have been friends since they were children. As teenagers they move in different social circles, yet often return to their secret rock cropping outside their small Australian hometown to be together. Despite Danny’s telepathic attempts to make Freya love him she falls in love with the school’s most wild student, Trevor. For a distraction Danny investigates the story behind a supposedly haunted house which leads to discovering a link to Freya’s past and a scandalous town secret. The Year My Voice Broke is an emotionally bittersweet movie about friendship, love, and everything in between.


Discussion:


· Unrequited love is when one person loves another, but the love is not returned. Danny is younger than Freya, but is that the only reason why she is not in love with him?

· What is so special about Freya’s locket? How did it make its way back to her?


· Danny knows Trevor is a bad match for Freya. Even though Danny cannot control Freya's thoughts and actions through telepathy, he still loves her, why?

This story is set in 1962, and has a fabulous soundtrack to match. If you like the songs you heard try these albums:
Peterson, Ray. (1960). Tell Laura I Love Her

The Shadows.  (2004).  The Best of the Shadows

If you enjoyed the rugged Australian landscape you may want to consider watching another Australian coming-of-age film, Walkabout, based off the book by the same name.
Movie:  Walkabout.  Directed by Nicolas Roeg.  Twentieth Century Fox, 1971. 100 Minutes. Rated GP (general purpose)

Book:  Marshall, James Vance.  (1959).  Walkabout.  Marlborough, MA:  Sundance Publishing.  ISBN:  0887410995

Activity idea:  The Year My Voice Broke's soundtrack captures the spirit of the era in which it is supposed to take place.  Music is a creative way to instill excitement about history.  Pick a decade or a year and research what songs were popular.  Talk or write about why you think certain songs were well received based upon what other details they research on their chosen era.  Also, compile a playlist of songs for your own personal soundtrack.

Let us know what your take on The Year My Voice Broke.

Trailer from Youtube
CD Cover Art from CD Universe
Walkabout image from Internet movie Database



Vitus

Vitus.  Directed by Fredi M. Murer.  Ocean Films (France), 2006. 100 Minutes.

Genre:  Drama, Family
Rating: PG 

Language:  In Swiss, German, and English with English subtitles

At six Vitus was deemed a “wonderchild” for having an exceptionally high IQ and an ability to play piano concertos flawlessly.  At twelve he attends high school, yet is ostracized by both teachers and classmates because of his age, intelligence, and wit.  Vitus yearns for a life of his own and not the ones his parents have fabricated for him.  Then, an encounter with a world renowned pianist ironically presents Vitus with the opportunity to begin living according to his own plans- which are, shall I say, absolute genious!

Discussion:

·         Vitus has a natural talent for playing the piano, what’s yours?

·         In order to stand up to his mother, Vitus sabotages her plan to make him a pupil of a renowned pianist.  Do you think he could have done something else to express how he felt about being pressured into doing something that he was not ready to do?  What would you have done?

·         Vitus’ only ally is his grandfather, a humble woodworker with a passion for flight, and he understands his grandson like nobody else.  Is there a person in your life who you talk to and always supports you?  Are you that person for somebody else?

If you want to watch a movie about someone who was a true boy prodigy, try Amadeus, about famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 

Amadeus.  Directed by Milos Forman.  Warner Brothers, 1984.  2 hours, 38 minutes.  Rated PG.

Or for a comedy, check out School of Rock. 
School of Rock.  Directed by Richard Linklater.  Paramount, 2003.  108 Minutes.  Rated PG-13.

Also, if you love classical music, there are many albums floating around there, but one of my (Colleen’s!) favorites is an album Rondo alla Turka by William Kanengiser, who plays the work of Mozart and other composers on guitar.

Activity idea:  Doesn’t this film just inspire you to make some noise of your own?  Get your friends together for a movie night and jam session, and be sure to have plenty of Swiss chocolate on hand!  Play Guitar Hero or Rock Band, perform your own music, or compose your own little ditties using computer software.  Need more inspiration?  Head to your well-stocked library to explore their audio collection and books on how to read, write, and create music.

Let your fingers do the talking, and leave a reply below for what you think about Vitus!

Trailer from Youtube

Amadeus art from Rotton Tomatoes

School of Rock art from Internet Movie Database

Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting.  Directed by Jay Russell.  Walt Disney Pictures, 2002.  90 Minutes.

Genre:  Drama, Romance, Fantasy, Family

Rated: PG

A classic story about immortality, independence, and love.  Winnie runs away from home and finds, or rather is found by a family, the Tucks.  She falls in love with Jessie Tuck, but spending eternity with him would mean she could never go home, and never be safe.  She learns that death is as essential to life as love and freedom.  After watching go out and live, LIVE!

Discussion:

·         At the end of the movie, what did Winnie choose to do?  Would you have done the same?

·         If the Man in the Yellow Suit had become the owner of the spring, what do you think would have happened to the town of Tree Gap, or even the world?

·         Why does Angus tell Winnie not to fear death? 

If you liked the movie, you MUST read the book by Natalie Babbitt. 

Book:  Babbitt, Natalie. (1975).  Tuck Everlasting.  Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.  ISBN:  0374480095

You may also feel inspired to read (or re-read) Peter Pan, the story about the boy who wouldn't grow up.

Barrie, J.M.  (2003).  Peter Pan, 100th Anniversary Edition.  New York, NY:  Henry Holt and Company.  ISBN:  0805072454

Activity idea: 

Tuck Everlasting is about mortality as much as it is about immortality.  Compare the advantages and disadvantages of mortality and immortality and read about or discuss different interpretations of the afterlife with your family and friends. 

Also, what about all those wheel and time metaphors?  Have you ever wondered how people actually keep time?  Well, they have been doing it forever, and to find out how, why not dissect a watch?  Or find a book that tells you how it works or how to create your own time-telling devices like a sundial or a waterclock.

Drop us a line and let others know what you thought about the book, the movie, and if you would choose immortality over death.

About a Boy

Please, tell us what you thought of this movie below.

About a Boy.    Directed by Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz.  Universal Pictures, 2002.  101 Minutes. 

Genre:  Comedy, Drama, Romance

Rating:   PG-13

Twelve-year-old Marcus has attached himself to shallow, mid-thirty-year-old Will who, for the moment, eases Marcus’ troubles with bullies, his suicidal mother, and a recently deceased duck.  When Will is unable to see past his own problems to help Marcus the two go their separate ways, until Marcus makes a decision that will be sure to end in his own social suicide.  

About a Boy inspires audiences to believe that you’re never too young to help those you care about and you’re never too old to grow up.

Discussion: 

·         We hear it all the time, “act your age.”  Does that bother you?  What does that really mean?  Is there a difference between age and maturity?

·         Was there ever an adult that you envied?  Why was that?  Was it because of what they had or what they did?

·         Marcus experiences several challenged in the book.  If you could be his friend and talk to him what would you say?  What would you want him to say to you?

About a Boy was based off a book by the same title by Nick Hornby.  It is not considered a Children’s or a Tween book, but if you are interested, give it a whirl!  It’s very funny, well-written, and by the same author who wrote High Fidelity and An Education- other cool books that were made into movies!

Hornby, Nick.  (1999).  About a Boy. New York:  Penguin.  ISBN:  1573227371

And is it just me, or does this story line seem reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? You know, poor boy, indulgent man, learning to trust...no?

Dahl, Roald.  (1964).  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.  ISBN:  0394910117

Actvity idea:  What do you like about yourself and what do you hope will change in the years to come?  Write a letter to your future self, and place the letter in a sealed envelope that is not to be opened for 10, 20, or 30 years.  When you open it it will be like you’re having a conversation with the younger version of you, because you are!  You can e-mail your letter to a friend a vice versa, and agree on a age when you send them back to other eachother to avoid temptation.

About a Boy Trailer from: Youtube

Book cover art link: Powell's Books, http://www.powells.com/biblio/1573227331

Empire of the Sun

Rated PG

Jamie Graham is a spoiled British kid obsessed with jets and growing up in China. In 1941 Japan occupies China while WWII rages on. Separated from his parents Jamie/Jim struggles to survive in a war torn world. 

• How does Jamie change throughout the film?

• Is Basie a true friend to Jim? Why or why not?

• What does Jim do to survive? How does he live compared to his pre-occupation life? 

Interested in books about WWII? Check out these great titles:

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Cover art link: goodreads

 



Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

Cover art link: puffin

Under a War-Torn Sky by L.M. Elliott
Cover art link: fantasticfiction

The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
Cover art link: bp

  
Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Cover link: bp














- check out the film adaptation as well!

Image link: bp

Whale Rider

Whale Rider.  Directed by Niki Caro.  Dolby Digital, 2002.  101 minutes.  ASIN: B0000CABBW
Genre:  Drama, Family
Rated: PG

Pai believes that she is to be her tribes next whale rider, the member that connects the tribe to the whales that are credited with their existence.  Since the whale rider is traditionally a male, Koro passes over Pai as the possible whale rider.  When a group of whales become stranded on the beach the tribe must act quickly to ensure its existence. 
Whale Rider is an empowering story about how one young girl that teaches her tribe that sometimes tradition must be broken for people to progress. 

Awards: 2003 BAFTA Children’s Awards

Discussion:

Sometimes our family's expectations of us conflict with our own ideas of what we want and who we want to become.  How do you communicate these feelings with those around you?  What are some helpful ways we can get those close to us to listen to us, and accept our decisions?

The movie also touches on animal welfare.  Though we may not all ever have a chance of riding a whale out to see (though I'm sure we are all brave enough), what can each of us do to help wild animals and their diverse home environments?

If you enjoyed this movie, you also may be interested in reading Ihimaera's book.

Ihimaera, Witi.  (1987).  The Whale Rider.  New Zealand: Heinemann. ISBN: 0-86863-684-3

You may also like the movie Eye of the Dolphin, another coming-of-age movie about improving communication with dolphins and your loved ones.

Eye of the Dolphin.  Directed by Michael D. Sellers.  Quantum Entertainment, 2006.  100 Minutes.
Genre:  Drama, Family
Rating: PG-13

Activity idea:  Pai’s tribe depends on the whales for rituals, and people all over depend on animals to sustain balance in nature.  Are you passionate about conservation and sustainability? There are many books and videos that can help you get started on campaigning for your own cause.  Also, did you ever think it would be fun to learn ethnic or indigenous dances or martial arts like the Maori children?   Contact a cultural center to see if they have shows or provide lessons. 
Whale Rider Trailer link: youtube

Whale Rider Book cover link: thebookhut
DVD cover for Eye of the Dolphin: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465407/