XBergmanX

This was definitely not what I was expecting at all, but it was well worth the effort it took to watch... And believe me it did take effort. As is to be expected in Tarkovsky's works, Andrei Rublev is no walk in the park. The cinematography by the ever brilliant Vadim Yusov truly struck me as beautiful and artistic. Showing off very radical camera tricks and movements. All with the goal of telling most of the story with images instead of dialog. As it has in all of Tarkovsky's films. You can tell that Tarkovsky is a director that not only directs his actors but has his hands in just about every aspect of the production process. As Ive seen many artists come and go throughout the making of Tarkovsky's films, it is amazing how similar they all are, in the way look, sound and feel. Ingmar Bergman once said that films were never meant to have music, because film was music in its own right. The need to add music to music was confusing to him. I see the same trait in most of Tarkovsky's films. That's probably why Bergman also once said that he thought Tarkovsky was the greatest director of all time. I particularly liked the bell casting segment toward the end of Andrei Rublev. Young Kolya Burlyayev impresses as usual, giving a very powerful and emotional performance as the young boy designing and casting the monstrous bell. Andrei's break of his vow of silence and the comfort that he gives the boy really affected me.The wonder of how a boy could cry and show so much saddness when he had brought so much happiness to so many lives, was very touching. Handled with the upmost reserve and taste. It is however, about Andrei Rublev and his experiences in the 15th century, and his ability to express the spirit and beauty of his art to a civilization wrapped up in the chaos of history, to a God that was still a mystery to most of the world and the struggle to live at the brutal hands of their church leaders and government. Andrei's journey comes in contact with many likeable and dislikeable characters. The brutality in the film is shocking to say the least. The harshest act being against a caravan of painters who have been condemned by the Czar. They are run down and their eyes cut out to prevent them for creating seditious art. Art that was considered radical and damaging to the state and church. They crawl around with blood pouring out of their eye lids for hours. A new life of hell to be experienced by men whos greatest joy in life was to paint and admire the work of other painters. This is just the tip of the ice berg. This film is filled with so many beautiful scenes of hatred and violance, and yet it shows the other side of the spectrum. Moments of innocense. Of people trying to live and find happiness in all things. People believing in high ideas and doing their best to carry them out. As i've said Andrei Rublev is a beautiful film, grand in scale and packed with great and unusual characters. However, in my opinion, its not as good as Ivans Childhood, Steamroller and the Violin or The Sacrifice, also from Tarkovsky, but it is important none the less. A great film. One of the true milestones in Russian and non-American cinema.

This is really growing to be one of my most loved films from the 2006 release year. I really hope to see more from this when the international Oscar conciderations are going around this spring. Here in the States it's been slightly billed as a film about baby brokers.. I felt that was only a brief side trip in the film. It was the one mistake that took Bruno down the chain of events that would lead to his change, punishment, or what ever you want to call it. There was something I got out of this viewing that I was really intrigued by, and that was the fact that Bruno certainly lived two very seperate but distinct lives. One as the new and unprepared father of a new born baby. A baby he certainly didn't want and outwardly treated as if it was some great burden. As the mother was worried about survival and care for their small and barely functioning family. Bruno was wanting to buy clothes and rent nice cars and enjoy life one day at a time. It isn't something I judge him for by any means. He was still a boy inside himself and wasn't prepared for the task of having to think about a life that would depend on him for everthing from food to medical care to protection. In the face of this new life, he goes behind his girlfriends back and sells the baby to a baby broker. The girlfriend goes ape **** when she finds out and this is where the events of the film begin to take shape. The second life he is leading is one of a gang leader. A gang that exists of himself and two small boys who steal and scam for him. All three knowing that the younger boys cannot be arrested and put in jail under law and they would take the fall if they ever got in to trouble. Bruno's care and maturity for the two boys he does business with is much more careing and loving and devoted then that shown toward his girlfriend and their baby. I would say out of nesessity. His relationship was admirable, gentle and one of respect. Still, the relationship between them wouldn't be nesessary if adults and children living in poverty weren't ignored by the elected governments that are there to give them relief and improvement. The best side of Bruno existed in his life with the two boys and not where it should have been. With his son and girlfriend. Something that sitrs a lot of debate here in the US but somthing that is very average and typical in the much poorer countires around the world. The film speaks volumes about the desparity of people who have nothing in life to really on. Nothing more then the few people, regardless of their age, that they allow themselves to love and depend on. It's a beautiful film. As to be expected Dardenne brothers. Much deserving of the Palme d'Or at Cannes, this film presents many unique and accurate views about the society we all live in and the need for reform when it comes to poverty stricken people and the laws that govern them. In the end, Bruno was a young man who lived by standards he felt were right. The boys who worked for him and the wife and baby are all witnesses to a great change of character in Bruno, and that any poor decision he had made with them was small in proportion to what he was willing to sacrifice for them. A very touching and powerful statement about modern society.

1. Freddie Bartholomew- Captains Courages, The Devil is a Sissy, Listen Darling, Lloyds of London, David Copperfield, Little Lord Fauntleroy, Two Bright Boys, Anna Karinina 2. Jackie Coogan- The Kid, The Rag Man, Oliver Twist 3. Bobby Driscoll- The Window, The Fighting Sullivans, So Dear To My Heart, Treasure Island, Peter Pan, Song Of The South 4. Joseph Gordon- Levitt- Angels In The Outfield, A River Runs Through It, Manic, Mysterious Skin, Brick 5. Jodie Foster- Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Freaky Friday, Candleshoe, Taxi Driver 6. Scotty Beckett- Listen Darling, The Pursuit, The Boy From Stalingrad, Kings Row, Anthony Adverse, The Vanishing Virginian 7. Darryl Hickman- Men of Boys Town, Boys Ranch, The Grapes of Wrath, Leave Her to Heaven 8. Skippy Homier- Tomorrow The World, Boys Ranch, Arthur Takes Over, The Gunfighter 9. Haley Joel Osment- The 6th Sense, A.I., Pay It Forward, Forest Gump, Second Hand Lions 10. Mickey Rooney- Boys Town, Andy Hardy and many many more 11. Jamie Bell- Billy Elliot, Chumscrubber, Dear Wendy, Nicholas Nickleby, Undertow, King Kong 12. Nikolai Burlyayev- Ivan's Childhood, Andrei Rublev, Hero of Our Time, Two Comrades Were Serving 13. Freddie Highmore- Two Brothers, Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Women Talking Dirty, 5 Children and It 14. Clemant van den Bergh- Class Trip, Fire That Burns, Like An Airplane 15. Jean Pierre- Leaud- The 400 Blows, Testament of Orpheus, Antoine et Colette, Boulevard

1. Fanny And Alexander- Ingmar Bergman 2. Shoeshine- Vittoreo De Sica 3. The 400 Blows- Francois Truffaut 4. Wild Strawberry's- Ingmar Bergman 5. Ivan's Childhood- Andrei Tarkovsky 6. Pather Pancheli- Satyajit Ray 7. 8 1/2- Federico Fellini 8. The Bicycle Theif- Vittoreo De Sica 9. Anderi Rublev- Andrei Tarkovsky 10. Au Revoir Les Enfants- Louis Malle I COULD GO ON FOREVER!!!!

You should name your PC Sundance. A great tribute indie film.

She sure does in my opinion. There are a lot of teens that are kind of in a shady area but most of them, like Judy, have more then payed their dues to the industry.

Highmore is a better Charlie in the new one though.

Mr Smith Goes To Washington Anything From Bergman Fiddler On The Roof Lawrence of Arabia Most of the Old Disney's

ILoveFred, I agree Joseph Mazzello III was great in the first Jurassic Park film. He was also in a lot of other things during that time period that were really good. The best being Radio Flyer The Cure- A real masterpeice!!!! Shadowlands The River Wild I always thought that Joseph Mazzello was the best child actor of his short time period. A real tragedy he hasn't been in more. He was in a small film last year but as he has gotten older they seem to have dropped him. Trevor Morgan was also good in the third Jurassic Park film. He was in a film called Mean Creek last year with Ryan Kelley and Rory Culkin that is way shocking and very impressive. You might remember that Trevor Morgan was in Genius on disney and he was also the boy who locked Haley in the closet in the 6th Sense. Oh, and he was also one of the brothers in The Patriot. You might also like Hearts in Atlantis. Anton Yelchin is a brilliant actor. I remember when it came out, Anthony Hopkins said he has never felt like he had been out acted until he worked with young Anton. And Scott Hicks has proven 3 times now to be a brilliant director of child actors with Shine and Snow Falling On Ceders and Hearts in Atlantis.

Matt I totally agree. Terry was almost too weird to handle. Even in Chips, but I can't help loving every bit of that film.

Thanks for the info Mongo. You always add great facts to all the threads. I had no idea he was a Reverend. That's pretty cool. And I agree, he could start a flood at the drop of a hat. I see so many of these kids have passed away so recently. Its sad that very few are ever remembered at the Academy Death Tribute. Even when they did have a tribute to child actors, at the show for 1999's movies, it didn't do many of them justice. They even left out a few of their own winners.Too bad really.

IloveFred- Here is a list of Jamie Bell's films. Billy Elliot- 2000 Deathwatch- 2002 Nichols Nickleby- 2002 Undertow- 2004 Dear Wendy- 2005 King Kong- 2005 The Chumscrubber- 2005 You can find lots of pics and info on him and lots of other boy actors at www.risingstar.to www.casperworld.com www.boysonyourscreen.net http://actorbios.twiaa.net/favorite_links.htm www.puer.to Message was edited by: XBergmanX

I've been waiting for someone to mention any one of the Watson siblings. I personaly am not a very big fan and didn't feel the desire. I do see their importance among the great classic child actors though. I've been surprised more people haven't rallied around them. I did love seeing them together in Mr Smith Goes to Washington. The scene where they are all over their dad to appoint Jeff Smith was brilliant. And who can forget Bob in the Boys Town movies.

For me, with Mickey, I guess it depended on the movie. Most of his younger stuff is great. It gets a little shadey when he gets older. I love Pete's Dragon and Sugar Babies for instance. I gues I've always been more of a Feddie Bartholomew fan. Even more then Rooney and Cooper. Message was edited by: XBergmanX

IloveFred- I totally agree about Jake Gyllenhall. Its like "Homer Hickam" (I think that's how its spelled) goes to gay land. Jamie Bell is in the new Kong. He's the teenager that the crew is always looking after. I love Dead End with the Dead End Kids. Unfortunately that's the only film I've seen the whole crew in together. I've seen most of them in other things by themselves but Dead End really is a winner. Bogie is awesome. LOL. The type of roll model I was always looking up to in my own childhood. Also I just saw the new Oliver Twist from Polanski. I think it is the best telling yet put on film. Even better the David Lean's, and that is saying a lot. The cast is very real. Very Dickensian troubles, helpless to do anything about their surroundings or the lives they lead. I'm rather shocked that this film wasn't nominated for many more academy awards. The critics really coined the phrase Personal Director when Polanski directed The Pianist. This is no exception. I've never seen this story told with such a level of intensity or truth about what poor Oliver really had to go through in order to survive and still break free from his surroundings. Its an intimate and moving story. Showing effectively, the attitudes of the time and the strength and resiliency of youth. Barney Clark and Harry Eden are brilliant as Oliver and Dodger. I think Dickens, himself, would even be proud of Polanski and all the kids who brought this to the screen. Easily one of the best films of the year. Message was edited by: XBergmanX

LOL, that would be pretty funny. Im male. 25. I thought cause of your age you were talking about Highmore. I also thought the boys in Kingdom of Heavan did an amzing job. And Joseph- Gordon Levitt and the other kids in in Mysterious Skin. I dunno. There have been an amazing range of films this year with a lot of rich complex rolls for these youth. Oh, Heath Ledger's daughter in Brokeback Mountain was brilliant too. And Jamie Bell in Kong. He's good in everything, Billy Elliot, Undertow, Nicholas Nickleby.

IloveFred- Its good to see teens on this site. I love Freddie Highmore. I think he's one of the most talented actors of his generation. Are you male or female IloveFred?

I was also very taken by her last night. It was one of the best hollywood moments we've had in a long time. She's the type of actress that everyone cherished and still cherishes. Its great seeing so many people talking about it.

I totaly agree. I sure fire tear jerker. I was devesated when Ed threw himself out the window. To see Streep, alone without "her life's work" meaning Ed. Very sad. I can't imagine having to deal with that kind of emotional strain. What does someone do with their lives after experienceing that. Knowing his history and still loving and taking care of him, for so many years. And poof. He's gone.

Very, very true Melly, That entire year was one big race to see in Titanic or Goodwill had the hotter younger cast. Robin Williams was OK but still not my choice. While Titanic is groundbreaking to say the least, I did not see the hype, what so ever, about Goodwill Hunting. With films like Kundun, LA Confidential, Oscar and Lucinda, Wings of the Dove, The Ice Storm, and lots of others, I don't see how they could have wrapped all the awards for that year in to two movies.

Dude I totally love your top ten. I thinks its the closest to mine that I've seen. You've got impeccable taste.

And did they really have to do away with all the silent films for February. I'm sure they could have found enough of them to at least keep the Silent Sunday Feature during the Oscar fest.

maufrais- I agree, especially about Au Revoir Les Enfants. The emotion comes in a crash of silence. Even though you don't see Fejto die. You know it happens and it still overwhelms me.

Well put mongo!

I remember that much but, he did get shot before he and Brandon said goodbye. He could have rode off and died I guess.