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Stand by Me

Stand by Me

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: STAND BY ME
Review: I can't remember if this movie was nominated for an Oscar, but the fact that it didn't even WIN one is enough for me to yell out: "ROBBERY!". I mean, come on. STAND BY ME is a glorious look into the lives of four adolescents who don't leave such glorious lives. Gordy Lunchance is a kid living in the shadow of his dead brother and ignored almost completely by his parents; Chris Chambers is an abused kid with a bad reputation around town; Teddy Duchamp's abusive father is in a mental institution but Teddy keeps the idea that his father was a terrific war hero alive; and Vern . . . well, he's a pudgy kid. What keeps them going is each other: their days hanging out in their treehouse, card games, cursing, normal guy stuff. They don't have much to do, since the town they live in (Castle Rock) is pretty boring . . . up until Vern asks them if they want to see a dead body. From there, the boys embark on a little journey to find the body and find out a little bit more about themselves than they thought they would expect.

Is it the music that makes people feel terribly sad at the end? I don't know. But really, by the end of this flick, you'll either be in tears or close to it. It's one of those "you'll laugh, you'll cry" movie. The performances are terrific from each of the four boys, and it's kind of sad to think that Pheonix wasted his life on drugs.

I'm a little tired now so I can't say much of this movie but really, it's great, go watch it. Good night.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing
Review: When I first saw Stand By Me, I was 12yrs old, and I fell in love with it. Two years later I read the story, "The Body" which the movie is based on. The story is written by the very talented Stephen King. It's about 4 boys who go on a journey to find the dead body of a missing child. While on their journey they encounter a junkyard dog, an exciting train chase, and the discovery of friendship. Although, the book was better, the movie is still a cassic that one will never forget.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Classic Tale of Pre-Adolescent Boys
Review: Of all 80's movies, this is one of my favorites. Jerry O'Connell is truly in his prime in this male bonding flick. Everyone will like this movie, but men will love the coming together of these rambunctious boys and the nostalgic setting.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good movie!
Review: I liked this movie a lot, not to mention the book. It is so funny and serious. It is about four 12 year old boys hiking out to see a dead body. It reminds me so much of me and my friends, I am 12. It is exactly how we act, so it was fun to watch and read. It is very funny and intense, and just great.I Loved it and hope you do to.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Stand by me stands on it's own.
Review: Finally a special edition arrives for this wonderfull movie. I bought the first available DVD (The one without the making-of-documentary, that's now out of print) right after I got my first DVD player. And you may think I'm stupid but I'm just gonna buy this special edition too.

Stand by me is one of those movies that just are what they are. No false pretentions, no flashy special effects, no cuecards. Stand by me is a little miracle. It stars one of the finest young casts you'll ever see in a movie, including River Phoenix in what is probably his best role ever. The entire cast is put so well together that they make a film in which you absolutely have no clue at all that this is a story made to be filmed by cameras instead of just the daily things boys of that age do. It's powerfull in it's simpleness, it shines in it's sincerity.

The story folows four boys aged somewhere around twelve. They go on a 'mission' to find the body of a dead boy. On their way they discover true adventure, true fear, and that one power that binds us all: true friendship. Stand by me has a wonderfull soundtrack too. The title of the film is also the title of the best track from the soundtrack. It just seems written for this film, even though it's not. Stephen King wrote a story that would turn out to be on of those little gems in movie history. Go see it. You're life will never be the same.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of my absolute favorites! A can't miss!
Review: Even if you're a big believer in what the critics say, this film has been way too overlooked! So just put those feelings aside and get this movie! This movie, sort of a memior on film,is about these four friends who go on a trip to look for a dead boy's body in the woods in the 1950's was based on a novella by Stephen King called 'The Body' featured in the book 'Different Seasons'. This movie features some of the best performances of young actors ever. First of all you must let me gush about River Phoneix. It's such a shame he had to die, he was such a wonderful actor. In this film he played Chris, a rebellious type who everyone thinks will end up just like all his other family, mean and stupid. But Chris is smart and sensitive and River Phoneix plays him with such revealing honesty that it's hard not to cry just looking at his puckered little baby face! Then there's Will Wheaton, and I've never seen this guy in anything else, which is a shame. He plays Gordy, who's sort of the main character because he's the one telling the story. His older brother ( played by John Cusack ( what a hottie! ) in flashbacks ) has just died and his parents have forgotten he's existed. He's rather reluctant on going to look for the body. Will is such a cutie and I'm amazed at what a great actor this guy is, whatever has become of him! He plays this guy with depth and he ends up being your favorite one ( besides Chris ) in the end. The other two, Vern ( played by Jerry O'Connel who used to be fat, look at him now! ) and Teddy played by an overtly flamboyant Corey Feldman. Overall this film really depicts the classic film study of 'coming of age' well. And being a teen I can relate to every one of these characters, even if they're boys. So pick this one up! It's definately one of the best and most overlooked movies out there!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good movie, mediochre DVD
Review: Stand By Me is the big-screen retelling of Stephen King's novella "The Body." If you have read the "The Body" you will instantly realize how true to the book this movie really is... right down to every word in the dialog.

While Wil Wheaton is obviously the "main character" in the movie, River Phoenix is the true star, delivering a superb performance as the peacemaker in tough kid's clothes. Jerry O'Connell and Cory Feldman round out the troupe in search of overnight fame. (I still laugh when I hear "I cherish these moments" as delivered by Feldman.)

The movie itself is a fantastic tale, a book that was wonderfully transported to the big screen. I highly recommend the movie. The DVD, however, was greatly less than expected.
When I get a DVD, I expect crystal clear sound and a big-theater quality image... This is not to be had here. If you need Spanish dialog or subtitles, go ahead and get the DVD. If not, don't waste the extra money: just get the VHS tape.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Truly great, but ...
Review: I saw this movie when I was 30 years old and recovering from a serious operation. I watched it with my Dad who has since passed away. I laughed so hard that I ached from my surgery, but it was great therapy ("Did LardAss have to pay to be in the contest?") and I cherish the memory with my father.

I very much want to watch this movie with my own son (age 8) and the message about friendship and true goodness would be perfect for him. The problem...the language. I'm convinced this movie could have been everything it is without the gratuitous profanity. Reiner does the same thing in Princess Bride, taking a wonderful kids' movie and putting foul language in it for no good reason (not as much in Princess Bride).

But, despite the language, I'll be watching Stand by Me with my son, probably within the next year.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: DEATH OF A BOY
Review: STAND BY ME and AMERICAN GRAFFITI have a lot more in common than the character of Richard Dreyfuss only, the writer who finds the subjects of his books in his childhood and teenage period. Rob Reiner like George Lucas knows that music is a powerful instrument which will lead the audience in a nostalgic condition of mind. So let's forget the improbable plot of STAND BY ME and enjoy the adventures of Chris and Gordie.

I haven't read Stephen King's book, so I cannot judge what Rob Reiner has added to King's plot or ideas. What is interesting in this movie, apart of the nostalgic feelings that arise in our hearts, is the tragic atmosphere surrounding the trip of these young kids. Blood, death and fate are the constant subject of conversation of these boys as if their adventure should be seen as a symbol of the rites of passage from childhood into manhood that one still finds in certain parts of the globe. It's clear that the dead boy our little heroes want to find so badly represents their own childhood. The scene of Gordie's fainting when he sees the blood in his pants can also be understood as the masculine remembrance of a young girl's menstruation.

I have seen this movie 13 years ago when it was released and the impact it had on me then was far deeper than now. The child in me, perhaps, is finally going to die.

A DVD for River.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Stand by this film.
Review: In the style of all feel-good / adventure of youth films this is a long standing favourite of mine. To those who have not seen this film it embodies the true friendship of youth on the long road to adulthood. You can clearly see that the quartet of friends are lost in 'the best times'. Lachance's vivid storytelling, chambers' diplomacy, Duchamp's war effort and Vern's lost penny jar all amount for a well balanced and moving film.


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