Rating: Summary: Thank you to Willie Morris. Review: This is a film based on the true story about Willie Morris and his beloved dog skip from his childhood. It is a wonderful Movie for all true dog-lovers and Frankie Muniz as a youn Willie Morris is especially good. If anybody has had a dog and understans the most special bond that occurs between them should see this movie or read the book. It helped me realise that although I had been very distressed when my own pet Dog died, I had some of the most wonderful memories to treasure of our time together. My only regret being that Willie Morris sadly passed away before I could thank him for helping me understand what a special bond that there is between a boy (or girl) and his dog. Please watch this film. It is super for all the family and one you will watch over and over again.
Rating: Summary: Sweet, well acted Review: I watched this movie a few weeks ago with a child I was babysitting. She absolutely loves the movie (she owns the video and watches almost daily. It definitely is a good movie for kids who are in the 8-12 range. The teens won't likely like it, as the movie is slow, and a bit corny and cliched. It's a very simple story about a lonely boy whose mother gets him a dog, despite the objections of his father. The dog, Skipper becomes his best friend.Some of the bullying in the movie was really realistic. However, the way that the other kids finally accepted him seemed false. It really glossed over the topic of bullying. In fact, the movie had a lot of potential issues in it - racism, bullying, war, to name a few - and all were basically ignored because the movie makers were so determined to make this a "nice" movie. Even the sad ending (which I won't spoil) left you feeling ok. There was a subplot involving a cemetary that really didn't "fit" the movie, either. The acting was the best part of the movie. Frankie Muniz was a revelation. Kevin Bacon was absolutely perfect as Williie's dad, and Diane Lane brought style and grace to the role of his mother. I was really surprised by the good work of Luke Wilson as Dink, as well. The quality of the performances alone is enough to make me give this movie high marks. If the filmmakers had only given the story more depth, I'd give it five stars.
Rating: Summary: A Lesson of Loyalty Review: Set in the 1940s, 'My Dog Skip' is a peaceful story of a suburban 8 year-old child with no brothers, sisters, pets or friends from school. However, as his 9th birthday comes and goes, he receives a memorable gift: his first dog Skipper. From then on, Willie isn't seen anywhere without his new friend. Bonds develop and Skip becomes known by many of the local townspeople. After some hard times in school and in playing baseball, Willie hits Skip, to the disgust of everyone in sight, including the girl that he was aspiring a friendship with. Willie proceeds to believe that the world has ended as Skip runs away, but never gives up and perseveres. 'My Dog Skip' is certainly a very relatable story to anyone who has ever been a kid. It isn't a childish movie, and it is very well done and in tune with other stories of that time. It's lesson brings the idea that nice guys do win sometimes.
Rating: Summary: MY DOG SKIP Review: ONE OF THE MOST SINCERE MOVIES I HAVE SEEN. IF YOU HAVE EVER HAD A PET WHO WAS NOT JUST A FRIEND BUT FAMILY YOU NEED TO SEE THIS MOVIE. YOU'LL FALL COMPLETELY IN LOVE WITH SKIP AND WILLIE MORRIS. IT'S JUST A GREAT MOVIE.
Rating: Summary: A heartfelt film about growing up, struggling, and much more Review: "My Dog Skip" is the heartfelt story about a 9-year-old only-child named Willie (Frankie Muniz), and his pet dog, Skip. Before getting Skip for a pet, Willie is shy, lonely, and he's struggling in other ways such as being picked on by bullies. What Willie needs most at this point in his life is a friend. And Skip will turn out to be much more than just a normal friend. "My Dog Skip" is one of the best movies I've seen in awhile without a doubt. Not only is it a story of a boy and his dog, it's a story about coming of age, friendship, how many of us grow up then want to be a kid again, and much much more. Usually, I'm not all that crazy about a movie being overloaded with subplots, but "My Dog Skip" is an exception. There are many subplots such as Frankie's idol going into World War II, Frankie being picked on by bullies and struggling with baseball, and more. While the target audience of "My Dog Skip" is probably more geared toward kids, I really liked the movie a lot. I'm only 21, so my childhood hasn't been over for that long, but I can honestly say that "My Dog Skip" made me feel like a kid again while I was watching it, and that's about the best thing it could've done. Also, I'm not an only-child, but my parents got a divorce when I wasn't but eight, and I didn't have any siblings to struggle through the divorce alongside me, so I can relate a lot to what Frankie was going through both before and after he met his best friend named Skip. If you have any kids (especially only-childs or divorce-stricken ones), or if you're a kid at heart, do them or yourself a favor and purchase "My Dog Skip." Not only is it one of the best family movies to come along in awhile, it's one of the best movies in any genre that you could purchase.
Rating: Summary: The Love Between A Boy And His Dog Review: Full of coming-of-age themes with plenty for kids to talk about: love, loss, creativity, and growing up. Good representation of the forties. Brings up civil rights issues. Kids were attentive to the issues presented. "It showed how a boy could love a dog so much." The ending is very sad, most felt that the dog didn't need to die. "Friendship is important even between people and their pets." Best for ages 8 to 12.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful Review: This is a wonderful family story and coming of age story based on Willie Morris' 1995 memoir of the same title. It tells the story of Morris, (Frankie Muniz) a shy, isolated boy growing up in Mississippi during World War II. The story starts out with Morris a shy boy, whose only friend seems to be his next door neighbor Dink Jenkins. However, Dink goes off to World War II early in the film, where his life too would be changed forever. Willie is bullied by his peers at school However on his ninth birthday when Willie's mother goes behind his father's back and gets him a little terrier dog named Skip. "I was an only child and now he was an only dog," Morris says. From that point on, the two are almost inseperable as Willie lerns to overcome his shyness and stand up to the bullies, who learn to respect him and become friends. Skip also helps Willie get up the courage to talk to the prettiest girls in school, who also becomes his close friend. The story comes to a head when Dink comes back from the war AWOL and shamed and continues when Skip goes missing, after an incident at Willie's opening day baseball game, and winds up on an operating table at the vets. The movie ends with Willie going off to school in England a young, confident man, but never forgetting about his dog Skip, with whom he learned and grew. Maybe everything in the movie didn't happen in real life, but I think to judge the movie by events or actions would be to miss the point. The movie captures a time and place very near and dear to Morris' heart and the creature that helped him come out of his shell and discover it. This movie is a study of character and emotions and sometimes how tough it can be and how loyalty and love can help you pull through.
Rating: Summary: A sweet movie with some annoying plot issues Review: This was a sweet movie about someone's memories of his boyhood dog while growing up in Mississippi in the 40's. They did a good job with the atmosphere and the lead character (played by the star of "Malcolm In The Middle") was endearing. They seemed to leave a couple of subplots hanging though, such as the relationship with the black boy and the WWII veteran. Perhaps they had to cut those down for time. What really bugged me was the Father's injury occuring during the Spanish Civil war. I thought the only Americans that fought in that one were mercenaries or romantics (either political or otherwise). I didn't think we had an official presence there. The character of the father as portrayed by Kevin Bacon didn't strike me as someone who would fight for money or love. This was based on a true story, so perhaps they just dispensed with a full development of that character. That would have made for a very interesting subplot, but maybe too adult for the target audience.
Rating: Summary: Guaranteed Enjoyable Review: There are many movies generated by Hollywood and very few good ones! "My Dog Skip" is a very good one, indeed. It is a movie about a boy, a boy and his dog, a boy and his Father, a family and their dog, a small town and its people. Whether you had a dog or not or knew someone who had one, this movie will appeal to you. It is about the dependence and interdependence we all have on each other and it shows sadness as well has happiness. It is set in a small, southern town in Mississippi in the early 1940s at the height of America's involvement in WWII. This is about heroes and friends, both the two-legged and four-legged varieties. "My Dog Skip" is not needlessly maudlin, but it is realistic. I know it will appeal to you, whether you had a hero as a young man or thought you didn't need one. It takes a lot for a movie to rate as high as this one has by me. Do yourself a favor and watch this movie on Father's Day with your family. You will like it.
Rating: Summary: A Wonderful Find! Review: There are so few movies produced these days that the entire family can sit down and enjoy. My Dog Skip is one of those rare movies that can appeal to children and adults alike. Growing up with a dog, I was touched by the bond between the boy and his Jack Russell terrier - it brought back alot of memories. My children were crying at the end of the movie (as were the adults) even though they've never had a dog in the house. The movie is much more than a 'boy and his dog' movie - its about love, loyalty and trust. Again, a great family movie.
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