Rating: 
Summary: Saw a sneak preview for educators last night-NEAT movie!
Review: I decided I did not want to read the book before seeing the movie. My son had to read the book as a class assignment at the beginning of this school year and he thought it was great. I am often disappointed when I read a great book and then see a movie from it that comes out so-so. I decided I would enjoy the movie for what it was all on its own, and read the book later. The other teachers I went to the the preview with had all read the book. They all felt as I did that it was a wonderful movie-either as just a movie experience, or as a book made into a movie. They felt any deviations within the movie from the details of the book (either omitted for time constraints, or for whatever reasons) did not distract from the fun experience of this movie. Many felt it was about as true a translation from book to film as perhaps any successful book-to-movie has been up until now. I am looking forward to purchasing the soundtrack also. It fit the movie tone well without distracting or trying to be too hip or trendy. Fun listening music that really added to the experience.Movie watchers alert: Stay thru the credits, there is a short post credit scene. Not as funny and charming as the occasional post credit add-on scenes tend to be, but fun to stick around and see anyway. We always stay for all the credits, out of respect for all the hard work from so many people, technical and otherwise, who all contribute to produce a great movie. We stay to see where the movie's locations were for shooting. Sometimes you also get rewarded with a cute post movie scene or monologue, that usually 98% of the audience miss because they have rushed out the theater doors the second the credits start to roll. Shame on you!
Rating:
Summary: Deep Holes by Brian K.
Review: A boy teenager, Stanley Yelnats, sent to Camp Green Lake for a crime (stealing a pair of sneakers) he didn't comit. There, he & the other boys are forced by the Warden, a cruel & firey woman who paints her fingernails with snake venom, to dig holes as a "building character". Each day, a boy must dig a hole 5 feet deep & 5 feet wide in the dry rock that was once Camp Green Lake. That is, until the boys discover her secret, a buried treasure.
Rating:
Summary: Holes!!!
Review: I am excited about this movie, i mean it won't come out until a month or so but still i cant wait. I read the book so many times. I actually said to myself when i read about the warden that Sigorney Weaver would be the part. If anyone should be an evil warden at a came, its her. I think that Jon Voit is a good choice, but Shia Labouf isn't a great choice. He's not an overweight person. But im not the casting crew so, why should i complain. Anyway, i loved the book, and i think i'll luv the movie. If u havent read the book, read it now. It has about 48 chapters but, the chapters are about 2-3 pages long. the longest i think is 10 pages. I cant wait until APRIL 18.
Rating:
Summary: not released but already judging ;P
Review: the casting for holes seems perfect to me. re-reading the book with those people set in the parts ..it clicked. although shia labeouf isn't overweight, you know that it's incredible what they can do in movies now-a-days. besides, he's an amazing young actor. sigourney weaver and jon voight seem like perfect fits. i'm sure they'll all do a wonderful job (i hope..?). we'll just have to wait and see. although i can hardly wait, i'm so excited. i hope the movie is just as good as the book by louis sachar :)
Rating: 
Summary: Shawshank Redemption + tall tales for teens
Review: The film of Louis Sachar's "Holes" is faithful to his novel, especially since he also wrote the screenplay. The basic story is that unlucky and cursed Stanley Yelnats is sentenced to Camp Green Lake for a crime he didn't commit. He can blame most of his bad luck on the curse handed down by his "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great grandfather" Elya Yelnats, who emigrated from Latvia years before. Stanley arrives at Camp Green Lake and quickly discovers that there is no longer a lake and in fact there's nearly nothing but desert. There are plenty of holes, however, and each day each boy is required to dig a hole five feet deep and five feet in diameter. Digging the holes is supposed to build character, but the Warden, played nastily cool by Sigourney Weaver, has more sinister intentions. As back story, we learn about Stanley's ancestor and how the curse was handed down from an ill-fated marriage proposal. There was also his great-grandfather who was robbed by the outlaw "Kissin'" Kate Barlow.
Another subplot shows Kate Barlow (Patricia Arquette) as a school teacher who commits the crime of falling in love with and kissing the town onion farmer (West Wing's Dule Hill) and then opening up the town's prejudice. There's a darkly tragic outcome.
All of these elements tie in together with the boy's "character building" hole digging. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the spotted yellow lizards. The ones in the movie kind of looked like the dilophosaurus from Jurassic Park that killed Nedry/Newman Wayne Knight. But I digress... While the smaller roles of the adults filled by Weaver, Arquette, Hill, Henry Winkler, Jon Voight and Tim Blake Nelson are faithful to the novel, it's Shia LaBeouf as Stanley and Khleo Thomas as Zero who really bring the story to life. Their flight across the desert and climb up the mountain to "God's Thumb" is the heart of the story and a great buddy journey. The other members of D-Tent are right on as well. The only major change from the novel was that in the book Stanley was overweight and loses it doing the digging, which is hard to pull off in a movie. Also, the deleted scenes give a better idea of how his innocence was proven, which is pretty brisk in the regular theatrical version. I recommend reading the novel first, then seeing the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Adults can watch it with their kids and all actually enjoy!
Review: The wildly popular novel for youngsters "Holes" gets turned into a movie that is completely in keeping with the spirit of the book. The young cast bring to life the beloved characters at Camp Green Lake, where convicted juvenile delinquents are sent to toil in broiling Texas sun. It was great to see X-Ray, Zero, Armpit and of course Caveman brought to life. The adult parts are played by Jon Voight, Sigourney Weaver and Tim Blake Nelson, and they look like they're having a WORLD of fun playing the malicious staff at Camp Green Lake. The story is not insulting to kids, and adults can watch it and be entertained the entire length of the movie. Vignettes back at Caveman's home where Stanley Yelnats the second and third live under the curse incurred from the first Stanley Yelnats, and trips back in time where that first Stanley was cursed by European VooDoo Woman Eartha Kitt as well as the back-story around Kissin' Kate and her treasure all add to the viewing pleasure. The DVD comes with just the right amount of supplemental features, interviews and commentaries. Not many "children's movies" are as appropriate for all ages. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: if you don't like this movie - shame on you!
Review: This is a movie for the entire family to watch and love with its humorous and clever plot, based on the hit book "Holes" by Louis Sachar, who also writes the screenplay for this. The movie is about a twelve-year-old boy named Stanley Yelnats who's family has been cursed due to his "no-good, rotten, pig of a grandfather". He's walking along the road when a fantastic pair of shoes fly out of nowhere. He thinks his luck has finally started, when he finds police chasing him and in a courtroom because those shoes were the greatest basketballer player's of all time, and it was for a charity event where the money raised would be given to homeless children. He is sent to Camp Greenlake, where once was a beautiful lake, which is now a dry and scorching desert. Deadly adventures befall him there as he makes a friendship with Zero, a mysterious, shy boy. Their adventures lead them to a hidden treasure that belongs to Stanley... If you want to findout more, watch the film!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Family Film
Review: This is an excellent family film. From the title, I passed on it the first couple times. Then, our son wanted me to watch it, so I did. Very good stuff. It is geared towards 8-13 year olds, but good for the whole family. Teaches many basic life handling situations without being judgmental or in your face. Certainly enough action to keep everyone watching.
Rating:
Summary: Something The Whole Family Can Dig, Near Perfection
Review: This movie was a surprised likening for me. The idea of kids digging holes in the desert didn't really strike me as something I would like to see. However, upon stumbling upon it, I found it to be a very enjoyable film.
What I Liked:
1) Plot. The plot is fun and original. It isn't just about kids digging holes in the desert. It's a lot more than that as character is build, friendships are formed, and family is most important.
2) Story Line. There is one main story line but then a couple more are being shown as well. And in the end, they all meet up in one place. It isn't every day that a story is wrapped up so nicely, but this one nails it perfectly.
3) Mostly Family Friendly. There is a little bit of children fighting and one unnecessary scene of violence. However, I never felt uncomfortable having my young son watch this movie.
4) Comedy. There is some things in here that will make you laugh out loud.
5) Acting. The acting of Jon Voight is a bit over the top, but other than that this has some great acting... especially by the children of the movie. The children actors nail their parts head on. And Henry Winkler... you've gotta love the Fonz!!!!
I would highly recommend this movie to anybody looking for a good story to watch. This has every aspect of a movie. It is based on a book I have not read, but it is on my list of books to eventually get to.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best family movies of 2003, if not of all time
Review: HOLES is a movie that not only captured my attention, but left me wanting more as the end credits started rolling. This is a rare occurance for me - normally I'm pretty fidgety in the movie theatre, but from the second the movie started to the end of the credits, I was interested.
When I first heard that they were going to make my favorite young adult book into a movie, I was a bit doubtful. I didn't want to see the "Hollywood" version of a book that I've read countless times, but after seeing the previews, I knew I would go see it. I saw HOLES in theatres three times, and bought the DVD on the day it came out.
HOLES is one of the best book to movie transitions I have ever seen. The characters, scenery, and stories are all exactly how they are imagined, and it's hard not to fall under the spell that the cast creates (the fact that the boys were pretty much unknown added to this - had they used well-known actors, it would be a lot different, in my opinion). The extras on the DVD are great as well - commentary by some of the cast (this is probably my favorite extra, as it had me laughing all the way through), deleted scenes, and a gag reel.
HOLES is a story of love, friendship, family, truth, racism, and loyalty. Somehow, it conveys the messages without being cliched or preachy, and it's a family movie that kids, teenagers, and parents can all enjoy.
Highly recommended.
Overall grade - A+
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