Each week FILMCLUB’s experts in film pick a selection of their favourite DVD releases for young kids to teens, under the age of 18.
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WarGames
Cert: PG
FILMCLUB recommended age Rating: 7+
Running Time: 114 mins
Year Produced: 1983
Director: John Badham
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Dabney Coleman, John Wood, Ally Sheedy
This riveting ‘80s sci-fi thriller sees young misfit hacker David Lightman get into a deep fix after unwittingly accessing a US military supercomputer called WOPR, which has been programmed to predict the possible outcomes of a nuclear war.
Playing as the Soviet Union, he gets WOPR to run a nuclear war simulation under the belief it’s nothing more than a computer game, causing a national nuclear missile scare and almost kicking off World War III.
It’s hard not to get caught up in the tech mayhem, as David grapples with the question: “Is it a game, or is it real?”
Like this? Try: Tron, Dr. Strangelove, Existenz, Wall-E, Blade Runner
.
The Way Back
Cert: 12
FILMCLUB recommended age Rating: 11+
Running Time: 132 mins
Year Produced: 2010
Director: Peter Weir
Cast: Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, Mark Strong, Jim Sturgess
How do you think you would cope under extreme emotional stress and physical hardship? This film, based on the real-life experiences of a Polish political prisoner in WWII, will ask you that question.
Jim Sturgess and Colin Farrell play two members of a group making the incredibly difficult 4000-mile journey from a Siberian prison camp to freedom in India – on foot.
It’s cliched at times, but The Way Back is still a powerful and inspiring cinema experience.
Like this? Try: 3:10 To Yuma, Alive, Lord of the Flies, Sammy Going South, The Great Escape
.
The King’s Speech
Cert: 12
FILMCLUB recommended age Rating: 11+
Running Time: 110 mins
Year Produced: 2010
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Colin Firth, Timothy Spall, Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce, Helena Bonham Carter
Colin Firth gives an award-winning performance as King George VI in British director Tom Hooper’s film about the wartime monarch.
Firth is certainly very sympathetic as the potential heir to the throne, who forges a touching and funny relationship with speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), in an attempt to treat his stammer and fear of public speaking.
While there’s nothing groundbreaking about this film, it’s an entertainingly-told, true story of the supposed British ‘stiff upper lip’ melting away, and as such, it’s hard not to warm to.
Like this? Try: Elizabeth, Mrs Brown, The Lost Prince, The Madness of King George, The Young Victoria
.
Morning Glory
Cert: 12
FILMCLUB recommended age Rating: 11+
Running Time: 103 mins
Year Produced: 2010
Director: Roger Michell
Cast: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Patrick Wilson, Jeff Goldblum
The pressure cooker world of morning TV is the setting for this sharply performed laugh-fest.
Combining the fast-paced energy of an old-school screwball comedy with a modern attitude, the tale sees sacked local telly producer Becky Fuller (McAdams) given one last shot at success when she’s hired to reinvigorate the failing national breakfast show ‘Daybreak’ – not to be confused with the breakfast show with the same name on ITV!
Her ratings rescue plan involves pairing current host, Colleen Peck (Keaton), with veteran newsman, Mike Pomeroy (Ford), in the hope of creating on-screen magic. But with snobby Mike refusing to cover light-hearted topics and, worse still, hating Colleen’s guts, the battles begin, both off-air and on.
Naturally, the more the pair fights, the harder Becky’s life gets, threatening her blossoming relationship with fellow producer Adam, her job and ultimately, the show itself.
Like this? Try: The Devil Wears Prada, Working Girl, His Girl Friday, Anchorman, Broadcast News, Network
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About FILMCLUB
FILMCLUB is a nationwide education charity and experts in film for young people. The initiative offers access to thousands of popular and classic films from around the world for young people and teachers to watch and discuss in their school film clubs.
Visit www.filmclub.org for more information.