[mattomouseman]

Just curious as to who has seen this movie and what they thought of it. I took my DW and DS's to see it last week and we loved it! Thought it was a good flick. What did everyone else think who saw it?

[MickeyMac]

it was sooooo good! I *loved* how it was so close to the book, and the characters really fit well with what I imagined them to be. I thought it was very well done, although we went with all the sixth graders (on a school trip) and the teachers kind of freaked out at the kiss scene. Not as much as they did with the lizards though - LOLOLOL!!!

[trishb]

What is it about?

[goofygal1975]

mattomouseman just curious, how old are your sons? (i forget). My son is 7, almost 8, and I was thinking of taking him to this. Just wondering if it was age appropiate for him. I've never read the book, so i'm going into the movie w/an open mind!

[MickeyMac]

Trish, it's about a boy who finds himself in an unfortunate situation and is sent to a boys work camp for his sentence. He feels it's due to his family's 'curse', and you get to see that curse come through history, from when his grandfather first incurred it. He's a very complacent child, but gets along with everyone. Once at camp, he's bullied, and again feels it's just part of the curse.

The boys are sentenced to dig holes in the parched desert ground. He feels it's to build character, but the warden is really looking for something, and it's from there that all kinds of things begin to tie in together and make sense. His character also changes and grows, and it's heartwarming to see someone who's bullied, be able to stand up for himself. Later on in the movie, when he discovers he himself is bullying, he realizes his mistake and make amends (ok, can you tell this is a sensitive spot in our house?) The bullying part is not a focus in the movie, but the self-esteem growth was a wonderful teaching poitn in ourhouse.

Anyways, the only thing I would be concerned with is the audience's reaction to a bi-racial kiss. We've a biracial relationship in our family tree, so that wasn't an issue, but the reaction of the audience was.

[mattomouseman]

Originally posted by goofygal1975
mattomouseman just curious, how old are your sons? (i forget). My son is 7, almost 8, and I was thinking of taking him to this. Just wondering if it was age appropiate for him. I've never read the book, so i'm going into the movie w/an open mind!

My boys are 4 and 7. I have never read the book but plan on reading it now. My DW is an english/spec ed teacher and she was familer with the book and she said the same thing MickeyMac said about it being close to the book!

[mattomouseman]

Originally posted by MickeyMac
Anyways, the only thing I would be concerned with is the audience's reaction to a bi-racial kiss. We've a biracial relationship in our family tree, so that wasn't an issue, but the reaction of the audience was.

Wow! When you mentioned the kissing scene I was trying to figure out what you were talking about and why it would cause a reaction! I guess us "Yanks" are more tolerant of some things! LOL

[Angie]

My kids are 4 (almost 5) and 7 and they both want to go. I really want to see it also. I'm worried it might be over the younger ones head but we'll give it a try. In regards to the kiss, people still freak out about stuff like this? are you kidding me? It IS 2003 isn't it?

[trishb]

Is it along the same lines as Angels in the Outfield? I'm interested in the book...is it a good read?

[ajbdk5]

MY DH and 2 boys, ages 6 and 8 just saw Holes today. THEY LOVED IT!!!! My DH said it was so good that I should go and see it with them again! I was at a friend's Birthday party and they had just gotten back from the show when I got home. They were in the backyard LITERALLY digging holes! :nooo: LOL!!! My DH thought this was great, and was really pleasantly surprised by this movie.
So, there you have it , a THUMBS WAY UP from this Disney family!:p

AMY

[Angie]

My friend just got back with her 11 year old daughter and said it was EXCELLENT! She told me though that she thought it wasn't for the under 10 crowd. I still think i will take my almost 5 and 7 yr olds b/c the 5 yr old is the one who wants to see it the most. I hope i'm doing the right thing.

[mattomouseman]

Originally posted by Angie
My friend just got back with her 11 year old daughter and said it was EXCELLENT! She told me though that she thought it wasn't for the under 10 crowd. I still think i will take my almost 5 and 7 yr olds b/c the 5 yr old is the one who wants to see it the most. I hope i'm doing the right thing.

There was one part with some lizards that scared my boys 4 and 7 but it was a short lived scare and they really got into the whole movie!

[wdwjeff]

DW and I thought it was great. On the way out, she said that we had to buy it when it comes out on dvd. Goofygirl, age 11, loved it, too. Betsymouse, age almost 8, thought it was just ok. I think that the 3 yr. difference means a lot as far as understanding the hidden meanings. Voted for loved it!:heart :)

[MickeyMac]

I'm interested in the book...is it a good read?

I thoguht it was. It only took a couple of days to go through it. I almost didn't read it since my son said it was a science fiction book, and that's what the cover art reminded me of. LOL!

[tinkerbell]

I havent gotten to see it yet :( but I know my oldest granddaughter works in the school library and its the most requested book right now. I want to go see it with the girls, but I dont think they will be coming back down till school lets out the end of this month ... I also want to go see the Lizzie McQuire movie with them ( DH groans at this ) it looks fun and we love the show :)