While We're On the Subject....

So while we're discussing really depressing, dramatic films, I thought it would be a good time to talk about some of my favorite quirky films that I've seen lately.

Son of Rambow

Who didn't absolutely love the cheeky, sulky, hysterical Eustace Clarence Scrubb in the latest Narnia movie. I certainly did. So when I found "Son of Rambow", I decided I needed it to watch it immediately. The name of the movie is the same as the home movie made by the two little boys in the movie with a huge, old video camera and even huger ambitions. The story is told through the eyes of Will, the eldest son of a fatherless Plymouth Brethren (which made me laugh because of discussions with Katie and Tegan). Will, having grown up with the strict moral code of the Brethren, doesn't get on well in school and doesn't have any access to movies, TV, music, etc. He suddenly finds himself caught up in the imaginative, dangerous and new world of Lee Carter, the school terror and make of bizarre home movies. Lee, through manipulation and conniving-ness (is that a word? you get my drift...) manages to convince Will to be his stuntman in his home movie about Rambow's son. Hilarity, power-trips, changing roles, heartfelt sacrifice and odd stunts ensue and the ending is unexpected and incredibly touching. I don't want to say much more other than go see this movie!

I mean, just how adorable are these two?

Sixty-Six

Sixty-Six has been on my Netflix queue for quite some time and I've finally gotten a chance to see it. Bernie is the younger son whose older brother picks on him mercilessly and whose father is an uptight Jewish man overshadowed by his brother, unable to drive over 25 mph and enjoys covering all of his furniture (including the carpet) with plastic. Not only is Bernie rubbish at football during the lead up to the 1966 World Cup, but has asthma and super thick glasses. He discovers that his saving grace will be his bar-mitzvah, the one time that the "whole world" will focus on him, that God will shine a spot-light on him. He plans menus, seating charts, drinks, etc., despite the fact that his father and uncle's corner shop is going under due to the supermarket opening down the block. Bernie just takes knock after knock after knock- his bar mitzvah turns into a "family affair" with only a few people (unlike his brother's, which was attended by several hundred friends and family) and then, it turns out that the World Cup final is going to be on the same day as his bar mitzvah. Worst luck ever. So he decides to do whatever he can to keep the England team from winning- voodoo, spells, prayers, absolutely everything. I mean, I've never seen a kid with worse luck before. They cut in clips from the actual matches into this movie, which was also really fun to see. There are just so many heartbreaking, yet also hysterical and totally amusing moments in this film, especially watching everybody but poor Bernie cheer England on to an England victory. Again, I don't want to spoil the ending, so go out and get this on Netflix as well.

Other fun perks of Sixty-Six include Helena Bonham Carter as Bernie's mum, Catherine Tate as his uncle, Stephen Rea as the doctor, and Eddie Marsan as Bernie's dad.

Highly recommend you checking these great movies out! You will not regret it. And just as a little PS- I cried buckets while smiling through the last ten minutes or so of each of these movies. Just a warning...