Simone Bendix Movies
- 2009
Two adolescent boys put their heads together and devise inventive methods to achieve their goals in this fanciful comedy from Denmark. Alexander (Sophus Emil Lokkegaard) and Tim (Frederik Ludvig Mansa) feel dissatisfied for different reasons; Tim longs for a girlfriend, while Alexander merely wants to achieve better grades. They then hatch a wild plan to make both of these dreams a reality - a plan that involves a blueprint of the school, a network of 100 spy cameras, a robot and a kettle. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frederik Ludvig Mansa, Sophus Emil Lokkegaard, (more)
- 2003
A teacher takes on the corrupt leadership of an Irish reform school in this drama based on a true story. William Franklin (Aidan Quinn) is a teacher who was born in Ireland and moved to the United States only to repatriate in 1939 after his leftist political views cause him to lose his job. Franklin becomes the first non-cleric instructor at St. Jude's, a school for wayward boys run by Brother John Iain Glen, who is a firm believer in strong discipline. But Franklin comes to believe the students are being treated with excessive force, with many of the children severely punished for trivial violations of the rules, and some treated as delinquents for the crime of not having parents. As Franklin campaigns for more humane treatment of his charges, he makes a powerful enemy in Brother John, who responds to Franklin's reform efforts with greater vehemence against the students, in particular Mercier (John Travers), an inquisitive child who has become a favorite of Franklin. Franklin's distrust of Brother John's regime reaches a high point when a new student informs him that he was sexually assaulted by one of the clerics. Song for a Raggy Boy was adapted from the memoir by Patrick Galvin, who also helped adapt his story for the screen. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aidan Quinn, Iain Glen, (more)
"The Greatest Story Ever Told, As Seen Through a Mother's Eyes." Coproduced by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her son Bobby Shriver, this reverent retelling of the Biblical story of the Madonna stars Melinda Kinnaman as young Mary, Perrilla August as the older Mary, David Threlfall as Joseph, and Toby Bailiff and Christian Bale as, respectively, the younger and adult Jesus. The film takes a decidedly Ecumenical approach, with Mary, already aware of her Son's role in the future of mankind, gently guiding and counseling Jesus as He launches His ministry and accomplishes His miracles. She must also stand by stoically as Her beloved Son is persecuted and crucified, knowing that what must be, will be. Filmed (incredibly) in and around Budapest, Mary, Mother of Jesus debuted November 14, 1999 on NBC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pernilla August, Christian Bale, (more)
- 1997
- R
This made-for-cable drama concerns political unrest and personal crises set against the battle for a free Ireland in Belfast in 1983. Gingy McAnally (Anthony Brophy) is a member of the Irish Republican Army who, after serving a stretch in prison, is once again called upon by the IRA to work with them. While McAnally is not certain if he wants to get involved with "the troubles" again, he grudgingly agrees after the safety of his wife and children is threatened by IRA henchmen. However, McAnally is soon busted by Lt. David Ferris (Cary Elwes), a British army officer, and is ruthlessly interrogated by Chief Inspector Rennie (Timothy Dalton), one of the leaders of the Belfast Police who is determined to put the rebels out of business. Rennie convinces McAnally that his only hope is to admit to everything he knows about the IRA and its members; McAnally sheepishly goes along with Rennie's demands, and in time, he strikes up a friendship with Ferris. However, McAnally discovers that betraying the IRA has put his life in grave danger; just as significantly, his wife and family are no longer sure that they can trust him after he turns in his comrades. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Timothy Dalton, Cary Elwes, (more)
Director Gavin Miller adapts Scottish author Iain Banks' novel about a troubled young man striving to unearth the secrets of his family past while simultaneously sleuthing to find out what fate really befell his long-missing uncle. Prentice McHoan (Joseph McFadden) is an emotionally confused and self-destructive boy from a family that seems particularly prone to premature death. He resents his father (Bill Paterson), is deeply jealous of his handsome and witty brother, and harbors a secret crush on his pretty cousin. Six years ago, Prentice's uncle Rory went missing without a trace. While some believe Rory is simply wandering, others -- such as Prentice's mother -- suspect that he has in fact died. Though Prentice at first views his father's atheistic apathy toward the situation as a hindrance, he gradually discovers that there may be some merit to the older and wiser man's mindset. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph McFadden, Bill Paterson, (more)
- 1985
This flat tale of teen innocence lost is based on a 1958 novel by Klaus Rifbjerg and features, aside from middle-class manners, Tore (Thomas Algren) -- a popular young high-school stud, his devoted buddy Janus (Allan Olsen), his girlfriend Helle (Simone Bendix), and Helle's mother Mrs. Jundersen (Susse Wold). Helle has consistently refused any sexual advances made by Tore, and since a sub-text of the plot seems to say that young teen men must have sex or else, Tore is seduced by Helle's mother. Meanwhile, Janus does not know about Helle's stance on her own virtue and finds a fast-and-loose young woman to initiate him into the wonders of sex. The effect of Mrs. Jundersen's indiscretion, however, is more than anyone could have expected. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Olsen, Thomas Algren, (more)
