Nowhere Boy (2009)

Few people realize how crucially formative John Lennon’s earlier years were. This biopic examines just that in a decidedly unbiased but volatile way. John (Aaron Johnson) was raised by his Aunt Mimi (Kristen Scott Thomas) since he was a young lad. When he is suddenly reunited with his mom, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff) at 15, he becomes torn between the two loves of his life. The sisters battle for his affections and unknowingly shape music and generational icon.

Nowhere Boy is a succinct film that focuses on the often-overlooked early years of the famous Beatle. Director Sam Taylor Wood’s approach straightforward, introducing the viewer to key players in John’s life. The strict seemingly cold Aunt Mimi who discouraged John’s interest in music and encouraged art. The overly affectionate free-spirited Julia who is more of best friend than mother. From his first mouth organ courtesy of Uncle George to the banjo lessons by his mother, Nowhere Boy quantifies the influences of John’s younger years including his friendship with Pete Shotton, his introduction to Howlin’ Jack and Elvis and the St. Peter’s Church festival that would herald the coming of the greatest writing partnership ever…

Nowhere Boy is a solid period film. Set in postwar England, the film looks great thanks to its attention to detail.  Watching John’s evolution from pretty boy to Teddy Boy is smart. Casting is spot-on. Aaron Johnson doesn’t so much look like John as much as he channels mannerism and Johns acerbic wit and rebellious nature.

As I see it, Nowhere Boy makes a beautiful companion piece to two other films released this year that examine Lennon’s short but influential lifetime.  Nowhere Boy is the beginning of a journey.  Lennon Naked is a man confused during that journey.  LennonNYC is an enviable man who's journey is complete.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is one of the finest Beatles albums, and sadly, it’s also the name of this campy story starring 1970s music icons like The BeeGees, Peter Frampton, Billy Preston, Earth Wind & Fire, Alice Cooper and Aerosmith (as the Future Villain Band singing ‘Come Together.’)

As much as I wish to declare this musical an abomination, there is something strangely good about it. The only thing The Beatles have in common with this film is the music. The film—a loose concept story of Billy Shears and his band hitting it big and leaving the wholesome town of Heartland and Shears’ girlfriend Strawberry Fields behind. Heartand is taken over by Mr. Mustard. Strawberry goes to find Billy and the band to help save the city. There’s some horrible plot to destroy decency and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Watching and listening to Frampton and Co muck about in crazy tight pants and colorful half-opened shirts is nuts! There is no actual dialogue spoken—it’s all sung and sometimes badly. (See aforementioned Earth Wind & Fire singing ‘Got to get you into My Life’.) George Burns narrates the film. The acting is, well, this is The BeeGees and Peter Frampton we’re talking about here. It’s awful too. The skateboards, the hair, the sad special effects… well, it’s awful and therein lies the charm.

The cast—no matter how wooden—is fun to watch. Barry and Maurice Gibb are hysterical. Steve Martin pops up for ‘Maxwell’s Silver Hammer’—utterly nonsensical and oddly charming. You don’t who or what to expect. Barry Gibb singing my personal favorite ‘A Day in the Life’. Billy Preston pops up shooting sparks, singing ‘Get Back’ and zapping Peter Frampton. Hearland City Hall looks strangely familiar—like the museum in the remake of House of Wax.

As I see it, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is hysterical. The randomness (Frampton and Steve Tyler ‘fight’ it out, the brothers Gibb rescuing the chick) and poor acting is funny enough to watch because of the people in it. A cult film if there ever was one.

The Toy Stories (1995) (1999) (2010)

It’s hard to imagine that back in 1995 Disney and Pixar knew they were creating a new classic. Fifteen years later and we have a trio of amazing stories filled with genuine heart and authentic characters that everyone (with a soul) connects with. The main characters just happen to be toys and the story very personal.

In the first story, we meet our toys. ‘Old faithful’ a cowboy known as Woody (Tom Hanks) feels threatened when his boy Andy gets space ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). Intimidated and insecure, Woody takes an immediate dislike to the bells and whistles of Buzz. The film excels on many different levels. But for a babysitting junior high-schooler (me) watching it with her charges, it was funny to them and heartwarming for me. In retrospect, there was and still is an immediate connection to your childhood and those toys you held most dear. The ones that had a special place on the bed when you were told to clean up while the rest when in the box.

Toy Story 2 rolled out in 1999. Skeptical of the sequel—I didn’t see this film until 2000—I shrugged it off as a ‘Disney Pixar money grab’. How very wrong. Again, I was amazed at how emotionally connected I was to this story of toys director by John Lasseter. At 20, you’re not quite old enough for nostalgia, but toys are clearly in the rearview mirror. Still, the storyline of Woody being a collector’s item and being held hostage by one resonated for a time when eBay was at its peak and my brother and I are visiting every Wal-Mart to complete a Star Wars figures collection.

2010 and along comes Toy Story 3. I laughed when friends mentioned ‘crying’ at the film’s climax. My nieces mentioned it being scary. Somewhere between 20 and 30, nostalgia set in. For me, Toy Story 3 is not only another adventure for Buzz, Woody, T-Rex and the Potato Heads it’s a trip down memory lane. It’s revisiting that special bond between a child and their toys. Not all of them—just the special ones. Parents and kids alike will identify with this film on some level. Maybe it's the toys, maybe it is Andy. Regardless, there is something special here, something to be treasured, and something not to be missed.