Not often do I enjoy the movie more than the book, but this is one of the exceptions. My age says I’m an adult, but still enjoy movies aimed at children. This one should have an advisory that younger children should wait until they are older to see this classic.

The Disney animation, mixed with charismatic child actors, brings the viewer an escape from the predictable. You feel their frustrations as bullies rule their lives, and their joy as they build their fantasy in the woods. Family life is a strong force, but friendship is their salvation, only to come back to family bonding when tragedy strikes. Villains and heroes come in unexpected forms, and switch roles. An all too perfect world come crashing down.

Anna Sophia Robb is an actress to watch. She is refreshing as the misfit newcomer who refuses to conform. Her quirky charm grows on her two friends, as well as the viewers. No doubt she was captivating as the little girl who loved Winn-Dixie, and the perfect smart aleck Violet she was supposed to be in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But as Leslie Burke she radiates in a role made for her. The fantasy all becomes believable. Can’t wait to see her next film!

You expect a lot from the film that wins the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. Lives of Others delivers. From the beginning with the interrogation scene the intrigue starts. Switching from audio, to classroom discussion, to the visual scene of the suspect is a powerful insight to the operation of the Stasi. The film grips you in this vise until the end.

One of the top operatives in East Germany in the ’80s is played by Ulrich Mühe. His performance is so moving as he evolves throughout the story. You experience every emotion as he struggles with his conflicting life. He becomes involved with his assignment to bug and listen to a writer and an actress. Bending rules turns to breaking rules as his metamorphous continues. How wonderful he was able to deliver such an award-winning performance before his death in July. How sad that it was to be his last.

It’s now out on DVD and well worth buying or renting. Since Mühe was an actor in East Germany under surveillance, how could the remake in the U.S. even come close?

On 9/7/07, Lionsgate is releasing 3:10 To Yuma starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. Directed by Cathy Konrad and James Mangold, the same team who directed Walk The Line, 3:10 To Yuma is a screen adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s take on the classic western from his 1953 short story of the same name. In 1957 Delmer Daves directed Glenn Ford in the first adaptation to critical and commerical success. 3:10 follows the capture of Ben Wade (Crowe), a notorious railroad robber, and the journey on horseback to catch the 3:10 train to Yuma where he’ll face justice. Bale plays Dan Evans, a Civil War vet who owes money on his ranch and decides to take the offer to make some quick money by escorting Wade on the dangerous mission. Along the way tension builds as Wades men track the group in an attempt to free Wade. Also starring with Crowe and Bale are Peter Fonda and Ben Foster.

Early reviews from those who have seen the film are very positive, and as a western fan I’m excited to see the return of an old school eastwood-esque movie to screens. It’s been several years since Open Range, directed by Kevin Costner, and Hollywood has been tepid towards westerns over concern about the genre’s draw. 3:10 may prove to be a benchmark that will affect how many westerns are greenlighted in the coming years. If you’re a western fan like me, make sure you support 3:10 To Yuma and let studios know that this genre is far from dead.

Check out the 3:10 To Yuma trailer at the official site.