SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?

Sameeha Pugh It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Syl The film is about a ten year old girl in Greenwich Village in New York City named Max. Her parents are played by Ralph Maachio and Janeane Garofalo. They're working class people. Her father is a building superintendent and the mother is a chef at a restaurant. Her grandmother was played by Academy Award winner, Olympia Dukakis who rarely gets to play Greek-American roles. Max gets accepted into a private school uptown where she tries to fit in. The film has a lesson about life through the game of chess. F. Murray Abraham played the unlikely older man who helps Max learn the game and rules about life. The film looks like it was shot entirely on location in New York City.

TxMike We found this nice small movie on Netflix streaming. It is set and filmed in Manhattan, it centers on a very bright and grounded 10-yr- old girl named Max. During the first 15 minutes or so my wife wondered out loud if this is a good movie, setting the stage for everything else took a bit of time. But once it got going there was never a dull moment. Well-written and well-acted, it is very entertaining and has a great message about living the life you are in and not worrying too much about what happens after. Or 5 Billion years into the future when the Sun is supposed to destroy the Earth.The star is newcomer Makenna Ballard as Max Kuftinec. Her acting style and delivery of lines reminded me of a miniature Shailene Woodley. Her dad is the building superintendent and her mom is a chef at a nearby restaurant. She also has a very cute younger sister. She is very bright and her parents want her to be challenged so they make arrangements for her to enter a new, more prestigious school. It is more expensive than her public school and the parents have to make sacrifices.The chess theme comes in when a teacher suggests that since Max is a Math whiz she would probably be good at chess, but Max knows essentially nothing about it and obviously can't play. But one day walking home from school she notices the chess players in the public square and enters into a deal for one of them to teach her.Played by F. Murray Abraham, his method is unique. Instead of simply telling Max how to play the game he has her go into the city and seek clues. His point is the game isn't just played on a board, it is a metaphor for the city and you have to use chess strategy the same way you use strategy to get around the city.This is a very satisfying movie and the young actress that plays Max is really good in this role.

Bosco-HK This movie is such a delight. I love playing this "little game"! I also play the Chinese version (not checkers) of this "little game" as well.Makenna Ballard played her character as though she has been living in front of the camera. I adore all of the relationships between her and her surrounding characters, especially irresistible with YaYa (Olympia Dukakis).A game taught in such a way puts someone in a different state of mind, rather than focusing on what is going on in this wonderful story of growing up and dealing with "inevitable change", one might start to drift off thinking and reflecting upon his/her own experiences in life.The other relationship, with the teacher, Norman (F. Murray Abraham) who teaches us about being curious. Though I must say that he drives me impatient. But then, I think of swimming. What is to be able to swim? Is it simply "by constantly moving in any sort of motion, one would surely be able to stay afloat, and eventually get across to the other side"? One stroke at a time... one breath at a time.Like R B mentioned, the relationships at school and at home are all rather familiar, however some of the fantasies have a tendency to take away a certain intellect.To put readers in further curiosity, and perhaps even confusion, here's a metaphor for you: "the unforgettable flight of stairs".I recommend this movie for most of the messages to both children and adults.

R B This is a light hearted wonderful family movie. The newcomer, Makenna Ballard, takes to the film like she has been on camera her whole life and without IMDb, it would not be easy to tell this is her first project. The cast is spot on for most of the characters and the heavy weights don't let you down, (F. Murray Abraham and Olympia Dukakis). The fantasy elements seemed unnecessary and tripped up the pacing and impact of Abraham's lessons. If they would have just played it straight instead of the fantasy elements the story would have had a deeper impact with it's message of using your brain to find your way out of situations, but they relied on fantasy to help out her brain instead. The childhood rivalries are familiar, but that's because they ring true, and what is more familiar than the truth? It's a fun movie and many of the messages are good for kids and good to be reminded of for adults.