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Touches You

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

This is one of those films I must watch every year, because I find so much in it at each viewing. I still remember the first time, back in 2001 at the theater, when I heard it had something to do with a real CIA program, but it had me from the first scene, long before the espionage arrived. As a photojournalist myself, I was captivated by the opening scenes, so well-acted by David Morse. Like most Stephen King novels, the reality factor seems high, and each scene is important in moving the story forward. The young Mika Boorem was so me at that age, she was easily relatable, and Anton Yelchin was an actor beyond his years even then, as a boy. We all knew would continue as a fine actor, even Tony Hopkins. He is so missed.You can see this fine film for just $2.99. A great way to get started, but you will want to own it. One of those great ones to show friends who may have missed it.

Subtle and Low Key Sentimental Thriller that combines Paranormal Underpinnings and Growing Up with a Distracted Mother. Enter Anthony Hopkins a "Strange" Visitor with a Dark Secret and Secret Agents on His trail.The Film is Wonderful the way it keeps the Thriller Aspects in the Background but Never Far from the Proceedings. Hopkins Relationship with Bobby (Anton Yelchin) is Warm, Edgy, and Heartwarming. Mika Boorman also has a Heartfelt Part as Bobby's First Girlfriend and is Radiant. Hope Davis as the Troubled Mother also Delivers the Goods as one of the Movie's Villains. The Excellent Performances lend Credence to the William Goldman's sometimes Vague Script. The Cinematography is also Outstanding.The Soundtrack is Typically Nostalgic with Top 40 Tunes Blasting Away to add some Spunk to the Gloomy Story. With so many Fine Ingredients the Movie Failed however to be Embraced by Critics and the Box-Office. It's one that shouldn't be missed even though it seemed to have been Thoroughly Missed by the Aforementioned.

Based on Stephen King's novella, 'Hearts' is a coming of age tale; this time focusing on Bobby (Anton Yelchin), a young boy growing up in 60s America. He's without a father and has a workaholic, self absorbed mother (Hope Davis). One day, a mysterious stranger, Ted (Anthony Hopkins), arrives to rent the top floor of the house. From these on, it becomes a truly magical summer for Bobby as he begins growing into manhood, learning love, responsibility and ultimately, courage in oneself, while bonding with Ted, who seems to be in possession of certain 'abilities'.While it won't reinvent the wheel of coming-of-age films, 'Hearts' is still a well produced tale in its own right. Huge part of this goes to.two solid leads in Hopkins and Yelchin; Yelchin is absolutely believable as Bobby, going from brash to caring to loyal to his newfound friend, as many children can be, while giving the role conviction and never sounding whiny. Hopkins is, well, Hopkins; he does great as the enigmatic but friendly stranger, and it's not hard to see why Bobby would look up to him. As for other pros, well, it is masterfully directed by Scott Hicks (Shine), making use of a warm colour palette as befitting the nostalgic-summer vibe of the tale, and Mychael Dynna's score is suitably idyllic and sweet without being overt or bombastic.Now of course, this film's forgotten status is not entirely inexplicable; even with a few bit of great emotional 'punch' throughout, there's no getting around its somewhat formulaic nature. This is very much in keeping with all the tropes of these stories, and never really does anything to break from the mould, so a lot of things you can see coming from a mile away. That, and the wrap around stuff & bits of narration with older Bobby in present times never feels woven in often enough to really matter.Despite that however, I was pleasantly surprised by 'Hearts in Atlantis', and if you enjoyed the more dramatic King adaptations, give this one a whirl. It's simple, sweet and exactly what it says on the tin. Nothing more, nothing less.

Another of the many Stephen King adaptations, and one of the better ones, Hearts in Atlantis is taken from a short novel, Low Men in Yellow Coats. A man, Bobby Garfield, reflects back to his days as an eleven year old boy living with his single mother, Liz, a self centered woman who has an affair with her boss in order to pay her bills. She takes in a boarder, Ted(Anthony Hopkins), who becomes a father figure to Bobby. He has psychic powers which he passes on to the boy. He helps him by reading the thoughts of a neighborhood bully. Ted pays Bobby one dollar a week(1950s money) to read him the newspapers, as his eyes are not good. He also asks the kid to watch out for the low men who are hunting him from town to town. There is a sub plot involving a bet on a boxing match that I loved, and Hopkins is as commanding as ever as Ted. This belongs in the top tier of King's works; along with The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile.