(no subject)
So I realized recently that a lot of my favorite movies beautifully capture childhood and, more specifically, feature strong girl characters. I was watching clips of these movies on Youtube and wanted to share.
Most are movies that inspired me as a kid, but some are more recent. For the purpose of this list, I only included girls 12 and under.
In no particular order...
Mary Lennox - The Secret Garden (1993)
Trailer:
Scene:
I love this scene where Mary first meets Dickon. I admit I totally had a crush on him when I was a kid. I also liked the uncle, though... hmm... haha. So many girls and women love this story, I don't think I need to explain the appeal. I do love a lot of things about this film version, though... the casting is particularly good.
Sara Crewe - A Little Princess (1995)
Trailer:
Scene:
One of my favorite movie scenes of all time. Makes me cry every time I watch it, it's just so beautiful. This film was directed by Alfonso Cuaron, by the way. A movie that's both heartbreakingly sad and filled with joy.
Anna de la Mesa - Blame it on Fidel (La Faute à Fidel) (2006)
Trailer:
Unfortunately, the only Youtube video of this one is the trailer. Everyone should definitely watch this under-appreciated French film about a 9-year-old girl growing up in 1970s Paris whose parents become communists. I loved it.
Matilda Wormwood - Matilda (1996)
Trailer:
Scene:
Remember when Mara Wilson was the cool child actress? And now we have who, Miley Cyrus? (Admittedly she's a teen now, but still.) Matilda is a great role model for girls to be smart, clever, and caring.
Paikea Apirana - Whale Rider (2002)
Trailer:
Scene:
If you haven't seen this movie, please do. A kickbutt girl with a deep love for family who also must prove herself as a "chosen one" for her people? Yes please.
Fiona - The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)
Trailer:
Scene:
One of my very favorite movies of all time. I can't really describe how much this one influenced me as a kid. It's a wonderful Irish fantasy about a girl who is descended from selkies, or seal people.
Scout Finch - To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Trailer:
Scene:
A classic. If I have to choose the best novel ever written (which is an unfair thing to ask), I think I'd have to go with To Kill a Mockingbird. And the movie is just as good. Gregory Peck is the real star of course, but the actress who plays Scout is wonderful and her tomboy character is of course very lovable.
Lyra Belacqua - The Golden Compass (2007)
Trailer:
Scene:
The movie is nowhere near as good as the book, but I did like watching the fantasy world come to life. And I liked the actress who plays Lyra, the tough, clever heroine.
Susan Walker - Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Trailer:
Scene:
If for some reason you have only seen the horrendous 1994 remake, I greatly pity you. (Yes, it stars Mara Wilson, but that doesn't save it.) This Christmas classic features one of the most stubborn, precocious little girls (played by Natalie Wood)... but then of course she finally "believes", and gets a nation to believe as well.
Ronia/Ronja - Ronia, the Robber's Daughter (Ronja Rövardotter) (1984)
Trailer:
Scene:
I actually just finally had the opportunity to watch this film two days ago! The book by Astrid Lindgren (author of Pippi Longstockings) was one of my childhood favorites and I've been trying to find a way to watch the movie for years. It's a Swedish film and was near impossible to find in the US, especially with subtitles... but recently someone posted a version with English subtitles online, so I finally got to see it. The movie's not as good as the book of course, but I enjoyed it.
Most are movies that inspired me as a kid, but some are more recent. For the purpose of this list, I only included girls 12 and under.
In no particular order...
Mary Lennox - The Secret Garden (1993)
Trailer:
Click to viewScene:
I love this scene where Mary first meets Dickon. I admit I totally had a crush on him when I was a kid. I also liked the uncle, though... hmm... haha. So many girls and women love this story, I don't think I need to explain the appeal. I do love a lot of things about this film version, though... the casting is particularly good.
Sara Crewe - A Little Princess (1995)
Trailer:
Scene:
One of my favorite movie scenes of all time. Makes me cry every time I watch it, it's just so beautiful. This film was directed by Alfonso Cuaron, by the way. A movie that's both heartbreakingly sad and filled with joy.
Anna de la Mesa - Blame it on Fidel (La Faute à Fidel) (2006)
Trailer:
Unfortunately, the only Youtube video of this one is the trailer. Everyone should definitely watch this under-appreciated French film about a 9-year-old girl growing up in 1970s Paris whose parents become communists. I loved it.
Matilda Wormwood - Matilda (1996)
Trailer:
Scene:
Remember when Mara Wilson was the cool child actress? And now we have who, Miley Cyrus? (Admittedly she's a teen now, but still.) Matilda is a great role model for girls to be smart, clever, and caring.
Paikea Apirana - Whale Rider (2002)
Trailer:
Scene:
If you haven't seen this movie, please do. A kickbutt girl with a deep love for family who also must prove herself as a "chosen one" for her people? Yes please.
Fiona - The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)
Trailer:
Scene:
One of my very favorite movies of all time. I can't really describe how much this one influenced me as a kid. It's a wonderful Irish fantasy about a girl who is descended from selkies, or seal people.
Scout Finch - To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Trailer:
Scene:
A classic. If I have to choose the best novel ever written (which is an unfair thing to ask), I think I'd have to go with To Kill a Mockingbird. And the movie is just as good. Gregory Peck is the real star of course, but the actress who plays Scout is wonderful and her tomboy character is of course very lovable.
Lyra Belacqua - The Golden Compass (2007)
Trailer:
Scene:
The movie is nowhere near as good as the book, but I did like watching the fantasy world come to life. And I liked the actress who plays Lyra, the tough, clever heroine.
Susan Walker - Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Trailer:
Scene:
If for some reason you have only seen the horrendous 1994 remake, I greatly pity you. (Yes, it stars Mara Wilson, but that doesn't save it.) This Christmas classic features one of the most stubborn, precocious little girls (played by Natalie Wood)... but then of course she finally "believes", and gets a nation to believe as well.
Ronia/Ronja - Ronia, the Robber's Daughter (Ronja Rövardotter) (1984)
Trailer:
Scene:
I actually just finally had the opportunity to watch this film two days ago! The book by Astrid Lindgren (author of Pippi Longstockings) was one of my childhood favorites and I've been trying to find a way to watch the movie for years. It's a Swedish film and was near impossible to find in the US, especially with subtitles... but recently someone posted a version with English subtitles online, so I finally got to see it. The movie's not as good as the book of course, but I enjoyed it.