Quick Hits Movie Review: “Standing Up”
on 2013-08-16 16:42
Director D.J Caruso has given us some fantastic films over the past 15 years including films like: “Taking Lives,” “Disturbia,” “I Am Number Four” and many more. His latest film “Standing Up” is more of a different style than we are used to from Mr. Caruso, but it still is an enjoyable film to watch. “Standing Up” is based on the novel by Brock Cole called ‘The Goats’ and revolves around a boy named Howie (Chandler Canterbury) and a young girl named Grace (Annalise Basso). Howie and Grace are the victims of a cruel prank at their summer camp where the other campers maroon them on an island and strip them of everything, including their clothes. The two kids must try to survive on their own and avoid having to go back to the camp where they will be ostracized for sure. Along their journey they will meet all kinds of interesting people including the bizarre Hofstadder played by Val Kilmer, and they will do things they never thought they would have to do.
This film reminds me of the films I saw from the 70's as a young child. To me, it has almost an “Escape From Witch Mountain” feel to it. As I thought more about it, I think I feel that way because of the lack of modern technology throughout the film. The entire movie is set in a nature atmosphere and the cinematography is beautiful. I had the chance of talking with director D.J Caruso about that and he told me that it was filmed in the same place as 1972‘s “Deliverance.”
If you enjoy family-friendly movies and films about surviving in nature, than you just might enjoy this one. “Standing Up” comes out August 16 in New York and LA and will become available on VOD August 20th as well as DVD/Blu-ray exclusively at Wal-Mart.
