NekoHomey Purely Joyful Movie!

MonsterPerfect Good idea lost in the noise

Christophe Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

Aspen Orson There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

merklekranz Some people need total control of everything and everyone in their lives. When they fail to enforce their will, these individuals lash out in anger, torment, or aggression. "The Fat" could be the poster child for such outrageous behavior. Daniel Benzali has played the heavy many times before (see "Suckers"), but his performance in "All the Little Animals" is pure evil, and reason alone to seek this film out. John Hurt and Christian Bale give fine performances, but it is Benzali who makes the movie memorable. The film is highly original, deliberately paced, and the ending is extremely satisfying. Highly recommended. - MERK

paul vincent zecchino Mr. Summers gazes knowingly as Bobby describes existence under The Fat. He knows Bobby's life. Names change. Patterns don't. Forensic sage H. Lecter, M.D. describes it clearly: "First, they covet". Next they Gaslight, an old yet relevant term describing psychological sabotage of the innocent for profit. The Fat is a study in Gaslighting. His fate awaits those who gaslight.The Fat seemed invincible. As ever, the unforeseen occurred. A toad appeared. Bobby described something in Mr. Summers' home. The Fat became a drooling addict.The Fat long meant to kill Bobby. He tried to kill his spirit. He killed his mother. He killed Peter. He killed Mr. Summers. He ordered Bobby to dig two graves. The Fat was a killer. The rest was vanity.A harmless toad started the chain reaction called Reversal of Fortune. Ours is a covetous era. The Fat is its role model. People do anything to get what they covet. The Fat didn't see it coming. Neither do they.Obtain this film treasure. Savor it. As months pass you'll see it increasingly played out in the news. Names change. Patterns don't. Bobby was blessed. The Fat's reward was richly deserved.Paul Vincent ZecchinoManasota Key, Florida23 June, 2006"Truth leads a wretched life - and always survives the lie."Cathy O'Brien

Libretio ALL THE LITTLE ANIMALS Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (2.35 Research)Sound format: Dolby DigitalUntil it takes a darker turn during its latter stages, there's a quiet dignity at the heart of this unusual drama, the directorial debut of producer Jeremy Thomas, based on a novel by Walker Hamilton. Christian Bale - a long way from EMPIRE OF THE SUN and two years from American PSYCHO - plays a mentally impaired young man who runs away from his creepy stepfather (Daniel Benzali) in the wake of his mother's death and ends up in Cornwall, where he befriends an eccentric hermit (John Hurt) whose fondness for animals strikes a healing chord within Bale's damaged psyche. Together, they set out to bury the dead creatures they find around their ramshackle home in the forest, many of them killed by traffic on lonely country roads.Characterized by its magical performances (Bale is utterly convincing as the 10 year old boy trapped in a 25 year old's body) and eye-popping, panoramic vistas of the English landscape, the film offers a gentle reminder of mankind's place in the natural scheme of things, though Thomas makes his point without stooping to preachiness or obvious metaphors. In an amusing turnabout from standard Hollywood practices, this UK-lensed film features an American actor (Benzali) playing a Brit villain, the catalyst for a late-breaking plot development which some may find overly melodramatic. By turns humane, frightening and beautiful, this isn't a movie for all tastes, but adventurous viewers will be rewarded for their patience. A possible cult in the making.

endem-1 The only reason to watch this ridiculous mess of a film is the beautiful Cornish coast. Filled with sanctimonious cliches, and contradictions, the story marches on it's predictable way to it's predictable conclusion. The three central characters are tiresome, the story contains no nuance or subtlety, nothing but the relentless pounding of whatever message the writer wanted to deliver. If you need to see footage of Cornwall in a dramatic setting, your time will be better served by viewing "The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea".