Sticks and Stones [VHS]

A very realistic and cerebral portrayal of severe adolescent bullying. At the beginning of the film it states "Hallmark Entertainment presents...", when I saw that I thought it was going to be a typical sappy Hallmark Channel movie. It was not at all. It was just about a major motion picture quality production. The three young actors who played the terrorized adolescent boys did very profound jobs, especially Justin Isfeld who played 'Joey'. I would assume even though this was a Hallmark production, it wasn't made for their tv channel because this film does have a good share of coarse language, violence, and overall adult theme. As for the story, I wish there was more closure with the three boys and the bully. Even toward the end the bully didn't seem to fully get the picture.

For a movie of it's time, I think it was done very well.No one should have to put up with bullying. But, these boys did the best they could do in spite of it.It showed how emotions can-and do-get the better of us at times if we aren't careful.It showed that parents can have the best of intentions-but that isn't always enough.This movie showed what can happen if you take matters into your own hands instead of notifying someone with authority.However, just because we notify someone, doesn't mean that the matter will be dealt with.That always depends on a per case basis.It had a very good moral to this story.Very well acted and worth the watch-even though I am in my 50's.The only thing I didn't like about it was the fact that it made me remember my own childhood and my own bullys...Que sera sera.

This movies addresses some red flag issues for the 90's and today. I am writing from the context of pre-Columbine massacre.The parental problems of materialism and disconnectedness still exist. It is a problem with our absence of values for the things that really matter.. And the ability to realize that your children may appreciate a smaller house and fewer possessions As a trade off for parents that are present to truly listen with empathy and love. The young actors did a superb job! Our children need spiritual and emotional connection with us and the world. Not more video games and a fancier house. They need our time and genuine attention. Not pat answers and easy solutions.On the negative side I did not buy these boys using tennis balls for baseball practice. At it's worst this movie seemed like a poor mans "Stand By Me." Does anyone know what network this movie was originally produced for? I have searched and cannot seem to find out.I would recommend the film for young people aged 10-15. As a way of opening up discussion and a dialogue for real life.

Unrealistic bully movie. I know because I grew up being bullied. First off Busey would have gone to jail for tackling the bully, as he did. Secondly, the authorities would have gotten involved by teachers seeing the bullying. Then when the authorities did get involved it was brushed over as if nobody got in trouble, for a kid getting shot. Back when I was a kid bullies got away with a lot more, but that was before all the school shootings. No kids had guns back then. You learn to get tough, have tough friends or tough older brothers. In my case I got tough and was then the tough older brother. Today and even back when this movie came out, it's all gangs. It would be interesting to see how a bully, like the blonde kid in this movie, would react to a Latin King coming up to him and saying "I hear you are a tough guy". I guess what I'm trying to say is Back to the Future and A Christmas Story had more realistic bullying and resolutions.

The premise was good: a Bildungsroman where three young students must come to terms with the bullies in their lives. Good cast but under-utilized. Some of the dialogue was excellent. It had promise. But it broke down in the production - the telling of the story - and in the depiction of violence. The pace was not smooth and some of the conflict scenes were a stretch - unbelievable. While bullies are not uncommon, criminal behavior is rarely tolerated even back in the 1950's. Most bullies establish themselves by intimidation, threats. What they intend to do, so frightens their victims that they achieve their ends in that manner. This movie depicts brutal torture frankly and I doubt if any teenager would get away with it.Even with those basic flaws, however, I did enjoy the movie. I just wish it had been better.

Aside from the Hollywood version of reality, this is a pretty hard look at Bullying and revenge. The hardest part to watch is the sibling bullying which IMO is the worst kind

I would have never guessed the ending...Sometimes you just can't see the forest for the trees but you'll have no problem seeing the roots in this one! WOW! Stunning truth with a powerful message? Every parent should make this a family night movie ASAP! At first I thought about ordering some boxing gloves just to get through the movie but that quickly changed to a crate of kleenex believe me!

This was a very good movie that told a story about bullying. Having experienced being bullied throughout my younger years- I found it to be very entertaining and upsetting at the same time. It is definitely worth the watch and I really liked the ending. Worth the watch defiitely!