Stand By Me (Rpkg)

Buy This Item Stand By Me (Rpkg) by Sony Pictures  Available from Amazon  $12.98  on 11-2-2008     A sleeper hit when released in 1986, <i>Stand by Me</i> is based on Stephen King's novella "The Body" (from the book <i>Different Seasons</i>); but it's more about the joys and pains of boyhood friendship than a morbid fascination with corpses. It's about four boys ages 12 and 13 (Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell) who take an overnight hike through the woods near their Oregon town to find the body of a boy who's been missing for days. Their journey includes a variety of scary adventures (including a ferocious junkyard dog, a swamp full of leeches, and a treacherous leap from a train trestle), but it's also a time for personal revelations, quiet interludes, and the raucous comradeship of best friends. Set in the 1950s, the movie indulges an overabundance of anachronistic profanity and a kind of idealistic, golden-toned nostalgia (it's told in flashback as a story written by Wheaton's character as an adult, played by Richard Dreyfuss). But it's delightfully entertaining from start to finish, thanks to the rapport among its young cast members and the timeless, universal themes of friendship, family, and the building of character and self-esteem. Kiefer Sutherland makes a memorable teenage villain, and look closely for John Cusack in a flashback scene as Wheaton's now-deceased and dearly missed brother. A genuine crowd-pleaser, this heartfelt movie led director Rob Reiner to even greater success with his next film, <i>The Princess Bride</i>. <i>--Jeff Shannon</i> Reader Reviews This a classic movie about growing up and the friends you had. I can relate to a few of the things in this movie. I had a friend who died not to long ago and we were just like Chris and Gordie almost. Sad thing is the kids real last name was LaChance. I highly recommend this movie to anyone growing up or wanting to look back on there youth. The whole movie is perfect- from the scenery to the music. Not one bit needs to be changed. I loved the Summer of Stand By Me documentary, it was a very well done extra. I hated Richard Dreyfuss in it because he acted like it was just anther paycheck to him, while the rest of the cast said how much they loved making the movie. It was also a rare case. Usually a King book made into a movie sucks but not this film. The book ended badly. He killed off everyone expect Gordie and then he writes it like Gordie is proud everyone but him is dead. A very sick and sad way to end a book. Im glad they did not use it in the film. In closing, if you have not seen this movie-go out of your way to check it out and you wont be mad that you did.

Stand By Me (Rpkg) Available from Amazon Price: $12.98 Updated on 11-2-2008.

SPONSORED LINKS