Wow! This Ghetto Nerd Just Discovered the Wonderful Movie "Fairy Tale: A True Story"

I recently came across the great movie Fairy Tale: A True Story. I am fascinated by World War One. The barbarism, naive pageantry in the lead up to the war, and the horror of industrial warfare, are darkly compelling to me.

Since reading every book length text I can get my hands on regarding World War One, and in particular, how it impacted racial formation in the United States, I have been made an addict. So much to learn; I know so little; I like groping in the dark; we can find surprises that way.

Has a hobby-intellectual interest ever bitten you in such a way? Just curious…and do share.

I am still not able to bring myself to watch War Horse. I love animals. My two beloved dogs have just passed away. I am still in denial about that fact. As such, I am not strong enough to endure a tale about the loyalty of our animal friends during World War One and man’s barbarity to them, and him/herself.

Fairy Tale: A True Story is a movie about the fantasy lives and imaginations of children which does not insult its audience. I was not Peter Pan as a child. Yet, there were things I am sure I saw, dream I had seen, energies I felt–and battles with the monster who lived in my closet and its ally Spring Heeled Jack–that I am sure are absolutely real. I also had some epic struggles with Freddy Krueger.

Sleep demons are real; however, I think that my war with Freddy came as a result of being a young insomniac who fell asleep on many a night watching the USA network during the 1980s.

I will add Fairy Tale: A True Story to my other new discovery list along with Second Hand Lions. The lion, oh the lion, how wonderful I would like to die so well; I would like to think that my Lukie dog passed away with such courage.

A question. Is getting old signaled to by a rediscovery of children’s movies and books? If so, sign me up.

[An impolitic and politically incorrect question for some--were Robert Duvall and Michael Caine's characters lovers and life partners? The film can most certainly be read that way. In fact, I think the movie is even more compelling if that allusion is made both sensible and transparent, owned and acknowledged to, by the writers of the book upon which Second Hand Lions is based.]

Do you have any other stories for children set during the World War One era which you think I would be fond of? What are your favorite stories, ostensibly intended for children, which mean more to you now as an adult?