Wilder Days

This is a grandpa-grandson road trip movie that was moderately entertaining, if a tad long. Tim Daly dusts off his old-lady persona from "Wings" to play a sandwich-generation sufferer whose heart is in the right place (deep down) but who's a little too grouchy and overwrought to gather any real sympathy from the viewer, even at the end. This movie also shows that Peter Falk really should find himself a lounge chair next to the pool and stay in it. He's overweight, out of breath and bordering on feeble these days. His voice is so raspy and low that large sections of his part of the script were practically inaudible. Josh Hutcherson, who played the grandson, is the real standout here, with the only real screen presence of the movie. Watch out for him.

A real family tear jerker, with great amounts of comedy thrown in for good measure. Peter Falk takes his grandson on a journey back through his own imagination and allows him and his own son to follow suit. This movie is mainly about family issues and how in the end our own mortality is what will make you want to resolve them. Father and son (Tim Daly and Josh Hutcherson) realise what it is to stay in tune with your own imagination and not lose yourself in the material trappings of the modern world. It really is a much deeper movie than it lets on. Although a TV movie from 2003, this came out on DVD last year, and looks very much like a motion picture. I recommend it to all. It is a joy to see Peter Falk acting so well - and like somebody mentioned - it seems like an extension of his role in the Princess Bride. I'll be watching this again at the weekend :)

Peter

This is a story within a story. Peter Falk does a reprisal of his grandfather role from Princess Bride, but with much more flair. "Pop Up" has a repertoire of stories which delight his grandchildren, especially Chris, played by Josh Hutcherson. Tim Daly plays the uptight father, John, who has zero tolerance for his bon vivant father, and he obviously has pent up issues towards his father. All this comes together when Pop Up takes off with Chris on a road trip--without John's permission. There are layers to this family movie. It's real; it's funny, and clever in its theme of second chances. It's predicable in many places, and there are plot holes; however, it has so much going for it I can't help myself, but I am going to buy it for my collection. A good generational movie is difficult to come by these days.

It's a nice movie to see with your kids. Makes you think about real family values:love and care to our old family members, family meals and sharing stories. I hope these things don't ever disappear due to "modern life" issues which is one of the messages in the movie. Peter Falks's acting wasn't his best, but he sure knows how to act out as the "wise-guy pop". Something really touching about the movie was focusing about how "country folks" really try to help others they don't even know. No great special effects here, just plain family loving. If you get the chance to see it you'll love the old American car thats almost a character in the movie.

Great story!! Shows the real power of storytelling! Don't know what I'm talking about? Then watch and extract how storytelling might empower your life! Many viewers might only see the surface drama. I see a story about storytelling. How it is misunderstood by some and how contagious it is to others. I see classical aspects of storytelling. Like how important is listening. How stories can empower you when that power is most needed. After you have watched and carefully listened to this story you will have a new perspective on life and the power of story. Peter Falk does a superb job of convincing the audience that he's a bit wacky. Watch carefully and you'll catch occasional glimpses of what state this character is really in.