science fiction

Matilda (1996) Movie Review

Starring: Mara Wilson, Pam Ferris, Danny DeVito, Embeth Davidtz, Rhea Perlman, Tracey Walter, Paul Reubens
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Review Summary
Baised on the book by Roal Dahl, Matilda is the story of a little girl named, oddly enough, Matilda (Wilson). Her parents barely acknowledge her existance, so she spent her time at the library, developing her gifted mind. When her father (DeVito, who also directed and co-produced), a shady car salesman, sells a car to a school headmistress, it is decided that Matilda be schooled there. At first, this is a dream come true for Matilda, but the headmistress, Agatha Trunchbull (Ferris) is a cruel, sadistic person who hates kids. Her only friend is her teacher, Ms. Honey (Davitz), who is the only caring teacher. Between the Trunchbull's cruel and unusual punishments, her parent's neglect, and the FBI agets (Walter and Reubens) watching the house, Matilda's stress built up so much that she discovered something: aside from being a gifted mind, she's also telekenetic! With these newfound powers she decides to rid the school of the Trunchbull. Family Fun.
Adam D. Bram, Resident Scholar


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Plot
**Fantasy or Science Fiction?** - fantasy story on present day Earth
Coming of age Yes
Mental/Magical powers focus Yes

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status: - student
Age: - a kid
Has special powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character: - telekinesis
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
Hair color? - brunette (Brown)
Hair type - (woman) medium/shoulderlng, straight
Events of movie makes character more... - happy
Ethnicity/Nationality - White (American)
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor? - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Secondary Main Character
Identity: - Female
Hair color - blonde
Hair style - (woman) short/butch/lez
How much in movie? - 80%
Ethnicity/Nationality - White (American)

Main Adversary
Identity: - Female
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - teacher/professor
Has special powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - super strength
Eccentric: Yes - deluded
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - 80%
Hair color - brunette (Brown)
Hair style - (woman) short/butch/lez
Body type - fat (female)
Ethnicity - White
Sense of humor? - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physical condition - average physique
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant

Setting
Earth setting: - 20th century (1970's to Present)
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
Tone of movie - upbeat
Comedy or somewhat funny movie? Yes
Is this movie based on a - book
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