EveySK

I have to admit that the main reason I rented this movie was to see Dean Winters in something other than HBO's Oz and his performance here really surprised me. He usually plays the tough guy, but in Undercover Angel he was finally able to explore a much softer side. Although Emily Mae Young stole the movie. She is so adorable and was such a delight to watch. At times the plot seemed a little rushed, but taking into consideration that this was a low budget independent film, then that can be over looked. A treat to watch with your entire family.

I first saw the Papermill Playhouse of Show Boat on PBS when I was 4 years old and I still watch my old worn out copy of the original broadcast and I get the chills. It's the greatest version of Show Boat that is out there. Being from New Jersey, I have gone to the Papermill Playhouse to see other performances, but Show Boat is still what they are most famous for. All the original still photographs are still hanging in the theater lobby. Many of the Show Boat performances still perform at the theater and are still complemented on their Show Boat performances even though it was first performed in 1984. Even after repeated viewings it still gives me the chills. Ol' Man River has the most soul in this version and you're heart just breaks when Joe sings it as Julie and Steve leave the Cotton Blossom. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man has the most energy and the girls dancing is on target. All the songs are intact and sung with such emotion that the viewer is feeling what the characters are. This is the best version out there, but unfortunatly even Papermill has lost track of a copy. If anyone knows if this is available to buy or even the soundtrack please post any information. There is a reason IMDB users have rated this version so high.

Swing Kids tells the story of Peter, Thomas, and Arvid (played wonderfully by Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, and Frank Whaley respectively). They all live a carefree life fueled by the American swing music of the late 1930s. But living in Germany in 1938, these boys see the change that is coming and it is Hitler's reign that first tears them apart. Peter is caught by Hitler's military police when he attempts to steal a radio for Arvid and he is thenforced to join the Hitler Youth. Thomas joins so that his friend will not have to go through it alone. They go along with the HJ way of life during the day, while still living it up in the illegal swing clubs at night until Thomas falls victim to the HJ ways and starts believing in Hitler's ways causing conflict among the boys. Arvid's loyalties do not lie with Germany and stronly opposses the Hitler way of life. Peter must decide what he believes in and come to terms with the death of his father at the hands of the government six years prior to the story. I would like to say it has a happy ending, but any story about the rise of the Nazi's in Germany can not fully end on a happy note. It is an educational film that should be examined and studied by those who want to fully understand what really happened in Germany and learn the untold story of the few who oppossed.