Little Man Tate

Jodie Foster’s directorial debut is the story of Fred (Adam Hann-Byrd), a child prodigy often overwhelmed by the world outside his head. He can solve complicated math problems and play piano with spooky proficiency. Herself a prodigy of sorts (as a preternaturally composed child actress), Foster — who also plays Fred’s mother Dede — subtly conveys the conflict between wanting to develop one’s amazing gifts and needing to be a normal kid just like everyone else.
The Wizard

California!
That annoying, plaintive cry is uttered over and over again by Jimmy (Luke Edwards), the young video game savant who plays the title role. All messed up ever since the death of his twin sister, all Jimmy wants to do is get to the Golden State. When brother Corey (Fred Savage) realizes that Jimmy’s a sort of Nintendo Rain Man, he decides to get him to a big-money tournament in L.A. — by any means necessary.
Essentially a commercial for Nintendo and Universal Studios (where the tourney takes place), The Wizard is not a great movie. It was, however, a perfect combination of two late-’80s American fads — Nintendo and Fred Savage. Full of references to Double Dragon, Super Mario Bros. 3 and the Power Glove, The Wizard is a font of nostalgia for elder millennials. Also, keep your eye out for a pre-Rilo Kiley Jenny Lewis, who plays one of the main kid roles.

























