Ameriatch One of the best films i have seen

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Dee Mou A touching account of the stresses and joys a group orphaned children (under reasonably good care at an orphanage based in Australia). A group of four, named "December Boys" (DB) primarily because they're all identified as such on their birthday month, are the first selected to be treated to a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity for a Christmas holiday by the sea. The movie takes us across the length of quite an amazing Australian countryside. From the get go, the DB are like brothers in every sense. For Radcliffe, this film overlaps a bit with the Harry Potter movie series. Here he is the eldest of the DB group and the "big brother" of the group, enjoying the experience but less mesmerized by everything than the younger boys in the group. The youngest of the group, "Misty," is very much reminiscent of Radcliffe in "HP Sorcerer's Stone" in terms of his look of wonder and amazement at everything he sees. It's the older and wiser Misty who narrates the story. He's the first to be bitten by the temptation of the little community by the sea. (No Spoilers.)A very heavy element of Catholicism is present throughout the film -- the orphanage is run by religious sisters, a priest chaperones the DBs on holiday, the family sponsoring their seaside holiday is extremely religious, and Misty has a unique understanding of the Virgin Mary and of women in general. (No spoilers, however you should be ready for the religious element coupled with the boyish considerations of good and bad.) The boys are entertained by almost anything, and the members of the little seaside community each have their encounters/shenanigans with the DBs, but midway in the film Misty turns on the group in a desperate effort to secure his adoption by the family sponsoring their holiday. (No spoilers.) Radcliffe ("Map" in the film) is struggling with the fact that he's nearly old enough to be let out of the orphanage; for the majority of the film he tries to play the subdued teenager who isn't easily moved or eager to be adopted, but other factors come into play for him. (No spoilers.)There's a funny confessional scene you'll have to see for yourself, but the most moving aspect of the film is that faith and brotherhood thrive even in the desolate little neighborhood. While nobody in the town is well off by any means, the message to "do unto others..." and to help lift each other up is present among the adults throughout, not only though their words of prayer, but through their quiet actions.The story is very touching and relatable. A lovely film you should watch for yourself.

Brian T. Whitlock (GOWBTW) If anyone remember "Summer of '42", "December Boys" is close to it. In this movie, you got 4 orphans: Maps (Daniel Radcliffe, "Harry Potter"), Misty (Lee Cormie),Spark (Christian Byers),& Spit (James Fraser). When they have a birthday on the same month, they get the chance to leave the orphanage and head out to the beach. Out there, they stay with a couple, whose wife is stricken with cancer. They later meet a couple who does stunts at a carnival. The younger three associated themselves with the couple, while Maps associated with Lucy(Teresa Palmer). Maps and Lucy spends so much time together, they share a kiss, and gets deflowered in the process. Earlier, Misty learns one of the four will be adopted. When Maps went to speak to Fearless(Sullivan Stapleton), he learns that he's not the motorcycle rider, he is only cleaning up after the animals. He would later learn that Fearless was a rider. An stunt accident caused his wife not to bear children. After a near drowning experience, the four orphans are re-bonded and learn to know that Misty is the one who gets adopted. He declined the offer and chooses the other three. Of course, years later, the surviving three come to the place where they had their holiday. And reminisce the good times. This movie is close to "Summer of '42". And it suited me just fine! 5 stars!

Wuchak I picked up "December Boys" (2007) for two reasons: I like (non-raunchy) coming-of-age flicks and the fact that it takes place on the Southern coast of Australia (atually it was shot on Kangaroo Island, part of South Australia). As for Daniel Radcliffe, the star of the popular Harry Potter films, I've never seen him in a movie before and have no interest in him or Potter.THE STORY: Four boys from an Outback Catholic orphanage get to celebrate their December birthdays by taking a Christmas holiday on the coast. They discover that a young childless couple are interested in adopting one of them, which creates a bit of rivalry, although the oldest one (Radcliffe) could care less and spends his time learning about girls and romance. Their time at the coast becomes a cornerstone experience as they ultimately discover what family means.Unless you're Australian, I encourage you to utilize the English subtitles to understand the nigh-unintelligible Australian dialect. Otherwise you'll only comprehend about half the dialogue and the story will be lost to you. No kidding.WHAT DOESN'T WORK: After seeing the film I only remember two of the boys -- Maps and Misty. The others might as well have been phantoms. The plot is interesting, but the story as-played-out is not very compelling (although the epilogue is slightly moving). Scenes come and go with largely ill-defined characters with little dialogue or explanation. This is definitely a picture where you'll have to read in between the lines to appreciate, which might make it good for repeat-viewings.WHAT WORKS: The Kangaroo Island locations are fabulous, especially the high shots of Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park.The picture really comes alive when Teresa Palmer is on screen; she plays femme fatale Lucy. The DVD cover is deceiving in that Teresa looks to be about 12 years-old. Actually she was 20 during filming and plays an about-16 girl with curvy legs from here to New York. Lucy's scenes with Maps are the highlight of the picture (and not at all "awkward" as another reviewer contends). Lucy is aware of her tantalizing feminine powers and skillfully utilizes them to bewitch Maps with her spell.In addition to the Remarkable Rocks and Lucy, other highlights include a secret cave high up on the rocks, a wild black horse who seems to fish, an Evel Knieval-type character who may not be as "Fearless" as he lets on, a colossal fish named Henry and the cantankerous old man fascinated by it.The DVD feature about 10-minutes of deleted scenes that should have never been deleted. Make sure you catch 'em as they help explain the story better.BOTTOM LINE: Although the story is merely okay as far as captivating and moving cinema goes, the highlights noted above compel me to give "December Boys" a decent rating, in particular the scenic rocks/coast and Lucy.If you like Teresa Palmer in this picture be sure to check her out in "Bedtime Stories" (2008), "Restraint" (2008) and "The Grudge 2" (2006).GRADE: B

nunchucks This movie was really wonderful. It's a feel-good movie that actually makes you feel-good, and sad. You'll follow the characters as you follow your self and your own friends.When I saw this yesterday, I kept one thing on my mind for the whole movie. I compared this movie to Big Fish by Tim Burton (which is a great movie too). This two films are very similar to each other in some strange way, in a good way. You can't say that this director is as good as Tim Burton, but he sure has great quality that he can and hopefully will develop and go big.This movie is worth seeing, no talk about it. I can't understand why people rate this 1/10, because this piece of work is not worth it.