Sticks and Stones. 1996. Hallmark telefilms (made-for-TV movies).

There's little for me to say about 'Sticks and Stones.' I have my criticisms of it, but I haven't seen the movie in a couple years, so I don't know how valid my criticisms are. I really wasn't a fan of 'Sticks and Stones.'

'Sticks and Stones' is about Hayes (Jordan Brower's character) who is physically and verbally abused by his father and terrorizes his peers because of it. The movie as it relates to Jordan is lame. There is, however, a story line about one of the boys in something of a coming-of-age. That plot is played out very well, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Zach from 'Saved by the Bell' -maybe you were too young to remember that) does an amazing job playing the jerky older brother of that boy.

Complaints:

1) Jordan just sort of disappears at the end of the film. I mean, no one ever helps him. He just fades out.

2) Jordan, No more hightops, PLEASE! One can only take so much of you in high-top tennis shoes.

Kudos:

Better job crying in this film. Definitely. I mean, were those real tears I saw?

Places people, places!