The Indian in the Cupboard (1995)

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Terrific! First we took their land, then we confined them to reserves, now we've forced Native Americans to live inside of our furniture.Fortunately, this kids' movie is not about constricting a Cree to a credenza – it's about an Iroquois.For his 9th birthday, Omri (Hal Scardino) receives a cupboard and a plastic Indian figurine (Litefoot).When he locks the statuette in the sideboard using a magic key, he opens to find that the toy has come to life.Next, he places a plastic cowboy (David Keith) into the cupboard. And later, he must animate a plastic medic (Steve Coogan); unfortunately, he has lost the key.Based on the beloved children's book, The Indian in the Cupboard may have its faults but at heart it's a compassionate account of growing up.However, wouldn't it be more enlightening for a maturing young man to bring his sister's Bratz dolls to life? (Yellow Light)

On this one, I am surprised that viewers are so critical as to miss the big picture of the magical moments and concepts of the movie. I agree, there are quite a few flaws overall, but some are just direction or editing oversights. However, this film deserves to be recognized as a really good family film as is. There are so many good "teaching moments" for parents regarding what kids go through growing up. The effects were well done for the time, playing the small vs. big people visuals. I was absorbed in the story well beyond picking on every detail. Omri was decent, not great, but believable as the kid star; the casting and scripting both for Little Bear are compelling, fascinating, and wonderful. I would recommend this film to almost anyone, if their reality can be suspended for 96 minutes. It is a great story, if only a good film. Entertaining and more gripping than many films since.

The movie about a boy who finds a cupboard, that once you put in an action figure or doll, they came to life. I searched high and low for one, and darn it, I never found it. I gave up, or did I? Lol, don't think I'm being serious. I use to love this movie. I still do. Sadly, our copy was sold at our garage sale when we moved out of our home in Canby. But, I'm not getting the DVD. Want to know why? Well, I saw it for the last time when I was 10, or so. I had to cover my mouth from restraining my laughter. I had never realized how bad the acting is. There is one scene where the lead character is panicking because his secrete is about to be exposed. I laughed. I laughed hard. I said goodbye to my copy, and I haven't looked back. I loved it, but I may only get it for when I start teaching. It's not really a movie I would want to watch by myself. At least, not anymore.

I'm a sucker for nice kids, not those snotty ones seen so often in films from the '60s to the present. In here is a wonderful neat-looking little kid, Hal Sardino, who is unusual in that this is the only movie he ever starred in. To his credit, Scardino went on to live a "normal" life after this film, eventually going to college as a regular student like you and me with no celebrity status.The film is anything but "normal," a fantasy about a young boy who receives a cupboard that transforms little toy figurines - in this case, an Indian and then a cowboy. - into miniature real-life people. Each time he opens or closes the box with the figures in them, they change to either real or back to plastic.Scardino, who plays Omri," is fun to watch, if for no other reason than the great expressions on his face. He has to be one of the most likable children I've ever seen on film. Meanwhile, his best friend "Patrick" is the only villain, so to speak, only because he's a bit "defiant," as his mother labels him and he almost spoils everything for "Omri."It's a solid family film that is fun for both the parents and kids to watch at the same time. Both will get a lot of entertainment out of it. With just a bit of profanity early on and a bit of obvious political correctness, there is nothing in here which should offend viewers. Critics didn't seem to care for it, so you know it truly was a nice, wholesome film....and fun to watch.