Tag Archives: Coming-of-age drama

Renoir (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Detached and confused

Posted on April 23, 2026 by kaist455

Chie Hayakawa’s latest film “Renoir” takes some time for letting us grasp what and how it is about. At the beginning, you may often be baffled about where the story and its quirky young heroine are going, but you will … Continue reading →

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Crooklyn (1994) ☆☆☆(3/4): A childhood in Brooklyn in the 1970s

Posted on March 20, 2026 by kaist455

Spike Lee’s 1994 film “Crooklyn” is a little but charming family drama which is often interesting for its semi-autobiographic elements. Written by Lee and his two siblings Joie Susannah Lee and Cinqué Lee, the movie certainly feels quite personal in … Continue reading →

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El Sur (1983) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Remembering her father

Posted on March 15, 2026 by kaist455

Víctor Erice’s 1983 film “El Sur”, whose 4k remastered version was recently released in South Korean theaters, is a simple but undeniably powerful coming-of-age drama to admire and savor. While it is relatively more forthright in terms of storytelling compared … Continue reading →

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Us and Them (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Now and Then

Posted on February 5, 2026 by kaist455

Taiwanese filmmaker Rene Liu’s 2018 film “Us and Them”, which is currently available on Netflix, is a bittersweet romance drama between two different people looking back on their flawed but precious love in the past. At first, their past seems … Continue reading →

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The Chronology of Water (2025) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The remarkable debut work by Kristen Stewart

Posted on February 1, 2026 by kaist455

As many of you know well, Kristen Stewart has proven a lot of her undeniable talent during last two decades. Sure, she has often been remembered for those commercially successful but utterly disposable Twilight flicks, but her acting career subsequently … Continue reading →

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Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Through a child’s viewpoint

Posted on January 16, 2026 by kaist455

Animation feature film “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain”, which recently won the Best Animation Film Award from the LA Film Critics Association, is colorfully charming as steadily sticking to its little heroine’s viewpoint. As she tries to process … Continue reading →

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My Sunshine (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): A coming-of-age drama on ice 

Posted on January 9, 2026 by kaist455

Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Okuyama’s latest film “My Sunshine” is a modest but engaging coming-of-age drama to be appreciated for several good reasons. While the story and characters are quite familiar to say the least, the movie patiently builds up its … Continue reading →

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Left-Handed Girl (2025) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Her left hand

Posted on November 14, 2025 by kaist455

“Left-Handed Girl” is a little but superlative coming-of-drama to admire and cherish. Mostly sticking to the innocent viewpoint of its young heroine, the movie gradually immerses us into her small world along its free-flowing narrative, and it alternatively amuses and … Continue reading →

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Bird (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): One feisty girl and her birdy friend

Posted on November 10, 2025 by kaist455

“Bird” is another raw coming-of-age drama from Andrea Arnold, who previously gave us “Fish Tank” (2008) and “American Honey” (2016). Closely following its young heroine’s small and big struggles, the movie presents a rough but vivid slice of life which … Continue reading →

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404 Still Remain (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): As they share their favorite Japanese pop songs

Posted on November 9, 2025 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “404 Still Remain” made me feel a bit nostalgic for good reasons. Set in early 2000s, this little coming-of-age drama movie is filled with the period details to notice here and there, and I can tell … Continue reading →

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