Tag Archives: Coming-of-age drama

Jojo Rabbit (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): An uneven World War II comedy by Taika Waititi

Posted on January 5, 2020 by kaist455

Taika Waititi’s latest comedy film “Jojo Rabbit”, which won the Grolsch People’s Choice Award when it was premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in last September, is a typical case of whimsical mixed bag. While it has some nice … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sub-Zero Wind (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Her bleak adolescent years

Posted on November 17, 2019 by kaist455

South Korean film “Sub-Zero Wind” is as bleak as its very title suggests. Like many of recent South Korean coming-of-age drama films, the movie is often shrouded in stark and gloomy realism, but its story and characters are thoughtfully handled … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Cat and the Moon (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A solid directorial debut by Alex Wolff

Posted on November 2, 2019 by kaist455

“The Cat and the Moon” is your typical coming-of-age drama about a troubled adolescent hero wandering and struggling a lot in his unstable life, but it is a bit better than I expected. Sure, there are some rough spots here … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Blinded by the Light (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): When he discovers Bruce Springsteen

Posted on October 29, 2019 by kaist455

“Blinded by the Light” is a familiar but enjoyable feel-good movie driven by a number of songs from Bruce Springsteen. I must confess that I do not know much about the music of Springsteen besides his haunting Oscar-winning song for … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Into the Forest (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two sisters isolated in the apocalyptic world

Posted on September 22, 2019 by kaist455

“Into the Forest” is a small but engaging survival drama about two young women who suddenly find themselves isolated in an apocalyptic situation. Although it can be said that the story does not break any new ground in its genre … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

House of Hummingbird (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): This girl’s life in Seoul, 1994

Posted on August 30, 2019 by kaist455

South Korean film “House of Hummingbird”, which received the Grand Prix of the Generation 14plus International Jury when it was shown at the Berlin International Film Festival early in this year, observes a young ordinary girl’s life in specific place … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The House of Us (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An intimate summer story of three young girls

Posted on August 24, 2019 by kaist455

I could not help but smile as watching South Korean film “The House of Us”, which is another remarkable work from director/writer Yoon Ga-eun. The movie presents its three young main characters and their daily life with considerable intimacy and … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Being 17 (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): A tricky matter of their young hearts

Posted on August 18, 2019 by kaist455

French film “Being 17” is an intimate adolescent drama revolving around a difficult situation between its two young heroes struggling with a tricky matter of their young hearts. Calmly presenting the dynamic interactions between them, the movie gradually engages us … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A simple but haunting coming-of-age drama

Posted on August 10, 2019 by kaist455

Japanese film “Jesus” is a simple but haunting coming-of-age drama to be admired for not only its sensitive coming-of-age tale but also its thoughtful handling of its religious subjects. While it is often a little playful as observing how its … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Souvenir (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Scenes from her toxic personal relationship

Posted on August 9, 2019 by kaist455

“The Souvenir” is a somber and detached mix of coming-of-age and romance drama which is occasionally emotionally painful to watch for good reasons. As calmly observing how things alternatively go up and down between its young heroine and a very … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment