Tag Archives: Coming-of-age drama

Leave No Trace (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Father and daughter in the wood

Understated but undeniably powerful, “Leave No Trace” drew my attention right from its very first moment and then engaged me more through its intimate depiction of the strong relationship between its two main characters. As closely living with each other … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Eighth Grade (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Before high school

I like movies making me emphasize with people different from me, and “Eighth Grade” is one of such good films. Although its teenage heroine’s tumultuous emotional journey feels rather alien to me because my adolescent years were less eventful in … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Love, Simon (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Conventional but Notable

“Love, Simon” reminds me again of how things have been changed a lot for queer films these days. After the considerable success of “Brokeback Mountain” (2005), LGBTQ characters have become more common in American films during recent years, and now … Continue reading

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

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): The trouble with her letters

Netflix film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is a conventional coming-of-age comedy drama, but it distinguishes itself with several good things to notice. First, it is rather refreshing to see a major American teenager film featuring an Asian … Continue reading

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

Thelma (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Her power awakens

“Thelma”, which was chosen as Norway’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in last year, is a calm but unsettling experience. Firmly sticking to its young heroine’s increasingly agitated state of mind, the movie constantly unnerves us throughout … Continue reading

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

Morris from America (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): African American father and son in Germany

“Morris from America”, which received the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award when it was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in early 2016, is plainer than I expected. As phlegmatically observing the bumpy struggle of its young hero in his new … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Beach Rats (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Bright summer days of a sexually confused lad

Calmly and closely observing bright summer days of its sexually confused hero, “Becah Rats” gives us a palpable sense of uncertainties surrounding him. While not so sure about his sexuality, he casually lets himself drifted around drug and sex, and … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Super Dark Times (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): A dark, disturbing coming-of-age drama thriller

“Super Dark Times” is a dark, disturbing coming-of-age drama which turns out to be more unnerving and compelling than expected. Set in a suburban area of New York State, the movie initially presents itself as a calm, realistic depiction of … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Lean on Pete (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A boy and the horse

“Lean on Pete” surprised me with its considerable sensitivity and thoughtfulness. Here is a simple but heartfelt character drama which simply goes its own way as wisely avoiding clichés and conventions, and I was both entertained and touched by how … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | 1 Comment

First Match (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Wrestling for her father

“First Match”, which is currently available on Netflix, initially draws our attention through its supposedly unconventional promise. Here is a young girl who has struggled a lot in her tough environment, and it is often poignant to observe how she … Continue reading

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