Tag Archives: Coming-of-age drama

When Marnie Was There (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4): The last Ghibli animation, probably

Watching Japanese animated feature film “When Marnie Was There” is a bittersweet experience because this may be the last work from Studio Ghibli, which has been in a ‘temporary’ hiatus period since “When Marnie Was There” was released in Japan … Continue reading

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Dope (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : Three Geeks in the Bottoms

“Dope” wants to do many things. At first, it unfolds a coming-of-age comedy drama about three adolescent kids struggling in their rough neighbourhood, and then it tries to be a crime story accompanied with drug and shooting, and then it … Continue reading

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Paper Towns (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): Looking for his gone girl

When she suddenly comes closer to him, he is happy for that. When she is gone then, he is determined to see her again. “Paper Towns” is often predictable, but it handles its story and characters with sincerity and care … Continue reading

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Me and Earl and Dying Girl (2015) ☆☆(2/4): Sweet and quirky and pretentious

“Me and Earl and Dying Girl” is one of those superficially whimsical American independent films often shown at the Sundance Film Festival, and I constantly groaned and grumbled throughout its running time. Brandishing its deliberately quirky style and mood, the … Continue reading

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We Are the Best! (2013) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : Not the best, actually

 First, let me talk about how I was not so entertained during the first viewing of Swedish film “We Are the Best!”. While it was interesting to hear a number of Swedish punk rock songs on the soundtrack, they did … Continue reading

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Set Me Free (2014) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A boy suffocated by his harsh world

 Watching “Set Me Free”, which is another small nice surprise from South Korea, is not a pleasant experience – and the same thing can be said about its adolescent hero. While usually being selfish and opportunistic, he is often dishonest … Continue reading

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Ginger & Rosa (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4): A turning point in their relationship and their world

 While we still have more than enough atomic bombs to wipe out the whole civilization of ours, there has not been any moment as fearful as the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Not long after seeing how destructive a small … Continue reading

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Approved for Adoption (2012) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : An outsider between two countries

Some animation films try different things outside the usual territory for young audiences, and little Belgian animation feature film “Approved for Adoption”, which was released as “Couleur de peau: Miel” in Europe, is one of such works. It is not … Continue reading

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Mud (2012) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : The water is wide

The water is wide. That sentence was floated around my mind while I was watching the Mississippi river and the surrounding landscapes in Jeff Nichols’ latest film “Mud”. It looks plain and mundane at first, but the movie has a … Continue reading

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4) : His eventful first year

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is an enjoyable coming-of-age drama to be appreciated. While it entertains us with various colorful characters surrounding its shy, awkward hero, the movie gives us a heartfelt story about how he comes to get … Continue reading

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