Tag: Coming of Age

I Saw The TV Glow Too Opaque, Niche For Its Own Good

I Saw The TV Glow introduces us to young teen named Owen (Justice Smith) who is shy and timid, living a typical suburban life with his mom Brenda (Danielle Deadwyler) and strict father Frank (Fred Durst). When accompanying…

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Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Continues The Legacy, Quality of The Franchise

The Planet of the Apes is a beloved sci-fi franchise that was rebooted and reinvigorated beginning in 2011 with Rise of the Planet of the Apes and culminating with 2017’s War for the Planet of the Apes after…

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Radical Shows That Sentiment Can Still Be Impactful (Sundance Film Festival)

On the surface, Radical would seem to be too much of the same to be an entertaining film; a sentimental film about a hopeful, enthusiastic teacher that must overcome systemic and administrative obstacles to reach the hard scrabble…

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Fairyland is a Sweet Tale of Recognizing Our Parents’ Humanity (Sundance Film Festival)

As we’re guided through childhood by our parents, we often believe that they have all the answers we would ever need about how to navigate life. They can gain access to things we can’t, explain concepts that elude…

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The Persian Version Explores Mother-Daughter Relationships (Sundance Film Festival)

Writer/director Maryam Keshavarz’s new film explores the dynamics of the mother-daughter relationship amidst the backdrop of Persian culture. The Persian Version introduces us to Leila (Layla Mohammadi), a free-spirited Iranian American woman trying to find her way in…

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The Color Purple is a Visual and Musical Marvel

Following up an iconic story with a new retelling is always a daunting task and adapting a story as beloved as this one can be even more challenging. The Color Purple follows the same story many are familiar…

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Poor Things is Hilarious but Challenging in A Way That Provokes Thought

Director Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone have teamed together on the big screen once more. Set in Victorian London, Poor Things tells the story of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman who curiously behaves like a toddler….

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The Holdovers is a Tender, Relatable Study of Loneliness, Depression, and the Need for Connection (Middleburg Film Festival)

Set in the 1970s, The Holdovers tells the story of how curmudgeon high school philosophy teacher Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), high school student Angus (Dominic Sessa), and high school chef Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) all end up…

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Priscilla is a Thorough Documentation of How Troubled Relationships Develop (Middleburg Film Festival)

The life of Elvis Presley has been subject to countless documentaries, TV shows, books, and films. Being one of the most famous and influential musicians of all-time means that much of your life has been examined with a…

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L’Immensita’s Story Fails to Match the Strength of Its Themes (Sundance Film Festival)

Set in 1970s Rome, L’Immensita tells the tale of Adriana (Luana Giuliani), the oldest daughter of Felice (Vincenzo Amaro) and Clara (Penélope Cruz) who are a couple in an unhappy and abusive marriage. As her parents struggle Adriana…

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