coming-of-age

In Defense of SUMMER OF '84, A Bold Punctuation To The Triteness Of 80’s Nostalgia
In Defense of SUMMER OF ’84, A Bold Punctuation To The Triteness Of 80’s Nostalgia

Summer of ’84 may have been passed over as a cheap Stranger Things knockoff, but there is surprising depth to it if you look beneath the surface.

Toronto International Film Festival 2018: CONSEQUENCES: One More Unhappy Entry In The LGBTQ Canon
Toronto International Film Festival 2018: CONSEQUENCES: One More Unhappy Entry In The LGBTQ Canon

Consequences coats us in a layer of melancholy through its showcase of intolerance rather than using the art of filmmaking to empower the LGBTQ community.

YARDIE: A Powerful Coming-of-Age Crime Thriller Possibly Staggered By Passion
YARDIE: A Powerful Coming-Of-Age Crime Thriller Staggered By Passion

Yardie is loaded with Idris Elba’s enthusiasm, but feels decidedly less confident in the wake of other recent directorial debuts.

DUSTY & ME: Slight Dog and His Boy Story Not Without Its Charms
DUSTY & ME: Not Without Its Charms

Dusty & Me is a greyhound leap ahead of similar films that have come before but as dog tales go it can’t quite keep the company of classic animal epics – it’s not quite that memorable.

Interview With Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir On Her First Feature THE SWAN
Interview With Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir On Her First Feature THE SWAN

We spoke with Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir about her directorial debut, The Swan, and discussed its darker scenes.

THE FOREST OF THE LOST SOULS: A Unique Genre Fusion
THE FOREST OF THE LOST SOULS: A Unique Genre Fusion

The Forest of the Lost Souls is an impressive debut that will find its audience in those filmgoers who appreciate cinematic genre fusion.

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL: Heart Is In The Right Place
HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL: Heart In The Right Place

Hope Springs Eternal deals with depressing subject matter – but does so with a sweetness that’s touching and entertaining.

THE SWAN: A Surreal Journey Down The Rabbit Hole Of Adulthood
THE SWAN: A Surreal Journey Down The Rabbit Hole Of Adulthood

In the sea of stellar coming-of-age films that have recently been released, The Swan’s beautiful blend of human drama and magical realism is still unique enough to stand out.

MIFF 2018: I Used to be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story
MIFF 2018 Review: I USED TO BE NORMAL: A Boyband Fangirl Story

I Used to Be Normal is a heartwarming reaffirmation of the power of fandom, a heartwarming, non-judgemental documentary that’s not just for boyband fans.

TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE: An Endearing Lana Condor & The Evolution Of The YA Genre
TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE: The Evolution Of The YA Genre

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a testament to how far young adult films have come, resisting stereotypes and cliches despite seeming to fall into a gimmicky premise.

LAURA GETS A CAT: Conversation & Pathos Drive This Life-After-Thirty Rom-Com
LAURA GETS A CAT: Conversation & Pathos Drive This Life-After-Thirty Rom-Com

With Laura Gets A Cat, Michael Ferrell continues his knowing efforts within the romantic comedy genre.

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS: A Stylish Debut That Can’t Live Up To Its Own Promise

Hot Summer Nights’ story is not adequately interesting to justify the legendary tone, and it winds up feeling anodyne when it should feel explosive.

THE LEGACY OF A WHITETAIL DEER HUNTER: The Summer Of Josh Brolin Continues
THE LEGACY OF A WHITETAIL DEER HUNTER: The Summer Of Josh Brolin Continues

The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter is undeniably a missed opportunity, a film that nails a certain tone and feel without putting all the pieces together.

ADVENTURES IN PUBLIC SCHOOL: A Fuzzy Blanket Teen Comedy
ADVENTURES IN PUBLIC SCHOOL: A Fuzzy Blanket Teen Comedy

In a genre dripping with teenage iconoclasm and headbanging angst, Adventures in Public School makes at the very least for comforting viewing and offers a sweet view of respect, family and independence.

THE YEAR OF SPECTACULAR MEN: A Family Affair That Doesn’t Quite Mesh
THE YEAR OF SPECTACULAR MEN: A Family Affair That Doesn’t Quite Mesh

The Year of Spectacular Men might spin its wheels and veer off course, but there’s still some fun to be had by these spectacular women.