The Hunger Games (B+), directed by Gary Ross, imagines a dystopian future in which territories of our modern land have to fight against each other on live television as sacrifice and bloodsport for the ruling political regime. Jennifer Lawrence, our archer heroine, is ready to break all the rules as she enters the arena. The film has an interesting vocabulary and fascinating details, plus there are nice supporting turns from Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz and others. It’s very high-concept, but I liked the way the protagonist handled the tablestakes.
Tag Archives: Coming of Age
“An Education” (2009) is Sublime
Among many end-of-year prestige pics, here’s a gem: Lone Scherfig’s An Education (A+) in which surefire Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan plays a determined British schoolgirl who falls topsy turvy for older man Peter Sarsgaard. The film captured young love with timeless, poignant truth as moments of Lolita-ish unease heighten the heroine’s struggle with moral ambiguities. Mulligan is a revelation and the film an instant coming-of-age classic.
“Camp” is Great Fun with Theatre Kids in Spotlight
Todd Graff’s Camp (B) is a joyous ode to growing up, making friends and finding your voice. Set at a summer camp for kids who want to be Broadway stars, there is enough backstage drama to fill the great white wilderness as the teens overcome their outcast status and find themselves center stage in their own follies, foibles and friendships. Graff draws out charming performances from newcomers Daniel Letterle, Robin de Jesus and Anna Kendrick, the latter belting out a very memorable and angry “Ladies Who Lunch.” The title’s play on words might imply a film high on kitsch, but it’s actually high on sweetness and coming of age. Showtune fans will rejoice at some unexpected songs and a star cameo. It’s Meatballs for maestros.
“Y Tu Mamá También” a Great Film on Growing Up
Alfonso Cuarón’s Mexican coming-of-age film Y Tu Mamá También (A) features Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna who take Maribel Verdú on a road trip that leads to a variety of surprising discoveries. Frank in its sexual content, bawdy and bold in its humor and choices and nostalgic in its glimpses at a nation in transition, it’s an amazing journey and a rejuvenating cinematic experience.
Related link: Learn about the deluxe DVD edition of this film at Criterion Blues.
“White Squall” Pretty, Vacant
Jeff Bridges and Scott Wolf headline a picturesque coming of age story in Ridley Scott’s White Squall (C). Despite navigating the young cast through a series of physical and emotional adventures, the makers fail to generate much central interest or momentum. it ultimately kinda looks like a cologne ad.
“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” a Stunning, Tear-Jerking Masterpiece
A wondrous creature from the cosmos befriends a lonely boy from a broken home in Steven Spielberg’s magnificent adventure E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (A+). Told to the tunes of soaring John Williams melodies, the story is both intimate and sprawling as gifted child actor Henry Thomas makes you absolutely believe in the bond of friendship he forges with a pint-sized alien. Dee Wallace is wonderful as the well-meaning mom whose workload eclipses some telltale signs that a close encounter of the suburban kind is being arranged in the recesses of her household. Robert MacNaughton and Drew Barrymore are also well cast as the other kids in the home who encounter Halloween highjinks, chases from foreboding scientists and magic around every corner. Spielberg shows everything from a child’s POV, which makes the wonder all the more resplendent. The effects and production design demonstrate the heights of creativity in the craft. Both the simple coming of age story and the deeper metaphor attached to the central relationship of this Spielberg masterwork make this movie endure as a modern classic.