Directed by Dennis Cooper, Zac Farley A boy wants to blow himself up in Permanent Green Light. He'll explain to several people, reassuring them, that he doesn't wish to blow others up, just himself. He doesn't even want to die, he just wants to 'end,' citing as an example the story of a man who fell … Continue reading Permanent Green Light (2018)
teenagers
Super Dark Times (2017)
Directed by Kevin Phillips There's something unsettling about your teenage years, at least while you're in them. There have been many a film made about such a time, seen through a nostalgic lens, but Super Dark Times is not one of those films. It's highly in the moment, moving with every dramatic whim perceived by its … Continue reading Super Dark Times (2017)
Pavilion (2012)
Directed by Tim Sutton Tim Sutton's movies are visual poems, sparse and distant. His characters are people we regard from afar, often non actors playing a part that surely overlaps with who they are in everyday life. Pavilion is a brief movie (70 minutes) that takes place in upstate New York and somewhere in Arizona. … Continue reading Pavilion (2012)
Eighth Grade (2018)
Directed by Bo Burnham I walked out of Eighth Grade feeling a buzz only coming of age stories can offer. In Kayla's (Elsie Fisher) journey we see something of ourselves. The film is a blend of universal truths and the hyper-specific world of today's teenagers. It seems that older movies used to capture a generation by … Continue reading Eighth Grade (2018)
River’s Edge (1986)
Directed by Tim Hunter River's Edge is the intersection between David Lynch and Gus Van Sant. Released before Twin Peaks and most of Van Sant's work, River's Edge precedes films that must have been inspired by this one. It might just be longhaired Keanu Reeves (as seen in My Own Private Idaho) or Dennis Hopper (who played a big role … Continue reading River’s Edge (1986)