This Fantastic Beautiful (2016)
This UK film is one of my favorite comfort films, and tells the story of quirky girl Bella Brown who attempts to conquer her deathly fear of nature and ends up making life-long friends along the way. It is simple and wholesome with a more modern filmmaking style. If you’ve ever felt out of place, this is a great movie when you want to feel understood. As a bonus, it also stars two of my favorite UK actors, Jessica Brown Findlay and Andrew Scott.
More Like This:
“Grand Budapest Hotel”
“French Dispatch”
“Big Fish”
Cry-Baby (1990)
I recently discovered this film after reading the description and immediately deciding to watch it. Half musical, half drama, it feels like a parody of “The Outsiders” without the heart-wrenching emotions and absolutely all of the humor. The amount of times I had to pause the movie because I was laughing too hard was innumerable. It tells the story of good girl Allison (Amy Locane), who falls in love with Wade Walder, nicknamed Cry-Baby (Johnny Depp). Perfect for a good laugh, it encapsulates all that is ridiculous about teen movies.
Handsome Devil (2016)
This is a lesser known one of Nicholas Galitzine films, but it’s still one of my favorites to watch. Starring Irish actor Finn O’Shea, best known for “Dating Amber,” it pairs an excellent soundtrack with the classic quirky Irish filmmaking that I’ve come to love. This movie discusses issues that LGBTQIA+ teens face in a relatable way while placing the emphasis on accepting one’s true self rather than focusing on the labels and identities that are forced upon oneself.
More Like This:
“Dating Amber”
“Billie & Emma”
“But I’m A Cheerleader”
I Saw the TV Glow (2024)
I have heard fairly mixed reviews about this movie, but the premise seemed so interesting I couldn’t resist watching it. Starring Jack Haven, “I Saw the TV Glow” is a psychological thriller discussing the danger and fears of repressing yourself and confronting those fears. Distributed by A24, this film is sure to be original and something new to experience.
More Like This:
“Fanfik”
“We’re All Going to the World’s Fair”
“Giant Little Ones”
Moonrise Kingdom
Director Wes Anderson’s style is evident throughout the film, filled with symmetrical shots and unique characters. The plot involves two 12-year olds living on an island who fall in love and run away together. Although it was a bit awkward at times to see the romantic interactions between the two characters, I feel that it was essential to showing the comfortability that they had with each other, and the innocence of their otherwise mature personalities. This film does a spectacular job at showcasing how children are misunderstood, and the difficulties of living in a world where you simply do not conform.
More Like This:
“I believe in Unicorns”
“Isle of Dogs”
