From Best to Worst at Tribeca
YAMag editor Mordechai Laub braves through the ever-widening offers at the Tribeca Film Festival in downtown NYC, a film fest that never seems to stop growing.
BEST | ||
GBF What it’s about – The story of a boy accepting his sexuality and dealing with the consequences of being outed by a group of girls who want him to be their Gay Best Friend. The YA Take – An amazing film that makes you laugh and cry at the same time. A beautiful piece of work, taking the viewer to a place where acceptance is unconditional, no matter who you are. |
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Deep Powder
What it’s about – A boy who wants to grow up and a girl who is put into a grownup world. The two fall in love, but their happily ever after is far from perfect. Especially when drugs are involved. The YA Take – A fast paced love story that keeps you wanting more. Through video footage, we learn a lesson of taking responsibility for your actions and wanting to do better. The story is a great, nostalgic piece that takes place in the 80’s. |
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Adult World
What it’s about – A girl who breaks out on her own because she can’t deal with her parents’ rules. She finds herself working at Adult World, an adult video store where she soon learns about the facts of life. The YA Take – Excellent film, a coming of age story about a girl who learns to find her way and become the poet she so desperately wants to be. |
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The Pretty One
What it’s about – After receiving a haircut on their birthday, identical twins get into a car crash. When one dies, identities are misplaced and the one who lives decides to take over her sister’s life. The YA Take – This film gives a feeling of being alive and a love that makes you feel anything’s possible; you find yourself floating through. |
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Greetings From Tim Buckley What its About – Star Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl stars in this past and present film about a father and son who never knew each other. The son, in present day, finds himself searching for his father while attending a tribute concert in his dad’s honor. The YA Take – A great film that talks about life in its simplest form, not to mention an unforgettable concert. |
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McConkey
What it’s About – True story about Ski-Diver Shane McConkey, how he became a skier and his flight of fancy with jumping off bridges.
The YA Take – Excellent doc, though with every real life story comes tragedy, especially in this account of never giving up and doing what’s most important to you. |
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At Any Price What it’s about – A father who wants more for his son, and a son who takes matters into his own hands and takes it too far. The YA Take – Great acting—Zac Efron truly is a star. The film isn’t memorable but it has many enjoyable moments, especially from new up-and-comer Maika Monroe. |
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Birder’s Guide to Everything What it’s about – While his father is about to get remarried, star Kodi Smit-McPhee sets off on an adventure with his friends in search of an extinct bird. The YA Take – Movie had some heart, it’s more kid friendly without being ‘kid friendly’. There were moments of greatness with Ben Kingsly and newcomers Katie Chang and Alex Wolff, but overall it felt distilled and needed to be more unique. |
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Farah Goes Bang What it’s about – The story of three girls who go cross country to get votes for John Kerry in the 2004 United States presidential election. The YA Take – Good story, and one favorite 90210 actor Michael Steger opens up the film. Though it had good moments, a scene with a flair gun being taken advantage of in a gas station bathroom does not make for good screen time. |
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What Richard Did What it’s about – A coming of age story about an Irish lad who finds himself in an unforgivable situation. The YA Take – A really talented cast that looks like it came from the pages of a Hollister catalog (especially lead Jack Reynor who will next be starring in the Transformers sequel). |
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Hide Your Smiling Faces What it’s about – The story of brothers who grow up in a town of loneliness and death. The YA Take – No smiling faces here. |
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WORST |