MOONLIGHT (2016)

Directed by: Barry Jenkins

Rotten Tomatoes: 98%

Equal parts drama and coming-of-age, the 2017 Best Picture of the Year, “Moonlight” chronicles three periods of Chiron’s life as a child, teenager and adult. Chiron attempts to understand who he is while living in a Miami neighborhood riddled with crime and dealing with his drug-addicted mother. Although the three-section construction allowed for development over time, the movie felt like it was too broken up and took the viewer out of the experience. Altogether, however, the beautiful film score and cinematography completely captivated me.

GARDEN STATE (2004)

Directed by: Barry Jenkins

Rotten Tomatoes: 98%

After consuming mind-numbing medicine for nearly his entire existence, Andrew Largeman begins to experience life in a new way after his mother’s funeral. He meets Sam, who is the direct opposite of Andrew — she is bursting with animated emotions and quirks. While the movie is heartwarming, it’s slightly predictable and boring. However, Natalie Portman delivered an amazing performance as Sam, and the indie and alternative music soundtrack were a nice touch to the movie.

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR (2007)

Directed by: Abdellatif Kechiche

Rotten Tomatoes: 91%

“Blue is the Warmest Colour” is a critically-acclaimed French film that explores the budding sexuality of a high school teenager, Adèle, with a blue-haired woman, Emma. Although the movie’s long running time allows the audience to witness the growth and destruction of the two’s relationship and how Adèle develops as a person, it felt a bit dragged out. However, the acting by Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux was completely enrapturing and at times heartbreaking.