Skip to main content

Short Term 12

Image
By

2013
Directed By Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring Brie Larson John Gallagher Jr & Frantz Turner 

I saw Short Term 12 last year but with it being recently added to Netflix instant I thought it would be a good time to revisit this wonderful little film. This is a very simple character driven story that speaks to the truths of being a young adult in an honest unflinching way that is sadly rare. Most films condescend to teenagers and handle their stories in a shallow manor that feels false. 

Most of the film is set in a foster-care center for wayward teenagers and is based on the real life experience of Writer/Director Destin Danel Cretton. The film opens with an amusing story being told by Mason (John Gallagher Jr) a veteran employee who is helping a new employee understand how unpredictable his new job will be. Grace (Brie Larson) is a young counselor barely older than the children in her care. She is profoundly empathetic to the residents of the facility and does everything in her limited power to bring some comfort to their chaotic lives. 

This film doesn't deal with life or death stakes on global level. You will not see giant robots manipulating alternative fuel sources to make bombs to blow up a national monument. No, this is a film with real stakes. Emotionally grounded, real world stakes that anyone can relate to. The film itself is not glossy or filled with any fluff it is bare bones and raw. Characters make poor choices and say things that hurt the ones that try to help them. Its not often I'm moved to tears when watching a film. Ok, that last sentence was a flat out lie. I cry very easily. Sometimes I cry at films that aren't very good. That's just who I am. Where was I? Oh yeah, Somewhere around the one hour mark I could feel this story underneath my skin. It had gotten to me and I was emotionally invested in its characters. When I give into a movie like this a small part of me gets nervous, I continue with trepidation because I've seen far too many films fall apart in the final reel. This is not one of those films. You can enter it with an open heart and it will not let you down. I was deeply moved by this film the first time I saw it and it held up wonderfully to the second viewing.

Brie Larson is simply one of finest young actors working today. With films like 21 Jump Street, Short Term 12, The Spectacular Now and television appearances on Community and The League she has shown great range and skill for such a young actress. 


This film has a score of 8.0 on IMDB a 99% fresh ratting on Rotten Tomatoes and metacritic score of 82% so I am not alone in my praise of this film. 

Short Term 12 is currently streaming on Netflix


Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Explaining the Ending of MULHOLLAND DRIVE

By
MULHOLLAND DRIVE is a complex and surreal film directed by David Lynch, known for its non-linear narrative and dreamlike sequences. The ending is open to interpretation and has been the subject of much debate among viewers. Here's a breakdown of the ending: Diane's Dream vs. Reality: Throughout the film, there are two main narrative threads: one follows Betty/Diane's dreamlike experiences in Hollywood, and the other delves into Diane's harsh reality. The ending reveals that the majority of the film has been a dream constructed by Diane Selwyn, a failed actress, as a means to escape the guilt and pain of her actions. Betty/Diane's Descent into Madness: Betty, played by Naomi Watts, represents Diane's idealized self—a hopeful and innocent aspiring actress. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Betty's story is unraveling, and her identity begins to merge with Diane's. This culminates in the revelation that Betty is merely a construct of Di...
Post a Comment
Read More

Final Destination Bloodlines Set to Bring Fresh Horrors to the Franchise

By
The long-running and fan-favorite horror series Final Destination is set to make its return with Final Destination Bloodlines, bringing a new chapter of supernatural terror to the big screen. Scheduled for a theatrical and IMAX release on May 16, 2025, in the U.S. (and internationally beginning May 14), the film promises to continue the franchise’s tradition of chilling premonitions and inescapable fate. The upcoming installment features a fresh ensemble cast, including Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game, The Flash), Teo Briones (Chucky, Will vs. The Future), Richard Harmon (The 100, The Age of Adaline), Owen Patrick Joyner (Julie and the Phantoms, 100 Things to Do Before High School), and Anna Lore (They/Them, Gotham Knights). Also joining the cast are Brec Bassinger (Stargirl, Bella and the Bulldogs) and horror icon Tony Todd, who reprises his role from the original Final Destination films. Todd, best known for his chilling portrayal of the titular character in the Candyman fra...
Post a Comment
Read More

LOCKED Release Info

By
LOCKED follows Eddie (Bill Skarsgård), a desperate man who breaks into a seemingly empty luxury SUV, only to find himself ensnared in a meticulously crafted trap. His captor? William (Anthony Hopkins), a vigilante with a twisted sense of justice. What starts as a simple break-in quickly spirals into a nightmare, as Eddie struggles to escape a vehicle designed to be his prison. With no way out and an unseen force pulling the strings, survival becomes a race against time in a ride where justice is anything but blind. This 95-minute thrill ride promises to keep audiences on edge by blending elements of survival horror and psychological warfare. Its confined setting turns an everyday luxury vehicle into an inescapable nightmare, and the ride explores themes of morality, punishment, and the true cost of justice. Only in Theaters on March 21. I love a limited-setting horror thriller. With limited settings, the film must rely more on character interactions and internal conflicts to create ten...
Post a Comment
Read More