Mikako, a housewife who had grown bored with her ordinary daily life, one day suddenly steals a gold temple bell worth several million yen that is being sold by SGC Co., Ltd. at a department store she happens to visit. Captivated by the allure of gold, her world completely changes, and the dream she had as a child—“to do something only I can do”—comes back to life. Recklessly, she begins to plan the theft of Hideyoshi’s golden tea bowl, worth 10 billion yen. As she becomes entangled in a battle of wits with Kinjo, an SGC employee who tries to exploit her, and deals with her husband’s affair after he ends up becoming an accomplice to her theft, almost against his will, trouble continues to pile up one after another.
Juno is extremely funny, very well-written, and contains great performances. The film is also about a very important topic, one that is extremely relevant now: women’s reproductive rights. Is this Oscar-winning film spreading a pro-life or pro-choice message to its audience?
We sat down with Writer/Director Albert Acosta to discuss his debut short film, (ha-ha), Acosta's foray into narrative cinema, and how his personal experiences have shaped his filmmaking philosophy.
The film didn’t have to be as long as it is. It just dragged on and on with scenes that had no substance. Every so often we get an action scene, and even those isn’t that fun.
Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow era, the film offers layered representation.
This article discusses the classic and timeless franchise, The Smurfs.
Ultimately, Wicked is a story about the cost of being othered, the pain of being misnamed, and the quiet revolution of standing in your truth.
