by Owen Pierotti, ’27

Staff Writer

I recently watched a movie called Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, which was released in June. Despite not performing well financially, I found the movie to be well-made and engaging. The animated film follows the story of Ruby, a 16-year-old girl who discovers that she is descended from an ancient Kraken warrior, and can transform into a Kraken (a giant sea monster, for those who don’t know). The movie explores themes of growing up and overcoming adversity, and I found it to be both thought-provoking and inspiring. While some reviewers have criticized the movie for being too generic and predictable, I believe that it offers a fresh take on the coming-of-age genre. Overall, I would highly recommend Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken to anyone looking for a heartfelt and engaging movie experience. And even though this movie says “for kids,” that doesn’t mean a thing; it can be for anyone. 

Ruby Gillman is a great example of the many films that may not be hit in theaters but are still worth watching. Another that was fun and upbeat this year was Super Mario Bros. A movie based on the hugely popular Nintendo game should be a hit, right? False. This origin story of the classic video game, which dates back to 1983, was rated among the top 20 worst movies by IMDB.com. One review read, “It’s brightly colored. It’s energetic. It’s got the characters. There’s the gameplay. The story is fairly simple. It’s pretty much what I expected. I wish there was more heart to it.” But as I watched the movie, memories from playing the game as a kid flooded my brain. I loved it! I grew up with these brothers; shouldn’t everyone else feel likewise? I believed this movie had a certain character to it that others did not.

So when you’re browsing cable or streaming services for something to watch, don’t be so quick to pass by ones that weren’t hits in the theater or ones that have terrible scores on IMDB.com or Rotten Tomatoes. Sometimes the terrible reviews are right. But other times, the movies feature bright characterization, relatable themes, and phenomenal viewing experiences. Checking out these movies may bring a sense of happiness or a sense of change, so why not give them a try?