Page 14 January 10, 2019 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Cinemacy’s Top Films of 2018
about my adolescent experience. I laughed,
I cried and I felt nostalgic for my younger
self, but mostly wished I could go back in
time and whisper in my ear, “You are cool
enough!” The film is a poignant reminder
that every second spent doubting yourself are
seconds wasted! And while confidence and
personal growth will always be relevant to
our coming-of-age journey, watching Eighth
Grade for the first time offers the realization
that I truly wasn’t alone. Growing up can be
tough, but Bo Burnham just made it cool to
be a misfit…and to that I say thank you from
all the former misfits who are now adults who
have found and embraced their uniqueness.
Minding the Gap-Both
The story of young skateboarders who
seek to escape their dysfunctional family
upbringings by goofing off together was
brought to the big screen this year in Jonah
Hill’s semi-autobiographical directorial
debut Mid90s, but it was the Hulu original
documentary Minding the Gap that proved to
be the deeper and more affecting examination
of the same subject. What starts off as a skate
video following the fun hangouts within a
group of Illinois kids slowly takes shape into
something much bigger -- an examination
of issues like employment insecurity, racial
tensions and domestic abuse are experienced
first-hand. Most impressive is this captivating
story (of which comparisons to Boyhood have
been attributed) that is portrayed by one kid
in particular, Bing Liu, who applies his oneman
movie-making skills to write, shoot,
direct, edit and interview all of his friends
in what was one of the most unexpectedly
affecting films of the year. •
By Morgan and Ryan Rojas
for www.cinemacy.com
The films we consider to be among the
top picks of 2018 represent a combination
of genres that had the greatest emotional
impact on us, coupled with movies that felt
innovative or groundbreaking. Here are three
films that we consider to be the best of this
past year. For our complete list, visit www.
cinemacy.com.
Roma-Ryan
It seems like the best film in any given
year ends up linking to the present climate
of social politics and culture. The film that
had the most profound effect on me that
stands in dignified defiance to the loud,
shouting discourse leading American politics
today is a story about a quietly humble
and sympathetic Mexican maid whose sole
purpose is to tend to her family. Alfonso
Cuarón, whose previous work is the spacesurvival
film Gravity, is the vision behind this
visually rich autobiographical film. Roma is
also a triumph for breaking from traditional
narrative film style in a liberating way. Shot
in black and white 65mm film, there are a
number of striking images that transcend the
movie. Roma emerges like a flower, blooming
throughout its duration until it finally reaches
a beautiful emotional catharsis. Credit the
streaming giant Netflix for putting stock in
this auteur director’s original film.
Eighth Grade-Morgan
How did Bo Burnham get access to my
middle school journal? Without a doubt, Eighth
Grade is the film that hit closest to home
with so many relatable moments that I had to
remind myself that this is not a documentary
Three Things About Elsie
by Joanna Cannon
By Roz Templin, Library Assistant,
El Segundo Public Library
Florence Claybourne, 84 years old, lives
in Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly. As our
story opens, she is lying on her sitting room
floor, waiting for help to arrive. While she
waits, she reminisces about her life and a
deeper history unfolds.
Florence has noticed that she forgets
things. It doesn’t really concern her until she
notices that things in her little flat are being
moved around. Miss Ambrose, one of the
administrators at Cherry Tree, only thinks
she’s confused -- as do other employees and
residents at the Home. But Florence knows
that something is going on. Miss Ambrose
is focused on the fact that Florence keeps
too much to herself. Maybe Cherry Tree
isn’t a right fit for Florence? “You’re not
sending me to Greenbank?” asks Florence.
Greenbank is the last resort for the aged, a
dreary nursing home. Miss Ambrose proposes
a reassessment period of one month -- a
probationary period, so to speak. Florence
can’t imagine what crime she has committed
to deserve such a punishment, but Miss
Ambrose only retorts that “it’s a figure of
speech. That’s all.”
Worried that she will be moved to
Greenbank, but not wanting to participate
in dayroom activities with other residents,
Florence complains to her best friend Elsie
and to the “uniforms” (workers… she can’t
be bothered with remembering their names).
She goes about her business until she sees
someone she used to know, Ronnie Butler.
But it isn’t good. Ronnie Butler drowned
in 1953.
Not only does this story accurately describe
what it’s like to be old and feeling as if you
don’t matter in the modern world and not
only does it recall a time when characters
are young and in the full bloom of life and
promise, but it is also a mystery that runs
down several roads, depending upon what
the protagonist can remember.
Ronnie Butler identifies himself as Gabriel
Price, the new resident at Cherry Tree. He
soon wins over residents and staff alike with
his youthful appearance and helpful attitude.
But Florence isn’t fooled. She and her friends
Elsie and Jack unite to solve the mystery that
is Gabriel Price.
Three Things about Elsie isn’t just about
Florence and her fellow residents, but also
explores the lives of the workers: handyman
Simon, hairdresser Cheryl, Gloria, Miss Bissell
and of course, Miss Ambrose. Comical
and sentimental, these characters live in your
imagination and you root for their happiness.
By the end, these people connect with each
other and the reader has a better idea what
it’s like to be older and also what it’s like to
be around those aged folks. You can bet the
youngsters learn precious life lessons from
their elders, and you will also discover what
those three things are about Elsie. •
Entertainment
Check It Out
Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon
Roz Templin
Film Review
Top 10 Films of 2018, Images Courtesy of Netflix, A24, Hulu.
Ryan Rojas Morgan Rojas
“It is only when memory is filtered
through imagination that the films
we make will have real depth.”
– Louis Malle
Police Reports from page 4
from Holly Avenue and Standard Street for
plain drunk in public.
One male adult was arrested at 0032 hours
from the 100 of block Eucalyptus Drive for
one ESPD misdemeanor warrant and one
LASD misdemeanor warrant.
A vandalism report was taken at 1320
hours in the 700 block of East El Segundo
Boulevard. Graffiti was sprayed on a wall.
A vandalism report was taken at 1329
hours from the 2100 block of East Mariposa
Avenue. A vehicle mirror was broken.
A found property report was taken at 1425
hours from the 1400 block of East Walnut
Avenue. A package was found.
A grand theft report was taken at 1801
hours from the 800 block of South Pacific
Coast Highway. The suspect stole items and
exited the store.
Sunday, Dec. 30
One male adult was arrested at 0708 hours
from the 100 block of South Pacific Coast
Highway for one outstanding Santa Monica
PD misdemeanor warrant.
One male adult was arrested at 0910 hours
from the 200 block of East Grand Avenue
for shoplifting and possession of toluene.
An injury report was taken at 0857 hours
from the 200 block of Vista Del Mar. Two
bicyclists collided.
A grand theft report was taken at 1517 hours
from the 700 block of East Grand Avenue.
A found property report was taken at 2103
hours from the 700 block of Sheldon Street.
Found was a black bicycle.
Monday, Dec. 31
A vandalism report was taken at 0738 hours
from the 1000 block of East Grand Avenue.
A found property report was taken at
1045 hours from the 500 block of East Palm
Avenue. Found was a bicycle.
Tuesday, Jan. 1
One male adult was arrested at 0027 hours
from the 200 block of Concord Street for
driving under the influence.
One male adult was arrested at 0351 hours
from the 500 block of West Mariposa Avenue
for public intoxication.
A dead body report was taken at 0930
hours from the 600 block of East Grand
Avenue. A female adult passed away from
natural causes. •