Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Liberal Arts (2012)

What is it about? 

A thirty five year old alum returns to his college campus where he becomes conflicted with adulthood, growing up, and overall nostalgia when a powerful attraction occurs between him and a nineteen year old student. 

Who is in it? 

Josh Radnor - Jesse Fisher

Elizabeth Olsen - Libby

Richard Jenkins - Professor Peter Hoberg

Favorite Scene: 

After a rough day, Jesse runs into his random friend on the lawn of the campus who throws some zaney and wacky things his way which ultimately makes sense - thus letting him know that we shouldn't be afraid. 

Favorite Quote: 

"Any place you don't leave is a prison."

Review: 

Liberal Arts really took me by surprise. What started out as a film in which I thought would be a nice filler for the evening and carried on as such in the early going, steadily built into one of the most profound films on life, growth, and living I have ever seen. No hyperbole. 

The film overall carries a nice thoughtful dictation of growing old, and realizing that no matter how old you become, or try to deny your age, we all have more growing to do, and that growth whether fearful or not, is essential. Yeah, I know...like I said, very, very profound stuff. 

Josh Radnor did a remarkable job in writing, directing, and in the lead role. However, kudos to Elizabeth Olsen, yes, the younger sibling of the famous Olsen twins of Full House fame, who was a flat out ace in this film. 

Personally, as someone who is around 18-21 year old individuals daily for a living on a college campus, this film was very, very relatable for me. Still, being objective, Liberal Arts is highly recommended for all, especially for the short hour and thirty-seven minute run time. 

Grade: 3.75/5

Recent Favorites

DP Review of the Alternate Knicks Orange Jersey

One of the good aspects about having a blog and being truthful and honest about it, is the hindsight thought process it provides. DP devotees already know how much I love my New York Knicks, and how excited I was about their new jerseys last year. It was a new look that was desperately needed ( DP Review On Knicks New Uniforms ).  In reviewing those jerseys last year, I had the following comments in regards to then-rumors regarding the addition of an alternative orange jersey for the Knicks and overall NBA changes to the Christmas Day special jerseys:  "As long as we do not add an "alternative jersey" (I read rumors of an orange one - woof!) (and the league-wide Spanish jerseys are fine). And please, please - PLEASE - let's finally do away with the awful green jerseys we feel the need to wear on Christmas and St. Patrick's day! Pretty please!"

Quick Ponder: Daily Armor

Imagine, if we can see the dents and scratches, the smashes and chaos,  on the daily armor, each of us put on. Just imagine. 

Predictions and Wild Guesses for the 2024 MLB Season

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports After an off-season where the Los Angeles Dodgers spent the equivalent of a nation's GDP to acquire talent - I'm not sure if that's factual, but it felt like it - the 2024 MLB Season is finally here.  Sure, this Yankees fan is not just annoyed with the big spending of the Dodgers, but yeah, secretly envious as well. That used to be us, man!  Regardless, baseball is back on the docket. While my beloved New York Knicks have my attention and all of my heart, including what has been a fun March Madness period for men's and women's basketball, it's soothing to have baseball back. I can't explain what it is, but baseball just does that for me.  Nonetheless, let's do what we do in this post every year. Here are my wacky predictions and wild guesses for the 2024 season.  --- STANDINGS (WINS) AL EAST Orioles - 93 Yankees - 90 Blue Jays - 85 Red Sox - 82 Rays - 80 AL CENTRAL Twins - 88 Tigers - 86 Guardians - 81 Royals - 70 White Sox -