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A Preview of Wes Anderson’s New Stop-Motion Project

yes, it’s a commercial for a commercial. the worst, i know. but after the somewhat contentious production of the absurdly brilliant Fantastic Mr. Fox, i never thought that Wes Anderson would work with stop-motion again in any capacity — even if it’s for a Sony ad, i’m super glad that i was wrong. and if being wrong is this cute, i don’t wanna be right.

this is so neat that i might not even cringe when i hear someone say the word “xperia” in public. i mean, okay, i’ll probably still cringe and be embarrassed for us both, and continue to never even entertain the idea of buying a phone made by sony, but like… um… yay, stop-motion!

Although its just a preview, I got pretty giddy when it said Wes Anderson is involved.

My most anticipated film for 2012, by far, is Moonrise Kingdom, the new film by Wes Anderson. Why do you say? Well, I am a MASSIVE Wes Anderson fan and have noted so probably many times that he is my favourite current working director, and there is also the fact that it is directed by Wes Anderson. I definitely cannot wait for this one!

A fan made poster but reminds me of how excited I am for the upcoming Quentin Tarantino film ‘Django Unchained.’ Even if Tarantino only had to work with an orange, Uma Thurman, and a lamp, I would go see it.

Spielberg’s take on the magnificent world of Tintin, The Adventures of Tintin was fantastic. Easily one of the more enjoyable animated films I have ever seen with so much excitement and great pacing, you will want to go and see it again (I know I do). Make note as well of the Spielberg easter eggs, or nods towards his own films (debatable whether they are needed or not, but fun nonetheless). Also, the opening title sequence pays an easy homage to Catch Me If You Can’s opening titles, minimalist and awesome.

The plot quickly beckons after Tintin becomes involved in a mystery incorporated from the purchase of a model pirate ship, The Unicorn. Even though the writers aren’t really used to their potential (amazing writing staff with Edgar Wright, Steven Moffat, and Joe Cornish), you can tell the respects held towards Herge’s original characters as the dialogue almost seems to be taken from the original stories themselves. Personally, the motion capture animated style suits the world of Tintin very nicely adding a realistic touch to the very colourful world, as well as characters. There have been some negative reviews of the film that have left me wondering (or pissed for a better word) why mo-cap is being targeted as a poor method of filmmaking. It has proven in the past how great it can be (Gollum, Caesar in the recent Apes film) and now Tintin which in my mind looks beautiful and at times can be caught looking near photo realistic. The animation is especially breathtaking during the purely epic long take near the end of the film, which only peaks the past scenes of consistent action connected by some very visually brilliant transitions.

I would not be able to fit how much I enjoyed this film in the midst of a blog submission, so all I can say is GO OUT AND SEE THIS NOW! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! Also, for Tintin noobs (even fanatics), Captain Haddock will easily become one of the more memorable characters of the film, adding to Andy Serkis’ resume of digitally brilliant characters. Lastly, if you feel like you don’t want a dog like Snowy by the end of the film, you have no heart or soul.

9.5/10

I think this is an absolute great way of supporting fellow filmmakers who are just trying to make a dream project come true.

Support the very famous and super awesome, world renowned ‘Imrov Everywhere’ by donating, even at the minimum 1 dollar, so that a feature film documentary can be produced.

Click the following link, check out the trailer, and donate!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/improveverywherefilm/improv-everywhere-film

Alfonso Cuaron is the man. He is able to adapt from the novel The Children of Men by P.D. James, and drops (just like JT says in The Social Network) the ‘the’ into one of the most intense film experiences with Children of Men. The backdrop of a dying world has been done countless times before, but not in this manner. After I saw this (so glad I did) in the theatres, I wanted to check my heart rate at the end.

The film’s plot lays around the fact that the world hasn’t had a baby born in over twenty years, and has created many of the cities around the world to have very mundane societies filled with many restless individuals. It is post-apocalyptic of sorts. Bring in Theo (Clive Owen) who lives in the United Kingdom, surrounded by all this violence and chaos. He is contacted by an old accomplice of his Julian (Julianne Moore) who needs his help transferring a refugee Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) out of the country. The journey to get her out of the country becomes complicated when it is learned that she is (drumroll please) pregnant! Shit is about to hit the fan friends.

The film is filled with memorable performances from all actors involved. Especially memorable is the always great Brit, Michale Caine, playing a close and confided friend of Theo. Through Caine’s character Jasper, we learn of interesting background to what is going on around the world and an introduction to an herb known as ‘strawberry cough’. Touchy subjects are also brought up towards things like euthanasia with the government issued suicide pill ‘Quietus.’ There are a lot of great things thrown in the film to question the motives and actions of humanity, arguable social commentary towards the thoughts and actions of many individuals living in current societies.

Now, what really impressed myself about the film is pacing. From the beginning, a tone and pace is set that never really lets go of the curiosity towards where the film is taking you. The last twenty minutes might go down as one of the most intense film scenes ever. I certainly feel like the last sequence is one of the greatest set pieces and an amazing incorporation of a long take. It is worth watching the entire film build up to such an extremely heart pounding climax.

Opening (aka the ‘hook’): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWJV_EhvYT4

Cuaron establishes himself as one of those directors to keep an eye out for. Clive Owen as well, does not get enough credit for his role in this film (just wait till you see his ‘flip-flop’ acting near the end). This film is one that doesn’t tend to get old and is just as entertaining on repeat viewings. The cinematography is stunning, editing is so precise and spot on, even the sound is extremely well done (including a very eclectic soundtrack). With so many twists, great characters, hidden meanings, this film from 2006 should go down as one of the decades best and possibly further than that. 

At first, hearing that Martin Scorsese was doing a film directed towards a younger audience, I was dumbfounded considering the auteur’s line of work. But, when I heard it would be an adaptation of the esteemed children’s novel ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret’ I was immediately on board. From this review, I am only more and more anticipating this film, and the thought that 3D might actually be incorporated for the better.

Take a baby and the mind of a film lover and you get this site. Arthur, a youngster, is being incorporated in multiple classic movie scenes. It is adorable and hilarious at the same time.

Prepare yourself for the 50 Funniest One Liners thanks to Total Film. A lot of great ones on the list.

If you haven’t realized already, I am a HUGE (caps lock huge) fan of Wes Anderson. In fact, he is my current favourite working director. Even though his filmography may come across as minimal compared to other workaholics out there, I sincerely feel each and every one of his films have something wonderful to share with the world. I firstly reviewed The Royal Tenenbaums during my first list, but now we shall move on to another Anderson treat, the highly entertaining and fantastic Rushmore.

Rushmore features a very young and early look into the great actor that is Jason Schwartzman playing the hard-to-not-like character Max Fischer. Max takes his schooling seriously…at least in extracurricular clubs he does. Max attends a rather private and esteemed Rushmore Academy school. His quick curiosity of the new teacher Ms.Cross (Olivia Williams) comes from a quote he reads in a Jacques Cousteau book she took out from the school library. This leads Max to awkwardly engage in an infatuation with the teacher, which becomes rivaled by the character Herman Blume (the always brilliant Bill Murray). The film contains a back and forth showcase of friendship, betrayal, and a clashing of morals between all of the characters.

There are many minor characters to love as well in the film which becomes a common thing in any Wes Anderson film (only one reason I love his films so). The school’s headmaster (Brian Cox), Max’s best friend Dirk (Mason Gamble), Max’s dad Bert (Seymour Cassel), the Scottish kid with a deformed ear Magnus (Stephen McCole) and a Wes Anderson favourite when it comes to the most random of appearances Kumar Pallana. Alongside the minor characters is the fantastic cinematography of Robert Yeoman. Alongside Wes Anderson’s mind lies the brilliance of Yeoman, who incorporates a wonderful world of colour (especially primary colours) and a repetitive sense of centered framing making it all the more clear you are watching a vintage Wes Anderson feature.

I also particularly enjoy the soundtracks in all of Wes’s films, especially that of Rushmore. The songs are just perfectly placed at always the right moments from The Who’s ‘A Quick One While He’s Away’ during the revenge montage, Creation’s ‘Making Time’ while viewing Max’s endless participation in Rushmore Academy’s clubs, The Rolling Stones’ ‘I Am Waiting’ during Max’s depressed state in the film to The Faces’ ‘Ooh La La’ in the final scene. The film is also written by Anderson himself and his close friend and often collaborator Owen Wilson. Wes Anderson’s films feature some of the sharpest writing you will ever bear witness to.

Who is Max Fischer?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gc3RW0NHlg

Rushmore is probably the best film to start viewing the greatness that is Wes Anderson. I will most likely make this statement with every Wes Anderson film, as they all share such a great view upon one of our world’s greatest filmmakers. Wes’ films are quirky, hilarious, often sad and uplifting at the same time. Viewing one of these films leaves a similar everlasting feel similar to the brilliance of Woody Allen or even Francois Truffaut. I am nervously and impatiently waiting upon every new Wes Anderson film; they come (what feels like) far in between (such as the up-coming 2012 feature Moonrise Kingdom). Mr.Anderson takes his time and always wants the final product to condone his great vision upon the beauty of film and what stories he can tell using such an expansive and strongly living medium. Always incorporating a great cast, a great soundtrack, stunning writing, and of course the original brains of the films, Wes Anderson himself.