If you’re into Wes Anderson films then we know what you’ll be doing this weekend.
Going to see MOONRISE KINGDOM, of course…
Don’t know who Anderson is?
He’s the filmmaker of such cult favorites as RUSHMORE, BOTTLE ROCKET, THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS.
Anderson’s latest cinematic offering is MOONRISE KINGDOM, a comedic drama set on an island off the coast of New England during the summer of 1965.
The story tells of two 12 year olds—a Khaki scout and an island girl—who make a secret pact and run away together into the wilderness of the place. And now the local authorities turn the place upside down to get the kids.
Sounds kinda dull, doesn’t it?
Well it’s not, because when you enter Wes Anderson’s world you never really quite know what your’e going to get. And frankly he can be an aquired taste.
With MOONSHINE KINGDOM he gives us a stylistic, almost surreal young love story that borders on a fable.
Heading writer-director Anderson’s superb cast are Bruce Willis as the local sheriff, Edward Norton the Khaki scout troop leader, and Bill Murray and Frances McDormand as the girl’s parents. Rounding out Anderson’s latest playbill are Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Bob Balaban and Harvey Keitel.
The two runaway kids are portrayed superbly by Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward.
Make no mistake, as simple as the storyline may sound, the movie itself is NOT and the uninitiated may be asking themselves, "What the %#*&!" However you can’t stop the film’s magical spell and you’ll be the better for it.
I’m raising 4 out of 5 eccentric fingers for this minor classic.
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES Friday mornings at 6:40 a.m. on KMBZ Am & Fm / Also anytime on Time Warner Cable’s K.C. ON DEMAND, Channel 411 / And throughout Nebraska on NEBRASKA ON DEMAND, Channel 411.
Do Have To Give It To Hearne On His Boy
Niccum on this one. Haven’t seen the movie, nor will I in the theatre, but Niccum basically nailed my opinion of the typical Wes Anderson film with his review of this one. Good work, Jon. Funny stuff, maybe Hearne was right about your hipness factor. When talking about one romantic scene in particular, the he “crafted a version of Blue Lagoon for the Arcade Fire crowd” comment was gold.
I don’t know what Wes Anderson says to his actors to get the performances that he gets out of them but every one of his films seems to rest in the same place. “Quirky” and “hipster” as descriptive terms don’t do them justice. Niccum seems to breeze past the achievements of the film in a rush to point out the audience he thinks Anderson is targeting with it.
Don’t know about Niccum but it sounds like you liked the film and you haven’t steered me wrong yet.
I wanted to see it before reading this,
I will for sure now.
Thanks, Jack. Love your view of movies. Not a huge movie guy, but every once in a while something comes by you just have to see! I think this may be one.
Where the hell
are they showing this at?!?!!? Damn cowtown KC never gets movies in a timely manner…..