Rushmore (1999) Review

Comedy has been a genre of film which has, and will always be, popular. As the industry changed comedy has changed with it and Rushmore belongs to a type of comedy that could only have existed in the last 20 or so years, the auteur comedy. The auteur comedy is a type of comedy that derives its personality and sense of humor from the unique mind of an author or auteur. These comedies were not possible in the studio era of Hollywood when the humor used in a comedy had to be universal so as to appeal to a wider audience. With the advent of independent filmmakers auteur comedies were made possible because films could now reach more niche audiences. The Coen Brothers are masters of this comedy with their zany, wonderful and totally unique contributions Raising Arizona and the Big Lebowski. Wes Anderson is a relative newcomer to the field but his unique style immediately earned him a following and Rushmore was his breakout movie.

Rushmore tells the story of a fifteen year old boy who falls in love with a first-grade teacher. This simple premise is what allows Anderson to create a unique world populated by equally unique characters. Just when you want to fall into the comfort of a cliché the rug seems to be pulled out from under your feet. Max, the title character, is a unique creation and one of the aspects that I liked best about the film. Schwartzman embodies the character and makes him come to life in an unforgettable way. Bill Murray gets to show some serious acting chops as well, playing Max's adult friend. Their relationship is really the one at the heart of the movie and it is its unique nature that makes the film feel very original. The film is definitely a comedy with lost of humor and absurd situations. Sometimes these situations are so zany they could only exist in an alternate reality.

It is this reality which sets Wes Anderson apart and which also creates his movies' greatest weaknesses. Anderson is not afraid to hold back with his imagination and at times this can create wonder and awe and at other times this can create confusion and dislike. The acting is top notch in this film and the performances add to this world that comes to life before our eyes. Its vivid quality is striking and I think that many will find this movie memorable if only for the world and characters created. Sometimes the film got too wacky in a way I didn't like but I think that this will all be up to personal preference. As with any auteur comedy most people will have parts of the film they really like and identify with and other parts that may be off-putting. Rushmore, while not as good as the best Coen comedies, has many moments that are both funny and incredibly well done. It creates an unforgettable world and I can see why it made Wes Anderson a household name. 4/5

Tim's Vermeer (2014) Review

Now that the Oscar season has passed it is time for the new year of films to really get underway. Two weekends ago the second 300 film was released and made nearly 50 million dollars. This weekend the highly anticipated Muppets sequel comes out and on April 4th Marvel will release their second Captain America film. With all of these blockbusters hitting the movie scene it is easy to overlook some of the hidden gems that are in theaters. Tim's Vermeer is one of them, a documentary that enlightens and entertains in a way no blockbuster could.

Tim's Vermeer tells the story of Tim, an inventor whose work in special effects has changed moviemaking. Tim is the epitome of the "self-made" man and he has a fascination with the great painter Vermeer. Tim believes that he has discovered a method that Vermeer may have used to paint so realistically. The film chronicles Tim's quest as he attempts to paint his own Vermeer using the technique he discovered.

Watching Tim's quest unfold is a true delight. The film does a great job of setting up his idea and then demonstrating it to truly incredible effect. You could here the gasps from the audience as that idea unfolded. I won't reveal what the technique Tim uses is because I wouldn't do it justice in explanation and because you should see for yourself. Besides the actual painting of the Vermeer the true star of Tim's Vermeer is Tim. This man is truly a genius. He is able to adapt his skills to almost any discipline he chooses and he has the determination to do it. The filmmakers do a great job of letting the audience get to know his character and allowing us to feel like we are a part of the process. The film is riveting from start to finish and was definitely worth seeing on the big screen. Tim's Vermeer is a very entertaining and well made documentary. It is an inspiring story of a man and his relentless pursuit of a goal. I think that it is a true treasure for filmgoers who want a respite from the major blockbusters. 4.5/5

2013: Year in Review

In honor of the academy awards being today here at long last is my personal review of last year in film. It was a very interesting year and I could even go as far as saying it was a very good year. This year it was not the blockbusters that wowed but instead the smaller films. these pleasant surprises are what took this year from being a typical year to being a good year. So, with that out of the way, let's get down to this year's big winners in my book.

Best Film: 12 Years A Slave, A truly excruciating experience 12 Years takes the top spot because of its ability to make history come alive in a horrifying way. The acting and directing were top notch as well and helped to make this one of the best epics in recent memory.

Honorable Mentions: Gravity, American Hustle, Nebraska, and Her

Best ensemble Cast: 12 Years a Slave, the casting is one of the most important aspects of an epic. 12 Years shines with its choices of actors both familiar to audiences and new. It was truly a group effort.

Most surprisingly Good Movie: Mud, This movie has been all but forgotten because it technically premiered at Cannes in 2012  but honestly it was one of the best films to be released in the US this year. It walked the line between crowd pleaser and art film very well and was a truly pleasant surprise.
Honorable Mentions: Nebraska

Most Disappointing Movie: Iron Man 3, I loved the first Iron Man and after some early buzz it looked like the third was going to be a return to form, alas, it was instead just as problematic as the second one and it really left me feeling underwhelmed and disappointed.

Best Utterly Stupid Movie: Anchorman 2, I'll admit that I laughed more at this than I should have but that's what this category is for.

Best action Sequence: The opening of Star Trek Into Darkness was reminiscent of blockbusters of old and was a great introduction to a really good sequel.
Honorable Mention: Superman Vs. Zod Man of Steel

Hitchcock Award (Best Action Movie or Thriller): Captain Phillips an example of a great Hollywood thriller using a real story and a great cast that includes and incredible performance by Tom Hanks.

So their you have it, 2013 was a really good year and there were plenty of films that deserve awards but which weren't even mentioned here but there is only so much room. I look forward to the Oscars tonight and another great year of movies this year!