Fantastic Mr. Fox is...Fantastic.

Wes Anderson has done it again.

During my Thanksgiving break, I went to the movies to check out Fantastic Mr. Fox. The result: I was blown away.

This movie was incredible. Adapted from Ronald Dahl's children's book of the same title, this film manages to be wildly original, emotional in that Wes Anderson kind of way, and visually stunning all at the same time.

The soundtrack, as in every Anderson film, ties it all together with songs by the Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Burl Ives, and several others.

My favorite part? The entire film is done in stop-motion! The textures are real; everything from Mr. Fox's fur to his corduroy suits! (Which, by the way, are said to be inspired by Anderson's own wardrobe.)

It also seems worth mentioning that despite the use of puppets, these characters seem as real as Steve Zissou, Max Fischer, or any of Anderson's other film characters. 

Check out the trailer:



Flawless.

Image via mutineermagazine.com

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

No criticism this week. (Other than that Charlie Brown movies make holidays cozier...)


Happy Thanksgiving!

New Moon

This week, I finally give this whole Twilight thing a chance. I watched a preview for New Moon, and I must say, I am perplexed. I can't understand the appeal. The whole concept seems melodramatic and soap opera-ish to me. In that minute and a half trailer, the character Bella sobbed, curled into the fetal position on a forest floor, needed rescuing, accidentally cut herself, fell to the ground, and needed rescuing again, only this time by a clearly animated werewolf.

Chill Bella, computer wolves can only do so much harm.

Then there's Edward...
He seems pretty girlish...and sad. The quotes that stuck out to me were a very distraught sounding, "This is the last time you'll ever see me," and my personal favorite, "You're my only reason to stay...alive...if that's what I am."

Then there's Taylor Lautner, who I suppose is there to get the teen girl hormone levels rising...

Mine just rose 14%!

All jokes aside, I don't mean to offend any Twilight fans. I suppose I just missed the boat on this one...




Images via cdn.buzznet.com, coolchaser.com, and wordpress.com

reason #42 to be afraid of cats...

So, this movie looks both creepy and strange.

Hausu (1977)



It's a Japanese horror film by director Nobuhiko Obayashi, and a new poster, designed for Nashville theater The Belcourt's showing, has been drawing quite a bit of attention.The poster was designed by local musician and Criterion Collection enthusiast Sam Smith. It gives me shivers. (I love it!)

See and read about the poster here.

Up DVD Release

Pixar's 2009 film Up is set to be released on DVD Nov. 10. (and it's about time!)
If any of you have yet to see this film, now is the time!

Unfortunately released to theaters as a 3-D film, viewers will now be able to experience the movie without risking headaches and blurred vision. 




In this video, host Grace Randolph takes a close look at the film, and asks viewers to rate it.

I'd give it a ten. Seeing this movie reminded me of being six years old, and going to see Toy Story. Thank you for that, Pixar.