The Royal Tenenbaums

   It was very difficult to choose a film for my first blog. This feels like a first date. The nervousness and not knowing whether it'll end at date two or flourish into a beautiful union. Well here's to the latter.  So why Royal Tenenbaums?
  This is the first of Wes Anderson's films that I had seen.  While most rave on and on about Rushmore (made in 1998), it was this film that I really connected with. First of all this film is perfectly casted. From the children to the parents down to the amazing smaller roles and cameos (Seymore Cassel was absolutely brilliant).  One of the many things I love about Wes is that his films merit multiple viewings. I catch something new every time. This can easily be said for all of his films (I didn't like Life Aquatic the first time I saw it, but now I totally love it). 
   He has a very particular look and feel to his films. Stylish and sentimental, this film portrays the complexity of relationships and family with a biting and subtle humor. He tackles the painful moments of life, love, and even drug use with a formal matter-of-fact attitude that I find refreshing.  Now I must mention the soundtrack.  His use of punk, pop, and Mark Mothersbaugh's original score aligns itself perfectly his lush visuals and witty dialouge.  Wes Anderson is one of the best directors of my generation, and this movie is one of his best. 

Royal: Can I say something to you, Henry?
Henry Sherman: Okay.
Royal: I've always been considered an asshole for about as long as I can remember. Uh, that's just my style. But I'd really feel blue if I didn't think you were going to forgive me.
Henry Sherman: I don't think you're an asshole, Royal, I just think you're kind of a son of a bitch.
Royal: Well, I really appreciate that.

What's it all about?

I thought I'd send out my first blog here as a sort of mission statement as to what it's all about. 
I am an avid watcher of films...all films.  I admit that I was a late bloomer when it came to movies, but have more than made up for that.  Years ago I worked at a video rental store that had the largest collection of films in probably the entire Midwest.  While I was there I began to catalogue every movie I had ever seen. This is also where I discovered the Criterion Collection. It is now one of my goals to see every film in that collection.  So here I am several years later and my love for all things cinema has flourished to quite the obsession.  Many of the films I'll review and comment about will be older films and mostly those from Criterion along with a few fresh ones I'll catch in theatres. I will do my best to be informative while keeping the snobbery to a minimum. Enjoy.
k.