Style without Substance
March 6, 2023 9:19 PM Subscribe
This is notable because very little has leaked out about Asteroid City, which comes out June 21st. (There's also a more detailed synopsis on the script preorder page, but it raises further questions.)
This post was deleted for the following reason: Post removed at request of original artist. Folks, please be careful when linking to images about upcoming media (tv, movies, etc) to ensure that information has been publicly released. Post also edited to remove artist's name. -- Brandon Blatcher
Never heard of Jason Schwarzmann, how does he get top billing?!?
posted by Meatbomb at 11:47 PM on March 6, 2023
posted by Meatbomb at 11:47 PM on March 6, 2023
(OK, I see he's kind of a Wes Anderson player, I guess he is the main character)
posted by Meatbomb at 11:48 PM on March 6, 2023
posted by Meatbomb at 11:48 PM on March 6, 2023
An acquaintance works on movies. They had the opportunity to work with ... a famous sibling pair of directors. I love their movies and have for decades. I will always watch what they make. But. My acquaintance had such crazy stories (not great stories) about the people around the pair, and the way their shit was enabled by associating with the pair, that it kinda soured me on their movies, at least a little - and I kinda feel the same way about W.A.'s movies (which I have also loved for decades, now) - that his own qualities at times get over-shadowed by others' enthusiasm about interpreting it.
posted by From Bklyn at 1:37 AM on March 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by From Bklyn at 1:37 AM on March 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
I am fairly certain this should not have been posted yet. It's bad practice to put things in your public portfolio that are unreleased, and I hope this was coordinated with the movie team and she doesn't get in trouble.
But hey, new Wes Anderson!
posted by jellywerker at 4:06 AM on March 7, 2023
But hey, new Wes Anderson!
posted by jellywerker at 4:06 AM on March 7, 2023
He has a distinct style; one might as well say to Andy Warhol "knock it off already with the repeated prints in different colorways." I'm a fan and excited about this. The sets and theming are right in my wheelhouse.
The way the photos are presented is making me think for the first time of assonances between Anderson's set-making style and the art of Mark Dion.
posted by Miko at 4:43 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
The way the photos are presented is making me think for the first time of assonances between Anderson's set-making style and the art of Mark Dion.
posted by Miko at 4:43 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
I've been a long-time fan of Wes Anderson but I'm starting to get a bit bored with his story-telling. And while I can appreciate the visuals, the meticulous attention to detail with the way frames are constructed and the beauty of all of it coming together, it also has felt a bit more hollow as of late.
I also feel like his casting has become a bit bloated and kind of predictable. I'm open to the possibility of him surprising me and I hope that happens but French Dispatch was just not at all interesting to me and felt like a kind of SNL parody of itself.
I want him to try to get out of his comfort zone while still bringing his unique perspective. The best example of this has been his animated films which allow him to still be the Wes Anderson I love but in a way that is interesting and full of energy. But we'll have to wait and see.
posted by Fizz at 5:07 AM on March 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
I also feel like his casting has become a bit bloated and kind of predictable. I'm open to the possibility of him surprising me and I hope that happens but French Dispatch was just not at all interesting to me and felt like a kind of SNL parody of itself.
I want him to try to get out of his comfort zone while still bringing his unique perspective. The best example of this has been his animated films which allow him to still be the Wes Anderson I love but in a way that is interesting and full of energy. But we'll have to wait and see.
posted by Fizz at 5:07 AM on March 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
I'm a little confused about the framing here. But "style without substance" is an apt description of Anderson's work.
For a time, the style was at least distinctive and novel. At this point, though, it's just tiresome. Another movie full of gingerbread sets, symmetrical shot composition, calculated whimsy, and gentle affection for the foibles and spiritual struggles of middle-class white guys? No thank you.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 5:19 AM on March 7, 2023
For a time, the style was at least distinctive and novel. At this point, though, it's just tiresome. Another movie full of gingerbread sets, symmetrical shot composition, calculated whimsy, and gentle affection for the foibles and spiritual struggles of middle-class white guys? No thank you.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 5:19 AM on March 7, 2023
This whole thing has a very "Fallout before the bombs" vibe to it, which I have to admit I kind of love.
The fifties as a state-of-the-culture isn't something we need to revisit but I love that big dawn-of-the-space-age aesthetic.
But "style without substance" is an apt description of Anderson's work.
The style is the substance; at this point you know that going in with him, it's less of a movie than a stylized aesthetic waterslide. You know where it's going and how it ends, so you just strap in for the ride.
posted by mhoye at 5:22 AM on March 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
The fifties as a state-of-the-culture isn't something we need to revisit but I love that big dawn-of-the-space-age aesthetic.
But "style without substance" is an apt description of Anderson's work.
The style is the substance; at this point you know that going in with him, it's less of a movie than a stylized aesthetic waterslide. You know where it's going and how it ends, so you just strap in for the ride.
posted by mhoye at 5:22 AM on March 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
Metafilter doesn't like Wes Anderson anymore. Huh.
posted by gwint at 5:55 AM on March 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by gwint at 5:55 AM on March 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
Shot 11 is so indicative of a certain Wes Anderson vibe.
Indeed.
That set, in particular. With a Wes Anderson budget, they could have easily made it look like a real street scene. Instead, it is deliberately and conspicuously made to look stagey: signs sized and oriented for the benefit of the audience (and even painted in contrasting colors); the backlit empty windows and squeaky-clean marquees on the rearmost building (which emphasize that it's just a facade); and so on.
That intentional, even exaggerated artifice has always been a big part of Anderson's aesthetic, going as far as the obviously false moustaches in The Grand Budapest Hotel.
People are obviously entitled to their own opinions of art, but it seems like empty, preening nonsense to me.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:17 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Indeed.
That set, in particular. With a Wes Anderson budget, they could have easily made it look like a real street scene. Instead, it is deliberately and conspicuously made to look stagey: signs sized and oriented for the benefit of the audience (and even painted in contrasting colors); the backlit empty windows and squeaky-clean marquees on the rearmost building (which emphasize that it's just a facade); and so on.
That intentional, even exaggerated artifice has always been a big part of Anderson's aesthetic, going as far as the obviously false moustaches in The Grand Budapest Hotel.
People are obviously entitled to their own opinions of art, but it seems like empty, preening nonsense to me.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:17 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Metafilter doesn't like Wes Anderson anymore. Huh.
Not true. Some of us here still enjoy things that are fun.
posted by bondcliff at 6:20 AM on March 7, 2023 [33 favorites]
Not true. Some of us here still enjoy things that are fun.
posted by bondcliff at 6:20 AM on March 7, 2023 [33 favorites]
Metafilter doesn't like Wes Anderson anymore. Huh.
....nnnnnno, it looks more like "Fizz and Escape From The Potato Planet don't like Wes Anderson anymore", and there's nothing wrong with that.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:33 AM on March 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
....nnnnnno, it looks more like "Fizz and Escape From The Potato Planet don't like Wes Anderson anymore", and there's nothing wrong with that.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:33 AM on March 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
Wes Anderson's career has been hit (Royal Tenenbaums, Grand Budapest Hotel) and miss (Life Aquatic, Darjeeling Limited) with me, but at this point I'm willing to cut a lot of slack for anyone in Hollywood who is still able to carve out a spot for themselves where they're making films that are clearly a product of their particular artistic vision/aesthetic/ambition, even if it's not my thing.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:34 AM on March 7, 2023 [19 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:34 AM on March 7, 2023 [19 favorites]
"The style is the substance; at this point you know that going in with him, it's less of a movie than a stylized aesthetic waterslide. You know where it's going and how it ends, so you just strap in for the ride."
This is where I'm at. I love Wes, but -- not all of his films have worked for me. The great ones hold me rapt and wanting more, the lesser ones (I think) let the style get in the way of the story, or indeed, the style is the only story there. I love Wes, but as with any artist, not all their works are going to be winners.
I will see anything he does on faith, though.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:36 AM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
This is where I'm at. I love Wes, but -- not all of his films have worked for me. The great ones hold me rapt and wanting more, the lesser ones (I think) let the style get in the way of the story, or indeed, the style is the only story there. I love Wes, but as with any artist, not all their works are going to be winners.
I will see anything he does on faith, though.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:36 AM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
Life Aquatic was my go-to for a long time, but I recently re-watched The Royal Tenenbaums and it has taken over as my favorite. I really wanted to be a lifelong fan of his entire oeuvre, but Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel fell so flat for me that I'm off the train. I concur with Fizz and EftPP that the movies are extremely same-y in so many ways that they've lost their oomph. Kind of like a band that keeps making albums that sound like each other.
And, hey, some (many?) people are into that! And that's OK.
posted by grumpybear69 at 7:09 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
And, hey, some (many?) people are into that! And that's OK.
posted by grumpybear69 at 7:09 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
One rise of fascism later and Grand Budapest looks a hell of a lot less fluffy. That one may have hidden teeth, but it’s got teeth.
That intentional, even exaggerated artifice has always been a big part of Anderson's aesthetic
Fucking love it.
posted by Artw at 7:18 AM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
That intentional, even exaggerated artifice has always been a big part of Anderson's aesthetic
Fucking love it.
posted by Artw at 7:18 AM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
"...French Dispatch was just not at all interesting to me..."
"...Wes Anderson's career has been hit (Royal Tenenbaums, Grand Budapest Hotel) and miss (Life Aquatic, Darjeeling Limited) with me..."
"...but Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel fell so flat for me..."
In talking about Wes, I find there's consensus that not all his movies worked, but there's not much consensus on which ones those are. There's no uniformity about the duds that there is for, say, Dylan albums.
Loved loved loved Life Aquatic and Moonrise Kingdom, could not wait for Darjleeling Limited or Grand Budapest to end.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:18 AM on March 7, 2023 [10 favorites]
"...Wes Anderson's career has been hit (Royal Tenenbaums, Grand Budapest Hotel) and miss (Life Aquatic, Darjeeling Limited) with me..."
"...but Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel fell so flat for me..."
In talking about Wes, I find there's consensus that not all his movies worked, but there's not much consensus on which ones those are. There's no uniformity about the duds that there is for, say, Dylan albums.
Loved loved loved Life Aquatic and Moonrise Kingdom, could not wait for Darjleeling Limited or Grand Budapest to end.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:18 AM on March 7, 2023 [10 favorites]
I’m pretty sure there is a Darjeeling Limited liker around these parts, despite it obviously being the least good one, so your theory holds true.
posted by Artw at 7:21 AM on March 7, 2023
posted by Artw at 7:21 AM on March 7, 2023
I will (and have) re-watch any and all of his films. OK, I haven't re-watched Darjeeling but all the others I confess to having seen more than three times. The depth of detail in them makes it worth it - to me. I thought Grand Budapest was ok, then I watched it again with one of our kids and dammit but it's good. Funny and trenchant and silly and gory. There's a handful of contemporary filmmakers I'll go out of my way to watch and he is one of them. I don't think I've been like non-plussed by any in the re-watch. It doesn't hurt that he always has a terrific cast.
posted by From Bklyn at 7:35 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by From Bklyn at 7:35 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Fantastic Mr. Fox is still his best, purest work. He always made cartoons, he just made live-action cartoons: obviously miniaturized sets, characters who wear the same costume the entire time, forced symmetry. With FMF it was nice to see him just own up to what he was doing.
posted by nushustu at 7:41 AM on March 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by nushustu at 7:41 AM on March 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
I've been a long-time fan of Wes Anderson but I'm starting to get a bit bored with his story-telling. And while I can appreciate the visuals, the meticulous attention to detail with the way frames are constructed and the beauty of all of it coming together, it also has felt a bit more hollow as of late.
I'm with Fizz on this one. His early 00s works really spoke to me when I was younger, and The Royal Tenenbaums, for example, has a genuinely interesting emotional landscape. They're all rich fuckups and it's easy to be casually derisive about that, but the way the film explores the different impact that growing up in that environment had on the kids well into adulthood had a lot of depth and interest (for me, at least). Moonrise Kingdom does bits of that really well too, particularly Suzy's performance and characterisation and the adult relationships portrayed in the film, although I don't think it's as tight overall as Royal Tenenbaums.
I didn't feel the same way about The Grand Budapest Hotel - it feels like Anderson has leant more into his own style to the point where it's starting to get a bit twee for me, much as I loved it ten years ago, and his more recent films have lost that emotional depth.
And that's okay! As a wildly different contrast point, I saw Men in Black for the first time this weekend, and it was one of the better performances I've ever seen from Will Smith. It would have been cool if he'd continued building on that and become a better actor, rather than (again, in my opinion) kinda plateauing. But he doesn't owe that to me any more than Wes Anderson owes me a movie that resonates with me emotionally. It's easy to assume an artist's output will steadily improve over the course of their lives, but in practice it doesn't often work like that, and sometimes commercial or critical success leads to worse rather than better output later in someone's career.
posted by terretu at 7:44 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
I'm with Fizz on this one. His early 00s works really spoke to me when I was younger, and The Royal Tenenbaums, for example, has a genuinely interesting emotional landscape. They're all rich fuckups and it's easy to be casually derisive about that, but the way the film explores the different impact that growing up in that environment had on the kids well into adulthood had a lot of depth and interest (for me, at least). Moonrise Kingdom does bits of that really well too, particularly Suzy's performance and characterisation and the adult relationships portrayed in the film, although I don't think it's as tight overall as Royal Tenenbaums.
I didn't feel the same way about The Grand Budapest Hotel - it feels like Anderson has leant more into his own style to the point where it's starting to get a bit twee for me, much as I loved it ten years ago, and his more recent films have lost that emotional depth.
And that's okay! As a wildly different contrast point, I saw Men in Black for the first time this weekend, and it was one of the better performances I've ever seen from Will Smith. It would have been cool if he'd continued building on that and become a better actor, rather than (again, in my opinion) kinda plateauing. But he doesn't owe that to me any more than Wes Anderson owes me a movie that resonates with me emotionally. It's easy to assume an artist's output will steadily improve over the course of their lives, but in practice it doesn't often work like that, and sometimes commercial or critical success leads to worse rather than better output later in someone's career.
posted by terretu at 7:44 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
> In talking about Wes, I find there's consensus that not all his movies worked, but there's not much consensus on which ones those are. There's no uniformity about the duds that there is for, say, Dylan albums.
That's been my experience, too. Nobody's even mentioned Isle of Dogs in this thread, which I saw (and liked quite a bit) in the theatre with a friend who was even more into Wes Anderson than I was, but he didn't care for it at all. Other people list Life Aquatic as one of their favourite movies, period, but that was the one I watched and understood where people who don't like WA's whole thing are coming from. And so forth.
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:48 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
That's been my experience, too. Nobody's even mentioned Isle of Dogs in this thread, which I saw (and liked quite a bit) in the theatre with a friend who was even more into Wes Anderson than I was, but he didn't care for it at all. Other people list Life Aquatic as one of their favourite movies, period, but that was the one I watched and understood where people who don't like WA's whole thing are coming from. And so forth.
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:48 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
I think Life Aquatic resonates differently if you've had a chance to watch/rewatch old Cousteau stuff. Zissou is not really a parody or caricature of Cousteau, because Cousteau and his team were doing much more ridiculous stuff than what happens in Life Aquatic. Zissou is like a toned-down homage to Cousteau.
posted by snofoam at 7:55 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by snofoam at 7:55 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
I'm a little confused about the framing here. But "style without substance" is an apt description of Anderson's work.
Titles are hard but this post was entirely "style" since we have so little "substance" about the movie. I am a big Wes Anderson fan and think there's "substance" to his movies but I know it's a common knock against him.
posted by bbrown at 8:00 AM on March 7, 2023
Titles are hard but this post was entirely "style" since we have so little "substance" about the movie. I am a big Wes Anderson fan and think there's "substance" to his movies but I know it's a common knock against him.
posted by bbrown at 8:00 AM on March 7, 2023
Zissou is like a toned-down homage to Cousteau.
Highly recommend the recent documentary Fire of Love about the volcanologist couple who entirely operated in this aesthetic. They even have the matching red hats.
posted by Artw at 8:05 AM on March 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
Highly recommend the recent documentary Fire of Love about the volcanologist couple who entirely operated in this aesthetic. They even have the matching red hats.
posted by Artw at 8:05 AM on March 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
is anyone keeping track of the number of instances: and that's OK!
thank god, I thought I was being transgressive for a moment there
posted by elkevelvet at 8:32 AM on March 7, 2023
thank god, I thought I was being transgressive for a moment there
posted by elkevelvet at 8:32 AM on March 7, 2023
In talking about Wes, I find there's consensus that not all his movies worked, but there's not much consensus on which ones those are.
That's such a great way to put it, Capt. Renault. I'd even bring it down to the molecular level -- not every part of any Wes Anderson movie fully worked, but people don't fully agree on which parts worked and which didn't and by how much. Still, enough tends to work that if a certain part fails, the other parts tend to rescue it. Unless they don't.
I'm fascinated by the look of Asteroid City. I just picked up a 1951 children's book for someone as a gift and the story begins with a county fair and ends with a trip to Mars. There's a practical madcap hopefulness to the whole thing and the aesthetic of the illustrations is not dissimilar to the set photos shown here. I'm watching it for sure.
(And I missed the French Dispatch. Should I watch it? I genuinely liked Grand Budapest, except for the parts I didn't, which I genuinely didn't.)
posted by mochapickle at 8:34 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
That's such a great way to put it, Capt. Renault. I'd even bring it down to the molecular level -- not every part of any Wes Anderson movie fully worked, but people don't fully agree on which parts worked and which didn't and by how much. Still, enough tends to work that if a certain part fails, the other parts tend to rescue it. Unless they don't.
I'm fascinated by the look of Asteroid City. I just picked up a 1951 children's book for someone as a gift and the story begins with a county fair and ends with a trip to Mars. There's a practical madcap hopefulness to the whole thing and the aesthetic of the illustrations is not dissimilar to the set photos shown here. I'm watching it for sure.
(And I missed the French Dispatch. Should I watch it? I genuinely liked Grand Budapest, except for the parts I didn't, which I genuinely didn't.)
posted by mochapickle at 8:34 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
Never heard of Jason Schwarzmann, how does he get top billing?!?
I find this hilarious because he was nearly inescapable about a decade or so ago. Numerous television series (including one with Ted Danson), a lot of really well received movies, I think he even wrote a book or recorded an album or something. I'm not looking it up. I just find it amusing that someone doesn't recognize that name, because he was so omnipresent for a while.
posted by hippybear at 8:42 AM on March 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
I find this hilarious because he was nearly inescapable about a decade or so ago. Numerous television series (including one with Ted Danson), a lot of really well received movies, I think he even wrote a book or recorded an album or something. I'm not looking it up. I just find it amusing that someone doesn't recognize that name, because he was so omnipresent for a while.
posted by hippybear at 8:42 AM on March 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
I find this hilarious because he was nearly inescapable about a decade or so ago.
Sic transit gloria
posted by LionIndex at 8:45 AM on March 7, 2023 [13 favorites]
Sic transit gloria
posted by LionIndex at 8:45 AM on March 7, 2023 [13 favorites]
Sic transit gloria
posted by LionIndex at 8:45 AM on March 7 [+] [!]
c.f. Max Fischer.
Also,
'Oh, are' they?
posted by From Bklyn at 8:54 AM on March 7, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by LionIndex at 8:45 AM on March 7 [+] [!]
c.f. Max Fischer.
Also,
'Oh, are' they?
posted by From Bklyn at 8:54 AM on March 7, 2023 [11 favorites]
is anyone keeping track of the number of instances: and that's OK!
Personally, I am not.
...
...
Wait for it...
...
Wait for it...
...
And that's OK.
posted by Naberius at 9:28 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
Personally, I am not.
...
...
Wait for it...
...
Wait for it...
...
And that's OK.
posted by Naberius at 9:28 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
To paraphrase the great Roger Ebert: A movie isn't about "what it is about" - a movie is HOW it is about what it is about.
That's kind of how I approach Wes Anderson movies - story-wise - sure, OK, maybe, might be cool. But HOW it is about the story - yes, I enjoy it.
posted by davidmsc at 9:52 AM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
That's kind of how I approach Wes Anderson movies - story-wise - sure, OK, maybe, might be cool. But HOW it is about the story - yes, I enjoy it.
posted by davidmsc at 9:52 AM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
I can't really remember the plot of anything after Life Aquatic, I think because I was too busy watching the scenery chew itself. I don't think I respond to films where the actors are wound up like little clockwork dolls, I like them to have a little freedom. That is probably why I like the first two movies best -- Bottle Rocket had Owen Wilson goofing around, and Rushmore had Bill Murray goofing around scolded by Max (as Wes's surrogate). Though I'm not as grumpy as Steely Dan who are total Bottle Rocket stans.
posted by credulous at 9:53 AM on March 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by credulous at 9:53 AM on March 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
I have the same problem with some of the Coen Bros' output. But that's just like, my opinion, man.
posted by credulous at 9:58 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by credulous at 9:58 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
Zissou is like a toned-down homage to Cousteau.
This part of his Academy Award-winning first documentary is … something else. They hit a sperm whale calf with their ship, kill it to put it out of its misery, and then massacre the sharks that come to feast on the injured calf.
I am a big fan of JYC but you can't credibly parody that sort of thing.
posted by bbrown at 10:02 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
This part of his Academy Award-winning first documentary is … something else. They hit a sperm whale calf with their ship, kill it to put it out of its misery, and then massacre the sharks that come to feast on the injured calf.
I am a big fan of JYC but you can't credibly parody that sort of thing.
posted by bbrown at 10:02 AM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
...but there's not much consensus on which ones those are.
That's an interesting point!
I'm on team Moonlight. I didn't like French Dispatch.
Darjeeling has his lamest script but his best camera work.
posted by ovvl at 10:06 AM on March 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
That's an interesting point!
I'm on team Moonlight. I didn't like French Dispatch.
Darjeeling has his lamest script but his best camera work.
posted by ovvl at 10:06 AM on March 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
And I missed the French Dispatch. Should I watch it?
I finally got around to watching it two weeks ago.* It's more of an anthology, for good and ill: ill, because there's very, very little holding it all together. Good, because even if you don't like one bit, they're all short, and there is almost certainly some story you'll enjoy.
I had the same problem with Ballad of Buster Scruggs. I love the Coen Bros, but I'm not a huge fan of vignettes.
* Which tells you something about my feelings about WA, echoing some of the above: I used to be first in line opening night for his movies. Now? I still like them, but I feel like it'll just be a variation on the sonata he's done a dozen times already, so it's not imperative to get to it immediately.
posted by nushustu at 10:23 AM on March 7, 2023
I finally got around to watching it two weeks ago.* It's more of an anthology, for good and ill: ill, because there's very, very little holding it all together. Good, because even if you don't like one bit, they're all short, and there is almost certainly some story you'll enjoy.
I had the same problem with Ballad of Buster Scruggs. I love the Coen Bros, but I'm not a huge fan of vignettes.
* Which tells you something about my feelings about WA, echoing some of the above: I used to be first in line opening night for his movies. Now? I still like them, but I feel like it'll just be a variation on the sonata he's done a dozen times already, so it's not imperative to get to it immediately.
posted by nushustu at 10:23 AM on March 7, 2023
And I missed the French Dispatch. Should I watch it?
FanFare discussion
posted by bbrown at 10:28 AM on March 7, 2023
FanFare discussion
posted by bbrown at 10:28 AM on March 7, 2023
To paraphrase the great Roger Ebert: A movie isn't about "what it is about" - a movie is HOW it is about what it is about.
A movie is the what + the how, not just the how.
posted by grumpybear69 at 10:34 AM on March 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
A movie is the what + the how, not just the how.
posted by grumpybear69 at 10:34 AM on March 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
All of French Dispatch is fun, I’m not sure how much it is anything else - another viewing may reveal something I’ve missed.
posted by Artw at 10:48 AM on March 7, 2023
posted by Artw at 10:48 AM on March 7, 2023
I am a big fan of JYC but you can't credibly parody that sort of thing.
That is a particularly awful section, along with the dynamite is the only way to count what fish are on a reef scene. Also, it was filmed by Louis Malle, who used his cinematographic choices to show his displeasure with some of the worst stuff. (The dog being like, "fuck no, I'm out of here" when shark massacre starts.) But there are also lots of less horrible, yet still totally bonkers things in early Cousteau, like flying a two-man hippo costume made by a famous French sculptor into a remote African village or the whole Pepito and Cristobal "can man and seal be friends?" misadventure.
posted by snofoam at 11:01 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
That is a particularly awful section, along with the dynamite is the only way to count what fish are on a reef scene. Also, it was filmed by Louis Malle, who used his cinematographic choices to show his displeasure with some of the worst stuff. (The dog being like, "fuck no, I'm out of here" when shark massacre starts.) But there are also lots of less horrible, yet still totally bonkers things in early Cousteau, like flying a two-man hippo costume made by a famous French sculptor into a remote African village or the whole Pepito and Cristobal "can man and seal be friends?" misadventure.
posted by snofoam at 11:01 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Yes, or bringing a parrot down to an underwater dwelling—where the crew was sleeping, working, and smoking like chimneys—in a pressure cooker.
posted by bbrown at 11:37 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by bbrown at 11:37 AM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Feels like Doc Venture undersold the sketchy side of science adventuring.
posted by Artw at 11:48 AM on March 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by Artw at 11:48 AM on March 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
One rise of fascism later and Grand Budapest looks a hell of a lot less fluffy. That one may have hidden teeth, but it’s got teeth.
It's the only Anderson movie I've seen, so maybe it would have less impact if you were familiar, but the quasi-magical realism, the fluff and ludicrous moments, suddenly giving way to that brutal collision with reality... yeah, didn't feel style over substance to me.
posted by tavella at 12:15 PM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
It's the only Anderson movie I've seen, so maybe it would have less impact if you were familiar, but the quasi-magical realism, the fluff and ludicrous moments, suddenly giving way to that brutal collision with reality... yeah, didn't feel style over substance to me.
posted by tavella at 12:15 PM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
By the way, if anyone is experiencing a dearth of Wes Anderson-esque content in their lives, I recommend the three seasons of A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix. There’s a sea captain and a big hotel and everything!
posted by staggernation at 12:54 PM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by staggernation at 12:54 PM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
If someone wants more Wes Anderson, I'd also recommend his shorts and commercials:
Bonus: 10 Screenwriting Tips from Wes Anderson
posted by bbrown at 1:24 PM on March 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by bbrown at 1:24 PM on March 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
Also, all the direct image links in timdiggerm's comment upthread still work.
posted by bbrown at 1:27 PM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by bbrown at 1:27 PM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
A movie is the what + the how, not just the how.
You must ask two questions. First, how artfully has the objective been rendered and how important is that objective?
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 3:02 PM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
You must ask two questions. First, how artfully has the objective been rendered and how important is that objective?
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 3:02 PM on March 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Inside you are two wolves.... They are spaced equidistant from the center of the frame, and there is a bookshelf between them. The wall is pastel wallpaper.
posted by hippybear at 3:21 PM on March 7, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 3:21 PM on March 7, 2023 [9 favorites]
And I missed the French Dispatch. Should I watch it?
It starts with Owen Wilson cycling while wearing a beret.
If that image thrills you, then you may enjoy The French Dispatch.
posted by betweenthebars at 3:48 PM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
It starts with Owen Wilson cycling while wearing a beret.
If that image thrills you, then you may enjoy The French Dispatch.
posted by betweenthebars at 3:48 PM on March 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
Owen Wilson in a beret serves as both a content warning and an aesthetic.
posted by betweenthebars at 3:49 PM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by betweenthebars at 3:49 PM on March 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
There is a chase scene that becomes an animation pet way through and is the most Wes Amderson thing ever. That’s pretty fun.
posted by Artw at 4:10 PM on March 7, 2023
posted by Artw at 4:10 PM on March 7, 2023
I found Darjeeling Limited so blatantly colonialist in its worldview and storytelling that it made me like all his other movies less in retrospect.
posted by ewok_academy at 6:03 PM on March 7, 2023
posted by ewok_academy at 6:03 PM on March 7, 2023
Mod note: Several comments removed. We were contacted by the artist mentioned in the post, who asked that the links be removed, as their website had been hacked and the public viewing of the images was not authorized at this time.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 10:44 AM on March 8, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 10:44 AM on March 8, 2023 [3 favorites]
I kind of loved The French Dispatch, but I was also a child raised on The New Yorker by a father who is basically a real life Wes Anderson character (for better and, often, worse). I'm pretty lukewarm on Darjeeling Limited and the animated movies but I've loved pretty much everything else.
posted by thivaia at 11:42 AM on March 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by thivaia at 11:42 AM on March 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's always really fascinating to me to read posts about Anderson because while I did not know him in more than passing, I was two years ahead of him at "Rushmore" (which I have never seen and probably never will) and have only in the last decade gotten into his films at all by seeing Fantastic Mr. Fox and Grand Budapest Hotel, both of which really had a vibe to me that touched on our common school days.
And by really fascinating, I mean, I can't stop reading what y'all think and it's also weird as fuck to me.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 2:14 PM on March 8, 2023
And by really fascinating, I mean, I can't stop reading what y'all think and it's also weird as fuck to me.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 2:14 PM on March 8, 2023
Never heard of Jason Schwarzmann, how does he get top billing?!?
I was surprised to see this and was getting ready to respond with a note about "dude, he had the lead in RUSHMORE and he was also in...."
And then I started wondering: HAS Jason Schwarzmann been in anything NOT directed by Wes Anderson?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:39 PM on March 8, 2023
I was surprised to see this and was getting ready to respond with a note about "dude, he had the lead in RUSHMORE and he was also in...."
And then I started wondering: HAS Jason Schwarzmann been in anything NOT directed by Wes Anderson?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:39 PM on March 8, 2023
Top of my head: Shopgirl, Marie Antoinette, that Wet Hot American Summer prequel series... Um. Uhhh. Hm.
posted by mochapickle at 4:44 PM on March 8, 2023
posted by mochapickle at 4:44 PM on March 8, 2023
I Heart Huckabees comes immediately to mind. But also Scott Pilgrim, and Bored To Death was a great television series.
posted by hippybear at 5:20 PM on March 8, 2023
posted by hippybear at 5:20 PM on March 8, 2023
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posted by bbrown at 9:20 PM on March 6, 2023