sweet_love

An all-time favorite. The same subtle hilarity that permeates all Wes Anderson films. A good film for me is one in which you can feel the heart and soul that went into making it. From the intricate sets and the painstaking dedication to even the smallest peripheral details, I can feel the filmmakers' passion.

Of course it's not the zaniest comedy ever made, but just as in life, sometimes it's the subtleties that are the funniest parts. You almost have to watch the film multiple time in-order to absorb everything that's going on and to really get to know the characters. This is not typical studio fare, and apparently that has turned a lot of IMDB reviewers off. I understand if it's not your bag, but you almost have to respect how well it's made. To each his own, but for me this is in the rare class of films that gets better with each viewing.

Another awesome soundtrack, too.

I don't know why I expected so very little from this movie (probably that since "American Pie" we've been getting bombarded with really weak rip-offs of the "teen, gross-out" comedy), but I shouldn't have; it's actually a hilarious movie. Jack Black & Steve Zahn are two of the funniest actors working today (and, I guess, Jason Biggs isn't so bad), and they carry this movie. There are so many funny jokes and situations, this movie truly is one of my favorite "stupid" (as opposed to intelligent, I guess) comedies. But please, oh please, if you plan on seeing this, you MUST get the R-rated DVD version, not the PG-13 one that was released in theaters and on most VHS copies. There are so many funny jokes and moments cut out of the PG-13, you'd be doing yourself a disservice. It's still funny, but you miss some good stuff.

"Comingtoyaaaahaaaa..."

When I go to watch a Bill Murray movie, I have certain expectations. I expect to see a zany, wacky, laugh-a-minute comedy, dominated by Bill's crazy antics (i.e. "Kingpin" or "The Man Who Knew Too Little" - both very funny, BTW). "Rushmore," however, was a little more subtle and it had a little more heart and soul than I expected. Therefore, when I saw it the first time in theaters, I was a little taken aback. It wasn't what I expected, therefore, I was a little let down. However, after watching it a second (and third and forth...) time, it's one of my favorite movies.

Now granted, there are some very funny moments in "Rushmore," but they're not of the "guy gets hit in nuts and bowls over in pain" ilk. Some of the jokes are a little more subtle, but just as hilarious if your into that sort of comedy - i.e. "Sure Central America and whatnot. But moving on." The plays that Max puts on, the music and the witty dialogue is what makes this movie great for me. And the last shot is probably my favorite ending of any movie (keeping with the Wes Anderson slow-motion trademark). It's not necessarily a gut-busting comedy, but a very funny, witty and beautifully written and directed film by Wes and Co.