obiwan2005

Rushmore is not only the name of the movie, but it's the name of the prestigous private school that 15 year old Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) attends. He has tremendous spirit. His true talent lies in writing, for he is an accomplished playwright who directs and produces them starring his very own "Max Fischer Players" and is the Founder and or President of every club on campus. But his grades are horrible. He is put on academic probation. Things get thick when Max is inspired by a depressed millionare, Herman Blume (Bill Murray). Also, he falls in love with 1st grade teacher Ms. Cross (Olivia Williams). Max shows his true lack of social skills when he feverishly attempts at courting her, only to be in compitition with Blume. The movie is bascically a Love Triangle between a bright student who thinks he can get anything he wants, a married businessman, and a pretty school teacher. The movie is lots of fun and is an ode to loners everywhere who want to find love. It's mostly dark sorts of humor, but there's that certain tone and attitude that director Wes Anderson adds to each of his movies that is uniuqe and refreshing.

RATING: **** out of ****

In anything. But man was he great in this movie. I mean it was such a good performance. This movie is director Wes Anderson's (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic) feature directorial debut. It's about a group of misfit friends that decide to take up a life of crime. The group includes Anthony (Luke Wilson) just got out of the nut house and is searching for himself. Dignan (Owen Wilson, co-wrote the movie with Anderson) is the confident but bumbling ringleader who wants to be notorious but doesn't know how to execute a plan to save his life. And Bob (Robert Musgrave) the driver/look out who just wants a little recognition. The movie follows their misadventures of them robbing a bookstore, going on the lamb, Anthony falling in love with a Motel maid who instills joy back in his life, and Dignan's 'big score' that involves his former employer. The subtle humor and deliveries by the actors make the movie stand out in it's own little version comedy. The characters are losers, but lovable. You can't help but cheer them on even though what they do is illegal. I highly recommend this cool little film. It's an excellent introduction into the wonderful films of Wes Anderson.

RATING: **** out of ****

This movie is exactly what we need at the holiday season. Something fun and funny that touches the heart in a non sappy kind of way. "Love, Actually" is the intertwining of 9 seperate love stories. At Juliet and Peter's wedding (Keira Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor) Pete's best friend realizes he should have told Juliet he loved her. Daniel (Liam Neeson) and his step son are trying to figure out a way for his step son to win the heart of a classmate. The Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) is starting to fancy his secretary, Natalie (Martine McCutcheon). His sister, Karen (Emma Thompson) is finding out that her husband (Alan Rickman) is having a fling with his secretary. His employee, Sarah (Laura Linney) is trying to get something going with a fellow co-worker. Jaime (Colin Firth) is trying to write a novel while falling in love with his house keeper. And lastly, Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) is an aging rock star trying to get his Christmas cover song to the top of the pop charts. There are a couple of subplot stories as well. The writer/directer Richard Curtis has exactly the kind of comic flare and heart that so little filmmakers try to capture. His brand of humor can please anyone. The star power in this movie can light a building, there's so much of it. It makes you all warm inside when you leave, hoping that the same thing can happen to you in real life. The film captures a charm that Britain is uniqely known for. Makes you want to pack your bags and head there for Christmas holiday. Every character is likable. So when they transition to other parts of the story, you're always left entertained. It's a classic movie going experience. Go see this film, it's gureenteed not to disappoint!

RATING: **** out ****