Wes Cravin'

The Royal Tenenbaums - Wes Anderson - 2001

I've found my David Lynch replacement. While their film styles are too dissimilar for fair comparisons, I do enjoy Wes Anderson's films better. One of Anderson's best qualities is how he can successfully craft a comedy without resorting to an exhausting amount of profanity and bathroom humor. Gene Hackman plays Royal Tenenbaum whose children are played by Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, and Gweneth Paltrow. A family broken apart after divorce, Royal attempts to bring everyone back together by lying about dying of stomach cancer. Excellent character development and hilarious scene after hilarious scene. I think I have only good things to say about this movie.

Look out for: I think Wes Anderson's favorite color is yellow.

Rating: []Like It []Love It [X]Gotta Have It





Following - Christopher Nolan - 1998

Inconveniently, the English accents are heavy and Netflix streaming does not have subtitles. Like most effective crime dramas, attention to dialogue is vital. A writer finds his inspiration by following/stalking his subjects at random. One of his subjects figures out he's being followed, and instead of beating the crap out of this creep he befriends him. The followee just so happens to be an unsuspecting burglar and the writer tags along during the robberies. I really would hate to talk more in fear of ruining the plot, but it's directed by Christopher Nolan (Memento, Dark Night, The Prestige) so you know it's good.

Look out for: A great story told in just 70 minutes. A huge plus for me!
Rating: []Like It [X]Love It []Gotta Have It






The Darjeeling Limited - Wes Anderson - 2006

Owen Wilson plays Jason Schwartzman and Adrien Brody's older brother who convinces the two to take a spiritual journey through India on their way to surprise visit their mom-turned-nun. The name of this film is taken from the name of the colorfully ornate and picturesque train they board. The brothers grew up distrusting eachother but their compelling adventures in India draw them closer together. In true Wes Anderson fashion, this film is a fun and colorful watch full of witty humor. My one qualm with this film was the baggage metaphor--insultingly obvious and predictable!

Look out for: The short story preceeding The Darjeeling Limited stars Natalie Portman. Not crucial for understanding the film but certainly worth a watch.

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Rap music stole the tear drop tattoo

The Life of David Gale - Alan Parker - 2003

Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet star in this criminal drama about Professor David Gale (Spacey) who is accused of raping and murdering a former student. Winslet plays the journalist who is trying to snag an unbiased interview from Gale before he is executed. During the process, Winslet finds herself on a quest to uncover what really happened, racing against the clock ticking closer to Gale's execution. This film pushes its audience to morally evaluate capital punishment and the death sentence. Ironically biased with a pretty implausible ending, I think I would have enjoyed this film much more if I hadn't watched the last scene.

Recommended by: M Sage

Look out for: When glass cups and toiletries are not enough, some patrons find it acceptable to take the hotel room TV.

Rating: [If it weren't for the ending I would]Like It []Love It []Gotta Have It



Eraserhead - David Lynch - 1977

I somewhat regret watching this film and I suppose I'm happy it came last on my David Lynch list. I did a little online research and Lynch apparently still will not reveal the meaning behind the film and reports no one else's interpretation has come close. Dream-like, perhaps more appropriately nighmarish, we uncomfortably peer into Henry's bizarre life. His girlfriend is emotionally unstable and burdensome, their mutant-like baby will not stop crying (most online sources say it's a cow fetus), and visits to the parents are like visiting hell. Grotesque, horrific, confusing, and unsettling, I can see this causing sleepless nights for kids watching this in the 70s.

Look out for: Go vegan.

Rating: [Did not]Like It []Love It []Gotta Have It





Cry-Baby - John Waters - 1990

Already a 1950s satire, I feel like this film furthermore spoofed the likes of Grease and other 1950 inspired musicals. Toleration of slap stick, wackiness and exaggeration are necessary to enjoy this film. Johnny Depp plays Cry Baby, the ring leader for his group of greasy highschool delinquents dubbed the Drapes. He falls in love with Allison (Amy Locane), a Square. I'm unsure if Johnny Depp did his own singing but a few of the songs were admittingly catchy. One Drape, Hatchet-Face?, looked like a cross between the Exorcist and what Cyndi Lauper looks like today. Most importantly, Cry-Baby gets a tear drop tattoo in Juvie.

Look out for: Willem Dafoe and a very very fat Ricky Lake...

Rating: []Like It [X]Love It []Gotta Have It