littlemes

Saw this at a festival last year, looking forward to its DVD release in '07. It's all about the struggle, really, and if you're an in-the-trenches, do it yourself indie filmmaker you'll absolutely appreciate it. But it's worth checking out even if you are NOT making films. The struggle to push through the odds and reach a goal is one every viewer can relate to, and the group of artists focused on is always entertaining to watch.

The director focuses on several people in various stages of production in their low or lower-budgeted horror films, and speaks to some key industry folk(Tony Timpone from Fangoria, Sid Haig, Joe Bob Briggs, HG Lewis and others) for perspective. What's cool about this documentary is it has its own distinct personality, it tells its story clearly but with its own visual flourish that most docs don't even attempt. It's got a central vision and a warm heart that shines through it, it never goes off on tangents. I was into it from the great opening sequence where a young boy puts on his monster makeup and joins his friends in making their first creature epic in the backyard, with their little film cameras.

American Movie fans will get to check out what Mark Borchardt has been up to since "Coven", and you'll see up and coming directors like Dave Gebroe sweat through a grueling day of shooting on "Zombie Honeymoon"(which turned out great). Very inspiring and worth checking out, looking forward to part II.

Steve Zissou: A legendary oceanographer past his prime with a shot at redemption. The (possible) son of his he never knew he had appears. A mission of revenge against the shark who killed Steve's best friend. Trouble between Steve and a popular rival, as well as a love triangle. An attack by 'pirates' and hostages taken. A chance to rescue said hostages, prove his quality, and save his marriage and career all at once.

THIS is a Wes Anderson film? Proudly, yes.

THIS fits into the idiosyncratic world and style he's created in his previous three films? Perfectly.

Director Anderson (Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums) manages to do his work one better by combining a more 'traditional'/mainstream plot line with the unique characterizations, original, out-there dialogue, unique comic timing, and stylized use of color and music(David Bowie tunes in Portuguese! Yes!) that he's known for. Anderson knocks another one out of the park. If you're a fan and settle easily into the worlds he shows us, it's another fine, if slightly distant at first, chapter in his career book. What about if you're not into his films or haven't been exposed to his method? Not sure what to say…give it a shot like the rest of us did a few films ago and enjoy the ride.

Continuing his repertoire of melancholic, well-meaning visionaries who affect all around them, Anderson (and first-time collaborator, writer/director Noah Baumbach) tells the tale of Steve Zissou, a Cousteau-esque explorer whose endless deadpan docudramas (used to) enthrall the public and wealthy benefactors.

Steve's new film, The Life Aquatic part one, ends with the death of his best friend Esteban(eaten!). After its mixed reception he is determined to take his aging boat to sea again with his ragtag crew (and a handful of unpaid college interns) to chronicle part two: where he will encounter and destroy the 'jaguar shark' who killed his friend. Ned Plympton (Owen Wilson) arrives at the post-show benefit to meet Zissou, and mentions the possibility of being his son.

Despite the mutual uncertainty they bond, with Ned becoming a part of Team Zissou; much to the chagrin of Klaus(Willem Dafoe), the whiny yet big-hearted third-in-command.

Dragging along a pregnant, snippy yet admiring reporter(Cate Blanchett), the perpetually stoned Zissou's mission becomes more about soul-searching instead of simple revenge...after raiding his rival's radar station for supplies and non-malfunctioning equipment(Steve's ship, the Belafonte, is art-directed right out of an alternate-universe 1970's), the boat is attacked by scavengers, and Steve and crew must step up and do the right thing.

Bill Murray, as Zissou, wins in another understated, subtly downbeat performance. The entire cast is enjoyable and game for the strangeness, even if the style and offbeat humor may distance some viewers from having any immediate identification with the characters.

A proud-to-be-weird Moby Dick as only Wes Anderson does them, THE LIFE AQUATIC takes some time for one to settle in but does just that as the story gets increasingly strange-plot discussions are useless since they don't effectively convey HOW it's staged here. Some years ago, indie filmmaker Hal Hartley directed a film titled AMATEUR which reflected, supposedly, how he felt directing an action/thriller plot. Known for his deadpan comedies, Hartley didn't alter his approach one bit despite a plot line you'd expect an action/suspense director to tackle. Anderson goes for a similar take here.

When events take a turn for the James Bond-ish in The Life Aquatic, it will be jarring for those who go in expecting the standard storytelling you would usually get from this plot. Can a Glock really hold 40+ bullets? Can someone have an deep yet casual conversation with three slugs in the heart? It's obvious that Anderson doesn't even care, and that's what's REALLY funny. He cares about his characters and wants to get them through their journey. (wait for the hilarious scene where Steve gets his rage on and turns the tables on his captors..priceless)

Anderson also nicely leaves out the standard heart-tugging or adrenaline-laced scores when tragedy strikes or the pace quickens. Kudos to the decision to use retro special effects and deliberately fake seascapes, somehow it helps you buy this world. Most of the colorful sea critters they enounter are stop-motion throwbacks lovingly rendered by Henry Selick(Nightmare before Christmas).

If you're an Anderson junkie you know exactly what you're getting yourself into. Others? Take a chance. Explore the deep with Team Zissou.