Review: "On the Rocks" Finds the Humor Amid a Midlife Crisis

Scene from On the Rocks (2020) 

One of the hardest things to be in life is cool. It's something that we all thrive to be, though the older we get, the further out of touch we're likely to be. The esteem to resonate in ways that you did as a teenager, following trends, and having all the energy in the world slowly starts to fade, and there's some sadness in this revelation. Like DEVO in 1981, director Sofia Coppola is through being cool. She doesn't have it in her anymore. With her latest personal exercise (her most vulnerable since Somewhere), she finds ways to explore that transition period when the world begins to feel more jaded, unable to connect in these significant ways. What it lacks in immediacy it more than makes up for in terms of fun comic chemistry between Bill Murray and Rashida Jones. Everything may meander, but it all builds to self-acceptance that we all face as we continue through time, finding ways to accept whatever lies beyond being cool. It may not be trendy, but it's inevitable.

Bill Murray Reminisces in Perplexing First Trailer for "On the Rocks"

Scene from On the Rocks (2020)

It was only a year ago that things were looking much different for AppleTV+. Many saw it as a third-tier streaming service, unable to compete with the big boys like Netflix and Amazon Prime. While they don't have much of a reputation yet, there is some silver lining that has cropped up during the pandemic. Starting with their Tom Hanks war movie Greyhound, they have been creating a more prestigious aura about them, including a recent word of mouth success in the documentary Boys State that may be one of the best titles of the year.

With On the Rocks, they are continuing to expand their appeal with a film from the Oscar-winning filmmaker Sofia Coppola, teaming up with Bill Murray for their first movie since Lost in Translation. In a year where streaming services are standing to dominate the Oscar fields, it's interesting to see this film as another potential upset, presenting yet another reason why this could be an unorthodox year. If nothing else, this looks to be the most upbeat and warm Coppola movie in years, shining through a trailer that promises to deliver a good time for all involved. 

Wes Anderson Tells a Winding Story in "The French Dispatch" Trailer

Scene from The French Dispatch

Over his past few films, it feels like director Wes Anderson has perfected the art of getting your hopes up for the next Oscar season. Who could forget how The Grand Budapest Hotel released its first trailer on the heels of the 2015 Academy Awards, or how Isle of Dogs made 2018 feel like it would be a better year for animation? Well, it looks like he's outdone himself by dropping a trailer within the week following this year's ceremony. Just as everyone is wrapping up their thoughts on Parasite's historic win, Anderson is here to remind you that cinema is an evolving art form and that soon there will be a new class to talk about. With The French Dispatch, he adds his name to the 2020 prognostication early, making one excited to see his latest crowded fare look like another masterpiece that's going to dominate the conversation.

Legitimate Theater Bonus: #9. Groundhog Day (2017)

Groundhog Day

Welcome to Legitimate Theater: a column dedicated to movie-based stage musicals. The goal of this series is to explore those stories that originated in films and eventually worked their way onto Broadway and beyond. By the end of each entry, there will hopefully be a better understanding of this odd but rampant trend in modern entertainment. Are these stories really worth telling through song and dance? How can it even compare to the technical prowess of a camera and seamless editing? Join me on this quest as I explore the highs and lows of this trend on the third Wednesday of every month and hopefully answer what makes this Legitimate Theater.

Review: "Isle of Dogs" Proves that Anderson Can Make Garbage Beautiful

Scene from Isle of Dogs

*Note: Originally published on Optigrab

How can director Wes Anderson, a man on the verge of self-parody, continue to be one of the defining independent auteurs of modern cinema? It seemed like he reached the apex with the Oscar-winning The Grand Budapest Hotel where his lavish style was met with madcap energy and a subtle attack on his critics. It seems impossible for him to be as charming and artful without at some point stretching too far beyond the stratosphere. Thankfully, Isle of Dogs is not that. Instead, it's a reinvention of narrative, combining Japanese influence with his posh sensibilities. As much issues could lie in a film that features the white voice actors as heroes, Anderson has more on his mind that is interesting, poignant, and innovative in ways that prove he still has a lot to say, even if visually he can't get any more interesting. 

The First "Isle of Dogs" Trailer is Wes Anderson Back in His Great Old Animated Ways

Scene from Isle of Dogs

In general, one could believe that stop motion animation is an inferior art form. After all, it takes so long to get right that studios like Pixar and Dreamworks Animation just bypass the endeavor all together. However, there's something to be said for filmmakers who pull it off. In 2009, director Wes Anderson did just that with the amazing Fantastic Mr. Fox. It will be nine years since the animated world had last seen him, but the first trailer for Isle of Dogs has the familiar sense of whimsy and awe that even his live action movies have. It may seem a little disconcerting at times, but there's no denying that an Anderson animated tale can't be told any other way than stop motion. It wouldn't be quirky enough.

A24 A-to-Z: #1. "A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III" (2013)

In case you didn't know, A24 is one of the great purveyors of modern cinema. Since 2013, the studio has found a way to innovate independent cinema by turning each release into an event. As a result, A24 A-to-Z will be an ongoing series that looks at every release from the studio by analyzing its production history, release, criticisms, and any awards attention that it might've received. Join me on a quest to explore the modern heroes of cinema by exploring every hit and miss that comes with that magnificent logo. They may not all be great, but they more than make A24 what it is and what it will hopefully continue to be for ears to come.

The Runner-Ups: Harold Ramis in "Groundhog Day" (1993)

Bill Murray in Groundhog Day

Every Oscar season, there are a handful of actors who get tagged with the "snubbed" moniker. While it is always unfortunate to see our favorites not honored with at very least a nomination, there's another trend that goes largely unnoticed: those who never even got that far. The Runner-Ups is a column meant to honor the greats in cinema who put in phenomenal work without getting the credit that they deserved from The Academy. Join me every Saturday as I honor those who never received any love. This list will hopefully come to cover both the acting community, and the many crew members who put the production together.

Theory Thursday: Bill Murray the Actor (Not the Person) is Overrated

Bill Murray in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Welcome to a weekly column called Theory Thursdays, which will be released every Thursday and discuss my "controversial opinion" related to something relative to the week of release. Sometimes it will be birthdays while others is current events or a new film release. Whatever the case may be, this is a personal defense for why I disagree with the general opinion and hope to convince you of the same. While I don't expect you to be on my side, I do hope for a rational argument. After all, film is a subjective medium and this is merely just a theory that can be proven either way. 

Birthday Take: Bill Murray in "Lost in Translation" (2003)

Bill Murray in Lost in Translation

Welcome to The Birthday Take, a column dedicated to celebrating Oscar nominees and winners' birthdays by paying tribute to the work that got them noticed. This isn't meant to be an exhaustive retrospective, but more of a highlight of one nominated work that makes them noteworthy. The column will run whenever there is a birthday and will hopefully give a dense exploration of the finest performances and techniques applied to film. So please join me as we blow out the candles and dig into the delicious substance.

A Look at Oscar-Nominated "Saturday Night Live" Cast Members

This Sunday marks a particularly special anniversary in American comedy. In a large special, Saturday Night Live will be celebrating its 40th anniversary not only as a pop culture making TV show, but for spawning some of the finest entertainers of the modern era. While it wouldn't seem too common, there is a little bit of an overlap between this lengthy sketch show and the Oscars. While there haven't been any winners, there have been quite a fair share of nominees. The following is a tribute to those names who managed to exceed the trapping of sketch comedy to produce some of the finest and most prestigious content in film history.

The "Aloha" Trailer Shows a Tropical Side to Crowe's Charm

Left to right:  Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone

While it seems sacrilegious to talk about next year's Oscars in the wake of the recent ceremony, it is hard to pass up a chance to talk about a new film from director Cameron Crowe. With an impressive career that has featured such noteworthy films as Almost Famous and Jerry Maguire, he is always a solid back pocket selection when talking about an Academy Award nomination. In the case of his latest film's first trailer, Aloha, it looks like he may be back provided that it can stick the landing.

A Quick Rundown of Films on the Outskirts of the Oscar Race

Bill Murray

The following is a collection of tidbits regarding recently released and upcoming films that I have previously given attention to as having Oscar Buzz. While there are still chances for these films to bounce back and potentially have a fruitful career, it does seem like the tides have shifted for them and may likely lead to a quick drop out of the race. It isn't all bad news, though the optimism is likely not to last. The piece will focus on the films St. Vincent, Fury, Inherent Vice, Serena and The Judge. 

Review: "The Monuments Men" is a Safe Look at Art's Influence on Culture

George Clooney

After being moved to 2014 due to need for more post-production work, director George Clooney's The Monuments Men finally opened this month. It is in the midst of an Oscar season that it was once in the discussion of, which may be problematic for its chances next year. As evident by the past, films opening before June (and this year: October) are doomed to not even receive any recognition. While it could be that the largely competitors of the time are throwaway cash cows, it is also just because it is too early in any given year to be thinking about next year's ceremony. This isn't so much a problem for Clooney, whose prestige within the Academy has recently been recognized with a producer win for Argo. However, his star-studded World War II film is another story and one that does open the debate for next year's ceremony.

Now "The Monuments Men" Gets Moved to 2014

George Clooney

It has been quite a day for movies getting switched around. Earlier today, The Wolf of Wall Street confirmed that it was coming out just in time for Christmas and thus qualifying for this year's Oscar race. As discussed in that article, it is going to be a packed season of films and there is a good chance that it will be hard to see them all. While this was why Jack Ryan was moved, it isn't so much the case with the latest announcement. Director George Clooney's war film The Monuments Men will not be around this holiday season. Much like The Wolf of Wall Street, the reasons are good enough to justify this shift.

"The Grand Budapest Hotel" Trailer Debuts with Whimsical Excitement

I know that we still need to get through the 2013 Oscar season, but now would be as good of a time as any to speculate on potential front runners for next year's race. I'm not talking about films that were delayed, such as Foxcatcher or Grace of Monaco, but new releases that have yet to prove their muster. It may not open up until March 7, but the debut trailer for director Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel is looking to continue his hot streak of fun, ambitious cinema.

"The Monuments Men" Debuts with an Exciting, Star-Studded Trailer

Left to right: Matt Damon and George Clooney

It seems like we're in a recent winning streak with trailers right now. In the past week alone, we have gotten stuff for American Hustle, Her, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and now one of the surefire Oscar contenders: director George Clooney's The Monuments Men. While it has been hyped since January as one of the films of the year, it is largely because Clooney is one of the biggest threats to competitors in general. As we'll discuss later on, he may not be the most decorated Oscar nominee/winner, but his presence and contribution is fascinating and the fact that this looks to be another strong entry only makes it harder to deny his charisma. 

Here are Reasons Why "Moonrise Kingdom" Deserves a Best Picture Nomination

Left to right: Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman

Is director Wes Anderson ready for a Best Director nomination? I'd like to think yes. With Moonrise Kingdom, he has taken the story of puppy love, transplanted it at summer camp, and turned it into one of the most endearing, heartfelt, and most of all original movies of the year. The leads Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman may have little experience at acting, but it doesn't show as they go through this light, breezy trip set to a retro soundtrack and features almost all of your favorite action actors in scout uniforms. How can this movie not be nominated for Best Picture?