Category Archives: The Reel Deal Goes to Cannes

The Reel Deal Goes To Cannes #3: There’s Quirkiness in the Air (Must Be a New Wes Anderson Movie!)

Today, The Reel Deal walked the red carpet.

Nobody asked me who I was wearing. Sacha Baron Cohen didn’t try to dump ashes on me. Something I learned when I went to Sundance that has come back to mind now that in order to live some of the most glorious moments, some of the glory must be sacrificed. However, the price was well worth it.

Thanks to something called positive thinking (it’s amazing what it actually can do), I ended up with a ticket for “Moonrise Kingdom.” It wasn’t the flashy premiere that Wes Anderson, Bill Murray, Ed Norton, and Bruce Willis would be at, but something a little quieter also in the one-of-a-kind Lumiere Theater. It is hard to review a movie totally objectively, as one’s experience outside of the movie always impacts the experience of the movie itself. While the excitement of Cannes might have added to my opinion of “Moonrise Kingdom,” it will definetly stand the test of time (more on that in a minute).

Cannes is the kind of place where dreams meet stark reality. There will be more people surrounding a red carpet, hoping to get just one glimpse of a celebrity, than actual celebrities. And you won’t always get what you want, but if you try some time you’ll find that you can get something just as good. When attending a film festival, know that you might see some things that you never imagined you would see in your life, but also remember to set your expectations to a realistic level.

Celebrity Encounters:

  • P. Diddy standing on the ledge of a balcony over his V.I.P. party at the “Famous Club.” I put Famous Club in quotations because the title of the club is in quotations, implying it either isn’t famous or that it isn’t actually there. I can only imagine Kanye wanting to yell “I am golden God!” before jumping, only to have Kanye once again point out that he wrote the Bible.
  • Harvey Weinstein walking down the street. At this point, he is the de facto King of Cannes.

Check out a brief review of Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom” after the jump:

Any given film from a great director will serve as a culmination point of all of their previous works. That is why it is hard for a director to have a flawless first feature, and it is also why Wes Anderson’s films so frequently succeed. “Moonrise Kingdom,” his latest effort, combines the dysfunctional family dark comedy of “The Royal Tenenbaums” with the childhood perspective of “Rushmore” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and the perfectly suspended reality of “The Life Aquatic.”

“Moonrise Kingdom” feels like all of the best movies I watched as a kid, but it is much wearier of childhood whimsy. I imagine it is based off of fantasies that Anderson made up for himself when he himself was a child. It is a fine example of his evolving style as a filmmaker, and a long way from when he was first telling stories of book store robberies in Texas in “Bottle Rocket.” This is both his most typical and most different movie yet.

“Moonrise Kingdom” is like an action comedy filled with inspired, gimmicky 60s style special effects. There are many out there who do not like Wes Anderson and can never be convinced to enjoy any of his movies. Well, maybe I can sell you this one by telling you that it made me think of “The Goonies.” A more romantic version of “The Goonies,” albeit.

The film of Anderson’s past have always had an affinity for vintage, so I guess it was about time he made a movie set in 1965. The first detailed location we get is Suzy’s (Kara Hayward), which looks like a giant dollhouse. The house becomes a character istelf.

Suzy is persued by Sam (Jared Gilman), a twelve-year-old who defines too smart for his own good. Sam is a foster child, and Suzy can’t stand even the presence of her parents. The two bond as social outcasts, Suzy constantly fighting with her classmates, and Sam being constantly alienated from the rest of his khaki scout troop. The two run away together and look to form a place where they can forever be away from adults. Perhaps something similar to what Holden Caufield once described.

The adults of “Moonrise Kingdom” might feel underdeveloped as compared to Anderson’s past films, but that’s only because this is the first film he’s ever done from the resentful and precocious perspective of a child. However, seeing Mrs. Bishop (Frances McDormand) and Suzy together, you can see how one was once like the other. As Mr. Bishop, Bill Murray is, well, Bill Murray. Willis is the most deadpan funny and sincere he has ever been. This might be Norton’s funniest performance since “Keeping the Faith.”

The film as a whole is simultaenously adult and childlike. It is a darker and more mature version of a typical childhood fantasy. It is as if you are rooting for and against the fantasy. Sam and Suzy become so likable, yet their love causes chaos for all who care for them.

“Moonrise Kingdom” might be Anderson’s most traditionally structured film to date. However, that doesn’t mean everything works out ever so perfectly. A main character is killed off early on, and the ending, meanwhile, can evoke tears. Anderson also twists around his usual formula and gives us the character montage tracking shot at the begginning, and the slow-mo walk long before the finale.

When comparing this to the rest of Anderson’s oevure, it may not be his best. But on its own, it is still fantastic. This is the kind of movie that I just want to give a big, warm hug to. I love the gimmicky special effects, the Noah’s Ark parallel, and the surprise cameo toward the end of the film from one of the best living actors. Most of all, I love all of the little detail poured into every single shot. It is nice to see so much effort being put into something that people usually don’t give a s**t about.

I will post a longer “Moonrise” review at some point soon, as I will definetly be seeing it again. Look for many more movies to be reviewed up ahead, including a director’s cut of Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in America.” I also saw a secret screening today. I cannot reveal the title until an undisclosed later date.

The Reel Deal Goes to Cannes Update #2: This is Just a Taste

Inside the Lumiere Theater. Apologies for “Britta’ing” this photo.

Well, the Festival officially begins tomorrow, but today, I got a good taste of what I will be taking in for the next two weeks.

I saw it all in the Palais, which is pretty accurately nicknamed “The Death Star.” It is an expansive place which has just about every theater where movies are shown. Most notably is the Lumiere theater, which puts every American multiplex to shame. The Lumiere is where the opening night screenings happen, and the stars walk the red carpet. It is where tomorrow night, “Moonrise Kingdom” will open the Festival.

What movies I will see, and when, is still a mystery. The beauty of film festivals lie in the unpredictability. You could be going to a screening one minute, and then end up in someone’s yacht party the next.

Even though the Festival has yet to begin, new things are to be learned just by looking around and listening. Perhaps the highlight of my day (I am still in awe from it all) was the hall of foreign movie posters lining the Palais. I would like to share a few of the highlights:

This is for an Indian movie. I’m not sure if the title is “House 2 Full” or “House Full 2.” If so, I still have no idea what this movie is about, and if it is either a Tyler Perry rip-off, or an Indian version of “Full House.” Either way, when does John Stamos show up?

On display here are two equally fascinating displays of poster art. The one to the left is “American Hangover,” which looks like some kind of “Scary Movie” type movie. It stars Joey Fatone. Fatone is known by some as a member of NSYNC, by others as an actor in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” and by everyone as that guy who stopped being famous. The poster on the right is for a movie called “Bro” which stars Danny Trejo. I mention this movie both because Danny Trejo is awesome and because I am afraid he will track down and kill me if I don’t mention it.

Without seeing a single movie yet, I have already discovered some of the great mysteries of Cannes. And there are still more to come. Here is a set of goals I have for the rest of the Festival. Some of these goals may be hard to meet, but as a wiser man than myself (MacGruber) once said, “never ever say never ever.” (List after the jump)

  • Get into an opening night movie and walk the red carpet
  • If I don’t get a ticket to a red carpet showing, show up anyway wearing a tux.
  • Witness Sacha Baron Cohen pull of a “Dictator”-inspired publicity stunt.
  • Shake Wes Anderson’s hand.
  • Bring Harvey Weinstein coffee (even though I’m not his intern). 
  • Watch the James Bond movies and “Jaws” on the beach.
  • Meet Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, or Natalie Portman.
  • Make a major acquisition deal.
  • Pitch a movie idea to a studio. Preferably “Crash 2: Crash Harder.”

The Reel Deal Goes to Cannes Update #1: Insomnia Washes Over Me in an Awesome Wave

I just touched ground in France today and could be described as a jet lagged zombie. Apparently, staying up until 10 PM (French time) is the cure to jet lag. Luckily, I have not reached brain dead level of zombie yet.

Movie watching has not begun yet. However, that will happen in the next few days. I was informed that there may be a James Bond marathon on the beach. I guess it is fitting, as Nice and Cannes resemble the kind of towns that Bond would likely frequent. A film that can be shown beyond its typical medium is a special thing. And because it is James Bond (and includes the likes of “Thunderball” and “From Russia with Love”), you can bet I will be in line for tickets.

So far, this is my first impression of France. Not too shabby:

And contrary to popular belief, the French have a very good sense of humor:

The Reel Deal Goes to Cannes

In January 2009, The Reel Deal packed its bags and relocated to Park City, Utah for a week during the Sundance Film Festival. This Saturday, The Reel Deal will be heading off once again. This time, it will be to France for the Cannes Film Festival.

When I began watching and reviewing movies during middle school, attending Cannes became a dream. At this Festival, the likes of “Taxi Driver,” “Apocalypse Now,” and “Pulp Fiction” have had their debuts. I decided that I would do anything to get there, whether I arrive as a critic, a filmmaker, or a worker. This will be my first, but hopefully not my last, time attending Cannes.

My schedule will be hectic. I will be attending screenings and panels during any of the free time that I have. However, I will do my best to write a post at least once a day (or every two days, depending on how busy I am). This will continue until I arrive back in America on May 28. Hopefully, I will see movies like “Moonrise Kingdom” as well as those more obscure releases from places as far and wide as Mexico, Italy and South Korea.

I will post my review of “The Avengers” later today. Cannes updates will start as soon as humanly possible. Until then, keep Reel Dealin’.