Change Your Image
rputman
Reviews
Mary (2005)
Amusing Short Film
I saw this last night when I went to see Melinda and Melinda. It played before the feature (I think it's playing at most Landmark Theaters). It was an extremely well done short film with some very funny parts. The humor was very similar to that of Napoleon Dynamite, the movie for which writer/director Aaron Ruell is best known.
I also thought that though the film deals with the Virgin Mary, anyone should be able to enjoy it. I myself am not a very religious person yet was still able to enjoy this short immensely.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure where anyone can see this short film other than where I saw it, at the Bethesda Row Cinema in Bethesda, MD.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
Anderson's in a World All His Own
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou was highly anticipated by many of Wes Anderson's fans, myself included. However, despite the similarities in dead-pan delivery and the presence of actors so common in Anderson's films (Murray, Huston, Wilson), this films stands quite well on its own for those who haven't seen any of Anderson's previous work.
I'll admit, I had to see it a second time to notice many of the nuances that Anderson writes into the film, be-it scripted or art direction. The main difference I found between films like The Royal Tenenbaums or Rushmore and this one, was that The Life Aquatic relied more upon visual humor rather than spoken humor. The scene in which Jane is interviewing Steve and the Orca is swimming around in the tank behind them is quite is a good example, and its all visual. The stop-motion animated creatures, the guns, the giant OPERATION HENNESEY written on everything, Hennessy's sunken ship... all of these are mainly visual but are very funny.
Though this film could take some time to feel out for Anderson's fans, I would definitely recommend it, rent it on video when it comes out and watch it a few times.