Don't point that gun at him. He's an unpaid intern.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Almost all of Wes Anderson's work is amazing (the exception being The Darjeeling Limited). It's really hard for me to rank his movies in order, but I might have to put The Life Aquatic at the top of my list. It combines great elements of Anderson's previous work and creates a beautiful and heartfelt comedy.

This film is incredibly well cast and boasts some of Hollywood's best and most versatile talents. Murray is top notch as Zissou, our guide through the film. His timing and delivery is superb and he creates one of his best characters. Willem Dafoe yet again shines, and shows the audience how much of an impact he can make with a character, no matter how big or small. Owen Wilson gives an understated and heartfelt performance as Zissou's newly discovered son. I've always found Wilson talented and perfectly capable of doing roles outside of comedy. Cate Blanchett is obviously amazing. The woman is an icon.

The Life Aquatic incorporates minor CGI which adds so much to the film. The Life Aquatic is an adult comedy and deals with some fairly adult themes. The CGI adds a level of color, imagination and playfulness to the comedy. The ocean is fairly mysterious and scary, so to make colorful sea creatures relaxes the viewer. Furthermore, the colorful sea creatures add light to the growing darkness and complexity that is Zissou's life.

One of my all time favorite scenes in any movie is in The Life Aquatic. The scene where Zissou and company encounter the Jaguar Shark is just breathtaking. This has been Zissou's goal and he has just lost an important crew member, and before him, his family, friends, and rivals is this beautiful shark. With Sigur Ros playing in the background, Zissou realizes everything he's gained and lost throughout his latest voyage. Bill Murray absolutely nails it, he's able to contain himself while giving us the emotional stress of everything that has happened up to this point. Everything just comes together to make the perfect scene.

The script is quirky and the humor is dry, a typical Anderson script. But that's what makes Anderson a modern day auteur. He creates unique and challenging characters and puts them in difficult situations. And we the audience get to enjoy them reacting. The Life Aquatic is no different. Zissou and his crew of one-of-a-kind characters get into ridiculous situations, what with robbing Zissou's rival and getting attacked by pirates. The Life Aquatic fits perfectly in the Anderson library.


Paul Bettany in A Knight's Tale

I love A Knight's Tale and Paul Bettany is one of the biggest reasons. Playing real life author Geoffrey Chaucer, Bettany brings the laughs to A Knight's Tale. His banter with Alan Tudyk is hysterical and his nurturing relationship with Heath Ledger is heartwarming. Plus his showmanship skills are through the roof. Bettany adds so much to this cute comedy.




Netflix

Invictus-The only movie I wanted to see last fall/winter that I didn't get to see.
Vanilla Sky-I've heard mixed reviews of this one. Though I dislike Tom Cruise, I enjoy Cameron Crowe. Plus anything's better than Elizabethtown.
Daniel Deronda-Netflix Instant. Some BBC made for TV movie with Hugh Dancy.