Culture Surfing

WILD THINGS: Wes Anderson gives woodland beasts human hearts.

The title mammal of Fantastic Mr. Fox often punctuates his remarks with a jaunty little whistle-click-click combination, to emphasize his devil-may-care attitude. When his opossum sidekick asks about the habit, Mr. Fox replies, “That’s my trademark!” For a footloose rascal and self-described “wild animal,” Mr. Fox seems suspiciously image-conscious, as if he’s trying to live up to an ideal of himself.

The films of Wes Anderson, director of Fantastic Mr. Fox, contain more bells, whistles and trademarks than you could count on one paw. With his reasonably naturalistic debut, Bottle Rocket, Anderson established his fondness for deadpan comedy and the transcendent power of obscure 1960s and ’70s pop songs. Since then, his childhood-obsessed cinematic settings have become increasingly artificial, at once lovely and fussed-over, like intricate models or shop windows. Rather than break out of Andersonville and into the real world, the filmmaker burrows further into the fantasy realm with Fantastic Mr. Fox. Ironically, Anderson’s latest turns out to be his most heartfelt, human movie since Rushmore, despite its cast of woodland beasts.

Continue Reading “Fantastic Mr. Fox brings out the animal in Anderson”

(Photo Courtesy Fox Searchlight Pictures)

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TRANCE-PARENT STORYTELLING: Lyn Cassady (George Clooney, from left), Mahmud Daash (Waleed Zuaiter) and Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) in The Men Who Stare at Goats

The Men Who Stare at Goats begins with a wonderful disclaimer: “More of this is true than you would believe.” Most films use phrases like “Based on a true story” or “Inspired by actual events” as a fig leaf for outrageous liberties with little connection to reality. The real incidents behind The Men Who Stare at Goats indeed seem stranger than fiction, but the demands of formulaic three-act screenwriting sabotage the film’s mission.

Based on the book of the same name by Welsh journalist and documentarian Jon Ronson, the film completely reimagines Ronson as Michigan reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor). Personal crises inspire Wilton to attempt to cover the 2002 invasion of Iraq. While languishing in Kuwait City and envying the embedded war correspondents, Wilton meets Lyn Cassady (George Clooney). Cassady turns out to be a veteran of the U.S. Army’s First Earth Battalion, which attempted to train psychic soldiers.

Continue Reading “Too baaad Goats falls flat”

(Photo Courtesy Laura Macgruder/Westgate Film Services, LLC.)

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DOE EYED: Newcomer Goat mesmerizes audiences and actors alike in his latest film "The Men Who Stare at Goats."

Part PSA and part celeb gnash — be on the lookout for Goat. Goat (last name unknown) is creating buzz among the Hollywood heavyweights with the hilarious scene grabs from A-lister George Clooney in their latest film The Men Who Stare At Goats. While most would illustrate a prejudice toward Goat and his mild mannered ilk, Goat has swayed public opinion of his kind through sheer talent and an inhuman work ethic.

Recently Goat indulged the press with a series of one-on-one e-mail interviews to discuss the film and his newfound celebrity status. Goat fans can follow the actor’s exploits on his Twitter page. Direct messages to Goat via Twitter were unfortunately not returned prior to the interview. The Men Who Stare at Goats opens nationwide Fri., Nov. 6.

With such critical acclaim from your stage performance in Animal Farm, how was the experience for you to leap off the stage and work as an actor in your first feature film?
If I’m being honest the transition was not difficult at all. When you possess real talent, it doesn’t matter whether it’s on the stage, in a film or even in a barnyard somewhere. It’s really about having the ability to bring a character to life and bring joy to an audience. I am just so happy that with this film more people will be able to share in my talent and see what I was born to do.

Continue reading “Speakeasy with … Goat” »

(Photo courtesy Overture Films)

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