Criterion Year Week 11: Rushmore

The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

Week 11:

Rushmore

Spine Number: 65

Director: Wes Anderson

Genre: Comedy

Few directors come out as fully formed as Wes Anderson. From the beginning it was clear what kind of filmmaker he was going to be. Quirky, yes, but not in an off putting way. Funny, but with a big heart and a lot of love for his characters. Visually distinctive, but with a style firmly rooted in his influences (Harold and Maude, we are looking at you). Unique characters who are completely believable as part of the world they inhabit.

His first film, Bottle Rocket (which we will be watching for this series eventually), was a statement but Rushmore was the absolute distillation of what he was all about. Max Fischer, Herman Blume, Rosemary Cross, Bert Fisher, Dr. Nelson Guggenheim, Dirk Callaway, Margaret Yang, Magnus Buchan, Ronnie and Donnie Blume and the rest are all very real, fully formed people who make this unique world the rich and engaging place that it is. This is a warm, funny, imminently re-watchable movie that leaves you feeling better than you did when it started, which is a rare achievement. So, join us as we talk Rushmore, one of the best movies of the past 20 years.

Next week:

Spine Number 75: Chasing Amy

Also, check this out.

http://fantasymovieleague.com/
Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League.
It looks quite fun. Here's how it works.
You have an 8 screen theater.
Every week you pick movies and have a budget/salary cap you have to stay under.
Then you compete against other theaters in your league.
It's fantasy football for movie people.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

And remember, you can be a part of the show any time you wild like. How's that? All you have to do is call or e-mail us. If you live in the US, or any place that makes calling the US easy, just dial 512-666-RANT and leave us a voicemail. We will read the Google Voice transcript and play your message. It's both funny AND informative.

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E-mail us at thefilmthugs@gmail.com and we will read/play whatever you send us, or you can e-mail thugquestions@gmail.com to be part of  an upcoming "Ask the Film Thugs" show, where we answer questions on any subject without having heard them first.

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Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.

Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Jim out.