Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox

PLOT: An upwardly mobile fox (George Clooney), tiring of his quiet, uneventful life, hatches a plan to steal chickens, ducks, turkey and cider from three greedy farmers: Boggis, Bunce and Bean. His scheme backfires when the trio declares war on Mr. Fox putting his family and friends in danger. REVIEW: After experimenting with stop motion animation in THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU, director Wes Anderson has... Read More...

Fantastic Mr. Fox review (5/5) - Wes Anderson reaches new heights.

The new tools filmmaker Wes Anderson puts to use in his first animated film, a wonderful adaptation of Roald Dahl's 1970 children's book "Fantastic Mr. Fox" are miniature sets, hand-built models and stop-motion photography. The materials may be fresh to Anderson and appear somewhat revolutionary in the era of 3D digital animation from Pixar and DreamWorks. On the surface, "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is a quaint throwback to the stop-motion world of Gerry Anderson and his "Thunderbirds." What's fantastically fresh and irreverent are the ways Anderson and co-writer Noah Baumbach blend Dahl's magical storytelling with their American take on the English countryside and family themes drawn from past Anderson movies "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou." Finally, Anderson's childlike spirit finds the perfect canvas in "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and the result is a classic family adventure.

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An El Guapo Tribute: Bill Murray Is F*cking Awesome!

An El Guapo tribute: Bill Murray is fucking awesome. Is there a funnier, more talented comedic actor than Bill Murray? It's a tough one. This tribute was a toss up between Bill Murray and Chevy Chase, two comedians I really enjoy watching on screen. In the end, Bill Murray's dramatic work was the reason I chose him for this fucking awesome tribute. But don't worry Chevy. I still watch your movies religiously every year. Well, except for Snow Day. Bill Murray got his start with the improvisational comedy troupe Second City Chicago. He moved to New York City in 1974 and worked on The National Lampoon Radio Hour with John Belushi. Bill Murray rose to fame quickly when he replaced Chevy Chase on Saturday Night Live in January, 1977. Since Saturday Night Live, Bill Murray has gone from a wacky camp counselor in Meatballs to voicing Garfield. After Ghostbusters, he took time off from acting to study philosophy overseas before returning in 1988. Murray is an avid golfer, and even wrote a book called Cinderella Story: My Life in Golf. He's starred in some of the most iconic comedies ever made, from Caddyshack to Groundhog Day. So it's no surprise when anyone says, "Bill Murray is fucking awesome." In my latest actor tribute, let's take a look at some of the highlights of Bill Murray's cinematic career. This isn't a two parter, so I'll only be covering a few of his most popular movies. Apologies if I didn't get to your favorite Murray film. Meatballs (1979) Bill's first role was one of his nuttiest. As camp counselor Tripper Harrison, he did everything but counsel. Tripper was an insane nut and Murray was the perfect guy for the part, reminding kids of the fun, and sometimes torturous days, at summer camp. His improv skills in full effect, Murray began to plant the seeds for even stranger roles in the years to come. A comedy classic, Meatballs is just as much fun to watch today as it was back in 1979. Holy shit. I'm old. Caddyshack (1980) One of the greatest ensemble casts to ever come together in a comedy, Caddyshack boasted the talents of Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, and rounding things out, Bill Murray playing groundskeeper Carl Spackler. In one of his funniest roles, and with a voice that's to this day, being imitated by some asshole on a golf course as I write this, Bill Murray didn't have to worry about sharing a lot of screen time with his co-stars, relying on his ad libbing and comedic timing to carry him through some of the funniest scenes ever seen in a sports movie. Like so. Stripes (1981) Bill finished his trilogy of early misfit roles with Stripes, also starring Harold Ramis (His Ghostbusting buddy) and the late, great, John Candy. Bill plays slacker John Winger, who just got dumped by his girlfriend and decides to join the Army with his buddy Russell. Of course, the Army wasn't expecting a guy like Winger to come along. Hijinks ensue when they go from a mud wrestling bar, to an impromptu graduation drill, to rescuing his platoon in Czechoslovakia, Stripes made us drop and laugh 20. Ghostbusters (1984) Ghostbusters was an enormous cultural hit that to this day, is still one of the most popular movies amongst 80's cine-geeks. Bill Murray heads up a team of ghost busting scientists who have to rescue New York City from an impending spirit invasion. Bill once again stole the show in this and in the 1989 sequel, Ghostbusters II, without even trying. With news of a Ghostbusters 3 on the way, fans are still clamoring for more of Dr. Peter Venkman. Try and catch this on TV or regular DVD, because the Blu-Ray version was a visual train wreck. Who ya gonna call? Scrooged (1988) Scrooged is one of my favorite holiday films and I try and watch it every holiday season. Unfortunately, it never seems to be on TV as often as that one about that kid who wants to shoot his eye out. Frank Cross is one of the youngest TV execs in the business, but he's also its biggest asshole, who learns to give after being visited by 3 ghosts. Richard Donner directed this modern day remake of A Christmas Carol and only Bill Murray had the comedic chops to breath new life into the story. Playing a jerk is actually a role Bill excels in on screen. And everytime he does it, you love to hate him. Groundhog Day (1993) Ranked #34 on AFI's list of 100 Funniest Movies, #32 on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies list, #27 on The Writers' Guild of America's Top 101 Greatest Screenplays and the #8 fantasy film in AFI's 10 Top 10, Groundhog Day is one of the funniest comedies ever made. And could have been as great without Bill Murray? Hell no. Who you kiddin'? Weatherman Phil Connors is a self centered egotistical jerk, sent on assignment to cover the Groundhog Day festivities in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Fed up with doing such a dumb report, and wanting to leave early, Phil ends up getting stuck in town when a blizzard arrives. The next morning, he discovers he reliving the same day. He thinks it to be a fluke until he realizes that he's continuously waking up on February 2nd, reliving Groundhog Day. He learns over time, (around 10 years) what it takes to focus on others instead of himself when he tries to win  over the affections of his producer Rita (Andy MacDowell). There are just too many classic scenes in this movie to pick just one.Independent research has shown that if you don't like the movie Groundhog Day, you are a serious fucking asshole. Kingpin (1996) I love Kingpin. Not because it's about bowling, which I love to do, but because Bill Murray steals this movie as the egotistical Ernie McCracken, a professional bowler who lost a match to a really young Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson). Ernie and Roy meet once again at the end, bowling for a prize of $1 million dollars and it's Bill Murray's performance that generates the biggest laughs. Skip this clip if you haven't seen Kingpin since it's the end of the movie. Actually, watch it anyway. It has Bill Murray in it. You know the hair had to be his idea... Rushmore (1998) After farting around with elephants and taking a stab as a man who knew too little, Murray starred in Wes Anderson's Rushmore, the story of Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) an eccentric young student who forms a relationship with industrialist Herman Blume (Bill Murray). Max has a crush on new teacher Rosemary Cross, who tells Max they can only be friends. Max later learns that Rosemary is seeing Henry, setting off a war between the two former friends.This was Murray's first acclaimed gig into independent cinema, and would be the first of five films he would work on with Wes Anderson. Bill was named Best Supporting Actor by the New York Film Critics, The Los Angeles Film Critics Association and The National Society of Film Critics. He also won The Independent Spirit, Lone Star Film & Television and Golden Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor and was nominated for a Golden Globe. Pimp. Lost in Translation (2003) Despite the Academy royally fucking over Bill Murray's Oscar nominated performance by giving it to Sean Penn for his face palming overacting in Mystic River ("IS THAT MY DAUGHTER IN THERE!?!? Blarrgghhnnwaffle!!!"), we all know it's Bill who should have the 8.5 pound Oscar sitting on his mantle. Bill played Bob Harris, an actor sent to Japan to do a Suntory whiskey commercial. Unhappy in his marriage, he becomes friends with Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a young bride who is also unhappy in her new marriage. Charlotte is in Japan travelling with her husband who is out on a photography assignment. Bob and Charlotte, despite their age difference, explore Tokyo together until the day they have to say goodbye to each other. It's not a movie about romance because the two never hook up, but about how two strangers form a sweet and emotional friendship. It's one of my favorite movies. Shoot, I still watch it on HD-DVD. Hopefully a Blu-Ray release is on the horizon. Bill would continue to earn acclaim in independent films like 2004's The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou and Broken Flowers, while still making big films like Get Smart, City of Ember and voicing Garfield. Bill is currently slated to reprise his role as Dr. Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters 3, having warmed up for the part by voicing the character in the recently released Ghostbusters video game.He's next slated to star in The Fantastic Mr. Fox, another Wes Anderson film, and is also rumored to be playing a zombie in the upcoming horror comedy, Zombieland. Bill Murray is someone who has made millions of people laugh throughout his career. He's had his own personal ups and downs, but always gave wonderful, and often times crazy, performances in each one of his movies and skits. I hope you enjoyed this small tribute to one of the greatest comedic actors of our generation. Bill Murray, you are fucking awesome.Comment below on how fucking awesome Bill Murray is or e-mail: george@latinoreview.com Only the Murray elite can: Miss my fucking awesome tribute to Kevin Costner? Click HERE to read Part 1 and HERE for Part 2. Miss my fucking awesome tribute to Kurt Russell? Click HERE to read Part 1 and HERE for Part 2. Source: El Guapo's tiny brain

Wes Andersons Fantastic Mr. Fox Trailer

They’ve finally released the trailer for Fantastic Mr. Fox, director Wes Anderson’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic story, and Anderson’s first full foray into stop-motion animation.  Previously, his film The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou featured a bit of stop-motion work. Anyway, I just watched the trailer and I have to say that I’m not blown away [...]

Images from Wes Andersons The Fantastic Mr. Fox

It’s rare that I get excited for animated films not made by Pixar, but this is a film I’ve been following for quite a while now. THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX, based on the beloved classic children’s book, is a new stop-motion animated film from director Wes Anderson. First of all, yes… it’s still totally cool for a filmmaker to make a claymation movie in a digital age. Second, it’s being made by this filmmaker, previously responsible for BOTTLE ROCKETS, RUSHMORE, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS and THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU. Isn’t that enough? If not, here are some great new…

Three join Ben Stiller in "Greenberg" dramedy. Ifans, Larson, Temple in the Baumbach comedy.

Three join Ben Stiller in "Greenberg" dramedy. Ifans, Larson, Temple in the Baumbach comedy.

Ben Stiller Joins Baumbachs Greenburg

Ben Stiller has signed on to star in Greenburg, replacing Mark Ruffalo in the comedy-drama written and directed by Noah Baumbach. Stillers Night at the Museum 2 co-star Amy Adams was set to star opposite Ruffalo, but according to the trades she has also left the project. Talks are now being held with a number of other actresses. Official plot details are still being kept under wraps but the film is expected to center on the intimacies of relationships in the manner of Baumbach's other films. Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men, There Will be Blood) is producing. Baumbach previously wrote and directed Margot at the Wedding and The Squid and the Whale. He also co-wrote The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and the upcoming The Fantastic Mr. Fox with Wes Anderson. Greenburg is being shopped to several specialty divisions, with Focus Features one of the companies discussing a potential financing and distribution role.