Personally, I think if you love RT, you will adore Rushmore. I can't decide which I like better. And both feature the very talented Bill Murray.

Spoken like a true J6P.

Sorry PTA couldn't stick to standard Hollywood formulas and tie everything up into a nice tidy package for you.

You don't have to be "J6P" to dislike "Magnolia."


Anderson's three hours was bloated, yet there were so many characters that the audience didn't have time to connect with any of them.

The "Save Me" sequence didn't do anything, except remind the audience that the characters were merely narrative devices, in case their one-dimensional nature was not sufficient evidence.

The opening was silly, and the rain of frogs made no sense. It has no metaphorical significance that I could figure out. It is apparently supposed to illustrate the power of strange coincidence to affect people's lives, but the implementation is flawed to say the least.

Guy Ritchie's films do the subject matter more effectively and entertainingly, and with less of the melodrama and "high art" veneer.

Ebert thought the film was "operatic," but I merely found it narcissistic.

Incidentally, Kevin Smith loathes it as well.

well the real overrated anderson.... Paul anderson... Resident evil =

Oooh kevin smith loathes a film that is directed well. Surprise Surprise!

:P

Nobody rates him highly.

I disagree with you, I like all of his work so far. I am looking forward to see any of his future work as well. He is a young and creative individual. Cheers Wes Anderson, if you ever read this.

I think both are good, but hey, both have different directions. If it was a kevin smith movie, I'm sure Tom cruise would be outside in public talking to random people about the cock instead of on a tv ad.

I hated both Bottle Rocket and Rushmore, Anderson is the most over rated director since Tarantino imo

This was going to be my post.

I like offbeat things, and Wes Anderson is one of my favorite directors right now. I don't think you are necessarily a coke-swillinggorging J6P if you dislike his movies, but I think most that fit that description do. It's the same reason people listen to Creed and go see "Triple X."

He's not getting huge budgets for his films either. So, I wouldn't call him overrated.

But then I liked Tenenbaums. Plus I think it's the kind of movie that grows on people.

Now if you wanted to pick on Anderson's Tanenbaums commentary - yikes

Seemed like all he did was talk about set decoration

Better than the Rushmore commentary.

"Hi. I'm Wes Anderson, here's the story on this scene." "Hi, I'm Owen Wilson, recorded separately from Wes, here's the same story Wes just told but I don't know he just told it." "Hi, I'm Jason Schwartzman, adding nothing of value." Repeat until the film ends. Blech.

He's definitely overrated by most of us film geeks on sites like this

not much to add to the discussion, but so far, i haven't gotten into his films much...

seems like they are quirky for the sake of being quirky. i did like Rushmore a bit more than RT though.

The opening and the rain of frogs made perfect sense.

PTA implemented coincidence realistically, he knew it didn't have to be 100% neat and tidy... just like reality.

Are we supposed to respect the opinion of a director who bases his recent films around dick and fart jokes?
Maybe Smith should concentrate on coming to terms with his own sexuality... because for someone who's supposed to be straight - he sure obsesses alot about gay sex.

I would say that while I am not bowled over by Anderson's movies, he has gotten progressively better. I am a huge Owen Wilson fan, I did not like Bottle Rocket at all, thought it was pretty pathetic from a believablility standpoint. Rushmore was better, but I didn't care for the lead character. I did enjoy the ensemble cast in Tennenbaums especially Gene Hackman. Can someone explain to me what the appeal is of Anderson, his films, his directing, the characters and their stories that warrants great acclaim?

wow, you said it, so it must be true.

Oh Paaa-leeeeze!!! He's not even in the same cosmos as Woody.

True enough. Woody lives in his own little universe, totally isolated from the rest of humanity.

Really. You don't have to Beg.

I think you have to be rated quite a bit first to be over-rated, so I would say not he is not over-rated...

That said, I like Rushmore, but didn't care much at all for Bottle Rocket or Tennenbaums.

It's hard to go wrong with a cast like that of Tennenbaums, but it was pretty much 'blah' to me...

Time will tell, it's still early.

As Kent Brockman would say, here's my 2 cents:

I love RT, and think it gets better with each viewing. In fact, I think Wes Anderson has gotten better with each film he's done - can't wait for the next one!

I also think the other Anderson (P.T.) has gotten better with each film - can't wait for "Punck-Drunk Love", just saw the trailer yesterday.

ScandalUMD, I assume you meant the "Wise Up" sequence, since "Save Me" was played at the end and into the credits. I thought the "Wise Up" sequence was ambitious and worked brilliantly, and the "rain" was perfect, unexpected, and hilarious.

Oh yeah, I also like Kevin Smith's stuff. In fact, I like all kinds of different films - imagine that!

You know, it's ok to have an opinion on a movie, but you make it sound in this post like your opinion is the opinion everybody should have about this film.

And if you want to talk overrated, let's talk about Guy Ritchie and Kevin Smith, two directors you seem to champion in your post. Ritchie has made the same movie twice more or less and even though I liked Snatch ok, I fail to see what the big deal is about him. Ditto Smith. I like Kevin Smith's movies and own them all, but if anybody is overrated around here it is Smith because many of the film geeks here would gladly literally kiss Smith's buttocks.

But that's just my opinion. And my other opinion is Magnolia was a great movie and it comes back to me all the time. I didn't find the characters "one-dimensional" or the movie "bloated." I connected with the characters and thought it was beautifully acted and directed.

A film that isn't mainstream but has the potential for being a truly beloved film by those that appreciate great cinema? I instantly hate it!

My poor attempt at a Groucho post.

I'd have to say I fall in the category of folks who don't really care either way about Wes Anderson (or Kevin Smith) movies. I can only describe Rushmore and RT as "pointless rambling"...which is exactly what I need sometimes. I only lasted about 50 minutes into Bottle Rocket before having to turn that one off. Just couldn't get into it. When I say I'm more from the Paul Verhoeven (action/sci-fi/gore/sex/violence) school of cinema-goers, that may explain some of it. Mr. Anderson will be happy to know, however, that I am proud to have Rushmore and RT sitting next to my other Criterions. Chasing Amy is there, too, but I haven't forced myself to watch it yet.