Author: Jessa Hay

Hanover Theatre and Conservatory 2025-2026 Broadway Series

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My most recent post on the new theater season focused on shows coming to the Boston Theater District.  However, there are many great theaters surrounding the Boston area that also have Broadway-caliber performances that stop by.  The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory in Worcester, Massachusetts has become one of my new favorite places to watch live theater and their new season lineup was just announced.  Here is what is coming for their 2025-2026 Broadway Series.

1. Six

What It’s About: From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the six wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st century girl power!

Why I Want to See It: This is one show I was lucky to see when it came to Boston last December and with its relatively quick runtime and catchy songs that are fun to bop to, I cannot wait to see this again!

Playing at the Hanover Theatre: October 14th-19th 2025

2. Chicago

What It’s About: In the whirlwind of Chicago’s Jazz Age, two of the Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses, vaudeville star Velma Kelly and chorus girl Roxie Hart, become fierce rivals as they compete for headlines amidst a media frenzy.

Why I Want to See It: Another show I’ve seen in Boston in recent years, Chicago is such a timeless classic it’s no wonder it’s still running on Broadway.  The songs transport me back to the 20s and I love petty women, so it’ll be fun to see this show again.

Playing at the Hanover Theatre: January 9th-11th 2026

3. STOMP

What It’s About: The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.

Why I Want to See It: I was introduced to STOMP in either an elementary or middle school music class where we watched one of their performances and then used untraditional instruments to create our own songs.  The fact that that memory still sticks out to me just tells you how integral it was to my music education.  While not a traditional Broadway musical, it’s a spectacle of theater that I am still intrigued by.

Playing at the Hanover Theatre: February 20th-22nd 2026

4. The Music Man

What It’s About: Meredith Willson’s six-time Tony Award winning musical comedy The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef.

Why I Want to See It: There is so much to love about this classic tale of conning and falling in love.  I have yet to see this put on at a professional level, but if Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster have taught us anything, it’s that people will come to see Harold Hill.  This is the show I am probably the most excited to see.

Playing at the Hanover Theatre: May 15th-17th 2026.

 

The Hanover Theatre will also have a fifth show for their annual Broadway Series, however that will be kept a surprise until its announcement on September 22nd, 2025.  It is said to be a classic, family-friendly comedy.

 

Even though I am familiar with a lot of these shows, I am still excited to get the opportunity to see them again.  New actors and sets could be coming, or even just the chance to revisit the material.  Sometimes you may only get one chance to see a live show but now I have the opportunity to see them at least one more time.

Broadway in Boston 2025-2026 Preview

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About a month ago, Broadway in Boston announced the shows that would be coming to Beantown for the 2025-2026 season.  Since getting back into live theater, I was counting down the days until this announcement was made.  This past season of shows was amazing, ranging from & Juliet, Mamma Mia and Funny Girl, but I think this new slate of shows has me even more excited.  Here are all of the shows coming to Boston and why I’m excited to see them.

1. Mrs. Doubtfire

What It’s About: Based on the beloved film and directed by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, Mrs. Doubtfire tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids.

Why I Want to See It: As a fan of the movie, I am curious to see how it not only translates to the stage but adding musical numbers to it as well.  While I have heard mixed reviews, I am still excited to see a genuine comedy musical.

Playing in Boston: September 9th – 21st 2025 at the Emerson Colonial Theatre

2. Hamilton

What It’s About: Hamilton is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love and a legacy that would shape the course of the nation.

Why I Want to See It: I was someone who was Hamilton-pilled in 2016 and 2017.  I memorized all of the songs, read the biography it was based on, and entered the lottery every day for nearly two years (and never won).  I was able to catch the proshot on Disney+, but I have yet to see it in person.  I am frothing at the mouth waiting until the show comes up here to New England.

Playing in Boston: September 23rd – November 2nd 2025 at the Citizens Opera House

3. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

What It’s About: When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable journey for them all – with the power to change the past and future forever.

Why I Want to See It: As a Harry Potter fan, I was excited to see the universe expand since this was at a time when there would be no more new books or films.  Then I heard about the story and I became less excited.  The fact that it went against so many beautiful aspects the original story gave us, it was heartbreaking to read fan reactions to it.  That being said, I have heard nothing but fabulous things about the performances and the magical effects on stage, so even if the story is bad, I cannot wait for everything that lies in store effects-wise.

Playing in Boston: November 9th – December 20th 2025 at the Emerson Colonial Theatre

4. The Sound of Music

What It’s About: Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family will captivate audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience, and the power of music.

Why I Want to See It: The Sound of Music is such a classic film, who wouldn’t want to see it on stage?  Similar to Mrs. Doubtfire, because I adore the film so much it makes me want to see the show even more.  With songs that hit perfectly on my eardrums, I look forward to entering Austria and seeing what the stage is capable of.

Playing in Boston: January 6th – 18th 2026 at the Citizens Opera House

5. Some Like it Hot

What It’s About: Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, Some Like it Hot is the “glorious, big, high-kicking” (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit.

Why I Want to See It: Another screen to stage adaptation of a film that I love.  I remember seeing this film at a sleepover when I was either in middle school or high school and just thinking about how it was one of the funniest things I had ever seen.  It was also my first time watching a film with the amazing talent that is Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.  If the musical is as entertaining as its film counterpart, this is going to be a show made for me.

Playing in Boston: January 28th – February 8th 2026 at the Citizens Opera House

6. Kinky Boots

What It’s About: Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan.

Why I Want to See It: Kinky Boots is one of those shows that feels like it has been around forever because of how memorable it is.  While I am familiar with the songs, I am not as familiar with the story of how the show is all put together.  It has been something I’ve wanted to research into and get the whole plot for, but now that it’s coming to Boston I am not going to spoil myself.

Playing in Boston: February 17th – 22nd 2026 at the Citizens Opera House

7. Suffs

What It’s About: Direct from Broadway comes the acclaimed Tony Award-winning musical Suffs about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote.

Why I Want to See It: Not only did this musical make Tonys history last year when its creator, Shaina Taub, was the first woman ever to independently win for Best Book and Best Score for a musical, I just love historical musicals.  One of my personal favorites from this current season has been Parade and if this is anything like that, I am going to be having a good time.

Playing in Boston: March 17th – 29th 2026 at the Emerson Colonial Theatre

8. The Outsiders

What It’s About: In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs.

Why I Want to See It: I wasn’t really interested in this musical when it was first announced on Broadway, but after I saw their performance at the Tony Awards last year, it flew to the top of my list.  The fact that it is coming on tour so quickly while still on Broadway just shows how much people want to see it.  I am sold and counting down the days until it comes to Boston.

Playing in Boston: March 31st – April 12th 2026 at the Citizen Opera House

9. Beauty and the Beast

What It’s About: Be Our Guest at Disney’s 30th Anniversary production of Beauty and the Beast, the breathtaking musical filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love.

Why I Want to See It: Beauty and the Beast was one of the first Disney animated films that made its way to the Broadway stage and was able to expand upon the original material.  It was a breathtaking film in the 90s and I am excited to see how breathtaking it will be on stage.

Playing in Boston: April 14th – May 2nd 2026 at the Citizens Opera House

10. Les Misérables

What It’s About: Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit.

Why I Want to See It: Now, I have actually already seen Les Misérables twice: on Broadway and here in Boston and both have been amazing productions.  I would gladly see it again because it gives me goosebumps every single time.

Playing in Boston: June 9th – 21st 2026 at the Citizens Opera House

11. The Great Gatsby

What It’s About: Based on the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Tony Award-winning new musical is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth, and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on stage.

Why I Want to See It: This is another show I was lucky enough to see on Broadway earlier this year, so I am curious to see how it will translate to a touring production, as it is pretty big and bombastic.  This has the chance to be the biggest production that comes to Boston this season.

Playing in Boston: July 7th – 19th 2026 at the Citizens Opera House

12. Moulin Rouge! The Musical

What It’s About: Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory!  A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment.

Why I Want to See It: Jukebox musicals can be hit or miss depending solely on how the music and story mix together.  I have heard nothing but extravagant things about the musical, so while I am skeptical, I am ready for a majestic time at the theater.

Playing in Boston: July 28th – August 2nd 2026 at the Citizens Opera House

This upcoming season is full of Broadway classics, new shows and a whole lot of blockbusters.  I am excited for all of the productions – even the ones I have seen before – because one theater experience is always different from another.  Being in the theater is magical and I can’t wait to undergo it twelve times next year. 

“The Cher Show” National Tour Review

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This season of touring Broadway shows at my local theater has been full of wonderfully entertaining musical biopics.  The last three of four productions fall under this genre of musical theater.  While it is fun to see these figures of the music industry brought to life through their stories of trials and tribulations, after a while they begin to follow the same formula.

The Cher Show follows the life of Cher.  Because she had a full career over many decades, instead of having the same actress play the singular character, three women take on the role of the icon.  All of these women speak to each other throughout the show, helping us understand what was going through the mind of Cher better.  The biggest hits from the artist at all moments of her life are featured in this jukebox musical that make for some amazing dance sequences, heartbreaking audition scenes and fun for anyone vaguely familiar with her songs.

The issue that comes up a lot for me with musical biopics is the story.  It seems to get lost in favor of squeezing in as many songs as possible.  We get the highlights of their lives without diving deeper into the nitty gritty aspects that come along with fame.  This seems to be the standard format to follow, making the plot slightly stale as you can expect what is going to happen next.  I was not too familiar with Cher’s rise to fame, but I figured out how it was going to play out based on shows I have seen in the past.  However, there is a twist that makes the story more compelling to follow — having three actresses play Cher.

Morgan Scott, Catherine Ariale, and Ella Perez are the embodiment of Cher, nailing everything about her from her iconic voice to her star-powered personality.  Scott plays Star (present-day Cher) and every time she is on stage I thought the real Cher had joined us for a song.  This is the version of Cher I am most familiar with; I would have believed I was at a Cher concert because of how perfectly Scott is in this role.  Ariale as Lady (middle Cher) makes herself known with her standout voice and perfect comedic timing.  Finally, Perez is Babe (young Cher), a timid young girl just trying to make it big doing what she loves most, sticking up for herself along the way.  This is the second time each of these ladies are playing their respective roles on the National Tour and it is no surprise they were asked to continue.  It is hard to pick which one is my favorite because they are each so unique with their performances even though they are all playing the same person.

The Cher ladies are supported by one of the most energetic casts, which is perfect to help tell the story of Cher.  Frankie Marasa 5th as Sonny Bono is one that comes to mind instantly.  All I knew about Sonny was that he sang songs with Cher under the “Sonny and Cher” name.  I had no idea about their comedy act, his abusive tendencies, or how her ran for political office later in his career.  Marasa is another example of how perfect he was in this role.  After the show, I looked up videos of Sonny and Cher and could not tell the difference between the two Sonnys.  The ensemble is also a standout part of the show.  They bring their all to the stage in dance sequences that are permanently etched into my brain while adding to the comedic bits that elevate the show to another level.  If there was no ensemble numbers, there would not have been a show.

While there is nothing too unique about the sets and production design — with screens and simple pieces being brought on and off stage — the costumes are there to pick up the pieces.  Everything worn on Cher to the ensemble is a work of art that deserves all of the praise.  There are pieces that are so vibrant I should have been wearing sunglasses, some that leave little to the imagination, and simple outfits that mirror the tender moments Cher is going through.  The costumes are always perfectly matching the emotions being portrayed on stage.  What characters wear has a bigger impact on the story than we may think, and without these stunning designs, we would have had a much different show.

I would recommend checking out The Cher Show if it comes to a theater near you.  While the story follows a formula that has been done before, the performances draped in beautiful costumes will have your eyes glued to the stage, and you will drive home singing all of the hits from this wonderful, decades-impacting artist.

Theater: The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory (Worcester, MA)

Original Broadway Production Tony Nominations and Wins: Best Actress in a Musical (Stephanie J. Block); Best Costume Design of a Musical (Bob Mackie); Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Kevin Adams) 

“Flow” Movie Review

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Independent animation is an art form that has been thriving in recent years.  As major studios continue to release their sequels, new stories are being not just sought after, but recognized globally by audiences and critics.  Flow is the independent animation darling of 2024 and deservedly so.  This Latvian film that follows a group of misplaced animals will tug at the heartstrings of anyone who watches it, even though a single word is not spoken the entire time.

After a flood completely washes out their forest home, a cat searches for any means of survival, despite hating and fearing the very thing that is rising around them.  When all hope seems lost as the water continues to rise, the cat finds a boat captained by a capybara and joins them on their quest to live.  Along the way, they pick up fellow stragglers who, like them, are just trying to survive.  Together with a lemur, golden retriever and secretarybird, our found family try to find their way back to normalcy once — if ever — the storm clears.

While every creature gets their chance to shine, our main protagonist is the cat.  We follow their journey of survival as the flood devastates the place that they call home.  Most cats also have a natural hatred for water, making their fur heavier and becoming less agile from predator as a result.  Nothing the cat has done has caused this destruction, but now they have to deal with these changes.  Throughout the journey, we see the cat grow as a character to learn how tot work on facing their fear while contributing to aid their fellow travelers.  It is so easy to find yourself as this cat, connecting their journey to one you have taken in life.  Without uttering one word of human speech, this cat becomes the perfect beacon of hope.  Following any of the other animals would have created a completely different story.

The cat isn’t our only animal searching for an escape from the flood.  Each of the four other animals represent the different ways people react to natural disasters.  Before the flood takes place, we meet a golden retriever terrorizing our protagonist in the classic ways dogs and cats interact.  This playful pup represents the people who take the first option presented to them, without thinking how it could impact themselves or what is best for the group.  Then we have the capybara, our carefree animal who just wants to survive without overly panicking.  A lemur is picked up by our crew but they do not want to leave their prized possessions behind.  While it may seem unadvisable to worry about material things in an emergency situation, there are plenty of people who store precious memories within those physical objects and it is important to take a few as you are leaving your situation.  Finally, we have the secretarybird representing the people who put their own lives at risk just to help their neighbor.  There are consequences to the secretarybird helping the cat that result in some pretty sad story moments, mirroring how sometimes people lose their lives helping others in need.  Everyone on the boat is there for the same reason, but how they react to it is how they are developed as characters.  They don’t need to say anything and yet you realize how similar these animals are to us.

The animation of the film can only be described as stunning.  Every frame could be pulled out and displayed as a painting.  You are immediately pulled in and captivated as if you are watching someone paint on a canvas in front of you.  There is a realistic feel to the film, but it is not too overbearing where it feels as though you have fallen into the uncanny valley.  A fantasy world is built around you, and it is this painting-style of animation that is able to so easily put you into this magical story.

Beautiful animation mixed with a story everyone can connect to, Flow is a masterpiece.  There is no shortage of fun and whimsy while taking you on a journey where the outcome may be unknown from moment to moment.  I am so happy it has been recognized for how wonderful of a film it is and all of the love is much deserved.

Where to Stream: Max

Oscar Nominations: Best International Feature Film; Best Animated Feature Film

Book Subscription Box Selections — October 2024

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So, as you can tell, I have taken a little break from making any posts recently.  But with the seasons changing outside and the fall weather creeping in, why not make a comeback by talking about one of my favorite things – getting a new book every month!

 

I have loved being a member of Book of the Month and Aardvark Book Club over the last few years, as I have rediscovered a love for reading and get the satisfaction of getting two new books every month.  I am not a huge book-buying person, so opening up these beautiful boxes every month is the perfect thing to scratch that itch instead of spending way too much money at Barnes and Noble (which I do every now and then anyway).

 

Let’s take a look at this month’s selections!

The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke

Genre: Gothic Fiction

Short Blurb: A mysterious hiking accident kicks off this spooky tale of witchcraft, revenge, and a mother’s search for answers.

The Wild Huntress by Emily Llyod-Jones

Genre: Young Adult

Short Blurb: Enter an enchanting, monster-filled forest and join the deadly hunt in this stunning tale invoking Welsh mythology.

Dearest by Jacquie Walters

Genre: Horror

Short Blurb: Voices on the baby monitor, animated toys, creepy crawlers – motherhood’s hard, but has never been quite this horrifying.

The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden

Genre: Thriller

Short Blurb: After a dating losing streak, she thinks she’s found Mr. Right.  But is he a dream come true or a nightmare in disguise?

The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Short Blurb: In this seductive tale of rival assassins and thieves, a desire for revenge might just ignite a dangerous romance.

When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Short Blurb: The Fall siblings live in hot Northern California wine country, where the sun pours out of the sky, and the devil winds blow so hard they whip the sense right out of your head.

The Lightning Bottle by Marissa Stapley

Genre: Thriller

Short Blurb: A love letter to rock ‘n’ roll and star-crossed love, we follow Jane Pyre’s road trip around Europe as she attempts to find out what really happened to her partner in love and music, who disappeared without a trace years earlier, leaving Jane to pick up the pieces.

This Cursed House by Del Sandeen

Genre: Horror

Short Blurb: In this Southern gothic debut, a young Black woman abandons her life in 1960s Chicago for a position with a mysterious family in New Orleans, only to discover the dark truth – they’re under a curse, and they think she can break it.

 

My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine

Genre: Romance

Short Blurb: Nothing sucks more than fake dating a vampire in this paranormal romantic comedy.

Where I End by Sophie White

Genre: Horror

Short Blurb: Aoileann desperately wants a family, and when Sarah and her three young children move to the island, Aoileann finds a focus for her relentless love.

The City in Glass by Nghi Vo

Genre: Fantasy

Short Blurb: The demon Vitrine loves the dazzling city of Azril.  She has mothered, married, and maddened the city and its people for generations, and built it into a place of joy and desire, revelry and riot.  And then angels come, and the city falls.

Let me know which books you are thinking about picking up from these subscription boxes!

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” Movie Review

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General Information

Directed by – Wes Ball

Written by – Josh Friedman

Release Year – 2024

Starring – Owen Teague (Noa), Freya Allen (Mae), Kevin Durand (Proximus), Peter Macon (Raka), Eka Darville (Slyva), and William H. Macy (Trevathan)

Synopsis – 300 years after the reign of Caesar, Noa is determined to fight for his clan alongside a human he is surprised is more evolved than previously believed.

 

Review

Now, I have to admit, I was never interested in any of the Planet of the Apes movies until I saw the trailer for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.  I just thought they were silly monkey movies with obnoxiously long titles.  It was my boyfriend that said they were actually pretty good films.  So we indulged in watching the trilogy and man were my original thoughts wrong.  I fell in love with these films – how they were able to tell such human stories while not being told by humans.  We start with humans being the main characters, but as the trilogy continues, the apes take center stage.  By the conclusion of this story arc, the apes have taken over with their leader, Caesar, passing away.  While this was a perfect and beautiful ending to these impressive films, I was excited to see how this next group of movies would take the story, and it is already off to a strong start.

 

Generations after Caesar’s passing, apes are the dominant species with humans believed to be mostly gone with those remaining being feral.  This film follows its new protagonist, Noa (Owen Teague), a young ape who is a part of a clan that raises eagles.  They are a generally peaceful group of apes that keep to themselves.  As soon as the film starts, its visuals stand out.  Since these movies first released in 2011, how realistic the apes look has always been a standout.  With some special effects trying to be so realistic that they come off looking more fake, it is so nice to see a studio and artists who put dedication into making sure the film looks as stunning as it does.  And with this film specifically, most of the human buildings and creations have been overgrown, so there are so many beautiful landscapes of jungles and beaches that take over the world.  How stunning everything looks is reason enough to check out this film.

As part of his clan’s coming-of-age ceremony, Noa and his friends, Soona (Lydia Peckham) and Anaya (Travis Jeffery), have to collect eagle eggs and keep them safe until the ceremony.  After the collection, Noa notices a human scavenger has invaded his clan to steal things and he tries to catch them.  In their scuffle, Noa’s egg breaks and unless he gets a new one before the ceremony, he will have to wait a whole year to get his eagle.  Noa decides to sneak out at night to get a new egg, but as he does that, he runs into another clan of apes who like to raid other ape clans.  These apes claim to do damage in the name of Caesar and travel to Noa’s clan to destroy it and kidnap his people.  When I heard them mention Caesar’s name after their killing and destruction, I audibly gasped in the theater.  It just came as a shock to me because after falling in love with Caesar, I knew this is not what he would have wanted.  While I think that Caesar and his legacy should stay within the original three movies, I did not mind that his ideas are still a driving factor for the war-hungry apes is a great way to transition to this new world we are exploring.

 Noa, having survived the massacre and capture of his clan, seeks revenge and wants to bring them home.  His journey takes him all over the beautiful landscapes the apes have created over the last 300 years.  Along his trek, he runs into two individuals that would impact major aspects of his actions for the rest of the film; Raka (Peter Macon) who teaches about what Caesar’s word really meant and Mae (Freya Allen), the human scavenger who ends up not being as feral as originally believed who is also seeking the same clan as Noa.  Together, they will venture in hopes to take down King Proximus (Kevin Durand) and save the clan.  One of the most interesting components of this trio is how much Raka seems to do in the name of Caesar just like Porximus’ clan.  But both have a completely different interpretation of what he stood for.  A lot of figures in history have had their works dissected for centuries, but we will never know what the true meanings of their works are as we can never talk to them.  We can assume, but in the end, interpretation is up to the individual.  Both Proximus and Raka follow the words of Caesar but in two extremely different ways.

Just like the previous installments, there are so many appealing aspects to this world.  The first, Rise of the Planet of the Apes had a great story that set up the premise for what would become this reboot franchise while the second and third, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes, respectively, had masterful direction to tell the rest of Caesar’s story.  All three together make for one of the strongest film trilogies ever created.  Rumors have it that there will be a total of nine movies in this fresh take on the original story broken up into three trilogies similar to the Star Wars franchise.  If that is true, this has the potential to be one of the strongest franchises of all time that deserves its flowers.

One of the most frustrating things about these movies – along with others that focus heavily on motion-capture technology – is that the actors never seem to get as much praise as the actors never seem to get as much praise as the “human” actors. Owen Teague as Noa gives one of the greatest performances of the year.  There is so much naivete and hurt that jumps out during his scenes you forget it is a human being with a bunch of dots on their face in a skin-tight suit.  Every ape actor has so much dedication to their role and it is so easy to tell.  If anything, they have to work extra hard because they do not have the luxury of getting into a physical costume to bring the final elements of the character together.  I could tell every emotion the apes were feeling and that is because of how well those actors are.  Motion-capture performances need to be more recognized in the film industry.

Besides the apes, Freya Allen as the human, Mae, gives one of my favorite performances from a human character in this franchise.  While it seems obligatory to have a human when I would be perfectly fine with a movie of just apes, Allen is able to show audiences in more ways than one why her species is still vital to the franchise.  At this point in the timeline, apes and humans have essentially switched roles in the ecosystem.  So it comes at quite a shock when Mae is actually able to speak.  The best part about her is how unreliable she can be.  She always gives off an aura of not knowing if you should trust her or not.  Having a character like this makes for an interesting view on character development for those around them, keeping you on the edge of your seat at all times.

Noa is the clear standout amongst the ape characters, but two performances that should be overlooked are Raka and Proximus.  Both of them view Caesar as a great being for their kind, but it’s their opposing approaches to him that make them both fascinating characters.  Raka wants the apes to be stronger when they are working together, but Proximus wants to become essentially what humans were in history.  This can be seen with what type of literature they both decide to study.  It is with them how fascinatingly human they are.  All of the apes are able to show the same emotions that it makes it easy to connect to any of them.  It just reminds us how close we truly are to one another.  Hopefully, one of these movies will have all of the apes just having a good time.  But as we can tell from this film, for every Raka there will always be a Proximus.

The film’s biggest issue is its pacing.  Kingdom has one of those issues where every scene feels necessary but how they are laid out makes the film drag in certain places.  There is maybe one or two that I can think of that could have been cut for time, but even then everything felt necessary to have to move the story forward.  This could have potentially been fixed with a little more showing instead of telling, but even in the more dialogue heavy scenes did not seem unimportant.  If some scenes were pulled together tighter, it could have felt better paced.  The action sequences, however, are executed perfectly with great focus on making sure we know exactly why it is taking place.  The final battle is built up throughout the film that the process of it is so satisfying.  There is so much thought that goes into what needs to be expressed to move the franchise to its end goal.  Hopefully its creatives realize that more is not always better; just having a good story no matter how long is what the fans need.

I am so grateful that I was convinced to give this franchise a chance despite the silly long titles.  All of the films tell such a human story even when humans are not the main characters.  I hope this new saga continues with as much love and dedication that have been put into the first four, as it seems like we are about to get interesting very soon!

“Rushmore” Movie Review

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General Information

Directed by – Wes Anderson

Written by – Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson

Release Year – 1998

Starring – Jason Schwartzman (Max Fischer), Bill Murray (Herman Blume), Olivia Williams (Rosemary Cross), Seymour Cassel (Bert Fischer), Sara Tanaka (Margaret Yang) and Luke Wilson (Peter Flynn) 

Synopsis – On the verge of getting expelled from Rushmore, falling in love with the new teacher, and befriending a millionaire, Max Fischer is in for an interesting school year.

 

Review

After the success of “Bottle Rocket”, Wes Anderson followed it up with a film that continued to elevate his career as a filmmaker.  Reviving the career of Bill Murary and launching Jason Schwartzman as an actor, “Rushmore” cemented Anderson as one to watch.

 

Max Fischer (Schwartzman) is the most involved student at Rushmore Academy, but not the most academic.  He is threatened with expulsion, but that does not keep him down.  He befriends the father of twins in his class (Bill Murray) who takes him under his wing.  But that friendship falls apart when they both develop a crush on the new first grade teacher, Rosemary (Williams).

Compared to Bottle Rocket, Rushmore feels a lot more like a classic Wes Anderson film.  We still haven’t reached full Wes yet, but with the delivery of character lines, the cinematography, and the first of many montages it would not be surprising if some people assumed this was Anderson’s debut film.  Title cards between scenes have also been introduced, which is one of my personal favorite touches of any of his films.  You can tell that he wanted to start standing out as an auteur and go away from the more traditional style of movie making he utilized in his first film.

 

Max as a main character perfectly encapsulates what it means to be an over-enthusiastic teenage boy.  You want to be involved in everything to make a name for yourself.  At this point in your life, you are in this weird in-between place where you are no longer completely at the whim of your parents but also discovering who you want to be before you are completely on your own.  Being a teenager can be a lonely experience even when you are surrounded by those you love and care for.  Your emotions and hormones are also all over the place that it is not insane that Max falls in love with the new teacher.  While inappropriate as he continues to pursue her after her constant rejections, he learns some tough lessons when it comes to love and loss that every teenager needs to experience.

It is also inspiring to see how involved Max wants to be with his extracurricular activities.  Not only is he an active participant in clubs like Model U.N. and a variety of sports, but he also runs and creates clubs seemingly every other day.  If you are of the millennial and older gen-z age range, you have probably been told over and over that colleges want to see students who are the most involved inside and outside of school because that will be your best way of getting into the school of your dreams.  While it is good to be a well-rounded individual, it comes at a detriment to Max’s grades.  To stay in Rushmore Academy, you need to maintain a certain grade point average and Max falls below that because of being too involved.  It is a double edged sword I still see as a teacher today; kids are trying to be this “perfect” student, sacrificing important things like sleep, mental and physical health, and potentially their sanity.  This can be seen through Max and how he has this desire to be seen as perfect, but parts of him are being sacrificed.

 

One of the aspects of a classic Wes Anderson film that we first see here is the mentor-mentee relationship.  Usually between an adult man and teenage boy, they form a bond based on either proximity or similar interests.  We see this relationship form between Max and Bill Murray’s character of millionaire Herman Blume.  Not only is he the father of some of Max’s peers, but Max finds inspiration in him as an underdog.  Max doesn’t fit in with the other rich kids and Blume is that shining light in his life.  They form a bond that allows each to be fully themselves.  However, they become too similar to each other as they begin to fall for the same woman at the school, Rosemary.  This puts a riff in their relationship, starting a prank war montage.  It comes across as a silly feud, but something Anderson puts in his movies a lot is the theme of being lost.  Both are lost in the world – not sure what their place is – and they are able to find solace in this one crush.  The chemistry between Schwartzman and Murray make their scenes so enjoyable to watch, whether they are connecting with each other or hating each other.  It makes you want to root for them to get over their silly feud so they can have more happy scenes together.  If one of them was cast differently, it would have taken away from this film’s natural charm and charisma.

With a much better flow and pacing compared to his first film, Anderson gives us a heartfelt and quirky story about what it means to find friendships while also finding yourself.  A lot of classic Wes is felt in this film, and it is always an enjoyable watch from the moment you hit play. 

“Poor Things” Movie Review

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General Information

Directed by – Yorgos Lanthimos

Written by – Tony McNamara

Release Year – 2023

Starring – Emma Stone (Bella Baxter), Mark Ruffalo (Duncan Wdderburn), Willem Dafoe (Dr. Godwin Baxter), Ramy Youssef (Max McCandles), Christopher Abbott (Alfie Blessington), Kathryn Hunter (Madame Swiney) and Jerrod Carmichael (Harry Astley)

Synopsis – After being brought back to life after her suicide, Bella rediscovers the world around her from a new perspective, learning what it means to be a human being.

Review

Yorgos Lanthimos is not an auteur that chooses to tell stories you would expect from the average filmmaker.  What makes him special is that he selects stories that may come off as “weird” and enhances them to be masterpieces – captivating audiences enough that they are brought into his unique worldview.

 

Based on the novel of the same name, Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) has been given a second chance at life after Dr. Godwin Baxter (Wllem Dafoe) finds her lifeless body due to a suicide.  In a tale similar to Frankenstein, Bella is reanimated, given a new life to live.  When we meet her, Bella is walking and talking like a child instead of the 30-year-old woman she is supposed to be.  Over the course of the film, we watch Bella grow and develop into a new woman again.  Stone is able to portray this perfectly; the way she waddles and babbles like a toddler you would have thought Lanthimos aged-up an actual two-year-old.  Stone’s performance is full of naivete that makes you wish it was easy to see the world as a kid again.  We are able to see this child mature into a marvelous woman who not only explores what the world has to offer but also not falling for its traps that we are sometimes forced to accept.

Stone is accompanied by a strong supporting cast that helps her character explore her story.  Dafoe adds another weird role to his repertoire as the doctor responsible for bringing Bella back from the dead.  A professional in his field, God – as Bella calls him – has a tragic past that leads him to being the father of all of his adventurous creations.  He’s very protective of Bella and does not want her to venture outside of the comfort he has created for her in his home.  Also observing Bella is Godwin’s assistant Max McCandles (Ramy Youssef).  Youssef adds such a kind and gentle approach to Bella, feeding into her curiosities about the world while falling for her.  Both Godwin and Candles show compassion for Bella, but it is Youssef’s kind nature that makes you fall for him every time he’s on screen.

 

However, everything changes for the three of them when Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo) comes into the picture, also falling for Bella and wanting to swoop her away on an adventure.  Ruffalo in this role is utterly hilarious while driving you mad with how rudely he treats Bella.  You know you are in for a good time when Ruffalo appears on screen.  There is something about his performance that contains so many layers of comedy and drama that makes it a perfect role for him without even originally thinking this was a role he needed.  Along their journey around the world, Bella and Duncan run into a wide range of characters that, in their own way, guide Bella on the ways of the world.  These include Harry Astley (Jerrod Charmichael), who shows her the disgusting aspects of what happens to those who are poor, and Madame Swiney (Kathryn Hunter), who takes her in and teaches the value of herself and what it means to earn a wage.  Bella treats each of these people with respect and curiosity for their knowledge of the world.  And every actor brings their all no matter how big their part may be.

This film is one of the most visually pleasing and fantastical looking of the year.  For the first act, the film is black and white and as the film transitions to the second act, it remains fully in color.  The black and white scenes mostly take place in Godwin’s house as we are being introduced to who Bella is through the eyes of her “creator.”  After she demands to travel around the world with Duncan, both us and Bella are opened up to a whole new world.  She is seeing what it is like on the outside for the first time, and I love how this message is shown through Robbie Ryan’s cinematography.  There is also the use of a fisheye lens, showing how Bella’s world is so small before she steps out with Duncan to expand everything around her.  Cinematography choices is a film craft that has taken me a while to fully understand what exactly goes into making certain decisions compared to a director’s vision, and this film really helped me appreciate this outstanding art form. 

Not only is Poor Things visually stunning with its cinematography, but it stands out in the costumes, production and visual effects as well.  Even though the film takes place around the Victorian era, there is such a fantasy-feeling aspect that is felt through the designs.  The costumes are loud and colorful when Bella explores new places – which are also mystical in their own right – until she finds the simplicity of life and thus her wardrobe changes to fit.  The color palette is not too extreme that it blinds the audience but satisfies those who enjoy yellows, greens, and blues.  Even though the film takes place in places like Lisbon and Paris, you feel as though you are somewhere completely created in the mind of Lanthimos.  He was not afraid to expand upon commonly known places to be able to create a world all his own.

Taking what could have been a disastrous concept and making it accessible for adult audiences, Poor Things is a masterpiece of  spectacle.  With stunning performances against the backdrop of beautiful set pieces, you should seek out this award-winning film.












2024 Tony Award Nominations

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It is time for another Broadway award season!  The Tony Awards are my second favorite awards show – just behind the Oscars – because the art of theater is something that I have been a participant in while also appreciating all of the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes.  There is so much to Broadway than just flashy costumes and “annoying” songs, and the Tony Awards showcase that every year.  This year’s ceremony, to be held on Sunday, June 16th on CBS, will be hosted once again by the amazing Ariana DeBose, marking her third year in a row as host.  Shows that are able to be nominated must have opened between April 28th, 2023 until April 25th, 2024.  Tuesday morning, the nominations were announced, so here is a rundown of all of the wonderful musicals and plays that have received nominations and will be up for that glorious silver trophy this summer.

 

Musicals

Hell’s Kitchen – Using the music of Alicia Keys to tell this mid-90s story, teenager Ali is living in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City under the care of her protective mother, but she wants to venture out and make a name for herself and discover who she truly is.

Nominated for:

-Best Musical

-Best Direction of a Musical (Michael Greif)

-Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Maleah Joi Moon)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Brandon Victor Dixon)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Shoshana Bean)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Kecia Lewis)

-Best Book of a Musical (Kristoffer Diaz)

-Best Orchestrations (Tom Kitt and Adam Blackstone)

-Best Choreography (Camille A. Brown)

-Best Scenic Design in a Musical (Robert Brill and Peter Nigrini)

-Best Costume Design in a Musical (Dede Ayita)

-Best Lighting Design in a Musical (Natasha Katz)

-Best Sound Design in a Musical (Gareth Owen)

 

Illinoise – Based on the Sufjan Stevens album of the same name, friends share the stories of their lives around a campfire as a band performs the music live with them on stage. 

Nominated for:

-Best Musical

-Best Orchestrations (Timo Andres)

-Best Choreography (Justin Peck)

-Best Lighting Design in a Musical (Brandon Sterling Baker)

 

The Outsiders – Based on the S.E. Hinton novel of the same name, a group of “outsiders” fight for survival in Tulsa to find where they belong in the world.

Nominated for:

-Best Musical

-Best Direction of a Musical (Danya Taymor)

-Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Brody Grant)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Joshua Boone)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Sky Lakota-Lynch)

-Best Book of a Musical (Adam Rapp and Justin Levine)

-Best Original Score (Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine)

-Best Orchestrations (Justin Levine, Matt Hinkley, and Jamestown Revival)

-Best Choreography (Rick and Jeff Kuperman)

-Best Scenic Design in a Musical (Amp featuring Tatianna Kahvegian)

-Best Lighting Design in a Musical (Brian MacDevitt and Hana S. Kim)

-Best Sound Design in a Musical (Cody Spencer)

 

Suffs – Inspired by real-life events, women in the early 20th century begin fighting for the rights of women starting with one major right – voting.

Nominated for:

-Best Musical

-Best Direction of a Musical (Leigh Silverman)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Nikki M. James)

-Best Book of a Musical (Shaina Taub)

-Best Original Score (Shaina Taub)

-Best Costume Design in a Musical (Paul Tazewell)

 

Water for Elephants – Based on the novel by the same name, after a great loss Jacob hops aboard a train that belongs to a traveling circus, finding a new family.

Nominated for:

-Best Musical

-Best Direction of a Musical (Jessica Stone)

-Best Book of a Musical (Rick Elice)

-Best Choreography (Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll)

-Best Scenic Design in a Musical (Takeshi Kata)

-Best Costume Design in a Musical (David Israel Renoso)

-Best Lighting Design in a Musical (Bradley King and David Bengali)

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club – In 1930s Berlin, Sally Bowles helps keep the Kit Kat Club raging, trying to distract from what is happening in Germany right outside their doors.

Nominated for:

-Best Revival of a Musical

-Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Eddie Redmayne)

-Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Gayle Rankin)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Steven Skybell)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Bebe Neuwirth)

-Best Scenic Design in a Musical (Tom Scutt)

-Best Costume Design in a Musical (Tom Scutt)

-Best Lighting Design in a Musical (Isabella Byrd)

-Best Sound Design in a Musical (Nick Lidster for Autograph)

 

Gutenberg! The Musical – Two best friends want to put on a show because they love making shows together, and who better to make a musical about than Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press!

Nominated for:

-Best Revival of a Musical

 

Merrily We Roll Along – Following composer Franklin and his life with his two best friends, Mary and Charley, and how success and fame may damage your personal life more than you may think.

Nominated for:

-Best Revival of a Musical

-Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Jonathan Groff)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Daniel Radcliffe)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Lindsay Mendez)

-Best Orchestrations (Jonathan Tunick)

-Best Sound Design in a Musical (Kai Harada)

The Who’s Tommy – Based on the concept album of the same name, Tommy witnesses his father commit a crime, his life begins to spiral around him as he begins to feel lost with this major life event.

Nominated for:

-Best Revival of a Musical

 

The Notebook – Based on the novel of the same name, what seems like just a summer romance turns into a decades-long saga of what it means to have a person in your life, even if they are not in it for periods at a time.

Nominated for:

-Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Dorian Harewood)

-Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Maryann Plunkett)

-Best Book of a Musical

 

Days of Wine and Roses – A couple living in the 1950s falls in love while trying to fix their broken family.

Nominated for:

-Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Brian D’Arcy James)

-Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Kelli O’Hara)

-Best Original Score (Adam Guettel)

 

Lempicka – After fleeing the Russian revolution, aristocrat Tamara picks up painting to help her and her husband start their new lives, but when Rafaela comes into her life, she has to choose between what she needs to do and what she’s passionate about.

Nominated for:

-Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Eden Espinosa)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Amber Iman)

-Best Scenic Design in a Musical (Riccardo Hernandez and Peter Nigrini)

Back to the Future – Based on the trilogy of the same name, Marty travels back in time from 1985 to 1955, meeting his parents before they have met each other.

Nominated for:

-Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Roger Bart)

-Best Scenic Design in a Musical (Tim Hatley and Finn Ross)

 

Monty Python’s Spamalot – With inspiration from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this takes the classic Authorian legend and turns it on its head with a satirical take for the ages.

Nominated for:

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer)

 

Here Lies Love – Inspired by real life events, we follow former Filipina First Lady Imelda Marco, her rise to power and the Philippine People Power Revolution.

Nominated for:

-Best Original Score (David Byrne and Fatboy Slim)

-Best Choreography (Annie-B Parson)

-Best Scenic Design in a Musical (David Korins)

-Best Sound Design in a Musical (M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer)

 

The Great Gatsby – Based on the novel of the same name, 1920s mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby will stop at nothing when it comes to pursuing his lifelong love, Daisy.

Nominated for:

-Best Costume Design in a Musical (Linda Cho)

Plays

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding – During a hot summer in Harlem, African immigrant hairbraiders working at Jaja’s hair salon have secrets revealed that could impact the tight-knit community that has been created.

Nominated for:

-Best Play

-Best Direction of a Play (Whitney White)

-Best Scenic Design in a Play (David Zinn)

-Best Costume Design in a Play (Dede Ayite)

-Best Sound Design in a Play (Justin Ellington and Stefania Bulbarella)

 

Mary Jane – A single mother in the worst of circumstances tries her best to beat the odds against her while trying to make a new family and friendships for herself.

Nominated for:

-Best Play

-Best Direction of a Play (Anne Kauffman)

-Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Rachel McAdams)

-Best Sound Design in a Play (Leah Gelpe)

 

Mother Play – Phyllis and her teenage children are moving into a new apartment, where she tells them what they need to do with their lives as they are all trying to survive the changing world.

Nominated for:

-Best Play

-Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Jessica Lange)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Jim Parsons)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (Celia Keenan-Bolger)

 

Prayer for the French Republic – In 1944 Paris, a Jewish couple looks for news of their missing family, and 70 years later those family members ask themselves the same question.

Nominated for:

-Best Play

-Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Betsy Aiden)

-Best Lighting Design in a Play (Amith Chandrashaker)

 

Stereophonic – A new rock band in the mid 1970s is recording a new album that could make or  break them.

Nominated for:

-Best Play

-Best Direction of a Play (Daniel Aukin)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Will Brill)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Eli Gelb)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Tom Pecinka)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (Juliana Canfield)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (Sarah Pidgeon)

-Best Scenic Design in a Play (David Zinn)

-Best Costume Design in a Play (Enver Chakartash)

-Best Lighting Design in a Play (Jiyoun Chang)

-Best Sound Design in a Play (Ryan Rumery)

-Best Original Score (Will Butler)

-Best Orchestrations (Will Butler and Justin Craig)

 

Appropriate – The Lafayettes have returned to Arkansas to help deal with the estate of their father, but when the estranged brother Franz unexpectedly shows up, the family is forced to face their hidden secrets.

Nominated for:

-Best Revival of a Play

-Best Direction of a Play (Lila Neugebauer)

-Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Sarah Paulson)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Corey Stoll)

-Best Scenic Design in a Play (dots)

-Best Costume Design in a Play (Dede Ayite)

-Best Lighting Design in a Play (Jane Cox)

-Best Sound Design in a Play (Bray Poor and Will Pickens)

 

An Enemy of the People – A doctor of a small town discovers that something will risk the lives of everyone, but those in power do not want him warning the people.

Nominated for:

-Best Revival of a Play

-Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Jeremy Strong)

-Best Scenic Design in a Play (dots)

-Best Costume Design in a Play (David Zinn)

-Best Lighting Design in a Play (Isabella Byrd)

 

Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch – A black preacher wants to work at a Georgian church, but their white neighbors have a difficult relationship with its community.

Nominated for:

-Best Revival of a Play

-Best Direction of a Play (Kenny Leon)

-Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Leslie Odom Jr.)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (Kara Young)

-Best Scenic Design in a Play (Derek McLane)

-Best Costume Design in a Play (Emilio Sosa)

 

Uncle Vanya – Sonya and Vanya have lived in isolation on their family farm, but when her parents move in, the family is upended as ghosts of their past are dug up.

Nominated for:

-Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (William Jackson Harper)

 

Doubt: A Parable – Sister Aloysius is feared by her students and coworkers at her Catholic school, but a potential relationship between a priest and student will force her to try to separate her beliefs and how people perceive her.

Nominated for:

-Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Liev Schriber)

-Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Amy Ryan)

-Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (Quincy Tyler Bernstine)

 

Patriots – Following the fall of the Soviet Union, billionaire Boris is now in charge and responsible for finding a successor to President Yeltsin and suggests a deputy mayor: Vladimir Putin.

Nominated for:

-Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Michael Stuhlbarg)

 

Grey House – A couple seeks shelter in an isolated cabin after a car crash, but as the snow and nights drag on, they are not sure what in the house is even real.

Nominated for:

-Best Lighting Design in a Play (Natasha Katz)

-Best Sound Design in a Play (Tom Gibbons)

 

You can check out Playbill.com for more information on theaters, casts, and great behind the scenes interviews for everything Broadway!

“Bottle Rocket” Review

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General Information

Directed by – Wes Anderson

Written by – Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson

Release Year – 1996

Starring – Owen Wilson (Dignan), Luke Wilson (Anthony), Robert Musgrave (Bob), James Caan (Mr. Henry) and Lumi Cavazos (Inez)

Synopsis – After being released from a mental hospital, Anthony’s friend Dignan has a 75 year plan for them which includes going on a crime spree to be able to afford everything, even if they don’t really know anything about committing crimes.

Review

Whenever I have spare time, I like to have movie marathons.  Since my boyfriend was out for a bachelor party, this was the perfect time to dive right into a marathon I have done before.  I decided to rewatch all of Wes Anderson’s filmography.  He is my favorite director for a plethora of reasons and since we had a random snowy and icy weekend in the middle of March, being bundled and watching Wes was the perfect way to spend my weekend.  My marathon began by watching his first feature film “Bottle Rocket.”

 

“Bottle Rocket” focuses on best friends Dignan (O. Wilson) and Anthony (L.Wilson) as they reunite after Anthony is released from a mental hospital he checked himself into.  Dignan is determined to fulfill his 75-year plan for the two of them, involving heists to set them up for life.  With the help from neighbor Bob (Musgrave), the three set off on a crime-filled adventure, with many, many bumps along the way.

Even if you are not familiar with Wes Anderson’s filmography, you may know that he has a particular style when it comes to his movies.  Deadpan humor, ensemble casts, flat space camera movements, symmetrical shots and sets that look like dollhouses are just some of the techniques that immediately distinguish his films from other auteurs.  So it is jarring to go through all of his films and have his first one look so “regular”.  It would take a few films before he latched onto his signature style, but even in this first one there are little nuggets of “Classic Wes” that his admirers have come to know and love.

 

Anderson is one of those directors that can seem to get anyone and everyone to be a part of his films.  Over the years, his casts have gotten larger and larger.  This first one, however, really just focuses on the Wilson brothers as best friends in their debut roles.  After being assigned as roommates in college, Anderson and Owen would eventually become frequent collaborators on nearly all future projects together.  Luke would also continue to appear in many roles throughout his career.  Not only does Anderson’s style evolve as he begins to create more films, but the Wilsons also grow to his style as actors, becoming one of the many staples that makes a Wes Anderson film.

The dynamic between these best friends is what gives the film its heart.  Luke and Owen bounce off of each other so well that it’s hard to believe this is their first role.  They are accompanied by witty dialogue that just makes it seem like everyone involved is having fun.  The focus on friendship gives the film the ability to have this light and fluffy appearance on the outside, but there is something so much deeper to these characters.

 

The film opens with Anthony checking out of a mental hospital.  We learn that he willingly checked himself in due to “exhaustion”.  There is so much that we experience as humans that, at times, it can feel as though we can never catch a break.  Life keeps coming at us and there is no way to make it stop, leading some people to hit their breaking points.  Anthony does not want to elaborate past the reason he has given on why he felt the need to do this.  It is not uncommon to want a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  Maybe it leads to checking yourself into a mental hospital.  Anthony wants to start over and get into new routines – to enjoy the simpler things in life.  We see this when he falls head over heels for the housekeeper, Inez (Cavazos), and just spends quality time with her.  It is the simple life, all he could ever ask for.

In that same opening scene, we see Dignan attempt to help Anthony “break out” of the mental hospital.  He has this elaborate plan, not just for the hospital escape, but for the next 75 years of his and Anthony’s lives.  Anthony plays along with Dignan’s plan as that is what best friends do.  But even as everything continues to fall apart, Dignan’s hope does not seem to fade.  He is headstrong in making sure everything works the way it’s supposed to.  However, this drives Bob and Anthony away.  Dignan has the future laid out and refuses to make any changes that derive from his original idea.  So many of us feel as though we need to have a step-by-step way to live our lives that if one random step goes wrong, there is no way to recover from it.  We set ourselves up for failure when we strive to the point of completion that we put up blinders from how our plan affects the people around us.  Dignan thinks everyone will go along with his ideas because he is the one with the plan, but that is his fatal flaw.  Over the course of the film, thanks to Anthony, he learns that sometimes plans have to change for you to end up where you belong.  Even though  Dignan is not where he thought he would be at the end of the film, he is content that this is what was meant for him.



Luke and Owen are surrounded by some strong supporting characters.  The first is Robert Musgrave as their neighbor Bob who Dignan has a dislike for but requires his assistance as he is the only one with a car.  He is excited to be involved in the plans, but gets frustrated when Dignan takes advantage of him.  He has every right to be mad at Dignan and you start to side with Bob as Dignan’s tunnel vision takes over the story.  After one of their crime heists, the three end up at a motel to lay low for a bit.  This is where we meet Inez, the housekeeper.  She acts as a love interest for Anthony, showing how their language barrier can be overcome by their affection for one another.  While she may not have the most character depth – something Anderson has issues with across a few of his films – she is still a delight to have on screen. Her scenes with Luke show how great their chemistry is with one another.  James Caan also has a small role as Dignan’s idol, Mr. Henry, who brings a lot of first-half-of-Elf energy to this memorable part.   

The biggest issue with the film is its pacing.  Even though it is only 90 minutes long, it drags in the middle when the gang heads to the motel.  Even though this includes a majority of the cute scenes between Luke and Cavazos, it is at this moment where you can tell it originated from a short film.  A lot of directors get their film debut starts by expanding a short film they have previously created.  Sometimes this works; you are able to have a bigger budget and expand a story and characters that have already been created.  However, if not executed properly, it can be noticeable that you are trying to draw out the narrative.  While I still enjoy what Anderson did with this film, it can feel like a lot to get through in the middle between crime heists.

 

While the story has its issues by feeling like a drag during the second act, “Bottle Rocket” still conveys the feeling of having a plan in your life may not always go your way.  With memorable characters and the beginning inklings of what would become his staple style, Anderson’s first feature film is one to remember.