Slightly delayed Monday suggestion...

I didn't want to admit this publicly, but I totally knew I'd forget to post a Monday post. I only realized it after I posted the previous post where I not so #humblebragged about Chris Messina.

Anyway, this week's suggestion is Rushmore. The second film from writer/director Wes Anderson, Rushmore is often overshadowed by Anderson's follow-up movie, The Royal Tenenbaums (definitely worth a re-watch if it's been a while. Or if you've just seen it. Actually go watch it right after Rushmore).

Co-written by Owen Wilson (as was Bottle Rockets, his first film, and the aforementioned 'baums), this film has the beginnings of the all-star cast that will become a staple of Anderson films.

Rushmore is a perfect film for people that consider themselves Andersonphilias because it simultaneously gives you a new and familiar feeling. You can see that stylisticly it will become the movies you've come to love, but it's still the early stages. Even the actors appear far younger than what you're used to. Schwartzman, the bitter lover in Darjeeling Limited is playing a love smitten school boy. And it's his scenes with Bill Murphy that really make it a joy to watch.

What an eye, what an eye

So the guy that I keep liking in all my indie flick picks from the summer is on the Mindy Project. Did I call this bro or what? Stick with me and you'll be ahead of the curve. I'm talking to you, my one follower...

Chris Messina. The brother in Ruby Sparks and the adorable love interest in Celeste and Jesse Forever. I think he's capitalizing on the Max Greenfield, funny, muscular jewish looking guy vibe that's happening right now. Next projection: episode crossover with Fox lead-in New Girl where he shows up as Max's brother.

You're welcome, Fox.

Monday's underrated movie

With the end of the summer comes the end of summer movies. Hence a slowdown in what there is to see.

To keep things fresh, I've decided to do a weekly entry focused on a movie I've already seen that I hope you'll try out on one of these cold, lonely, fall nights. 

I've already mentioned Hot Rod in a past post so this entry will be dedicated to Welcome to Collinwood.

Written by a writer for Community (and now the showrunner following Dan Harmon's exit), Collinwood is an ensemble movie about low level criminals trying to pull off a heist. The cast includes, Sam Rockwell, William H Macy, Patricia Clarkson (you may not recognize her by name but she's definitely been in things that she'll look familiar-Tammy One from Parks and Rec most recently and notably), Luis Guzman, young Jennifer Esposito and Gabrielle Union, and last but not least, George Motherfucking Clooney.

How awesome is Sam Rockwell, by the way? He's a scrawny, pasty, weird little dude but god damn am I attracted to him in every movie he's in. George is a gimme, so I just wanted to mention something about Sam. 

Anyway, give this Netflix Instant movie a chance when you have some free time.

Mmmm, yeah

Andy and Rashida 4evr LYLAS HAGS

I had been reading up on this movie since the spring and they didn't decide on a release date till very late in the summer, probably around mid July. Once the date was set it obviously was just for limited release so then I had to wait another couple weeks before it came to a theater near me.

On top of all this anticipation, tremendous accolades were pouring out for Rashida Jones, star and writer. Add in  the fact that I, and everyone else, would get a chance to see Andy Samberg in a semi-serious role, hot off the heels of his SNL retirement and That's My Boy, a movie which led many entertainment buffs to question whether Andy would be doomed to mediocre fart joke movies the rest of his career, and this movie was a perfect storm of indie awesomness.

Senior Superlatives: Cutest Hipster Couple

The plot of the movie is basically a visual version of Billy Joel's Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Basically Brenda and Eddie/Celeste and Jesse grow up as best friends throughout school and decided the marriage would be at the end of July. They started to fight when Jesse didn't want to grow up and be the man Celeste wanted as a husband and father. They got a legal separation and parted the closest of friends, still kissing goodbye and saying they love each other. Stuff makes their weird relationship get even more complicated, and without ruining it, the rest of the movie happens and then it ends.

Overall it was very good and endearing. If it hadn't been for Rashida and Andy starring, I don't think I would have liked it as much as I did, but luckily they are the stars so hazzah! Another likeable character was a love interest for Celeste played by Chris Messina...the brother I liked so much from Ruby Sparks! Yay for indie movie incest! 

My main critique stems from the loads of symbolism that is dropped on you. Not only are there symbols for all the emotions Celeste experiences (happy, sad, confused, hungry) but they hit you over the head by then explaining what the symbol you just saw means. Like, dudes, I get it. I'm at a goddamn art house cinema and I can follow some romantic comedy's storyline without sparknotes.

I definitely recommend it, if only to verify and validate Samberg as a real actor man now. I've seen many movies try to be the next 500 Days of Summer and although C&J isn't quite there, they certainly come close and put their own spin on it.

CUE THE PIANO MAN!