BBD Comments:
Slim, you done good.
‘Rushmore’ was, in my humble opinion, your first Slam Dunk. Beyond the fact that I have always found this film nearly impeccable, as is true with all Slam Dunks, it is all in the timing. ‘Rushmore’ can be read as a film about recovering from loss. The loss of a loved one, the loss of one’s passion, the loss of a place you call home. We have been reeling over many losses at Movienight in the last 8 months or so. We have seen the passing of Abbey, the departure of the Coolbaughs, and the loss of our original home (and two subsequent outdoor venues). WildCard knew that his Selection would (hopefully) mark the end of Movienight’s tenure indoors, and ‘Rushmore’ was an elegant choice to mark this time in our Cinema Salon.
I have spent a great deal of time watching ‘Rushmore.’ After marveling at the fact that a 93 minute movie could feel so rich and sprawling I dedicated an afternoon to three consecutive viewings with the script in my hand. The mystery to the film’s density I discovered was Wes Anderson’s effortless employment of the five-act structure. Five-acts allows us many more threads to follow than the traditional three, and I remain enamored of the form.
I’ll cut short my vast praise for the fine work of Bill Murray and his tremendous supporting cast so that I can climb aboard my soap box for a moment. Movienight has grown and expanded in many ways over the last two years. We have welcomed new friends and have acquired new Members. We have seen over 80 films in this format, and for many of us it has become a cherished part of our week. Many of us have fought hard to keep it alive through the tough times we have faced of late, and it is time to slap around others whose behavior seems to suggest that they care little or at all for the respect that effort deserves. As the only Founding Member in attendance, it is my duty to crack the whip
MONA, you are one of us for goodness sakes! How can it be that the first time poor Nancy comes to Movienight she is shocked to find it in an outdoor setting? And then when she comes to Tooda’s home she is shocked to find out it’s gonna be smoky in there? The musical chairs required to minimize her discomfort was awkward at best and could easily have been avoided with some forewarning and forethought. Buffy, you too should have prepared Nancy for the hard fact of a smoky Indoor Movienight. I am very glad Nancy joined us, but more care would have allowed us to prepare and not force people from their rightfully declared (and hard won) seats. Furthermore, Rule 7 of our By-Laws was clearly violated. As I am Acting MOMO, it was your responsibility, MONA, to seek permission to bring Nancy - rather than tell me she was coming. Had this protocol been observed, we could have made arrangements ahead of time to deal with Nancy’s aversion to secondhand smoke.
Jaja, wicked bad form. You don’t respond to the roll call until 9:20 and only then to ask us all to wait? And then you walk in with Kim (who has always been and will always be welcome) talking on the freaking phone while the whole Crew waits another five minutes for her to hang up!! I apologized to you both for being a bit of a bear at the end of the evening, but I’m not convinced that I should be the one saying sorry. You violated Rule 7, but furthermore, you violated Rule 8 as well. Movienight’s aim is a hard start of 9:30 PM. If anyone is going to be late, you must let us know early enough that we don’t find ourselves standing around waiting on your ass! This goes for everyone. Too many people manage to make it on time each Wednesday for the stragglers to have any excuse other than total disregard for the Crew and for Movienight itself.
Don’t think I am merely spewing from a high horse. I have run afoul of Movienight and its mission more than once, and when I have done so I have taken my lumps. It is not that I was offended personally by any of these points (except for having to watch my girlfriend sit on the floor though she was the second person to arrive), it is that I was offended that our ritual was being abused. Movienight has endured because we put it together so carefully in the first place. That care must be respected for the Movienight we know and love to last.
Movienight is a steam roller. It just keeps going. We do not waste time on chivalry, we do our best not to bend the rules, and we MUST ALWAYS respect the film and the institution over the individual. As we move forward, thanks in no small part to the hard work of many devotees as well as the graciousness of hosts past, present and future, it would be appropriate to remember our history of frowning on any and all anti-Movienight behavior.
Wednesday night’s musical chairs, late arrivals, and gasp-inducing cell phone behavior rank alongside Kottler’s Tea Break as the most egregious breaches of Movienight etiquette in our History. As usual, some may say I am taking Movienight too seriously. To them I would say that Movienight works because it has been, and must continue to be, taken seriously.
Besides, I can’t help it...
Movienight is my Rushmore.
A well timed pick, WildCard. Congrats on the Dunk.
Bourbon Cookie Comments:
Let the games begin. I chose what I’ve been told is to be the last Indoor Movienight as my first attempt at a review because, well, I was too lazy to turn in any others and I had some time on my hands Monday. A few thoughts on the whole Movienight experience: I know I’ve only been attending since ‘Cabaret,’ but I was strictly educated in the By-Laws of the event. My stars how the alumni have succumbed to harassing the substitute teacher that is the Indoor Venue. Tardiness, talking, chivalry? I’ll admit I gave up my chair to sit on the floor out of the kindness of my heart, but never again - and I ask no one to do the same for me. I know there are no stars in Tooda’s apartment except for those who perceive themselves to be, but come on. Suck it up; you’re spending time with some decent friends. Okay, enough bitching from the guests, on to the film.
A suggestion was made to me by a long-term, semi-regular attendee who has never written a review to forgo the flowery words of the Members which has caused my hesitation in the past to write a review and just go balls to the wall. Here goes. I liked ‘Rushmore.’ Not too deep or heavy. One of the best soundtracks around. Me like Bill Murray a bunch. Best out of the trio for Wes Anderson. This does not include ‘Bottle Rocket.’ Would watch it again but need six to eight months between viewings. If that’s not enough, I truly believe that Bill Murray’s portrayal of a man at the top, bleeding out in his life who is then rescued by a boy he once was and than given a second chance at happiness and the opportunity to get the girl through the friendship of the boy he wishes he could have been came off brilliantly. The tenacity of Jason Schwartzman was both obnoxious and heartwarming. Can’t go wrong with Francis Ford Coppola’s nephew. Enjoyable Movienight experience.
Hopefully this has not been too lame for dedicated reviewers. It’s fucking ‘Rushmore.’ Its 93 minutes long. It’s fun, intelligent and was a good time for all. Cheers to Wild Card. Your preamble set up the mood for the film and the night beautifully and I think your choice aided in the recovery of some from last week’s Selection. Thanks to Tooda for opening up your home, for testing and making sure every seat had a view and keeping the operation open for business. That’s all folks.
MONA Comments:
Wes Anderson's films are rightfully praised as eccentric expressions of a certain aesthetic and moral sensibility, "mood pieces" with great performances and casting, brilliant and insightful dialogue, memorable art direction, and a common thematic project that seems to target a modest exploration of personal loss and the whimsy of hope. I like all of them, and appreciate ‘Rushmore’ most of all, for all of the obvious reasons. The film is uproariously funny at times, big-hearted, well-structured, and conveys an elusive feeling that accumulates from all of Anderson's strengths as a filmmaker.
Nonetheless, this film, like all Anderson films, leaves me wanting when the credits roll.
It's a funny feeling, because I've seen ‘Rushmore’ at least five times, and always enjoy the experience immensely. But there's a certain smug cynicism about the narratives, and the characters' choices, and so much of his message gets lost for me in the carefully contrived and stylized surfaces, much like the staging of Max's epic Vietnam play. The soundtrack is great, but somehow contributes to this dynamic for me. Always the perfect T-Rex, early Bowie, Cat Stevens or lesser-known British Invasion album cut to set that precious tone that seems to delight the director so much. For someone like me, so concerned with aesthetics and appearances, this is a weird and potentially hypocritical admission to make. But my gut tells me there's not much more to take home from this film than a few memorable lines and a pervasive mood captured well by a talented stylist with an ear for sarcasm and eye for visual irony.
No doubt, Bill Murray found his late career niche in this role. He's played the world-weary melancholic cynic before and since (‘Ghostbusters,’ ‘Groundhog Day’-------> ‘Lost in Translation,’ ‘Broken Flowers’) but all of the subsequent roles seem derivative of this masterful performance, which nails that ennui masquerading as despair.
This is all to say, I don't think it was a slam dunk, but upon reflection, I've decided it was a great and well-timed pick. Tooda's observations about loss and the echoes in Movienight's iterinerant existence of late made me re-evaluate my impressions. Perhaps that's why these comments are so late in arrival. The film spoke to a mood that was palpable in the cramped and smoky air, in the institution, and for that, Wildcard must be commended.
Davis, it inspires and moves me that Movienight is your Rushmore. It's plain that your passion for and dogged commitment to our interpersonal shared celebration of art and tradition has singlehandedly kept the institution alive. No one with an appreciation for Movienight's history takes this for granted or fails to appreciate the importance of the rules and protocols we strive to follow every week. I personally have nothing but love and respect for Movienight and its traditions, a respect I assumed was apparent from my repeated flights to LA solely for the purpose of sitting in on a Wednesday screening, to say nothing of our Northern spin-off and tribute.
It's for precisely this reason that I find it so unfortunate that you chose to treat Nancy with about as much respect and regard as Max treated Margaret Yang in the film. While I regret that I played fast and loose with Movienight rules in so far as I informed you of my plans to arrive with Nancy as guest rather than seeking "permission." for public record, I sent you several text messages early (starting at 2:13 Wednesday June 6th) advising of our planned joint attendance, and assumed that these communications would satisfy the strict dictates of Rule 7. Your replies, concluded by one stamped 7:23pm June 6th, that it looked "like everyone ha(d) a seat. Wiener and Nubs (were) out," certainly implied "permission" for Nancy to attend. In the future, should Nancy decide to come back, I'll be sure to put such communiques in the form of a question like "Jeopardy." But to make such an issue of the procedural niceties of the guest list, especially in this public forum, was doctrinaire, petty, insensitive, and rude, and obviously made my old and dear friend Nancy feel very unwelcome indeed.
Even less sympathetic are your ramblings about secondhand smoke and seating configurations. Nancy's right to proclaim total innocence in the matter, as Buffy notes in her more diplomatic and measured comments. Nancy never asked to move. You suggested it yourself. And while Bourbon Cookie was a total angel and super gracious in her ready accomodation to the suggestion, it's unfortunate you feel the need to pin the outcome on me (or Buffy), for allegedly not realizing some inherent incompatibility between Nancy and the indoor screenings.
I seriously doubt that any layout would have made much difference. Anyone seriously concerned about secondhand smoke, sitting amidst the potentially carcinogenic miasma in your apartment, would have to bring a respirator anyway, but none of these negotiations were really about secondhand smoke or its potentially adverse long-term health effects anyway (discriminating readers are still respectfully referred to studies with more scientific rigor and credibility than the obviously partisan link you've provided, something like the American Medical Association and Surgeon General's comprehensive findings compiled here.
In all events, Nancy's no scold or PC public health policewoman. She was simply exploring the possibility of accommodation to her (not at all uncommon) respiratory and optical sensitivity (read: contact lenses, a Tooda crib liability I share) to heavy and unventilated cigarette smoke. To my mind, that was an eminently reasonable communication that deserved more than dismissive and defensive indignance. At the least, common norms of hospitality indicated a more nuanced approach.
I'm gonna shut up now, because I'm clearly running the risk of being a bigger ass than you were in your original comments. My main concern is that Movienight and Movienight North not scare off potential guests and welcome visitors, especially those who can bring such knowledge and experience to the screening like Nancy does. Suffice to say that Nancy is no simple giggler or passive viewer. She brings a knowledge of film and its history to the table that I dare say rivals (and very possibly surpasses) any of ours. Plus, she's a close friend, and I can't let this apparently misdirected slight go unaddressed.
Nuff' said. I hope you guys find open air and the stars soon.
Onward.
Nancy Comments:
I apologize for my late comments on WildCard Slim's fantastic pick. I would also like to express my sincere condolences to the crew for the newest venue difficulties. If you are willing to drive two hours east to Joshua Tree, you are more than welcome to move the Stucco under the stars and amongst the rocks and coyotes on our land. Like Movienight North, we are also lucky to have a natural amphitheater perfect for screenings.
Given that ‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou’ is one of my Top 10 favorite films, I feel greatly remiss in my previous under-appreciation of ‘Rushmore.’ I've only seen it once before. I am grateful to Wildcard Slim and Movienight for allowing me to experience the film again. Rewatching it, I felt like Max as he looks up at the kite in the sky at the end of the film. It reminded me of the wonder and infinite possibilities life has to offer. Rather than becoming depressed and quagmired by the loss of his Rushmore, and his crush, he moves on. This feeling has stayed with me since the screening. Negativity and stress has given way to enthusiasm and happiness. Before that Wednesday night, the only scene I easily remembered was the one with Herman's primitive twin sons wrestling as well as his comment that he never imagined he'd have kids like that. Sad to think that I neglected the profound optimism of the film before, only remembering a scene that confirmed my pessimistic attitude toward having children.
Later that evening, I didn't even mind that two Movienight attendees stood me up for dancing at an Echo Park ranchero bar, even cruelly texting their imminent arrival. Still high from ‘Rushmore,’ I didn't mind being the weird lady alone at the bar. (Unfortunately it did keep me from dancing.)
It was therefore with sadness that I read the comments from some members of the Movienight crew. Although I was advised by one commentator to "Suck it up," it appears I in fact did just that. It would seem that my elated ‘Rushmore’ viewing experience was only made possible through parasitically sucking out the joy, (but avoiding the smoke), of other members in the room. I take great umbrage at the whole telling of events and only wish that we could consult the Zapruder film of the night. I do apologize if my teasing about smoking came across as smug or self-righteous. As someone who will snort or consume just about anything bad for you handed to me, I admittedly take delight in my life-long aversion to smoking (and meat). I have tried to smoke. Believe me. I even rolled my own for a year. But I just could never get over feeling like shit, a deterrence that doesn't seem to work with anything else. Nevertheless, I'm a tolerant person. Hey, I've lived in Europe. I can roll with the smokers and pretend like I'm watching a movie in a theater in Greece.
It needs to be clear that it was not my suggestion that I move from my seat on the couch, a spot I acquired easily and rightfully having arrived 20 minutes early. (I say "rightfully" based on information I received from MONA that permission for my attendance was indeed sought.) I liked my spot and its proximity to the potato chips and organic wine Buffy and I brought. So when the suggestion was made that I move, by BBD himself no less, I wanted to be an accommodating guest. It seemed to make sense to center the smokers around the ionic air-cleaner given that, as I learned, the windows would be shut. And although I may be cavalier about the risks of second-hand smoke, contrary to accusations, my contact lenses are not. They tend to seize up in extreme conditions such as Tooda's crib. A swap of one rightfully declared cushy seat for another did not seem unfair or unwise. The sequence of events that put one bitterly chivalrous person on the floor, (is that still chivalry?), is blurry to me. All I know is that I did not ask for any of it.
Perhaps Movienight doesn't want me just as Rushmore no longer wanted Max. Having re-experienced ‘Rushmore’ the film, I vow to make the most of Grover Cleveland High School.
Netti Comments:
I've seen this film several times and I still find something funny in it every time. This is by far my favorite Wes Anderson film. I think it is his tightest and most complete film that rides the edge sharply between broad and realistic characters. There is more genuine emotion in this than his other films and that emotion always serves as a nice underpinning for its more extreme moments. I will say that having seen it probably five times or so it has drifted a little bit (its not like ‘The Holy Grail,’ where the 50th viewing is as potently funny as the first). But I think it was exactly the right temperature considering the films that came before. Solid pick. This film was bound to be up there and perhaps there couldn't have been a better time for it.
SELECTOR Comments:
“I saved Latin! What did you ever do?”
I have seen ‘Rushmore’ maybe 25 times since first seeing it in the theater nearly a decade ago. And every time I watch this movie I leave the viewing with something new—something I didn’t catch the previous time. Wes Anderson is a very gifted, talented director, who uses such subtlety in his filmmaking that his movies really do require at least 2 to 3 viewings to catch it all. And after the perfect direction, I have to give the next award to the film’s writing, again by Anderson plus costar Owen Wilson. When you find a film where EVERY piece of dialogue is sharp as a tack, and can stand on its own as a full-fledged “quote,” you have to pay a whole lotta respect to that. And the third part of this trifecta is the amazing acting from all the stars. Bill Murray plays the best role of his life, Jason Schwartzman defines a new style of hero. Olivia Williams, Brian Cox, Luke Wilson…all smooth as hell.
And the idea of showing ‘Rushmore’ at this particular stage in our MovieNight history is, I believe and hope, dead-on. The Coolbaughs’ Back Yard was our Rushmore. To quote Max Fisher, “I miss Rushmore…I miss the seasons.” That Back Yard was everything we needed. But we had to leave. And it was sad. We had to move to Grover Cleveland High School and start over. And we did our best to make it work…we still wore our Rushmore blazers in hopes that things might change. And even though Max and Mr. Blume both just about gave up, Movienight never did. We weathered through Grover Cleveland, and now we have a new school year to look forward to. We have a new play, a new girlfriend, a new lease on the future. And, most importantly, we will soon have our “seasons” back!
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