Gold in Dem There Theaters

We're unofficially one month into the summer movie season and that means you still don't have anything decent to see.   Oh, sure, if your IQ hovers around 60 and you don't mind going deaf, dumb, and blind from excessive special effects, there's a film playing somewhere for you.

But, if you have a modicum of intelligence?  Forget it.

Over the past few weeks when I was hankering for a movie, I resorted to seeing some classics on the big screen.  "Pillow Talk."  Made in 1959.  "Vertigo."  Made in 1958.

For anything produced in 2012?  I appeared to be shit out of luck.

And along comes "Moonrise Kingdom."  Certainly the best "new" movie I've seen this year.  But, then again, that's a very small sample.  Nevertheless, this film is light years ahead and better than anything else you're plunking down your fifteen bucks for.  And that means you, Avenger fans.

Truth be told, I wasn't holding out much hope for "Moonrise Kingdom" either.  The reviews were decent, but it sounded way too quirky for me.

These days, quirkiness wins over computer-generated explosions.  And, surprise, surprise, I discovered a little gem that just might restore your faith that there are clever filmmakers still working with waves of originality.  And that means you, the brains behind the recent "Three Stooges" retread.

"Moonrise Kingdom" is an adult movie told through the eyes of children.  An amazing mix of wonder and sarcasm.  It's as if the Zucker brothers of "Airplane" and "Naked Gun" fame got mashed up with a Fred MacMurray movie from Walt Disney.  Indeed, with its focus on a boy scout troop, this film reminded me a bit of Disney's "Follow Me, Boys" from the 60s.  Except this version arrives on steroids.

Literally.  

"Moonrise Kingdom" is all about two goofy twelve-year-olds who have decided they're in love.  If you're thinking this is all sweetness and light and invoking memories of the "Wonder Years" with the star-crossed Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper, forget it.  This winds up as anything but.

These two kids are hopelessly screwed up and, frankly, so were we all at that age.  Sam is a kid spurned by his foster parents as being too much trouble.  He's a Khaki Scout (I am thinking the Boy Scouts didn't want to lend their name to the production and you can't blame them) and gets tossed by his fellow explorers.  Cast adrift on this bizarre little New England island and now he's looking to reunite with the one person he's made a connection with.

Suzy.

And she's pretty messed up, too.  But one look at her bizarr-o family will explain that.  Dad Bill Murray walks around with his shirt off and his belly hanging out.  Mom Frances McDormand is creepy and sneaks away frequently to share a cigarette and have an affair with town sheriff Bruce Willis.  Suzy's stuck at home with some "Village of the Damned"-like kid brothers, who spend all their time listening to classical music. 

So, Suzy and Sam run away to be in love.  Who can blame them?  They take residence in a tent on a beach and this is just like "The Blue Lagoon."  Except the kids are goofy looking, especially when they strip down to their Fruit of the Loom underwear. 

So, a search party sets out in search of the children with Edward Norton leading the charge as the weirdest scout master you'd ever want to meet.  Tilda Swinton also gets involved as a Social Services worker whose name is...wait for this...."Social Services."

I read what I just wrote and, admittedly, it doesn't sound like much.  Except director Wes Anderson lays out this canvas with amazing dexterity.  There is not a single shot in this film where you are not captivated by what you see on the screen.  There is always something to look at, even if nothing is happening.  Anderson uses colors and intricate camera shots to keep you mesmerized.

Ironically, every single character in this film is incredibly flawed.  Yet, you can't help but like them.  Hey, just like in real life.  We all have friends like this.  You can't help but like them, either.  In this regard, Anderson displays an ingenious angle on our lives as well.  You accept everyone, even with their warts and foibles.  Why not?  There's really no alternative in our lives. 

I don't know what was more noteworthy for me with "Moonrise Kingdom."  The fact that I enjoyed it so much?  Or the surprise that I enjoyed a current movie at all?  I relished the notion that I could go into a mainstream movie again and have the same sense of marvel that I had when I saw "Pillow Talk" and "Vertigo" both for the umpteenth times.

Go figure.  

"Moonrise Kingdom" might be the last hope for your cinematic summer.  If it is,  enjoy it now before it is too late.

Dinner last night:  Leftover penne pasta with tomatoes and Kalamata olives.