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Bottle Rocket

Bottle Rocket

List Price: $19.94
Your Price: $14.96
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is the greatest film I have ever seen in my entire life
Review: After viewing this film, I became completely intoxicated by the personalities portrayed in this film. My girlfriend became restless after weeks and weeks of my constant quoting of the film. Finally, I laid it down for her. Either you accept me and my addiction to Bottle Rocket...or...there's the door. She finally gave me her consent. You must watch this film. It will change your life.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Quirky, delightful start to two great careers.
Review: Released in 1996, this is Wes Anderson's first feature movie and the beginning of a great career that has also included the fantastic quirky comedy-dramas "Rushmore" and "The Royal Tenenbaums." "Bottle Rocket" isn't the equal of those films, but it is a great start to Anderson's career, and a fine little comedy. It also marked the beginning of the stardom of Owen Wilson, who co-wrote the script with Anderson and plays the most noticeable and memorable part. The film was shot in Texas, Anderson and Wilson's home state, based on a short film they had made two years earlier.

The movie has the type of laid-back and character-driven humor that won't appeal to everyone. This is comedy that doesn't target laughs or build up elaborate set-ups as most comedies do. Instead, the humor is continuously slow-pitched to you in the form of weird but likeable characters, off-center attitudes, and situations that seem familiar to us but are played in unreal ways and thus become extremely funny. All together, it's an extraordinarily enjoyable and pleasant movie that strolls through its story with no particular rush.

Owen's brother Luke Wilson, who had so far appeared in every Wes Anderson film, plays Anthony Adams, who gets out of a voluntary mental hospital after recuperating from a breakdown. His friend Dignan (Owen Wilson) has big plans for both of them -- a life of easy and enjoyable crime! Dignan doesn't have any good ideas, but tries to make up for it with endless enthusiasm and an outrageously optimistic view of life. Unfortunately, when things inevitably don't go well for him and his friends start criticizing him, he can fall into pretty bitter depressions. Owen Wilson has the character nailed down, and Dignan sets the tone for most of Wilson's other characters: the enthusiastic but misguided nut. Dignan gets his friend Bob (Robert Musgrave) in on his plan to pull a 'job' (and all of Dignan's 'jobs' are minor-league suburban affairs) that will attract the attention of the local crime boss/landscaper, Mr. Henry (James Caan in a brief but darned funny performance). Dignan get obsessed with his planning and attempts at damage control, while Anthony and Bob are more busy with the really important things in their lives: Anthony falls for a housekeeper at a motel (Lumi Cavazos, from "Like Water for Chocolate"), and Bob tries to deal with his bully of a brother, Future Man (Andrew Wilson -- yep, another Wilson).

The film has some sad and serious moments -- after all, these are characters who are really going NOWHERE in a very boring suburban landscape -- but with Dignan around it never stays down for long. There are plenty of chuckles and some real moments of howling laughter, especially during the climatic 'take down' (and I'm really using that term pretty loosely). Another Wes Anderson favorite actor, Kumar Pallana, who appeared as Pagoda in "The Royal Tenenbaums," is on-hand to add comedy as a safe-cracker (and again, I'm really using that term loosely).

If you like quirky, odd, but realistic comedy, and if you've enjoyed Owen Wilson in many of his later performances, "Bottle Rocket" is really worth a look.

(This DVD is, unfortunately, nothing special. The picture and sound are good, but it hasn't a single extra on it, not even a trailer.)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: ONE OF THE TRULY GREAT COMEDIES OF THE LAST 10 YEARS
Review: An incredible movie with dialogue nearly on par with "The Big Lebowski." A review on the box says "Reservoir Geeks," but anyone who comes away with only that impression has been lured by the Hollywood hook and really misses the depth of this film.

Amongst the many brilliant one-liners and silly cite gags (there are lots!) is a truly profound story of friendship, sacrifice and the importance of following your dreams. Disillusioned with the vanity and idleness of "laying out by the boat house" with sorority girls, Anthony Adams (Luke Wilson) "goes nuts" but is able to resurrect himself by helping his bumbling friend Dignan live out his oddball dreams. In the end Anthony and Dignan are exactly where they dreamed they'd be even though one's in jail and the other dating a housekeeper who can't speak English.

If nothing else, this movie is worth watching only to see Owen Wilson play Dignan, who is easily one of the best comedic characters of the last decade. Wilson plays the character as well as anyone could, which is no surprise since he also co-wrote the film with Wes Anderson, who is himself one of the hottest young director's in Hollywood. A cast of fresh faces (minus James Caahn, who's fantastic), great performances, and a remarkable screenplay make this an absolute must for fans of the modern, 20-something comedy and beyond.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Don't just watch it once
Review: This movie is greatness. Two rules: Don't watch it alone or only one time.

"I can't concentrate unless the gun is on the table"

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The First Wes Anderson Instant Classic
Review: I believe this movie will be remembered for a long time. It didn't make the "bang" with the public that it should have, but that's ok, it would have detracted from the whole ambiance of the film about enthusiastic criminal-wannabes.

A lot of people will say things like "this was stupid" or "what's all the 'hype' about?", but I guarantee you one of two things. 1) They didn't understand the total deadpan hilariousness of the movie, its wonderfully understated brilliance, 2) they can only laugh at blatantly, extrovertly funny people like Jim Carrey.

If you have the patience to actually listen to the dialogue in this movie instead of having the humor hit you over the head, you will get a great reward. Excellent, witty comments, hilarious plans, and wonderful performances. Dignan saying that Bob "...has no character man..." when he wanted to go help his brother in jail almost killed me I was laughing so hard.

PLEASE give this movie an HONEST chance. Don't go in expecting to have everything spelled out for you, this is a very sly comedy.

FOR DVD buyers: The DVD could use a lot more extras on it. I hope that Criterion will provide a treatment of this classic as they did the other amazing Anderson movie, "Rushmore". However, the DVD is double-sided, providing pan-and-scan as well as widescreen. The picture is crisp as usual and the sound is fairly rich IMO. It's 2/5 stars as far as DVD's go, but 10/5 for the movie! :)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best of Wes Anderson's Big 4
Review: This 1996 movie is the best of Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson's movies. It begins hilariously with Dignan, masterfully played by Owen Wilson, convincing his friend to pathetically follow him into a life of ridiculous petty theft. It turns into a cute love story showcasing the traditional coming of age type love story as well as Dignan's love for his friend, played by Luke Wilson. The humor is similar to that of slightly lesser movies, "Rushmore" (which ranks #2) and "The Royal Tannenbaums (#3), in that you have to laugh at just how petty and uncaring the characters are. The most recent of the Anderson/Wilson movies, "The Life Aquatic," does not hold to this movie, nor Rushmore and Royal.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Flat-Top Don't Do It For Owen Wilson
Review: The debut film of director Wes Anderson bears the signature quirkiness of his subsequent efforts and that's not a bad thing at all. Though not as fully realized as "Rushmore" this film has alot to recommend it. Owen Wilson displays his comic dynamism as Dignan, the off-center young suburbanite with delusions of being a bandit. Luke Wilson has some touching moments as Anthony, Dignan's begrudgingly loyal pal who reluctantly goes along with Dignan's far-out schemes. Luke Wilson's best moments come in a romantic subplot involving a Paraguayan motel housecleaner. Central to the plot is a warehouse heist that is hilarious and it's subsequent ramifications I will not spoil for you here. You have to see it to believe it. Though not classic stuff, a very interesting and funny film.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: "This is our 100 year plan"
Review: Wes Andersons fun film before his first big hit "Rushmore" this one includes the WIlson brothers who are great actors together, this film has an odd plot but it's fun to watch it sort of drags in some parts but its deffinatly worth one watch or more.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Lots to love here!
Review: Bottlerocket is a film about three characters, each one searching for something different. Anthony wants to help someone and find love. Dignan wants to be a criminal. Bob wants to be part of a team, unit, or family. In some odd manner, they all come together, each knowing deep down that together they can each fulfill these desires. By the end of the film, each character has gotten what he has wanted all along, and that's the beauty of the ending.
Beyond that, there are so many aspects to this film. Cinematography, great music, details, interesting characters, non standard endings and witty humor. I'm sure I left a few things out. There's so much here that you can't take it all in in one viewing, that's why the film is so enjoyable. You could look at the details while you watch the film. Ask yourself why they wear yellow jumpsuits, why the hotel room is #212, why Bob is given the symbol 0 on the robbery map, why Mr. 2000 man plays during the end of the robbery as dignan is running from the police, or why its called bottle rocket.
Or, watch it and enjoy the humor, some of it you might miss the first time.
Or, think about the characters, why they do what they do and what each wants in life.
Its a great film that you'll want to watch over and over again.


Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A FINE EXAMPLE OF INDEPENDENT CINEMA.
Review: The movie "Bottle Rocket" was widely ignored in 1996, but after a few years, the film has gradually gain respect and fans. "Bottle Rocket" was directed by the great indie director Wes Anderson, who wrote the screenplay in collaboration with Owen Wilson, who plays one of the main characters of the movie, Dignan.

"Bottle Rocket" tells the story of a small time thieves trio: Dignan (Owen Wilson), Anthony (Luke Wilson) & Bob (Robert Musgrave). One of the strongest points of the film is that the characters are so well developed that it's easy to feel identified with them. Plus, the story is a breath of fresh air, something that is difficult to see frequently in these days.

Definitely this is a sweet little movie. Recommendable for indie films lovers.


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