Yes, I am a fan of all his movies, but I am most particularly in love with Rushmore.  (Bottle Rocket being a close second.)  I can't say for sure why I've become so attached to the little worlds he creates, but I know I'm not the only one.  I even found a Wes Anderson related swap over on SwapBot a while ago, and I just had to join up. (And I don't sign up for many swaps these days because of my over-commitment phobia, so this was an exception.)  The requirements were pretty open, you just had to include items related to his movies (any or all) and at least one quote.  After a lot of though, I decided to just stick with Rushmore since it's my all-time-fave.  I started with this great vintage book:

Then, I cut out a hidden compartment inside.  It was a very fun project, even if it took a long item to cut all of the pages.  I just used a ton of Mod Podge to seal the whole thing when I was done, including the outside edges.   It worked quite well, and now I actually want to make one for myself! (You know, for all of my contraband.)

The secret compartment isn't particularly relevant to the movie (though the 'Deep Sea' topic is, )  I just thought it seemed fitting, and I liked the idea of all the extra items fitting inside.   So inside the book there are:

"Save Latin" buttons, Perfect Attendance and Punctuality award pins (made from shrinky dink), Kite Flying Society postcards, and a mix CD of songs from the soundtrack (OK, the CD is a little  on the unimaginative side, but everyone loves music, you know?)  When I found out my partner lived a mere 20 miles from me (what are the odds?) I thought it would be really awesome to include 2 tickets to the Virginia Aquarium.  But alas, there is no way to buy them in advance and at over $20 a pop, that would have been overdoing it a tad.  I'm not bucking for swapper-of-the-year, or anything.  For my quote, I wrote the famous Cousteau quote onto the inside of the book before I sealed it:

I received the package from my partner a few days ago and if was very cool!  The savory snacks (a nod to Darjeeling) were so delicious I think I am officially addicted. 

So yes, I'm a Wes Fan.  I don't know if I would recommend his movies to everyone, though.  I think they definitely fall into the you'll either "love it or hate it" category, and I hate to gush over something just to have someone look at me blankly like, "I just really don't get it."  (Which is the same look I give to people who gush over David Lynch movies.)  Whatever floats your boat, folks.

And do I even need to point out the Bill Murray factor?  I mean, I would still love the movies if he wasn't in them but, to use a Val Kilmer metaphor, Bill Murray acting in Wes's films is like lasing a stick of dynamite.

And that's all I have to say about that.

 

Comments

[kristen]

Rushmore is my all time favorite film. And that's saying something b/c boy howdy do I like a good movie. But Rushmore stole my heart. I've even got the poster that came with the dvd framed and hanging in my bathroom.

I saved Latin. What did you ever do?

[Heidi Woodruff]

Wow, great swap project! Book with secret compartment... I have to remember to use that sometime. Oh, first I should learn how to make one... Looks great!
*Heidi*

[thevintagemagpie]

I love this idea, how fantastic. Great quote in the book.

[Sarah]

Ack! So cool! What a great swap idea. I love all your creative ideas. You could have written "Property of Edward Appleby" in the inside. :) Hee hee!

[Alicia]

Love the Friday hero! I can watch his movies over & over. His movie soundtracks are even some of my favorite CD’s. The song “Search and Destroy” from Life Aquatic always cracks me up b/c of the scene where Bill Murray flips out on the pirates. Such a fun song.

You made an awesome swap package. The Save Latin pins were a great touch!

[julie]

put me in the "love it" category...big Wes fans at this house.

Its about time!

Nice "Real Genius" reference (an AWESOME movie)!

[Kat]

Its about time!

Nice "Real Genius" reference (an AWESOME movie)!

[Wendy]

That looks really cool!

Wendy

[KristyMickey]

I wrote a hit play, so I'm not sweating it either.

Would you like a carrot?

[Jen]

Rushmore is my favorite movie as well. It's one movie I can quote readily. ("I wrote a hit play and directed it, so I'm not sweating it either.") And so many people I know just don't get it...they may even love his other movies but don't get why Rushmore is the BEST one. It's just sweeter, I think, than the more recent ones.

[Nan]

Thanks for the great idea!!! That's so cool - my son will love one of those books for his birthday - and will love it even more if I tuck a nice $20 inside! Your blog is great- no beach weather for us though - it's raining and 48 out...spring has not come to seattle :( Love the blog!
Nan

[Sarah]

oh! Wes love Bottle Rocket here out our house! Too fun!

[colleen]

Great choice! I'm a huge Wes fan. I'm gonna pop a cap in his ass.

Rushmore was one of my first dates with my husband. And then we went to see it again a few days later. I still listen to the soundtrack on my iPod regularly!