Cool Stuff: Wes Anderson's Bottle Rocket Criterion Collection

On November 25th 2008, Criterion will finally be releasing a Director-Approved Double-Dic Special Edition of Wes Anderson's first feature film Bottle Rocket. If you haven't seen Bottle Rocket, than you are really missing out. It is Anderson before he too eccentric to tell a totally relatable story. And don't get me wrong, I love Anderson's work. But you have to admit, film by film, they got weirder, quirky, more involved to the point that it becomes hard to relate to three brothers taking a spiritual journey through India, when it's really just the same story of family he's been telling through all his films. That said, I've also grown to love Darjeeling too. Anyways, back to Bottle Rocket. The official plot synopsis follows:

"Wes Anderson first illustrated his lovingly detailed, slightly surreal cinematic vision in this witty and warm portrait of three young middle-class misfits. Fresh out of a mental hospital, gentle Anthony (Luke Wilson) finds himself once again embroiled in the machinations of his best friend, elaborate schemer Dignan (Owen Wilson). With the aid of getaway driver Bob (Robert Musgrave), they develop a needlessly complex, mildly successful plan to rob a small bookstore—then go "on the lam." Also featuring Lumi Cavazos as Inez, the South American housekeeper Anthony falls in love with, and James Caan as local thief extraordinaire Mr. Henry, Bottle Rocket is a charming, hilarious, affectionate look at the folly of dreamers. Shot against radiant southwestern backdrops, it's the film that put Anderson and the Wilson brothers on the map."

Here is the list of features from the upcoming release:

New, restored high-definition digital transfer supervised and approved by director Wes Anderson and director of photography Robert Yeoman

Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack

Commentary by director/co-writer Anderson and co-writer/actor Owen Wilson

The Making of "Bottle Rocket": an original documentary by filmmaker Barry Braverman featuring Anderson, James L. Brooks, James Caan, Temple Nash Jr., Kumar Pallana, Polly Platt, Mark Mothersbaugh, Robert Musgrave, Richard Sakai, David and Sandy Wasco, Andrew and Luke and Owen Wilson, and Robert Yeoman

The original thirteen-minute black-and-white Bottle Rocket short film from 1992

Eleven deleted scenes

Anamorphic screen test, storyboards, location photos, and behind-the-scenes photographs by Laura Wilson

Murita Cycles, a 1978 short film by Braverman

The Shafrazi Lectures, no. 1: Bottle Rocket

A booklet featuring an essay by executive producer James L. Brooks, an appreciation by Martin Scorsese, and original artwork by Ian Dingman.

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