The Boy and the Heron
STUDIO GHIBLI IN JULY - NEVADA THEATRE - This year’s iteration of Studio Ghibli in July ends fittingly, with what may very well be the last film from director Hayao Miyazaki. Mahito, a young 12-year-old boy, struggles to settle in a new town after his mother's death. However, when a talking heron informs Mahito that his mother is still alive, he enters an abandoned tower in search of her, which takes him to another world. With an all-star cast that includes Robert Pattinson, Gemma Chan, Mark Hammil, Florence Pugh, and many others, The Boy and the Heron is a beautifully-animated epic that serves as Miyazaki’s swan song.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
NEVADA THEATRE - Aug. 4 - FANTASTIC MR. FOX - Wes Anderson’s first foray into a fully-animated feature film was a rousing success, earning rave reviews from critics en route to being considered one of the greatest animated movies of all time. Based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name, the film follows Mr. Fox (George Clooney) as he slips back into his old life of raiding farms and stealing food, after 12 years of marital bliss with Mrs. Felicity Fox (Meryl Streep). But when the aggrieved farmers take matters into their own hands, and force the Fox family underground, he must resort to his natural craftiness in order to save the household.
Moonrise Kingdom
NEVADA THEATRE - Aug. 11 - MOONRISE KINGDOM - Perhaps no film better illustrates Wes Anderson’s mastery of style than Moonrise Kingdom. This coming-of-age dramedy set off the coast of New England tells the story of an orphan boy who escapes from a scouting camp to unite with his pen pal and love interest. The pair, feeling alienated from their guardians and shunned by their peers, abscond to an isolated beach whilst being pursued by the island’s police captain and a search party of family members and scouts.
Rushmore
NEVADA THEATRE - Aug. 18 - RUSHMORE - Wes Anderson’s sophomore feature is a delightfully witty coming-of-age black comedy that features fantastic performances from Jason Schwartzman (in his film debut), Bill Murray, and Olivia Williams. When a beautiful first-grade teacher (Williams) arrives at a prep school, she soon attracts the attention of an ambitious teenager named Max (Schwartzman), who quickly falls in love with her. Max turns to the father (Murray) of two of his schoolmates for advice on how to woo the teacher. However, the situation soon gets complicated when Max's new friend becomes involved with her, setting the two pals against one another in a war for her attention.
The Royal Tenenbaums
NEVADA THEATRE - Aug. 25 - THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS - Arguably Wes Anderson's greatest work (It’s hard to pick just one!), and certainly his greatest ensemble cast. Starring Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Owen & Luke Wilson, and Bill Murray (just to name a few), THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS is an uproarious and bittersweet portrait of a large and dysfunctional family.