"I said, 'What kind of link are YOU?' "

Lists and Miscellania
Comics Alliance 50 comic book characters that resonate with LGBT audiences. Very few of them have made the trek to the movies. Just sayin'. Hopefully some day some of them will.
The Wrap wonders if Beasts of the Southern Wild can become a commercial hit. 
Hollywood Elsewhere on the Philistines who aren't into Magic Mike. 
Tom Shone on Brave Pro: the hair; Con: bear slapstick. Awww, I loved the bear slapstick.  
Thelma Adams interviews Michelle Williams on Take This Waltz 
Pajiba "Love is Dead Forever!" because the only appropriate response to the impending Tom Cruise / Katie Holmes divorce is total hysteria.
Scene Stealers  the ten most deliciously awkward moments in Wes Anderson's filmography? Written pre Moonrise Kingdom obviously because that's loaded with them.

Into the Future
/Film Screenwriter Hossein Amini (Drive) will direct his first feature, an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's The Two Faces of January with Viggo Mortensen and Oscar Isaac. I have actually read this novel which is a rare thing when we're talking up "future movies". Sadly I don't remember it at all so I can't comment on the casting other than that I find that either of those faces is good for any month.
First Showing Luc Besson may follow up the De Niro / Pfeiffer Malavita with the adaptation of sci-fi French comic book Valerian. 

My Favorite Reviews / Essays o' The Moment
Wesley Morris on Moonrise Kingdom -Wes Anderson finally comes through
Norman Buckley on Birth like Vertigo, it will only gain in stature

Burning Questions: Are We Ignoring Wes Anderson's Dark Side?

Michael C. here to try to look past the standard take on one of our leading filmmakers. 

Steve Zissou: This is going to hurt.

I have decided that I am no longer interested in reading reviews of Wes Anderson films that contain the word “quirky” in the opening paragraph. Same goes for “twee”.

Over and over I read that, what do you know, Wes Anderson has gone and made another Wes Anderson movie. It’s about time, don’t you think, that people take a more substantive look at a one of the most distinctive bodies of work of the last two decades? A body of work whose deeper currents are often ignored amid the same old talk about flat compositions and diorama sets. Anderson’s movies have a lingering impact that defies those would dismiss his carefully composed world as emotionally detached. Right below that carefully composed surface are the deeper currents of a director preoccupied with death, loss, and alienation.

With all the focus on his signature colorful style are we ignoring Wes Anderson’s dark side? 

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Curio: Alternative Moonrise Kingdom Posters

Alexa here. When JA pointed out how lovely the Moonrise Kingdom poster is it reminded me of all the indie versions materializing everywhere.  This is no surprise, since Wes Anderson films typically draw more fan art than almost every other release combined, but what does surprise is that I still prefer the lush intricacy of the studio one-sheet. Judge for yourself: here are some of the better alternative designs, many of which were solicited by ShortList Magazine.

Symmetry-inspired design by Ben Whitesell.

Sartorial emphasis by Laura Perm-Jardin.

Click for more designs...

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I Want To Make Love To The Moonrise Kingdom Poster

JA from MNPP here. Is that weird? I want to lay down beside a roaring fire, a bottle of wine, some Barry White on the record player, and be gentle yet firm, slow but steady, with the poster for Wes Anderson's new movie Moonrise Kingdom. (via) It's okay if you tell me I am being weird. I have been told I'm weird before and I'll be told I'm weird again, especially if I'm the sort of guy that's driven mad with lust by a rectangle. But the curly yellow font! The names that the curly yellow font spells! (Bill! Tilda! Frances!) The toadstools and the owl! The brook bubbling sensually in the distance! It's too much, too much, I must have my way with it immediately.