If you haven’t seen Moonrise Kingdom yet, I suggest calling your boss and saying you won’t be in to work today. It’s still early. You could catch an afternoon showing, one at night, or if you hustle, maybe a matinee. Just see it as soon as possible, k?

I am a HUGE Wes Anderson fan, so I feel comfortable saying in Moonrise Kindgom, he corrected all the flaws present on prior films like Darjeeling Limited and Life Aquatic. There’s a strong, compelling story, almost-likable characters, and the pacing is tight with only minor meanderings. But as always the visuals and art direction are out of control amazing. It was so cool to see Wes Anderson Wes Andersoning-up a forest and a beach and other places that you wouldn’t think have the capacity for much variation.

On that note, I was lucky enough to pay a visit to one of the “sets” or “exterior locations” (if you’re fancy) of Moonrise Kingdom. My roommate Alyssa spent last summer in Rhode Island working her buns off as the DGA trainee on the film and almost one year ago today, I got on a slew of buses and trains to go visit her.

As you can see in the pictures below the location we visited wasn’t “dressed,” but it was featured prominently in the film. I can’t really tell you how cause I’m not into spoilers. Just check out the pictures and then check out Moonrise Kingdom, k?

Also, on a total aside, those jean shorts I’m wearing no longer fit. They are waaaaaaay toooooo big. I could fit one of the child actors from Moonrise in them with me now. So that’s exciting. And weird. For the record, I would never try to fit a child with me in my jean shorts.

Alyssa thinking about what she’s going to say when she wins her Oscar.