Criterion Bottle Rocket (updated)

Oh, glorious day (see below for update).

(link) (talk about it at the Yankee Racers forum)

Release date: November 2008!

Synopsis

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.

Special Features

* – DIRECTOR-APPROVED DOUBLE-DISC SET SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES:
* – 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
* – PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by executive producer James L. Brooks, an appreciation by Martin Scorsese
* – Original artwork by Ian Dingman (update)

Film Info

1996
91 minutes
Color
1.85:1
Dolby Digital 5.1
Anamorphic
English

About the Transfer

is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Black bars at the top and bottom of the screen are normal for this format. Supervised and approved by director Wes Anderson and director of photography Robert Yeoman, this new high-definition digital transfer was scanned on a Spirit 2K datacine from a 35 mm interpositive. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, and scratches were removed using the MTI Digital Restoration System.

Update: After some debate over at the Yankee Racers forum, we have discovered, from the artist himself, Ian Dingman, that all of artwork is his:

Criterion has updated their Bottle Rocket information pages since there seemed to be confusion to exactly what you’re asking me about…

http://www.criterion.com/asp/release.asp?id=450

So yes, the artwork for Bottle Rocket was done by me. Eric was unfortunately not involved – I’m a fan of his work as well.

Thanks to Ian for responding! He sells his original, affordable art at his website. We hope to have an interview with him posted soon. New friend of the site, we hope?

Alternative cover by RA.com reader: