There are only a handful of directors whose films feel like events. From the 90's class of directors, there's Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson and Wes Anderson. The latter Anderson's films have only grown in popularity and mainstream appeal. For better or worse, along with Tarantino, Wes Anderson has a built a brand around his name. In 2004, Anderson experienced his first flop with his $50 million Disney swan song, "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou." Co-written by Noah Baumbach, the film remains his most divisive with its stoner vibes, curmudgeonly hero, and violent pirate shootouts.

Certified Wes Stan Nick Laskin returns to the podcast to show love to one of his all time guys and the underrated "Life Aquatic." Join us as we discuss the growing popularity of Wes Anderson's aesthetic, his early collaborations with Owen Wilson and Baumbach, the low-key beauty of Willem Dafoe's performance, accent debates, that great Seu Jorge soundtrack, and the influence Anderson has had on future generations of filmmakers.

You can find Nick's writing on his Substack.