For some reason, when I think about exploring, I think about kids. Probably because children are curious and brave, and tend to go on adventures more frequently than adults. I’m not saying adults don’t explore, it’s just the concept for me is very strongly related to child like curiosity. Which is why my picks heavily feature kids.
1. MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)
You either like Wes Anderson, or you don’t. I happen to like and appreciate his work, especially his stop-motion films. That being said, Moonrise Kingdom is just another one of his quirky movies that appealed to me. It features kids going on an adventure, to explore the world outside a small town. It’s fun, it’s funny and it’s very Anderson.
2. THE MAZE RUNNER (2014)
Alright, this might be a stretch but the characters in Maze Runner do explore the maze around them! And they discover secrets and the reason why they are captured! So yes, it works. It also has Dylan O’Brien, who I’m still fangirling over. Plus, despite the trilogy being quite rocky, the first movie is still rather strong on its own.
3. BRIDGE TO TARABITHIA (2007)
Also kind of a different movie but it’s about two kids conjuring an imaginary world in order to escape reality. The movie is very emotional, and that’s all I remember about it. The fact that I cried, like a baby, at the end. But before that, I remember the adventure and imagination being a comforting feeling.
THIS SERIES IS CREATED BY WANDERING THROUGH THE SHELVES
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You’re totally right about Wes Anderson…he’s a love or a hate kind of situation. I’m somewhere in the middle. I liked Moonrise Kingdom, but I loved The Grand Budapest Hotel! Great post! I haven’t seen the other two movies you watched.
Interesting way to go with the theme and very apt. I haven’t seen the last but the first two were okay films. The first more than the second though I don’t love Moonrise as much as everyone else seems to.
I went with exploration of different locales-the sea, the earth and outer space.
The Right Stuff (1983)-Epic film of the origins, formation and realization of America’s space program with a stacked cast, Ed Harris, Sam Shepard, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Quaid, Fred Ward, Kim Stanley, Veronica Cartwright and on and on, of award level performances and a real sense of wonder and discovery. The best film of 1983 it was robbed at the Oscars where the prize went to the solid but not nearly as extraordinary Terms of Endearment.
Never Cry Wolf (1983)-Canadian biologist Tyler (Charles Martin Smith) travels on government orders to the isolated arctic wilderness to discover if the area’s caribou population is declining due to wolf-pack attacks. After a harrowing flight in a bush plane piloted by “Rosie” Little (Brian Dennehy) Tyler is left in the middle of a sub-zero frozen lake until he is rescued by traveling Inuit Ootek (Zachary Ittimangnaq), who builds a shelter for him and departs. On his own he encounters a wolf family and discovers they seem as curious of him as he is of them. Establishing an observation post he learns much including ultimately that the greatest danger to the caribou is man himself. Vivid Disney film lead to the formation of the Touchstone division of Disney when there was an outcry that this was far removed from their standard family fare.
The Endless Summer (1966)-In search of the surfer’s Holy Grail “The Perfect Wave” documentarian and competition-level surfer Bruce Brown embarks on an around-the-world adventure of discovery with surfers Michael Hynson and Robert August. In their quest the three visit Hawaii, Australia, South Africa and other secluded surfing spots seeking their sweet spot while Brown’s narration and an instrumental guitar-driven soundtrack by The Sandals plays over the silent footage.
Moonrise Kingdom is my favorite film of his. I like what you did with the theme here. I’ve seen all three.
I was not expecting that ending from Bridge to Terebitha. Damn lol
I love your discovery/exploration topic…unique and they all work. I haven’t seen any of these but the first and last one appeal to me most. I’m not sure about the second one since it sounds like a horror film.
I love Wes Anderson and really like Moonrise Kingdom..the kids were great. I haven’t seen the other 2 films and unsure about Maze Runner but would see the 3rd film