Bottle Rocket (1996 First Feature)

Bottle Rocket (1996 First Feature)

Author: Awesome Movie Year April 29, 2020 Duration: 53:36

The second episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1996 features our pick for a notable filmmaking debut, Wes Anderson’s Bottle Rocket. Directed by Wes Anderson, written by Anderson and Owen Wilson and starring Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Robert Musgrave, Lumi Cavazos and James Caan, Bottle Rocket was an expansion of Anderson’s 1994 short film and also marked the film debut of both Wilson brothers.

The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/bottle-rocket-1996), David Hunter in TheHollywood Reporter (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/bottle-rocket-review-1996-movie-1086888), and Janet Maslin in the New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/21/movies/film-review-slackers-with-ambition-to-become-desperadoes.html).

Please like, share, rate and comment on the show and this episode, and tune in for the next 1996 installment featuring the year’s biggest flop, literary adaptation The Island of Dr. Moreau.


Ever wonder what makes a particular year in cinema truly stand out? Awesome Movie Year digs into that very question, one remarkable film at a time. Co-hosted by film critic Josh Bell alongside filmmaker and comedian Jason Harris, this podcast picks a single, noteworthy year each season and meticulously explores what made it so special. Rather than broad overviews, every episode zooms in on a different movie from that chosen year, offering a deep dive into its impact, its cultural moment, and its lasting legacy. The conversations blend critical analysis with a genuine love for the medium, thanks to the hosts' complementary backgrounds. Produced by David Rosen of Piecing It Together for the All Points West Podcast Network, the show has a polished yet conversational feel. You’ll hear about blockbusters and hidden gems alike, all through the lens of why they mattered then and why they still resonate. It’s for anyone who loves to look beyond the screen and understand the context that creates a classic. Tune in to Awesome Movie Year for a thoughtful and engaging tour through some of cinema’s most fascinating periods.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 375

Awesome Movie Year
Podcast Episodes
1994 Epilogue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:51
In this epilogue to our season on the awesome movie year of 1994, we talk about alternate movies we considered including in all of our different categories this season, and read suggestions from some listeners about whic…
The Mask (1994 Audience Choice) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:38
The finale of our season on the awesome movie year of 1994 features our audience choice winner, the Jim Carrey comedy The Mask, which prevailed over fellow 1994 Carrey comedies Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dum…
Cemetery Man (1994 Future Cult Classic) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:38
The eleventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1994 features our pick for a future cult classic, Italian horror-comedy Cemetery Man. Directed and co-written by Michele Soavi (based on the novel by Tizian…
Forrest Gump (1994 Best Picture) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:07
The tenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1994 features the Best Picture winner at the Academy Awards, Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump. Written by Eric Roth (based on the novel by Winston Groom), directe…
What Happened Was (1994 Sundance Grand Jury Winner) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:19
The ninth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1994 features the Grand Jury Prize winner from the Sundance Film Festival, Tom Noonan’s What Happened Was. Written and directed by Tom Noonan (based on his sta…
Cabin Boy (1994 Jason’s Pick) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:52
The eighth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1994 features Jason’s personal pick, the Chris Elliott comedy Cabin Boy. Written and directed by Adam Resnick and starring Elliott, Ritch Brinkley, Melora Wal…
Chungking Express (1994 Foreign Film) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:55
The seventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1994 features our foreign film pick, Wong Kar-wai’s romantic drama Chungking Express. Written and directed by Wong Kar-wai and starring Tony Leung, Faye Wong…
New Nightmare (1994 Josh’s Pick) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:08
The sixth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1994 features Josh’s personal pick, Wes Craven’s meta-horror movie New Nightmare. Written and directed by Craven and starring Heather Langenkamp, Miko Hughes,…
Crumb (1994 Documentary) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:34
The fifth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1994 features one of the year’s most notable documentaries (and one of the most acclaimed documentaries of all time), Terry Zwigoff’s Crumb. Directed by Zwigof…
Pulp Fiction (1994 Cannes Palme d’Or Winner) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:47
The fourth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1994 features the winner of the Palme d’Or, the top prize at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, director Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. Written by Taran…