My Moonrise Kingdom

In The Year Of The Dragon….

 MY MoonRiSe kingdom

 

Across from The Belcourt Theater, a vibrant dragon prowls alongside this building, catching all movie-goers’ attention as they journey on foot to see this summer’s featured films. As 2012 is deemed as a year of the dragon, I found the presence of this painted mystical creature to be more than an appropriate choice of building adornment. Yesterday, a Virgo Rabbit & her Fire Tiger husband’s horoscope analysis suggested that fate would lead them to this place.  Neither of our strolling cinema- destined pair had anticipated what they would find. Somehow, the mystical dragon foreshadowed the greatness that would follow two young lovers, transporting them into a kingdom all their own...

Upon their entrance into the theater, Rabbit Regina and her Tiger excitedly made their way across Belcourt's foyer and into a large showing room of Wes Anderson's latest film, Moonrise Kingdom. Munching on KettleCorn they'd brought from home and stashed in a leopard printed purse, these two stared at the screen, transfixed. A delightfully bewitching spell had been cast upon them that neither would fully comprehend until film conclusion. Varied and conflicting interpretations of Anderson's film were reached by our viewers. Since the thinking patterns and analytical styles of Sagittarius and Virgo are quite different in  method, our lovers knew that they must combine their individually sustained theories to ultimately gain all things presented by one of their favorite directors. 

Predictably, our logically-thinking Tiger had focused his concentration on a need to explain to himself reasons for Anderson's usage of elements and objects in Moonrise Kingdom. Rabbit took a different approach, for she'd already determined that elements used-  particularly, lightning (as this had been Tiger's obsession and ultimate cause for confusion) were symbolic, poetic, and even open for interpretation, rather than clear explanation. 

"He uses consistent themes throughout the movie," our literary-minded viewer stated to her companion. She continued, "You don't need a clear cut explanation for the lightning. I think I've figured it out."

"Oh, yeah?" Tiger growled lowly to his lover, in the strangely seducing purrs that, only a cat, could embody. "Well, what do you think?"

"Everything's symbolic, Josh," Regina whispered to calm her curious counterpart. " She went on with explanations of the movie's meaning, attempting to satisfy him with an answer he would deem accurate and appropriate to explain uncertainty. "It's called Moonrise Kingdom because it would be the opposite of sunrise, which represents what is normal and expected. The kids live in a world opposite from the norm. The moon represents light, goodness and enchantment among an otherwise dark world. The kids lives would be like night until they find each other's light, or moon, or...whatever. Moonrise Kingdom is their world when they are together, and everything in that world they share."

"That could make sense I guess," said Tiger. "That beach was their moonrise kingdom, though because it's the place that reminds them of that world and everything in it. But then, still- that doesn't answer my question about the lightning." 

"Why are you so stuck on the lightning? The lightning is used to represent two things- at least to me, anyway. Lightning is produced when energies collide- It was used as a menacing when it stormed in order to show that the relationship between the children was surrounded by uncertainty and outside pressures or forces that may destroy it. I also don't think Moonrise Kingdom just pertains to that beach- I think it's meant to be more symbolic than literal, right?"

"Nah, there's more to it than that. Lightning was also used in the beginning."

"Yes, to emphasize or foreshadow what's to come." 

"I guess that could make sense. And, I didn't say the movie name just pertains to one place. I get that part.  But then that doesn't explain why there's lightning between the kids when they kiss- or why she says that there's still some lightning left in him. I'm gonna look all this up when we get home."

"Me, too. Though, I think when they kiss it shows their connection like lightning when energies collide. Maybe the girl says that to mean that there's still hope for him. That's what I mean by the whole opposite thing- Moonrise, instead of sunrise- Lightning is good instead of threatening."

"Still lookin' this all up."

 Once again outside the theater, the unlikely pair of Rabbit and Tiger were again met by their Dragon. Discussing philosophical aspects of a movie experience shared with each other, our couple enjoyed the world that only they shared and could understand. The painted dragon observed this world, but was deprived of its innocence and beauty when two lesser animals passed by, hand-in-hand. It could not share the mysteriously enchanting world with Rabbit and Tiger, but envied its pureness and love. 

And so, this dragon will always remind me of a special day shared with Josh- Though my rabbit-mind will not permit me to deem the dragon wall my moonrise kingdom. It, like the film's beach, is a place that invokes a beautiful memory. A memory that reminds me of a world shared with my husband- one that only we can understand. In the year of the dragon - and all years that follow, I will relish our own moonrise kingdom.

(We never could find a great explanation for the lightning. I'm satisfied with my interpretation and I think our Tiger is, too....I hope.) 

An Unlikely Pair, In Love, and in a world all their own- 

 

A World Where Nothing Is Impossible as long as you have each other.

 

http://www.gotohoroscope.com/chinese-astrology/virgo-rabbit.html 

 Occasional restlessness and unnecessary worrying are the weaknesses in the Virgo Rabbit's sunny personality. They may feel agitated if they have been cooped up indoors for longer than necessary and become restless. A long walk will usually clear their heads and give them the opportunity to expel excess physical and emotional energy. They also have a tendency to worry unnecessarily about the smallest things. Talking with a close friend or partner usually helps get things into proportion and often prevents a buildup of stress. 

http://www.gotohoroscope.com/chinese-astrology/sagittarius-tiger.html

 Luck is often the most well known Tiger influence bestowed on personalities in Chinese Astrology. If you are born in this creature's year you are also thought to gain some of their charm, cleverness and alertness too. These character qualities blend perfectly with the Western Astrology ideology of a sensible but fun Sagittarian personality. A Sagittarian Tiger is usually dreamy and charismatic but along with it has an astute and very attentive nature. This makes them charming, alert and perceptive but with the ability to be less serious and little more fun sometimes. This is a well balanced set of characteristics that almost always enable the Sagittarian Tiger to enjoy and do well in life. 

 

http://www.alwaysastrology.com/tiger-and-rabbit.html

 When this pairing consists of a Tiger man and a Rabbit woman, he appreciates someone sweet to come home to, while she enjoys his glamor. When courting, she appreciates the romance and poetry of the budding relationship. If Tiger is in love, it serves him well to take it slow and gentle. In return, Rabbit will do all she can to remain enticing and interesting. Tiger can set Rabbit on a pedestal, which she adores. This will help her loosen up.

 http://www.hireanillustrator.com/i/portfolio/peter-strain/

go see the movie, go find your kingdom. 

Meanwhile, find out more:

 http://www.salon.com/2012/06/01/wes_anderson_on_moonrise_kingdom_im_trying_to_make_something_unfamiliar/

Some people have expressed the view that the characters and emotions in “Moonrise Kingdom” are childlike, or that it’s basically a movie for children, and I have to say I totally disagree. I think you’re always addressing the conflict between childhood emotions and adult emotions, but this movie strikes me as being more about the grownups.
I think there are parallel relationships going on in this movie, and the children are the only ones who have any real clarity about what they want. They have the limitation of not thinking very many steps ahead, but they certainly know what they want their next steps to me, and I think the adults don’t even really have that. There’s a simplicity to knowing with some certainty what you’re trying to accomplish. (- Interview with Wes Anderson-)