Fantastic Mr. Fox (Wes Anderson) - 2009

George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe et al. give voices to the animals in this stop-motion film by acclaimed director Anderson.  The movie is based on the 1970 children's book written by Roald Dahl (1916-1990).  Mr. Fox (Clooney) is a wild animal who had relinquished his profession as a bird stealer to raise a family and write columns for the local wildlife newspaper.  Being tired of living underground, the Foxes move to a large tree that is conveniently located within view of the businesses of Boggis, Bunce and Bean - men of wealth with quantities of birds, meat and cider.  Mr. Fox and company plan one final caper to provide food and drink for their extended families.  The plot thickens when B,B&B recruit the townspeople and their ample munitions to rid the town of the burrowing pests once and for all.  This is a clever production of the Dahl tale that is certain to be a timeless classic. [JAM 3/20/2014]