4. Moonrise Kingdom
Before I get too far, I have a confession to make: I didn't love Moonrise Kingdom. Yes, I am the one who did not absolutely adore Wes Anderson's latest picture. I had difficulty connecting with the characters in any sizable way. "So why do you have it on your list?" you may ask. Because while I may not like it as much as everyone else, I get it. I completely understand the love for this film. It is a pretty film, comfortable in a welcoming palette of yellows, reds, and browns. And the two young leads, Jared Gillman and Kara Hayward, are sweet and sensitive as two kids running away from home. The theme of innocence lost amid a direction by Anderson suggesting a dreamlike atmosphere is potent. And the supporting cast including Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, and Edward Norton all deliver quirky and quaint performances in their respective roles. I may not have connected with the film on a personal level, but I can still objectively recognize its greatness.