The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)- Movie Review by Sean Wu

What a joy! It's only March, but The Grand Budapest Hotel is one of the most wholesome, funniest, and overall best movies of the year, a lock for my top ten. The film follows the escapades of the most valued concierge working at the Grand Budapest Hotel (the place, not the movie,), M. Gustave H., played in sublime fashion by the usually dramatic Ralph Finnes. In the process of training new lobby boy Zero, he is framed for murdering the extremely old and extremely wealthy Madame D., and goes on the run. 

This is director Wes Anderson's eighth film, and easily his best. He is regarded for his instantly recognizable style, a double-edged sword. He has the acclaim of cinephiles and hipsters around the world, but has the increased potential of retracing his own footsteps, doing what he has done in the past. Based on the trailer, it appeared Wes would rehash the subplot of kids on the run, a la Moonrise Kingdom. I say with great relief that his is Anderson's most original film to date, a murder-mystery with his largest cast and most gratuitous violence. There is a prison break scene in the movie that had me trembling in my seat, out of utter hilarity and superb suspense. From 1996 to now, Wes Anderson has evolved so much as a director, one that tried to be great by being unconventional, but is now great. It's utterly unique, a joy to watch.

Now that 'kids on the run' has been mentioned, it goes to show how dense of a plot the movie has. There are many stars in the movie, enough to make a new constellation, and many of them are underutilized, like the French maid Clotilde, played by Lea Seydoux, or the Author, played by Tom Wilkinson. It sounds horrible for a director to have so many people with unequal representation, but when you've got Ralph Finnes doing offbeat comedy, who needs anything else? I sure didn't.

Newcomer Tony Revolori is Zero, and he holds his own admirably. The film gives Adrien Brody his best part in a long time as Madame D.'s profane and spoiled descendant, and Jeff Goldblum is impossible funny as the oddly-speaking hotel curator. I can recycle sentences all day talking about how fun and great and perfect the movie is, but instead you have to see it for yourself. It's as sweet as a Mendl's pastry and as masterful as the painting 'Boy with Apple'.

Note: This is Wes Anderson's most emotional movie to date. It came as a surprise to have this goofy action comedy tug on the heartstrings, utilizing sentimentality in the best way possible. It's amazing that this movie was not released last year, for it would have been number three on my top ten and a definite Best Picture nominee. I hope there's Oscar glory for Wes and company.

Wes Anderson's new short, Castello Cavalcanti

Oddly enough, this is an ad for Prada. How I'd love to see this as an expanded feature. Can't wait for The Grand Budapest Hotel. 

Best Original Screenplay predictions (12/31/12)

Last time I did screenplay predictions, both Zero Dark Thirty and Django were sights unseen. Let's get to it.

1. Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty
The second political thriller of the year has been widely praised and slightly controversial, but less so than another contender. The film has passionate supporters, but the only thing hurting Boal is that he won so recently.

2. Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained
Tarantino is the epitome of the 21st century pop culture, and his latest is one of his best. It is funny, witty, entertaining, and a wonderful homage to Spaghetti Westerns. A cloud of controversy looms above this one, though.

3/4. Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom/Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Both directors are named Anderson, both are contenders, and both have wildly different screenplays that are both within passionate support. Both will be nominated, both won't win, but still.

5. Michael Haneke, Amour
The film is going to miss WGA, and it missed SAG. It's still in the conversation, and last year's A Separation got nominated in the Original slot. There's a free-for-all space, and this one's gonna get it.

Independent Spirit Award nominations!

I automatically assume The Master wasn't eligible because of its high budget. Check out the nominees!

BEST FEATURE

• Beasts of the Southern Wild
• Bernie
• Keep the Lights On
• Moonrise Kingdom
• Silver Linings Playbook

BEST DIRECTOR

• Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom
• Julia Loktev, The Loneliest Planet
• David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
• Ira Sachs, Keep the Lights On
• Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild

BEST SCREENPLAY

• Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola, Moonrise Kingdom
• Zoe Kazan, Ruby Sparks
• Martin McDonagh, Seven Psychopaths
• David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
• Ira Sachs, Keep the Lights On

'To the Wonder', the Best Picture AND Director winner?

I bet you're tired of seeing this picture. So am I.

So I read a nifty little article on AwardsCircuit. It stated that if To the Wonder was as good as expected, it should win Best Director and Picture. Here's why:

-Ang Lee can't really win Best Director again for Life of Pi. He already won for Brokeback Mountain in 2005, and is Asian. Yeah, it sounds racist, but its true. Also, the accessability for Pi is still a question.

-Kathryn Bigelow can't really win for Zero Dark Thirty because she recently won for The Hurt Locker. Also, she's a woman. Sounds sexist, but its true.

-Spielberg can't really win for Lincoln because he already won for List and Private Ryan, two WWII masterpieces. The only way Spielberg can pull it off is with something equal to the previously listed.

-Benh Zeitlen for Beasts of the Southern Wild. Not much a chance, since the film is so polarizing.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012): Once upon a time in the Wes.

Once upon a time, Martin Scorsese, was asked who would succeed him. His answer? The little known Wes Anderson, hot off the heels of Bottle Rocket. After viewing Tenenbaums, Mr. Fox, Darjeeling, and finally Moonrise Kingdom, I'm proud to say that his latest might be his greatest.

Moonrise Kingdom is the 2nd film in 2 years about kids who go to church and face the troubles of growing up, 1st being The Tree of Life. All kidding aside, this is a funny, maybe moving coming-of-age story. This should be required viewing for all teens, like me.

Wes Anderson to open Cannes!

So its announced. The opening film at Cannes is Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom. The film stars Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, and two teenagers. Preceding the news is the new poster for Moonrise Kingdom, as seen below. The entire competition will be announced on April 19.

First Trailer for Moonrise Kindom

I'm not the biggest fan of Wes Anderson. He's a likable guy, but I have yet to see Rushmore and The Royal Tenebaums. Doesn't look bad though.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007), 3/4 Stars

I'm really not that familiar with Wes Anderson. I saw his Fantastic Mr. Fox, which is another 3 star movie. Either way, I'm happy that the Criterion Collection recognizes Mr. Anderson's work, because I intend on seeing more works by him. (Rushmore).

On to the movie. The film is very good, but not great. I felt it tried too hard to be sad, to hard to be happy, and too hard to be dramatic. Once the three brothers (Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman, and Owen Wilson,) board the train, it's very hard to believe that an Oscar winner, Schwartzman, and Gil from Midnight in Paris are all brothers.

However, there's a scene when they all go to their dad's funeral. From that scene, there are some very visible similarities. It's easy to see why Wes would cast Adrien Brody within his regulars Wilson and Schwartzman.

From the trailers, I thought that this would be a comedy with some family drama, but not much else. Instead, there's real heart, and the comedy is a chuckle, not a hoot.

Most of all, I hope that this film has a high count on being revisited. As for now, I recommend the film, and The Criterion Collection.

3/4 Stars