Are You Here in Theatres August 22 #MadMen @Millennium_Ent #AreYouHere

Matt Weiner (Mad Men creator) has written and directed a new film Are You Here and it opens this Friday August 22. It has a great cast, Zach Galifianakis, Owen Wilson, and Amy Poehler. The story is basically about the two male leads friendship which is alternately nurturing and enabling. If you're in broadcast journalism you may want to skip this one. I get the feeling Weiner is not a fan of the medium.

It's an interesting look at friendship and how selfless friendship is rare. Owen Wilson's character says how it is rarer than love because there is nothing in it for anyone. I found that really touching. While everyone has "friends" few have the kind of friends that would care for one another the way these two do. They have extreme highs and lows but they seem to find their way back to each other like soul mates.

I can't say it's a great film. But it did have great moments. I'd be interested to hear what others think about the ending. I won't tell you what happens.Truthfully it is left to each viewers interpretation to figure out. Maybe I'm a glass half full kind of gal, but I thought it was a bit sad. 

The Grand Budapest Hotel Opens Friday

Wes Anderson's new film The Grand Budapest Hotel opens this Friday March 7th. If you love Anderson's films, like I do, you won't be disappointed here. It is all the witty, quirky antics of an all star cast you would expect. I can't be certain, because of all the amazing wigs, mustaches and makeup, but I think Wes managed to get the vast majority of all of his previous cast family in this. There are lots of small roles played by the likes of Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Tilda Swinton, and the list goes on and on.

The film itself tells the story of a luxury hotel Concierge (Ralph Fiennes) and his favorite lobby boy (Tony Revolori). You would think these two wouldn't get up to much but in Anderson's ridiculously stylized world they run amok. The Concierge, Gustave, has affairs with his elderly female guests and when one of them dies and leaves him something priceless in her will her family isn't happy and the chase begins. His faithful lobby boy, Zero, is there to lend a hand in any way necessary. The entire film has a caper quality to it complete with chase scenes, escapes, and clandestine confessions in churches.

It really is a beautiful film to look at and as always Anderson's screenplay is perfectly farcicle. It reminds me in someways of comedy films of the era it is set in, between the world wars in what I believe is eastern Europe. The characters, set and costumes definitely have that look to them. Certainly precode based on the language.

If you don't believe me just watch this trailer...