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...

Wes Anderson Moonrise Kingdom

Finally got a chance to see a screening of Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom last night, and loved it. It had some of Anderson's regular players, like Bill Murray and Jason Shwartzman, but also some new people like Bruce Willis, Ed Norton and (one of my personal favorites) Frances McDormand. The entire cast was phenomenal, especially the two kids in the lead roles  Jared Gilman and Kara Haytward.

The story is about two misfit children who find one another and run away together.Reminds me in the vaguest of way of A Little Romance. It is incredibly sweet and as with all Wes Anderson films somewhat quirky. His mastery of the ridiculous had this audience laughing out loud throughout the film. There are several homages to great scenes from other films and it is fun to try to figure out what is from where. (see trailer below for one)

Some of my favorite characters were Jason Shwartzman's scouts supply sergent, who just like in every WWII movie, is able to get everything for a price. Though the scene was brief, I think he was channeling Tony Curtis from Operation Petticoat. Francis McDormand didn't get a lot to do but her bull horn wield mother was extremely real, and frankly I'm considering a bull horn of my own. Bruce Willis' cop was a sad little man but had some really gem lines like "Even smart people stick their finger in socket sometimes"

I give this film to Khaki Scout/Beige Lunatic thumbs up. If you love Wes Anderson like I do this is a sure thing. If you maybe somehow aren't that familiar with his films this is a great place to jump in and see what the waters like.

Here's the trailer if you need more convincing



Find Moonrise Kingdom at a theatre near you