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Friday, October 16, 2015

Family Movie Night: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Title: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Director: Wes Anderson
Original Release: 2014
Choice: My Wife's
My Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5
via Wikipedia
I have admired Wes Anderson's work since Rushmore, his breakthrough movie. He is at his quirky, zany best with the highly acclaimed Grand Budapest Hotel.  M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) is the devoted concierge at a mountainside hotel in the fictional nation of Zubrowka in 1932.  He will stop at nothing to please his guests.  Unfortunately, he has been framed for murder and he drags his lobby boy Zero (Tony Revolori) on a madcap adventure to escape from prison, evade recapture and discover the truth.  The all-star cast includes Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton, Jude Law, Harvey Keitel and on and on.

The story itself is not enough to bring me back for a repeat viewing.  Instead, the top-notch acting and the world class visual presentation are the selling points.  Not for nothing, The Grand Budapest Hotel swept the art Oscars: Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Best Original Score, too, for good measure).  Every frame is rich with color and texture.  The story is told in three different timelines, each with its own aspect ratio.  The main story, in fact, is shot in portrait orientation rather than landscape - usually a no-no but somehow it works here, makes everything and everyone seem taller.  Not a bad thing in a film with a mountainous setting and a tall and lanky cast. 
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22 comments:

  1. Andrew LeonOctober 16, 2015 at 1:16 AM

    I loved it. My favorite by him is Moonrise Kingdom, but Grand Budapest is probably his best.

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    1. The Armchair SquidOctober 17, 2015 at 6:08 PM

      I haven't seen all of his work but I will always have a soft spot for Rushmore.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 16, 2015 at 6:29 AM

    I haven't watched this yet, but I'm pretty sure it's on my DVR. I've been wanting to watch it.

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  3. Linda KayOctober 16, 2015 at 9:56 AM

    I loved this movie, and now there is a sequel that we also saw. It's fun, and I love the star.

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    1. The Armchair SquidOctober 17, 2015 at 6:12 PM

      ... I believe you're thinking of a different movie. No sequel to this one. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, perhaps?

      Delete
  4. Maurice MitchellOctober 16, 2015 at 1:53 PM

    That is a strange chose to shoot in protrait, but it sounds like it works. I haven't watched this movie because of the lack of superheroes. But I'm a huge fan of all the actors, so I'll check it out.

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    1. The Armchair SquidOctober 17, 2015 at 6:13 PM

      No superheroes. But it's got Bill Murray. Next best thing.

      Delete
  5. BirgitOctober 16, 2015 at 2:41 PM

    I love this film! I found he used some of the old style of film-making from the 20's silent films. Ralph Fiennes did such a great job and his deadpan delivery was perfect. The race down the mountain had me in stitches

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  6. CherdoOctober 17, 2015 at 12:29 AM

    This was a movie that I loved but the family was lukewarm about it. Fiennes earned mondo brownie points with his portrayal. I didn't know he had it in him. So quirky and GOOD!

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    1. The Armchair SquidOctober 17, 2015 at 6:15 PM

      I like Owen Wilson's character, too. Monsieur Chuck. Ha!

      Delete
  7. NasOctober 18, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    I'm waiting for my daughter to come home on her break so we can watch it together.

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  8. angryparsnipOctober 18, 2015 at 6:06 PM

    I haven't watched this movie yet but I really want to.
    Hello Netflix.
    Off tomorrow to see The Martain.
    Next up Bridge of Spies. I just hope Spielburg doesn't ruin this one with an omniscient child again. I remember when this happned and all the tension surrounding it. The Cold War was anything but.
    If I see a movie in a theater son has to take me so I wait till it has been out for awhile and pick a weekday. Easier in and out with my walker.

    Teriffic review again
    cheers, parsnip

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    1. The Armchair SquidOctober 18, 2015 at 9:31 PM

      Martian definitely looks good. Don't know about Bridge of Spies. We're excited for the first weekend of November: Peanuts and James Bond!

      Delete
    2. angryparsnipOctober 19, 2015 at 1:11 AM

      I love Peanuts !
      I will be seing that one too.
      When I worked for Hallmark, I did a card with Snoopy on it, in a sweater and color streaks coming from the skates. My boss said he didn't think it would be OKed because no on ever dressed Snoopy or put him on rollerskates. This was in the 60's
      But suprise Mr. Schulz gave it a big OK.
      One of my happiest moments.

      Delete
    3. The Armchair SquidOctober 19, 2015 at 7:54 PM

      Great story!

      Delete
  9. Kelly SteelOctober 19, 2015 at 3:56 PM

    I'm looking forward to some pare time to watch this movie.

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  10. sageOctober 19, 2015 at 9:35 PM

    I've not seen this one--I will have to correct that!

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    1. The Armchair SquidOctober 20, 2015 at 12:26 PM

      Yes, indeed! I'll be interested to know what you think about it, too.

      Delete