The Grand Budapest Hotel

Oh my God! Are you effing kidding me? The visuals are divine. I think I can just crawl under my covers and wrap myself in Wes Anderson world. I died scene after scene as the art direction just stuns my eyes over and over again. Visuals aside, of which Wes can do no wrong, I have to put myself under the line of fire by disagreeing with most. I do not agree that this is his best film to date. I suffer from repeating myself but I just can't help it, the visuals are killer. However, I have to say that its predecessor "Moon Rise Kingdom" far surpasses this film in every aspect. Wes has put together an A-grade cast that only I can dream about working with like possibly never. But despite this killer cast, the story suffers greatly from a lack of a more complex plot or some bite of human truth. 

Sometimes funny, the film suffers from too much romantic monologues from its characters. Charming as it is, it doesn't do anything to the progress of the film. Although child-like in its depiction of the world, it would have been nice to incorporate some adult insight that would serve as the film's core and purpose. As a devout follower of all of Wes Anderson's films, I would say that this film is by far his most violent and bloody. But even so, it is treated comically and lightly. 

My most favorite characters would be the Butler played by Mathieu Amalric. Boy oh boy. Even for a few seconds of screen time, he has captured me completely. Pained and struggling with the truth of his mistress's murder, his large black eyes show the great conflict within. For that few moments he graces the screen, I've been turned into a fan girl. I've spent many hours googling the man. But that is besides the point. 

Far from perfect, this film is still pleasurable to watch. I think that it is great to have Wes around to give us films just like this. An auteur, possibly the last living one, he creates a world that we want to get lost in. We anticipate the next one he creates. And wish that his films last longer, so we can live in his world for as long as we can. 

Pink eye rating:

Don Juan DeMarco

Boy, I had no idea Johnny Depp was this dreamy once upon a time. While girls and women alike would swoon at his presence on-screen, there was a time when his cinematic roles weren't as off beat nor quirky. Well, this one isn't exactly as weird as the roles he takes on now. Playing the part of a 21-year old man seriously convinced he is Don Juan Demarco, the lover of women, Johnny nails it so sincerely. It was a pleasure to watch this film as it retreats into "Don Juan's" fantasies and deliriums. The great Marlon Brando begins to question reality and is persuaded that Don Juan is really Don Juan. But what is truth anyway? Truth is what a person believes in. For what it's worth, the film is a delight as we follow a casanova in his adventures and idealistic romanticism. We all need a little fantasy and whimsy in our lives. Whether or not Johnny really finds his one true love at the end of story, who cares? Let's just all believe that he does. 

Pink eye rating:

The Way Way Back

Tween awkwardness which is sometimes really quite unbearable to watch, this coming of age story is something so familiar to all of us who went through the transition to adolescence. The film follows the footsteps of slice-of-life films like "The Descendants" or "Little Miss Sunshine." Set in a beach town with a wicked water park, this summer tale is simple and satisfying. Though much of the film gains it awesomeness from being set in a water park, the story comes to life with a brilliant ensemble cast. A simple film with no real resolution but subtle hints of it, both mother and son find themselves in the course of one summer. One thing is clear, Steve Carrell makes one hell of a douche bag boyfriend. 

Pink eye rating: 

 

Sound City

Watched Dave Grohl's directorial debut "Sound City" last night. Being a person with no musical talent whatsoever, the jamming sessions, music compositions and NASA-like soundboard was totally astounding. Sound City is a recording studio that young rock-and-roll dreamers pay pilgrimage to even though it resembles a hobo dump. The famous recording studio was responsible for the most epic albums and bands in musical history. Upon its' closing, Dave Grohl ( ex-drummer of Nirvana and lead singer of Foo Fighters ) retraces his steps back to the studio where it all started. Being a drummer himself, Sound City was the place to go for killer drum beats. The recording room is unchanged since the 70's for fear of altering the music quality that was specially engineered through a combination of luck alone.

What is great about the film is what Dave Grohl set out to prove... the desire to keep the human element in music. Imperfections are what makes a musical piece charming and powerful. In the documentary, you will see a myriad of music legends praising the legendary Neve soundboard ( 1 out of 4 in the world ) from Sound City that produces music so crisp. But despite featuring the Neve soundboard for a good duration of an hour or so, it is the musicians themselves who shine in the film. It shows that the musical legends whose careers were built in Sound City are where they are not just because of the soundboard itself but because of pure and raw talent.

Pink eye rating: