"The Grand Budapest Hotel"

First an admission, to me Wes Anderson is one of those Directors that people can find to be somewhat odd ball. He can write and direct something which many regard a classic, and I am not a fan of, like "The Royal Tenenbaums, and then there is the flip side with him writing and directing pure joy in the form of "Fantastic Mr. Fox".
Now a confession. When I initially saw the title of this film, I thought blimey, they have done a sequel to "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" jolly quickly. As it turns out, that is still being filmed !!

A writer talks about his past, and a chance meeting in the venue that is the title of the film. The meeting is with the mysterious owner of the hotel. They talk amongst the quiet surroundings, as the hey day of the hotel has long since gone. The owner discusses how he came to be the proprietor, and how his life changed forever, when employed at the Grand Budapest Hotel.

Zero, the now owner tells us how he started life as a mere lowly Lobby Boy. But despite his position, he had the very best teacher, the most respected and beloved member of staff, M. Gustave. A foul mouthed precisionist who enjoys the company and pleasure of a very mature lady. When one of these ladies dies in mysterious circumstances, a mad cap adventure begins, especially when Gustave is a benefactor within her will of a famous painting, much to the annoyance of her family. To make matters worse, he also becomes the key suspect in her demise. But constantly by his side is his new and faithful underling, Zero. And all this takes place against the backdrop of an ever changing political climate.

The screenplay is just pure joy. An absolute gem, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It has real laugh out loud humour, a rare thing these days, but the humour is also very clever. I do seem to the following phrase a lot of late, but this film really does have a cast list to die for. In fact there are so many top names involved with the film, that there was not enough space within the labels section to list everyone. Every cast member is wonderfully funny, whether it be Tilda Swinton looking brilliantly aged under a lot of prosthetics, as one of Gustave's love interests, or Willem Dafoe who is wickedly funny as the terrifying looking henchman to Adrien Brody, also on good form. Newcomer Tony Revolori is superb as Zero, our hero Lobby Boy. But by far the main praise has to go to Ralph Fiennes, whose comic turn as M. Gustave is quite remarkable. Who would have thought that his classic film actor could be so funny?

There is something of an old fashioned feel to the film, whether it is due to the fact that part of it is shot in full screen, or the vibrant colours of the film. It could even be the simplistic way some of the scenes are shot, but rest assured this film is a delight for so many of your senses. Taste as you savour the culinary delights on screen, sight because of the rich colour and beautiful artwork plus some great visual comedy, and hearing as you will be lucky to have some hysterical lines delivered that will make you roll.

I read a recent review that said that the film may be too odd-ball for some, and that could well be the case, but I for one loved it, and hope to see it again very soon. Please note I have deliberated over what score to award, and this could well alter after a second viewing.

Could this already be one of the years best films?..............9 out of 10

"Non-Stop"

The Irish man of action is back with his latest film, and after the goings on during "The Grey" you would think that he may wish to avoid aircraft, but no, our fearless Air Marshall is on board doing his bit to serve and protect.

William Marks is a tough as nails Air Marshall. But in a scenario that we have seen so many times before, he is at a low ebb. He drinks, he is at odds with his Superiors, and he has lost his family. I am sure this all sounds very familiar. And given the fact that he has some unease with certain aspects of air travel, you would think he may consider a career change.
But he carries on regardless. Given his job, he travels incognito. His only contact with the outside world is a secure network connection he can access through his phone. But when he starts to get messages from a mysterious third party, he gets concerned. But when those messages start to threaten the lives of his passengers, he really starts to get jumpy. Unfortunately for him, no-one believes his  stories of a killer on board, not even his fellow air marshall colleague. But despite his protestations, he goes it alone. And the threat states that a passenger will die every 20 minutes unless a substantial sum is paid into an account. Sure enough, on time, we have our first fatality, and it is quite inventive. The unfortunate thing for our hero is that real doubt is put on his claim, and the only finger of suspicion is pointing in his direction. Even the passengers are starting to turn against him.

The odds are really stacked against Marks, and it will some effort to clear his name, find the would be killer, and to get the plane safely on the ground.

As I have no doubt mentioned before on previous reviews of recent Neeson films, I admire the way that he has completely reinvented himself, in his 60's, as an action hero, especially one who can really kick arse, and who you would not want to mess with. And whilst this is not quite in the same standard as that set by the likes of "Taken" and "The Grey", it is however a vast improvement on the very dire "Taken 2".
There is decent support from the likes of Oscar nominee Julianne Moore, and "Downton Abbey"s very own Lady Mary is on hand to lend help as one of the air hostesses, alongside recent Oscar winner Lupito Nyong'o.
There is not as much action as one would expect from a Neeson film, then again with the action taking place in a confined space, which adds to the tension, and several thousands of feet in the air this makes it a little difficult. But it all comes together well, and is enjoyable enough.

One wonders with it having a 12 certificate at the cinema, if there will be a tougher version when the film is released on blu ray?
Also, despite my lack of aviational knowledge, one does wonder whether the plane would have stayed so intact, given what it is put through?  Then again it is a Neeson action thriller, so should I really care?

Good fun, maybe a 15 version could have had a better edge?...........6 outof 10.

"The 86th Annual Academy Awards" - My Predictions

 

As ever, there will be potentially be two nominees for some categories, the one I want to see Win, and what I think will win. I did think that last year there would be some surprises, and sadly there were not that many, apart from a tie. Hopefully this year could be a little different, especially in one particular field.

Best Picture

Despite nine nominees for Best
Picture, for me it is a two horse race. However, I firmly believe that the reason "12 Years" will win Best Picture is that the old guard of The Academy do not deem a sci-fi worthy of the acolade 'best film of the year'. Though for me "Gravity" is the most deserving of the Oscar.

Best Director

This is an easy one to call. Alfonso Cuaron is both the nominee I want to win, and also the man I am certain will win Best Director Oscar. Having said that I was fairly certain last year, and got it wrong. But if Cuaron does not win, then it would be a real travesty. But I do not think we have to worry too much.

Best Actor in a Leading Role 

It is probably fair to say that Matthew McConaughey is most people's favourite to win Best Actor for his role as the AIDs victim Ron Woodroof. 

It is a curious category, which has at least one nominee I personally would not have included. But other than that, any of the other four could also go home with Oscar. 

I do not think you can discount Chiwetel Ejiofor or Leonardo DiCaprio, who also deserves the Award.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Again, the bookies favourite has to be Cate Blanchett, for her work on the Woody Allen film "Blue Jasmine". This is a battle between two previous Oscar winning actresses. Purely for the fact that Blanchett has won every major award going I see her triumph as a foregone conclusion but would be over the moon if Sandra Bullock won for "Gravity".

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

This is another easy category, again Jared Leto I think almost certainly win and also is the nominee I would like to see get Oscar, for his great work as Rayon, in "Dallas Buyers Club". This could be the category though that could spring a surprise or two, especially with Barkhad Abdi also in the running for "Captain Phillips". This is another category with at least one nominee I would not have included, but shows another strong year for Best male support.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Like so many categories this year, this one seems to be a two nominee race. Now Jennifer Lawrence, like Blanchett, has won just about every major award. And as good as she is in the film, for me, newcomer Lupita Nyong'o acts her off the screen, with her remarkable work on "12 Years A Slave". This is the toughest one to call, as I believe there is a chance that Nyong'o could bag the Oscar, and I hope she does. I would also be equally delighted if June Squibb won for her great performance in "Nebraska".

Best Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen

As I have said, as good as the acting is in "American Hustle", the film is woefully too long and the screenplay is not that enthralling. So although it pains me, I have to say that I think that it will win Best Original Screenplay, although a far more worthy winner, in my humble opinion is Spike Jonze's "her". In fact any of the other three nominees would make a better win, than David O. Russell & Eric Warren Singer's work.


Best Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced or Published 

The writing awards are the area I think we could see some serious surprises, and this one is no different. I would say that the slave drama has to be favourite, but the Scorsese movie screenplay may pip it to the post, and I for one would be chuffed to see Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope win for "Philomena".






So to recap, here is my list of who I think the winners will be in Hollywood tonight....

Best Picture - 12 Years A Slave
Best Director - Alfonso Cuaron
Best Actor - Matthew McConaughey
Best Actress - Cate Blanchett
Best Actor in a Supprting Role - Jared Leto
Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Jennifer Lawrence
Best Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen - American Hustle
Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published - 12 Years A Slave

And a special wish of good luck to Nottingham's Steven Price, who I hope and believe will bag the Oscar for Best Score for "Gravity".