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CHICAGO – Theatrical satires of the Star Wars Universe are like the number of TV series the universe has wrought … too many to figure out if anything is worthwhile. But “Trade Federation” (subtitled “Or Let’s Explore Globalization Through the Star Wars Prequels”), presented by Otherworld Theatre in Wrigleyville Chicago, gets it right on.
Film Review: ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ is Built by Wes Anderson
Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 15, 2014 - 9:37am
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“The Grand Budapest Hotel” continues its limited release in Chicago on March 14th. See local listings for theaters and show times. Featuring Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Tony Revolori and Saoirse Ronan. Screenplay written and directed by Wes Anderson. Rated “R”
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Heckels (Edward Norton), Mr. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) and Zero (Tony Revolori) in ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version
CHICAGO – The distinct and strangely alluring style of director Wes Anderson is on opulent display in “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” In what is an eccentric, European style fairy tale, Anderson creates a legend that is forged in his signature, along with the performances of a brilliant cast.
 Rating: 4.5/5.0 |
What separates Anderson’s universe from other movie magic is in that wink-at-the-camera seriousness that he filters his characters through, that yields both a comic and quirky effect. The story of an unusual luxury hotel, run by a super-efficient concierge, flirts with the absurd and surreal passions that characterize Wes Anderson and his particular obsessions. One of the great accomplishments of a filmmaker, over a number of movies, is to place ownership on their own universe. The Wes Anderson universe vividly thrives under his masterful composition, whether seeing his point of view for the first time or throughout his short but memorable career.
The story of the Grand Budapest Hotel is told in a flashback through “The Author” (Tom Wilkerson), as related from through his book that tells the story. His younger self (Jude Law) first encounters the hotel near the end of its life, rundown and on its last legs. The Author also meets the odd owner, named Zero (F. Murray Abraham), who relates the pre-World War II saga of the unique destination.
The pinnacle of the hotel was in the 1930s. The mountaintop location of the Grand Budapest belies its lavish experience, overseen by the effective concierge, Mr. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes). He takes on a young protege, the younger Zero (Tony Revolori), and together they bond over the care of the guests and the happenstances of life before the War changes everything.
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Grand Budapest Hotel”Heckels (Edward Norton), Mr. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) and Zero (Tony Revolori) in ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
