Wednesday Whimsy - Movie Review on The French Dispatch

 Wacky, whimsical.  It's Wednesday, folks and I've got a director, Wes Anderson, film to review.  The French Dispatch is weird (in a good way). The man has a unique style and this one checks off his quirks. 

1. Cast of a heck of a lot - Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Owen Wilson,  Tilda Swinton, Timothee Chalamet, Adrian Brody, and more

2. Bright colors and vivid sets

3. Animation sequence

4. Words.  There are a lot of words spoken and many hilarious throwaway lines. The script is superb

5. Vignettes. He likes small stories  that all pull together  to one big theme. I like these small stories that feature so many great actors and so many little moments. 

I came home and  told Ray, "You would have hated this."  And that's okay. With a Wes Anderson film, you have to know what you are going in to see and you have to be in a mood for some wacky. 

That sums me up on a Sunday morning five dollar matinee. And there you go for some whimsy, quirky, and Wednesday whatever. 

Masked Movie Wednesday

 No, Alex Cavanaugh - I did not see Tenet yet....I dipped my toe into the movie pool with a shorter artsier flick - The Personal History of David Copperfield.  Ray was busy with watching final golf rounds, and I did want to see this movie. I've fond memories of reading Charles Dickens' David Copperfield. I had a Dickens phase back in junior high. 

So, ordered my Cinemark ticket on-line and it was on my trusty phone. I masked up, sucked it up, and ventured forth.  On Monday afternoon 12:30 pm, there were six people spread far apart in this theater. All masked. No one sneezed or coughed. I felt safer than in our grocery store. 

And it was SO nice to see previews and the movie on the big screen. When the lights went down - I was in bliss. 

Clever flick and good distillation of a long book with a ton of characters. Dev Patel is excellent as his fortunes go up and down, depending on family or his own wits. Tilda Swinton plays the eccentric aunt and Hugh Laurie is wildly amusing as Mr. Dickson. Peter Capaldi is that rapscallion Mr. Micawber. And Ben Whishaw is suitably creepy as Uriah Heep. Agnes is clever. Dora is ditzy. Through it all, Dev/David Copperfield shines. 

I was very entertained and ready for more. Ray and I shall venture out for Tenet this week. Previews have me excited for the fall/winter season. We shall see. I hope folks behave and the theaters keep up their new cleaning/air ventilating, etc. All such a crap shoot. But for two hours, I felt alive and engaged in the magic that is cinema. 

Movie Review Madness - Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange, the latest Marvel product, is a head trip. Fun, trippy special effects and a crazy plot about time and mind over matter makes this rather cerebral.  Brains over brawn. As Entertainment Weekly points out “it wouldn’t work as well as it does without Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton – two actors who in addition to being intelligent, top-shelf stars both project a slightly alien, otherworldly air.”  So true.  They are clever and seductive, giving their characters a lot of depth.

Cumberbatch, as Dr. Stephen Strange is an ego surgeon who’s a charming jerk. Rachel McAdams has the thankless job of fellow doctor/former love interest.  After a horrible car accident, his hands are ruined so he looks for a cure in Nepal. Word has it that there is An Ancient One who can teach one mind control and more. Let the brain do the healing. Swinton is perfect as the mystic. Her right hand man, Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is the day to day trainer. Soon Strange is moving beyond logic – dimensional portals, teleportation, and more, plus weird facial hair. Meanwhile the dark forces of Kaecilius seeks to destroy the Ancient One, but Doctor Strange, now in his levitation cloak seems to have the upper hand.

Doctor Strange is just bizarre fun – high IQ wit and just wicked special effects raise the bar.  Again as, EW says, “it’s eye candy and brain candy.” Perfect afternoon at the theater.

and P.S. stay for the final, final, final credits and see that Marvel tidbit more

Movie Review: Trainwreck

If you do not know Amy Schumer’s humor, then I suggest watching her comedy shows first. She’s this blonde haired, blue eyed innocent looking gal with a mouth on her. Yes, a tad raunchy but quite humorous. Her new movie Trainwreck  (which she wrote) continues her comedy but morphs into a love story. The movie is very R – do not take kids to this flick. 

Basically, Amy was raised to not trust relationships. Her father and mother divorced when she was young and Dad was a ladies man. Mom has passed and Dad’s in a nursing home with MS. Played by Colin Quinn, he’s a loveable jerk.  Now Amy has a love ‘em and leave ‘em attitude, and we’re just talking for one night dates. She’s got a great job for a magazine in New York, and her boss (the terrific Tilda Swinton) has her up for an editor position.   

Amy is selected to write an article on the hot orthopedic surgeon in town, Adam played by Bill Hader. They are total opposites but do hit it off, and this concerns Amy. He actually calls her after their date and wants to see her again. Gasp! She’s not accustomed to dealing with nice guys that she really kinda likes.  Adam’s buddy is LeBron James, yes THE LeBron and the man steals his scenes. He’s great in this and is concerned that Amy’s going to hurt his friend.  

 

Family issues, job trials, and a love life are the crux of this movie. Amy has to grow up and face a new reality for her – trust and love can go together. I know that sounds super serious, but that’s the underlying current of the movie. The exterior portion is filled with hilarious lines, good acting, and a real chemistry. Amy and her sister Kim fight but are SO close. Amy and Bill Hader look like normal people and I think that helps make the film work.  

I was along for the ride from the beginning of this Trainwreck.  Big thumbs up for an adult movie (with some bawdy kidding around).

Movie Review Madness: The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Grand Budapest Hotel is a Wes Anderson creation, and that can spell weird or wonderful. In this case, you are in for a wonderful  filmmaking treat. The cinematography is cotton candy pastel pretty. You enter a magical world and it transcends a level of shine. The cast is impeccable and the story is all encompassing. Basically a writer, played by Jude Law, meets a man who owns the Grand Budapest (now a bit of a fallen gem).  He dines with the owner (F. Murray Abraham) and hears the story of the past and how he came to own the hotel. It’s quite a fanciful story and you’ll embrace every second.  

Ralph Fiennes plays M. Gustave the premier concierge. Oh he gives service all right – to every golden haired senior lady around. He captivates Tilda Swinton, and she leaves him a painting in her will. Now the family is up in arms. Ralph must flee and he takes the lobby boy with him (that’s the F.M. Abraham character). Are you following? There’s a wild chase all over Europe as love, treachery, theft, loyalty, and service play out.  You’ll need a cheat sheet to identify all of the characters and actors involved. It’s a treat. There’s a prison breakout, a crazy snow chase, and every hotelier around is involved.  

Anderson’s world is magical and you’ll chuckle at every twist and turn in the plot. Ralph Fiennes, often so stodgy, is a comic genius. This is an indie film worth discovering. You’ll want to check in with the lobby boy and stay awhile. Enjoy!