Don't forget to check out what
Wandering Through the Shelves picked, the blog that started Thursday Movie Picks.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The most successful and most popular of Wes Anderson's films, which is a bigger scale than his previous films to Fantastic Mr Fox. Anderson's films are full of quirk and delight but the amazing attention to detail and the how each character is well sculpted, even the smallest of roles, are what make his films amazing. I expect this film to appear on other lists, its just so brilliant. With obvious imfluences from older movies and European films too, a collections characters are brought together in one way or another to the named famed hotel. Gustave H. concierge of the hotel along with his junior lobby boy, Zero, become embroiled in a murder plot, a will and a missing painting. It's just pure brilliance.
What's Up Doc?
This film is has one of the best car chases and it happens to be in San Francisco so you can imagine the landscape. The whole film starts with 4 indentical bags, which causes confusion and mayhem with a little help from Judy (Barbara Streisand) who is taken with music researcher, Howard (Ryan O'Neal). Each person owning a bag is staying the hotel for different reasons. One is involved in a jewellr theft, the other is involved with spies and the other two belong to Judy and Howard. I couldn't stop laughing when I saw it and every time since.
A Night in Casablanca
One of the later Marx Brothers' films, not as brilliant as 'Day at the Races' or my favourite 'A Night at the Opera' but it has some funny moments, a scene involving a cupboard is great as well as most of Groucho's lines. Set in a hotel in, yes, Casablanca, where a Nazi criminal who keep murdering the hotel managers to get to the gold hidden within the hotel. Groucho plays the next the manager who is unaware of the murders. Chico owns the Yellow Camel Company, a taxi service with camels, and Harpo is ever silent buddy, they all team together to get to the bottom of the murders.
Grand Budapest is popular today and rightfully so. I haven't seen your other two picks though.
ReplyDeleteI've only seen TGBH, an excellent film. Been meaning to see What's Up, Doc? for a while. Need to just do it. Not a Marx Brothers guy, so I will probably skip that one.
ReplyDeleteWhat's Up, Doc? Brilliant choice!!! Love that movie and kicking myself that I didn't think of it. Babs was never funnier or looser on screen, O'Neal is amusing and Kenneth Mars a stitch as Hugh "I am Hugh. You are me? No, I am Hugh. Stop saying that!" However the picture is completely stolen by Madeline Kahn as THE Eunice Burns.
ReplyDeleteNight in Casablanca is a nice unexpected pick. I don't adore the Marx Bros. but neither do I dislike them. This isn't one of their classics but a fun film.
Grand Budapest is a visual treat but once was enough for me, that's my reaction to most Wes Anderson films though. Terrific for the theme though.
Here's what I came up with for the week:
Bobby (2006)-Intermingling stories set in the Ambassador Hotel on June 4th and 5th 1968 as several groups prepare to attend the Democratic presidential primary rally at which Robert F. Kennedy will speak and will ultimately have a tragic outcome, his assassination. Filmed at the actual locations that events occurred just before the hotel was demolished.
Evil Under the Sun (1982)-In an absolutely gorgeous island hotel in the Adriatic a group of wealthy people sun themselves and bitch at each other until one of them turns up murdered. Thank goodness Hercule Poirot is among the guests and can put the "little gray cells" to use solving the crime. Hugely enjoyable version of Agatha Christie's mystery with Peter Ustinov a perfect Poirot-clever, urbane, canny and sly. The entire cast seems to be having fun with a brilliant Diana Rigg and Maggie Smith making great sparring partners
with dialog dipped in venom. Amazing costume design.
Dear Heart (1964)-In New York for a postmaster's convention Geraldine Page, a single kind hearted postmistress meets traveling salesman Glenn Ford who is staying in the same hotel. Tired of the road he’s become engaged to a pushy woman more out of a longing to put down roots than passion. Now an unexpected spark ignites between the two strangers, what to do? Sweet, gentle comedy/drama of
two lonely souls slowly realizing they are meant for each other. Great supporting cast includes Angela Lansbury and both the actresses, Alice Pearce and Sandra Gould that eventually played Gladys Kravitz on Bewitched.
Honorable Mention-Week-End at the Waldorf (1945)-Glossy remake and relocation of Grand Hotel to New York's Waldorf-Astoria. Slick and well-acted by a star studded cast, Ginger Rogers, Lana Turner, Walter Pidgeon, Edward Arnold and Van Johnson among them, but missing both the grit and pathos of the
original.
OH how I love Grand Budapest Hotel. Not as much as some others (it's not Anderson's best, just the one that is most "him"), but oh it's just so entertaining. And those models! 0_0 A Night in Casablanca is FAR from the Marx Brothers' best, but it does have its moments.
ReplyDeleteI picked Grand Budapest also knowing it would be everywhere today because it's that good-great review! OH how I LOVE What's Up Doc. I must have seen this film at least 30 times. I had already talked about the movie earlier in the year so I didn't pick it for that reason. Did you know the stuntman, who was in the Cadillac going through the tarp just before going into the ocean, was knocked unconscious and was badly injured-hilarious as all hell but shows how dangerous it was. I love the Marx Brothers but has not seen this film at all.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE What's Up Doc and agree about Madeline Kahn. I still have great memories of my dad tearing up from laughter when she is dropped off at 459 Dorilla St.
ReplyDeleteThe Grand Budapest is fresh in everyone's mind, partly why its a winner and also as its just Anderson delight :)
ReplyDeleteYou will not regret What's Up Doc - hilarious. I'm not a big Streisand or O'Neal fan but together is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI know, Night in Casablanca is definitely not the best but if you love the Marx Brothers is a fun watch. I would have said Moonrise Kingdom was more 'him' - there's a sense that he was young and wanted to escape, plus its the first time he made a period film. I always thought Anderson was dying to do a costume drama of sorts.
ReplyDeleteOh wow didn't know about the stuntman - not surprised as that chase scene looked dangerous. Anything with steep hills and water - there will be injuries. I can't believe it took me years to discover it. I've passed in the love for it to my friends too - great film.
ReplyDeleteHahahahha I swear Eunice Burns is the most said line! Such great actress.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at Poirot. Absolutely love Poirot. I haven't seen the films, I'm a tad too obsessed with the TV series. But I do love Peter Ustinov so should see this film. He was Poirot in a few others right?
ReplyDeleteI think Bobby was brilliant, but it seemed overlooked when it was released. Usually ensemble casts loose their connection and just drift, but each character was well rounded and memorable.
Grand Budapest for sure! On my list as well. Great pick! Haven't seen your others, but I am severely lacking in my Marx Brothers viewing. Need to get on that.
ReplyDeleteYes Peter Ustinov played Poirot in three features, Death on the Nile and Appointment with Death besides this one, and three TV movies. They're all enjoyable though Evil is my favorite by far. I know many love the series with David Suchet and they are okay but Suchet has never appealed to me as Poirot nearly as much as either Ustinov or Albert Finney in the great original film version of Murder on the Orient Express.
ReplyDeleteTGBH is so popular for this topic. Especially since it's one of those that actually has the word "hotel". Possibly the only title with "hotel" I've seen.
ReplyDeleteThank you! If its Marx Brothers you lack, best to start with the better films :). I always say A Night at the Opera and A Day at the Races are the best.
ReplyDeleteIt is popular - but its just so darn wonderful. Love for this film is great and I completely get it.
ReplyDelete