Movie Review: "Grand Budapest Hotel"

This “off mainstream” situational comedy revolves around the adventures of Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes) and his “Lobby Boy In Training” Zero Mustaffa at world famous Grand Budapest Hotel in a mythical country in the European Alps between the world wars. The tale is narrated by a now aged Mustaffa, wonderfully portrayed by F. Murray Abraham. Gustave H inherits a priceless fortune from one of his patrons. The bulk of the movie involves the patron’s family attempted to steal Gustav H’s inheritance. The all star cast also includes Bill Murray, Harvey Keitel, Ed Norton, Jeff Goldblum, Adrien Brody and a wonderfully villainous Willem Dafoe. The cinematography is bright, stark and bears a great deal of resemblance- in both filming and plot- to “Moonrise Kingdom.” This film was moderately funny, but kept my attention. Were it not for the unnecessary vulgarities, it would have earned a PG-13 rating.

Movie Reivew "Captain Phillips

This movie is based on the recounting of the 2009 Somalian hijacking of the American cargo ship Maersk Alabama. The film play closely follows a book written by the ship’s captain, Richard Phillips. Tom Hanks convincingly plays- and accurately duplicates the accent- of the Massachusetts native Captain Phillips. This would have been more accurately titled “A Story of Two Captains.” The bulk of the story involves the complicated relationship and rivalry of Phillips and the Somali pirate captain, Muse (played by Somalian ex-patriotic Barkhad Abdi). The story is filled with suspense and moves at an acceptable pace. Tom Hanks acting is wonderful, as is Barkhad Abdi. Except for a few mild profanities, it could have almost earned a G rating

Movie Review: “Lives of Others”

This 2006 German film is set in early 1980’2 communist East Germany. Successful playwright Georg Drreyman and his longtime girlfriend actress Christa-Maria Sieland are popular stars in the East German acting circuit. Secretly, these two do not always agree with party policy. The Minister of Culture becomes interested in Christa and instructs secret service agent Wiesler to spy on the couple. After placing wire taps and bugs, Wiesler sets up a command post above their apartment. Over time, Wiesler becomes sympathetic to their plight. Despite the official belief that “people don’t change,” the characters in fact change- some for the better and some committing heinous acts of betrayal. Redemption, sacrifice and selflessness seal the closure of the film’s end. This movie is German with English subtitles. There is one scene with brief nudity, very little profanity and no gore. Ulrich Muhe who plays agent Wiesler gives a superb performance. This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in the last ten years.

Movie Reivew: "Total Recall"

This 2012 remake of a 1990 movie of the same name is a sci-fi thriller that takes place in the near future. The earth has been left uninhabitable after a global biological war. Only part of Europe, The United Federation of Britain and a small area in Australia, The Colony, are populated. A gigantic elevator, The Fall, daily shuttles workers from The Colony through the middle of the earth to The United Federation of Britain. Douglas Quaid, a factory worker from The Colony seeks escape from his routine mundane life by having his dreams become real memories at Rekall. When his session at Rekall goes horribly wrong, Quaid finds himself a hunted man.

Movie Review: "Dangerous Crossing"

This 1953 mystery-thriller stars Jeanne Craine as a newly married bride who boards a Trans-Atlantic ship bound for Europe. Immediately after boarding, her husband goes missing. None of the crew or passengers believes her story. Her exhaustive search for her husband after his sudden disappearance, leave her doubting her own sanity.

Movie Review: "God Grew Tired of Us"

This National Geographic documentary chronicles the saga of the Southern Sudanese Christian “Lost Boys.” The film centers around the lives John, Daniel and Panther. Most of their families are killed by Moslem soldiers from northern Sudan. The soldiers systematically kill all males- regardless of age. Without any adult supervision over 25,000 young boys journey a thousand mile to Ethiopia then finally to a refugee camp in Kenya. Through the help of American relief agencies, 3,000 of them make their way to the United States. They learn to adapt to the shock of entering an economically intense American culture, learn to eat new foods and cope with work and missing their loved ones in Africa. This movie is very informative, enlightening, inspirational, yet entertaining.

Movie Review: "The Caine Mutiny"

This 1954 classic stars Humphrey Bogart in one of his most impressive roles as Lt. Commander Queeg, the mentally unstable captain of an obscure WWII mine sweeper in the Pacific theater. Van Johnson and Fred McMurray give stellar performances as the ship’s senior officers who must decide on the sanity and ultimate command of Queeg. The story is compelling, but the ending is somewhat muddled. As an aside, Lee Marvin plays a small, but notable role.