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