The Grand Budapest Hotel

With 2 wins and 3 nominations so far this year; this 2014 comedy is one that will be celebrated for it’s beauty and uniqueness in time to come. The audience can see the pain-staking research and detail wrapped into every nook and cranny of each scene. Written and inspired by the writings of the late Austrian Stefan Zweig and adapted into screen play and directed by American Wes Anderson (whose been nominated for 3 Oscars) they bring to viewers the adventures and exaggerated stories of characters Mr. Gustave H and Zero Moustafa. 

Rated R for language, violence and some sexual content this film reminded me very much of ‘The Fantastic Mr. Fox’ minus the foxes. Instead of voices; we had a number of talented actors that committed themselves to each role; Adrien Brody, Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Lea Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan, and Owen Wilson to name a few. 

Very canny humor and beautiful cinematography throughout; this is a film that you can marvel at without even following the story. But the story as put-together as it was was still quite engaging. Each character was entrancing and unique. It really makes for a light evening with good laughs. 

The Talented Mr. Ripley

“If I could just go back…if I could rub everything out… starting with myself.”

One of the many exquisite lines found in this wonderful dramatic 1999 film based on the novel by American Patricia Highsmith and adapted into screenplay and directed by English Anthony Minghella. Nominated for 5 Oscars that year and garnering 11 wins and 53 other nominations its easy to say this story moved quite a number of audiences.

‘Tom Ripley’ our main character and expertly played by American’s sweetheart Matt Damon won the hearts of viewers everywhere despite his collapsing web of lies. Blonde, American siren Gwyneth Paltrow was believable and poised despite extreme circumstances. And English heart-throb Jude Law who played ‘Dickie Greenleaf’ as well as Australian chameleon Cate Blanchett shone as ‘Meredith Logue’. The late Philip Seymour Hoffman also gives a worthy and eeriingly good performance.

Nail-bitingly good and thrilling at all the right moments this $40 million USD budget soared above and beyond everyone’s expectations and made back a cool $81 million USD a couple months later at the box-office. ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ was a heart-breaking masterpiece from the story, acting, cinematography and message of being true to yourself; it is a film that will be remembered till the end of time.

‘JourneywithJair Recommended’ - ENJOY! :))

Side Effects

“What do you doctors call faking? Malingering? Such a funny word. Girls learn to fake things at a very early age - probably around the same time that boys are learning to lie.”

One of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. Suspenseful, excellent soundtrack, phenomenal acting, thrilling and gripping story, with loads of drama! Writer Scott Z. Burns struck gold with this story about a young woman’s life unraveling after taking pills from her psychiatrist. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this 2013 Crime/Drama/Thriller won 2 nominations and kept the audience wanting more.

Rooney Mara (known for American version of ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) stars as the young troubled woman, English veteran Jude Law plays the role of her psychiatrist, and Channing Tatum and Welsh sweetheart Catherine Zeta-Jones (who threw all her ‘sweets’ out the window for this film) also joined in the fun.

With a run-time of 106 minutes and a budget of $30 million USD, this film surprisingly only made a profit  $2 million USD; however left an exceptional trail of exciting viewers and reviews. Actors and Actress’ can only dream of displaying roles with such range and splendour! ‘Journey with Jair’ recommended for a night of extraordinary fun!