Here’s a lightning fast round-up of the films I’ve been watching recently.
The Grand Budapest Hotel | Wes Anderson | 2014 | USA/Germany | 15 | 100 min
The Grand Budapest Hotel is possibly the most Wes Andersony Wes Anderson film ever. Starring Ralph Fiennes as the legendary concierge M Gustave and packed to the brim with Anderson favourites (Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman etc. etc.) it is a candy-coloured caper of the quirkiest degree. It is extremely silly but fun and a visual feast – exactly what you’d expect from a Wes Anderson film.
Under the Skin | Jonathan Glazer | 2013 | UK | 15 | 108 min
At the opposite end of the scale, Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin is a hypnotic science-fiction that slowly reveals itself as the other-worldly Laura (Scarlett Johansson) lures unsuspecting men into a strange, limbo like trap. Although it’s not entirely clear what is happening, the film is mesmerizing and stunningly shot to which Johansson lends an ethereal presence.
Starred Up | David Mackenzie | 2013 | UK | 18 |103 min
Eric Love (Jock O’Connell) is “starred up”. A 19-year-old who is transferred to an adult prison two years early due to his violent and uncontrollable temper, ending up in the same wing as his father. David Mackenzie delivers a gritty drama with spectacular performances from all the cast members, particularly O’Connell and Ben Mendelsohn who plays Eric’s father Nev. The father/son relationship adds a new dimension to the well-worn prison politics drama.
What have you been watching recently?
I want to see all three of these movies…thanks for the reviews!
Hope you like the films if you go see them!
I really wanted to watch ‘Under the Skin’ but no where round me was showing it :(
Grand Budapest Hotel was wicked though!
That’s a shame, it was showing in lots of cinemas here. Although that’s maybe because it was filmed in Glasgow. Defo rent it but prepare for oddness!