Sunday, April 6, 2014

Film Review Roundup 6th April 2014



Two very entertaining films open this week. Both could end up in my top ten for the year. If you’re a Marvel fan I don’t need to tell you that Captain America: The Winter Soldier is here.  If you live in my hometown Perth, Western Australia, check out my review of The Grand Budapest Hotel because there’s some fantastic things happening around the opening weekend of that film at Luna cinemas from 11th April. I 
just wanted to give you a heads up so you could make plans to get down there an enjoy a really special immersive experience. It’s a great film, too, so don’t miss it.

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#Reviews: Is Captain America: The Winter Soldier awesome or wot? What's the cutest film this year & a special checkin http://bit.ly/1gzl8ls

(My movie Pick of the week)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier ✪✪✪✪             

Opens in Australia:               3rd April 2014
USA: 4th April 2014                UK: 26th March 2014
Other Countries:                   Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS
The film is big and beautiful, just like Captain America himself.  By now, we all know what we get when we settle down with our popcorn and drink to watch a Marvel franchise blockbuster. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is no disappointment.

I love them all. They’re pure entertainment and you could easily sit through this one twice. Just like all the others, do stay through the credits. There are two scenes for you to enjoy. One is very interesting, the last one not so much. Hey, though, the end credits are part of the fun, too. Kudos to Disney Australia, too. They always put on fun Marvel previews with characters from the film for photos (we even had a live falcon) loads of giveaways and treats. Marvel fans go get your fix, until the next one is out.

STUDIO BLURB
Steve Rogers continues his journey as the super-powered American soldier who's grasping to find his place in a modern world after being frozen in ice since WWII with this Marvel Studios sequel. Chris Evans returns to star, with Community director/producers Joe and Anthony Russo helming. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

The Lego Movie ✪✪✪✪ ½      

Opens in Australia:               3rd April 2014
USA: 7th February 2014         UK: 14th February 2014
Other Countries:                   Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS
This is one of the best animation films you will see this year. It’s cute, irreverent, and the voice talent is clearly having fun. It is a rare occurrence that adults can enjoy a film as much as the kids. Usually we parents sit there barely awake while wriggling in our seats wondering how much longer before its over.

I do believe this film is on par with the wit, fun and originality of Shrek. The pop culture references are rife and clever. What is so amazing is that as you watch you start to look at the Lego characters as real actors. This is despite the fact that they are obviously plastic pieces with legs, arms and faces that don’t move except for the minimal facial inflections. 

It’s the type of film my whole family would be very happy to sit through again. Bravo, a film made about a toy that actually transitions well to the screen and has real heart. Go see it. Everything about it is awesome (you will get this comment if you see the film and listen to the catchy song in the film).
   
STUDIO BLURB
"The LEGO (R) Movie" is the first-ever, full-length theatrical LEGO (R) adventure. The original 3D computer animated story follows Emmet (Chris Pratt) an ordinary, rules- following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared. (c) Warner Bros

The Grand Budapest Hotel ✪✪✪✪ ½          

Opens in Australia:               10TH April 2014
USA: 28th March 2014           UK: 7th March 2014
Other Countries:                   Release Information
Perth:                                     Luna Palace Cinemas
 
OUR THOUGHTS
The writer and director of The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson, is an intriguing storyteller. I go along every time to his films thinking how great they look from the trailers—quirky, funny, sentimental, and starring a cast of incredible talent. Sometimes, though I’m left with nothing more than “It was just okay.” Wes Anderson’s version of the world is populated with surreal characters who are not just oddball, but sometimes certifiable. I find it hard to identify with them and the storyline.

Not so, though, with The Grand Budapest Hotel. This film does not miss a beat. There’s a cast of many A-list actors, the story is adventurous and wonderful, and the color palette Anderson’s uses is gorgeous. Think of his Fantastic Mr. Fox, which I did love, but with people instead of animation, and you have the feel.

Do go check in to The Grand Budapest Hotel. I think you will fall in love with it as much as I did and want to return there again.


If you live in Perth, Western Australia, my hometown, I suggest you see it at Luna Cinemas in Leederville on its opening weekend of Friday 11th through to Sunday 13th.

Luna is creating an immersive experience. On the opening weekend, the Oxford St exterior façade of the building will be transformed at night with spectacular projection imagery. In the film, Wes Anderson has created a fictional world in Eastern Europe known as The Republic of Zubrowka. With specialist projected light and animation by Roly Skender, the hotel in Zubrowka will come to Oxford St Leederville!
Visitors to the Luna Leederville can expect to see some of the characters from the film brought to life. For those wanting to swan about the hotel there is also plenty to do. Enjoy a themed cocktail at The Grand Budapest Lobby Bar, browse the Grand Budapest Gallery, enjoy a complimentary Mendl’s cake (courtesy of Baked180), take in a game of the custom-made game “Guess Who” featuring the film’s characters, and take your picture at the Mendl’s cake box wall (and share it: #thegrandbudapesthotel).
All the best people will certainly be there to enjoy the experience. I’m going down to take a look myself. Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it?
  

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

WINDSOR SOIREE
To celebrate The Grand Budapest Hotel at the Windsor  you are cordially invited to join us for  an afternoon soirée on Sunday 13 April from

4.00pm featuring Brown Brothers Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay Non-vintage and a musical ensemble of the talented WA Youth Jazz Orchestra musicians playing  from prior to the screening of the film at 4.45pm
Tickets now on sale and online now

STUDIO BLURB
Following his succesful Moonrise Kingdom Wes Anderon's latest comic delight, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune -- all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.

Featuring an A-list cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, newcomer Tony Revolori, who plays Zero, a lobby boy in the hotel , Tilda Swinton,  F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jude Law, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman and Léa Seydoux and many more...


What have you seen this week? Did you find our comments helpful or do you disagree? Share your thoughts with us.

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