Cranky Hanke’s Weekly Reeler March 19-25: The Grand Budapest Hotel Is Open for Business

In Theaters

Like a harbinger of the end of a winter that seemed utterly disinclined to go away — and the typical dead-of-winter parade of dreary movies (at least the ones actually released this year) — Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel comes to town this week. It’s a joy. It’s a wonderment. It’s a delight. It’s a must-see. It’s a film I didn’t mind in the least getting up early Saturday morning to be at a 9 a.m. press screening at The Carolina to see. Oh, yeah, there’s some other stuff opening, too. I’ll get to those eventually.

It’s also a film from which big things seem to be expected. The Carolina has two screens of it and the Fine Arts has remonkeyed their schedule to get in four shows on weekdays, as well as the usual late shows on Friday and Saturday (making five shows those days). I may be misremembering something here, but I do not recall a Wes Anderson movie ever being afforded this kind of exposure before. (All this also means that one of the Big Box theaters is almost certain to go after a piece of the action. About that I will only say, The Carolina and the Fine Arts bring us this kind of non-mainstream material 52 weeks out of the year — not just when there’s a sure thing — and they deserve our support.)

If I haven’t made it clear yet, I absolutely adored this movie. I can’t wait to see it again because it’s so richly detailed and moves so fast that I know I missed things. Plus, the film’s marvelous dialogue deserves to be heard more than once. (I confess that there is no Anderson film I haven’t seen multiple times.) Am I calling Grand Budapest Wes Anderson’s best film? No, I stop short of that — at least right now. It’s too soon to make that kind of assessment. I’ll go so far as saying that it’s certainly in the running for such an accolade. I’ll also say that if you don’t like Anderson’s work — you’re one of those people who use that word about his films — chances are this isn’t going to change your mind. But you never know.

So, yeah, there are some other movies coming to town this week, including one that sneaked in to watch at about 6 p.m. yesterday (read: it’s not in the Upcomers in the paper). They all seem like wax fruit in comparison, but let’s take a look at them.

First of all, there’s this thing called Divergent from director Neil Burger (he had a cultish hit in 2006 with The Illusionist). It’s yet another hopeful franchise drawn from yet another “best-selling” YA series of books. We are assured (by the studio) that it’s “a thrilling action-adventure film set in a world where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues.”  Well, you can’t really expect them to say it’s tepid-looking stuff of the been-there-done-that variety, though that’s certainly what it looks like. Shailene Woodley stars as our heroine, who is, of course, Divergent. This means she’s not like other folks and can’t fit in. (Where is Prof. Xavier when you need him?) Evil folks (headed by Kate Winslet, it appears) want the Divergents dead. Unsurprisingly, the Divergents are not too keen on this. And somehow or other, this goes on for 143 minutes. Plus, despite lackluster early reviews, it’s expected (by those who predict such things) to drag down $50-60 million on opening weekend.

Then there’s God’s Not Dead. Someone saw the plot outline for this newest faith-based opus and said it sounded like an April fool’s joke. I understand the confusion. This is all about what happens when a good Christian boy (Shane Harper) runs up against one of those atheist philosophy professors (Kevin Sorbo) at college. Seems the professor insists that his students deny the existence of God in writing or risk failing his course. After much soul searching, said boy finds he can’t do this and is therefore tasked to scientifically prove the existence of God. I’m sure there is an audience for this. And to sweeten the deal Duck Dynasty‘s Willie Robertson (and his beard) makes some kind of appearance as himself. I am so not the demographic for this.

For those more secularly minded, we have Muppets Most Wanted — the inevirable, inescapable sequel to the immensely popular and critically acclaimed The Muppets. This one has the same writers and director. It also has the expected array of felt-covered characters and an array of guest stars. The plot this round has Kermit the Frog has some sort of look-alike who is, in fact, some kind of international thief. Obviously. mix-ups will happen and hijinks will ensue. It will also undoubtedly do well at the box office, though interestingly the early reviews suggest that the critics aren’t as charmed this second time around. Does the lack of Amy Adams and Jason Segel account for this? Or is it merely diminishing returns? You can find out for yourself on Friday.

And finally, there’s that movie that sneaked in at the last minute — Veronica Mars, which opened on 291 screens last week and did so-so business. Whether it really warrants an expansion remains to be seen. Apart from the fact that this film version of the TV series was partly fan-financed via a Kickstarter campaign, I have to admit to utter ignorance on the topic. Oh, yeah, I know that Kristin Bell plays Veronica Mars, who appears to be some kind of modern day Nancy Drew. And I know that the reviews for the film have been fairly positive. Otherwise, well, here’s what the studio has to say: “On the eve of graduating law school, Veronica Mars has put Neptune and her amateur sleuthing days behind her. While interviewing at high-end New York law firms, Veronica Mars gets a call from her ex-boyfriend Logan who has been accused of murder. Veronica heads back to Neptune just to help Logan find an attorney, but when things don’t seem right with how Logan’s case is perceived and handled, Veronica finds herself being pulled back into a life she thought she had left behind.”

So what do we lose this week? Well, the Fine Arts dropped The Wind Rises. but if you missed and want to make the drive (or are in the area), the Flatrock Cinema picked it up. The Carolina is dropping Like Father, Like Son and Gravity. And it’s worth noting that the intrusion of Veronica Mars got Better Living Through Chemistry (which did surprisingly well) knocked down to one show (9:05 p.m.) a day.

Special Screenings

Owing to the Cinema Lounge being unavailable this week, there will be no Thursday Horror Picture Show. It will return next Thursday, March 27, however. World Cinema is showing Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s The Small Back Room (1949) at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 21 in the Railroad Library in the Phil Mechanic Building. The Hendersonville Film Society is running Peter Yates’ The Dresser (1983) on Sunday, March 23 at 2 p.m. in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing in Hendersonville. The Asheville Film Society concludes its tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman with Richard Curtis’ Pirate Radio (2009) (the longer UK version The Boat That Rocked will be run) at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25 in Theater Six at The Carolina. More on all titles in this week’s Xpress—with full reviews in the online edition.

On DVD

The big release this week is David O. Russell’s American Hustle, but also noteworthy is Saving Mr. Banks. The most anticipated release is probably Frozen, and the least anticipated is almost certainly Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

Notable TV Screenings

It’s not really good, but On with the Show (1929) is on TCM Wednesday, March 19 at 8:15 a.m. It’s an interesting antique at best — not in the least because Joe. E. Brown plays an unsympathetic character. The big selling point — and the main reason to watch the film — are two songs by the great Ethel Waters, “Am I Blue?” and “Birmingham Bertha.” And if you stick around on Wednesday night, you can see Preston Sturges’ The Palm Beach Story (1942) at 8 p.m, Michael Curtiz’s The Kennel Murder Case (1933) at 11:15 p.m. — and for some more antiquity there’s Warner Bros.’ Show of Shows (1929) at 3 a.m. If you’re really dedicated, Lewis Milestone’s terrific silent comedy Two Arabian Knights (1927) is on at 5:15 a.m.

On Thursday March 20, there’s John G. Adolf’s George Arliss comedy A Successful Calamity (1932) at 6:45 a.m., followed by Roy Del Ruth’s The Little Giant (1933), the first, the best, and the most outrageous of the movies where Edward G. Robinson spoofed his movie gangster image.

On Saturday, March 22 at 2 a.m.. (yeah, it’s really Sunday morning) they bring is John Boorman’s Zardoz (1974) one of oddest science fiction movies ever made and one of the most overlooked.  If nothing else, you’ll at least get Sean Connery wearing a red diaper. Not many movies can make that claim.

Now, my memory of Viictor Schertzinger’s Dorothy Lamour vehicleThe Fleet’s In (1942) is that it’s not very good. That memory, however, is from 1971 — and that’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen it. That should tell you that the 8 p.m. showing of it on Monday, March 24 is on the rare side.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Ken Hanke
Head film critic for Mountain Xpress from December 2000 until his death in June 2016. Author of books "Ken Russell's Films," "Charlie Chan at the Movies," "A Critical Guide to Horror Film Series," "Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker."

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

22 thoughts on “Cranky Hanke’s Weekly Reeler March 19-25: The Grand Budapest Hotel Is Open for Business

  1. Edwin Arnaudin

    One week Carolina wonders We Are What We Are and How I Live Now are now streaming on Netflix.

  2. Edwin Arnaudin

    Agreed. I didn’t say they deserved to have such tenures. (I gave them an A- and B, respectively.)

  3. Me

    Would anybody like a download of the film Tomorrow Night? I have 4 downloads left and it says you can do whatever you like with them.

  4. Big Al

    Kevin Sorbo just became the most hated man in the Bible Belt. As if he did not have enough trouble when he played the son of a false god.

  5. Ken Hanke

    Kevin Sorbo just became the most hated man in the Bible Belt.

    I don’t know about that, but after sitting through that pile of crap today, he and everyone involved are on my list.

  6. Ken Hanke

    Have you heard anything for the titles Blue Ruin or Dear White People coming to Asheville?

    Until this moment, I’d never even heard of them. Blue Ruin is TWCRadius, which might well mean it’ll get four-walled here. Regarfless, it doesn’t come out at all till April 25. Though it’s down for a Roadside release, Dear White People doesn’t seem to even have a release date.

  7. Ken Hanke

    Here is Matt Zoller Seitz review of Tomorrow Night

    In short for completists and worshippers at the altar of Mr. C.K. only. I think I’ll pass, Chris, but thanks.

  8. Ken Hanke

    It’s down for a limited release through Cinedigm on May 30. It’s still doing the film festival rounds in the US. A full trailer — especially one for a release in France — doesn’t mean the movie is right around the corner.

  9. swilder

    Considering how well God’s Not Dead did this weekend in a very limited release, be prepared for more “piles of crap” to come.

  10. Ken Hanke

    I knew it would do well. It was a given. It had a pre-sold audience and a big church push. Didn’t keep it from being awful.

    However, I think, in future, we will follow the lead of nearly all the critcs on this one and not bother reviewing these. It serves no function. The people who are going to see them aren’t going to be put off by some agnostic’s review, and the people who will pay any attention to the review aren’t going to see them in the first place.

  11. Ken Hanke

    By the way, that’s not “a very limited release.” It was 780 theaters for an average of $11,000 a theater. Now Grand Budapest Hotel was in 304 theaters and had an average of $22,200 per theater.

  12. swilder

    The major releases last week were in over 3000 theaters. I did notice how well Budapest did and almost included it in my comment. There is a given audience for the art house crowd as well. I think thats’ the great thing about cinema, the viewers can choose what they like to see. I will miss you and Justin’s take on the “faith based” films, but by no means will stop reading your reviews. I do enjoy you style and wit..even when I disagree with it.

  13. Ken Hanke

    My point was that it wasn’t “very limited.” It was limited, but compared with Grand Budapest Hotel, it was pretty wide. Bad Words was in 87 theaters. Jodorowsky’s Dune was in 7.

    I just don’t see the point in reviewing these faith-based things. No one who goes to see them cares if they’re poorly made, overbearing, badly written, etc. The only standard is whether or not they’re saying what that audience wants to hear.

    I have yet to see one that was really well made — with the possible exception of Blue Like Jazz — and I’ve been slogging my way through them for years. Oh, sure God’s Not Dead mostly looks better than those Sherwood Baptist Church pictures, and certainly better than the bottom of the barrel stuff like C Me Dance. But that doesn’t make it good.

  14. DrSerizawa

    The one I’m anticipating, and unfortunately dreading, is the Godzilla remake. (As if you couldn’t guess.) It’s only a couple of months away now, give or take. I’ll check the reviews but I’ll be seeing it regardless. At least the new Godzilla doesn’t look like a Velociraptor. And I won’t have to endure Roland Emmerich. Normally he makes the most sidesplitting movies around. But I don’t have much of a sense of humor where Gojira is involved.

    On the other hand I see that The Small Black Room is posted complete on YouTube. Think I’ll give that a try.

  15. Ken Hanke

    Yeah, but I’m betting this new Godzilla doesn’t have a song by Puff Daddy featuring Jimmy Page.

Leave a Reply to Edwin Arnaudin ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.