THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

Directed by: Wes Anderson

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe 

Running Time: 100 minutes

With distinctive visual style and theme's about loneliness, dying to be belonged to something or someone and social awkawardness, Wes Anderson is one of my favorite hipster director.

Most of his movies have his style, such as static shot, travelling shot, ensemble cast (including Bill Murray and Owen Wilson) and deadpan comedy. I enjoy most of his movies, I even reviewed The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr Fox and Moonrise Kingdom here. 

Actually I was afraid that Wes has become more in style but not in substance. But my fears were not realized. In the fictional Republic of Zubrowka, lies The Grand Budapest Hotel. The story itself is multi layered, an aging writer (Tom Wilkinson) recalls his memory in 1968 as he (Jude Law) met enigmatic Mr. Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham) in The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Mr. Moustafa then recall his memory as he was just a lobby boy known as Zero (Tony Revolori) in the 1930s under the wing of M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes). M. Gustave is a vain man, superficial and loves to manipulate old dowagers. Preying their insecurities and need to be loved. Being careless and free, it is M. Gustave's adventure that moves the story. From the death of an old dowager (Tilda Swinton), into meeting arrays of absurd and quirky people including Harvey Keitel as an inmate.

Zubrowska is not a real place and like most Wes Anderson film, it is Wes Anderson universe with it's own rules and theme. However what Wes tries to show is the feeling of being displaced, nostalgia of a bygone era, true friendship and how humor can be a weapon against tyranny. It is one of Wes's best, delightful and can be enjoyed by everyone. You will be charmed and amazed at the same time.

20 FEET FROM STARDOM

Directed by: Morgan Neville

Starring: Darlene Love, Judith Hill, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Táta Vega, Jo Lawry

Running time: 90 minutes

Do you know that other voice in the song Gimme Shelter belongs to Merry Clayton? Who is Merry Clayton? She's not a superstar at all but she sang in one of the legendary song of all time. She's one of many backup singers, lies 20 feet from stardom but got rare if not at all, recognition.

This is the documentary that beat The Act of Killing at this year's Academy Awards. Not just the story of Merry Clayton but other veteran backup singers like Darlene Love, Judith Hill, Lisa Fischer, Táta Vega and Jo Lawry.  The story follows their career from the beginning.

The stories told through interviews and archival performances. Those interviewed are also legend in music industry like Sting, Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler, Bruce Springsteen and Mick Jagger. The presence of backup singer are mostly anonymous, but they contribute greatly to famous songs and they had been through ups and downs in life. As for this, Sting says: the spiritual journey to become a musician is very important.

What I like from this documentary that it shines light to those who deserves to be recognized in the music industry. Most will even say that how come they didn't get the spotlight, they are talented. To this, it is still a mystery. Even Sting says that in music industry the playing field is not level and why someone become financially successful and not perhaps lies in the hand of destiny.