The Crimefile News Review of, The Grand Budapest Hotel

Los Angeles, CA—Most of my visitors know that I’m an actor, writer, and video producer in addition to being a private investigator.  Along the way I have found some wonderful friends involved in German filmmaking and funding.  I’ve got two film projects of my own in development.  With a lot of luck maybe something will yet see production. 

Let me begin by letting you know a little about Germany’s partnering with American film producers.  Germany is no small player in making top quality English speaking films. 

For well over a year I’ve been hearing buzz about this film produced by the prolific American producer Scott Rudin and Berlin’s Studio Babelsberg.  Germany is dead serious about making terrific and in recent years given generous film grants to producers to make the magic happen.

Some recent past productions funded by the German government are some of my favorites such as Black Book, Valkyrie, Inglorious Bastards and The Book Thief are a few wonderful examples. 

California has chased away filmmakers with excessive taxation right into the loving arms of Canada and Germany.   American filmmakers are finding Germany has so much to offer them in every possible way. 

The German film locations are amazing and different.  Reunified, Eastern Germany has loads of untouched real estate spared from modern development because of long time Communist control.  The more modern metropolis locations are in the Western Cities of Germany.

Now it’s time to talk about this awesome film!

This Wes Anderson film is a real adventure and a wonderful farce.  It has an all-star cast however recognizing these actors will be a challenge because of superb makeup and costumes. 

The cleaver writing was only surpassed by the great delivery of the lines by the cast.  The film is non-stop entertainment revolving around the adventures of a hotel concierge and a lobby boy.   You will find out our concierge goes the extra distance to make sure his elderly, female and rich guests are comfortable.

The stars pop up one at a time and they will keep you guessing and laughing even after you’ve gone home. 

I’ve told you enough and don’t want to spoil the film for you.   Go see it!  I will buy the Blu-Ray DVD when it released for my collection. 

The cast includes:  Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric , Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton and Tom Wilkinson. 

I must warn you that the trailer below does not do the film justice!

           

The Berlin Portion of The Fifth Estate Spielberg Film has Wraped!, by Paul Huebl

Berlin, Germany— The principal Berlin photography involved with, The Fifth Estate is finished and now they are off to Belgium for the rest of the production.  I can’t wait to see the final product. This is yet another milestone for Studio Bablesberg located in one of my favorite cities.

Governments have a terrible habit of lying to their citizens, as they get involved in deadly adventures and intrigue that few rational people would approve.   This is a story about the failure of civilized nations to engage in honorable diplomacy.

Investigative Journalist, hacker and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange risked his life and liberty to expose the truth to the citizens of the world.  Today there is a price on Assange’s head.  The government and people of Ecuador are protecting him from imprisonment in any number of nations.

Any great effort like the wildly successful WikiLeaks website brings conflict even among friends and this film explores that and other issues.  In most circles Assange is hated and considered a traitor.  I see it differently.  I find it very difficult to accept that exposing the truth is somehow wrong. 

As a journalist Assange is a hero.  Long ago the late, George Orwell so adequately said, “Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations.”  Assanage sure brought out the dogs when he published thousand of secret cables that exposed government treachery, dishonesty and hostility.   I can’t fault him for exposing the truth.  I don't think this film will speak well for Assange but we will wait and see. 

Steven Spielberg’s Dreamworks is producing this sure to become a blockbuster film.  It’s based upon the writings of Daniel Domscheit-Berg and Luke Harding.

Film director Bill Condon molded a troupe of fine actors into this fascinating story.  Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Brühl, Carice van Houten and one of my favorite American actresses Laura Linney star in this film.

I have a special fondness for the multi-talented Dutch actress Carice van Houten’s fine work.  I hope to somehow obtain a video interview with her about the challenges she’s faced in her career when she visits Los Angeles later this month.  That will depend on how much time she can spare for Crimefile News.  Ms. Van Houten’s name surely will be exploding on American theater marques over the next few years.  Of course if I can land that interview you will see it right here at Crimefile News.