Whimsy and charm on the movie menu this week at Star Hall.
On Thursday, Nov. 20, the Utah Film Center and the Grand County Library are teaming up to present two free back-to-back screenings of Wes Anderson’s βThe Grand Budapest Hotelβ at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
They will follow it up on Saturday, Nov. 22 with two free afternoon screenings of the animated children’s film βErnest and Celestineβ at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
βThe Grand Budapest Hotelβ features Ralph Fiennes in a rare comedic role as Gustave H., a famous hotel concierge (and notorious womanizer) who takes a young lobby boy under his wing as a fictional Eastern European country finds itself on the brink of war.
The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune β all against the backdrop of a suddenly and dramatically changing continent. Co-star Tilda Swinton is totally unrecognizable as Herr Gustave’s elderly benefactress, although viewers will have an easier time spotting Wes Anderson regulars Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman and Jeff Goldblum, among many others.
Grand County Library Assistant Jessie Magleby is thrilled by the chance to show off the latest work by a beloved filmmaker whose other movies include βRushmore,β βThe Royal Tenenbaumsβ and βMoonrise Kingdom.β
βMany of us here at the library are huge Wes Anderson fans, and we are excited to share this movie with Moab,β Magleby said.
The library strives to present some light-hearted features along with serious films, she said, and the bubbly βGrand Budapest Hotelβ certainly fits that bill.
βWho but Wes Anderson could combine illicit romance, art heists, daring prison breaks and Nazi villains with Bavarian pastries, funiculars and high-speed toboggan chases to such perfection?β she asked. βNot to mention the star-studded cast of delightfully quirky characters. This unforgettable film boasts visual riches with exquisite detail and it certainly deserves to be seen on a big screen.β
‘The Grand Budapest Hotelβ is Rated R for language, comedic violence and brief sexual situations, so viewer discretion is advised.
βErnest and Celestineβ is whimsical, too, but it’s full of the kind of whimsy that all audiences can enjoy, according to Utah Film Center Artistic Director Patrick Hubley.
βThe engaging script and cast, as well as the hand-drawn and watercolor-esque animation, captures the viewers’ imagination and is sure to charm audiences of all ages,β he said.
The Academy Award nominee, which is based on the Belgian book series by Gabrielle Vincent, tells the story of two unlikely friends: a mouse and a bear.
Celestine is a young mouse in an underground land, where cautionary tales of bears are told and all mice are destined to become dentists. One day, she befriends an ursine street musician named Ernest, and the couple set out against the odds to prove that their friendship is possible.
βAn offbeat alternative to mainstream films for children, ‘Ernest and Celestine’ is a wonderful film about friendship, individuality and acceptance,β Hubley said.
Star Hall is located at 159 E. Center St. For more information about both films, go to http://www.utahfilmcenter.org/events/category/moab/upcoming/.
Star Hall hosts free screenings of βThe Grand Budapest Hotel,β βErnest and Celestineβ
What: Utah Film Center and the Grand County Library present βThe Grand Budapest Hotelβ and βErnest and Celestineβ
When: βThe Grand Budapest Hotelβ will be shown at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20. βErnest and Celestineβ will be shown at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22.
Where: Star Hall, 159 E. Center St.
Cost: Free