The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Former lobby-boy (Tony Revolo) and now owner, Zero Mustafa (F. Murray Abraham) Tony recounts the events that led him to become the owner of the Grand Budapest Hotel to a young writes (Jude Law).  Under the tutelage of M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), Zero embarks on a great adventure which includes a stolen painting and a the death of hotel patron to become a trusted friend of M. Gustave.

The Grand Budapest Hotel is a poetic masterpiece of story-telling, direction, costuming and scoring.  Anderson brings his trademark miniatures and framing to envelope what is a keenly written script.  Fiennes steals the show from a stacked ensemble cast.  He cuts quite a silhouette in uniform.  Anderson hands him some of the best dialogue since 'The Life Aquatic'.

Joining Fiennes on this adventure are all the names Anderson fans have come to love.  Jeff Goldblum, Jason Schwartmann, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, and Wilem Dafoe all return as does Edward Norton, Waris Ahluwalia, and Bob Balaban.  Welcome aboard to Law, Saoirse Ronan, Tom Wilkinson, and Tilda Swinton.

Anderson continues his mixed media with the use of miniatures and animation.  It feels familiar but fresh.  And true to form, Anderson throws some dark unexpected moments amid the pastel-colored absurdity that are guaranteed to make you gasp.  His mastery of restraint remains and his keen eye for frame composition is just a delight.

As I see it, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a masterful addition to Anderson's canon.  Only time will tell if The Grand Budapest Hotel will surpass The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou for my favorite Anderson film, but clearly will give it a run for the money as the most quotable.

Book Fourteen: Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Sex and Science

Author Mary Roach has a unique approach to exploring the unusual.  Whether it's human cadavers, ghosts, or sex, Mary's approach to popular science is both interesting and education.  In Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, she explores the history of the physiology of sex science of sex and those who've attempted to study it.

From daVinci's erroneous drawings of human anatomy or modern-day Taiwanese organ implants, Roach establishes it's tough to legitimately study the science of pro-creation because of societal taboos.  We know of Kinsey and Masters and Johnson.  But do you know of Napoleon's great-grand niece, Princess Mario Bonaparte, who concerned about her own sexual frustrations, published several writings about frigidity and orgasm?

Each chapter is rife with innuendo--as to be expected, I suppose--but this reader quickly found it exhausting.  Roach overreaches in her attempts to make herself and the reader comfortable with the topic.  The author sacrifices herself and husband for the sake of sexual advancement.  Doing it in an MRI machine isn't on my bucket list.

Characteristically of all her books, Bonk contains footnotes galore and these entertaining all to themselves.  From patents to Viagra and all the sex toys in between, Roach leaves no sheet uncovered.  Dear reader, if you are looking to be titillated, you could be disappointed. As I see it, if you're looking for an entertaining read, Bonk doesn't disappoint despite being the driest of her books.  Pun not intended.

Book Thirteen: Boundaries

Boundaries: When to Say Yes and How to Say No to Take Control of You Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend is one of those books.  You know... those books... the ones you love-hate.  For the co-dependent, the authors of Boundaries speak much truth; but it's only truth if you are willing to do the self examination.

The book sets forth a biblical-based foundation for embracing and setting boundaries as part of taking ownership of your life on different levels:  Emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is an interesting concept and quite frightening at times--especially for those struggling to find balance between servant-hood and the resentment that occurs as you overextend yourself.

This book would really lend itself to group work just to build the support a reader would need to complete the work. Making yourself less available to family and friends is exhausting work.  You must stay vigilant in protecting yourself and rewriting those thinking scripts that have been in place since childhood.

The authors aren't confrontational, but they give the reader the tools to confront themselves, again, if they are willing to do the work.  On a personal level, I had too many 'a-ha' moments to count and I even broke my cardinal rule 'we do not write in books'.

As I see it, Boundaries really provides some exceptional tools for living and while I may not agree with all the approaches herein, this book is remarkably thought-provoking.

Book Twelve: Napoleon, CEO

Six Principles to Guide and Inspire Modern Leaders is the subtitle of this book from Alan Axelrod.  Studying Napoleon's battles and missives, Axelrod has gleaned the consistencies of storied emperor's leadership.

Defined with the six principles of Audacity and Character, Vision and Strategy, Knowledge and Power, Tactics and Execution, Motivation and Communication, and Napoleonic Synergy, are individual lessons that support the principles.  For me, this book was overwhelming.  With 25-35 lessons outlining each principle, it's easy to get lost in the number of lessons and not take anything way.  A revisit to principles I'm looking to enhance personally, allowed me to select individual 'lessons' to take away.

Axelrod has written a beautiful book.  His recounts of Napoleon's battles are incredible.  Without a doubt, Napoleon was an amazing strategist.  To say Napoleon 'plotted' undersells what really is a calculated rise in his professional career.  As Axelrod shows us, Napoleon left nothing to chance.  Thus, he was rewarded with a great empire. 

As I see it, those willing to do the work will be reward by Napoleon, CEO.   Takeaways as simple as 'Consider the source' or 'Don't just play the game. Own it.' are as valid today as they were in 1800s.

Book Eleven: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

There is something special about sharing a book that you've loved with someone you love.  It's even more special when that someone is a child.  My sweet niece has discovered Harry Potter and at her insistence, we are reading them together.  We have formed a book club, of sorts, were we examine the finer points of the book.

It's been years (8-10) since I last read this book.  Reading it again with my sweet niece, I am rediscovering the joy that is Rowling's world.  Seeing it through her eyes is just as fun.  Rowling's ability to create characters and then weave adventures for all of them throughout the book. Rereading this time, it struck me that the Weasley twins throw snowballs at Voldemort.

As I see it, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone stands on its own merit a decade later.  With its fantastical places rooted in realism, you couldn't ask for a better place for these unique characters to explore.   For my sweet niece, it's book like these that make life-long readers.

Book Ten: Buyology

Continuing my fascination with the brain, I picked up Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy  Books of this nature have the capability of changing our behaviors.  Author Martin Linstrom makes the science of neuro-science approachable for laymen and those fascinated by how homo sapiens interact with things (like me.)  

In Buyology, Lindstrom presents his work on the study of neuro-marketing--how our brains interact with logos, commercials, and brands.  From the Marlboro man to Brook Shields and her 'Calvins', Lindstrom makes a convincing case for our brains and how they sell us out.  Yes, we all know cigarettes are bad for us; but the explicit labels required by federal regulators don't actual serve the purpose they'd have us to believe but rather stimulate our brains craving spots.

Despite dropping words like neurons and fMRI, Lindstrom's research is jaw-dropping.  What are the elements that create the cult-like brands of Apple, Hollister, and Harley-Davidson?  Why are we all buying bottles of water with palm trees and mountains on the label?  Lindstrom reveals it all.

Updating the book with a chapter--post-recession--Lindstrom's opinions on how we will 'hide' our wealth, i.e., it's no longer trendy to drop $500 on a purse because our need to 'fit-in' is as strong as the need for survival, are also thought-provoking.  He doesn't foresee our innate need to buy to end any time soon; but he does think a certain 'recession-branding' is here to stay

As I see it, Buyology shows how easily are brains can be manipulated.  Scary?  The potential for abuse by multinational corporations is real.  However, I think this book is more empowering than anything.  A cliche as it may be 'knowledge is power' and this book will certainly change your perception of how and why you shop.  Only you can make it for the better.