Anyways, on threats of more thunderstorms (that never came), we opted to head to the movies instead of doing yardwork. You don't have to twist my arm too hard to get out of cutting the lawn. So we went to go see Midnight in Paris.
I'm not sure I've seen a Woody Allen movie in a theater since Crimes & Misdemeanors. I've seen most of his movies since, but on cable. The Soon Yi thing kind of creeped me out when it came to Woody - sorry, I just call 'em as I see 'em.
Midnight in Paris has been getting pretty good reviews, which is more than his last half dozen movies can claim. And oddly (or maybe not), financially it is his best grossing movie since Hannah & Her Sisters (one of my favourites of his).
I did, or do, like Allen, but I have found some of his sleepers to be better movies - like I was a big fan of Purple Rose of Cairo, Husbands and Wives and I was one of the few who loved Another Woman.
It's not always about the funny.
Midnight in Paris kind of falls into the not funny, but not serious pot. Without giving away any spoilers, for those who want to see it, the movie does have a Purple Rose element in it, but to the next level. I suppose that only makes sense if you've seen that movie.
It actually reminded me of a cross between Purple Rose of Cairo and Patti Smith's book, Just Friends. Now I guess you would have had to seen the movie and have read the book to get that reference.
I am not a Owen Wilson fan. Sure, he can play clueless, untalented, Hansel in Zoolander (was that really acting, or just Owen playing Owen?), but carry a Woody Allen film? Like ever scene? I'll give him this - he didn't suck. He won't be winning any Academy Awards like his co-stars, Kathy Bates, Adrian Brody and the always better than the things she stars in, Marion Cotillard.
Rachel McAdams, plays a more grown-up mean girl. Maybe she's a good actress that you dislike her so much immediately in this film. Maybe it is just her. I found her much better of an actress in The Time Traveler's Wife. She showed a little more promise.
As with any Allen movie where he is not the star, it is hard not to hear his voice in the main male character - his neurosis, usually centered around death. It is a little disconcerting. But I think that only lasted the first half hour or so. I'm not sure if they toned it down, or I just got used to it.
There were some great smaller parts that I loved, but if I told you about them, and you haven't read the reviews, but then I'd spoil those spoilers.
It is Paris, so the scenery is great. The movie is good - not great. It ended almost exactly how I thought it would, so I won't say, for me, there were any surprises.
Still, it was a better option than going to see Super 8. That was our other choice, but it looks like every sci-fi movie Spielberg has ever been involved with. I think we made the right choice.
Now just two weeks until Harry Potter. Whoo-hoo.
Song by: Morrissey
3 comments:
I really enjoyed Midnight In Paris. I found it to be a gentle movie, something we don't often find in mainstream cinema. But I've had Super 8 highly recommended to me too, and that's next on my list. I do love scifi (unless there's gore).
Great review, but my chances of getting Greg to see this are close to zero :`-(
Someone is jumping up and down for HP just like you.
There will be no peace until this movie is seen!
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