[durangotang]

Just finished watching this movie. I usually like Woody Allen, and this one does not disappoint.

If anyone wants to see what a domineering, entitled American women acts like, Rachel McAdams, who I generally like, nails the type. The contrast between her character and Marion Cotillard, who plays a French flapper girl from the 1920's is pretty awesome.

Next up Vicki, Cristina, Barcelona. Looks like I'll learn something:

Anyone here pull a Vicky Cristina lately?

[Nonpareil]

VCB is superior.

While I enjoyed Midnight in Paris, I can't help noticing a few things about Woody Allen movies...

1) He hates America, but every foreign location gets a hard tug, a nice cup of the balls, some nice tongue on the head and even a little bit of finger in the ass. He will blow, and blow hard, any European city.
2) There are characters you aren't supposed to like in movies, that's just a given, but Woody Allen, as opposed to a filmmaker who has a grasp of subtlety (Darren Aronofsky, Wes Anderson, Alexander Payne) makes these characters as horrible and unlikable as possible (as we see with McAdams here and the SWPL that was engaged to the cunt played by Rebecca Hall in Vicky Cristina).

[thegmanifesto]

(02-14-2012 09:59 PM)Nonpareil Wrote:  

VCB is superior.

While I enjoyed Midnight in Paris, I can't help noticing a few things about Woody Allen movies...

1) He hates America, but every foreign location gets a hard tug, a nice cup of the balls, some nice tongue on the head and even a little bit of finger in the ass. He will blow, and blow hard, any European city.
2) There are characters you aren't supposed to like in movies, that's just a given, but Woody Allen, as opposed to a filmmaker who has a grasp of subtlety (Darren Aronofsky, Wes Anderson, Alexander Payne) makes these characters as horrible and unlikable as possible (as we see with McAdams here and the SWPL that was engaged to the cunt played by Rebecca Hall in Vicky Cristina).

Never seen Midnight in Paris. (Should I? I had no idea it was Woody Allen).

1. I think he loves NYC doesn't he?

And sure he is in love with Barcelona, but I think he gave that city justice. Barcelona was a character in the film.

I personally love movies set in dope places. Hell, many times I like a movie if the scenery is dope alone and its a place I am interested in going.

He was basically showing his love for the place by filming the scenes in some of the dopest scenic spots.

However, if you go to Barcelona, you are living your life with those scenes as a backdrop.

You are kissing girls in Parc Guell. You are getting shakers on the beach in Barcelonetta. You are getting blowers on Monjuic and Tibidabo. You are swooping in the park at Sagrada Familia.

Which is one of the reasons Barcelona is so illmatic.

Have you been there? (Not challenging you)

2. "the SWPL that was engaged to the cunt played by Rebecca Hall in Vicky Cristina"

Right, but how many people do you know exactly like that beta fiance and the b*tchy American girl character?

[Nonpareil]

(02-14-2012 11:01 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

Have you been there? (Not challenging you)

2. "the SWPL that was engaged to the cunt played by Rebecca Hall in Vicky Cristina"

Right, but how many people do you know exactly like that beta fiance and the b*tchy American girl character?

I have not in fact been to Barcelona, though it looks like a hell of a place, and you don't need to tell me how fly Spanish girls are, and even if you were challenging me, I respect you and your opinion enough to know you weren't being a hater, so it's cool.

And yeah, I do know people that are like the SWPL mortgage broker that was married to the girl that Javier Bardem's suave Spanish artist cat swooped, but come on Woody...I have enough of a brain to know who I should like, and who I shouldn't, no need to bash me over the head with it, I mean in Midnight in Paris his mother in law calls him cheap to his face...who fucking does that? There's also no need to smack me in the face with the central theme of your movies (in Midnight in Paris it's the glory of the past).

Yeah G, I'd check Midnight in Paris. I have one or two issues with it (and to be fair, I have one or two issues with VCB as well, and most flicks in fact), but overall there are worse ways to spend two hours, and like VCB, it's a movie that girls love.

[durangotang]

G, it's no Scarface but decent. Watch it with a chick. I posted because I watched it last night and the contrast between the female leads was worth mentioning.

[Timoteo]

The high costs of film making in the US (and his beloved NYC in particular) have forced Woody to film almost exclusively in Europe now. He still lives here in NYC (he's held Knick season tickets forever, and his jazz band used to play regular nights at a place called Michael's Pub), but he may have given up filming here permanently unless they cut him a break. Vancouver and Toronto often serve as stand-ins for NY in movies because it's so much cheaper to film there than here.

[Screwston]

I've seen a few of his movies and couldn't get into them. What are his top 3?

[Hencredible Casanova]

(02-15-2012 09:10 PM)Timoteo Wrote:  

The high costs of film making in the US (and his beloved NYC in particular) have forced Woody to film almost exclusively in Europe now. He still lives here in NYC (he's held Knick season tickets forever, and his jazz band used to play regular nights at a place called Michael's Pub), but he may have given up filming here permanently unless they cut him a break. Vancouver and Toronto often serve as stand-ins for NY in movies because it's so much cheaper to film there than here.

Yeah. I've actually read interviews with him and he said just that: NYC is too expensive of a place to shoot movies. Woody hates Hollywood entirely. I remember him giving a speech at the Oscar's some years ago urging the major directors to shoot in NYC (this was some time right after 9/11).

As for Barcelona, it's a dope ass city. One of my favorites in the world. I plan to return there again. I also want to explore some other parts of Spain, both on the Med and elsewhere. One of my boys in London has a crib in Almeria that he visits a few times a year. He's been offering an invite for me to visit for some time. One of these days I'll make it happen.

[durangotang]

Okay, so I watched Vicky Cristina. It was good, but I liked Midnight in Paris better. Barcelona looks like a cool city. Looks like I need to check out both Paris and Barcelona.

[Parlay44]

I haven't seen Midnight in Paris but I'll check it out. I like Woody Allen. I saw one movie of his called Crimes and Misdemeanors where a woman brought a guy home for sex. He handcuffed her to her bed and shit on her chest and left.

Sweet and Lowdown was really good as well. A+

[Menace]

I just saw this movie. I was not that impressed. The best actor in the movie was the city of Paris. It was beautifully shot, both during the day and at night. The whole message of the movie I thought was fairly trite, and obvious to anyone who's lived some years and suffered some pain. This confirms my continuing dislike for Woody Allen movies despite ostensibly being in the target demographic.

[muc]

Hm I just remember the Hemingway Character in Midnight In Paris. Made me think that I'd liked to have a drink with him if he were still alive.

[thegmanifesto]

(02-20-2012 10:38 PM)durangotang Wrote:  

Okay, so I watched Vicky Cristina. It was good, but I liked Midnight in Paris better. Barcelona looks like a cool city. Looks like I need to check out both Paris and Barcelona.

Why did you like Midnight in Paris better?

[Mr.GM]

I liked both movies , but I liked Vicky Cristina B a little more.

I usually like woody allen's movies.

[durangotang]

I liked Midnight in Paris more because it takes you back to Paris in the 1920's where you get to meet a classic group of characters like Hemmingway, Gertrude Stein, Picasso, etc. and the juxtaposition between that and modern day was more interesting to me. Also Marion Cotillard was the sex interest and her sexual essence as a 1920's flapper girl in Paris compared to Owen Wilson's modern dominant American fiance reminded me of what I want in a woman. Also, I think it's hard to beat Paris - he had so many interesting shots of the city in there (if only Paris were by the sea).

Compared to Scarlett Jo, I'd take Marion anytime. What can I say, I have a thing for French girls:

[muc]

(02-20-2012 10:38 PM)durangotang Wrote:  

Looks like I need to check out both Paris and Barcelona.

Yes, both are def. worth a visit. Those are my two favorite cities in Europe so far. Barcelona was more fun, but Paris was just beautiful. Then again, I haven't been to Rome yet.

Btw, while on the subject of Spain: Granada is worth a visit, as well. Unique atmosphere, young population (although many tourists, too). Perfect place to relax, get high, get drunk, and enjoy stunning Arabian architecture.

[speakeasy]

I just saw Midnight in Paris last night. I didn't like it. I tend to like movies with a strong plot and this just didn't see much of one develop in this film. I also was annoyed by the betaness of the main character. He acted out the beta role even in all it's subtleties VERY well, I'll give him credit for that. But it was just an annoying character to watch for me alongside the bitchy American fiancee. In fact just knowing that in real life you'd never see a hot, rich alpha woman with an egregiously beta struggling writer was a real distraction for me.

I thought the film captured the magic of Paris at it's best though to anyone that's been there, it's clear he's over-idealizing it.

Perhaps if I was more into those writers the movie focuses on(I tend to read exclusively non-fiction), I'd have enjoyed it better. Wasn't a bad movie per se, but for me there just wasn't anything that hooked me. I'm scratching my head as to why this film was so highly acclaimed.

[thegmanifesto]

Finally watched Midnight in Paris.

I dug it.

The scenery was sick and the acting was done perfectly. Some parts were damn funny.

I think I like Vicky Christina Barcelona better though.

The whole "back in time" thing was cool, but I like more real movies.

However, if a movie is shot in a dope place that I am interested in, I will usually enjoy it.

First movie I have been able to sit through in a long time. (Still had to take a break half way through).

[Newb#3]

Yeah Midnight in Paris is alright, but not that great for a Woody Allen flick.

[alecks]

could only stomach about 30mins of midnight in paris,i couldnt stand the betaness im sorry haha.paris does look super cool though.

VCB is a winner in my book though.great story and acting

[SVK]

Great movie, although I enjoyed VCB better. I really like Owen Wilson in the title role, he channels Woody Allen's persona very well, only in less neurotic and overall "cooler" package. Wilson seems like a natural fit for Woody's movies and I hope to see future collaborations.

As a side note - I always wondered about the typical Woody Allen's character present in at least half of his movies, played by the director himself or other actors who, however, mimic his persona. The overly neurotic, intellectual, effeminate, but also somewhat charming and extroverted character. He's as beta as can be (both behavior and looks), but does fairly decent with women and often pulling way above his weight. In real life, Woody Allen's personal life was quite colorful and he was getting on with a few hotties in his time. Guys I know in person with similar personality do know a lot of hot girls, but usually get friendzoned automatically and play the role of emotional tampon to their many female friends, a role they might actually enjoy to a certain degree. But occasionally they do get it on with one of them. It's interesting since they do everything against the common sense game teachings (except perhaps being outgoing), but still pull sometimes...

[speakeasy]

I really liked VCB, is that homo? Lol.

Seriously though, is VCB considered a chic flick? I usually hate such movies, but I dug that one. I think I liked it because it was in Spain. If it was filmed in Chicago, I'd have passed on it.