Friday, July 15, 2011

CHALLENGE: Paris in July



I've never been a huge Woody Allen fan, but when I saw Midnight in Paris was playing at my favorite local indie movie theatre I decided to go. I don't think I am a Woody Allen fan after watching this, and there are all kind of problems I could describe with the movie, but Paris was not one of them. It was beautiful.

Owen Wilson, an aspiring novelist, is in Paris with his fiancee. He is unsettled and questioning his career change. One night drunkedly walking back to his hotel one alone, he is invited into an old car to go for a ride. He ends up driving back to the 1920s of Paris, and partying with the Fitzgeralds, Scott and Zelda, Ernest Hemingway, Alice and Gertrude, plus assorted other famous painters and artists. I'm sure I missed many references to people and times. Isn't the movie poster gorgeous?

Owen Wilson was clearly channeling a young Woody Allen. The thing that really surprised me was the audience reaction. The movie was amusing, and I smirked, but the whole place would bust out laughing, guffawing actually, over the slightest comment or situation. It seemed to me that fans of Allen's movies were prepared to laugh uproariously at his movie. I'm guessing these people don't watch Wipeout and laugh at idiots falling down.
Posted by raidergirl3 at 8:30 AM

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Cathy · 715 weeks ago

The movie poster is from Van Gogh's Starry, Starry Night.

I'm not cultured though--I know this because Clay Aiken sang Don MacLean's song Vincent on S2 of American Idol. :)

I'm not a Woody Allen fan either, though I don't know that I've actually seen any of his movies. The clips and trailers don't grab me. And we generally have similar tastes, so I'll trust your judgment.
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raidergirl3 91p · 715 weeks ago

I recognized the painting because we have it in our bedroom.

The movie wasn't that bad, but the audience reaction was was amused me the most. The costumes and characters were cool. Toulouse Latreck (I know I butchered that) was in it too. I recognized him from Moulin Rouge. Now I should watch Moulin Rouge again. I think I still have your DVD.

I didn't like the style of the dialogue. It's like they were given a situation and told to make up the words, and not all the actors were strong enough. So there is all kinds of stumbling, and basic speech, repeating each other.
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Kailana · 715 weeks ago

I really should go to the Indie theatre here. That is something I have never done...
1 reply · active 715 weeks ago
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raidergirl3 91p · 715 weeks ago

I love trying some random indie or translated film. And I don't mind going by myself. I've seen some pretty neat movies there.
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jennysbooks 89p · 715 weeks ago

They're showing this at a bunch of theaters in New York, but I think a New York audience would respond the same way yours did, with much guffawing. I may wait for the DVD.
1 reply · active 715 weeks ago
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raidergirl3 91p · 715 weeks ago

There are probably Woody Allen fans in every city. It's a DVD for sure.
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Bookfool, aka Nancy · 715 weeks ago

How cool that you have an indie theater. We're nowhere near such a thing. Love, love the movie poster. That's probably everyone's favorite Van Gogh. It's definitely my fave. I'm not a Woody Allen fan, either, although I like a couple of his older movies. I don't love them, though. I recently saw one of his newer films and it was so stilted and awful I felt guilty for spending $3 to view it. But, I think I'd happily watch this one for the scenery.
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raidergirl3 91p · 715 weeks ago

It is very cool to have the indie theatre. I saw the Conan O'Brien documentary last week. (Because I accidently read the times wrong to see Midnight at Paris) Plus I've seen many translated or Oscar nominated performances. Sometimes the movies are about to come out on DVD they are so old, but still, it's a more fun experience and I dont' mind going by myself.
Stilted and awful is a great way to describe that movie.
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Christina Potter · 715 weeks ago

Hi,

My name is Christina Potter and I work for Simon and Schuster Canada, and we are adding to our list of book bloggers. If you are interested in being added to our database please said me your mailing address and the type of books you most like to review. Thanks!
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Joanna · 715 weeks ago

I like Woody Allen though I'm not a huge, huge fan. I find most of his stuff very funny, but in small doses.
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Chrisbookarama 89p · 715 weeks ago

That started playing here and I thought of going. I don't know if I've ever seen one of his movies though I have a box set at home (it was a gift).

Ha! Wipeout! I'm watching it right now.
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Suey · 681 weeks ago

I'm wondering now if a "regular" audience would have caught very much of the literary character references? I know I missed a bunch, and I am still left wondering about the movie idea he planted in someone's head... who was it and what was the movie?

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