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Revisited Stardust Memories (1980) a few nights ago. One of his finest. I just love the look of it and all of the subliminal information flying around the screen (how 'bout those big photos on the wall of Woody's home that keep changing, eh?). And of course this movie is the origin of the "early funny ones" line we know so well. Really a fascinating exploration of stardom, mental illness, creepy fans, absurd notions of "celebrity", and more. Just a great movie.
(That's right. This thread is not going to die on my watch.)
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Woody Allen; I'm glad to see some mature discussion over his work. You know--I'm very partial--unlike some others--to his recent engagement to London. There are some fine jewels in his European bag--Match Point, Scoop, Vicky Christina Barcelona. But one of my most precious favorites, in regard to his New York efforts, is Anything Else. I thought Jason Biggs' casting was awe-inspired, and his chemistry with Christina Ricci was electric; a sprite of on-screen squabbling that still makes me laugh. I also appreciated Stockard Channing's filthy cameo as Ricci's mother, an egocentric basket case whose intrusions were equally embraced by the laugh factory. It's a finely-crafted story with Allen's usual intelligence littered throughout his bumbling schticks. For the same reasons, I also recommend Whatever Works--another witty remark on oddball relationships.
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I missed Anything Else. I'll check it out.
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I'll admit that the casting of the Johansson girl has kept me away from many of Woody's recent efforts, though I'd probably find something to like in these, right? Or would I be aghast at the rehashing of earlier, superior films?
Me, I haven't cared for any of the films of his "second birth" that I've seen. It's like somebody else made 'em. Hated Match Point with a passion (and it revisits themes from the vastly superior Crimes & Misdemeanors), couldn't stand Cassandra's Dream, and Melinda & Melinda was excruciating. They just aren't...right. Jim, knowing what I know of your film tastes both Woody and non-Woody, I think you would probably feel the same way.
Small Time Crooks was the last Woody-Woody movie that I liked. Elaine May stole it!
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The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001)
I really enjoyed this one. It was cute, a nice throwback to films like The Purple Rose of Cairo, or screwball comedies of the '30s and '40s. Nicely shot, too.
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I've finally warmed up to Mighty Aphrodite. I love the scene where Woody is told by Mira Sorvino that the mob guys are going to kill him. A frightened Woody says "Ddi..did he specify the caliber?" LOL! This was a movie made during the era of Michael Rapaport, who does a good job as the punch drunk fighter/aspiring onion farmer.
I haven't seen it since it premiered, but I enjoyed it. Time to revisit. I remember there was a hilarious scene where Woody was listing off porn titles or something that had me in stitches. I also enjoyed the music selections (bought the soundtrack immediately), and the hilarious When You're Smilin' finale by the greek chorus.
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