Like Anna Karina's Sweater Comments http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/ en-us 2009-07-08T19:23:05+00:00 Filmbrain comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 15" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/07/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-15.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e2011571a9887c970b What a strange coincidence -- I was at a friends house tonight, and read Quentin Crisps review of the film. His opening paragraph, in its entirety: This is a very good film. What a strange coincidence -- I was at a friend's house tonight, and read Quentin Crisp's review of the film. His opening paragraph, in its entirety:

"This is a very good film."

]]> Filmbrain 2009-07-03T02:18:48+00:00 dubarry comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 15" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/07/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-15.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e2011571a898dc970b I watched the Pope of Greenwich Village tonight. Mickey Rourke was all heart shaped face and liquid eyes, made me think of you. I watched the Pope of Greenwich Village tonight. Mickey Rourke was all heart shaped face and liquid eyes, made me think of you.

]]> dubarry 2009-07-03T00:54:38+00:00 Steven Augustine comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 14" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/06/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-14.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e2011570651be3970c Yup... was certain it was from Stardust Memories (which, like Crimes and Misdemeanors, Husbands and Wives, Hannah and Her Sisters and Manhattan, of course, was from a period in Woodys heyday when he knocked every ball out of the park... and only certain bits from the credits were interchangeable)... therefore my mention of John Lennon in the previous posts thread. Yup... was certain it was from "Stardust Memories" (which, like "Crimes and Misdemeanors", "Husbands and Wives", "Hannah and Her Sisters" and "Manhattan", of course, was from a period in Woody's heyday when he knocked every ball out of the park... and only certain bits from the credits were "interchangeable")... therefore my mention of John Lennon in the previous post's thread.

]]> Steven Augustine 2009-06-25T16:36:22+00:00 Tom Russell Says "Oh No You Didn't" comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 14" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/06/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-14.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e20115706490f2970c The only thing more consistent than that classy-assy font at this point is the mediocrity and interchangeability of the guys movies. Thems fighting words, sir. While, like any auteur, Mr. Allen has themes and obsessions to which he returns again and again (and again), and while he has stylistic hallmarks that have remained consistent throughout his career (example: characters walking out of rooms during conversations while the camera remains in the first room in Manhattan Hollywood Ending), and while, yes, it can be argued that his best work is behind him-- even the films of the last ten or fifteen years can hardly be called mediocre and interchangeable. From his thrillers to his straight-up comedies to interesting if ultimately unsuccessful experiments like Melinda and Melinda, Woody Allen has continued to create a varied and idiosyncratic body of work. Its true that none of these films, with the expection perhaps of Sweet and Lowdown, comes near Manhattan, Purple Rose, Zelig, or Alice (masterworks all) and Ill surely grant you that. Id argue against the charge of mediocrity, as even the least of these new films have given me entertainment several merits above the run-of-the-mill comedies at the multiplex. Hollywood Ending might not be Bananas, but its surely better than actual mediocrities like Hes Just Not That Into You. And to just say that this new body of work is interchangeable is, I think, laughable on its face. The Woodman might be on the wane, but hes still good and his work is not as irrelevant as your dismissal seems to imply. "The only thing more consistent than that classy-assy font at this point is the mediocrity and interchangeability of the guy's movies."

Them's fighting words, sir. While, like any auteur, Mr. Allen has themes and obsessions to which he returns again and again (and again), and while he has stylistic hallmarks that have remained consistent throughout his career (example: characters walking out of rooms during conversations while the camera remains in the first room in Manhattan & Hollywood Ending), and while, yes, it can be argued that his best work is behind him-- even the films of the last ten or fifteen years can hardly be called mediocre and interchangeable. From his thrillers to his straight-up comedies to interesting if ultimately unsuccessful experiments like "Melinda and Melinda", Woody Allen has continued to create a varied and idiosyncratic body of work.

It's true that none of these films, with the expection perhaps of Sweet and Lowdown, comes near Manhattan, Purple Rose, Zelig, or Alice (masterworks all) and I'll surely grant you that. I'd argue against the charge of "mediocrity", as even the least of these new films have given me entertainment several merits above the run-of-the-mill comedies at the multiplex. Hollywood Ending might not be Bananas, but it's surely better than actual mediocrities like He's Just Not That Into You. And to just say that this new body of work is "interchangeable" is, I think, laughable on its face.

The Woodman might be on the wane, but he's still good and his work is not as irrelevant as your dismissal seems to imply.

]]> Tom Russell Says "Oh No You Didn't" 2009-06-25T14:37:37+00:00 John comments on "Desperately Seeking Quintet Defender" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2005/10/desperately_see.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e201157159c776970b I too was one of those 14 year old kids back in 1979 who sneaked in to see this sci-fi flick. To be quite honest, I enjoyed the ambiance and the mystery of the movie. Furthermore, I grabbed a stack of the press kit handouts that provided instructions for the actual board game. This lead to my home made creation of the board game that was played with my teen friends. Somewhere in storage a few copies of that promo handout still exist and I will scan it someday when I come across it. Let me know if anyone is interested in a copy. My email is gradalis AT u.washington.edu. I too was one of those 14 year old kids back in 1979 who sneaked in to see this sci-fi flick. To be quite honest, I enjoyed the ambiance and the mystery of the movie. Furthermore, I grabbed a stack of the press kit handouts that provided instructions for the actual board game. This lead to my home made creation of the board game that was played with my teen friends. Somewhere in storage a few copies of that promo handout still exist and I will scan it someday when I come across it. Let me know if anyone is interested in a copy. My email is gradalis AT u.washington.edu.

]]> John 2009-06-25T14:31:37+00:00 john comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 14" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/06/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-14.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e2011570606f86970c I thought the Loquasto capture was funny. I mean, what possible difference would it have made if Id guessed Melinda and Melinda, Anything Else, Hollywood Ending, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion, Small Time Crooks, Celebrity, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., and failed to guess the actual right movie? The only thing more consistent than that classy-assy font at this point is the mediocrity and interchangeability of the guys movies. I thought the Loquasto capture was funny. I mean, what possible difference would it have made if I'd guessed "Melinda and Melinda," "Anything Else," "Hollywood Ending," "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion," "Small Time Crooks," "Celebrity," etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., and failed to guess the actual "right" movie?

The only thing more consistent than that classy-assy font at this point is the mediocrity and interchangeability of the guy's movies.

]]> john 2009-06-24T23:22:33+00:00 jeff mcm comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 3" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/04/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-3.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e2011571557a04970b One of the absolute best films of 2007. One of the absolute best films of 2007.

]]> jeff mcm 2009-06-24T22:21:50+00:00 Tom Russell comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 14" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/06/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-14.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e20115705d39f3970c Santo Loquasto has served as production designer on over 79 of the Woodmans films ... Cute. "Santo Loquasto has served as production designer on over 79 of the Woodmans' films"

... Cute.

]]> Tom Russell 2009-06-24T13:54:00+00:00 dubarry comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 13" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/06/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-13.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e201157048693d970c windsor condensed. windsor condensed.

]]> dubarry 2009-06-22T02:53:04+00:00 Steven Augustine comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 13" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/06/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-13.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e2011571395ba0970b I always think of John Lennon when I see this film... I always think of John Lennon when I see this film...

]]> Steven Augustine 2009-06-21T09:25:01+00:00 Peter Nellhaus comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 13" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/06/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-13.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e2011571219299970b Some films at the festival I would like to see as well. But nothing from Thailand? Let us know what you saw. For myself, I have to settle for Mikio Naruse and Grace Chang retrospectives at home, plus Ann Huis latest, and a Chinese film with a Joy Division title. Some films at the festival I would like to see as well. But nothing from Thailand? Let us know what you saw. For myself, I have to settle for Mikio Naruse and Grace Chang retrospectives at home, plus Ann Hui's latest, and a Chinese film with a Joy Division title.

]]> Peter Nellhaus 2009-06-17T18:58:18+00:00 MovieMan0283 comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 11" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/06/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-11.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e201156fdeaa0c970c I honestly have no idea what this too easy screen cap belongs to. However, it certainly does look interesting. Anyway... I am making the rounds to remind everyone about the Reading the Movies exercise. Im going to compile everyones lists into one master list in a week or two, so jump in! The original post can be found here: http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2009/05/reading-movies.html#links I honestly have no idea what this "too easy" screen cap belongs to. However, it certainly does look interesting. Anyway...

I am making the rounds to remind everyone about the "Reading the Movies" exercise. I'm going to compile everyone's lists into one master list in a week or two, so jump in! The original post can be found here:

http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2009/05/reading-movies.html#links

]]> MovieMan0283 2009-06-07T23:06:47+00:00 Woody comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 11" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/06/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-11.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e2011570be526b970b Filmbrain: Being British myself and a huge fan of the film, though a touch too young to remember the reception on its initial release, Im curious to hear what exactly was the difference between your opinion and those with you in the pub afterwards. Is it possible to give us an idea? Filmbrain: Being British myself and a huge fan of the film, though a touch too young to remember the reception on its initial release, I'm curious to hear what exactly was the difference between your opinion and those with you in the pub afterwards. Is it possible to give us an idea?

]]> Woody 2009-06-04T06:29:33+00:00 Adrian comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 11" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/06/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-11.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e2011570bc5610970b I remember being the only one laughing out loud during certain scenes. So that was YOU?! >>I remember being the only one laughing out loud during certain scenes.

So that was YOU?!

]]> Adrian 2009-06-03T15:10:35+00:00 Filmbrain comments on "Filmbrain's Screen Capture Quiz: Round 19, Week 11" http://www.filmbrain.com/filmbrain/2009/06/filmbrains-screen-capture-quiz-round-19-week-11.html#c6a00d8345163ca69e201156fc6fb85970c I saw it at that very theater, yes! Im pretty sure it was on the opening night as well. The conversation at the pub afterward was quite shocking. Though we share a common language, the cultural divide is massive. I remember being the only one laughing out loud during certain scenes. (D, motherfucker, D!) In my opinion, this film, and Dog Day Afternoon are tied for best summer in the city movies. I saw it at that very theater, yes! I'm pretty sure it was on the opening night as well.

The conversation at the pub afterward was quite shocking. Though we share a common language, the cultural divide is massive.

I remember being the only one laughing out loud during certain scenes. ("D, motherfucker, D!")

In my opinion, this film, and Dog Day Afternoon are tied for best summer in the city movies.

]]> Filmbrain 2009-06-03T14:13:37+00:00