tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post6359832348814489458..comments2024-03-26T05:01:57.793-07:00Comments on DREAMS ARE WHAT LE CINEMA IS FOR...: MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY 1993Ken Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-48445491757130420142016-09-30T06:43:23.644-07:002016-09-30T06:43:23.644-07:00Certainly true of me!Certainly true of me!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-4580577356956861132016-09-30T06:38:29.800-07:002016-09-30T06:38:29.800-07:00Like many of us, I first heard him here...
https:...Like many of us, I first heard him here...<br /><br />https://youtu.be/9Sn8H42FZcIThom MacFarlanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07850187047586448973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-15265035690649414782016-09-26T15:42:03.273-07:002016-09-26T15:42:03.273-07:00Hey Thom
I've always admired him as a person, ...Hey Thom<br />I've always admired him as a person, but his singing voice was just never really my taste.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-81639322300004131592016-09-26T12:14:43.707-07:002016-09-26T12:14:43.707-07:00You didn't like Bobby Short?
Best,
ThomYou didn't like Bobby Short?<br /><br />Best,<br />ThomAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03070431174288524597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-8274033912943392262014-01-02T14:11:40.216-08:002014-01-02T14:11:40.216-08:00Hi Argyle
When it comes to Woody Allen, I definite...Hi Argyle<br />When it comes to Woody Allen, I definitely think one's response to his films can be fueled by when one sees them. I'm certain my initial enjoyment of "Manhattan Murder Mystery" was rooted in how how tired I was at the time of Woody "the artist," and the low expectation I had that he could ever be funny again. Looking at it today, I am amazed by how breezy and effortless it feels. Sure, it's inconsequential, but if I could whisper anything into Mr. Allen's ear, I'd say inconsequential is for him like baby bear's bed was to Goldilocks...just right.<br /><br />I suspect I might share some aspect of that thing you describe about being drawn to an artist after their overreaching second effort, but the one thing i do know, it's a tiresome show business cycle that has the "entertainer" longing to be "the artist". Both Madonna and Lady Gaga were a lot more palatable before they grew tired of entertaining people and started to see themselves as artists. I have the same feeling for Allen. It's a natural evolution among creative types, but that doesn't make it less annoying.<br /><br /> <br />Like you, I was baffled that "Midnight in Paris" was one of his biggest hits. It seemed like a "best of" reel of Woody Allen schtick to me.<br />But all of this points to what is so fascinating about his films; even his devoted fans are divided on what they consider to be his best stuff. I don't even have a great familiarity with Russian literature, but "Love and Death" just makes me laugh from beginning to end.<br /><br />Loved your description of how "The Purple Rose of Cairo" is received. Honestly, have you ever sat with film enthusiasts and talked about Woody Allen movies? I have, and I tell you, the potential for pretentiousness unleavened by irony rivals a Woody Allen film itself.<br />I have never seen "Wings of Desire" but have always wondered if it's as good as its stills make it look.<br />Favorite parts of your comment: you had good things to say about both "Deconstructing Harry" and "Stardust Memories." Because they stick in my mind as films I didn't enjoy, your mentioning them makes me want to give them another look-see. it's been ages!<br />Good to hear from you Argyle, and a Happy 2014 to you! You've been a longstanding loyal reader and I thank you.<br />Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-74004167543842977292014-01-02T11:17:51.695-08:002014-01-02T11:17:51.695-08:00Argyle here with my two cents. I saw this when it...Argyle here with my two cents. I saw this when it came out but can only remember feeling disappointed, having expected more from the re-teaming. It felt like the moment had really passed. But that was a reaction very much rooted in that present - I can totally imagine feeling differently now. And your choice to cover it is absolutely the best indication to revisit.<br /><br />It took me years to enjoy “Annie Hall.” I think I have always had a really pessimistic (knee-jerk) reaction to artists whose work just slightly precedes the forming of my own artistic attitudes. I think it’s mainly jealousy. Maybe this is common. Not that I have ever remotely produced anything to compete with Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, David Byrne, Ron Howard, Cindy Sherman, or any member of Van Halen. This is a hard thing for me to describe: I usually like the album after the really popular album - the one where they overreach and fail.<br /><br />Anyway, I was obsessed with “Manhattan” when it came out. I was caught between wanting to be with or be Diane Keaton’s character. Her walking and talking (“You absolutely outgrow it!”) was, for me, some kind of pinnacle. Now I would feel weird watching it. I love nostalgia, but I usually avoid nostalgia for my own past.<br /><br />I have lived with someone for 30 years whose top 3 list of all films would include “Love and Death” I’m sure. I have never properly watched it. It’s like I know it will be so perfect I don’t want to screw it up.<br /><br />I was off and on during the Mia period. The stars-around-a-kitchen-island films did not grab me. Now people talk about “Purple Rose of Cairo” like it’s “Rashomon.” The film of his that always pops into my head (and that I’ve actually rewatched fairly recently) is “Stardust Memories.” I was pretty miserable when I saw it (on release) and remember being impatient and sort of bummed by it, but the gorgeousness of the photography, Charlotte Rampling, and Laraine Newman always stick with me. And I think it is helped by having an open ended theme. I thought “Match Point” was good. And I remember laughing a lot at “Deconstructing Harry.” I did not understand the popularity of or acclaim for the Paris one or “Blue Jasmine.”<br /><br />I totally admire his work ethic and follow-through. I wish he would make a film clearly based on his romantic entanglements. I will arrogantly offer a criticism, or maybe just a description. When I tried to think about what feels like is missing from his films, I immediately thought of “Wings of Desire” by Wim Wenders and the scenes where the angels are sitting quietly here and there observing and listening to people’s thoughts. I’m not saying that’s the greatest movie ever or even one of my favorites. I’m probably just talking about my own taste.<br /><br />Happy 2014, Ken and fellow followers!!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-85121442721008149782014-01-02T03:18:44.510-08:002014-01-02T03:18:44.510-08:00Hi Chris
I always find it interesting to know what...Hi Chris<br />I always find it interesting to know what Woody Allen film is a person's favorite. They are all so similar, yet different, so it fascinates me that two Woody Allen fans can have diametrically opposed tastes.<br />I own copies of both "Hannah and Her Sisters" and "Alice", and enjoy watching them from time to time. Perhaps the best thing that can be said about Allen's films is that even when they are not your favorites, the casts or individual performances can still keep you interested.<br />I obviously agree with about the Woody/Mia similarities. There are old paparazzi pics of them together where they look like fraternal twins.<br />Keaton though, brings out something in Allen I really like. She has a way of putting him in his place while still seeming to have so much affection for him. She makes him seem like a nicer guy.<br />Thanks for the stop by, as always. I always appreciate that you take the time to read so many of my posts. All the best to you in the New year, too!<br />Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-21690986151812035262014-01-01T07:11:43.313-08:002014-01-01T07:11:43.313-08:00The reteaming of Keaton and Allen really does make...The reteaming of Keaton and Allen really does make this film a total delight; I remember when seeing it (after years and years of Allen and Farrow) thinking that Mia's character would not have been right for this; Keaton can do "breezy" better than anyone, and that's not Ms. Farrow's forte. Allen needs a strong female character to bounce off of in a comedy such as this, and Diane Keaton is so perfect! <br /><br />That said, my all-time favorite Woody film is Hannah and Her Sisters, which, as you pointed out, costars Mia Farrow, but their characters are friendly exes, not a couple who drive the action of the film. In fact, I think the reason their couple chemistry doesn't work quite as well as Allen's and Keaton's is that Mia's and Woody's personas are far too much ALIKE. They're both so deeply neurotic and mannered...amusing together, yes, but no opposites to play off of. <br /><br />I always thought Mia's most fascinating Woody Allen role was Alice, because she was totally the surrogate Woody in the film...every word that came out of her mouth was pure Woody. I heard him in my head every time she kvetched, moaned and complained... <br /><br />I'm looking forward to seeing this one again--thanks for the reminder, Ken, and best to you and Le Cinema Dreams in the new year!!<br /> angelman66https://www.blogger.com/profile/16471674180789592940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-36183301628800694812013-12-31T06:52:55.039-08:002013-12-31T06:52:55.039-08:00Alan Alda has sort of grown on me in his post"...Alan Alda has sort of grown on me in his post"MASH" years. His Walter Matthau slouch and that voice that sounds like he is perpetually smiling, ages him in the most charming way. He never registered much for me before, but when I see him in this movie I find I like him a lot. <br />Curious you mentioned the actress he plays that scene with. I kept looking at her wondering if I remembered ever seeing her in anything, and here you tell me that you have no knowledge of what became of her as well. <br />Oh, and turnabout is fair play: your bringing up Sandy Dennis in "Another Woman" makes ME want to dig out my DVD copy of it. <br />That's a GREAT scene!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-64079709827231419532013-12-31T06:32:33.175-08:002013-12-31T06:32:33.175-08:00'Comfort food' is a perfect description. I...'Comfort food' is a perfect description. I've watched this one many times and it seems to get better with age.<br />Of course Woody & Diane are great but I love watching Huston & Alda too (the latter is especially funny when he's killing time with that ambitious actress in the restaurant - I wonder what happened to that actress? I don't recall ever seeing her again).<br />The tape recording scene never fails to make me laugh.<br />It's funny how my response to Allen's movies has evolved over the years. I hated "Another Woman" when it came out but now savor some of the acting - especially Sandy Dennis as Gena Rowlands' angry old friend.<br />Your post makes me want to pull out 'MMM' for yet another look. Joe Meyershttp://blog.ctnews.com/meyersnoreply@blogger.com