Well the most recent article in my Five Favorite list series' is of Woody Allen films, i am a huge fan of Woody Allen and recently included him on my list of favorite directors, Allen is a true auteur, a director with vision and charm, and even when Allen's films are sub par, they're still pretty great.
- Vicky Christina Barcelona
This delightful tragicomedy stars Scarlett Johansson in one of her most successful roles yet, Rebecca Hall and Javier Bardem also star in this beautiful drama set in and around the spanish city. In typical Woody Allen fashion two best friends decide to spend their summer in Barcelona, where they meet a wealthy and talented artist who attempts to seduce them, in a supporting role, Penelope Cruz shines as Maria Elena, the unstable ex wive of Javier Bardem's character, a role for which she was awarded an Oscar. Vicky Christina Barcelona whilst perhaps being a little corny and reductive, is one of the more delightful pleasures of the Woody Allen canon.
A recent addition and a best picture nominee, Midnight in Paris is one of Allen's most complex movies thematically and structurally, featuring a man with the ability to go back to the twenties in Paris at midnight, the film deals with complex themes of nostalgia, modernism and melancholia. The film is stunningly beautiful, and will make anyone want to visit Paris, and features a collection of eclectic and iconic supporting characters including Gertrude Stein, Salvador Dali and F Scott Fitzgerald. The film is a wonderful ode to a magical city and is an interesting look at the way we always want for a different time and a different place.
Typically this is the Woody Allen film loved by those who loathe Woody Allen, and i love it too, the film is essentially a love letter to his then partner Mia Farrow, who plays the titular character of Hannah. The film follows the complex relationships of an extended family over multiple years,Woody Allen himself plays Farrows ex-husband, a TV writer and Julia Louis Dreyfus has a small part. Hannah and Her Sisters is perhaps one of the most unexpected of Allen's films, and doesn't feel cliche or kitsch.
Allen's most recent film features a stunning performance from Cate Blanchett, as Jasmine, a once wealthy socialite who has fallen into a trap of illness, poverty and homelessness. One of Allen's most current films, Blue Jasmine is essentially a film à clef about Bernie Maddoff, and the fallout from that situation, throughout the film we are unsure whether to judge Jasmine or blame her for her situation, and towards the end of the film, her fate is sealed. Blue Jasmine is smartly written and impeccably acted.
Not just Allen's best film but one of the greatest of all time Manhattan is iconic and smart, a love letter to his hometown, Manhattan features a dreamlike, fantasy version of new york, and one of Allen's best acting performances seen on screen. Manhattan has subsequently influenced countless other films notably Frances Ha and the entire mumblecore movement, Manhattan is unabashedly romantic, and a heartfelt love letter to one of the greatest cities on earth.
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