2005 - The Royal Tenenbaums

It’s been awhile since I’ve watched this.  I think it’s still my favourite Wes Anderson film.  I still need to see Moonrise Kingdom before I outwardly make that claim, but I think it’s the film that best balances his unique style and an honest human element.  I feel that largely following this film he went into a bizarre direction that was almost too stylized and became quirk over content.  That’s not to say his films still aren’t enjoyable, but I haven’t seen one that’s hit me like this one does.  Every single time Ben Stiller says “It’s been a rough year, Dad.” I lose it.  It’s such a simple and powerful beat.

This is one of the most interesting ensemble casts of any film, and such a dynamic and interesting mix.  Gwyneth Paltrow is hilarious and lovely, Ben Stiller is heartbreaking, and Gene Hackman is on the top of his game.  This film also features one of the best soundtracks of the last decade or more.  If you’ve never seen this film and you like character drama/comedy, for my money - it’s one of the best.

1870 - Hall Pass

The irony is that I'm watching this film while my wife and kids are out of town.  This film is quite charming.  I'm a fan of pretty much the entire cast, so that's a big plus right there.  The premise is simple and fun.  I like where it goes and does with the premise.  It could have very easily been a different kind of film in the hands of other filmmakers.  The plot, for those that don't know, is two married men who can't get sex off their brains are given a week off from marriage to get it out of their systems.  Hilarity ensures.  To be honest I didn't find it laugh-out-loud funny - but I was smiling through-out and entertained, and I'm happy to recommend it for that reason alone!

1680 - Midnight in Paris

Emily missed this while it was in the theatres and she got it for me for Christmas so I've been excited to revisit it ever since.  Woody Allen has two types of comedic films.  The first is complete character comedy - stuff like Annie Hall, Manhattan, even the one before this You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, and then he has situation (high concept) comedy like Zelig, Bullets Over Broadway, and of course this film.  And we're lucky enough that he excels at both of these - but this may very well be one of (if not) his best of the situation comedies.  The entire cast is completely wonderful here.  Owen Wilson is, in a word, adorable.  Rachel McAdams has to play the uppity cunt, but I don't think you hate her - that job is done wonderfully by Michael Sheen.  Alison Pill is really fantastic as Zelda Fitzgerald, and I could just go on and on about the rest of the supporting cast.  I'm honest enough to admit that while I get a lot of the references I'm by no means cultured enough to get them all.  What I love most about this is just Allen's decision to make a film about nostalgia and what that means to people, and I love that he explores the different aspects of it.  The idea of living in the past and realizing that everyone feels like there was a better time, it's one of his strongest themes and I think it has a lot to do with why the film is as successful as it is.  I think the films where Woody hits really universal films are the ones that strike a nerve with audiences. 
I'm deliriously excited that Woody has seen the biggest hit of his career at this point.  As if it wasn't already, I think this absolutely cements his ability to make the films he wants for the rest of his life.  And I'll enjoy them as they continue to come along!

1581 - Midnight in Paris

Those who know my filmic tastes know that I'm a lover of Woody Allen.  I'll be the first to admit that he's made several films which I'll probably never both seeing more than once, but he's also made more than a dozen films which I regularly revisit.  For my money I'm not sure that there are that many filmmakers that can boast such a feat.
Woody's newest film is about a man living in the past, who on a trip to Paris in present day finds himself wishing that he was there in the 1920's, and then magically, each night, he finds himself getting there via a mysterious stage coach.  So, in theory, it's a time travel film, but it's done so with such simplicity. 
I fell in love with Wilson's character immediately.  Charming, clever, taking the stock Woody character and making it his own in wonderful ways.  Even just his mannerisms elicited sympathy from me.  I think one complaint I had here was that McAdams (whom I adore, and looked gorgeous here) was unlikable from the get-go, and it was a little too easy.  Of course I'm not going to root for him and her to stay together, I'm never given any reason to.  That aside this film is just jam-packed with fantastic actors (particularly enjoyed Alison Pill as Zelda Fitzgerald).  I admit that part way into it I was worried that this film was going to amount to nothing more than a clever wink at a bygone era, but Woody has created a rich film that's ultimately about being happy in the here and now.
It's nice to see the love that Woody is getting for this film and I hope he's able to keep making the kinds of films he wants to make for as long as he can and wants to.
An absolutely must-see for any Woody Allen fan or mild appreciator.