Woody Allen

"I don't want to achieve immortality through my work - I want to achieve it through not dying."

I love every film I've seen of Woody Allen. Granted, I haven't fully delved into all of his filmography, but I've seen enough to write a sizable post about him. Everything about him and his work makes me feel better about life and myself, because the best way to forgot your own troubles is to watch other people going through similar situations. Though he is mostly known for comedy, he has mastered a nice blend of philosophical pondering and nihilism wrapped up in humorous characters and stories (with the exception of a few pure dramas).

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

"Someday they'll go down together

And they'll bury them side by side

To few it'll be grief, to the law a relief

But it's death for Bonnie and Clyde."

I firmly believe that Bonnie and Clyde is the film that changed American cinema, when the transition from Old Hollywood to New Hollywood was made, and filmmakers have not looked back since (except maybe with the occasional nostalgia). If you look at the Best Picture nominees for '67, the contrast from previous years is striking; The Graduate, which deals with post-grad angst and the isolated youth; In the Heat of the Night, concerning racial tensions; and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, also concerning the aforementioned topic (a good year for Sidney Poitier, who starred in both, to be sure). Doctor Dolittle was also nominated, but that was more of a desperate attempt to hold on to the old and cherished than for true merit.

The Sacrifices I Make for Academia…

I'm such a genius for creating a blog smack in the middle of finals season, eh? Gape at my astounding foresight, mortals.

…Anyway, the basic gist is that my play is over, and the swirling whirlpool that is exams and crammed-in assignments has replaced it. So, no movies for me, not until the 30th, at least. I'm already anticipating my mental breakdown arriving sometime this weekend.

To think that a few mere months ago I watched fifteen movies in two weeks. We have reached the Ultimate Paradox, friends.

I guess I should make this post movie-related. I'll end with a quote:

"It's all happening."

-Almost Famous


That about sums it up.

Lilies of the Field (1963)

In reflection, the reluctance of the main character, Homer Smith, of Lilies of the Field, directed by Ralph Nelson, brings to mind the lyrics of John Lennon's song "Beautiful Boy." Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans…I will not even try to contain the emotions that have been fluttering inside me after watching this film, so bear with me as I try to compose my thoughts.

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

I just watched Bringing Up Baby, and I can say with complete honesty that I haven't had that much cinematic fun in ages. In the broad sub-genres of comedy, I must say that the screwball comedy is one of my favorites (and the one I like the most is My Man Godfrey). They are so unabashedly goofy, with the most ridiculous of characters and gags, that trying to suppress laughter when viewing one would be akin to stopping a volcano from erupting. But my main reason for loving them is that language is the dominant force behind the humor, and beautiful, complex sentences are spouted out rapidly but fluidly, crisply. That is why only the finest of actors can pull off that comedic timing.

Audrey Hepburn

These past two weeks are the first in months that I have gone without seeing a single new movie, the reason for this being that I am currently in a school production that engulfs a good portion of my spare time. What wonderful timing to begin a movie blog, you may well be thinking. However, I feel like I can squeeze in some time to watch one or two movies and then write up a review. I'm considering Bringing Up Baby and Lilies of the Field or Network and Bonnie and Clyde.

But this post is not about me or my rigorous cinephilia schedule. No, this post belongs to one of the most ethereal, kindhearted women in all the world, whose birthday was just yesterday (May the fourth be with you!); Audrey Kathleen Ruston/Hepburn. She died at the premature age of 63, but yesterday she would have turned 83.

Alas, I do not know Audrey the Person, though I can dream, so I can only discuss Audrey the Actress, the one who most of us know the best. My sole hope is that, to the fresh eyes of those who have not seen her, I can do her justice with my words.

Paper Moon (1973)

"It's only a paper moon, hanging over a cardboard sea…"

These are the lyrics, crooned mellowly by Ella Fitzgerald, that accompany the art deco beginning credits of the aptly titled Paper Moon, directed by Peter Bogdanovich. At that moment, before any character had been seen, before the words Introducing Tatum O'Neal flashed across the screen following the rest of the cast list, I knew I was watching something special.