http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2002-2006 by the authors Thu, 7 Sep 2006 09:37:38 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/09/02/235338.php#comment-438698 The comment on Allen's personal life was not aimed at you but at the person who left the first comment on your piece. ]]> 438698@blogcritics.org Thu, 7 Sep 2006 09:37:38 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/09/02/235338.php#comment-438477 I don't believe I have judged Allen's films based on his personal life [to which, for the record, I am apparently more sympathetic/favorably disposed than most]. I think Husbands and Wives is his best film, and it was released just as the scandal began to break. It's true that he is prolific...and yet the distance from the poorest of his movies to the best is so vast that it's hard not to feel pain and disappointment at many of the recent ones. I agree halfway about Melinda and Melinda...the 'funny' half was good, but the 'serious' half was unfortunate. ]]> 438477@blogcritics.org Wed, 6 Sep 2006 22:07:35 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/09/02/235338.php#comment-437669 Given Allen's prolific output -- at least one film a year -- it is not surprising that some are bummers. "Hollywood Ending" was the absolute nadir. However even the greatest directors have their failures; I defy anyone to watch John Ford's "Gideon's Day" without grimacing. And are we really meant to judge an artist by his personal life? Were this the case there would be innumerable actors and directors on someone or other's blacklist. Of Allen's recent films, I thought "Melinda and Melinda" was a definite return to form (whatever that means), and I for one am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt for a long as he keeps going. ]]> 437669@blogcritics.org Tue, 5 Sep 2006 07:27:58 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/09/02/235338.php#comment-437590 As an avid fan of Hugh Jackman I am distinctly unhappy because to date Scoop is not being shown in this country. The film has a cast loved by fans with Hugh Jackman and our own Ian McShane. Plus the fact if I dont see it and I cant get the DVD I will be missing a Hugh Jackman film in my colection It is a not a big budget film we all know that but if is making a profit. So for goodness sake bring it to the UK cinemas ]]> 437590@blogcritics.org Mon, 4 Sep 2006 22:48:27 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/09/02/235338.php#comment-437433 Like you, I think most of Allen's movie's of the last 10 years or so have been decidedly dreadful, but I would disagree on Match Point. I did find it a compelling film (not great, but compelling), and would have found it so no matter if it were an Allen auteur piece or not. (FWIW, my husband, who is NOT an Allen film fan, liked Match Point a lot also.) I'll also give a big nod to Hannah and Her Sisters, perhaps because it's one of the few Allen films that ends on a happy, satisfied note. Is it a little mannerly after Annie Hall? Sure, but Hannah "gets me" every time. ]]> 437433@blogcritics.org Mon, 4 Sep 2006 14:28:24 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/09/02/235338.php#comment-436812 Good piece. I don't like his more recent movies but I'm not sure if some of my opinion is based on his personal life. But his movies do seem to be getting increasingly stale in concept and execution. ]]> 436812@blogcritics.org Sun, 3 Sep 2006 11:23:46 EDT