Phil sees TO ROME WITH LOVE at the Camera 7 Pruneyard-July 7, 2012

The name Woody Allen brigs to mind, at least mine, some of the most beloved and admired films of the last 40 years: ANNIE HALL, BANANAS, SLEEPER, HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, and RADIO DAYS are some of this reviewer's personal favorites from when I was younger. In the new millennium, after hitting some would say a "creative slump," he left New York for London, where he directed 2005's massive comeback hit MATCH POINT. Then he hit his peak again with last year's critically acclaimed film MIDNIGHT IN PARIS. Now Allen unveils his newest film TO ROME WITH LOVE.

Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Penelope Cruz, Fabio Armiliato, Judy Davis, Antonio Albanese, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig, Ellen Page, Alison Pill and Woody Allen (making his return to acting since his 2006 film SCOOP), this romantic comedy follows a number of people in Italy whose stories are told in four vignettes and the romances, adventures, and predicaments they all get into.

Writer/director Allen has been on a rollercoaster ride of a comeback recently. Since the 2005 release of MATCH POINT, Allen has been working nonstop. He has made seven films since 2005, one per year. With this film, I feel that Allen has made yet another great romantic comedy. What has made Allen hit his second wind? What has been his muse for the past seven years?

The answer to that question, in my humble opinion, is scenery. For most of his career, New York was the backdrop for a majority of his films. From MANHATTAN to HANNA AND HER SISTERS to RADIO DAYS, New York was his inspiration. But you can only tell so many stories about good 'ol NY that eventually, the stories begin to sound the same. Enter London in the year 2005. With the release of MATCH POINT, both critics and fans were surprised and welcomed back their friend. Also having the breathtaking Scarlett Johansson in the film didn't hurt either. Soon Allen was back and making critically acclaimed films at an astounding rate. With last year's international hit MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, Allen hit his creative peak. As one would imagine, it would be very difficult to follow up that film. But in my opinion, he crafted yet another stellar hit with this picture.

Rome is indescribably beautiful in the film, and Allen makes sure we see it all with 360 degree pans, high altitude camera angles, and adding to its beauty is the hilarious stories that Allan's characters find themselves in.

TO ROME WITH LOVE is an instant classic, filled with love and laughter set against one of the most majestic cities in the world! While not quite up to PARIS, Allen has crafted yet another romantic comedy winner! Defiantly take a date to this movie! 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!! Recommended!!

TO ROME WITH LOVE is now playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at http://www.cameracinemas.com/index.shtml

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees MIDNIGHT IN PARIS at the Camera 7 Pruneyard-June 19, 2011

The third and final film I saw on Sunday was just amazing. Simply amazing. Again, like SUPER 8, the trailer for the film never revealed as to what the plot was about. Upon sitting down in the theater and when the lights dimmed, I was transplanted to another place, and believe it or not, another time. Yes my friends, Woody Allen's latest film MIDNIGHT IN PARIS is one of my new favorite films by this gifted director.

The film follows Hollywood screenwriter and frustrated author Gil Prender (Owen Wilson) and his fiancee Inez (Rachel McAdams) as they travel around Paris with her parents John and Helen (Kurt Fuller and Mimi Kennedy). Both Gil and Inez run into two of her friends Paul and Carol (Michael Sheen and Nina Arianda) and Gil is soon forced to hang out with them, much to his dismay. After leaving a party, Gil wonders through the streets of Paris, admiring the charm of the City of Lights. Of course it doesn't help that he drank to much and is completely lost. But help does arrive, and he is whisked away and taken to a lavish party where he meets the greatest artists of all time. He also becomes smitten with the lovely Adriana (portrayed by the exquisite Marion Cotillard). Soon Gil finds himself, as he puts it so eloquently, "I'm in a very perplexed situation." I dare not expose what the film is about, but I will tell you this: This film is full of laughter, surprises, and love.

Writer/director Allen has been on a rollercoaster ride of a comeback recently. Since the 2005 release of MATCH POINT, Allen has been working nonstop. He has made six films since 2005, one per year. With this film, I feel that Allen has made his best romantic comedy since 1977's ANNIE HALL. What has made Allen hit his second wind? What has been his muse for the past six years?

The answer to that question, in my humble opinion, is scenery. For most of his career, New York was the backdrop for a majority of his films. From MANHATTAN to HANNA AND HER SISTERS to RADIO DAYS, New York was his inspiration. But you can only tell so many stories about good 'ol NY that eventually, the stories begin to sound the same. Enter London in the year 2005. With the release of MATCH POINT, both critics and fans were surprised and welcomed back their friend. Also having the breathtaking Scarlett Johansson in the film didn't hurt either. Soon Allen was back and making films at an astounding rate. Now we are privileged to view his love letter to the City of Lights. The hopeless romantic in Allen radiates in every frame of the film. The first two and a half minutes of the film is a montage of the elegance, beauty, and charm of Paris. As we travel with Gil, we relate to him. Being a writer, falling in love with the city, finding inspiration, and also finding love and your true self.

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS is the romantic comedy film of the year, and Allen's best film this millennium. The film was a complete surprise, and I relished in its originality. I can honestly say that this is a must see date movie. So I say this to all you lovely couples out there, go see this film, and get ready to fall in love with Paris. It truly is the most romantic city in the world!

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS is now playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in San Jose. To view showtimes, visit their website at http://www.cameracinemas.com/index.shtml

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!