Blue Jasmine

I have not seen a Woody Allen movie in a long time (I don't count Midnight in Paris.  He may have done it, but it wasn't a Woody Allen film, as I categorize them.  I think he just wanted to get paid to be in Paris.  But I digress...).  I usually give a film my litmus test of waiting 2-3 days to see if I'm still thinking about this, but I saw this film a few hours ago and just have to post on it.

THIS is Woody Allen!  At age 77, he's still got it.

Excellent movie.  Great casting.  Had Woody's elements of a real story with authentic characters and dialogue, comic wit mixed with drama, urban jazz scoring (probably by Woody's own New York quartet, he on clarinet).  Lots of layers to this.

This film is more drama than comedy, with Cate Blanchett in a TOUR DE FORCE performance.  My god - is she good!

Strong supporting cast including Alec Baldwin, Andrew Dice Clay (yes!), Louis C.K., Peter Sarsgaard and Sally Hawkins.

I want to talk more about this film, especially the ending, but you should see it first.  Let me know when you have!

Lee Daniels' The Butler

See this movie.  See it because it tells a compelling story.  See it for some dang good performances.  See it because it will give you a unique perspective on a turbulent era in American history (then again, isn't every era?).  

The Butler (I'm not into indulging directors' egos) is based on a magazine article (can you believe it?) about an actual African-American butler who served through about 6 presidents' administrations, starting with Eisenhower.  As the civil rights era gets hammered out the hard way, and the butler's own son takes the activist route toward equality, Cecil Gaines goes about changing the consciousness of America in his own quiet, humble, dignified way.  

I'm adhering to my vow to keep posts short, but you'll get a kick out of the fascinating casting here.  One of my favorites was Jane Fonda as Nancy Regan!  And a remarkably unglamorous Mariah Carey is powerful without uttering a word.

Very clever release date on this film, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech.  Let us never forget.