Midnight in Paris

“Midnight in Paris” stars Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen, Marie Cotillard and Carla Bruni (President Sarkozy’s wife) and Adrien Brody. Written and directed by Woody Allen, it is a welcome home for this talented writer/director as he takes on a tour of Paris, the real star of the film. Mr. Wilson, a most unlikely paper choice for the lead role, is surprisingly good as he emulates and reminds us of the early Mr. Allen who probably would have played the role himself were he years younger.
There is humor, pathos and, most of all romance, as this nostalgic film causes us see the ups and downs in the lives of so many of the parties portrayed in the film Much like the film “Moulin Rouge”, one must watch this film with an open and unprejudiced mind and accept what is seen in the greater context of life, not time. Most of all, this is a film made by someone with a love affair for the past and for Paris….gay, nostalgic, romantic, creative and ever-interesting. Make no mistake, Paris is the real star of this film as it is beautifully photographed and displayed in each frame. I give this film 3 and ½ stars with a strong recommendation that you see it and enjoy it and enjoy, too, the fact that Woody Allen, like rare wine, seems to get better with age.

The Double Hour

“The Double Hour”, released by Samuel Goldwyn (the only English name you will read in this review) is an Italian production starring Filippo Timi and Antonia Truppo. This Italian/Spanish language film directed by Giuseppe Capotondi is about as interesting as it can get with its 96 minutes of intrigue and detail. It hooks the viewer right from the first frame. Superbly acted, directed and edited, I found myself looking at my watch, not out of boredom but, to the contrary, so involved in the film that I was hoping the time was wrong and there was still a lot more footage to be experienced. Simply stated, I just didn’t want the film to end. Encumbered by the English titles, normally an obstacle for any film, the titles and audio molded into one as I sat on the edge of my seat and let the action, plot and story unfold. I strongly recommend this film and, without hesitation, give it a strong 3 star rating..

Jumping the Broom

“Jumping the Broom” stars Angela Bassett, Brain Stokes Mitchell, DeRoy Davis and Julie Bowen (of “Modern Family”).and is the story of a wealthy black family and the wedding they are giving for their daughter who is marrying the son of a poor postal clerk mother. Written by Arlene Gibbs and Elizabeth Hunter and directed by Salim Akil this is more an excursion into the conflicting cultures and ethnic customs of both poor and wealthy blacks in society. Although the clashes can be humorous at times, there is an undercurrent in the film of this caste clash present all of the time even to the point where the characters distinguish between light (“mocha”); and “dark chocolate” skin tones.. Sitting amidst a predominantly black audience, the Caucasian viewer becomes very conscious of the color of the actors’ skin and the film never lets you forget that you are a white fly on the wall of this black experience. Ms. Bowen is, to my recollection, the only cast member who is not black and is, if you forgive the phrase, the token member of that group. What I can say for the picture is that is doesn’t pretend to be generic heroes and heroines who happen to be black. This is a very black movie and it makes no bones about it. Perhaps the most bitter exchange between the two mother in laws to be is when the poorer one talks about her slave ancestry and the richer one says that her family owned slaves. Lots of heavy resentment which tries to hide between some mildly funny scenes but it just doesn’t work. I give the film 2 stars but worth seeing if, for no other reason, in order to better understand the psyche and goings on in this minority community.