vicky christina barcelona

decides2dream

new woody allen flick...set in, you guessed it, barcelona. starring javier bardem (yum!) penelope cruz, scarlett johannson, patricia clarkson and *rebecca hall. VERY solid flick! really enjoyed it, and especially enjoyed it's addressing social mores...and the entanglements, desires and expecations of relations...social conventions or lack there of....and how we all navigate em. everyone in the film was top notch...and filled with the usual woody humor along with a lot of food for thought.


AND...the visuals of the film...a whole 'other character'...i was drooling over the shots of antoni gaudi's work almost as much as the steamy entanglements!


http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809912195/info

alexers

I didn't want to see this at first because I really really dislike Scarlett Johannson... but maybe I will! Thanks for the review!

decides2dream

alexers wrote:

I didn't want to see this at first because I really really dislike Scarlett Johannson... but maybe I will! Thanks for the review!

amazingly, my husband doesn't care for her either...and not saying he loved the flick, he didn't....but the other actors more than mke up for scarlett if that is the only deciding factor against it.


it is pure woody allen...but in spain! if you enjoy any of his work, style, views and comedy...i don't see why you wouldn't enjoy this...scarlett or not.

alexers

decides2dream wrote:

amazingly, my husband doesn't care for her either...and not saying he loved the flick, he didn't....but the other actors more than mke up for scarlett if that is the only deciding factor against it.


it is pure woody allen...but in spain! if you enjoy any of his work, style, views and comedy...i don't see why you wouldn't enjoy this...scarlett or not.

Well I really liked Match Point a lot and that had Scarlett... so yeah, considering the other actors seem good and it's pure Woody Allen... it'll be fine!

decides2dream

alexers wrote:

Well I really liked Match Point a lot and that had Scarlett... so yeah, considering the other actors seem good and it's pure Woody Allen... it'll be fine!

ooooooooooooo...if you enjoyed match point then i definitely think you would no problem here! not at all the 'same' flick....but is IS so good, and truly, pure woody!



btw - i love match point too.

Anon

i loved this movie. i must say that i liked match point more, in terms of scarlett-era woody allen films. this was a very enjoyable movie though and penelope cruz's performance was incredible and it would not surprise me if she got nominated for an oscar.

Brain of J.Lo

decides2dream wrote:

new woody allen flick...set in, you guessed it, barcelona. starring javier bardem (yum!) penelope cruz, scarlett johannson and patricia clarkson. VERY solid flick! really enjoyed it, and especially enjoyed it's addressing social mores...and the entanglements, desires and expecations of relations...social conventions or lack there of....and how we all navigate em. everyone in the film was top notch...and filled with the usual woody humor along with a lot of food for thought.


AND...the visuals of the film...a whole 'other character'...i was drooling over the shots of antoni gaudi's work almost as much as the steamy entanglements!

I'd really like to see that.

My husband saw it last week while I was out of town. Based on a scene where penelope cruz and scarlett johannson kiss, he declared it "the best movie yet". lol He liked it for other reasons, of course... But I think the movie could have consisted of that scene, plus two hours of a blank screen, would have prompted him to give the same review.

decides2dream

GlorifiedAnimal wrote:

i loved this movie. i must say that i liked match point more, in terms of scarlett-era woody allen films. this was a very enjoyable movie though and penelope cruz's performance was incredible and it would not surprise me if she got nominated for an oscar.

ya think?
i thought she was great, no doubt...but i personally don't see it as 'oscar worthy'...but that's just me, who knows? i really enjoyed the actress who played vicky, bit of an unknown entity to me...and sadly can't recall her name ...i'll have to look it up and repost later.



*vicky is played by rebecca hall.

i really, really enjoyed it...but i think i would agree, there's just 'more' to match point but then again, i already said to my husband i look forward to seeing this flick again on DVD, think i will find more in it, and more enjoyment. it was ALL good. and damn, bardem was smoldering...so was cruz...and yea, just all of it. and the ending............well done!


and brainofjlo....:D...i am sure that would. funny, woody allen movies, at least around here....ALWAYS have a large audience of senior citizens. anyhoo..there was an older woman sitting one seat over from my husband, and let's just say...she was genuinely 'shocked' by much of it. hahaha.

decides2dream

bumping for other film viewers.

ladygooddiva

well i will watch it maybe bec. of the story but no way bec. of scarlett johanson bec. i don t like her

MonsterOfTheMidway

everyone stop hating on my future wife

ladygooddiva

MonsterOfTheMidway wrote:

everyone stop hating on my future wife

i can t stnd grown up ladys pretending to be like young chicks ..i mean this lolita acting ...

MonsterOfTheMidway

ladygooddiva wrote:

i can t stnd grown up ladys pretending to be like young chicks ..i mean this lolita acting ...

doesn't mean she isn't gorgeous

evenflow524

alexers wrote:

I didn't want to see this at first because I really really dislike Scarlett Johannson... but maybe I will! Thanks for the review!

This is practically un-American. She's better than baseball in my opinion haha I dont even care what movie it is, long as she's on the big screen

ladygooddiva

MonsterOfTheMidway wrote:

doesn't mean she isn't gorgeous

for me she is not
that s it

MonsterOfTheMidway

ladygooddiva wrote:

for me she is not
that s it

Well I said MY future wife, not yours

decides2dream

cmon people....beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
and those of you who see the beauty that others do not...and enjoy it, more for yourselves.


and the film is FILLED with beauty! ALL the actors are beautiful....and the city is beautiful! the focus on antoni gaudi's architecture, joan miros artwork a wee bit......just breath-taking.....

ladygooddiva

decides2dream wrote:

cmon people....beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
and those of you who see the beauty that others do not...and enjoy it, more for yourselves.


and the film is FILLED with beauty! ALL the actors are beautiful....and the city is beautiful! the focus on antoni gaudi's architecture, joan miros artwork a wee bit......just breath-taking.....

i have been there this year and fall in love in this town a bit ...that s why i will watch it

igotid88

I would like to see it.

mookie9999

Huge Woody Allen fan here and I really enjoyed this movie. In every movie I see Scarlett Johannson it cements the idea of just how bad of an actress she is. With that being said the rest of the cast along with Woody's neurotic humor easily makes up for Scarlett's shortcomings. The scenery was amazing. So much so that a trip to Barcelona in the distant future may not be out of the question.

decides2dream

mookie9999 wrote:

Huge Woody Allen fan here and I really enjoyed this movie. In every movie I see Scarlett Johannson it cements the idea of just how bad of an actress she is. With that being said the rest of the cast along with Woody's neurotic humor easily makes up for Scarlett's shortcomings. The scenery was amazing. So much so that a trip to Barcelona in the distant future may not be out of the question.

i just rewathced matchpoint again, last night. scarlett sure as shit ain't no great actress, but for whatever reason...i still enjoy her to a degree. perhaps even other hetero women can still enjoy her sultriness. my husband however, can't stand her!


woody's last film cassandra's dream was an utter disappointment to me....even with ewan macgregor. so it was nice for him to return to something more 'familiar'...even with being set yet again in a foreign country...outside of his usal beloved NYC. this makes 4 movies in a row set in europe for him..interesting. back to his usual, and strong subjects. bardem was brilliant as usual...cruz was fiery as ever...and i truly enjoyed relative? newcomoer rebacca hall. oh and i always love patricia clarkson.

decides2dream

bump for helen!

Heineken Helen

decides2dream wrote:

i just rewathced matchpoint again, last night. scarlett sure as shit ain't no great actress, but for whatever reason...i still enjoy her to a degree. perhaps even other hetero women can still enjoy her sultriness. my husband however, can't stand her!


woody's last film cassandra's dream was an utter disappointment to me....even with ewan macgregor. so it was nice for him to return to something more 'familiar'...even with being set yet again in a foreign country...outside of his usal beloved NYC. this makes 4 movies in a row set in europe for him..interesting. back to his usual, and strong subjects. bardem was brilliant as usual...cruz was fiery as ever...and i truly enjoyed relative? newcomoer rebacca hall. oh and i always love patricia clarkson.

I think she IS gorgeous.. but a really crap actress. I usually HATE Woody Allen films too but I will watch it for Javier Bardem

decides2dream

Heineken Helen wrote:

I think she IS gorgeous.. but a really crap actress. I usually HATE Woody Allen films too but I will watch it for Javier Bardem

yes, there is *something* about her looks....very voluptious, yet innocent/girl next door. she is a fairly crap actress, but sadly so are many. my husband can't stand her b/c she is a crap actress, and yes....he doesn't find her at all attractive. totally not his type.....he likes more of the waif look, and/or....errrrrr.....more like me?


as far as vicky christina barcelona seriously, ALL the other actors more than make up for johannsen....all totally top-notch and great performances, even in the most supportive of roles. really, really good....and quite a bit steamy, while also the trademark woody humor and human relationship observations....

MrBrian

I liked it, the g/f took me to see it a few day's ago.

I did have a few issues with it, but yeah good movie and mostly good acting.

Heineken Helen

decides2dream wrote:

yes, there is *something* about her looks....very voluptious, yet innocent/girl next door. she is a fairly crap actress, but sadly so are many. my husband can't stand her b/c she is a crap actress, and yes....he doesn't find her at all attractive. totally not his type.....he likes more of the waif look, and/or....errrrrr.....more like me?


as far as vicky christina barcelona seriously, ALL the other actors more than make up for johannsen....all totally top-notch and great performances, even in the most supportive of roles. really, really good....and quite a bit steamy, while also the trademark woody humor and human relationship observations....

well, even though I think she's a crap actress, she wouldn't turn me off going to see a film cos she is easy on the eye and has a face/body made for the screen... and tbh, I think I'd quite enjoy the kiss between her and Penelope Cruz perhaps her acting skills will one day catch up... I actually have a feeling she WILL be a good actress one day! So yeh, it would be more Woody Allen that would turn me off seeing it cos I don't think I've enjoyed ANY of his films :eek: but I will still see it

decides2dream

MrBrian wrote:

I liked it, the g/f took me to see it a few day's ago.

I did have a few issues with it, but yeah good movie and mostly good acting.

may i ask what issues?
i am not saying it is some ridiculously spectacular film....but i think it's really solid, and good! i can't really think of any 'issues' i had with it, at all. and believe me, even movies that i love often times there are scenes and/or dialogue/story arcs that i have 'issues' with.....:p.....so i do wonder.


of course, if sharing such is a spoiler to the film, do please state *spoiler* beofore your post!


helen, if you don't like woody allens writing/directing style, i highly doubt this film would change your mind. i am a woody fan. obviously, not every one of his films do i think is great...not by a longshot...but i love many, and i love his style.

MrBrian

decides2dream wrote:

may i ask what issues?
i am not saying it is some ridiculously spectacular film....but i think it's really solid, and good! i can't really think of any 'issues' i had with it, at all. and believe me, even movies that i love often times there are scenes and/or dialogue/story arcs that i have 'issues' with.....:p.....so i do wonder.


of course, if sharing such is a spoiler to the film, do please state *spoiler* beofore your post!


helen, if you don't like woody allens writing/directing style, i highly doubt this film would change your mind. i am a woody fan. obviously, not every one of his films do i think is great...not by a longshot...but i love many, and i love his style.

I don't mind woody allen films, I went into this movie with an open mind and like you said, even great movies or movies people love have problems with them. So perhaps it doesnt matter.

Well on that note, I think the movie did not reach deep enough into the spanish feel. It's hard to explain. They tried, but they did not quite make it. So it throws the whole movie off for me.

But yeah otherwiese it was good. I liked it.

decides2dream

MrBrian wrote:

I don't mind woody allen films, I went into this movie with an open mind and like you said, even great movies or movies people love have problems with them. So perhaps it doesnt matter.

Well on that note, I think the movie did not reach deep enough into the spanish feel. It's hard to explain. They tried, but they did not quite make it. So it throws the whole movie off for me.

But yeah otherwiese it was good. I liked it.

i getcha.
however, on that issue...i think it's purposeful. it's mostly about 2 upper-class american girls and their travels...and yes, it was obvious that while they said they were about 'experiencing spain'...it was more insular and about THEM. i mean it was often brought up how christina did not speak spanish, nor tried....and yes, vicky was studying catalan culture, and yet seemed to be not well-informed...so i think it was meant to be like that, part of their characters...and part of who they are, and how the film transpired...all parts of the 'why' things were the way they were. i do agree though, visually and culturally...i wouldn've enjoyed more 'spain'...bu ti don't really think that was the point of the film. just imo of course.


thanks for sharing though b/c i was curious what you were referencing.

MrBrian

(Spoiler?)

Well of course I guess it was not the point of the film, but I felt that the movie tried to get the spainsh feel, but failed at the attempt, that's why it spoilt it a bit.

You know, some of the writing was a bit off, or perhaps some of the acting? But I think you are viewing the movie mainly on it's subject matter. Which is fair, I also think the movie was very unique. I guess based just on what it's about, yes then it's a great movie, touched on enough issues. I'm pissed that the other girls husband couldnt pick up that his wife was sorta cheating.

He believed the gun shot wound story?...made me laugh, it's possible I guess, but perhaps it was just his nature to be so blind. I wonder how he votes? anyway, that's another topic.

decides2dream

MrBrian wrote:

(Spoiler?)

Well of course I guess it was not the point of the film, but I felt that the movie tried to get the spainsh feel, but failed at the attempt, that's why it spoilt it a bit.

You know, some of the writing was a bit off, or perhaps some of the acting? But I think you are viewing the movie mainly on it's subject matter. Which is fair, I also think the movie was very unique. I guess based just on what it's about, yes then it's a great movie, touched on enough issues. I'm pissed that the other girls husband couldnt pick up that his wife was sorta cheating.

He believed the gun shot wound story?...made me laugh, it's possible I guess, but perhaps it was just his nature to be so blind. I wonder how he votes? anyway, that's another topic.

exactly....and also he would just never *think* she would be like that. i mean really...from the beginning of the film, it was like it was SO out of character for her to do what she did.


see, i never really thought of any focus being on spain really. sure, there was a bit....but a passing tease, and i think it was purposeful to the story. especially a woody movie, it's always about the characters interactions. i mean hell, the bulk of his films are based in NYC, it's almost another character...and yet it's not. i think the sae here.


i thought the film was very tightly written, and that isn't always the case with woody films...so i really liked that. i LOVED the ending, i thought it perfection. i think it was such a woody allen flick...and a really high caliber one. scarlett seems to be his leading lady du jour. once upon a time...diane keaton...mia farrow. guess it's scarlett's 'time.'


anyhoo....i enjoy reading your posts. it's nice to actually discuss the film!