Of all my impressionable moments as a writer, none are as endearing (and enduring) as watching a great Woody Allen film in a movie theater.
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| Woody Allen's latest film is also one of his best |
According to my questionable records, I've seen 19 Woody Allen films in movie theaters, dating back to 1982 with a double feature a few weeks after my high school graduation at the Picture Show in the Fairhaven district of Bellingham, WA.
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| Annie Hall & Manhattan, 6/29/82, w/ Neal, Kevin & Brenda |
I remember leaving the Picture Show in awe. It was the first time I'd really appreciated the storytelling gifts of Woody Allen. I wanted to know how he did it, how he told his stories so well. I guess I've been pursuing his magic touch ever since.
The same sense of awe happened again in 1983 with Zelig, 1985 with The Purple Rose of Cairo, 1986 with Hannah and her Sisters, 1987 with Radio Days, 1992 with Husbands and Wives, 1995 with Bullets Over Broadway, 1997 with Deconstructing Harry, 2005 with Match Point, 2011 with Midnight in Paris and now this past weekend with Blue Jasmine.
For over 30 years, I've had the pleasure of going to a Woody Allen film in a movie theater and experience a compelling, engaging story about adults, for adults. In a way, his films have influenced me more than any other collection of stories. He's our Chekhov.
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| Blue Jasmine, 8/16/13, w/ Alice |
I hope the magic never ends!
