Woody Allen interview.

There's a rare interview with Woody Allen, Why I love London, in the Guardian's film section. Apparently he's spending the summer shooting his latest movie there, and likes it quite a bit. Pretty interesting.

Sad to say that at the age of 68 he seems to have become somewhat disillusioned with both the American film community, and his own abilities as a filmmaker. He's convinced that he hasn't made any really lasting, truly great movies, and probably never will. I'd have to question that a bit, only agreeing to the extent that comedies by their very nature are aimed at entertaining for the moment, and are not necessarily intended to have long-term artistic value. Their value is that they make people laugh and feel better. I think, in such a difficult world, that is an absolutely enormous accomplishment. In any case, I think some of his movies will stand up better than he seems to think.

And regardless of whether or not they do, I'd say that his most lasting contribution is to the world of independent films itself. All of them, not just comedies. If nothing else he's proven that in an age of large studio dominance, it IS possible to make independent movies, and pretty much on your own terms, and to continue to do so regardless of their commercial success. He's done it year after year after year for over thirty years now; not an insignificant accomplishment by any means. From Cassavettes to Tarantino there's not another filmmaker who's done that so regularly and steadfastly. His influence is enormous and worldwide, and I'd say quite lasting.

There's one great quote of his which the interviewer mentions, and which is deserving of repetition. He was asked once what he would do if he had to live his life over again. His answer: "Probably the same, except I wouldn't read Beowulf." I don't know why I find that funny. Your mileage may vary. :)

He also says he's written a novel that he doesn't want to publish because he doesn't think it's good enough. I don't know. I read the books he wrote in the 70s, and thought they were absolutely hysterical. There was one in which a hard-boiled Sam Spade type detective is hired to find evidence of the existence of God, which was great. I'd be more than interested in reading anything else he's written.






Masked and Anonymous.

Well Bob Dylan's new movie, Masked and Anonymous, is out. Doesn't seem to have been much publicity, not for the A-list cast, but I imagine it'll get discussed. That would seem to be the point.

The NY Times has an interesting review of it. I also saw one in Salon but haven't had a chance to read it yet. Looked good though, probably worth the day-pass thingie they have.

I remember going to see Renaldo and Clara when it was released in the mid 70s. It got roundly panned by the critics, but I thought it was great. The music alone was awesome. But this one sounds much more professional. And with a stellar cast: John Goodman, Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lange and more.

Sounds like a bleak vision of life tho, and especially of America. It also sounds like Dylan is having fun with it all too.






Keanu Reeves gives away Matrix profits.

Hello Magazine in the UK reports that the Matrix star has given around $70 million of his Matrix profits to the special effects crew of the movies, each of whom will receive a couple of million. He says he already has more money than he can spend in centuries, and doesn't care about it. Way to go Keanu. Most excellent, dude.

Hey, not to be impudent, but can I have some? Really dude, like I'm really cool, and my whole life is a friggin' special effect, if you don't mind me saying so. Well, just asking. Don't ask, don't get.

Never stumbled onto Hello before. (Found them via BoingBoing.) I find British pop culture fascinating, don't ask me why. Ridiculously silly, but fascinating.

Another British publication I like is Ananova, a general purpose news magazine for the web only. Serious news along with lots of silly stuff, and, of course, updates on the royals. Their Quirkies section is absurd and a great waste of time, although they seem to have eliminated the royals section of it. I guess they're just not being weird enough to be newsworthy.

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