Jana's Guilty Pleasure - "Midnight in Paris"

"Midnight in Paris" is Woody Allen's love letter to Paris. For me it's total wish full-filling escapism. I can watch it over and over just to be in Paris during artistic Renaissance of the 20s and hang out with the visionary artists of the time. It is the story of Gil, a Hollywood screenwriter, (Owen Wilson in the Woody Allen role) who joins his fiancee (Rachel McAdams) and her family on a business trip to Paris. Being in the "City of Lights" rekindles his dream of living in Paris while he writes his novel. Unfortunately, his fiancee and her parents have more lucrative plans for him. In an effort to escape the ensuing conflict, Gil takes a midnight walk and ends up in 1920's Paris. This is a dream come true for the aspiring novelist as he mingles with great artists (Picasso!) and his literary idols including Hemingway himself! His heroes become his peers and even give him advice as he pursues the enchanting young model who eventually becomes his muse.

It is unusual for such a lite-weight romantic comedy to win an Oscar for Best Original screenplay. But, "Midnight in Paris," is highly original.  The action shifts effortlessly back and forth between two time periods. That takes real writing chops. At least Allen has placed his alter ego in a fresh new setting.  In fact, this is one of the most enjoyable Woody Allen films to come out in years.

Have you ever had the feeling that you were stepping back in time as you strolled down a narrow cobble stone street or visited the old haunts of a favorite writer? Then, "Midnight in Paris," should delight the romantic in you and maybe even inspire you to follow your true passion.

Movie Blessings!
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com

MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2009!

This list is compiled of films that have been promoted through our reviews on Reel Inspiration's blogs. Diverse films with entertaining, powerful stories that uplift, challenge, give hope or inspire. Some weight has been given to films with themes that are particularly relevant to the issues of our time.

Due to time restraints, I must limit the kind of films I review. For instance, I don't review documentaries and I rarely review animated films. I am less likely to review a Hollywood blockbuster unless I am EXTREMELY moved as with last year's MICHAEL CLAYTON. In fact, I mostly review films that move me emotionally or intellectually.

I would like to make an exception about documentaries by recommending two of the most inspiring films of the year: "THE HORSE BOY" and "AFGHAN STAR." In both of these docs, the heroes take great risks to follow their "unreasonable" paths. In THE HORSE BOY, an autistic boy speaks clearly when put on a horse. His family travels across Mongolia in search of a horse Shaman to heal the boy. http://www.horseboymovie.com/Film.php
In AFGHAN STAR, an Afghani woman risks her life to express herself in song and dance on the national talent show. www.afghanstardocumentary.com/

If you do not see your favorite inspiring films represented here, please, share them in the COMMENT section.

After reviewing this list, I found a trend in the many of the films: the theme of the importance of human connections. Perhaps in this time of war and financial hardships, our connections with others are even more important.

It is my pleasure to present...
Reel Inspiration's MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2009.

1) "Up in the Air"
Ryan Bigham, an elite frequent flyer, enjoys riding high above the clueless employees he fires as a corporate hatchet man. He discovers that despite the hassles, it's our connections with others that make our lives rewarding. This film stands out as one of the few recent adult comedies that is truly witty.

2) "Paris"
In a city bustling with people and their busy lives, it's time to start living by connecting with others. This touching film brims with hope and life. (subtitles)

3) "Invictus"
Newly elected President Mandela sets an example for his country by forgiving and working along side of his vicious suppressors. He uses the universal language of sports to present a unified Africa to the world. Truly inspiring.

4) "Departures"
When his dream of being a cellist is destroyed, Diago finds his true path in the most unlikely of professions - preparing the recently departed with the traditional Japanese cleansing rituals of Nokanshi. DEPARTURES has humorous scenes reminiscent of SUNSHINE CLEANING, but it takes us on a deeper spiritual journey. (subtitles) "Departures" won best Foreign Language Film.

5) "Precious"
This powerful, acclaimed film with heart achingly honest performances, demonstrates the strength of the human spirit to survive extreme abuse and find hope. It shows the transforming power of having one person - a teacher - who believes in you. "Precious" won best Supporting Actress for Mo'Nique and Best Adapted Screenplay for Geoffrey Fletcher. 

6) "Tulpan"
Cinematic magic. This "fictional" film follows the daily life of a nomad family, but it feels more real and less intrusive than a documentary. Spontaneous acts of nature are caught on film and seamlessly incorporated into the story. It ruminates on how modern civilization encroaches on the happiness of a simple life. (subtitles)

7) "Rachel Getting Married"
Troubled Kim is released from rehab to attend her sister's wedding. Desperate to reconnect, she makes clumsy attempts to get her family's attention. But the hardest part is coming home to the people you hurt. Despite it's flaws, Kim learns that being a part of the family is worth the effort. This film is full of the painful truth, but there is also the hope of forgiveness.

8) "Sugar"
Sugar becomes a local hero in his small town in the Dominican Republic when he is recruited to play minor league baseball in the United States. But his pursuit of the American Dream is hampered by his struggles with the language and the cultural barriers of acclimating. More than just a sports film, Sugar deals with the issues of being true to yourself in a foreign country and the struggles facing illegal immigrants. (subtitles)

9) "Moon"
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY lite. This mostly two set, two actor production was one of the best Indie films of the year. Sam Bell has been stationed at the mostly automated lunar base for three years with his robotic assistant Gerty. His only human contact are recorded transmissions from his family back on earth. MOON illuminates what it is to be human: the necessity of hope and our need to connect with other people.

10) "The Messenger"
War "hero" Will Montgomery returns from Iraq and is assigned to the Army's casualty notification service. He has not gotten any grief counseling since receiving his own battle wounds - just a quick lesson in protocol from his jaded partner Tony who instructs the soldier to avoid physical contact with the next of kin. But their grief hits close to home. When he finds himself drawn to a widow with a brave facade, he questions his ability to be good for anything but war. THE MESSENGER shows the resiliency of the human spirit to move through grief to hope.

11) "Wendy and Lucy"
The antithesis of Disney talking animal films, WENDY AND LUCY shows the realistic bond between a young woman and her dog. Wendy relies on her dog Lucy for a sense of security and companionship as she travels to a fish cannery job in Alaska and sleeps in her car at night. When her car won't start in the morning, it is towed away leaving Wendy stranded in a town with no job opportunities and a hungry dog to feed. Wendy must deal with the hard responsibilities of having a pet.

Movie Blessings!
Jana Segal
Reel Inspiration

CHECK OUT COMPLETE REVIEWS BELOW.

Paris at the Loft.

If you have been longing for a trip to Paris, you only need to travel as far as the Loft Cinema. Last week there were three fine films that featured the City of Love: "An Education," "Coco Before Channel," and "Paris." You can still catch a double feature of "Paris" and "Coco Before Channel" at the Loft. Sorry for not writing about "An Education" sooner, but the Loft newsletter assures me that it will screen again.

Two of the films, "An Education" and "Coco Before Channel" are period pieces dealing with the confines of class and gender (both directed by women.) In all three films, Paris is presented as a city full of life, inspiration, and love.

In Lone Schefig's,  "An Education", Jenny Mellor, a bright English schoolgirl, (played by the incandescent Carey Mulligan) is pressured by her father to give all her attention to her boring studies in order to get accepted into Oxford University. Jenny is tempted to give up that dream when a charming older man (Peter Sarsgaard) offers her the finer things in life - music and culture and Paris! At first glance, this appears to be a morality play about the perils of being a fallen woman in the 1960's, but it goes on to explore the confines of society on women. Her father wants a better life for her, but admits that she would be going to Oxford to land a husband. A college education was not meant to open up new opportunities for women but to prepare them to be a respectable wives or educators. Jenny gets a fast education. She learns that the easy path may not be the most rewarding.

In Anne Fontaine's, "Coco Before Channel," Coco (the charismatic Audrey Tautou) is driven to overcome the confines of her class and gender to drastically alter the fashion of her times. Abandoned by her father and raised in an orphanage, Coco struggles to make a living performing with her sister Adrienne and working as a seamstress. When a duke falls in love with her sister, Adrienne leaves with him believing that she will be raised to his social standing. Coco uses this connection and her natural advantages to gain entree into the estate of Baron Balson. Coco is kept on as an amusement to the Baron and his guests. To free herself from the confines of the ladies' fashions of the time, Coco tailors her lover's cloths to allow her to ride horses and breath freely. She finds the hats of the time frivolous and designs a simple straw hat that becomes popular with the Baron's guests. In the process, she gains self respect and the love of an English businessman who recognizes her vision and potential. With his support and financial backing, she opens a successful hat business in Paris. But it is her unique vision and drive that makes Coco Channel the fashion icon of the twentieth century.

In "Paris," there is a story around every corner. A young heart transplant candidate, Pierre, looks down from his balcony to the busy streets of Paris. He finds comfort in observing the everyday details of other peoples lives as his own may be slipping away. A history professor begins to regret the sacrifices he made for his career after his father passes away. In a clumsy, urgent attempt to find love, he sends a text message to an unobtainable coed. An open air market vender must learn to live again after losing his wife. When Pierre's sister Elise (Juliette Binoche) puts her life on hold to take care of him, they both realize that she has just been going through the motions since her husband left. Pierre convinces her that her life isn't over - it is just beginning.

"Paris" was my favorite of the three films. It was full of so many things that make Paris great: the history, inspiration, life, and love!

Movie blessings!
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com

To add a little art for your viewing pleasure, check out "Séraphine" (see review below)set just out side of Paris.