Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Magic in the Moonlight (2014)

This is topic Magic in the Moonlight (2014) in forum Film Handlers' Movie Reviews at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 08-17-2014, 03:30 AM:

CINEMA: 13th Avenue Warren, Wichita, KS
AUDITORIUM: 10
PRESENTATION: Dolby Digital Cinema DLP/THX
PRESENTATION PROBLEMS: None [Cool]

RATING: Two and one half stars (out of four)

THE PLOT: A magician attempts to expose a fraud. Wackiness ensues.

As Woody Allen movies go, it's brain-dead fluff. As romantic comedies go, it's adorable brain-dead fluff. Like all recent Allen movies, it's full of beautiful locations. But the plot is light at best and I don't think either lead role was cast very well.

Still probably the romantic comedy of the year, or at least the only one I'LL see this year.

Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 08-17-2014, 11:07 PM:

This was a rare "When in Rome/What the hell is this, Fuck it, why not" Feature for me.

Cinemark on the Plaza, Kansas City MO.
Barco DLP/THX
I really like this theater, but it's just over an hour from home. Watched The Giver and this movie, with no background knowledge of it whatsoever, just because it wasn't showing local and it kinda justifies my trip in my mind.

ANYWAYSSS I was pleasantly surprised, I enjoyed the film overall, though it was a bit slow in some spots and I just had a hard time believing he so readily hopped on board the telepathy train and there was no real connection between Firth and Stone. I didn't even notice that "love" was happening until it was shoved down my throat and it was kinda wince worthy.

I'm easily satisfied though and got in a good number of laughs. 7/10

Posted by Stu Jamieson (Member # 4626) on 09-06-2014, 05:29 PM:

Stanley (Colin Firth), a well renowned magician, is sent on a debunking mission to expose spiritualist Sophie (Emma Stone) as a fraud. As is the norm for these kinds of things a rocky romance reluctantly blossoms between the pair predictably precipitating the drama and comedy for the story. Of course Firth is old enough to be Stone's father but add a little Just For Men and, voila, problem solved.

Written and directed by Woody Allen, the film is a frivolous but interesting discussion on open versus closed minds; hard rationality versus the fantastic; and the complex relationship between science, philosophy and religion. Though the film sways back and forth between the opposing viewpoints it ultimately remains an agnostic observer, recognising that different people gain sustenance from different beliefs and that truth is, in some ways, secondary to this.

Allen's writing and direction is simple, neat and concise, as are the performances delivered by his cast which also features Marcia Gay Harden. With a neat twist in the plot which is deftly presented, Magic in the Moonlight is pleasant, mildly thought provoking entertainment.

7 out of 10

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 09-06-2014, 11:56 PM:

I thought this was bottom barrel Allen, while the acting from Colin Firth was fun to watch him being a complete arrogant ass; the script was banal, the story predictable

color me unimpressed.

C

Posted by Terry Monohan (Member # 8285) on 09-16-2014, 11:33 AM:

3 times during some of the outdoor scenes the sunlight came back into the camera, very distorted. I can't believe old Woody let this happen. They needed to re shoot or move the angle of the camera. At least he is using wide screen these days. I enjoyed the movie and have told many of my old friends to go out and see It on the big screen.

Posted by Terry Lynn-Stevens (Member # 7349) on 12-28-2014, 02:35 PM:

Wanted to see this movie and I finally had a chance to watch it on a Red Box rental. Overall an OK movie at best, the first hour was pretty good and then it went downhill from there.

I didn't find the cinematography all that good. I though there was a lot green screen used in this movie but apparently not [Wink]