[Leica] Cinematic Leica sighting

[hlritter at bex.net (Howard Ritter)]

Went to Woody Allen's new one tonight, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", and  
was treated to the sight of two of my favorite things: Pen?lope Cruz  
and, in her lovely hands, a chrome M. Didn't get a good look at it,  
even though I manfully tore my eyes away from its user for a few  
seconds, but it was red-dotted. It looked big enough for an M8, but as  
Ms Cruz's character made a point of bringing it out as a film camera  
in response to Scarlett Johansson's continual use of a digicam, I'm  
guessing that it was a 7 or possibly a 6 (is my faith in Hollywood  
prop departments misplaced? Surely they wouldn't have just used a  
nearby M8 in the role of a film camera....). Couldn't quite tell  
whether the left top corner was angled. Will have to rent the DVD?to  
have another look at, ahem, the camera. Just to make sure. Over and  
over, as many times as necessary.

The movie was excellent. Outstanding performance by Pen?lope and  
excellent by Javier Bardem as a clich?d tempestuous Latin love/hate- 
each-0ther-but-can't-live-with/without-each-other//incredibly  
beautiful and voluptuous, unstable, volatile, practically bipolar  
suicidal-homicidal//smoulderingly sensual, roughly handsome,  
impossibly hypermasculine// hot-blooded pair of artists, and (if hers  
was acting) a good one by Johansson as a clich?d somewhat bimboid,  
chronically restless, bedhopping American something-or-other. Typical  
Woodmanic self-analytic dialogue and complex interpersonal dynamics  
and multilevel conflicts, with a rapid descent to an ending that was a  
bit undernourished. Several minutes of red-lit darkroom scenes as  
well. Well worth seeing, as well for the lovely Spanish setting as for  
the story. Envy is directed toward our Iberian LUGgers and MUGgers,  
especially Barcelonianos (you know who you are, luisripoli).

--howard