Favourite Woody Allen Films

Munzerr · External Since: May 21, 2007 Posts: 6

Hi all,

I've recently come across Woody Allen in a big way, and I've been
fascinated with his films, especially. I really enjoyed 'Manhattan',
of course, and 'Deconstructing Harry' in another way. I love the
discussion of the writers life that enters into the 1997 film, as it's
long been a character I can identify with.

As Allen experts in this group, which films would you recommend as
next ones to check out? I've also seen (and loved) 'Annie Hall' and
'Match Point', which I loved, being English myself. Total shocker on
the ending there!

marianne casper · External Since: Dec 24, 2004 Posts: 39

> I've recently come across Woody Allen in a big way, and I've been
> fascinated with his films, especially. I really enjoyed 'Manhattan',
> of course, and 'Deconstructing Harry' in another way. I love the
> discussion of the writers life that enters into the 1997 film, as it's
> long been a character I can identify with.
>
> As Allen experts in this group, which films would you recommend as
> next ones to check out? I've also seen (and loved) 'Annie Hall' and
> 'Match Point', which I loved, being English myself. Total shocker on
> the ending there!

I envy you your first viewings of Another Woman, Sleeper, Love and Death,
Bullets Over Broadway, Gosh, Crimes and misdemeanors is one of his very
best, so too with Hannah and Her Sisters. There are plenty of good ones
before BOB just avoid September for sure. Interiors isn't a favorite either.
It's very sad. I like everything else before BOB, his last masterpice imo.
Marianne

Munzerr · External Since: May 21, 2007 Posts: 6

On May 21, 9:52 pm, "marianne casper" <puzzle_qu....RemoveThis@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
> > I've recently come across Woody Allen in a big way, and I've been
> > fascinated with his films, especially. I really enjoyed 'Manhattan',
> > of course, and 'Deconstructing Harry' in another way. I love the
> > discussion of the writers life that enters into the 1997 film, as it's
> > long been a character I can identify with.
>
> > As Allen experts in this group, which films would you recommend as
> > next ones to check out? I've also seen (and loved) 'Annie Hall' and
> > 'Match Point', which I loved, being English myself. Total shocker on
> > the ending there!
>
> I envy you your first viewings of Another Woman, Sleeper, Love and Death,
> Bullets Over Broadway, Gosh, Crimes and misdemeanors is one of his very
> best, so too with Hannah and Her Sisters. There are plenty of good ones
> before BOB just avoid September for sure. Interiors isn't a favorite either.
> It's very sad. I like everything else before BOB, his last masterpice imo.
> Marianne

Thanks! I'll check those ones out next. I'm excited.

Glenn · External Since: Jul 31, 2005 Posts: 12

"Munzerr" <andymunzer.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1179855566.842529.31190@u36g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
> On May 21, 9:52 pm, "marianne casper" <puzzle_qu....RemoveThis@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>> > I've recently come across Woody Allen in a big way, and I've been
>> > fascinated with his films, especially. I really enjoyed 'Manhattan',
>> > of course, and 'Deconstructing Harry' in another way. I love the
>> > discussion of the writers life that enters into the 1997 film, as it's
>> > long been a character I can identify with.
>>
>> > As Allen experts in this group, which films would you recommend as
>> > next ones to check out? I've also seen (and loved) 'Annie Hall' and
>> > 'Match Point', which I loved, being English myself. Total shocker on
>> > the ending there!

Hi Munzerr,

Woody has made over 30 films, and everyone is excellant, but some are better
than others, but even a poor Woody film is (in my opinion) better than most
other peoples films. Here's my suggestion in no particular order:

Annie Hall for me is part of a trilogy, so you need to see Play It Again
Sam, Annie Hall and Manhattan Murder Mystery in that order.

Hannah and Her Sisters, Radio Days and Everyone Says I love You (Woody's
magical musical) are masterpieces of nostalgia and leave you with a warm
glow at the end of them.

Crimes and Misdemeanors is possibly my all time favorite. It has two
intertwined story lines and like Match Point (but much, much better) deals
with how people deal with some pretty unpleasaent circumstances.

Sweet and Low Down is a mockumentary about the worlds second best jazz
guitarist and has such a sad ending my wife refuses to watch it.

Zelig is another wonderfull mockumentary about a man who can change his
appearance to match his surroundings.

A Midsummer Nights Sex Comedy: where Woody does for the countryside what he
did for the city in Manhattan!

Others that are really good include Celebrity, Shadows and Fog, Broadway
Danny Rose, The Purple Rose of Cairo. And then there are his more serious
films such as Interiors, September, Another Woman, and Husbands and Wives.

Then there are his outright comedies, which include Take The Money And Run,
Small Time Crooks, and even Scenes From A Mall!

I could go on and on - get them all!

Cheers,

Glenn in the UK

Munzerr · External Since: May 21, 2007 Posts: 6

On May 23, 10:04 am, "Glenn" <G... DeleteThis @andromeda-park.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> "Munzerr" <andymun... DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1179855566.842529.31190@u36g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>
> > On May 21, 9:52 pm, "marianne casper" <puzzle_qu... DeleteThis @sbcglobal.net>
> > wrote:
> >> > I've recently come across Woody Allen in a big way, and I've been
> >> > fascinated with his films, especially. I really enjoyed 'Manhattan',
> >> > of course, and 'Deconstructing Harry' in another way. I love the
> >> > discussion of the writers life that enters into the 1997 film, as it's
> >> > long been a character I can identify with.
>
> >> > As Allen experts in this group, which films would you recommend as
> >> > next ones to check out? I've also seen (and loved) 'Annie Hall' and
> >> > 'Match Point', which I loved, being English myself. Total shocker on
> >> > the ending there!
>
> Hi Munzerr,
>
> Woody has made over 30 films, and everyone is excellant, but some are better
> than others, but even a poor Woody film is (in my opinion) better than most
> other peoples films. Here's my suggestion in no particular order:
>
> Annie Hall for me is part of a trilogy, so you need to see Play It Again
> Sam, Annie Hall and Manhattan Murder Mystery in that order.
>
> Hannah and Her Sisters, Radio Days and Everyone Says I love You (Woody's
> magical musical) are masterpieces of nostalgia and leave you with a warm
> glow at the end of them.
>
> Crimes and Misdemeanors is possibly my all time favorite. It has two
> intertwined story lines and like Match Point (but much, much better) deals
> with how people deal with some pretty unpleasaent circumstances.
>
> Sweet and Low Down is a mockumentary about the worlds second best jazz
> guitarist and has such a sad ending my wife refuses to watch it.
>
> Zelig is another wonderfull mockumentary about a man who can change his
> appearance to match his surroundings.
>
> A Midsummer Nights Sex Comedy: where Woody does for the countryside what he
> did for the city in Manhattan!
>
> Others that are really good include Celebrity, Shadows and Fog, Broadway
> Danny Rose, The Purple Rose of Cairo. And then there are his more serious
> films such as Interiors, September, Another Woman, and Husbands and Wives.
>
> Then there are his outright comedies, which include Take The Money And Run,
> Small Time Crooks, and even Scenes From A Mall!
>
> I could go on and on - get them all!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Glenn in the UK

Thanks Glenn - that was great advice, and I started on the 'Annie
Hall trilogy' yesterday, with 'Play It Again, Sam'. The film was
wonderful - I loved the opening, with Woody's jaw-dropping enthusiasm
for Casablanca... I've already seen 'Annie', but I'm going to catch
that again (maybe today?!) and then onwards.

Tracey · External Since: May 26, 2007 Posts: 2

"Munzerr" <andymunzer.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1179759506.821806.171530@u36g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I've recently come across Woody Allen in a big way, and I've been
> fascinated with his films, especially. I really enjoyed 'Manhattan',
> of course, and 'Deconstructing Harry' in another way. I love the
> discussion of the writers life that enters into the 1997 film, as it's
> long been a character I can identify with.
>
> As Allen experts in this group, which films would you recommend as
> next ones to check out? I've also seen (and loved) 'Annie Hall' and
> 'Match Point', which I loved, being English myself. Total shocker on
> the ending there!
>

My all time favourite film is Annie Hall, it's the only film ever made that
I can watch over and over! Take The Money And Run and Sleeper have such
hilarious scenes in them, tears were tumbling down my cheeks! I like most
of the films I've seen by Woody, but couldn't get on with Everyone Says I
Love you, probably because I hate musicals! Last week I watched Matchpoint,
and I really enjoyed the film - the ending isn't what you expect at all is
it?! Has anyone mentioned Mighty Aphrodite yet? - I enjoyed that too!

Tracey

Kim T. · External Since: May 28, 2007 Posts: 1

I totally agree here. See 'Crimes and Misdemeanors' and you'll notice the
similarities between it and 'Match Point'.

~Kim~

"Glenn" <Glenn RemoveThis @andromeda-park.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:f3101p$fvg$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk...
>
> "Munzerr" <andymunzer RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1179855566.842529.31190@u36g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
> > On May 21, 9:52 pm, "marianne casper" <puzzle_qu... RemoveThis @sbcglobal.net>
> > wrote:
> >> > I've recently come across Woody Allen in a big way, and I've been
> >> > fascinated with his films, especially. I really enjoyed 'Manhattan',
> >> > of course, and 'Deconstructing Harry' in another way. I love the
> >> > discussion of the writers life that enters into the 1997 film, as
it's
> >> > long been a character I can identify with.
> >>
> >> > As Allen experts in this group, which films would you recommend as
> >> > next ones to check out? I've also seen (and loved) 'Annie Hall' and
> >> > 'Match Point', which I loved, being English myself. Total shocker on
> >> > the ending there!
>
> Hi Munzerr,
>
> Woody has made over 30 films, and everyone is excellant, but some are
better
> than others, but even a poor Woody film is (in my opinion) better than
most
> other peoples films. Here's my suggestion in no particular order:
>
> Annie Hall for me is part of a trilogy, so you need to see Play It Again
> Sam, Annie Hall and Manhattan Murder Mystery in that order.
>
> Hannah and Her Sisters, Radio Days and Everyone Says I love You (Woody's
> magical musical) are masterpieces of nostalgia and leave you with a warm
> glow at the end of them.
>
> Crimes and Misdemeanors is possibly my all time favorite. It has two
> intertwined story lines and like Match Point (but much, much better) deals
> with how people deal with some pretty unpleasaent circumstances.
>
> Sweet and Low Down is a mockumentary about the worlds second best jazz
> guitarist and has such a sad ending my wife refuses to watch it.
>
> Zelig is another wonderfull mockumentary about a man who can change his
> appearance to match his surroundings.
>
> A Midsummer Nights Sex Comedy: where Woody does for the countryside what
he
> did for the city in Manhattan!
>
> Others that are really good include Celebrity, Shadows and Fog, Broadway
> Danny Rose, The Purple Rose of Cairo. And then there are his more serious
> films such as Interiors, September, Another Woman, and Husbands and Wives.
>
> Then there are his outright comedies, which include Take The Money And
Run,
> Small Time Crooks, and even Scenes From A Mall!
>
> I could go on and on - get them all!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Glenn in the UK
>
>

Glenn · External Since: Jul 31, 2005 Posts: 12

"Tracey" <tracey7370 RemoveThis @ukonline.co.uk> wrote in message
news:5bqhijF2tto5oU1@mid.individual.net...

Lots of good stuff snipped:

> I like most of the films I've seen by Woody, but couldn't get on with
> Everyone Says I Love you, probably because I hate musicals!

I don't like musicals either, but Woody's take on a musical is what I like
about it - especially the fact that when they were doing the casting, they
didn't tell any of the actors it was going to be a musical and they were
expected to sing! And the penultimate scene has been described as one of the
most magical moments in '90's cinema - it still takes my breath away every
time I see it, and I know what's coming! Give it another go, you may get to
enjoy it...

Glenn

Tracey · External Since: May 26, 2007 Posts: 2

"Glenn" <Glenn.RemoveThis@andromeda-park.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:f3gp6d$cjg$1$8302bc10@news.demon.co.uk...
>
> "Tracey" <tracey7370.RemoveThis@ukonline.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:5bqhijF2tto5oU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> Lots of good stuff snipped:
>
>> I like most of the films I've seen by Woody, but couldn't get on with
>> Everyone Says I Love you, probably because I hate musicals!
>
> I don't like musicals either, but Woody's take on a musical is what I like
> about it - especially the fact that when they were doing the casting, they
> didn't tell any of the actors it was going to be a musical and they were
> expected to sing! And the penultimate scene has been described as one of
> the most magical moments in '90's cinema - it still takes my breath away
> every time I see it, and I know what's coming! Give it another go, you may
> get to enjoy it...
>
> Glenn
>
Oh I didn't know that about the actors not being told they would be expected
to sing! Lol! I may just have to give it another go Surprised

)

Tracey

marianne casper · External Since: Dec 24, 2004 Posts: 39

Everybody sings except Drew Barrymore. voiceover.
Well, Woody whispers his song.
Marianne

jem33 · External Since: Jun 04, 2007 Posts: 1

On May 21, 7:58 am, Munzerr <andymun....DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> ...., which films would you recommend as
> next ones to check out? I've also seen (and loved) 'Annie Hall' and
> 'Match Point', which I loved, being English myself. Total shocker on
> the ending there!

Hi

Here's my list of favorites, from a thread about Scoop:

>>
.... I think it's one of his best, especially coming so
late in his career. Scarlett Johansson was a fantastic comedic
partner for
him, second only to Keaton, imo, and lightyears better than that drip
Farrow Smile

. Who knew Scarlett could do such great NYC schtick?

Early in this newsgroup about 10 years ago, I posted my favorite WA
films, and want to update it with a couple from the 00s (or aughts?):

What's Up Tiger Lily?
Take the Money and Run
Sleeper
Love and Death
Annie Hall
Manhattan
Stardust Memories
Radio Days
Husbands and Wives
Deconstructing Harry
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion
Anything Else
Scoop