ajzepp Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I have always had the impression that Woody Allen was a borderline pedophile and a bit of a perv, thus I've never had much interest in seeing his films. That being said, I did happen to catch his last two - 'Match Point' and, just a couple days ago, 'Scoop'. I thought Match Point was very well done, and I liked Scoop enough to enjoy the hour and a half I spent with it. (The very last scene in 'Scoop' had me rolling....great scene!) So, still uncertain as to how I feel about Woody Allen as an individual, I have to admit that I'm somewhat interested in seeing more of his work as a director. I was wondering how the rest of you guys felt about him, and whether or not you could recommend some of his better films to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 The early films are hilarious, classic stuff...especially the ones with lots of sight gags. But I think everything after Annie Hall is very much hit-or-miss, mostly miss. I would unequivocally recommend: Bananas Sleeper Take The Money And Run Play It Again, Sam What's Up, Tiger Lily? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 "Broadway Danny Rose" was pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyT Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Manhattan (although it may strengthen your pedophile argument because Marial Hemingway looks like she's about 15) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cugalabanza Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Holy crap, Woody Allen is a national treasure. Pervert, maybe, but a legend all the same. Yes, the early ones are funny and goofy and enjoyable. Yes, Annie Hall is a masterpiece. But there are many excellent ones since. Most notably... Manhattan Hannah And Her Sisters Zelig Crimes And Misdemeanors Bullets Over Broadway Mighty Aphrodite Deconstructing Harry Whatever you do, stay away from Celebrity. Just a miserable flop. He tried to make a tribute to La Dolce Vita and it just stinks on hot ice. Also, Hollywood Ending is pretty awful in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I have always had the impression that Woody Allen was a borderline pedophile and a bit of a perv, thus I've never had much interest in seeing his films. That being said, I did happen to catch his last two - 'Match Point' and, just a couple days ago, 'Scoop'. I thought Match Point was very well done, and I liked Scoop enough to enjoy the hour and a half I spent with it. (The very last scene in 'Scoop' had me rolling....great scene!) So, still uncertain as to how I feel about Woody Allen as an individual, I have to admit that I'm somewhat interested in seeing more of his work as a director. I was wondering how the rest of you guys felt about him, and whether or not you could recommend some of his better films to me. 849266[/snapback] I'm a Woody Allen fan. Like most, I like his older stuff better (overall). What I like and respect about the Woodman is he does what he does his way, with little concern for the commercial ramifications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzepp Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 thanks guys, that will definitely be a great start for my Netflix list! Oddly enough, I've somehow seen Mighty Aphrodite and Bullets over Broadway w/out even realizing they were his films I saw BoB when I was dating a girl who was a classically trained opera singer, so I think we were trying to see films that were a bit more sophisticated than Ace Ventura. I remember liking the movie, but not being crazy about it. Mighty Aphrodite I enjoyed, though I had a HUGE crush on Mira Sorvino. What a babe So I guess I've seen four W.A. films....I'll probably delve back into his really early stuff since I figure that's what helped him obtain his rep as a great filmmaker. I'll have to let Woody entertain me until Jim Jarmusch, one of my new favorite directors, comes out with his next film Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzepp Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 I'm a Woody Allen fan. Like most, I like his older stuff better (overall). What I like and respect about the Woodman is he does what he does his way, with little concern for the commercial ramifications. 849401[/snapback] I can totally respect that, too. I don't want to see the studios sterilization of a director's vision, I want to see the director's vision period. There are a lot of amazingly creative people directing and writing films, and I wish they'd be left to their own devices more than they are. I think with the surge of Indy films over the past ten years or so, combined with the ability to make a film for nearly peanuts nowadays, you see a lot more of that independence and pure vision. I dig it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy_from_north_buffalo Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I have always had the impression that Woody Allen was a borderline pedophile and a bit of a perv, thus I've never had much interest in seeing his films. That being said, I did happen to catch his last two - 'Match Point' and, just a couple days ago, 'Scoop'. I thought Match Point was very well done, and I liked Scoop enough to enjoy the hour and a half I spent with it. (The very last scene in 'Scoop' had me rolling....great scene!) So, still uncertain as to how I feel about Woody Allen as an individual, I have to admit that I'm somewhat interested in seeing more of his work as a director. I was wondering how the rest of you guys felt about him, and whether or not you could recommend some of his better films to me. 849266[/snapback] 'Play it again Sam' is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 thanks guys, that will definitely be a great start for my Netflix list! Oddly enough, I've somehow seen Mighty Aphrodite and Bullets over Broadway w/out even realizing they were his films I saw BoB when I was dating a girl who was a classically trained opera singer, so I think we were trying to see films that were a bit more sophisticated than Ace Ventura. I remember liking the movie, but not being crazy about it. Mighty Aphrodite I enjoyed, though I had a HUGE crush on Mira Sorvino. What a babe So I guess I've seen four W.A. films....I'll probably delve back into his really early stuff since I figure that's what helped him obtain his rep as a great filmmaker. I'll have to let Woody entertain me until Jim Jarmusch, one of my new favorite directors, comes out with his next film 849405[/snapback] Jarmusch is terrific, too. Another who does things on his own terms. Unsolicited recommendations for interesting and underrated filmmakers: John Sayles: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000626/ (Just quality from this Writer/Diretor/Editor. Check out The Brother From Another Planet for some good laughs) Juzo Itami: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0411631/ (Tampopo is a CLASSIC. Yes, there are subtitles, but they're worth it, I promise) David Cronenberg: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000343/ (Yes, he's become commercial. But, Videodrome is an overlooked classic from his earlier period. Scanners is good fun, too. And...don't forget the Fellini! (I recommend Amarcord and Ginger and Fred for Fellini beginners (which you may or may not be). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuntheDamnBall Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Manhattan Murder Mystery is also a lot of fun. I'll second Mighty Aphrodite as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzepp Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 lol, I actually have 'The Brother From Another Planet' in my queue....I don't remember why I put it there, but there it sits. I'll have to move it up since you say it's worth a look. Speaking of Jarmusch, have you seen "Down by Law"? I think it's one of my favorite films ever....There is so much charisma and personality on the screen in those jail scenes that it's nuts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzepp Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 Manhattan Murder Mystery is also a lot of fun.I'll second Mighty Aphrodite as well. 849457[/snapback] He's got a lot of films out there....I had no idea he'd made that many! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cugalabanza Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 "Down by Law"? I think it's one of my favorite films ever849460[/snapback] Yes! One of my favorites too. The eight ball is a very good ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzepp Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 Yes! One of my favorites too. The eight ball is a very good ball. 849472[/snapback] right on! I recommend that film all the time, but not many people ever take me up on it....such a shame, cause it's a damn fine flick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 lol, I actually have 'The Brother From Another Planet' in my queue....I don't remember why I put it there, but there it sits. I'll have to move it up since you say it's worth a look. Speaking of Jarmusch, have you seen "Down by Law"? I think it's one of my favorite films ever....There is so much charisma and personality on the screen in those jail scenes that it's nuts! 849460[/snapback] Yes. Stranger Than Paradise and Down by Law were the first two JJ films I ever saw. He used/uses some bizarre actors (Tom Waits, for example) in those films. The personality/charisma you speak of is in all of Fellini's films, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzepp Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 Yes. Stranger Than Paradise and Down by Law were the first two JJ films I ever saw. He used/uses some bizarre actors (Tom Waits, for example) in those films. The personality/charisma you speak of is in all of Fellini's films, as well. 849490[/snapback] fellini is probably the most famous director I know, yet have not seen any of his films. I'll definitley add your recs to my list, though....I'd like to see what he's all about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 fellini is probably the most famous director I know, yet have not seen any of his films. I'll definitley add your recs to my list, though....I'd like to see what he's all about. 849505[/snapback] The two I mention are not his BEST films. They are very good (especially Amarcord) and easier to get into for a Fellini "newbie". Some of his films are tougher to appreciate, IMO. If you like Amarcord, you might want to see Intervista. It is "meta" at a-whole-nother level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzepp Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 The two I mention are not his BEST films. They are very good (especially Amarcord) and easier to get into for a Fellini "newbie". Some of his films are tougher to appreciate, IMO. If you like Amarcord, you might want to see Intervista. It is "meta" at a-whole-nother level. 849519[/snapback] I just looked him up on Netflix, and it seems I have "La Dolce Vida" in my queue already....any comment on that one? They have Amarcord and Intervista, too, so I'll start with Amarcord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cugalabanza Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I'm in the minority I think with La Dolce Vita. I know it's considered a masterpiece, but I've never been able to get into it. I've tried a couple times, but I find it irritating. As far as Felini goes, the ones I love are La Strada and 8 1/2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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