Woody Allen Films - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Central Perk · 09-24-2003, 04:34 PM

Lately, I've been reading a lot about Woody Allen films on the web. I personally thought The Purple Rose of Cairo, Bullets Over Broadway, Mighty Aphrodite, and Hollywood Ending looked really good. What Woody Allen films would you reccomend (besides Annie Hall)? Which ones wouldn't you reccomend? If anyone could answer my questions that would be great. Thanks.

TJL · 09-24-2003, 05:22 PM

Good question.

Of the ones you metioned "Purple Rose" and "Bullets" are two great films.

When it comes to Woody Allen films, you have some different catagories to consider:

Earlier Funny Films - To borrow a line from "Stardust Memories," these are the old Woody Allen films that were done strictly for laughs. Films like "Tke The Money And Run," "Bananas," "Sleeper" and "Love And Death" are laugh a minute farces.

New York Films - Post ""Annie Hall" flicks that feautes Woody in his now famous neurotic New Yorker role. There you have "Manhattan," "Broadway Danny Rose," which is brilliant, "Hannah And Her Sisters" "Manhattan Murder Mystery," and the "Oedious Wrecks" segment of "New York Stories."

Blue Period/Serious films - In the 90's Allen's subject matter became a bit darker, and the movies reflected this. "Crimes And Misdemeanors" is a sometimes funny but sad film about murder, guilt and retribution, while "Husbands and Wives" and "Deconsturcting Harry" take a rather harsh look at marriage and fidelity. Not too crazy about many of these films. Too downbeat. Although "Crimes" is the best of the bunch.

Period flicks - Usually set in the thrities, "Radio Days" and "Zelig" are wonderful. Zelig is particulalry inventive. Plus "Bullets" and "Purple Rose" also fit here. "Sweet and Lowdown" features a great perf from Sean Penn as a self destructive jazz guitarist.

Misc. - Films that are homages to other directors. "Shadows and Fog" is Woody's take on the old film "M" about a murderer lurking the streets in a European City. While it may sound a bit strange, it is a great film that was very underrated.
"Stardust Memories" Woody's homage to Fellini's "8 1/2"

As for the past few years, I've been a little disappointed with the Woodman's work. I am hoping to catch "Anything Else" though.
I think Woody needs to get some of his old gang together and make another great comedy in the tradtion of "Annie Hall."

Of the ones I mentioned above, you really should try to see "Broadway Danny Rose" as soon as possible. It is one of his best.

Well, that's my longwinded deconstruction of Woody Allen's films.
Hope it helps.

Central Perk · 09-24-2003, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
Good question.

Of the ones you metioned "Purple Rose" and "Bullets" are two great films.

When it comes to Woody Allen films, you have some different catagories to consider:

Earlier Funny Films - To borrow a line from "Stardust Memories," these are the old Woody Allen films that were done strictly for laughs. Films like "Tke The Money And Run," "Bananas," "Sleeper" and "Love And Death" are laugh a minute farces.

New York Films - Post ""Annie Hall" flicks that feautes Woody in his now famous neurotic New Yorker role. There you have "Manhattan," "Broadway Danny Rose," which is brilliant, "Hannah And Her Sisters" "Manhattan Murder Mystery," and the "Oedious Wrecks" segment of "New York Stories."

Blue Period/Serious films - In the 90's Allen's subject matter became a bit darker, and the movies reflected this. "Crimes And Misdemeanors" is a sometimes funny but sad film about murder, guilt and retribution, while "Husbands and Wives" and "Deconsturcting Harry" take a rather harsh look at marriage and fidelity. Not too crazy about many of these films. Too downbeat. Although "Crimes" is the best of the bunch.

Period flicks - Usually set in the thrities, "Radio Days" and "Zelig" are wonderful. Zelig is particulalry inventive. Plus "Bullets" and "Purple Rose" also fit here. "Sweet and Lowdown" features a great perf from Sean Penn as a self destructive jazz guitarist.

Misc. - Films that are homages to other directors. "Shadows and Fog" is Woody's take on the old film "M" about a murderer lurking the streets in a European City. While it may sound a bit strange, it is a great film that was very underrated.
"Stardust Memories" Woody's homage to Fellini's "8 1/2"

As for the past few years, I've been a little disappointed with the Woodman's work. I am hoping to catch "Anything Else" though.
I think Woody needs to get some of his old gang together and make another great comedy in the tradtion of "Annie Hall."

Of the ones I mentioned above, you really should try to see "Broadway Danny Rose" as soon as possible. It is one of his best.

Well, that's my longwinded deconstruction of Woody Allen's films.
Hope it helps.

I'll try to rent Broadway Danny Rose the next time I'm at a video store. I really started to read about his films online after catching part of a TCM special about him and his films. He narrated the special and they also showed clips from his movies. The Purple Rose of Cairo interested me the most out of all the films that were shown during the special. Out of the categories you mentioned I think I'm most interesting in New York Films, Period flicks, and some films from his Blue Period/Serious films. I especially thought Mighty Aphrodite would be interesting because I read that during the movie Woody's character interacted with a Greek chorus. Thanks for replying.

TJL · 09-24-2003, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry Paul
. I especially thought Mighty Aphrodite would be interesting because I read that during the movie Woody's character interacted with a Greek chorus. Thanks for replying.

Actually, that was a very funny part of "Mighty Aphrodite."

Try some of his early fims too. They're funny.

Central Perk · 09-24-2003, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
Actually, that was a very funny part of "Mighty Aphrodite."

Try some of his early fims too. They're funny.

I will. Sleeper seems good and so does Love and Death.

Sitcomwriter · 09-24-2003, 11:38 PM

The past couple Woody Allen movies weren't so hot.Small Time Crooks, The Curse of The Jade Scorpian and Hollywood Ending were all lacking something.Anything Else was good but it was basically just an inferior version of Annie Hall.There were so many similarities and both had similar Cocaine scenes.Let me explain them to you.

Annie Hall:Algy and Annie are at a party.Their friends are snorting cocaine.Annie wants to try it but Algy refuses to.

Anything Else:Jerry and Amanda are at their apartment along with Paula and her boyfriend.Paula and her boyfriend are snorting cocaine.Amanda wants to try it but Jerry refuses to.

See what I mean? There are other similarities too.

Central Perk · 09-27-2003, 10:42 PM

I went to the video store today looking for Broadway Danny Rose, and I couldn't find it. I also looked for The Purple Rose of Cairo and Hollywood Ending and I couldn't find either one. I looked in the comedy VHS section and the DVD section. Instead I picked up Bowling for Columbine. I guess I'll just have to look harder next time, or maybe I should try looking for some other Woody Allen films.

Liza · 09-27-2003, 11:04 PM

I haven't seen that many, but my favorites are Hannah and Her Sisters and Play it Again Sam

TJL · 09-28-2003, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry Paul
I went to the video store today looking for Broadway Danny Rose, and I couldn't find it. I also looked for The Purple Rose of Cairo and Hollywood Ending and I couldn't find either one. I looked in the comedy VHS section and the DVD section. Instead I picked up Bowling for Columbine. I guess I'll just have to look harder next time, or maybe I should try looking for some other Woody Allen films.

"Danny Rose" might be a bit hard to find. He did a few films with Orian Pictures, which is no longer around, so some of those movies got tied up in a big legal video rights thing when the studio went under. I remember hearing once that "Danny Rose" hasn't been available on VHS for some time, but I could be wrong.
Some of his older films have been released on DVD, but unfortunatly, lots of big video stores (blockbuster) don't stock his entire film collection.

Central Perk · 09-28-2003, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
"Danny Rose" might be a bit hard to find. He did a few films with Orian Pictures, which is no longer around, so some of those movies got tied up in a big legal video rights thing when the studio went under. I remember hearing once that "Danny Rose" hasn't been available on VHS for some time, but I could be wrong.
Some of his older films have been released on DVD, but unfortunatly, lots of big video stores (blockbuster) don't stock his entire film collection.

I checked bn.com and "Broadway Danny Rose" is available on DVD as well as pretty much all of his other films. It looks like MGM might have bought the rights to the films that were once owned by Orion.

TJL · 09-28-2003, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry Paul
It looks like MGM might have bought the rights to the films that were once owned by Orion.

Yeah, I was looking around online and pretty much came to the same conclusion.
Thanks.

Now go buy Danny Rose!

Sitcomwriter · 09-28-2003, 01:34 PM

I'm not sure if "Broadway Danny Rose" is available by itself but I do know that it is a part of a collection that also includes "Hannah and Her Sisters," "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy," "The Purple Rose of Cairo," "Radio Days," & "Zelig".

Central Perk · 09-28-2003, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sitcomwriter
I'm not sure if "Broadway Danny Rose" is available by itself but I do know that it is a part of a collection that also includes "Hannah and Her Sisters," "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy," "The Purple Rose of Cairo," "Radio Days," & "Zelig".

"Broadway Danny Rose" is avaible by itself, and all of the other movies in the collection are available by themselves too.

http://video.barnesandnoble.com/sear...16860446&FRM=0

09-24-2003, 04:34 PM	#1
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	Woody Allen Films Lately, I've been reading a lot about Woody Allen films on the web. I personally thought The Purple Rose of Cairo, Bullets Over Broadway, Mighty Aphrodite, and Hollywood Ending looked really good. What Woody Allen films would you reccomend (besides Annie Hall)? Which ones wouldn't you reccomend? If anyone could answer my questions that would be great. Thanks.

09-24-2003, 05:22 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Deconstructing Woody Good question. Of the ones you metioned "Purple Rose" and "Bullets" are two great films. When it comes to Woody Allen films, you have some different catagories to consider: Earlier Funny Films - To borrow a line from "Stardust Memories," these are the old Woody Allen films that were done strictly for laughs. Films like "Tke The Money And Run," "Bananas," "Sleeper" and "Love And Death" are laugh a minute farces. New York Films - Post ""Annie Hall" flicks that feautes Woody in his now famous neurotic New Yorker role. There you have "Manhattan," "Broadway Danny Rose," which is brilliant, "Hannah And Her Sisters" "Manhattan Murder Mystery," and the "Oedious Wrecks" segment of "New York Stories." Blue Period/Serious films - In the 90's Allen's subject matter became a bit darker, and the movies reflected this. "Crimes And Misdemeanors" is a sometimes funny but sad film about murder, guilt and retribution, while "Husbands and Wives" and "Deconsturcting Harry" take a rather harsh look at marriage and fidelity. Not too crazy about many of these films. Too downbeat. Although "Crimes" is the best of the bunch. Period flicks - Usually set in the thrities, "Radio Days" and "Zelig" are wonderful. Zelig is particulalry inventive. Plus "Bullets" and "Purple Rose" also fit here. "Sweet and Lowdown" features a great perf from Sean Penn as a self destructive jazz guitarist. Misc. - Films that are homages to other directors. "Shadows and Fog" is Woody's take on the old film "M" about a murderer lurking the streets in a European City. While it may sound a bit strange, it is a great film that was very underrated. "Stardust Memories" Woody's homage to Fellini's "8 1/2" As for the past few years, I've been a little disappointed with the Woodman's work. I am hoping to catch "Anything Else" though. I think Woody needs to get some of his old gang together and make another great comedy in the tradtion of "Annie Hall." Of the ones I mentioned above, you really should try to see "Broadway Danny Rose" as soon as possible. It is one of his best. Well, that's my longwinded deconstruction of Woody Allen's films. Hope it helps.
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09-24-2003, 11:38 PM	#6
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,356	The past couple Woody Allen movies weren't so hot.Small Time Crooks, The Curse of The Jade Scorpian and Hollywood Ending were all lacking something.Anything Else was good but it was basically just an inferior version of Annie Hall.There were so many similarities and both had similar Cocaine scenes.Let me explain them to you. Annie Hall:Algy and Annie are at a party.Their friends are snorting cocaine.Annie wants to try it but Algy refuses to. Anything Else:Jerry and Amanda are at their apartment along with Paula and her boyfriend.Paula and her boyfriend are snorting cocaine.Amanda wants to try it but Jerry refuses to. See what I mean? There are other similarities too.
	Last edited by Sitcomwriter; 09-24-2003 at 11:49 PM.

09-27-2003, 10:42 PM	#7
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	I went to the video store today looking for Broadway Danny Rose, and I couldn't find it. I also looked for The Purple Rose of Cairo and Hollywood Ending and I couldn't find either one. I looked in the comedy VHS section and the DVD section. Instead I picked up Bowling for Columbine. I guess I'll just have to look harder next time, or maybe I should try looking for some other Woody Allen films.

09-27-2003, 11:04 PM	#8
Liza BestYearsofOurLives Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 24, 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,537	I haven't seen that many, but my favorites are Hannah and Her Sisters and Play it Again Sam

09-28-2003, 01:34 PM	#12
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,356	I'm not sure if "Broadway Danny Rose" is available by itself but I do know that it is a part of a collection that also includes "Hannah and Her Sisters," "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy," "The Purple Rose of Cairo," "Radio Days," & "Zelig".